Port Macquarie Focus - i86

Feature Story GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

January 2013 // issue 86

PORT MACQUARIE

Ocean Club Resort

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focusinterview.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this newly developed 5 star luxury over 50s ‘resort’ will sell itself … nestled just 10 minutes from Port Macquarie on the southern side of Lake Cathie, this brand new (property) community is set to change the perception of village living. While the focus is still on low maintenance, private living for your early retirement years – nothing has been left out when it comes to lifestyle facilities and a truly unique and luxurious Resort Style life. Louise Beaumont finds out more …

i John. Please introduce yourself and your role here at The Ocean Club Resort ... My name is John Gilmore, from Huntingdale Properties. I am one of the two partners in the development of The Ocean Club Resort community. We started our project and bought the land here just over six years ago and have been in construction since a little over two years ago, and we have just recently gone on the market. So what is The Ocean Club Resort? The Ocean Club Resort is NSW’s first 5 star over 50s resort. The Resort is pitched at people who are not ready to move into a retirement village. What we are creating here is a young, vibrant and active community and giving them all the facilities to enjoy their early retirement years. How is the development different from other over 50s seniors communities? I would say firstly, it is that this community will be much younger than the others. We are building houses as slab on ground construction via local firm Better Homes, and our facilities are unparalleled. I think that our location in this growth area of Lake Cathie is also unbeatable. We have three of these projects that we are going to develop, and we have chosen the first one here to be our flagship property. With properties now available for purchase, who would you encourage to 8

greater port macquarie focus.

come and have a look? gym and wellness centre; We are primarily locals focused and a half size Olympic pool looking for retirees who are active; in other with aquacise area; we words, retired from work but not from life have Yoga and Tai Chi (residents who intend on residing with us for spaces; and a $5 million a long time). Club House building Tell us about the key features of the which has a private homes. cinema, bar, commercial kitchen, lounge and For all intents and purposes, they are just dining areas, as well as a library and craft like a normal slab on ground home. Nearly all area. We also have a full competition size of them have ensuites and large garages with bowls surface with the latest tiger turf carpet storage areas. coming out of Europe, and at the rear Our main focus has been to of the Resort we have secure make sure the homes are RV and boat parking and of absolutely private, because course, a fully decked out ub it is medium density living. men’s shed. “ The Ocean ’Cl s first 5 Resort is NSWre Our unique selling proposiTell us about what . rt star over 50s piso d he tc tion is that we are enabling one can expect as is The Resort e not ar ho w le people to live in a brand the 'lifestyle' of the op pe at to a ready to move in new architect designed, Resort. .” retirement village free standing home, but It is a very luxurious, without any of the maintelow maintenance lifestyle nance. It is a set and forget style which we regard as highly of arrangement – we do all of the affordable. landscaping and gardening for them if So what is the price guide for a they choose. new home at The Ocean Club Resort? As an all inclusive community, what Pricing starts at $295,000 and goes other standout facilities do you have? through to the mid $300,000s. There is a long list of amazing facilities, What made Lake Cathie the idyllic locawhich includes: tion for this Resort? A championship tennis court with a paAs I mentioned, we have three of these vilion; golf driving nets and challenging golf style communities which we have already putting area; commercial level free standing acquired the sites for. We chose Lake Cathie

as it is halfway up the coast – it has the perfect climate, according the CSIRO and is the perfect location in a new urban growth area. It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know the local Council and contractors … plus, we hear the fishing is good. It is great to hear you have engaged local contractors. Who has been involved in the development? Where possible, everyone involved in the job has been local. Commercial Projects Group has completed all the community facilities, Better Homes Constructions have built all of the houses, and then we have many other local firms that we are involved in, such as Adams Marketing Group and King and Campbell. We have been amazed by the level of support – everyone has got behind what is a $20 million investment project, for which we are grateful. Thank you, John, for your time and good luck with the rest of the development. For those interested in The Ocean Club Resort, contact Karen or Darren on 1800 462 326.

editor's note.

editor.

from the

jay beaumont.

Welcome to the January issue of Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS. ur front cover this month might be worth a second glance. Beatles fever is about to sweep Greater Port Macquarie and to celebrate, we've re-created Abbey Road right here in Clarence Street – but can you guess who our cover models are?

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Chances are you might have voted for one of them recently. Leading the way is Peter 'Lennon' Besseling, followed by Adam 'Ringo' Roberts, Trevor 'McCartney' Sargeant and Justin 'Harrison' Levido. Many thanks for taking the time to be great sports and getting into character for the shoot. Eagle eyes will also notice the rare sight of a white Volkswagen Beetle and London Black Cab, which also featured in the original photo that was the cover for Abbey Road, the 11th and last recorded album of The Beatles, commonly considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time. To fi nd out more about Beatles Festival, turn to page 13. THIS MONTH We've put together a great feature, 'Experience the Hastings'. We invite you to explore our beautiful region this summer – get out and about and see what secrets lie in the Hastings. For lots of ideas, turn to page 46.

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

FESTIVAL OF THE SUN A big congratulations yet again to Simon and Scott from Festival of the Sun for another great event. We've long complained that we need to keep our youth in town and not 'lose them to the big smoke'. It's events like this that bring our youth 'home' and remind them what they're missing. Our December cover girl, Kimbra, rocked the stage. What a great night! WORK PLACEMENT Each year FOCUS takes in a limited number of students from local schools for their workplacement learning. If you are a local student who has a passion for Graphic Design, then make sure you contact us early if you think you might like to work at FOCUS as part of your workplace training. FOCUS has successfully employed and trained 2 full-time junior designers straight from school to work in the last few years, and we'd love to help you on your way too. FINAL SAY "How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours." Wayne Dyer.

Jay Beaum Beaumont – Editor jay@focusmag.com.au

PUBLISHING EXECUTIVE: Dylan Gaul dylan@danmurphys.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Old Greg Dable

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: 62128786005 Material in Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications PTY LTD 2009-2013 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

LUMBERJACK: Canadian Jeff

FOR A REFRESHING, POSITIVE AND PERSONAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

It’s your sign that these businesses really care about YOU

Businesses endorsed by the Customer Care Program believe they can learn everything they need to know about their business from their customers. They believe service excellence drives their business and boosts the bottom line, is the key indicator that allows them to stand out from the rest and the quality their customers come to know, value and respect. The Customer Care Program’s endorsed businesses are here to ensure you have a memorable experience in our region. It is not just about going back to old fashion ‘service with a smile’ basics, it is about having the right attitude.

A WORD FROM DR. IAN BROOKS The start to the New Year should be a time for a new way of thinking about how to interact with customers. Dr Brooks said business is now operating in an era where customers who do not have their expectations met will shop elsewhere.

jay@focusmag.com.au

joey@focusmag.com.au

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ADVISOR TO THE CUSTOMER CARE TASKFORCE

EDITOR: Jay 'Ricky' Beaumont

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

DEAR VISITORS & LOCALS OF THE PORT MACQUARIE REGION

ROVING & NEVER HERE PHOTOGRAPHER:

Nom Noms Marchment

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.

michael@luxe.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Kyle Cat Rathbone kyle@focusmag.com.au jeff@focusmag.com.au

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER: HRH Lou-cifer Beaumont louise@focusmag.com.au

“It is about the customer always,” Dr Brooks said adding that the focus needs to

shift from always thinking about the next sale to building a relationship with the customer who will ultimately become an ambassador of the unique, personalised shopping experience you offer. It is crucial that businesses know as much about their customers as they do about their products and services if they want to stay ahead of the game, Dr Brooks said.

YOU CAN FIND A FULL LIST OF CUSTOMER CARE CHAMPIONS ONLINE Visit www.customercareprogram.com.au

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Chrissy Lasiandra Jones chrissyjones1@bigpond.com

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Jasmin (no e) Johanesburg jasmin@focusmag.com.au

COMEDIC CONSULTANT: Annette Waneziano annette@focusmag.com.au

COPPIE EDITERS: Jo Atkins / Reg Brookhouse jo@focusmag.com.au / reg@focusmag.com.au

LUNCH WRITER: Susie Boswell winwin@portpr.com

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

of the

Many Customer Care accredited producers, cafes, restaurants, providores, wineries and breweries are also Journey of Flavour endorsed. This means that they not only give a guarantee to provide great customer service, but their goods, products and ingredients are grown, manufactured or produced right here in Port Macquarie-Hastings.

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focusinterview.

R NE COR

Ron 'Rocket' Turnbull Long timee local resident and retired Wauchope Service Station owner Ron Rocket Turnbull loves collecting anything car or bike related. Chrissy Jones had a look at his vintage collection, which he's been adding to since he was 15 years of age.

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ou have a great colstarting to put it all back together in our lection of vintage cars spare time. and bikes, fuel and oil The motor bikes are pretty special too cans and fuel bowsers. ... the '41 and '49 James. The '49 came When and why did you to Wauchope back in 1957, when I was a first start collecting? bowser boy at Grahams. I loved it and was What started it all was being a mechanic lucky enough to buy it about 15 years ago. and a young fella working for Grahams It was sitting under a tree for about 20 Auto Service in Wauchope back years; I still have a bit of restorain 1956. I love motor cars. tion to go on that one. The # rst car I purchased So have you restored all ite ur vo fa y to restore in 1976 was of the cars and bikes m k in th I a Triumph Herald in the collection? ... oh look, it's a a 't pick convertible; I've still Yep, I have, with toss up! I couldn n the favourite betweed the got it in the shed the help of good 1928 Austin 7 an ey are and haven't # nished friend Ron Walsh. He Th . Mark 5 Jaguar cause be it yet! A little Austin does a lot of panel s ite ur my favo ul bit of 7 came along; it work for me and gives they are a beautifing and was more interesting good advice. English engineer they look cute.” than the Triumph, so I How many pieces do started on it. you have in your collecThen I purchased a 1949 tion all up? Jaguar; we restored her right You've been in the shed; there through. It takes approximately 4 years must be hundreds, maybe a thouto restore a car. After the Jag, I picked sand bits and pieces all together counting up the blue Vauxhall 1952 ute about 12 bottles, tins and coke bottles, memorabilia years ago, and I've got a little Fiat Topolino. from Marshall's Cordial factory days, fuel I've been working on and off it for the past and oil cans, fuel bowsers and a couple of 20 odd years. At present, I am working on wooden fuel boxes that the fuel came in in a '51 Triumph May# ower. The mechanical the early days. part of it is just about all done, and we are Do you have a favourite, and why?

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I think my favourite ... oh look, it's a toss up! I couldn't pick a favourite between the 1928 Austin 7 and the Mark 5 Jaguar. They are my favourites, because they are a beautiful bit of English engineering and they look cute. Do you have any unique pieces? Not really, but all the oil bottles are pints and quarts. I suppose the most unique one I have is a little ½ pint. I have got brand new Castrol tops on a ½ pint, one pint and one quart bottle; I haven't heard of too many other sets. The little ½ pint bottle is pretty rare. Is your collection still growing? It is. If I found an old oil bottle, I would have to keep it # or even a 6 ounce Coke bottle; I'd have to # nd a spot for that. In my two display cabinets, there are lots of little trinkets. Often I pick up something from oil companies' memorabilia to add. If you had to give it all away and were allowed to keep one item, what would you keep? I think I would keep the Jaguar and put the Austin 7 in the boot! Has anything been added to the collection lately? Yes, I have added a couple of oil bottles, and a Marshall's Cordial bottle. Only small things now. My doctor told me that when I

# nish restoring my last car I've got going, I have to sell one, buy another one to restore, and that will keep me going. Is there a particular item you are searching for to add to your collection? I would love to get a TF MG # a 1954, '55 TF MG sports car. I would sell the Fiat in place of that one. I love English cars. Are you involved in any collectors clubs? Yes, I am involved in two clubs, with my main one being Hastings Valley Restorers. I have been involved with them for over 30 years, and I've been a member of the Austin 7 Club of Brisbane for about 28 years. Why do you think collecting is so good? Why does it mean something to you? Us older fellas collect things because I think we are reliving our youth. These cars that you see in the shed are the cars that we couldn't afford back then # when we were apprentices and young fellas. Thanks Rocket.

are you a collector? We want to know about you! Let us know what you collect, and you might just be our next Collectors Corner guest! e. louise@focusmag.com.au ph. (02) 6584 7433.

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Your Volkswagen Partner

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A RO U N D T H E R E G I O N // JA N UA RY

Shakespeare on the Green The Westport Club Fireworks Spectacular

Ladies In Red – Fashion Event Wear something red and raise the roof! Red carpet, red cocktail on arrival, private DJ, luscious canapés + fashion show – featuring fashion, accessories, makeup and hair art from across the Hastings. Proceeds from tickets sales go to the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. Prizes for best dressed, best red shoes and accessories. When Thursday 21 February 2013 – 6.30pm – 9.30pm What Fashion event celebrating everything red! Contact Tickets $35 pp available from Rydges reception or kate_woodfoye@rydges.com (02) 6589 2811.

more information

The Westport Club, outside on the lawns overlooking the River. Free live entertainment commences at 6pm, with Fiddler’s Feast Firework commencing at approximately 9pm The Westport Club Fireworks Spectacular is a FREE community event, and everyone is welcome to join us. Yes, The Westport Club is giving you a night to enjoy by the river – just because we can! The beautiful Hastings River and Pelican Island is the ideal backdrop for the magnificent lights of a fireworks display. Make a night of it – bring a picnic rug and chairs, sit back, and relax. When Friday 11 January. When This event is supported by The Greater, 103.2 StarFM, FOCUS and Port Macquarie News.

Loc up and coming theatre company 'Popinjay and Nuncle' is very proud to Local present Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing on the Town Green these Christmas holidays. When Saturday 19 January 2013 to Sunday 20 January 2013. Contact Belinda Horne by phone on 0450 308 088 or by email at Co popinjayandnuncle@hotmail.com for further information.

The Old Fella - Rod Gregory The Old Fella brings his bush humour to shake up the city slickers ...They cannot believe what they hear! When Saturday 12 January 2013. Tickets and info Laurieton United Services Club 6559 9110.

Call the Visitor Information Centre on 6581 8000, or log on to the Port Macquarie events website: www.gpmevents.com.au

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focusinterview.

Beatles Fever is set to hit Greater Port Macquarie in early March. We catch up with event organisers Janette Hyde and Neil Porter to find out more.

eatles mania is coming to Port Macquarie. Tell us a little about the event? The Port Macquarie Beatles Festival is a celebration of the music of the world’s most popular Pop band and most prolific songwriters. The Beatles’ music is most popular with baby boomers all around the world, but also many of their children and grandchildren who grew up listening to Mum and Dad or Nan and Pop playing Beatles songs. During the weekend of 1 to 3 March this year, Beatles mania will be resurrected in the Hastings as The Beatnix, Australia’s Number one Beatles tribute bands, as well as local bands pay homage to the most popular band ever. The Beatnix are no strangers to being part of festival events. They were involved in The Rocks Beatles Event in Sydney a number of years ago. Tony Dean from The Beatnix is excited to be the headline act in Port Macquarie’s inaugural Beatles Festival. On Friday, March 1, the first event, a show by acclaimed Beatles Tribute Band, The Beatnix, will happen at Laurieton United Services Club. Rob Dwyer, Secretary Manager of the Club, is full of enthusiasm for the show and really pleased that Laurieton will be involved. “The Ford Club and the Hastings Old Holdens Show ‘n Shine on the Saturday at Westport Park is operating at full steam ahead – it should be a great event,” said Andy and Eric, the representatives from the two Car Clubs, who are part of Beatles Festival Organising Committee. Scott Mesiti, Entertainment Manager from Port Macquarie Panthers, is looking forward to the Dance Party, which will held in the Club’s Auditorium on the Saturday night, again starring The Beatnix. We will be encouraging as

many Beatles look-alikes as possible to join in Neil: Winning two tickets to see the Beatles the fun. movie A Hard Day’s Night screened at the Civic A Street Parade up Horton Street will be Theatre in Newcastle and getting thoroughly held on the Sunday. Again, The Ford Club hooked on the band and their music. and the Hastings Old Holdens will be proud Janette: When The Beatles first came to Austo show off their fantastic cars. The cars tralia in 1964. I will never forget the euphoria will be joined by community groups, school surrounding their arrival – it was unbelievable. children and bands and will finish at the Town Four young guys and their music from LiverGreen, where a jumping castle and other kids’ pool started a fad which was embraced by all activities, market stalls and a stage will rock on and sundry and has created many wonderful throughout the day from midday. memories for all who were involved. Many local bands will play music from the We've heard a rumour of a submarine? ‘60s and ‘70s, and Port MacquaYes ... well, at this stage only a rie’s very own Rock ‘n’ Roll rumour, but recently I heard that dancers will encourage the Australian Navy was offering everyone to get up and a ‘retired from active service’ Many of dance the afternoon submarine to any town that us in Port away. could arrange a suitable site Macquarie were teenagers in the Planning is underand transport. I commented ‘60s who loved way to show Beatles that we could paint it yellow Elvis and the d le d movies and hold free and put it in a park, so that Mersey soun ...” s le at Be lunchtime concerts by kids could play on it and on by the local bands and choirs weekends a service club or a singing popular Beatles group of interested locals could songs. This will happen in the take organised tours through the leadup to the Festival. vessel. We could have our own Yellow Why the Beatles and Port Macquarie? Submarine. No connection between the two, other than How can locals get involved? a few people who have a vision to grow this Already we have two local firms supporting festival into an annual event that puts Port and the Festival – King and Campbell, Planning the Hastings on the map as a must visit experiand Design experts, and Bugden and Partners, ence for Australian lovers of Beatles music and Accounting and Tax experts, but we need a hopefully, one day overseas visitors. couple more to assist in making sure the FestiMany of us in Port Macquarie were teenagval is promoted inside and outside of the Hasters in the ‘60s who loved Elvis and the Mersey ings. It is important that the Festival gets off to sound led by the Beatles. Parkes has got Elvis, a good start and continues to grow every year, so we want to claim the Beatles. Just as a coso that eventually it is as popular as the Parkes incidence, it is 50 years since Love Me Do was Elvis celebration. released. We have a small organising Committee What's your favourite Beatles memory? of around 12 people, but we would love to

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receive any ideas and/or stories from anyone who has had a great Beatles experience. There has got to be someone in the Hastings who has a connection with the Beatles e.g. a relative, or someone who worked for or with the Beatles, or met the Beatles or has Beatles memorabilia. We would love to hear from them. If there are bands or choirs out there who would love to join us in participating in the Festival, we would also love to hear from them. Eventually the organising committee would like to see Beatles memorabilia swap and sell markets and a Beatles Band competition and a Talent Quest added to the Festival, but we will start on a level that we know we can comfortably handle and then I am sure with the community’s support, it will quickly grow into a very successful annual event on our local calendar. Janette said some of us who remember Port’s My Fair Lady Week with Stuart Wagstaff and Rio Week with Peter Allen are very excited that we can create a Community Event which can involve everybody. Next year we might even try and organise with Port Macquarie Race Club to hold a Race Meeting as part of the Festival. We all look forward to being part of this nostalgic weekend, so save the date in your diary so you can join us.

the plug! 1-3

The Port Macquarie Beatles Festival will be held from 1 - 3 March. For more information, contact jad.hyde@bigpond.com or 0418 837 683.

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inside this

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Animal Farm. Nick Skubij, an Artistic Director from Shake and Stir Theatre Company, is also one of the cast members of the theatrical production Animal Farm − a fantastic adaption of George Orwell’s original novel.

Issue 86 - January 2013

usual suspects.

the

Mary Bianco. Born in Kempsey and completing her studies at Port Macquarie TAFE, Mary Bianco has her sights set on a career in fashion. Not allowing her upbringing in the country or her young age to deter her, Mary has created her own selftitled fashion label, MARY BIANCO …

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12. what’s on for January 26. eat featuring local restaurants 34. palate pleasures with Lou Perri 38. social scene with Kate Wood-Foye 52. tourism with Janette Hyde 70. starguide with Terri 72. landcare with Estelle Gough 79. port chamber update with Haydn Oriti 93. real estate with Greg Trembath

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

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Pat Clark. From a career in finance that encompasses both the USA and Australia, Pat Clark is a new lecturer at Charles Sturt University – bringing with her a wealth of experience to the Port Macquarie campus …

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

Video

1:02

Port Macquarie Hastings Roads

BY THE

NUMBERS

OF THE

MONTH

854 kilometres of sealed roads in LGA. 459 kilometres of unsealed roads in LGA. 1 million: average cost per kilometre to construct sealed road. 10 million: approximate amount spent per annum on potholes, resealing, maintenance grading, vegetation maintenance, road signs, line marking, road drainage, kerb and guttering, culverts and bridges. Watch on your smartphone

VIDEO BY: The Business Tree. ABOUT: The Enigma Quartet play Autumn from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie. Thanks to The Business Tree, who produced this video in association with Australian Solar Timbers.

2013 largest projects for the year: Hastings River Drive/Boundary Street intersection upgrade and the Saltwater Creek Bridge reconstruction on Pembrooke Road. Source: pmhc

WATCH AT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS3m6HMIDsg

LOCAL

Title. la puesta del sol. Local Musician. Mat Brooker.

ALBUM

An album of instrumental Latin guitar tracks. It features Spanish guitar accompanied by light percussion, upright and electric bass, and there are even some strings on there. It’s very much inspired by the beautiful seaside and vibrant holiday atmosphere of Port Macquarie. Musical influence comes from Flamenco, Cuba, Mexico, and Jazz. Mat performs these songs solo every Sunday at Mi Casa Tapas Bar on the Town Green and also as part of ‘Trios Amigos’ every Thursday at Zebu Bar + Grill. To find out more: www.matbrooker.bandcamp.com /album/la-puesta-del-sol

with Eric from www.theotherchef.com.au

Image of the month. About: “The pic was shot at Delicate Nobby, near Point Plomer in July. The sparks are created by igniting steel wool (yes, it burns!) and spinning it on a rope and the long exposure of the camera setting captures the movement of the sparks as they fly off, makes for an interesting effect.” Photo by: Andy Smith. Shot on: Canon EOS 600D and Sigma 10-20 F3.5 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

WH

AT ’ S I N

focusreview.

BLUEBERRIES Centuries Centurie C e t ies ago, ag Native Americans gathered blueberries from the th he forests fo ore rest stss of o North America, and they were highly regarded for medical properties even then. for their me fo Packed P cked Pa d full of antioxidants, blueberries are a healthy and delicious de eliciou ous ad aaddition to a summer fruit salad, pavlova or an indulgent snack, all on their own. in indu ndulg gen nt sn Ernst Penny Tideman first planted blueberries on their Er rns nst an aand d Pe Comboyne Co omb boy oyne nee farm in 2003 – today they have 4 ha of fruit, with with 4 main wi mai m ain ai n varieties, which means their blueberries are available from early September through to the end of avai av aiila abl blee fr fro January. Janu Ja n ar nu a y. y ‘Pick ‘Pi Picc your Own’ is available – call Ticoba Blueberries and Avocados an d Av Avoc ocad oc ad on 655 04313 for details. Keep Ke ep an an eye eye out for their recently released Blueberry Jam ey (full (fulll of whole (f who w ho o juicy blueberries) and Blueberry Sauce – spiced nutmeg and cloves. with cinnamon, cin inna naam

WHERE

Ticoba Blueberries are available at local green grocers, including Growers Market on Gordon Street.

with Julie from www.gourmetgetaways.com.au

local dr p.

The Little Brewing Company A Trio of Wicked Elf ‘tis the season to be jolly! Why not enjoy something special this festive season, with the Wicked Elf range of thirst quenching boutique beers. Quite often the man’s festive needs are neglected, so perhaps it’s time to spoil that special bloke with a six pack of these crisp, fresh easy drinking beers. Beer is the perfect beverage for the summer months, and these styles will go along nicely with your festive BBQ or picnic. Wicked Elf is special enough for lunch at the in-laws, and a great accompaniment to seafood and sliced cold meats. The Witbier, Pale Ale and Pilsner all have something different to offer in flavour and aroma profile, but each is sure to impress. GOES WITH: Seafood and Thai Food COST: $87 carton (24x 330 ml). AVAILABLE: At all good bottle shops. Tastings and direct sales are also available at: Unit 1, 58 Uralla Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 www.thelittlebrewingcompany.com.au

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Ash Grunwald at Finnian’s January at Cassegrain Wines Get set for another cracker of a day with none other than Ash Grunwald playing live at Finnian’s on 27 January for their annual Car Park Gig, supported by the Foreign Objects. This is the only way to spend your Australia Day long weekend. When you’re onto a good thing, it’s only natural to want to keep the momentum and good times going … n’s “Live at Finnia Well, Ash Grunwald is 27 ay nd Su certainly onto a good January. Ticketsat thing, if not a great thing, $30; gates opend 3pm, supporten and coming off the back by The Foreig the words, the music itself of his latest album release Objects! ” traverses many tales – the Trouble’s Door and a massive Blues propelled by driving nationwide sellout tour, he is dancefloor rhythms, buoyed by determined to keep those good Hip Hop beats and slammed by the times rolling as he rocks his way right Dubstep crunch. Naturally. on into the New Year and throughout the summer days ahead. Trouble’s Door touches on the strength that now lies in community to keep each other informed, no matter who we are or where we live. And just like the light and dark of

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Trouble’s Door is a novel, full of many colours and much food for thought; what pieces you take from it will be reflective of you. All that’s being asked is that when this time you shake your booty, you shake your booty for change.

OYSTERS IN THE VINES Sunday 20 January Cassegrain’s award winning wines and local Armstrong rock oysters will be celebrated on Sunday 20 January 2013 from 10am to 5pm. ‘Oysters in the Vines’ will feature freshly shucked natural oysters as well as a sumptuous selection of exotic dressings, including a special dressing created by John Susman, respected RAS oyster judge. ABC radio’s Simon Marnie will be joining us on the day to host the Inaugural ‘Armstrong Oysters National Shucking Championship’. Also attending is Jim Wild, champion oyster shucker (12 per minute), who will demonstrate the finer art of opening an oyster. Jazz band ‘Dinner with Milton’ will be performing, and the Party Professionals are bringing along their new 6 metre slide, along with a jumping castle and heaps more to keep the children entertained. The Koala Preservation Society, who have been supported by the event since it first started, have coaxed ‘True Blue’, their mascot out of his Eucalypt tree to make a guest appearance

on the day. Non oyster lovers and vegetarians have not been forgotten, and there will be a variety of choices available. Entry is $5 per adult (under 18s free). Ample free parking is onsite. Bring a picnic rug and chair and enjoy the day. Outside food and alcohol are not permitted. CELLAR DOOR Award winning wines and regional produce. Open for tastings every day, 9am - 5pm (closed Christmas Day). P: (02) 6582 8324. THE ARTIST MARKET IN THE VINES Sunday 27 January 9am - 3pm. www.facebook.com/TheArtistMarketinTheVines THE RESTAURANT AT CASSEGRAIN Offers morning/afternoon teas and lunch in a relaxed ambience surrounded by grapevines, roses and scenic gardens. Bookings recommended. P: (02) 6582 8320.

Artist Yvonne Kiely

Our little bird is finding a second home THE ARTIST MARKET IN THE VINES Sunday 27 January, 9am - 3pm.

“What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?”

Rom com with a classic twist. Experience Shakespeare’s most loved romantic comedy. With its unique charm and quick wit, Popinjay and Nuncle’s production of Much Ado About Nothing takes place in modern day Australia against a backdrop of iron rules of behaviour, family pride, vendettas and the notion of male honour. Claudio and Hero are deeply in love. Beatrice and Benedick are deeply in denial. All is well. Then Claudio humiliates Hero. Hero has a fainting attack and pretends to die. And Beatrice and Benedick join forces with a vengeance. And that’s just up to the interval. If it sounds complicated; well, that’s love for you – a trip down the aisle is never a straight one. When you delve into other people’s relationships, you soon learn the real cost of commitment – what we will do and what we

won’t do for that capricious and often elusive state of love. Belinda Horne directs this exuberant comedy with a lightness of touch and a fantastic cast. Bring your picnic rug, nibbles and friends. We can't wait to see you; it’s sure to be a great show, with musicians, roving street performers, street stalls and more ... The festivities kick off 6pm, with roving street performers joining the town green at 7pm. The show is opened and by our two special guests, Mayor Peter Besseling and Home and away star, Lisa Gormley. Programs and picnic rugs are available for a gold coin donation. Please contact Popinjay and Nuncle Theatre Company for more information.

January sees the relaunch of the ever popular Artist Market; our little bird is taking nest at Cassegrain Winery, in the vines. We are all so excited about this beautiful venue and the opportunity to work alongside Cassegrain Winery to create the perfect setting for the new home of The Artist Market, in the vines. The Artist Market in the Vines will launch on Sunday 27 January and will be staged on the 4th Sunday of each month thereafter. It is an eclectic market bringing together a vibrant and colourful collection of works by local artisans and artists. With a large number of demonstrating artists, it will showcase their talents and give lovers of the Artist Market another reasons to fall back in love with what our little bird represents. The Artist Market in the vines will also be focusing on a great line up of musicians, so sit back, join our communal table, or bring a picnic rug and enjoy what this fantastic community focused market has to offer. The Foreshore Market will always be the BIG SISTER market, with our 100 plus stallholders offering a great range of fresh produce, wood fired breads, cheeses and

Check out the new Market in the Vines.

arts/crafts. It will still be held on the second Saturday of the month on the banks of the Hastings River. Both markets are dedicated to supporting and promoting local artists, artisans, farmers and food producers, so come along and support our region’s producers and artists and find out why everyone loves our little bird in whatever colour he takes on. Take away a little moment of happiness at either the Foreshore Market or The Artist Market in the Vines. Our music line up for The Foreshore Market in January – JAMES BENNETT. The Artist Market in the Vines – CHRISTIAN HERMARA Band.

greater port macquarie focus 17

focusinterview.

Mitch McKay presents:

Gone but not forgotten: the Clyde Cook story the remarkable story of Australia’s first true Hollywood star

BY MITCH McKAY

Inspired by actor Clyde Cook, local author Mitch McKay has written a book titled Gone but not Forgotten – which details Clyde’s life and career. Mitch describes Clyde as Australia’s “lost celebrity”…

Clyde Cook 1889-1984

M

itch, tell us about yourself and your background. Where are you from originally? I’m originally from Sydney and moved to Port Macquarie 32 years ago. I was employed by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for 28 years, my last 10 years as the Heritage Officer. In that position I worked on a broad range of projects that included archaeological excavations, conservation works, historical research and the implementation of interpretive signage projects. In 2009 I established Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage, a dynamic, award-winning service, delivering heritage support across northern NSW. The business also showcases Port Macquarie’s rich convict history through walking tours that I also conduct. What inspired you to start writing? In 2001 I developed a series of banners that showcased some aspects of our area’s aviation history. The banners once hung from the ceiling at the Port Macquarie airport terminal. One of those banners recounted a story that occurred at Laurieton in 1944, when a group of American entertainers, which included Bob Hope, literally ‘fell out of the sky’ and landed in their Catalina flying boat on a sandbar in the Camden Haven River. In 2010 I was approached by the Camden Haven Historical Society to put that story, and my research to find the last surviving member of that group and what became of the crew and the aircraft, down on paper. This resulted in the book It’s not Hollywood but … which was published in 2011. How did you first find out about Australian actor Clyde Cook? Purely by chance. I was doing research at the library for a report that I was preparing 18 greater port macquarie focus.

to accompany a submission to Council. The research involved looking at early editions of the Port Macquarie News. Fortunately, one of those papers was in July 1907. While I found what I was looking for, I also found an article about Clyde Cook, a son of Mr Jack Cook of Hamilton – Hamilton being what we now know as Hibbard – who was returning to Port Macquarie with the American Picturescope Company to perform at the nearby towns of Wauchope on the 18th and Telegraph Point on the 22nd. I had never heard of him, nor knew anyone that had, and this piqued my curiosity − and it all went from there. Where and when was Clyde born, and how did he break into show business? Clyde was born on 16 December 1889 at Hamilton. He left Port Macquarie for Sydney at the age of six and in 1903 secured his first contract, a two year contract with Harry Rickards, to present a tumbling and dance turn on the showman’s Australia wide circuit. The circuit was one of many that promoted vaudeville. He left Australia in 1911 to try his luck in the UK, where he was moderately successful. While in Europe he secured a contract at the Folies Bergère in Paris, before heading back to the UK and eventually returning to Australia in 1916. Clyde left Australia again in 1919, this time bound for the USA, having secured a contract to perform in Happy Days on Broadway. One of the performances was a gala performance for The Prince of Wales, who would later become King Edward VIII. His performance in Happy Days caught the eye of Fox Film Corporation, who signed him to a series of ‘special screen comedies’ to be made by its studios in Hollywood – the first of these being in 1920 called Kiss Me Quick. So, his real big break came then.

What are some of the films Clyde worked on over the course of his career? Between 1920 - 27, Clyde appeared in nearly 40 silent movies, being the ‘star’ in many of them, such as The Huntsman, Wandering Papas, Moonlight and Noses, Should Sailors Marry? Clyde’s name and image were used to publicise the films that were made specifically for him and his comedic talents. Between 1928 -1963, there were nearly another 100 films he appeared in. Some of these were The Taming of the Shrew, The Winning of Barbara Worth, Wee Willie Winkie, Kidnapped, The Man from Down Under, The White Cliffs of Dover and Donovan’s Reef. Some of the well-known actors that he appeared with were Mary Pickford, Lionel Barrymore, Douglas Fairbanks, Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Shirley Temple, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Errol Flynn and Gary Cooper. Clyde was also involved with some controversies, both personally and professionally, during his lifetime. Describe some of these for us please … Yes. One of his professional controversies was in 1919, when he took his employer, J.C. Williamson Ltd, to court in a case that was suggested at the time would test the rights of performers whose employment and contracts were being reneged on due to the Spanish Flu pandemic and the subsequent closure of theatres. Williamson was Australia’s foremost theatrical manager at the time. A controversy of a personal nature was probably in 1938, when he and his first wife, Alice Draper, were going through a divorce and he was involved in a fist fight with his wife’s lawyer in the courtroom. I don’t think that incident helped his cause. Despite being inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and receiving

his own star on February 8, 1960, you’ve described Clyde as “Australia’s lost celebrity”. Why do you think he’s relatively unknown in his country of birth? Clyde left for the USA in 1919 and only returned once to Australia, and that was in 1948. While he had by then appeared in vaudeville and more than 130 films, his career was beginning to wind down. So, he had literally fallen through the floor boards in Australia, because he hadn’t been here for so long. How much time and research went into your book, Gone but not Forgotten, which details Clyde’s life story? There was about 15 months of research. It involved making contact with members of Clyde’s family both in the USA and Australia and also with people who had interviewed Clyde over the years and others who had done some preliminary research. It also involved a trip to Hawaii to research Clyde’s last movie. Clyde passed away at the age of 94, in 1984. What do you feel is the lasting legacy he left to the world of film? Clyde and other Australians of his era, such as Leon Errol, Annette Kellerman, Harry ‘Snub’ Pollard and Mae Busch paved the way for the likes of Errol Flynn and others to have the success that they had on the international arts stage – some of whom would also gain their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, just like Clyde had done. Not bad for a boy who came from a small village and humble beginnings in Port Macquarie. Where can people purchase Gone but not Forgotten: the Clyde Cook Story? Copies of the book can be purchased from my website: http://www.pmheritage.com.au/ books.html Thanks Mitch. Interview by Jo Atkins.

greater port macquarie focus 19

20 greater port macquarie

focusinterview.

2011 X Factor champ, ARIA award winner and a Rock Star who’s achieved legions of fans in a relatively short time, Reece Mastin will be dropping in at several venues across the Mid North Coast in January. Don’t miss Reece’s Summer Nights Tour, with support act 'At Sunset', at Port Panthers on January 17. This show will sell out! hat surprises us here at FOCUS and what a lot of Australians wouldn’t guess considering your huge success is that you’re only 18! How do you feel being so young in such a big industry? Well, it certainly made me grow up pretty quickly! I’m lucky to have gotten so far with X Factor. I really love it. I love it! I bet your high school mates are extremely jealous? (Laughs). No, not jealous. They love it as well. They completely cash in on it all the time. They love it more than I do! Prior to your time with X Factor, who was someone in the music industry you particularly admired? I love Steve Tyler [from Aerosmith]. I think he’s amazing. To still do what he’s doing and sing the way he does, considering his age now – it’s crazy. He’d be my number one. Being on X Factor was obviously a major learning curve for you, but what do you feel was the most valuable thing you took away from the whole experience? I think knowing that your fans have put you where you are. Knowing that and staying true to them [the fans] kept it sweet. During your time on X Factor, you were mentored by Guy Sebastian. Tell us about your ongoing working relationship with him … It’s hard with our workloads. We’re often in different states or different countries, but we do try to catch up when we can, and he is always giving me tips ... At 17 you featured in a duet with Australian pop sensation Kylie Minogue. What type of tingles did this give you? Yeah … yeah. That was crazy, actually. I never imagined I’d do that. My dad was pretty jealous about that one! In relation to the lyrics in your debut single, Good Night, what does a good night on the town involve for Reece Mastin?

Just hangin’ with great people, really … hanging out with my mates. I’m not too good on the D-floor, so I stay away from that if I can! You’ve just released your second studio album, Beautiful Nightmare, and it appears to be littered with hints of romance. We are seeing a more mature Reece Mastin: is there a special someone who has inspired this - do you have a girlfriend? I do; I do! Her name is Rhiannon Fish. I’m with her right now. She is gorgeous. We met on my film clip Shout it Out that she features in. She plays April on Home & Away. Where was Beautiful Nightmare recorded, and how long did the whole process take? It was pretty much 10 months after the show that we finished putting it together. I did a lot of stuff down here in Oz, and then I went up to LA and wrote up there. It was a lot of crazy stuff – I had so much fun recording it, and I’m so happy it’s finally out. How much did you enjoy being over in LA? It was nuts! It was like nothing I’ve ever seen in my whole life. It was just so much fun, and I really hope I get to go back over there again. You’ve put your heart and soul into this album, having written the material, but if you had to pick one song you were particularly proud of – what would it be? Probably Stars – I love that song. Rhiannon and I had just started seeing each other, and it was the first time we’d been apart for a while. I wrote about the whole experience of missing her - and that’s probably one of the reasons I love it so much. The album is full of collaborations: Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Benji Madden, to name a few! Are these names all in your phone book? (Laughs). Nah, not all of them. Some of them don’t trust me with their phone numbers! You’re often compared to Justin Beiber: how do you feel about this?

We have a different style of music but the kid is so successful, so I’ll take that! I admit we do have a similar look going on. Your national tour, Summer Nights, is underway at the moment. In the major cities such as Sydney and Brisbane, you’re also performing with Justice Crew and The Janoskians. How exciting is this? What we think is really cool is that we didn’t just get two other bands to come on tour – we have this versatility through the whole show. If you look at some of their videos, you’ll see the Janoskian boys are kind of like ‘Jackass’ funny boys, and the Justice Crew boys are just amazing dancers and they have some sick songs. Again, I’m not a great dancer! Then we’ll finish up with a huge live show. It’s going to be awesome! The whole show’s going to be rad! You’re stopping over in quite a few venues on the Mid North Coast in your travels. Do you know the area at all? Kind of. I haven’t spent much time there, but I’ve dropped in before. I can’t wait to come back down. Hopefully we’ll get a little bit of time off while we’re there! You probably don’t get a lot of time off between touring and recording, but if you were to sit down and play some music – who would you be listening to these days? I still listen to a lot of old school stuff. I just bought the new Rhianna album, and I’m loving that … but anything I can get my hands on, really. So, after the tour’s all wrapped up – what’s next on your agenda? Hopefully we can do the tour, then stretch out across the world and touch some new places – and see how far we can go. I’m still writing – I’m always writing! Thanks Reece. Summer Nights is touring nationally – a show for all ages. Port Panthers, January 17. Please note: support act at Port Panthers will be 'At Sunset'. Tickets selling fast! Contact Port Panthers on 6580 2300. greater port macquarie focus 21

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Players Theatre. Players Theatre have put together another exciting year of productions in 2013 starting with the comedy thriller The Butler Did It, which opens on February 15 and runs until March 3 2013. Highlights in 2013 will be the staging of our One Act Play Festival in June, where theatrical groups from around the state come to Port Macquarie to perform their most creative one act plays. Players will end 2013 with the fabulous musical Chicago, which will run throughout November 2013. If you’re new to town and want to become involved in a vibrant local theatre company, then Players has a place for you, whether it be acting on the stage or helping behind the scenes. With 300 members, our theatre is blessed with its own 250 seat theatre in Lord Street, Port Macquarie and a proud 51 year history of staging engaging musicals and plays. Stageplays.com describes The Butler Did It as follows. “The scene is the set where Anthony J Lefcourt, writer and director, is rehearsing his new play, a 'classic whodunit' (in which all the characters are named Butler) with which he hopes to regain the success which has eluded him in recent seasons. Described as the Off-Broadway equivalent of Deathtrap, this deft and diabolically clever thriller mingles laughter and chills as it skillfully unwinds its twisted tale of murder and mayhem in the glittering world of the theatre.“ So come along and check out The Butler Did It from February 15 for 11 performances at Players Theatre. Book tickets at The Glasshouse on 6581 8888 or online www.playerstheatre.org.au

Welcome to 2013! At this time we often have great aspirations for the year to come, which creates tremendous opportunity for change. Now is a perfect time to become a healthier, happier you.

New Year New You. he question is, where to start? There are so many ways to become more healthy, fit and strong, and it is important to find one that works well for you. One of the reasons that yoga has become such a popular way of achieving health and fitness goals is because its benefits are not solely physical. Simply put, people enjoy doing yoga, because it makes them feel happier. In yoga we work with the body and the mind. Outwardly, we do postures that increase our strength, flexibility, and

endurance. As we practice postures, we learn to be present to what we do. Our focus is turned inward, often to the breath. This combination of physical work and internal focus not only makes us feel great; it also carries the potential for transforming our lives. As yoga becomes part of our lives, it supports us in achieving goals far beyond the physical: satisfying careers, happy relationships, work-life balance, contentment. Having said that, you do need to give to receive; i.e. it does take a commitment to regular practice to achieve significant

change. We are offering you the chance to try for yourself at a very affordable intro special this month at The Yoga Shala. For only $50, you can come and practice with us every day (except Sun) for the month of January. You don’t need previous yoga experience to take up this offer (new students only).

the plug! For more information, visit our website www.theyogashala.com.au or call 6583 7730.

focuseditorial.

JohN Patrick Prestige John Patrick Prestige Cars, now in its 21 st year of operation as a family business, is proud to be associated with the award winning Land Rover Range.

D

iscovery 4 Wins Australia’s Best Cars – Best All-Terrain 4WD Award. The Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 SE has collected the Best All-Terrain 4WD Award for 2012, again. Not only is it the fourth consecutive year that the Discovery 4 has brought home the gold, it marks an incredible eight consecutive years that the Land Rover Discovery has won the Best AllTerrain 4WD Award, proving once again it is still the benchmark for all-terrain SUVs. Nothing can match Discovery’s outstanding breadth of capability, luxury and refinement. Australia’s Best Cars judging panel had the following to say about the Best AllTerrain 4WD winner: “In 2012, the 'Disco’ yet again clinched the title of best all-terrain 4WD, 22 greater port macquarie focus.

taking its tally to a remarkable eight wins first time in a V-engine. in a row. But these significant performance “Comfort levels are first class, whether figures are not to the detriment of fuel it be the first, second or third row. economy, which shows an improvement “This is a 4WD that will take over the previous model and is you anywhere, on road or off competitive for class. road, with complete peace Come on down (or up) of mind and in the lap of to John Patrick Prestige Enjoy a cup of nd ou gr ly sh luxury.” to view the entire range fre and espresso cofeexe The SDV6 SE is of products, including d 'no talk to the relas staff le equipped with the the Evoque, the Range pressure' sa e the and 'experienc 180kW SDV6 3.0 Rover and Range Rover difference'. ” Advanced Sequential Sport, as well as the diesel engine, which Defender Range and uses the latest materials Freelanders and the award and sequential turbochargers to winning Discovery series ... optimise responsiveness by delivering Enjoy a cup of freshly ground espresso increased torque at very low revs. This cofee and talk to the relaxed 'no is one of the most technically advanced pressure' sales staff and 'experience the diesels in the world and used unique, difference' that is John Patrick Prestige parallel sequential turbochargers for the Cars Port Macquarie.

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focusinterview.

Think you have what it takes to kick start a career in comedy? If you’re aged 14 – 18 and love being in the limelight, you should consider the Class Clowns program. Karin Farrell from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival explains that Greater Port Macquarie locals will have the chance to show off their talent for the first time as a part of this program in February …

C O M E DY F E S T I VA L M E L B O U R N E I N T E R N AT I O N A L

H

i Karin. What’s your role with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival? I’m the Producer of the Education and Development Programs. Please explain the ‘Class Clowns’ concept – what’s the program all about? Class Clowns has been the Comedy Festival’s education flagship for almost 18 years now. Class Clowns has two major components – the national competition that runs from February to April (with heats all around the country) and then also a separate workshop program that runs year round (where we have professional comedians facilitate one-off workshops in schools and performing arts centres, helping teens develop confidence – and of course, get their funny on). Class Clowns is just one of Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s ‘development’ programs. Others, of course, are the national open mic competition RAW, Comedy Zone, our Indigenous comedy showcase Deadly Funny and its partner, the workshop program Deadly Funny Kids. Our motivation is to build appreciative comedy audiences, but also provide pathways and opportunities for those interested in a career in comedy. How did Class Clowns originally develop: who came up with the concept? Like all good creative concepts, it was a collaborative effort by Festival Director Susan Provan, MICF staff member Kimberley Foster and one of our fundraising supporters, Gary Morrison. In the early days there weren’t as many workshops – but some famous faces were workshop leaders for us throughout the competition heats: Charlie Pickering, Claire Hooper, Brian Nankervis, Glenn Robbins and Judith Lucy all helped new talent find their voice. Who are some of the previous entrants of the competition? Josh Thomas (Talkin’ Bout Your Generation), Tom Ballard (Triple J), Kynan Barker (writer for Rove) and

24 greater port macquarie focus.

successful comedians Joel Creasey and Danny McGinlay are all alumni of Class Clowns, I’m proud to say. Explain what’s happening at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie on February 23 ... We’re really excited to have our first ever heat in Port Macquarie nal Our NSW State Fi r lucky ei th in 2013. On the day, teens who nd (a r ne in w n to ow fl be ill w have registered take part in a chaperone) the in m rfor workshop with a professional Melbourne to pe nal on April Fi d National Gran grand main comedian from 11am - 1pm, special guest MC and will also 19 on the very l during the where they will get to rehearse al H n w To at feature an amazing international e ag st with the and polish their 5 minute act Comedy Festival around act. But wait … there’s more – om with someone from the biz. other finalists fr y. ” they could then win the grand the countr Then, everyone gets to perform prize of $2,000 (half for them and their act for the public and a half for their school)! panel of judges at 2pm. The winner Where can those interested go to find announced at the end of this performance out more info about Class Clowns, or to will then get to compete in the NSW State Final register for the competition? in Sydney on 25 March at the Riverside Theatre in Our website www.classclowns.com.au is where to Paramatta. sign up to a heat and get more info. What are the rules for those who want to enter the Teachers can also visit the website to download free competition? resources for teaching comedy in schools – or to book a We welcome teens aged from 14 to 18 (or in Years one-off ‘Crash Course’ comedy workshop. 9 - 12), and they can perform solo or in a group of up to Thanks Karin. Interview by Jo Atkins. 3. Acts can be stand up, sketch, parody or musical and the limit is 5 minutes – short, sweet, funny and original the plug! is what we are looking for! For those who are lucky enough to make it through Anyone interested in registering for Class to the final round, when and where will the Grand Clowns should go to www.classclowns.com.au Final be held, and what prizes are on offer? For those who’ve registered, Class Clown’s Port Our NSW State Final winner (and their lucky Macquarie workshop will take place at the Glasshouse chaperone) will be flown to Melbourne to perform in on February 23 at 11am. The entrants will perform at the National Grand Final on April 19 on the very grand 2pm before an audience and panel of judges. main stage at Town Hall during the Comedy Festival with the other finalists from around the country. They will Tickets to the public performance cost get a chance to meet and work with more professional $8, or $7 for Glasshouse members. comedians, as well as get to see some great shows at Call 6581 8888 or Australia’s largest ticketed cultural event! visit www.glasshouse.org.au for details The National Final show will be hosted by a very

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Greater Port Macquarie

Spiced lamb rump, confit belly, spinach and asparagus with a sherry vinegar foam from Zebu Bar and Grill.

eat. Dining Guide is available for iPhone & Android App Store. www.focusmag.com.au/eat 26 greater port macquarie focus

eat. King Prawn risotto with salsa verde.

The Corner Restaurant

Ocean Breeze Café & Catering

The Corner offers a relaxed and contemporary vibe with a modern Australian menu driven by fresh, seasonal produce.

With the perfect location for a break from the beach this summer, the Ocean Breeze Café serves a wide variety of café and à la carte meals, delicious coffee and home-made cakes. The main menu for lunch and dinner includes modern dishes showcasing local produce, fresh seafood and prime-cut steaks. Ocean Breeze Café is Port's best kept secret, so if you are visiting this summer, come and say hi to Kylie and the team for fabulous food and friendly service. Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch, or coffee and a sweet treat, the Ocean Breeze Café has something for everyone.

• Large sunny alfresco area. • Delicious summer menu showcasing local produce. • Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. • Afternoon menu available. • Exclusively serving Campos Coffee. • Reviewed in 2013 Good Food Guide. • Follow us on Facebook.

Head Chef Blake Dyer.

Inside Port City Bowling Club 4 Owen Street, Port Macquarie t 6583 1133

Corner of Munster and Clarence Sts, Port Macquarie t 6583 3300 w www.cornerrestaurant.com.au

open Menu available from 10am - 8pm daily. Cake and coffee served all day.

open From 7am - 7 days. Coffee all day.

Scotch fillet steak with King Prawns and red wine jus.

Owner Kylie and Chef Rachael.

Watermans Café Now open Sunday breakfast from 8.30am 'til noon. Overlooking the beautiful Bain Park, Watermans Café is among the finest cafés on the Mid North Coast. Watermans Café offers a relaxed and contemporary atmosphere and serving up modern Australian cuisine, there is something for all tastes. Watermans Café is committed to showcasing local produce, displaying the best our area has to offer.

Spinnakers Restaurant + Bar Spinnakers Restaurant, relaxing with spectacular views over the marina and Pelican Bay, dolphins and fish just outside the window, town lights sparkling over the bay, just set the scene. Have a tantalising cocktail in our bar or dine in Spinnakers, with modern cuisine specialising in steaks and seafood, great wines and desserts to die for. Just mention FOCUS: 'buy one dessert and get one free'. Owners Ren & Farrah

56 High Street, Wauchope t 6586 4242 w www.watermanscafe.com.au open Mon - Thurs 8am - 4pm; Friday and Saturday - 8am - 9pm; Sunday - 8:30 - 12pm

Our friendly staff will make you feel relaxed and pampered.

Head chef Scott Trotter

Spinnakers Restaurant + Bar at Quality Resort Sails. 0 Park St, Port Macquarie at the roundabout, opposite Settlement City t 6589 5200 open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6.45am, 7 days a week.

greater port macquarie focus 27

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Just a five minute walk from the CBD, and what awaits you is a breathtaking oasis, a place to meet friends, to enjoy a coffee or a cold refreshment or a place to select a meal from our popular Hook N Slice menu ... Monday – $10 steak night; Tuesday – $8 lunches; Thursday – $9 schnitzel night; Friday, Saturday and Sunday – select from our blackboard specials.

2011 Port Macquarie Business Awards finalist. The Wauchope Country Club Chefs

King Street, Wauchope t 6585 3020 w www.wauchopecountryclub.com.au

FINALIST: Best Thai on the North Coast Finalist 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.

Owners May and Paul.

Next to Rivers Menswear, 4 Bay St, Port Macquarie t 6584 9049

open 7 days. Mon - Sun, lunch 11.30 - 2.30ish. Dinner 5.30 - 8.30ish.

open Tuesday - Sunday, from 5pm.

Master stock braised duck w/oyster & Shiitake Mushrooms, pork dumplings & tempura broccoli

Off the Hook

Bluewater Bar and Restaurant

Summer is here and that means one thing – family picnics on the beach, along the river or even in the parks with the famous Off the Hook fish and chips. We offer a great variety of choice: tasty old style hamburgers, snacks, salads and of course, fish and chips. We have added a larger selection of fish to our menu, including our favourite, the Flathead fillets and fresh Jew fish.

There is always something happening at Bluewater.

We also have a complete selection of Coca-Cola beverages to quench your thirst, including the popular Goulburn Valley milk and juice ranges.

Come in and experience our wonderful new menu. Lunches – Tuesday to Friday $15. Live music Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. Happy hour 3pm to 4pm – $5 Coronas and Peroni, $10 beer jugs, and $10 cocktails.Courtesy bus available. Join us on Facebook at Bluewater Bar, or check our web page at: www.bluewbar.com.au for all the latest info. The friendly staff.

Look out for our JJJ hottest 100 Australia Day Party! It’s gonna be epic: backyard barbie and beers!

There’s nothing better than summer and fresh fish and chips!

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

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Ocean Street, Flynns Beach Resort t 6583 5730 or 6583 9073 open 7 days: Monday, 3pm - late. Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - late.

The Wolf pack.

eat.

Scampis Seafood Bar & Grill

The BLOCK

Get rid of Mondayitis and enjoy a meal with us.

The Block’s café has a delicious selection of hot and cold drinks, sweets, and breakfast and lunch plates. Located in Port Macquarie’s CBD Coles building, experience the chocolate bar with over 20 exquisite varieties on display, unique figurines and many other items ideal for a little self indulgence. Summer holidays are the perfect time to relax and start your day with a cup of your favourite coffee paired with delicious free-range smashed eggs on organic sourdough, or treat yourself to a fresh fruit smoothie and some hot Belgium waffles with mixed berries and maple syrup. Drop by for a browse 7 days and enjoy a chocolate with your next coffee or a light dessert after lunch.

Who doesn’t enjoy a great meal with a nice cold beverage and an amazing view! Well, Scampis Seafood Bar and Grill have all that and more. Scampis is the place to be this summer period; whether it be for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’re sure to get a great meal within a wonderful atmosphere. Daily lunch time specials. Weekend breakfast from 8.30am. Live music Sunday afternoons.

Owners Mark and Jackie Holt.

Takeaway or dine in.

40 William Street, Port Macquarie t 6583 7200

Freshly ground espresso.

Coles Building, CBD Port Macquarie t 6584 4141 w www.theblockcoffee.com.au

open 7 days for lunch and dinner. Breakfast Saturdays and Sundays only.

open breakfast, lunch and coffee, 7.30am to 6pm. Plenty of parking available.

Prawns in Tamarind Sauce.

Tempura Sesame King Prawn with fried squid ink noodles, bok choy and XO sauce.

Spicy Yahmor Thai

Zebu bar + grill

Spicy Yahmor Thai offers authentic Thai cuisine and fresh, flavoursome dishes. Head chef Charlie has had over 10 years of cooking experience, in both Thailand and Sydney. The new menu has something for everyone, with all of your Thai favourites and house specials to choose from. $10 Lunch Specials! With original Thai decor and a relaxing ambience, enjoy a candlelit dinner whilst savouring the tastes of Thailand. Owner and host Justin has had years of experience in the hospitality industry and will ensure your experience with us is enjoyable. We offer fast, efficient and friendly customer service, whether you are eating in or taking away. Delivery Available – minimum order $30. BYO Corkage $1 pp.

Summer sessions at Zebu – check out what’s new each night at Zebu!

Shop 1, 37 - 43 Clarence St, Port Macquarie t 6583 9043 open 7 days. Lunch Wed - Sat, 11:30am - 2.30pm. Dinner 7 days, 5pm - 10pm.

Cool off with house favourites – sensational cocktails, icy cold tap beers, great entertainment and loads of fun food to share and enjoy with family and friends. RISE to the challenge and indulge in our new deluxe buffet breakfast at Zebu – super scrummy and available every day of summer from 6.30am – 10am. Zebu Bar + Grill – serving coastal cuisine from sun up to sunset.

Owner Justin and Head chef Charlie.

Diary Date: Dec 31 NYE White Party in Zebu Bar – DJ from

Executive Chef Ben Holloway.

7pm – open until 2am – no cover charge. Breakfast - Coffee - Cocktails - 10 Tap Beers - Wood Fire Pizzas - Steaks Seafood - Purveyors of Peak Coffee

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.

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eat.

Waterfront Restaurant

Yummy Thai

At the Waterfront Restaurant, our aim is to make sure that when you leave

Eat in, takeaway or home delivery. Yummy Thai in Wauchope welcomes

our restaurant, we have satisfied every facet of the dining experience.

back Smiley Dang. With an all new extensive menu, all meals are made fresh

Have a meal while overlooking the beautiful Hastings River.

to your taste and liking.

Our menu has something for everyone, with the eye fillet topped with King

Open for lunch and dinner.

Prawns and hollandaise sauce by far the most popular.

Located conveniently opposite the RSL, or first right west of the

If you haven’t experienced the food, atmosphere and view at the Waterfront

roundabout.

Restaurant, make sure you book a table with us this January; you’ll be glad that you did. Family friendly and open 7 days for breakfast and 6 days for lunch.

Home delivery is free for purchases over $50 and a mere $5 for deliveries Inside and outside dining.

over $30. No corkage fee. Reservations suggested to avoid disappointment.

Owner and head chef Smiley Dang.

Bookings requested for dinner time. Sunset Parade, Port Macquarie t 6583 1944

10 Young St, Wauchope t 6585 21 77

open for breakfast: Monday - Friday, 7am - 11am; weekends 8 am - 11am. Dinner: Monday - Saturday, 6pm - late.

open for lunch Tuesday - Friday, 11.30am - 2pm; dinner Tuesday - Sunday, 5pm - 9pm.

Flynns Beach Café + Takeaway

Café Buzz

Voted by FOCUS readers as producing the best burger in Greater Port Macquarie! Try our signature burger, the Flynns Beach Burger, a sure way to fill your tummy, weighing in at half a kilo. Takeaway menu available for breakfast, lunch and most nights for dinner.

Café BUZZ invites you enjoy yourself at all of our local outlets. Each Café showcases fresh, local food every day. Our quiches are prepared and baked fresh every morning; enjoy them solo or with a crunchy fresh salad. Our bruscetta is a long-time favourite of BUZZ regulars; it is simple and is the taste of summer on a fork! Our BUZZ salad simply dazzles your palate with freshness and flavour; add chicken or ham, and you have a very healthy meal. Café BUZZ Laurieton is now under NEW management; lunch specials are on the board every day. Café BUZZ at The Marina is now open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights with a BYO licence. End your day relaxing over the river. You know it will be good every time! See you at your local BUZZ!

Our café provides premium Arabica twin-origin Peak Coffee – top quality coffee roasted beautifully, and a dine-in menu filled with flavoursome food as wholesome as mum's cooking. Café menu available for breakfast and lunch. Find us on Facebook.

Corner of Pacific Dr. & Flynn St. 2/52 Pacific Drive, Port Macquarie t 6583 2725 open Open 7 days. Breakfast and lunch, 8am - 3pm. (January trading hours only – normal trading hours resume February).

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Our cooks Nick and Tony.

Port Macquarie: Grant St (opposite library) t 6583 5756. The Marina t 6583 6767. Peachtree Walk (CBD) t 65 83 7979 Laurieton: Bold St t 6559 7744 w www.buzzcoffee.com.au open Breakfast and lunch.

focusinterview.

eat.

aspire

Black satin duck leg with pickled cabbage, coriander, radish and bean shoot salad.

Restaurant Synergy Synergy Restaurant & Bar, located at the Mercure Centro Hotel – where food and service works in harmony.

Talented chefs Kieran English and Alex Hallam are introducing a modern new menu at Aspire @ Port Macquarie Golf Club.

Enjoy an intimate dining experience, serving modern Australian Cuisine at its best. Private dining rooms available for up to 20 guests, or for larger events, consider our spectacular ocean view roof top.

Happy hour 5.30pm – 7pm nightly. Sunday special $50pp – 2 course choice menu with complimentary bottle of wine.

Maître d' Ammish & 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.

Port Piazza • Lunch and dinner 7 days – à la carte menu. • $25 lunch special – 2 courses. Main and dessert, flat white or long black. • $12 2 for 1 pasta night – Monday to Saturday, from 5.30pm. Alternate menu also available. • Breakfast and brunch – Saturday and Sunday from 8am to noon. • ALL NEW MENUS • Takeaway available. Parking 3 BYO No Corkage 3 Great Food 3 Excellent Prices 3 Water Views 3

168 Settlement Point Rd, Port Macquarie t 6584 2020 open Weekdays from 10am. Breakfast Sat and Sun from 8am. Lunch and dinner 7 days.

hy did you decide to make cooking a career? Alex: Growing up, all I wanted to do was be a chef; throughout my school years, my dream was to become a chef. I always loved good food and always dreamed of having my own restaurant. Kieran: My love for food has been around since I was young, from cooking with my mother to cooking at local restaurants while still at school. I loved it then, and I’m still very passionate to this day. Tell us about your background in the hospitality industry. Where have you gained your experience? We have both worked in various restaurants all around Australia. We have 25 years’ cooking experience in the industry between the both of us, from pubs and clubs to 3 hat restaurants. We began working together 3 years ago at the Terrace Restaurant in Bermagui, where we turned a business that had previously been run into the ground into a very successful enterprise. The opportunity came up in Port Macquarie, and we decided to become business partners in the restaurant Aspire. Describe the new summer menu at the Port Macquarie Golf Club Aspire restaurant. The new menu is focused on fresh, locally sourced produce – a contemporary, modern Australian theme with influences from various cuisines around the world. What are some of your favourite ingredients to use on a daily basis? Fresh produce is always best. We believe in making everything. A lot of restaurants in pubs and clubs these days buy in ready made products, so all you have to do is cook it and serve it, without any prep. Although the end product becomes more labour intensive and costs us more, in the end the product that is served is 100% better. Whether it be filleting 250 kg Swordfish or breaking down our own beef, we believe buying in everything fresh is always best.

What do you ou enjoy most about utt b being eing ei ing creative in the kitchen? Being creative in the kitchen is expressing yourself on a plate ... all your years of training and experience being put on one plate, being served to a person. Whatever it is you do, make sure you put everything into it. Without creativity, we wouldn’t have people like Heston Blumenthal or Ferran Adrià being so famous. If you don’t try something, you will never know whether it works or not! It may seem weird, but sometimes the strangest combinations are the ones that turn out best. Do you cater for functions or any other special services at Aspire? We cater for all functions, whether it be big or small. From weddings to corporate days or Christmas parties, whatever your catering needs are, we can surely accommodate you – and without a doubt, we guarantee you will be happy. What will people enjoy most about dining at Aspire restaurant? At Aspire, we cater for everyone’s needs, whether it be just something basic like a chicken schnitzel with salad and chips, or something more complex like paprika and lemon marinated crispy skin chicken with carrot and saffron puree, crisp polenta cake, salsa verde and broccolini. We have something for everyone. We may be a restaurant in a club, but believe we produce some of the best food you’d eat in fine dining restaurants. So come and give us a chance; we are sure you won’t be disappointed. Thanks guys. greater port macquarie focus 31

focusinterview.

Out to Lunch

with Susie Boswell

Tom Burton. It’s amazing what a fleet of just 50 buses can do. Every school day, for instance, they carry thousands of students around Port, and more including the Camden Haven and Wauchope, covering a remarkable 5500 km a day. And that’s just for starters. This month, Susie lunches with the quiet achiever who makes sure Port’s bus services run smoothly and safely. ort Macquarie is widely spread. Sydney’s Bondi region has a density greater than 7000 people per sq km. Port’s equivalent is fewer than 20. Of course, we’re not packed into the sparse upper reaches of the Hastings, but the figures offer a guide: comparably, we’ve considerable distances to cover in getting around our neighbourhood. Day to day, the car is king; but 20 per cent of our population are infants-HSC age and a quarter of our 75,000 citizens are 65+, adding up to big numbers who don’t yet, or no longer, drive. Schools are a long way from homes; doctors, health services and our big shopping centres are wide apart. Fortunately, there’s Tom Burton, manager of Port Macquarie Busways, and his team of around 70, who operate our regular bus services. Sure, we’ve bikes, cabs, hire cars, Community Transport, charters, club buses and “Mum’s taxi”, but most non-driving reliably scheduled movement is by Busways, a family-owned company that’s been in the bus business for 70 years. Founder Dick Rowe Snr started out in Sydney in 1942 and still watches over an enterprise now with 1400 employees running 850 buses in the city’s outer suburbs and between the Central Coast and Queensland. It’s 10 years since Busways acquired King Bros’ 300 buses operating all over the NSW North Coast. The local statistics Burton offers are impressive. “We operate 365 days a year and carry 25,000 to 35,000 passengers a week, not

32 greater port macquarie focus.

including Camden Haven and Wauchope.” Weekday services also run between Port and Kempsey. “Our buses travel 1.25m km a year in Port alone and we use 800,000L of diesel.” The school runs on their own equal driving daily between Sydney and Perth or Darwin, and nearly half way back again. From his Denham Street depot, Burton runs a multi-faceted operation that includes looking after drivers and rosters; workshop, mechanics, and apprentice training; liaison with the council, Countrylink, schools, government transport authorities and more; voluminous accountability auditing; employee pays and HR; driver credentials and drug/alcohol testing; exterior washing and interior cleaning; and meetings at Sydney HQ. Importantly in a regional area, Busways offers a service with a friendly image, by contrast with impersonal big-city bus travel. The service’s public face, the drivers, are apparently a happy band, one in 10 of them seniors, many of them grandparents - two are retired school principals - who enjoy working the school runs and take special care with children. Drivers operate orientations for kindy kids, “training them how to use buses safely, to give them insight. We don’t have a good culture in Port of using roundabouts, so the last thing we need is to be distracted by students misbehaving. We don’t allow bullying, harassment or moving around the bus. We work hard on safe transport. The biggest users of our services are the elderly and people on a budget. With concession fares of $2.50 for a full day, it’s a cheap means of getting around and a good

The school runs

on

“ service for the younger a beautician with retailing iving their own equal dr ey dn Sy generation to get to sport qualifications, now working as daily between , in rw Da or and the movies. We charrth a trainee manager, engaged and Pe ay ter buses and drivers for and nearly half w to Beau. “I’m lucky to have back again.” school excursions, sport three kids all still here, all still events, weddings. We hold studying, with good jobs and the Countrylink contract and good work ethics which is what run daily coaches to and from you want to make sure your child has Wauchope railway station, and the in life. I’m proud they do things they enjoy [late-night holiday period] Night Rider buses.” and earn a good income.” Unsurprisingly, Inevitably, there are hiccups moving so many Burton’s favourite recreation is getting away people efficiently every day. Roadworks and for a break with the family at their Gold Coast events like Ironman and the touch footy comholiday home. petition “do cause issues for us: it’s just a matA contented boss means a contended crew ter of working with the council and the traffic and the Busways mob enjoy great camaraderie, control people. It’s a challenge, but a job’s not often socialising outside shifts. Their recent enjoyable unless there’s challenge.” Christmas party involved the jokey annual Burton’s lived in the district for 30 years and “awards”, making fun of events that have has an unmatched knowledge of the area and happened to staff during the year. Burton what’s needed where. He joined the service 11 once won a certificate for Ducking & Weaving: years ago, manager for the past eight. Ever“For bravery and sacrifice, almost perishing in changing growing demand sees him engaged the line of duty. He defended himself against in a review of services, updating routes to cater the superior odds of a Russian woman” with to new needs. “Port’s expanded, there’s been no English who bashed him with her walking a lot of change in recent years; airport services stick when he tried to help her across a busy have improved, a lot of people want to go to street. “Drivers are always saving passengers’ the industrial area. We try to get more people lost property,” Burton smiles, “groceries, to more areas by buses.” medicines, mobiles, wallets, purses. Students The warm family ethos of Port’s Busways is leave behind bags, sports gear, laptops, musical in good hands. Burton, a consummate family instruments, music players, shoes, countless man, married Kempsey girl Clarinda. They’ve homework projects and school notes. raised a family of Jenna, a hotel manager, mar“Many drivers drop the items off to schools ried to Dylan, a publishing executive; Coby, an in their own time after their morning runs …” acting manager at McDonalds with restaurant Out To Lunch is hosted by ownership goals, married to Lisa; and Ellyce, Lou Perri at The Stunned Mullet

Try Our New Summer Menu! Come and visit the Port Macquarie Golf dish, you can't go past the Aspire Seafood Club for great food and summer fun! Get Plate, which includes Australian prawns, local some friends together these holidays for oysters, lemon pepper squid, a scallop and a game of social golf on our prisprawn mornay, tempura fish and temtine course. Twilight Golf is open pura crab pieces, chips, salad and to visitors after 4pm, so why two dipping sauces. Another not have a fun and relaxing favourite is the Eye Fillet an ith W game while spending time steak with Parmesan herb extensive with friends? crumbed field mushroom, range of menu items to choose d potato gratin, honey glazed The new summer menu from for lunch an't be carrots, spinach and a port at Aspire restaurant is not on w dinner, you wine demi glaze sauce, � ! ed nt to be missed, with taloi disapp cooked to your liking, accomented chefs Alex Hallam and panied by a nice glass of red. Keiran English now heading the

“

kitchen. With an extensive range of menu items to choose from for lunch and dinner, you won't be disappointed! If you are looking for the perfect summer

With great food, friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere, you are sure to enjoy your experience at the Port Macquarie Golf Club.

greater port macquarie focus 33

focuscolumn.

focuscolumn.

louperri. from The Stunned Mullet

S U M M E R T I ME H A ZE . . . w it h Bel i n d a G ib son

And here we are once again – endless summer days, beaches, pools, barbecues, sunburn and mozzies. Lots of socialising, afternoon snoozes, sore heads in the morning …

W

e wish! Although I still seem to occasion that sore head in the morning, the other summer pursuits seem rather thin on the ground for those who find themselves in the hospitality industry in a coastal tourist Mecca such as ours. As soon as November rolls into December, things start to go bonkers for us – Christmas parties, family catch ups, last ditch drinks with friends before the ‘D Day’ of Christmas. Then of course, there’s the merriment associated with seeing in the New Year, and that seems to continue on through that first hazy week in January.

Well ... I suppose there’s a reason why they call it the silly season! When it comes down to it though, we hospitality types relish this hedonistic atmosphere. More than any other time in the year we know that you will be ordering that second cocktail, third bottle of wine and might feel inclined to splash out on some French bubbles! We love it when you tell us you’ve left the car at home … After all, we’re here to help you celebrate!

There’s just t something abouoff e tim of the festive joy with long, work combined that hot summer daysbing of leads to the imbi coholic various chilled alng tastes beverages. Nothi tail by the as good as a cockld beer on pool, or an ice-co a hot afternoon.”

“

All of it involves a celebratory tipple or two, sometimes more. Beers at lunchtime, a crisp, dry and cold white. Don’t forget that archetypal summertime beverage, the gin and tonic, replete with loads of ice, generous wedges of squeezed lime. Mmm ... I can almost taste it! While we’re on the subject, what about those ubiquitous summery cocktails – most of them rum based – the mojito, the pina colada, the mai tai. Or perhaps a sour and salty margarita is your thing, or a frozen daiquiri? Sorry, I seem to have gotten carried away here. There’s just something about the festive joy of time off work combined with long, hot summer days that leads to the imbibing of various chilled alcoholic beverages. Nothing

34 greater port macquarie focus.

tastes as good as a cocktail by the pool, or an ice-cold beer on a hot afternoon.

Now, before you go and report me to some health authority for the relentless pushing of beverages which may damage your health, I will say that I do hold true to the tried and tested maxim of ‘everything in moderation’. If you don’t go too crazy on the silly stuff today, you’ll still be in good enough shape to do it all again tomorrow!

Hmm, although – what time is it? Cocktail hour mustn’t be too far away … all this talk is making me thirsty. Over December and January I’ll mostly be living vicariously through our wonderful customers, but come February – hand me that G and T! In the meantime, hoping that everyone had a fantastic Christmas and New Year and managed to relax, and indulge a little, or a lot!

2 0 1 3

A T

T H E

G L A S S H O U S E

he Glasshouse audiences are brave … they part with their hard-earned cash, give up some free precious hours and trust us to take them on an adventure in the theatre.

Royal Ballet. And you simply cannot afford to miss Expressions Dance Company with their multi-award winning work, Romeo and Juliet.

with a diverse range of extraordinary experiences. In the first week of being on sale, over 400 people have already signed up to become Glasshouse Members and over 1,500 tickets for the 2013 shows have been sold. Already there are only a few seats left to see international soprano superstar, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Our 2013 Performing Arts season brings us international multi-award winning comedians, musicians who have sold out shows in New York and London, Academy® and BAFTA worthy short films, Logie awardwinning actors, Australian stage legends – and even a reformed cat burglar. Diverse? Yes. Mediocre? Absolutely not! Each of these pieces is unique and extraordinary.

Know any funny teens? I bet you do … you know the ones who always have a smart comeback (and you have to try not to laugh?) Our task is to ensure that your intrepid leap of This year we bring you Class Clowns – this is faith is rewarded with unique and extraordinary Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s experiences. We get enough ‘safe’ and version of Australian Idol for comedy! If ever ‘mediocre’ from the comfort of our lounges there was an incentive for teens to step in front of our big screen TVs. away from the gaming console, Going to the theatre demands mobile device or TV, here it is … more. Everyone in that room and there is a cash prize … wants the same thing. with multiple zeros! So this on “ Our 2013 seas We might be there for February, get those smart is packed withe inspiration, escapism or to teens to the Glasshouse a diverse rang y laugh until our sides ache. and they can work with ar in rd of extrao .” es nc Whatever the reason, a professional comedian rie pe ex we all want and deserve and have the chance to go to experience moments of on to the State and National greatness. finals … and see if they really are that funny! Our 2013 season is packed

Be warned … in 2011, the Australian Ballet Dancers Company and Ballet Revolucion sold out. In 2012, Sydney Dance Company and Bangarra Dance Theatre sold out. So in 2013, don’t be the one who misses out on seeing Melbourne Ballet Company’s Infinite Space, featuring dancers who have performed with The Australian Ballet, The Paris Opera and the

I hope you can become as excited about the year ahead as we are. Come and see what’s on in your theatre – and to get the most out of the year ahead, become a Glasshouse member. We always aspire to give you worldclass quality; all you need to do is come on the adventure with us!

greater port macquarie focus 35

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• H Ofocus W I T interview. 'S MADE •

focuseditorial.

Have you ever eaten something wonderful, admired something beautiful or quirky, or even worn something you just love the feel of? Welcome to the first interview in our new series, ‘How It’s Made’, which will highlight some of our local products and explore just what goes into making them so special! Meet Tash (Natasha) Topschi from Baba Lila Chocolates.

hat is the origin of the name ‘Baba Lila’? ‘Baba’ means grandmother in Russian, and ‘Lila’ is my mother’s name. I come from Russian descent − both parents are Russian. I was born in Sydney and grew up in a Russian community that embraced our 'Russianaity', from the language we spoke to the food we ate. The recipe has been passed down in my family, something my mother taught me ... and a reason why I named my business after her − a respect to my family and heritage. What variety of products (flavours and sizes) does your business make? We have 12 varieties broken into 2 ranges − Traditional Range, this includes: Prune 'n Brandy, Almond, Rum 'n Raisin, Hazelnut, Rosewater, Marsala 'n Cherry. Most of these flavours are from the original recipe passed down from our family, with a couple of my own inspirations. The Native Australian range includes: Wild Lime, Davidson Plum with Coconut, Aniseed Myrtle, Lemon Myrtle, Pepper Berry, Wattleseed. This range is an adaptation from the original recipe, using the same methods but including Australian bush foods. What processes/methods are used to create your wonderful chocolates from start to finish – and is it true that everything you produce is made by hand? Indeed, these are truly hand made. Each chocolate has hand mixed centres (for some larger quantities I use a mix master to start off the blending process then use a hand method to complete); then they are hand rolled

into balls and weighed individually. After freezing the centres, they are hand dipped in a semi dark chocolate, left to dry, then hand wrapped and hand packaged and labelled − I'm very handy! What equipment/materials do you use to make your products? Apart from my hands, some general kitchen utensils, bowls and trays, a freezer, a bain marie for melting chocolate and a mix master to whip the butter. In the past I have been offered investment to increase manufacture to a larger scale − in doing this I would need the equipment to keep up with demand and growth … just more fossil fuels! I would also be led to compromise local support because of the economic viability of using products outside our small local area. I produce over 2,500 chocs per week with myself and my daughter and still produce more when needed. Where do you source your raw ingredients? Believing in supporting our local economy, and the concept of 'treading lightly' on resources by minimising fossils fuels through transport etc, I stay local. If it's not made in our local area, I use local suppliers to source products − everything from the ingredients to packaging. How do you come up with the concepts for new flavours or styles? I look close to home for availability; our local area has a diverse abundance of bush foods and businesses that process and manufacture them. Also both sides of my heritage – Russian and Australian, are a great inspiration. Where can people source your products or find

out more info? I manufacture the chocs in Comboyne but do not retail from my factory kitchen; however, they are sold through the Comboyne Community Centre 7 days per week. You can find them mainly on the Mid North Coast between Forster and Coffs Harbour − in cafés, florists, hotels, gift stores and at local markets (Wauchope Farmers, Port Macquarie Foreshore, Bellingen Community) or order by email (details at www.babalila.com.au). We will be updating our website to a 'shop front' in the near future. Thanks Tash. Interview by Jo Atkins. Pics feature Tash and daughter, Rhianna Topschij. greater port macquarie focus 37

s o c i a l s c e n e

left. Drew flaming it up at Zebu.

with Kate Wood-Foye from Rydges Port Macquarie. left. Kelly & Joshua Moore – Credit Ellis Photography

below. Annette and Kane on their wedding day - Credit Renee Bell Studios.

below. Charlie and Cindy Redmond, with Black Duck Brewery owner Al Owen.

above. Francessca O’Donnell and Vic Compton with Francessca’s family in the foreground.

Just when I thought I had silly season nailed! It jumps up on me at warp speed, not a present wrapped or even shopped for!

I

nstead I found myself aimlessly wandering around in late December in jam packed shopping centres amidst other frantic shoppers in the same dilemma, wishing wholeheartedly that I had gone for the online option with free gift wrap and freight months in advance like sensible organised beings! I am a huge fan of face to face retail therapy and absolutely love supporting the locals; however, this year I just left my run ridiculously too late and suffered a serious case of Christmas chaos claustrophobia and had to limit my time in public shopping centres to late at night and the wee hours of the morning. Thank god for early and late night trade – yes, I was the sad figure knocking on the windows at dawn saying ... are you open yet? Trying to get in and out alive before the Kris Kringle crush was a mission in itself! Somehow in the grab and tackle for last minute gifts, I came away with some vaguely strange and on occasion wildly inappropriate gifts bought in haste … I am hoping to make it up to loved ones at Easter …chocolate really is my forte, after all. In a whirlwind of parties, the New Year calls, but not without acknowledgment of the adornment of birthdays, celebrations and weddings in the last months of the year. The gorgeous Annette Holmes and Kane O’Donnell were married in late November in a beautiful garden ceremony at Frazer’s Creek near Beechwood at the O’Donnell family property. The Melbourne based bride wore a stunning vintage lace top dress, with bridesmaids in soft metallic grey. Guests were greeted by Pimms and lemonade on the lawn, an array of gourmet cheeses and a stunning outdoor

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marquee with bocce and games to while away the evening. Eighty guests enjoyed canapés by SilverSpoon Catering followed by a two tier cake made by the bride of orange and poppyseed with a divine passionfruit cream and chocolate mud with a wickedly decadent milk chocolate ganache. Guests embraced the romantic vintage theme of the wedding, relaxing on lounges and stunning wooden furniture in the marquee, a special thanks to both sets of parents for thier input and support. Annette and Kane, a local lad and Cambridge graduate, make their home back in Melbourne. Congrats to a beautiful couple – wishing you every happiness on your journey together! For the first time in the history of this column, I have actually had the opportunity to attend the Festival of the Sun. Congrats to Simon, Scott and the crew at FOTSUN for an excellent showcase of live talent on our water’s edge at Sundowner. We had an absolute ball and soaked up the very positive vibe of the festival (one small tip – if you are feeling a little self conscious about the age factor … beware! A sure way to feel your age is to walk through a camp ground of gorgeous young things surely not old enough to be away from home or driving a vehicle but looking fantabulous in the festival glad rags! Yikes!) Jack was chuffed to debut at FOTSUN with his first festival experience, rocking it out in the pram - freestyle and free range in the main stage area – complete with his own green earphones to protect tiny ears – not that they stayed on too long! Hermitude was clearly a crowd favourite and certainly mine, with the talented Phil Jamieson and Joe Robinson smoking it up for their local fans. Sadly, Jack’s

Social/scene. love of the festival ended just prior to the ever stylish Kimbra stepping onto main stage, putting an end to our festivities with a quick exit stage left! By all accounts, the grand finale by the sassy songbird was fabulous. Congrats to all for another successful year. Some may have heard talk of a roaring 1920s party … a prohibition shindig at a speak easy joint held at the Flynns Beach Surf Club. Louise Beaumont’s 30th birthday was the occassion – vintage cars, fast women, fabulous costumes, deadly cocktails, fine food and swinging music set the stage for a hilarious night of fun and dodgy vintage swimwear worn by none other than Teale Bryan and Steve Foye, illegal gambling and a bootful of cigars. A night to remember for some … others are still trying to forget! Happy birthday, Lou! Lovely local couple Kelly Andrews and Joshua Moore were married on a wet and wild day in November, with 95 guests celebrating this special day. The ceremony was held at Rydges with celebrant Marie Watts, followed by a reception in the waterfront function rooms where guests enjoyed canapés, entrée and main and a delicious three tier chocolate mud cake made by Trish Jackson. Kelly looked stunning in an ivory gown, with her bridesmaids, Carla Andre and Kate Styles in a beautiful blue. Josh was attended by Mick Styles and Jade Collyer. Congrats to the happy couple, who make their home in Wauchope. All the best, you two! Congrats to Kate and Al Owen of Black Duck Brewery, who celebrated the opening of their Acacia Avenue brewery on Saturday 15 December.

Eighty guests enjoyed fab food and ales to celebrate the newest boutique brewery on the scene. Well done, Kate and Al! Happily, I was able to get a sneak peak at the fab venue when the FOCUS crew held their Christmas party at the venue in December. Congrats to Lou and Jay, who celebrated 7 years of FOCUS and 85 editions. Guests enjoyed yummy treats from the FOCUS food truck, including Kimchi, Asian Pork Sliders and yummy chicken gumbo. Guests, including Belinda and Zoe Rodger of Ella Baché, Steve and Meredy of Glasshouse Flowers, Karl Mclean of ANZ, Eric and Monica Robinson of The Other Chef, Kylie Morris of Hot Graphics, Rob Marlow of Café Culture and his lovely lady, Peta, and David Young from Never Late Electrical, to name but a few of the 80 strong crowd, all enjoyed ales and a little Christmas cheer. Congrats to Andrew Miedecke, who recently celebrated a special birthday at his waterfront home in Port Macquarie. Andrew was joined by his sons, George and Harry, and 12 of his closest friends dating back to school days, who flew in from all over the country to raise a glass to the birthday boy. The gents had a relaxed evening of seafood, steak, fine cheeses and wines. Happy birthday, Andrew! I leave you this month preparing for a dash back to the 1940s at the NYE Casablanca event at the hotel. Over 120 guests will be channelling Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman for a fabulous night of cocktails, live Tango, cabaret singers, dancers and gambling! I think I can feel a little cocktail or two coming on! Happy New Year! Kate.

Opening soon right here in Port Macquarie, Quaylime is the newest and freshest cafe/resturant in town.

Local produce hampers for all occasions.

Local Hampers Kendall Cellars, found at 14 Comboyne Street in the village of Kendall, stock a broad range of beers, wines and spirits to cater for your holiday season get togethers. Proprietors Darren and Rheannon Chapman are also proud to showcase local products, with a range of fabulous gift hampers and products from farms and producers from across the Mid North Coast. Products from Comboyne Cheese, Lorne Valley Macadamias, Baba Lila Chocolates, Barbushco Foods, Wilmaria Olives and Ella May Honey are packed beautifully for you as the ideal gift, or can be put together for your next picnic or BBQ with friends. Local beer and wine is all included if desired, with Black Duck Dark Ale and Bago Chardonnay and Chambourcin to name just a few of the local drops on offer. Individual products and produce may be purchased, from beef jerky, plum and chilli sauce, lime infused olive oil, raspberry sauce, lemon myrtle dressing, drunken caramelised onions, cranberry and pear chutney, marmalade, sticky figs with vanilla, to a wide selection of jams, aniseed myrtle fettuccine, bush dukkah and lemon myrtle green tea. To find out more about the products, or to order a gift basket, call Rheannon on (02) 6559 4496 or email her at sales@ kendallcellars.com.au; she will only be too willing to help put a beautiful gift basket or hamper together for you. Or, why not call into the bottle shop at Kendall; it’s well worth the visit.

Opening Soon! Port Macquarie’s newest and freshest café/ restaurant, Quaylime, has the perfect view overlooking the Marina and will be opening for dining this January. Find the perfect spot to sit, relax, unwind and enjoy the summer breeze coming straight off the water, and experience the beautiful aromas and tastes coming straight off your plate. Quaylime will be open 7 days a week, serving mouthwatering meals for breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon teas. Fresh roasted coffee, local gourmet produce, breakfast platters, gourmet cheese and antipasto plates, picnic hampers and so much more. Picture this – Friday afternoon overlooking the water with friends, workmates or even that special one, sitting back enjoying a wide selection of nibbles and a local glass of wine. Quaylime is looking forward to dining with you soon and can’t wait to be part of the ever growing Port Macqaurie community.

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Renowned for his sharp wi wit and notorious one-liners, Jimeoin visits us at Note January 9 in your diary, if you’d like to Port Panthers this month. N experience with laughter and tears! exp perience a night filled w

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lot of people may not be aware that w when you first came to Austr Australia, you earned a crust workin working with your hands. I’ve re read you did gardening work, so how are your g gardening skills these days – green thumb, or loathe it with a passion? eve Carpenter. Don't believe everything you read gardenin skills are very on the Internet. My gardening good for a carpenter! Share with us a reflection of your very whe was it, how first stand up gig – where did it come about, and what do you most remember about it? At the Harold Park in Sydney. A girl I was with put my name down for the try out section, and I got up and told a few jokes. I then watched the rest of the thou night. The very thought of that night f puts a smile on my face, as I don't hav done stand up if know if I would have fa it wasn't for that fateful night. I really i I really rememhad no interest in it. ber how bright the light was! t have an Comedians tend to th absurd, and eye and ear for the materia in all sorts of find their material interesting places. One comedian I spoke to years ag ago told me they loved to eavesdrop on trains! Where do you find a good venue to gather material for you your shows? I think every everybody loves t to eavesdrop eavesdrop, don't they! I’m not mad abou ve lo I t bu g, Snippets o of other people’s fishin takes conversat conversations are a great the places that it der I me too. But the ol insight in into other people's find it to get, the harder I re. Shot worlds, a and from that you tu ea cr g kill a livin golf a often get good stuff. on − oo ar ng a ka He had it You’ve tr travelled all course, though. as I was around th the world and coming … moved taking a putt. ” then some for your career, including ma many tiny venues in outback Aus Australia while you were filming the d documentary Jimeoin own Under. W What’s the most unusual venue you ever pe performed in, and why does it stick in your mind mind? Boraloola, on the border of NT and Q Queensland … next to a place called Hells Gate − and for good reason. Real eye opener as to what drink can d do to people.

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Given you’ve written and starred in two feature films, The Craic and The Extra and performed on TV many times, you’ve experienced the unblinking eye of the camera ‘audience’. How tough is it to perform when you’re not in front of a live audience, who’d constantly give you feedback? You get used to it. Doing the Midday show live on TV with a live audience who were all very close to dead was very funny. It used to really make me laugh, as no one really cared that much if you went well or died on your ass. I liked that. How long have you been working on your new show, What!, which you’re about to tour down under? All of my life, really. Give us a few teasers about what we’ll be hearing and learning from you on your new tour ... Can't do that. I could tell you a joke, though. Guy says to his friend: “What kind of ring tone do you have?” Friend says: "I haven't looked, but I think it's a brownie pink”. You’re obviously an expert at making audiences laugh, but what are some of the things that really tickle your funny bone? People falling over is hard to go past. Bad smells. Very basic. I’m like a master chef who eats KFC … I like KFC, by the way. Your bio says you’re a keen golfer and fisherman. Do you have any stories to share about ‘the one that got away’ ... and this could equally apply to a golf ball, as to a fish? They all got away. I'm not mad about fishing, but I love the places that it takes me too. But the older I get, the harder I find it to kill a living creature. Shot a kangaroo − on a golf course though. He had it coming … moved as I was taking a putt! What’s in the pipeline for you after you finish the next round of touring – any plans for some more film work, or possibly some new DVDs/CDs? I think I've got a DVD out at the minute. It's called Something Smells Funny. Thanks Jimeoin. Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug! See Jimeoin at Port Panthers with his new show, What! on Wednesday, January 9 at 8pm. Tickets cost $39. Call the club on 6580 2300 for details.

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Family fun day this Australia Day at the Hastings Hotel

Australia Day at the Hastings This Australia Day, the Hastings Hotel in Wauchope is putting on a show. Come on down, bring the family, meet up with friends and just enjoy a fun filled day with the true blue Aussie atmosphere. There will be live entertainment and the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, serving great Aussie specials. Why not organise a team of 6 and enter our very popular Tug-O-War comp, or if you prefer working in twos, enter the wheelbarrow races – cash prizes are up for grabs. The jumping castle and face painting are sure to be a big hit with the little ones. There's something for everyone to see and do, so this Australia Day make your way down to the Hastings Hotel and enjoy and day out the whole family can enjoy.

AARONRAE. HEAD CHEF BLUEWATER BAR AND GRILL Please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us about your background in the hospitality industry ... I’m Aaron 'Wolfgang' Rae and the chef at Bluewater at Flynns Beach. Born in Wauchope, I ventured to Melbourne in search of music to discover the inevitable workforce.

seems to be the most popular dish? Paddy and I have written the summer menu to cater for all, from the meat lover to the vegetarian. We also have a new summer lunch menu and from recent feedback, it is well loved, costing only $15, Tues – Friday.

Your menu has some very wonderful dishes. What is your favourite dish and what are some of the ingredients you use? The pork belly dish is a standout. It’s soft and tender, but also has the wicked crackle. The parsnip mustard gives it a little kick and pairs perfectly with the classic apple. Cider is big at the moment to drink, but it also makes a great jus.

after all the happy couple’s requirements. Also, the convenience of having accommodation next door is a big plus.

Bluewater Bar is also a very popular spot for wedding receptions. What I was an apprentice in an Italian makes you stand out from restaurant, then moved other venues? around through cafés and We are a touch away from ve ha “ Paddy and Immer hotels meeting a lot the inner city. We have su e written th r all, fo r te ca to of great people along a private and spacious u en m ver to from the meat loWe also the way and learning reception area, with a the vegetarian.mmer the cultural diversity wide ranging menu to have a new su d from an u of the culinary world. suit any wedding from lunch men ck, it is Bluewater took me in cocktail, 3 course or recent feedbasting only well loved, co ay. ” halfway through 2012, buffet style. $15, Tues – Frid and it’s been a second We have a functions home ever since. manager who looks

Tell us about your summer menu; what

Coming into 2013, what exciting things are in store for Bluewater? New function menu! Lots and lots of amazing local music. And look out for our radical JJJ hottest 100 Australia Day Party! It’s gonna be epic – backyard barbie and beers! greater port macquarie focus 43

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We invite you to explore our beautiful region this summer – get out and about and see what secrets lie in the Hastings.

Photo courtesy of Greater Port Macquarie Tourism. 46 greater port macquarie focus.

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Belinda Novicky

endless holiday adventures.

The Legendary Pacific Coast The Legendary Pacific Coast, the major j ttourism i drive d i ffrom Sydney S d to Brisbane on the east coast of Australia, has combined with regional Aboriginal communities to create a new and historic tourism product. hroughout the past 12 months, local Aboriginal Land Councils along the Mid North Coast from Karuah to Coffs Harbour have worked with the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance to record and document 34 Aboriginal stories. To find out more about this exciting project, we spoke to Chair of TLPC Belinda Novicky …

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Where did the idea behind the Aboriginal Stories from TLPC come from? The idea originally came from Toursim Australia, who identified the need for more Aboriginal experiences – not just in our region, but across Australia. We (The Legendary Pacific Coast) had already started a relationship with the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance and through the discussions we had with them and also when the original concept of the Legendary Pacific Coast was put together by the creative agency, they identified that the TLPC was an original Aboriginal trading route. So, it made perfect sense then for us to do stories – not contemporary stories on people who have had experiences on TLPC, but also to look at our Aboriginal stories as well. How important was it for you to have these stories intertwined with the TLPC Tourist product? It was very important. It provides our visitors with interpretation and an interactive experience and also flexibility to listen to the stories anywhere they are when travelling along that stretch of road. And it also provides us the opportunity to promote other Aboriginal products and services and direct them to experience those – such as the art galleries and things like that as well. How were the stories found and compiled? That part of the program was completely managed by Saltwater Freshwater. With their experience of dealing with all the Land Councils and Aboriginal communities on the Mid North Coast, they were able to identify

those elders who were able to share the stories. There are 34 stories. For you, was there a particular one that stuck in your mind? All of them are really great, but I do know that when we launched the program a few weeks ago and we did the friendship circle, there was one that everyone was particularly proud of and wanted to share. This was one of the contemporary stories – the one from Karuah – and was called The Dam Dog Legend. It was so delightful to hear this story about how, when heading home (past the dam) and running late, if the Dam Dog was seen, it was known there would be consequences. Seeing the dog meant you were late home, and you would also be quite scared of the dog. The other one that comes to mind is the story by two Aunties in Coffs Harbour called Life in the 50s, and it is this great story by two Aunties who are just sitting around having a yarn and a cup of tea. Life in the 50s was about growing up in Coffs Harbour and how innocent and lovely life was then. There is modern innovation and technology being used to deliver these Aboriginal stories? Yes, that’s right. We have the stories on the website at pacificcoast.com.au and also on the iPhone app that can be downloaded. Once people are on the website, they will see an Aboriginal hands icon, which will take them through to the stories. At the moment there are only the Mid North Coast stories by Saltwater Freshwater, but we’ll soon be adding the Northern Rivers and Hunter region stories, so the collection will be complete. It’s really great to be able to download and listen to the stories as you take the route. To find out more about the Aboriginal Stories or the Legendary Pacific Coast, visit pacificcoast.com.au

Are you stuck for ideas on how to entertain your visiting family and friends during the holidays? Find endless holiday adventures and an enormous variety of things to see and do around the region at www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au

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ids will love picking strawberries from the vine at Ricardoes Tomatoes, the huge indoor soft play centre at Jumbos Playland, or one of the many outdoor playgrounds. Get the creative juices flowing at the Glasshouse with the Kids Spot program, which has art classes for 4 9 year olds, plus there’s kids theatre and events. Teenagers can ditch their computer games and let off some steam at the Town Beach break wall skate park.

Wauchope has long been on the tourist trail for the iconic family attraction, Timbertown, and its location as the gateway to the hinterland. Now, there are so many more reasons to visit this beautiful rural township, just 20 minutes’ drive west from Port Macquarie, with hip cafés, restaurants and funky shopping.

Join Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding for a halfday ride, pub-ride or three to five day trek in the magical hinterland. Get lost at Bago Maze – the largest hedge maze in NSW, with 2,000 Visit our furry friends at the Koala Hospital, Port metres of pathways, lookout towers, musical Macquarie’s number one attraction and the instruments and bridges at Bago Vineyards. only koala hospital in the world, take a camel Plants with your high-tea? Set by a calming ride along the iconic Lighthouse Beach, or get lake, Abundance Café and Garden Centre spooked with Port by Night tours. offers sumptuous light meals and high tea, plus a shop with plants and flowers. Or you For those who want to get out of could meet the newest member of their comfort zone and rattle the animal family, the 4.6 metre the nerves, Hastings Valley ‘monster croc’ called Shrek at Helicopters takes scenic s es dl Billabong Koala and Wildlife en For joy-flights, free fall at ay lid ho Park. Extreme Velocity, waterski at Stoney Park, or go from mild to wild on the ground in GoKarts or in the air in a Jetfighter plane.

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fo. portmacquarieinto the in ll ca com.au or quarie Greater Port Macion at rm fo Visitor In the Centre located at e.” Glasshous

A scenic 20 minute drive south of Port Macquarie’s CBD, the Camden Haven features fishing villages, peaceful waterways where dolphins play and stunning National Parks. Visit the villages of Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills, Laurieton, Dunbogan and North Haven. Drive to the top of the 560 metre high North Brother Mountain for panoramic views. Taste fresh oysters from the Hastings River at Armstrong Oysters. Join Canopus Deep Sea Fishing Charters for a half day at sea or hire your own kayak, BBQ boat or tinnie from the Dunbogan Boatshed and Marina and explore the stunning waterways for yourself.

Keep on heading west and visit the Comboyne plateau, enjoy some ‘country hospitality’ at the Udder Cow Café, take a walk to Rawson Falls lookout and enjoy the stunning views, or even enjoy some twilight bowls at Comboyne Ex-Servicemen's Citizens Club.

After a fun day of experiencing the region’s activities and attractions, warm up your appetite in this culinary hot spot. Take some time to enjoy some of Australia’s best produce and dine in award-winning cafés, restaurants and visit the region’s six wineries and two boutique breweries. Night owls can enjoy alfresco bars at sunset, live music, international theatre and dancing to top DJs. There is something on every week of the year, so check out the entertainment on offer at portmacquarieinfo.com.au greater port macquarie focus 47

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Get lost - it’s a lot of fun! Found a little out of Wauchope on Bago Road is picturesque Bago Vineyards. Its newest asset, Bago Maze, is open, and you are invited to visit and get lost – it’s lots of fun! Chrissy Jones did just that and chatted with Ian Adams about the maze that forms the first and central element of the planned Bago Gardens, an ever evolving project. ago Maze opened to the public last month. Tell us about the launch and the maze itself ... It was a launch befitting that of a project that has taken over ten years from the ‘let’s build a maze’ stage to the reality of finally being able to walk the 2 kilometres of paths that seem to spiral forever, until you finally figure your way out!

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Designed by Landscape Architect Ian Mobbs, who took inspiration from the surrounding vineyard and bushland, the maze incorporates a myriad of symbolic imagery within its pathways and hedges. The cyclic and seasonal nature of the vineyard, together with the flowering influences of earth, air and water is represented in two interlaced spirals that tendril like pathways. They radiate to the outer limits of the maze, where two lookout towers enable views over the hedges to help walkers plot their way out. Construction began in December 2006, with the setting out and planting of the first of the 900 plants. The maze was planted with a variety of

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native Lilly Pilly, ideal for the area and purpose. The remainder of the planting took place in the spring of 2007 and is now the largest hedge maze in New South Wales, with a total area of 10,000 square metres and 2,000 metres of pathways. In the maze’s observation towers, you can pretend to be a bell ringer (rather a bell donger) on the Recycla Bells or test your musical prowess on the Marimba, made by local instrument maker Jim Newman. The interactive musical instruments are strategically placed throughout the maze, either under the observation towers or near the elevated walkway, where you and a friend can play the Eye Chimes. You have obviously found your ‘way out’, but what was your first experience in the maze like? What amazed this intrepid explorer was that helpless feeling that overcomes you when you start imagining, “How spooky would a midnight romp in the maze be?”; or if you go back to those boyhood days and wonder, “What happens if I’m confronted by a Yowie?”

Then suddenly, I’m awakened from my boyhood maze dream when a ginger headed ten year old asks, “Hey Mister, would you like me to show you the way out?” No thanks ... I’m doing what maze people do – just strolling, taking the time to smell the freshly trimmed hedges, but then I speed up (inconspicuously, of course) so I don’t lose sight of my young guide. I undertook the journey along the 2,000 metres of pathways, crossing three bridges that traverse a sunken pathway that doesn’t seem to go anywhere, checked out the elevated walkway, climbed the two observation towers and saw where I had been and then plotted my next move. I don’t really want to let the cat out of the

bag, but the sunken pathway really does lead to somewhere. You may ask where it goes. Unfortunately, I’ve taken the Maze Code of Silence promise, and you’ll just have to visit the vineyards and find out for yourself. When can we do that? The Bago Maze is open to the public from 10am to 4pm every day during the January school holidays. Admission prices to the maze are adults $10 and children $7. After exploring the Bago Maze, you can relax on the pergola with a cuppa or cold drink, enjoy a cheese platter with local cheese and condiments or taste the Bago Vineyards wines in the Cellar Door, which is open every day from 9am ‘til 5pm. Thanks Ian.

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Exciting new range of products from The Other Chef.

Truly Local - Longpoint Vineyard. The Port Macquarie Food Co.

Miss Nellie’s Café.

The Other Chef Fine Foods proudly launched a new regionally-inspired brand this month, with the release of The Port Macquarie Food Co range of products.

Jenelle Nosworthy’s fondest childhood memories include the many hours spent in the kitchen baking beside her Grandma. These warm memories and Grandma’s original handwritten recipes are the inspiration behind much of the menu at one of the newest hidden treasures of the Hastings – MISS NELLIE’S CAFÉ.

“We had the opportunity to pitch a range to a major supermarket and wanted to use such a great opportunity to promote not only our own business, but also the place where we live and do business – the place that we are proud to call home,” explains Eric Robinson. The brand is inspired by produce that is grown in our region, and uses locally grown ingredients wherever possible. From the middle of January, Port Macquarie Food Co. Strawberry Jam and Hastings Citrus Marmalade will be on the shelves of over 40 selected Woolworths supermarkets across Sydney and the Gold Coast. “This is definitely a win in our commitment to supporting local growers and our community in general,” says Monica Robinson. “We would love to see this brand become a recognisable ambassador for our region. This is just the start – we have another 3 products in mind for the range.” Locally, The Port Macquarie Food Co jams are available at The Glasshouse Shop. A full list of stockists is available at www.portmacquariefoodco.com.au

Located in the township of Kendall, where the beaches of the Camden Haven meet the lush scenic valleys of the hinterland, MISS NELLIE’S CAFÉ is a modern-yet-classic haven for locals and visitors alike. The delightful country-style café celebrates the best of the Hastings local produce and offers something for everyone. Enjoy a relaxing morning coffee with a book on the verandah, treat yourself to a homemade cake or Devonshire tea with homemade jam, or bring family and friends to enjoy a light meal, children’s menu or the nine flavours of ice cream! While you’re there, why not browse the shelves and take home some local goodies and gourmet gifts! Just 4 minutes’ drive from the Kew turnoff on the Pacific Highway, MISS NELLIE’S welcoming atmosphere truly offers a taste of home! MISS NELLIE’S CAFÉ is open 7 days a week during the summer season – Mon to Fri, 9am - 4pm and Sat and Sun, 10am 4pm. Lunch bookings recommended. Ph: 6559 0085.

A stunning display of Truly Local art is open for viewing during January at the picturesque Long Point Vineyard. Featured artists are Jill Cairns and Jan Wilson; come and view their talents at the Ways of Seeing exhibition these holidays. Jill Cairns – Jill grew up in the Sutherland Shire of Sydney and studied Graphic Design through the National Art School. Having been a member of the Hastings Valley Fine Art Association for two years now, Jill also belongs to the New England Art Society. Jill says: "My artwork has been greatly influenced by the Impressionist movement. My love of light and colour and high key tone takes me into the landscape and waterways of Australia and overseas to discover places of atmospheric beauty. These subjects are a catalyst to express myself with the rich qualities of oils." Jan Wilson – Jan studied Art at Newcastle Technical College and later at Alexander Mackie College Sydney, during the late seventies. Jan has been a member of the Hastings Valley Fine Art Association since 2009. Having an early focus on drawing and photography, Jan has in later years explored the different mediums of watercolour, oils, acrylics and pastels to interpret landscapes and figures. Jan says: "My ultimate goal, whatever the medium, is to be less descriptive in subject matter and more expressive in technique, while keeping the main objective of enjoying the creative journey." The exhibition is open Wed - Sun throughout January 2013.

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award-winning cultural experiences Now in its fourth year, the Glasshouse continues to deliver award-winning cultural experiences for the Port Macquarie-Hastings region and beyond.

with friends or some quiet time with the family. The Gallery program is supported by a public program offering access to artists, curators, historians and more.

The theatre will be bursting with dance, drama, comedy and music in 2013 – including a performance by international soprano superstar Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in March, The Melbourne Ballet in April, and the much-loved Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow is back in June. The theatre delivers an experience like no other with its first-class acoustics and intimate space – it’s no surprise that the Glasshouse was awarded Performing Arts Centre of the Year in 2012.

And it’s not just the ‘grown ups’ that can enjoy our region’s finest cultural offerings. The Glasshouse is dedicated to nurturing the next generation. Kids are spoilt for choice when it comes to free art and heritage activities in the gallery and foyer, an inspiring school program and Holiday Fun and film festival workshops to keep them busy during the school holidays!

If art is more your scene, then the three floors of soaring Regional Gallery space will delight you. Home to an ever-changing myriad of exhibitions, showcasing local, national and international artists, the Gallery is the perfect place for a reflective afternoon, an outing

More than a theatre, gallery, heritage displays and shop … the Glasshouse is also a premier conference and meetings facility. What better way to inspire and engage with your staff or clients in the midst of architectural and cultural excellence? Come and see what the Glasshouse has in store for you in 2013.

GLASSHOUSE PORT MACQUARIE

Gallery Theatre

Heritage

Family Fun

Fun, friendly & inspiring cultural experiences right in the heart of Port Macquarie’s CBD.

THIS JANUARY FOR KIDS...

Holiday Fun

MEET THE SALVAGE SPIDER B IS FOR BIRD free art activities Little Big Shots Film Festival Become a GLASSHOUSE MEMBER today and save $$ (02) 6581 8888 I glasshouse.org.au Cnr Clarence & Hay Sts, Port Macquarie NSW 2444

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Step out in Style this summer ... At this time of year we would like to welcome our many visitors to our beautiful town of Port Macquarie and also introduce ourselves.

chic new styles for the summer season. This season also offers a fabulous rainbow of colours as well as the wardrobe staples in neutral tones.

Colonial Cobbler, a ladies Tis the season to make a boutique shoe store, has statement with such trusted oe and “Our ladies sh been around for many brands as Ecco, Hushpupg selection ba nd ha decades, and many of our pies, Minx, Ziera and ts on offers new twisan also d s, visitors enjoy catching up Valeria Grossi just to name ite ur vo fa old styles for a few. We have got the ultiwith us each year when some chic newas on..” the summer se they return for their anmate shoes for your perusal, nual holidays. For others it whether you need the back will be your first visit, and we to work basic for your return sincerely hope you do enjoy the home, or that extra pair of comfy beautiful beaches and surrounds of this casuals for your holiday. area. Take the time to call in and say hi, we look Our ladies shoe and handbag selection offers new twists on old favourites, and also some

forward to seeing you soon at the Colonial Cobbler.

EXPERIENCE

THE HASTINGS

F O C U S F E AT U R E

Willow House and Baby. Holiday Treat Package. Would you like to escape to a world of tranquillity, with friendly professional staff, amazing results driven products and a huge variety of treatments? Well that’s exactly what you’ll get at Port Macquarie Day Spa. Located in the heart of the CBD forming part of the Rydges Complex, Port Macquarie Day Spa has a well-deserved reputation for the excellence in services they provide, providing not only relaxation therapies but a variety of results driven treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels and permanent hair reduction. Boasting beautifully presented private rooms, spacious and quiet, complete with couple’s treatment room and hydrotherapy spa. Your treatment room will always be immaculate; we take great pride in the level of cleanliness we provide. Our passion and commitment is to exceed your expectations. Your treatment will always be performed to the same high standard each and every time, regardless of whether you are our first guest for the day or our last. At Port Macquarie Day Spa we are all about convenience; not only can you book your appointment online at any time day or night, you can also purchase your products online as well. No more trying to find a park in town: simply visit www.portdayspa.com.au and we will post your products out with free delivery. Now, that’s convenience!

Are you in town visiting family and friends? Are you a local who finally has some time to themselves? Well come on down; we have found the most precious and unique little store right in the heart of Port Macquarie. Willow House and Baby, located along Clarence Street, right across from Hogs Breath Café. Another year is done and to celebrate 2013, Willow House and Baby have a massive 20 - 40% off storewide. Take a wander and discover the treasures that await. In store now, Sophie Conran for Portmeirion cookware, tableware and home accessories. The Sophie Conran for Portmeirion collection is a beautiful, tactile oven-to-tableware and home accessories collection that is a joy to use every day. The rippled bodies and curved edges have the echo of the potter’s hand. The collection is designed to be multi-functional – the oven-to-tableware pieces look as beautiful on the table as they are practical in the kitchen. Measuring jugs morph into serving pieces, whilst the roasting dishes can take centre stage on the table. Each piece of porcelain is able to withstand the rigours of contemporary living, moving with ease from the dishwasher to the microwave, the freezer to the oven. Willow House and Baby are open seven days a week: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 6.30pm; and Sundays,10.30am - 3pm. With shoppers specials throughout the store each day, make sure you take a look through Willow House and Baby today.

elements of design The boutique that thrives on uniqueness, stocking ladies clothing, shoes, accessories, homewares, furniture, gifts and glasshouse fragrances. Catering for all ages and all functions, from a weekend picnic to an evening party, you will find everything to create your look from head to toe with an affordable price tag. Our aim is to make you feel at home, whilst enjoying your shopping experience in an eclectic ambience. With new stock arriving daily, elements of design has ever changing displays to create a visual mix that is sure to please the eye. Our clientele comes from as far as Singapore and New Zealand, as well as our regular local customers whom we are so lucky to have; and we enjoy meeting new ones every day. Our mission is to constantly source new products worldwide that will be unique to elements of design! We look forward to seeing you in store soon. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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focustourism. Port Macquarie Tourism Association

T o u r is m janette hyde. The Touch State Cup has been and gone, and everyone had a great time. It’s a real boost for our local economy, and we are thrilled to keep on hosting the carnival each year. ecember also hosted the fantastic music event of Festival of the Sun – well done Simon and Scott for continuing to organise this iconic event.

D

I mentioned briefly in last month’s column the results of the 2012 NSW Tourism State Awards. Details are: Festivals and Events Bronze Award: fotsun.com Festival of the Sun. Heritage and Cultural Tourism Bronze Award: glasshouse.org.au Glasshouse Port Macquarie. Visitor Information and Services Bronze Award: portmacquarieinfo.com.au Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre. Business Tourism Bronze Award: rydges.com/portmacquarie Rydges Port Macquarie. Unique Accommodation Bronze Award: diamondwaters.com.au Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat – Laurieton. Deluxe Accommodation Gold Award: observatory.net.au The Observatory Port Macquarie. Bronze Award: mwaters.com.au Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Gold Award: observatory.net.au The Observatory Port Macquarie. Local Government Award for Tourism Gold Award: portmacquarieinfo.com.au Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. Congratulations to everyone in our region who achieved such fantastic results in a very tough environment – just to be a finalist is an achievement. Some events happening in January: The 12th Pacific Coast Slam starts off on Sunday 13 January, at the Port Macquarie Sports Stadium. Teams come from all over Australia and New Zealand to meet for this 7 day tournament. This year’s slam will include teams from NSW Country, NSW Metropolitan, VIC Country, SA, Queensland, New Zealand and North

52 greater port macquarie focus.

Coast All Stars. The Slam also holds a two day development camp for young and developing referees prior to the start of the tournament. 29th Golden Lure Tournament will be held Friday 11 – Saturday 19 January. Proudly brought to you by Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club Inc and sponsored by Blue Water Legal, this annual tournament is in its 28th year. This nine day event takes place in the beautiful waters of Greater Port Macquarie and includes the Tammy Kirkby Memorial Charity Day. Visitors can check out the weigh in of the catch of the day at The Marina, Park Street, Port Macquarie. Oysters in the Vines will happen on Sunday 20 January at Cassegrain Winery. Now in its 7th year, Oysters in the Vines has something for everyone: live entertainment, oyster showcase (+ variety of other food), kids’ entertainment, wine and oyster education, oyster shucking, wine and beer sales + lots more. A great experience is the new maze at Bago Winery. Finally, the whole industry and the community would like to recognise the incredible contribution to tourism by Linda Hall, who has left Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. After many years of dedication, passion and professionalism, she has decided to become a visitor herself. Her contribution to tourism in the Greater Port Macquarie area has been invaluable, and she has advanced our area to be one of the leading tourism areas in the state. Over the years Linda has been integral in securing a myriad of major events and conferences for our region. She has represented the destination on many boards and has always managed strong partnerships with all key stakeholders. A testament to the success of the Greater Port Macquarie Region as a tourism destination is the recent Gold Award won by Port MacquarieHastings Council at the 2012 NSW State Tourism Awards, in no small part to the efforts and dedication of Linda. I, on behalf of the tourism industry, thank Linda for the more than 20 years of devotion, passion and partnership and wish her all the very best. On behalf of the Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association, I would like to wish all our FOCUS readers a very happy and Healthy 2013.

focusinterview.

one family’s determination

Searching Many of you may have seen John Gough and his dog, Georgie, gie, sitting in their favourite position outside Nail Bling in William Street, and many of you may even have stopped to say, “G’day” and put some money in the collection tin John holds. But what many of you may NOT know is that John and his sister-in-law, Corrine Gough, have passed on thousands of dollars to several worthwhile organisations over the past several years. This is the story of one family’s determination to help others and ultimately find a cure for Chron’s Disease …

H

i John and Corrine. What’s a bit of your family background? Corrine I’m married to John’s brother, Michael, so that’s how I know

John. John My dad and I moved here from Sydney about 10 years ago. I like it here – it’s a lot easier to live than in Sydney. Corrine Michael and John’s dad has since passed away, so John now lives with me and Michael. Why did you first decide to start fundraising? John It all started when Corrine’s son, Dylan – my nephew, became sick for a very long time. Corrine We couldn’t get Dylan diagnosed for a long time either, but we were finally told he had Chron’s Disease. By the time we got this diagnosis, he was really, really sick. He went into renal failure, had bleed outs from his bowel, received blood transfusions, and we spent a couple of months in Westmead’s Children’s Hospital. Dylan was 9 when he was diagnosed. We’re on a mission, John and I, now, to help find a cure – which is why we fundraise. It’s a very nasty disease that affects people from all walks of life. A friend of ours does a motorbike ride for Chron’s every year, and we also help with this. What do you actually know about Chron’s Disease? John I only know what I’ve learned from Corrine and Dylan, but what’s important to me is sitting outside the shop to get dona-

tions, so I can help in any way I can. to it. Corrine It’s an autoimmune condition that How old is Dylan now, and how’s he faraffects the digestive system – anywhere from ing these days? ulceration of the mouth and oesophagus Corrine He’s nearly 13 now, but he’s 100 right through to bleeding from the bowel. per cent better these days compared to the The worst case scenario is having an opearly days. Back then he was very thin, and at eration to remove the bowel and being fitted one stage he couldn’t even walk because his with a colostomy bag, but this still doesn’t muscles had deteriorated so much. He’s very remove the condition, as the diswell, considering. ease can attack any part of the So, how do you raise money digestive system. for Chron’s Disease, John? It’s a nasty condition. John I sit outside the It’s not a diet-related shop with Georgie and n Dylan was 9 whed. condition, although my money tin from the diagnose as w he some foods can morning right through on, John We’re on a missi lp find a aggravate it, but it until the afternoon, and I, now, to he hy we w can’t be cured by 4 or 5 days a week. is cure – which sty na ry ve a s It’ e. simply eliminating Sometimes I do this on is fundra ts people foods from the diet. weekends too. disease that affeclife.” from all walks of Many people who I bet you and Georgie are very sick are reget to meet a lot of stricted to a fluid diet, and people this way! they lose a lot of weight. John: Yeah, we do. Symptoms include constant Corrine: He gets Christmas diarrhoea, nausea, headaches, arthritic presents galore given to him, and many pain and stunted growth in younger people stop to say hello. He has a lot of sufferers. regular donors too, which is lovely. Because sufferers don’t receive the nutriHow long have you been raising money this way now? tion they require from food, they need to John Probably about 6 months after Dylan take many supplements. was diagnosed, so about 3 years now. I always try to put a positive spin on everyHow much have you raised so far? thing though, and I researched who else has Corrine Well over $5,000. The staff Chron’s Disease. members at the Commonwealth Bank are I found out that John F. Kennedy had the wonderful. They count up the money for us condition, and Dynamo, the magician, also and give us a free bank cheque, which we has it. So too does Anastacia, the singer, so then send to Chron’s and Colitis Australia, I make sure Dylan knows this and realises or whatever other organisation we’re raising there are others out there with Chron’s, and money for at the time. that he can do anything if he puts his mind

“

Why do you want to raise money for Chrone’s research, John? John It’s not just because of Dylan. I’ve met other people with Chron’s – I’ve spoken to them, and they’ve given me donations too. I’ve met people who know others with Chron’s too, so it’s helping a lot of people. Corinne: It’s not generally a very talked about condition either – a lot of people don’t know much about it. You’ve also realised that you can help out some other needy organisations with fundraising too, so who else have you chosen to help? John Look Good … Feel Better, and the children’s ward at the Base Hospital. The Base Hospital was the first other one we did … Corrine: We raised $1200 for the Base Hospital. It was great – they’ve since repainted and revamped the children’s ward. John Look Good … Feel Better I learned about from Kerrianne Kennerley [she’s a patron of the program]. Corrine The program gives people suffering from cancer a makeover, to help them feel better about themselves. We raised $600 for Look Good … Feel Better, which was amazing, as we only ran this campaign for about three weeks. We ran a raffle for this campaign too. What’s next on the agenda? Have you picked any other organisations you’d like to help? John I love animals, so maybe something that helps them. I used to help out the RSPCA op shop for a while. Thanks guys – keep up the great work! Interview by Jo Atkins. greater port macquarie focus 53

focusinterview.

Brisbane based band The Medics will be honouring their heritage by playing at what they describe as a special and significant Festival. The Saltwater Freshwater Festival will be held in Taree on Australia Day, January 26. We caught up with the young band to find out more about them.

F

or those of us who haven't' heard of The Medics before, please tell us who makes up the band members? My name is Karl Wallace, and I am the lead singer in The Medics; then there is Charles Thomas on bass, Andrew Thompson on guitar and Jhindu Lawrie on drums – he is my cousin. The Medics have been formed for about four years, is that correct? Yes, just coming up to 5 years now. How did you all get together? We started the band in high school, in Year 12. We basically just started jamming together and at that time there were five band members, as we had a keyboard player. It was only two years into being the band and she had other commitments, so we ended up just being a four piece – the four guys – and we just went from there on. We really enjoyed playing music together and spending time together – we are all really good friends who love to hang out and talk about music. We just love playing new music and travelling and seeing new places around Australia. Does the band have a particular style or genre? I don't believe we are a set genre – we mix things up a fair bit. I don't really believe in labelling bands, or giving them a category. It’s like, “Oh, what kind of band is this?”, or label them Indie Rock band or a Blues Rock band. Today music is so different, and it’s hard to categorise music these days ... everyone wants to have labels on things. You know, I feel as if we are the kind of band who can be a bit of a chameleon in a way ... that we are hard to la-

54 greater port macquarie focus.

bel, and we like that aspect of being really difand what it actually is to the Indigenous ferent. The way we write our music is always communities. It may not be one of the best changing, and we're always looking to make days of the year, but we can come together things interesting – not just for ourselves, but as Indigenous artists and musicians and really the people we play our music for. showcase what Australia Day should be about, You’ve had inspiration from The Coloured and that's celebrating the Indigenous comStones Rock band. What is the relationmunity in the way it has coped with the things ship there – is he your uncle? from the past. Yeah, Bunna Lawrie – he's my uncle and Are those stories or feelings there transJhindu's (our drummer’s) father, and posed into some of your song he has been a pretty big part of lyrics? our inspiration to be musiYou could say so. It might cians. We grew up listennot be so obvious in our ... as a young up and coming band ing to his music and his lyrics, but as a band and ralian music, we st Au in stories and the way he a young up and comse ca ow want to really share puts himself out there ing band in Australian e W e. who we ar we d an l be as a musician, and music, we want to really la to rd ha being learning about how showcase who we are. like that aspect of ay we different. The w is always his band and he have We are not ashamed of write our music shaped Aboriginal music that and we know who we changing.” to get indigenous music are – it’s a matter of getting heard in the mainstream ourselves heard and our ideas music scene. and feelings heard in our music Both The Coloured Stones and and putting it out there. your band, The Medics, will be apSpeaking of being young and up and pearing as the musical acts for the coming, you guys have managed to pick SaltWater Freshwater Festival in Taree up a few large gigs this year … on Australia Day. Is this the first time Yeah, we have. We played Splendour in the you guys have appeared at a festival Grass this year; that was a huge achievement together? for us, you know, a little band from Cairns, Technically yes. We played with Uncle Bunna coming down to Brisbane – starting off fairly at the National Indigenous Music Awards in small and making our way up. You know, Darwin – he played a couple of songs with us we're still working our way up. It’s a never there – so this will be the first time playing at ending thing – you can never really say that an actual Indigenous festival. And especially to you have made it. You just have to focus on have it on Australia Day holds a big signifiyour songs, and you just have to keep working cance and is a special thing, you know, as a hard. lot of people forget what Australia Day means It was just recently announced that we will

“

be on the Big Day Out tour; that's another huge achievement for us and really, it’s a childhood dream to be playing among so many bands and international bands. Playing alongside childhood heroes like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers is a huge thing for us. You put out your first album this year too? Yeah, we put out the album Foundations this year, and we did a national tour to support it and played all over Australia, which was another big thing to tick off the list for us. It was amazing to see so many different places in Australia. There is so much to see here and culture and music ... you know, people forget how much Australia has to offer in the music industry and the place itself. It sounds like 2012 has been a great year for you. How has that helped inspire you for next year with your goals? We are just taking it pretty easy. We don't have super massive goals or anything; we just take it as it comes. We have a great manager who helps us keep things together. We are just focusing on writing new music material for next year. We're hoping to release another album, so we are busy writing for that and just doing significant and special shows such as Saltwater Freshwater Festival; it’s a special day, and we really wanted to make sure we played our gig, as we are playing Big Day Out as well. I heard you are flying in from one gig (Big Day Out) to the next in Taree the same day? Yeah. We keep our promises. We wanted to make sure we played at the Festival, ‘cause it is so special and we really want to be there. Thanks Karl.

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portmacœuarieinfo.com.au 56 greater port macquarie focus.

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on at The Glasshouse

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focusinterview. Nick Skubij, an Artistic Director from Shake and Stir Theatre Company, is also one of the cast members of the theatrical production Animal Farm − a fantastic adaptation of George Orwell’s original novel. Examining themes of power, corruption, freedom and trust, this not to be missed production visits the Glasshouse on February 15.

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hat are the origins of Shake and Stir Theatre Company? The company was started in 2006 by me, Ross Balbuziente and Nelly Lee. I’m from Cairns and had recently moved to Brisbane. At the time I was working for a company touring and performing a lot for secondary students, young people … teenagers. We wanted to create work for that market − something exciting and contemporary. We wanted to focus on re-interpretations of classic tales. We still do a lot of Shakespeare − modern versions and adapted Shakespeare plays. This was 7 years ago. We had a couple of shows in our repertoire, and now we have a series of 10 shows touring schools, as well as our developing main stage department that Animal Farm falls into. We’re starting our second national tour, and hopefully in 2014 we’ll tour with another George Orwell play. What was it about Animal Farm that made you want to adapt it into a play? Animal Farm stuck out to me when I studied it at school. The storyline really struck me as a simple kind of allegory of the replacement of the human characters by the animals. It was really clear for me to comprehend. I always imagined when studying it at school how amazing it would be to witness if we were in this situation where we could watch these animals, what these animals were thinking, and I guess when talking about what show to bring to life, we looked at a couple of classical pieces of literature − and Animal Farm was one that we kept going back to. There are so many similarities to our political climate today. Aside from that, to bring something as abstract to the stage presented us with some creative challenges we wanted to address … Animal Farm is a book that is very well respected. It’s such a famous, known play, and we wanted to put our own stamp on it and hopefully make it appealing to a whole new generation of people who may have only studied it at school.

You were the person who actually adapted the play. How long did it take to work through that process, and how close is the final result to the novel in terms of the storyline? It’s a really simple book in one way, because it is a very short book. From the structure, it reads like a fairy This show does tale − almost a once upon a time transcend agee nb story. groups and it ca eone m so The book itself is really clear by enjoyed ts and dialogue driven. The chalat school, paren ts.” en ar p d an lenge was about how to approach gr and the animal representation. In terms of adapting the novel, it was a six didn’t want to ruin it month process of working through the by complicating things. book and a lot of drafts to keep everything Putting it out there and in. We wanted to keep this play to be an hour performing it to a sold out audiand a half in length – we wanted it to be short, ence was great. The chance to be able to get sharp and snappy. It was a matter of going it on the road and tour it around the country through it again and again and condensing. is another highlight – knowing that this has a We also wanted it to be a no more than further life and can get out to something like five actor play – to be possible with five actors 30 venues in the country. playing everybody and representing the whole Will you be part of the production being farm. From conception to rehearsals, it was performed here in Port Macquarie? between six and nine months before we got to Yes, I will. We have 4 out of the 5 original a point where we were workshopping it. Workcast members in the show along with me. We ing on a new play is always a challenge! wanted to make sure we took this show on the What’s been the highlight for you in workroad ourselves and we’re running our company ing on this production? in the background as well, so it will be interestFor me personally it was the first full length ing to see how that turns out, but we will main stage show I’ve adapted, and it was a definitely be on the road. I’m looking forward fantastic experience to go through the process to showing it to people all over the country. of taking the novel from the page and reworkThe show is appropriate for people of varing it and creating it for the stage. ied ages. In terms of the main themes that We had a season in Brisbane last year where come across in the play, how would you we had a total sold out piece, and it was great describe those? Are we talking corruption to premiere it at our home state and to get it and the misuse of power … those sorts of seen by so many. When there’s a new work things? going out there, something you’ve worked on, Certainly what this play is about is how there’s a bit of trepidation about what people power corrupts and absolute power corrupts are going to think about it. It was satisfying for absolutely. It’s about blindly following orders me personally, as well as for the company. without question, accepting policy as policy Essentially, we had a fantastic book to work and direction as direction and not wondering if from, and that’s what we wanted to retain in this the right way, or if there is another way. our adaptation. We wanted to keep it very true The terrible thing about the story is that to the story and not lose the intention of the these animals set out and revolution takes place simplicity of the story, which is so simple it’s and they rebel against the regime of their huamazing how it comes across so clearly − we man masters. It’s supposed to promise a better

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life and set them free, but ultimately they find out it’s worse than when it began and it’s gone so far, no one remembers what it was like. It’s a precautionary tale about blindly following orders and not questioning or speaking up when there’s potentially room to do so. From an educational perspective, we want to appeal to that market − but not creating shows exclusively for the educational market to the detriment of a general public adult audience. This show does transcend age groups and it can be enjoyed by someone at school, parents and grandparents. We didn’t create the show to be an educational show; it was created to be a piece of contemporary new theatre that does tick the educational box, but hopefully it will help young people appreciate theatre and identify with the themes. It warns you in this really simple way about the dangers of totalitarian regimes and putting all of your eggs into the one basket … pardoning the animal pun! Thanks Nick. Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug! See Animal Farm at the Glasshouse on 15 February at 8pm. $29 adult, $26 concession, $23 under 21/student. Call the Box Office on 6581 8888 or visit www.glasshouse.org.au

greater port macquarie focus 59

The PMQ Indoor Stadium started its life as the ‘Port Macquarie Community Indoor Stadium’ 30 years ago. After years of playing local competitions on asphalt outside in all weather conditions, the Indoor Stadium came to fruition thanks to the efforts of a group of people, local businesses, tradespeople and Council, who put in time and effort to see its timely addition to the area.

O

ver the years, the stadium has

‘NSW Jamboree’, with teams, players and families

played host to local junior and

from as far away as Western Australia and New

senior competitions and has been

Zealand. It also showcases the Hastings area, with

operated by the local Council and

other tournaments such as the Seaside Classic and

private leases. For the past decade

NSW Indoor Hockey Championships annually. These

though, it has been operated

tournaments each year inject over 15 million dollars

by IFMG – ‘International Facility

into the local community and give our own budding

Management Group’. Within

sports stars a chance to showcase their talents in

IFMG there is collectively over a couple of hundred

front of a local audience.

years of experience at all levels of regional, state and

The stadium also runs school sports, school holiday

national sport. This experience is invaluable when it

programs and birthday parties. It is also used a

comes to operating sporting and recreation facilities

number of times each year for such events as the

within local communities.

Centre Link Expo, Food & Service Trade Expo, Home

This facility over the past 5 years has not only been

Shows, Caravan & Campervan Rally, NSW Square

the place to go if you were looking to play basketball,

Dancing Championships and Special Olympics.

but other sports also, including Volleyball, Multi

In 2013, the stadium hopes to undergo a

Sports, Netball, Futsal and Badminton. The stadium

transformation into a 5 court stadium with the help

will see over 3,000 competitors and spectators come

of a $2.8 million grant from our local Federal Member

through its doors Monday – Friday each week to play

Rob Oakeshott. With this addition, we hope to

sport or watch. Each year for the past decade, IFMG

expand all sporting and recreation programs already

have brought to the area the ‘Pacific Coast Slam’ and

being run and bring additional ones online.

PORT MACQUARIE SPORTS STADIUM

TIMETABLE WEDNESDAY

MONDAY Futsal

All ages U/6’s - Opens, from 4pm. Call Alison on 0488 728 334 portmacquarie.australianfutsal.com

Women’s Netball

Games beginning 6pm, 7pm, 8pm & 9pm (Seniors) 18th March - September. www.hvna.netball.asn.au

THURSDAY

Aussie Hoops

Kindergarten ‘learn to play’ basketball between 3.45 – 4.30pm

Mini Ball

Year 1 children’s Basketball between 3.45 – 4.45pm

Life Ball

9.30-10.30am. $4 includes free tea or coffee No registration or bookings required, just come when you can!

Futsal Mixed

Opens, from 7.15pm. Call Alison on 0488 728 334

Badminton

Come and try Badminton. Tuesday’s 5 - 7pm Only $8 to play includes racquet & shuttles (Juniors/Seniors $6) No registration or bookings required, just come when you can!

Volleyball

Volleyball plays at 6.05pm, 7pm & 7.55pm. Team Nominations $100 and $40 Game fee, per team / per week. A Grade & B Grade (social) available

Come and Join The Port Macquarie is Dolphins Bnaes’ks egtabmalel! PMBA Summer 2013 Junior & Senior Programs & Competitions:

Mini Hoops K1 - K2 Year 3 / 4 Year 5 / 6 Year 7 / 8 Year 9 / 10 A & B Men A Women Membership

Costs

Annual Registration

Starts

Comments

Thursday from 14/2/2013 3.45pm - 4.45pm

Fun & healthy introduction

Tuesday from 12/2/2013 3.45pm-4.45pm

Skills development & fun games

$20 per school term Includes a free ball & a singlet at first registration

$10

$33 per team per week Or $6 per player Or $560 payable in 4 weekly instalments of $140

$60

Friday 15/2/2013 4.15pm - 6.00pm 5.00pm - 7.00pm

$80

Wednesday 13/2/2012 4.30 - 7.00pm & Yr7 - 8Girls Friday 7.00 - 8.30

$100

Wednesday 13/2/2013 7.00pm - 11pm

Senior social competition & all weather exercise

$20

All

Insurance & inclusion

$40 per team per week Or $7 per player Or $680 payable in 4 weekly instalments of $170 Up to 19 games per comp $840 payable in 4 weekly instalments of $210 Coaches, officials, administrators & volunteers

Multi Sports

Games times: 5.50, 6.40, 7.30, 8.20pm Team Registration: $150 per competition, Game fees: $45 per team Play a different sport each week! Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Netball, Street Hockey, Handball, Ultimate Disc, Touch & Polo Hockey

Mini Ball

Year 2 children’s basketball between 3.45 – 4.45pm

FRIDAY Seniors Badminton

9.15-11.15am. Just come and have a try. Only $6 includes racquet, shuttles & a free tea or coffee!

Basketball

Under 12: Rego $TBA for 12 months, $TBA per game Under 14: Rego $TBA for 12 months, $TBA per game www.portmacquarie.basketball.net.au

MULTISPORTS

everyo

Mini Hoops 4Yrs to Kindy

Under 16 & Under 18 Competitions Rego $TBA (12 months) Game Fees $TBA per game Games times 4.30-6.10pm Men’s and Women’s Competitions Rego $TBA (12 months) Game Fees $TBA per game Game times 6.10-9.30pm www.portmacquarie.basketball.net.au

TUESDAY

Age Group

Basketball

Fun & healthy competition

What’s included? Court hire, court supervisors, insurance, referees, balls and singlets and coaches for mini hoops! Semi finals and grand finals are free! Payment options are cash, cheque or direct deposit. Please note payment upfront option saves 2 weeks games fees

More information including registration dates available at www.facebook.com/PortMacquarieBasketball www.portmacquarie.basketball.net.au PO Box 473 Port Macquarie NSW 2444, m 0412 832 573, portmacquariebasketball@hotmail.com

focusinterview.

Photography by Nigel McNeil.

P o n d ‘Monster Croc’ Shrek has taken up residence at Billabong Zoo. Chrissy Jones caught up with park owner Mark Stone to find out more ...

S

hrek is massive! How big is he? He’s huge ... measuring 4.6 metres, weighs in at just over 400 kg and is estimated to be 50 years old.

The Jurassic Pond - Estuarine Crocodile exhibit has been a long project. Yes, the pond was planned and designed 6 years ago after my wife Danena and I visited Crocodylus Park in Darwin and began negotiations to acquire a large crocodile. But, when Taronga Zoo’s offer of Snow Leopards came up, we put the project on hold. Construction on the Jurassic Pond began in early 2012. Tell us about the exhibit ... The pond is a naturalistic themed exhibit, has a large pool and state of the art viewing areas. Visitors can watch Shrek swim through an underwater viewing panel, a second storey viewing area allows visitors to look out over the pool, and the view from the front of the exhibit is uninhibited by the use of all glass fencing panels. Other features include a huge artificial rock wall, a 3.5 metre water fall, sand and rock basking

62 greater port macquarie focus.

areas and landscaping themed to represent a natural habitat of Australia’s Top End. Shrek was born in the His keepers wild in the Darwin will have ns region. How did he pr daily esentatiofeeding any time and also had a g in come to be in captivity? incorporat he’s ce on n to minimise the stress tio ra st on As a mature crocodile, dem le to eat in ab rt to the crocodile. The fo m co Shrek began to make of an audience.” nt fro management and staff a nuisance of himself – at Crocodylus Park were labelled a ‘rogue’ crocodile fantastic, giving us lots of posing high risk to the public. advice and support with the Once captured, he was placed transport logistics. in a crocodile farm until a home was It took a team of 10 croc handlers to found for him in a private New Zealand zoo; this capture, secure and then load him into his fell through, and he needed a new home. When transport box. Shrek wasn’t too impressed! I contacted Crocodylus Park to recommence

“

negotiations, Shrek was available, and he was the perfect candidate for us. How did you move this enormous crocodile from Darwin to Port Macquarie safely? It was a challenge, to say the least. We had to ensure staff and public were in no danger at

Once secured, he was trucked to Darwin airport, flown to Brisbane, then trucked the rest of the journey during the cool of the night. He arrived here just after 4am on Saturday 8 December. Shrek had his own keeper from Crocodylus Park travelling with him to ensure he travelled well

and settled into his new home. The key will be to get him eating, although a croc this size can easily go without food for some months and even up to a year. What will be on the menu when he chooses to have a snack? Treats like a whole chicken or chunks of beef, pork or venison. His keepers will have daily presentations incorporating a feeding demonstration once he’s comfortable to eat in front of an audience. Special mention must be made to Destinations NSW’s 2011 - 2012 Regional Tourism Product Development Program, who provided vital funding. Also, a special thank you goes to the teams at Pollards Pools, All Time Glass, Nature Themes and David Doherty. Thanks Mark, and welcome Shrek!

Ride Free Summer Event! Now is the time to get on the water with a new Seadoo Watercraft from Port Macquarie Seadoo.

RXT-X 260 RS 260 and RXP-X 260 RS, MY12 and MY13 receive a $500 Visa card. The GTX LTD iS MY12 and MY13 receive a $1,500 Visa card.

The Ride Free Summer Event is now on and runs until January 31, The entire Seadoo range is backed 2013, so get in and grab a by a 2 year warranty when great deal on a Seadoo purchased from an authorised inking “if you are thon e Watercraft for summer. Seadoo Dealer. th ing out The Ride Free Summer Event means you can ride free for the first 3 months with no repayments when financed with Evergreen Finance, AND you also receive a pre-paid Visa Fuel card when you purchase selected MY12 and MY13 Seadoo Watercraft.

of gett er, water this sumemto get tim e th is w no arie into Port Macqu a ab gr d an oo ad Se !.” al great de

Port Macquarie Seadoo has a wide range of parts and accessories to set up your new Seadoo just how you like it.

Ski poles, covers, lifejackets, gloves, clothing and detailing kits are just some of the accessories in stock. So if you are thinking of getting out on the water this summer, now is the time to get into Port Macquarie Seadoo and grab a great deal!

The GTI 130 and GTI SE 155 MY12 and MY13 receive a $750 Visa card. The Wake PRO 215,

RIDE FREE

SUMMER

EVENT

Sea-Doo® watercraft is the ONLY brand with an on-water braking system ( ) and preferred choice of Surf Life Saving.

RIDE FREE WITH SEA-DOO THIS SUMMER, THE WORLD’S #1 #1 WATERCRAFT; THE WORLD’S WATERCARFT ; UP TO

PAYMENTS FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS

NO

#

AND

$1500

**

*

VISA FUEL CARD

HURRY THIS OFFER ENDS DEC. 31st 2012

+

^

greater port macquarie focus 63

By Glenise McLaughlin from The Natural Health Sanctum

By Dean Lawler from Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy Group and The Headache Clinic

Headaches

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS Happy New Year to you all. I hope you had a wonderful restful, rejuvenating break over Christmas. If you are at all like me, you might have taken the opportunity over your break to sit back and have a think about how 2012 measured up. Was it a good year for you? Did you achieve the things you wanted to? If not, did you then make some New Year Resolutions to have a better year in 2013? Did those resolutions include improving your health, achieving better energy levels, losing some weight, improving your eating habits? I hope so, because if your energy levels are down, or you don’t feel healthy or you keep catching every germ that is going around or you feel bogged down with extra kilos, then you just won’t have the energy to improve yourself in 2013. Often New Year's Resolutions get quickly forgotten as you get caught up in the running of your day to day life, but don’t let that happen; there was a reason that you made those resolutions. So, make an appointment to see Glenise McLaughlin – Naturopath at The Natural Health Sanctum to help you to improve your health and take control of your life in 2013.

T

he Headache Clinic in Port Macquarie has been established to offer a unique service for assessment, treatment and resolution of headaches and migraines. The fundamental and most powerful feature of The Headache Clinic's approach is the The techniques ss method of examining the movements of used gently stre spinal the appropriate ooth, the top three spinal segments. sm segments in a "If a spinal disorder is responsible for sive sustained, persua the aim of restoring normal movement the headache and migraine condition, manner ... ” directions without restriction. The the disorder will involve one or more techniques used gently stress the appropriate of the top three spinal segments. There spinal segments in a smooth, sustained, is no guesswork! It's that simple," says persuasive manner. Physiotherapist Mr Dean Lawler. "Our goal is to provide the most skilled and advanced A key diagnostic feature of our approach involves assessment, examination and treatment of the upper neck the temporary reproduction and resolution of the for superior long-term outcomes for those experiencing headache pain by carefully applied examination techniques. debilitating headaches or migraines," says Physiotherapist The reproduction and resolution of the familiar headache Mr Mark Matheson. pain helps to confirm the relevance of the neck to the This treatment is complemented by exercises to improve headaches experienced. posture through stretching and strengthening. Posture is a The Headache Clinic approach does not involve any common cause for headaches developing in the first place. 'cracking' techniques; that is, there is no high velocity Often years of postural neglect can be a major cause of manipulation techniques involved. Treatment comprises headaches. careful, passive movement techniques to the neck with

“

By Cancer Council NSW Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.

summer safe. Summer has arrived, and Cancer Council’s Northern Region is urging everyone to protect their skin this summer. wo in three Australians will develop some form of skin cancer before the age of 70, more than 440,000 Australians are treated for skin cancer and about 1,800 Australians die each year from skin cancer. In 2012, the NSW Northern Region suffered 633 incidences of melanoma, with the confronting figure of 68 people in this region lost to the disease. “With these figures in mind, it is important to remind everyone to protect themselves while also being able to enjoy the summer weather,” said Adele Hayne, Regional Programs Coordinator, Cancer Council. “Nearly all skin cancers can be prevented by protecting yourself from the sun, and most skin cancers can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated early.” While most people love nothing more than

T

getting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, there are five important steps to remember when enjoying the summer weather to protect yourself and your family: • Slip on clothing that covers your shoulders, arms and legs • Slop on SPF30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen. Apply generously 20 minutes before going outside and re-apply every 2 hours • Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that protects your face, ears and neck. • Seek shade whenever you can • Slide on sunglasses Look for a new mole, or any change in shape, colour or size of a mole or spot. Visit your doctor if you notice any changes. For more information, please visit www.cancercouncil.com.au or call the Helpline on 131 120.

headaches?

foggy brain?

bloated? tired all the time? 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. 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. Glenise McLaughlin – Naturopath with over 17 years’ experience, specialises in the natural treatment of food intolerances.

Myth Busted! All sunglasses are the same ... MYTH! The difference in UV protection offered between various types of sunglasses can vary significantly, as highlighted with recent research. Two extra factors we must now consider when choosing sunglasses is the 'Peripheral Light Effect' and 'Lens Back Surface Reflections'. These two factors used to be thought of as relatively minor in regard to UV protection with sunglasses, and we were more concerned with the UV absorption of the sunglass lenses. Up until now, if sunglasses rated 100% UV absorption, then we thought they provided adequate protection. But the recent research indicates that lens absorption is not the most important factor regarding protection from skin cancers around the eye and eye diseases such as pterygium and cortical cataracts. This explains why many patients we see develop these conditions despite diligently wearing their sunglasses. The problem was that they had been wearing the wrong type of sunglasses. What is the correct type of sunglass for maximum UV protection? Well, this needs to be considered on an individual basis. It depends on your anterior eye and face shape, skin type and family predisposition to cancer and the amount of UV exposure you have received. In general, for maximum protection your sunglasses should offer: 1. 100% UVA & UVB absorption 2. Wrap around or wide sides for peripheral light protection 3. UV absorbing back surface anti-reflection coating So don’t leave the selection of your sunglasses to chance; get help from our experienced and trained staff at Eyecare Plus.

greater port macquarie focus 65

focusinterview.

Visitors to The Observatory Hotel can now experience self-guided tours through Port Macquarie's boardwalk and beaches, beache riverside and facilities and popular boating faci and nature-based historical an attractions, to boost their enjoyment. holiday enj

IPod audio tours

P

ort Macquarie’s Observatory Hotel launched the Bike ‘n’ Hike iPod audio tours late in 2012, and it is the first time an audiovisual guide has been made available for leisure travellers on the NSW North Coast. Guests are provided with bicycles, helmets, an iPod Touch and trail maps for three specially designed tours, taking in major points of interest. Locations highlighted on the tours include Flagstaff Hill, Harry’s Lookout, Tacking Point Lighthouse, Sea Acres, the Historic Court House and Museum, the Glasshouse and Art Gallery, Settlement Point Reserve and the North Shore. FOCUS headed out for the day to take a look at each of the tours and what they encompass. THE APP AND IPOD Being a bit tech savvy, we were very impressed with the innovative use of iPod technology with the specially designed app for the tours. It was easy to use, quick, and the graphics were clean and tidy. Once you choose your tour, it is as simple as listening to the instructions and then navigating to the next screen, or touching the next number to listen to the audio. Once in the map screen, you can easily zoom in or out of the map which has your route highlighted with the pinch touch and stretch technology, and you can easily see where you are going on your tour. Each attraction on the tour also has a link to a description of the attraction, as well as the audio to go with it. The great features of this app are the different ways to either navigate through the route of the tour or skip ahead to the next one – it is all at your own pace. Currently there are 3 tours to chose from: • Koala Tour • Riverside tour • Boardwalk Tour The Koala and Riverside tours offer the opportunity to cycle and hike to attractions such 66 greater port macquarie focus.

Roto House, the Koala Hospital, central town, embarkation points for river-based activities and other interesting destinations, most of them free of charge; whereas, the Boardwalk and Beaches guided tour is taken on foot. Once you choose KOALA TOUR your tour, it is asthe The Koala Tour is ng to simple as listeni then d approximately 1 km on foot an ns io ct ru inst next or bike from the Town Beach navigating to theread the n ca u Yo . en start area. scre w the directions or follo It takes you to the historic map.” Roto House and then next door where many families to the Koala Hospital. choose to relax and You take off on your walk or ride admire the view. At this and head along the relatively quiet point in the tour, you are Owen Street and then down to the historic able to detour to the Historic Roto House on Lord Street. At Roto House, you Court House, museum or the can take guided and informative tours by one Glasshouse. of the volunteers to learn about its historical There is audio information available for all significance as an original homestead from the these sites should you wish to stop. 1800s. Moving on, you pass Lady Nelson Wharf – On to the Koala Hospital next door: this named after the Lady Nelson, who brought iconic facility is the world's only animal hospital the first load of convicts and settlers to Port dedicated to koalas, and we are so proud it is Macquarie. here in Port Macquarie. Nearby, you can see the Statue of Sir Edmund The hospital is open 365 days a year, where Barton and learn about his history with Port visitors can learn all about koalas and the Macquarie. dedicated work the hospital carries out. Your tour then takes you around the Visitors may also be interested in the Adopt a waterfront and onto the Marina, through the Koala program to help raise much needed funds North Harbour towards Settlement Point. for the hospital. The great thing about this tour, whether RIVERSIDE TOUR you are walking or riding, is that it is on level Circulating the banks of the Hastings River, ground and fairly flat, making it suitable for all there are 6 stops on this tour. Each attraction ages and abilities. has its own audio information, and there are Along the way to Settlement, you can plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the learn about our bountiful oyster leases – Port scenery – perhaps stop for a picnic and even Macquarie's Hastings River is one of the main take a ride on the ferry to the North Shore. sources for Sydney Rock Oysters. They supply as Starting at the Skate Park on Town Beach, many as 3 million oysters a year! you can admire this new addition to the youth When you reach the end of the road, you can scene as boarders practice their skills. From take the ferry ride across to the North Shore here, you can follow the breakwall into town and continue the tour to the beach, have a along the river and Sundowner Tourist park. At picnic BBQ, or perhaps a dip in the river. the end of the colourful breakwall, you move Then it is an easy ride back to your starting onto Town Green – a bustling spot on the river, point.

“

B O A R D WA L K T O U R For those looking for a longer and more adventurous tour, there is the Boardwalk and Beaches Tour, which takes in a walk along our iconic 8 km of coastline. You can do all of it and make your way along the 8 km there and back, or just sections which average about 2 km each, and then return at your leisure. This tour does not include a bike, as there are stairs – and sand! This tour has 9 stops or attractions to learn about with your iPod audio guide along the way. Along the tour of the coastal walk, if you choose to take in the whole 8 km, then you will visit many of the iconic Port Macquarie beaches. There are plenty of picnic spots along the way, as well as scenic vantage points. The end of this tour will bring you to our iconic Tacking Point Lighthouse and Lighthouse Beach. There is a detour also available on this trek to take in the Sea Acres rainforest centre. OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST Along with your iPod, bike and helmet, The Observatory supplies their guests with a handy pocket size trail map which features handy tips and a short summary of the tours. And for the Green traveller, they can find out more information about the Observatory's Green Future Program from the hotel and notes about community projects that they are undertaking locally to reduce their carbon footprint. For more information, contact the hotel on 6586 8000.

y p p a H New

! r a Re w o N Join

u uits Yo S t i n ut Whe O k r o ainers W r T l a n Perso d e ďŹ i l a Qu Times e h c è r nient C e v n o C asses l C f o e e Rang d i t W A ipmen u q E t Lates All the arking P f o y Plent Always

d r a o b n o t e G Call 6584 1122

160 Hasting Rivers Drive Port Home Zone, Port Macquarie (Opposite Harvey Norman)

www.lifeexpress.com.au

greater port macquarie focus 67

focusinterview.

Born in Kempsey and completing her studies at Port Macquarie TAFE, Mary Bianco has her sights set on a career in fashion. Not allowing her upbringing in the country or her young age to deter her, Mary has created her own self-titled fashion label...

H

clothing designs at the Flair Awards and for the i Mary. Where did you grow Mercedes Benz Coffs Coast Fashion Gala. I modelled up and go to school? for Warren A Pasi Opulence Collection (high end I was born in the Philippines fashion designer), and I was one of the featured and came to Australia at 8 years models in a Hip Hop music video of TOOMZ (Sydney of age. I grew up in a small town based rapper). I have done hair modelling for called Kempsey and went to Schwarzkopf, and I have upcoming work for L’oreal. Aldavilla and East Kempsey Primary Schools. Overall, I enjoy modelling, as I meet new people and For my adolescent years, I went to Melville High have the opportunity to be a part of the show and School. represent the amazing and talented designers. What courses did you study at TAFE in Port When did you decide to launch your own fashion Macquarie, and how much has your study helped label, and how much work has it been getting you decide what you’d like to focus on as a your business off the ground? career? I launched my fashion label ‘MARY In 2008, I studied a Communication BIANCO’ in 2011, and honestly it did and Media Course, as I wanted not take as much work as I thought to pursue journalism and had I intend to focus both on my it would to get my business up an interest in being a fashion shion modelling and faso on and running. reporter. After finishing the design but morehas Share a few more details course, I felt that it was not for it modelling, as n io about your label − what types ss me, because the topics covered pa a en be s alway t to of clothing do you specialise were not based on fashion of mine. I just wan e where in? reporting. I decided to study enjoy life and se it takes me.” I specialise in women’s wear. I another course in the creative have previously designed daywear, field. which can be worn during the evenings I studied Fashion Design and as well. At this current moment I am Technology in 2010, which I believed working on evening wear designs, which will helped me decide my chosen career as a fashion be launched in 2013. My label will also include designer. The course was both practical and swimwear, sleepwear, and most definitely men’s wear, theory work and of course, I like the practical side so stay tuned for that. of things. I learnt how to sew, pattern-make, sketch How much creative input do you have in all of and recognise different types of fabrics. This was an your designs – do you do your own sketching/ enjoyable learning experience. pattern making? You’ve done some amazing modelling jobs over I did my own sketches, pattern-making and the years. What have been some of the major sewing when I studied fashion design. Now that I gigs you’ve landed? have my own label, I just do the sketching, directing Major modelling jobs would have to be runway and managing. I source manufacturers to make my fashion shows. I have modelled and showcased my

“

68 greater port macquarie focus.

designs, to ensure they’re professionally made. You moved to Sydney recently. How much of an impact has this had on both your modelling and fashion design? It has made a huge impact. I am able to model and work on my fashion designing at the same time. There have been many opportunities for me here living in Sydney, as it’s a city. There is so much to see and do and to learn and explore. I love it! Living in Sydney has turned my life around. There is never a dull moment, and I have met so many wonderful people in the modelling and fashion industry. What’s the number one tip you’ve learned since you’ve moved to the city? Enjoy the experience and have fun, be yourself, achieve and work toward your dreams and goals and stay positive! Where would you ultimately like to see your career headed over the next few years – do you intend to focus more on modelling or fashion design? I would like to see my designs in fashion stores all over Australia as well as internationally and to model internationally as well. I intend to focus both on my modelling and fashion design but more so on modelling, as it has always been a passion of mine. I just want to enjoy life and see where it takes me. Where can people purchase your fashion creations, or go to view some of your modelling work? I have my own Facebook page at www.facebook. com/marybianco25 where people can view my designs and modelling work, as well as my endless life blogging. Thanks Mary. Photo top right depicts one of Mary’s designs.

greater port macquarie focus 69

JANUARY 2013

WITH TERRI

CAPRICORN.

ARIES.

December 22 - January 20

March 21 - April 20

Balance and equilibrium are about to enter your picture. Justice will be granted, you will have a positive outcome regarding a legal matter but you can expect a series of delays first. Good news will be given soon. Enjoy your period of rest as you are likely to be busy during the month of January. Rhodonite aligns us with our talents and our purpose in life.

AQUARIUS. January 21 - February 19

Your soul is calling out for your attention. Listen to your needs. Some personal nurturing is required. Release other people’s stress and problems, as these weigh you down. Set some personal goals and enjoy what is about to befall you. Enjoy! Kunzite fills your soul with joy, allowing us to override stress.

PISCES. February 20 - March 20

You are about to embark on a journey. For some this will be literal, for others, an inward journey of self-discovery. During this time, you will make new friends and acquaintances who will mirror your lessons in life perfectly. To gain the most out of this, remove all judgement and look for the outcome. Seraphinite allows us to heal passed hurts from a subconscious plane.

70 greater port macquarie focus.

Your emotions have been a little over sensitive lately as you have begun a cycle of self-discovery, where you will be letting go of a lot of passed hurt. Try to recognise all of your insecurities, so you can release them and their influence from your sphere of existence. Phenacite is a wonderful stone for initiation. Bringing a new level of awareness.

TAURUS. April 21 - May 21

Your inner strength has been challenged lately. Now is the perfect time to set some new goals for a positive future. You will enjoy some newfound talents and friends. By walking fearlessly into your future, you will discover even more personal strength. Azeztulite helps us to connect with alternate realities. Carry it on your being.

GEMINI. May 22 - June 22

Choice is upon you. Your talents have been activated, which will wake up new gifts. Some direction is needed now, so you will be ready for the perfect opportunity. Deep inside you have your own answers, but unfortunately you are lacking the confidence to listen. Trust in your sensitivity and psychic ability, as this is never wrong. Labradorite brings magical energy into the picture for manifestation.

CANCER.

LIBRA.

JJune 23 - July 23

September 24 - October 23

A gift is about to be bestowed upon you. This was your creation through a wish made several months ago. Now all you need to do is get out of the way and let heaven help you. Romance and passion are likely to be a major influence over the next few months. Rhodochrosite helps us find our inner child’s joy of life. Carry it for a couple of weeks.

LEO. July 24 - August 23

You are entering a new cycle, with lots of excitement and laughter. At first your fears and insecurities will surface but if you claim them and heal them, nothing will hinder your progress. If you treat them light heartedly they will be transformed into new strengths. Calcite brings spontaneity into the picture.

You are currently involved in a cycle of family or group healing. Listen to your words of wisdom, as these words will contain your own answers. Removing any prejudices or judgements will assist you further. Look for the outcome of your magical words. Kyanite helps us to build inner bridges for personal-growth.

SCORPIO. October 24 - November 22

Goal setting at this time will benefit you mostly. New beginnings are at hand, so make the most of this creating time. You can have what you want, but you need to know this. Give yourself permission to receive your wish and enjoy it when it gets here. Aventurine will help you to grow very quickly.

VIRGO.

SAGATTARIUS.

August 24 - September 23 A

November 23 - December 21

The world is your oyster. You will soon be finishing off old business ties and making ways for new opportunities so be prepared. Some new friends are entering the picture, which is why old relationships are fading away. Words need to be spoken to clear some old issues. Speak your truth from your heart. Zincite helps creation of new ideas.

You have answers to other people’s dilemmas. This is because you have a cosmic understanding of life. You are a natural teacher and other people are drawn to you, because they know you have their answers. Don’t be afraid to speak; just be aware of your motive. Sugilite helps us to connect to our dreams for understanding life from different perspectives.

focusinterview.

Chr ist ia ns

Make 2013 the year you get in control of your debts ; to do this, you can contact the local CAP Centre, which will help you get in control of your finances – and for zero cost. Local CAP Program success story Fleur tells us how she benefited and how you can too ... i Fleur. You are a success story that has come out of the CAP Program. Tell us a little about where you were and your story? My husband and I came from families where money was not really discussed, and we both entered the marriage with very poor financial skills. We had got loans to pay off credit cards, kept the credit cards and repeated the process until we had nearly $98,000 in debt, with nothing to show for it. My husband had a great job, but with 3 kids under 4 and that level of debt, things were really difficult. I reached desperation when I was unable to pay for both baby formula and nappies at the checkout. When Christians Against Poverty (CAP) came to our church and explained the program, I knew this was what we needed to help us get back in control of our finances and out of debt. Six years later, we had the whole debt paid off. You are now the co-ordinator of the CAP program, helping other people to manage their debts, so what, exactly, are the two programs available? CAP runs 2 programs. CAP Money – is a 3 session DVD based course designed to empower people to regain control of their money. Using a very simple system, it encourages people to regain control of their money and empowers people to know what is happening with their money now and helps them to plan for the future. CAP Money is a brilliant course for anyone who wants to manage their finances better! Regardless of your age, whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, married or single … everyone

can benefit from CAP Money! clients have support with them throughout the CAP Debt Centre – provides comprehensive journey to becoming debt free through paying off solutions to families or individuals who are overtheir debts or insolvency. whelmed by debt and its associated problems. How do you get your funding, and how can This service is completely free of charge and is locals help? available to anyone regardless of belief, race and CAP receives no government funding and relies religion. on the generosity of individuals, business and Who are the programs open to, and how can churches in order to assist thousands of clients they attend? each year. If you would like to make a tax deducThe programs are open to table donation, please go to www.capaust. anyone and to attend the CAP org. money course they need to At what level would you congo to https://capmoney. sider that people need help Using a very simple system, it org/en_AU/home and with their debts? le to search for a course in We have over 5,000 families encourages peop r thei regain control of their local area. To get living below the poverty line wers money and empo t is help through the CAP in the Hastings area. Some are wha people to know Centre, people call unemployed, some retirees, r ei th happening with s lp 1300 227 000. some working full or part-time, he d money now an e th r What are some of some unable to work due to fo an them to pl the skills taught/ area sickness. Debt and inability to ” . future covered? pay it affects people of all ages and CAP Money teaches people from all walks of life. If you are strughow to put an effective budget gling, call CAP on 1300 227 000 and we together but more importantly, using will let you know what we can do to help. back-to-basic principles, it teaches people how to What one piece of financial advice would you stick to the budget. share with our readers who may be in debt? The CAP Centre teaches people to break the Stop using credit. It sounds easy, and believe destructive cycle of credit card living. Each client me I know how difficult it can be, but the longer is allocated a caseworker who negotiates with you are using credit cards, personal loans and creditors and negotiates an affordable repayment other forms of debt to manage your day to day plan. Most clients of CAP become debt free within expenses, the longer it will take for you to get out a 3 - 5 year period. of debt. Why is it so successful? How can people find out more? The CAP Centre is really successful because Call CAP on 1300 227 000.

“

greater port macquarie focus 71

focuseditorial Port Macquarie Landcare President resident

U P D AT E

estellegough.

eal trees are a blessing throughout the year, giving us shade, windbreaks, flowers, fruit, birds, something for the kids to climb ...

scores of birds, you are likely to see many reptiles here, such as water dragons and land mullets.

And if you enjoy trees, Landcare has some great places to visit right in town. Recreation is free in our local Reserves, which Landcare volunteers care for.

Our signs help you make the most of your visit to a Reserve.

R

Visitors to Port Macquarie are especially welcome to picnic and play in the fresh air.

It’s Free!

Blair Reserve has plenty of shade, with walks through a wetland forest where birds and koalas are often seen. Kids of all ages play at Blair, which has a children’s playground plus an exciting BMX track. (However, bikes can’t be ridden on the boardwalk or in the bushland.) You can enter Blair Reserve from Hart Street or Blair Street, near Watonga shopping centre. An excellent children’s playground is at Absalom Reserve, another haven of shady native plants. You can enter Absalom from Myoora Place or Beechtree Circuit. There is a pretty creek and a path to explore, leading under the roadway and into the next Reserve. Because there is water, you’ll need to take extra care with children.

72

greater port macquarie focus.

Also check for Council signs to see if dogs are permitted. In many Reserves dogs can be walked on a leash – to protect wildlife and other people. In any bushland you may encounter dangerous animals like ticks, leeches, spiders or snakes. So make sure children and pets stay on the paths, where it’s safer. And please take your packaging home with you, particularly plastic. It often ends up in waterways where it can be eaten by birds, turtles and other creatures, with deadly results. Congratulations Estelle! Landcare’s new Life Member is Estelle Gough, pictured above, who donated herself to Landcare 10 years ago. Estelle confessed that when she retired, her mum ordered her to find a hobby. She chose Landcare! Port Macquarie is lucky that she did. Her retirement has been very busy, as Estelle is devoted to bringing back the bush in our local Reserves. Friends call her The Rainbow Warrior.

This Reserve is beside Mimosa Park, which also boasts a large grassed area and kids’ playground.

As well as working in bushland and managing the Community Nursery, Estelle has put together a Weed Wackers Manual (see www. landcareportmac.com.au).

The Lilypond has a shady boardwalk that takes you past a bird viewing platform. As well as

She is also President, and in this role has overseen the growth of our membership to well over 150.

For a special birdwatching experience, try the Lilypond at the top of Koala Street.

In the Christmas holiday season, trees are honoured. Often we bring one inside and proudly decorate it. Even if it’s plastic, the tree reminds us that green is the colour of life.

There are signs which tell the story of the Reserve and the people involved.

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74 greater port macquarie focus.

DL 18975

Nexus Hair It’s official: Pete has opened his very own and advanced cutting. Andrew specialises in salon. After starting his hairdressing career blow drys and styling. in this very same premises, Pete is very Hannah is also a senior stylist with five excited in announce the birth years’ experience and is an artist of Nexus Hair and Beauty when it comes to cutting, with and introduce his fabulous men’s hair and restyling being d an “ The funky ca team consisting of d her talent. te lo n fresh salo St Andrew, Hannah and nail n do or G g Annie is the girl you need alon est technician Annie. The provides the fin to see when it comes to e funky and fresh salon service and th all manicures and pedicures. latest trends in located along Gordon St g in ur There is no better feeling lo hair and co provides the finest service ” . than having your toes and es ic serv and the latest trends in all nails beautified, especially by hair and colouring services. someone else. Andrew has been a qualified senior stylist since 2010 and is always keeping up with the latest trends. Andrew has completed courses such as creative colouring and cutting, basic make-up design

Annie also does gel and acrylic nails and nail art. Open Monday - Friday, Thursday until late and Saturday mornings, Nexus Hair and Beauty is sure to impress. Make an appointment today.

greater port macquarie focus 75

Planning for our Future The growing population of the North Coast is stimulating an increase in the demand for renewable building materials, of which timber is the most environmentally friendly.

We speak to Michael Gilmour about The Youth Hub, a place where the youth of our community can congregate in safety. hat was it that attracted you to the idea of the Youth Hub here in Port Macquarie?

W

The idea of the Youth Hub is really the brainchild of Fr DONNELLEY at the St Agnes Parish. He has a real and significant youth focus and believes in providing sufficient opportunities for young people for their growth and development.

our new hall and music facility. Our café will also open during the holidays. A number of active programs such as Hip Hop dancing, Yoga, Karate and self defence may also be available and can be sourced from our Facebook site. What do you have in store for the Youth Hub down the track? Plans are well underway for the Hub to hold at least monthly band nights for the youth of the Hastings, to provide entertainment and opportunity to our young people and also give them access to music lessons.

The St Agnes Parish then purchased the property and commenced a total refurbishment at a cost of about $2.5 million. For myself, the centre is a dream come true. After spending Active after school programs over 20 years in the s will form a major focus cu fo or Maj NSW Police and a great and include Karate, self areas are: ills, percentage of that time defence, Yoga, Kung Fu, education, life skand a as a Detective, where active programs here Rugby League skills, and cultural centre wd the we were generally physical fitness. We will music, drama anntre called into action as a also in the near future be ce ke ta arts will result of an incident and announcing a number of ” e. ag st dealing with young people Youth Ambassadors who in many varied situations, have shown excellence in often having to take some their given field and also have action against them. Often now become major supporters and there was little time or opportunity to mentors to the youth at the Hub. intervene before things had gotten out of The Youth Hub is available to not only control. the teenages in the area, is it? Can you tell The Youth Hub, however, for me in time will be us more about who can use the facilities? the central hub for youth activities in our area. The drop in centre caters for youth aged 12 to I now have the opportunity to meet and get to 18 years, but courses and structured learning know many of our youth and hopefully be able activities will target youth and people aged 12 to assist them in any way they may need it. to 25. To that end, a number of partnerships The Hub is being developed to provide have and are being formed with service opportunity and guidance to youth from all providers such as Mission Australia, Youth walks of life. Major focus areas are: education, Housing, EACH, Headspace, Novaskill and life skills, active programs and a cultural centre others. where music, drama and the arts will take What hours is the Youth Hub open, and centre stage. how can our readers find out what's

On the North Coast, industry expansion and the push towards a low carbon economy is being hampered by a lack of access to renewable wood supplies. The industry-led North Coast Forests taskforce believes that it is now time to change the many misconceptions about this truly sustainable industry. Visit the website (www.forestmatters. com.au) or our Facebook page www.facebook. com/NorthCoastForestsTaskforce) for good news stories about this most important local industry.

Of course, illegal logging is a major contributor to tropical deforestation and forest degradation. Australia is currently considering legislation to prevent the importation of illegally logged wood. But even if the legislation passes, we will still be faced with identifying the origin of imported timber. Fortunately, DNA technology is on the way, enabling fingerprinting of various species of trees. But the most compelling means of all is through credible voluntary certification schemes such as the Australian Forests Standard (AFS). The Taskforce is also investigating adding a local branding to all timber products grown, harvested, processed or retailed within this region.

“

Can you tell us about some of the different activities taking place over the January school holidays and how kids can join in? During these school holidays, the Hub is planning a number of band and music days which will really be the first opportunity to test 76 greater port macquarie focus.

happening? The Youth Hub will be open during school holidays from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and after the holidays Monday to Friday, 3pm to 7pm. Information can be obtained from our website: pmyh.org.au and from our Facebook page.

FORESTS NSW – sustainably managing forests on the mid north coast

www.forests.nsw.gov.au Forests NSW is a public trading enterprise within NSW Department of Primary Industries

AFS / 01-21-05

focuseditorial.

The Mid North Coast is blessed with large areas of native forests and a specialised, high-value timber industry. Research conducted in local State Forests has resulted in the publication of a landmark study on the role of production native forests in reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

T

he report, Harvested forests provide the greatest ongoing greenhouse gas benefits, was recently published in the international journal, Forests (www.mdpi.com). Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research leader for climate in primary industries, Dr Georgina Kelly, said Australian scientists were leading the world in this area and were contributing to the global debate on the role of forests in addressing climate change. “In an Australian first, the report compared the full greenhouse gas (GHG) potential of NSW production forests against conservation forests,” Dr Kelly said. Some recent reports have claimed that ‘locking up’ our native forests in Australia will lead to substantial greenhouse gas benefits. However, these studies have not included many important elements, such as the very important role played by wood products. Dr Kelly said, “It is critical to understand the ‘whole of life cycle’ implications of production forests. This means looking at the way forests grow, the way they are harvested, what the wood is used for, what happens to the woody residues from logging operations and how the wood products are dealt with at the end of their service life. “The report authors found that production forests had a significantly higher greenhouse benefit than conservation forests when considering the full lifecycle of timber products as well as standing carbon in trees,” Dr Kelly said. Forests NSW planning manager at Wauchope, Justin Williams, was one of the authors of the paper: “We are really excited about the results from this research, which pulled together data, models and results from a wide range of different types of studies to give a complete assessment of all of the elements of the carbon cycle from harvested forests,” Justin said. “The starting point for the research was looking at how much carbon is currently stored in the forest.

“We have hundreds of inventory sample plots established in the forest in which tree species, size and quality are measured so we know how much wood is available in the forest and how the forest is structured, and from these we can estimate how much carbon is stored in those trees. “Next we estimated how that forest grows into the future based on either our normal logging practices or not harvesting.” Justin said those growth models were built from 30 years of measuring permanent growth plots and allowed us to estimate how much carbon was standing in the forest under either the logging or conservation scenario at any point in time in the future. “Not surprisingly, we find that over time the conservation forest ends up with more carbon in it, as the trees do not get removed and they grow larger and store more carbon, even though the forest’s rate of growth diminishes over time. “However, the carbon in the forest is only one part of the whole picture and is the point where many other studies have stopped.” Justin said that unlike the conservation scenario, the logging scenario produced a stream of wood products that provide additional GHG reduction benefits. The native forests of the North Coast produce mostly high-value, specialised timber products that are valued for their beauty and strength and have a long service life and substitute against more energy intensive products. Timber floors and power poles, two of the most common products from local forests, have much lower energy intensity than concrete slab floors and carpet or concrete or steel poles. “Most of the logging in recent years between Kempsey and Taree are from regrowth forests logged and regrown after World War II,” Justin said. “What we see now is timber coming from these regrowth forests, even though much of the timber from the original logging is still in use. “If you live in a house built before the 1990s, the bulk of the timber would have come from a

local forest, and that carbon is still stored. “ Justin said when the harvesting and growth of the forest was modelled over the next 200 years, it was possible to estimate the timing and amount of wood products produced. “We used the results from life-cycle analysis studies of those wood products to assess long-term carbon storage in wood products. These studies show that typically for every tonne of wood produced, two tonnes of carbon emissions are avoided from the use of more carbon intensive products.” The study also identified that use of forest residues, the heads and butts of trees that cannot be sold as logs, could improve the production scenario even further, as these are

currently burnt and the carbon emitted directly to the atmosphere. “So the overall carbon picture for the harvested forest scenario is long-term maintenance of carbon stored in the forest due to sustainable practices and an ever increasing store of carbon in wood products and in substitution benefits,” Justin said. “Finally, we compared those potential benefits against the additional carbon storage under a conservation scenario and saw that the production scenario gives double the GHG benefit over the 200 years of the model. The bottom-line from this research is that using locally produced wood products is a great way to minimise our greenhouse gas emissions.”

Tonnes of carbon stored per hectare over the next 200 years from Mid North Coast Blackbutt Forests under either a sustainable harvesting or conservation scenario.

Scenario Harvesting

Conservation

Forest Carbon

74

166

Bioenergy Benefit

49

0

Carbon Stored in wood

79

0

Substitution Benefits

196

0

Machinery Emissions

-17

0

Wood in Landfill Emissions

-19

0

TOTAL

360

166

400

300

Wood in Land Fill Emissions Machinery Emissions

200

Bioenergy Benefit Substitution Benefits

100

Carbon stored in wood Forest Carbon

0 Harvesting

Conservation

greater port macquarie foc focus

focusinterview.

Port Macquarie Veterinary Hospital Dr Chris Livingston is offering a full range of surgical procedures to the pets of Port Macquarie. Having justt obtained his Membership in Small Animal Surgery, he is poised to achieve new surgical heights.

C

hris Livingston and his wife Louise, both vet science graduates from Sydney University purchased the business (and its resident cat Elmo) in 2004 from its original owner, Dr Frank Arnell. Since then it has had a significant facelift and continues on its journey to treat future generations of dogs, cats and horses that walk through its doors (and rear paddock gate). Port Macquarie Veterinary Hospital (PMVH) was the first purpose-built veterinary hospital in Port Macquarie situated at the top end of Gordon Street (opposite Grower’s Market). Chris, tell us a bit about yourself ... I have always had a strong interest in surgery. My first job was in Kempsey in 1999, which was a year of James Herriot-style outcalls, calvings, caesareans, small and large animal emergencies. Feeling motivated, I decided to pursue further studies and obtained a Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Studies (Equine Medicine and Surgery) at Sydney Uni in 2000. After a year working in the UK, it became an easy decision to plant roots in Port Macquarie, and I have worked in general practice here for the last decade. Starting in 2010 and whilst managing our veterinary hospital and raising 3 small children, I decided it was finally time to pursue my dream. Following two years of structured study, surgery workshops and assignments. I then sat a combination of written and practical examinations in Sydney and the Gold Coast. Thankfully I passed, and I was awarded my Membership of the Australian and New

78 greater port macquarie focus.

Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Surgery (MANZCVS) earlier this year. This is a qualification for vets in general practice who want to further their expertise in a particular area and is one of the stepping stones to becoming a registered specialist. What new services will you be able to deliver with these qualifications? My main objective is to provide clients and companion pets of the Hastings with the option to have more advanced surgical procedures performed here in Port Macquarie, rather than having to travel to Sydney or Brisbane to see a specialist. I already have a wide range of experience in orthopaedics, including anterior cruciate ligament repairs, tibial crest transpositions, plating of fractures, external fixation of fractures (even in koalas) and joint fusions (arthrodeses). I also really enjoy challenging soft tissue procedures, such as lung or liver lobe removal, as well as removal of large tumours requiring skin reconstructive techniques for closing defects. At the end of the day, it’s about helping more and more animals. A common scenario we face is the dog that has suffered paralysis of the hind legs due to intervertebral disc prolapse, and desperately requires surgery to enable it to walk again. So frequently, the cost and time required in travelling to Sydney, means that euthanasia or a poor outcome becomes the result. This is frustrating and something I aim to change by being able to offer this type of surgery in the future. Our other major aim into the future is to move into endoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery) which is commonplace in the human field, but

not in the veterinary field as yet. The advantages of minimally invasive surgery such as reduced recovery times and reduced pain are obvious. This is definitely the future for veterinary surgery as well. How does all this complement current services? PMVH will continue to practice routine soft tissue, dental and orthopaedic surgeries which will be performed by myself and our team of veterinarians, Dr Louise Livingston, Dr Tim Reed and Dr Vicki Lawrence. So we now have 4 vets able to service a range of species and between us have a combined 50 years of veterinary practice experience. We also have a dedicated team of support staff who are the backbone of the practice.. Please introduce us to Tim, the new vet who has joined the practice. Dr Tim Reed has just joined us from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. We are incredibly lucky to have him as part of our team, not only for his 20 years’ experience in veterinary medicine and surgery and broad knowledge, but he also genuinely cares about his patients. “Tim, please stop calling us on your day off; your patients are fine!” Throughout his career, he worked extensively in the UK as well as South Africa, where he recently (alone) managed a rescue centre for stray dogs. When we asked him how he decided to settle in Port Macquarie, put simply, he took a “leap of faith” and moved with his wife and 2 children over to the great lifestyle of Port Macquarie. If you walk into the practice on any given day, he will be the tallest gentleman in the room with the funny accent. Overall as a practice, what can you now

offer? Experienced vets, providing more advanced surgical options for your pets without the need to refer to expensive specialists. Stem cell therapies are becoming increasingly popular in dogs and horses, and studies have shown that the majority of animals show improvement following injections with stem cells. This year, we will offer stem cell therapies as an option to our surgical patients. We will also offer this procedure to our patients who suffer from arthritic joints, immune-mediated disease and horses with ‘bowed tendons’, to name a few. As an interesting addition to the veterinary world, a mixed breed DNA identification test has now become available, which is a simple blood test that can accurately determine your dog’s breed and breed ancestry. This can have many indications, including knowledge of breed-related inherited traits and therefore diagnostics and treatments. I have performed this on my own mixed breed rescue dog, with very surprising results! We are forever being asked what breeds our cross-bred patients might be, and now we can truly answer that question. Our practice also provides ongoing chemotherapy services, which has significantly prolonged the life of many of its cancer patients over the years with minimal side effects. Final words? We plan on being around for a long time, so watch this space. I would personally like to thank our dear clients for giving us their friendship and trust every time we treat their family members. And Happy New Year. Thanks Chris.

with the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce

focus u business.

Hadyn Oriti.

minding your

With the passing of 2012, it is now time to look firmly to the future and create the environment for this town to really prosper and thrive. he board of the Chamber of Commerce meets each year to discuss our strategic priorities. This year was no different. We like to step back from the day to day fray and identify where we need to focus our energies for the best results in achieving our objective – to build a vibrant, sustainable business environment in Port Macquarie.

training and career paths for our young people. We must do all we can to facilitate a strong and outward looking group of industries. We have some great examples of what local ingenuity can achieve. But we need to encourage more businesses like Expressway Spares, Bale Defence Industries, Pearsons Transport and Eastland Timber and Trusses. By developing a broader range of industry, we also build a much firmer economic foundation to help through the inevitable business cycles.

The airport upgrade is a clear infrastructure priority underpinning the future of Port Macquarie. The ability to service larger planes and The foreshore master plan has or stood access markets throughbeen talked about for too “Our Mayrm on a platfo rtof out Australia on direct long. 2013 must be a year ensuring Pois open flights will have a signifof action on delivering ie ar qu Mac but not icant beneficial effect to the people of Port for business,en rse for sale. We ent.do on our local economy. Macquarie the integrated that sentimpossible, The Council is to be vision they have already Wherever ‘can congratulated for getendorsed. The foreshore a er st fo s let’ ting this work underway. is an asset that if properly do’ culture within Council. ” We now need to consider done, will deliver far more to how we can best effectively locals than to visitors. leverage off the airport to our Raising the profile of economic broader advantage. For example, flood development within Council will assist free access to the airport is needed from the achievement of our objectives. Last month I south. That would be great for travellers, but it wrote at length about the need to create the then also creates the possibility of an employright structure to support economic growth. I ment area around the airport. Aerospace and am pleased to say that the Chamber remains related or allied industries could grow in the engaged with Council on this issue and will space provided. continue to press our position. There must be Nothing will ensure a stronger future for our town, in particular for our young people, more than growing local higher education opportunities. Simply having a cohort of 18 to 24 year olds in town will add to the vibrancy of our region. We can fill the existing demographic hole and firmly establish Port Macquarie as a regional centre of higher learning and research. Charles Sturt University’s plans will ensure there are more options available to our young people to pursue academic qualifications and worthwhile careers locally. From 2014, the NSW Rural Clinical School will be the first in a regional area to offer a degree in medicine from start to finish.

a director responsible for economic development within Council reporting to the General Manager.

Local industry has the ability to provide jobs,

I wish all the very best in 2013.

Chamber is the voice of local business. We must ensure clear communications with our membership, as well as with Council and our local, state and federal representatives. We are looking to improve the information we give to members, particularly about the lobbying and representations we make on their behalf. Our Mayor stood on a platform of ensuring Port Macquarie is open for business, but not for sale. We endorse that sentiment. Wherever possible, let’s foster a ‘can do’ culture within Council.

greater port macquarie focus 79

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• Several visits, of varying duration, are organised so that by the first day, the child and family are familiar with staff, environment and daily practices • The child is familiar and comfortable with being left with carers • Shared information is used to provide potential learning experiences for your child • The child is given as much attention as they need, to ensure they enjoy their day • Carers will ring the parent during the day to reassure them • Something real will be shared about your child at the end of the day. The principle of high expectations asks us to trust. Start to build that trust by initiating your entry into Early Childhood Education with plenty of time. Ring us!

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NEW LECTURER

From a career in finance that encompasses both the USA and Australia, Pat Clark is a new lecturer at Charles Sturt University – bringing with her a wealth of experience to the Port Macquarie campus …

Pat Clark.

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here were you born, and where did you spend your formative early years? As you can tell, I have an accent, so I am not originally from Australia but I have spent more of my life in Australia than I have in the USA. My husband and I came to Australia in 1975, when there was a shortage of teachers. We fell in love with Australia and have never looked back. My formative early years were spent in the other land of OZ (Wizard of OZ), Kansas. Kansas is located in the centre of the USA and it is land locked. There are no beautiful beaches to enjoy. The major products of Kansas are beef and wheat. I love my beef, but not lamb. Living in Port Macquarie is like living in ‘paradise’. What originally made you decide to study a Bachelor of Business Administration? I originally wanted to be a primary school teacher but as I was working full-time to support my husband, who was working on a masters degree, it was not going to be possible for me to do all the required ‘pracs’ during the day. However, I could get a business degree by going to evening classes. I did a couple of introductory accounting classes and found that I was pretty good at it, and so, an accountant was born. Why did you decide to focus on accountancy and study for your Masters in this subject? As I indicated earlier, I sorta fell into accounting by default. As my undergraduate degree was an American degree, I thought it would be a good idea to ‘Australianise’ my qualifications. I had also moved on from practising as an Accountant to now teaching accounting at university, which required me to further my qualifications. Please provide a brief history of your career bio to date – you’ve worked for some extremely varied companies across both the USA and Australia.

That is one of the nice things about a business degree with an accounting major; there are lots of different opportunities worldwide. My first job out of uni was with Pizza Hut Inc. Their international head office was located in my hometown, Wichita. There is a real ‘Pizza Hut’. The ‘hut’ has been preserved on the campus of Wichita State University. Pizza Hut was started by two university students, Dan and Frank Carney. They saw an opportunity; they believed that the students living on campus were lacking in food facilities. Using their mother’s recipe, Dan and Frank started delivering personal pizzas to students living in student accommodation at 50 cents a pizza. One of the great things about working at the head office was that the research and development kitchens were also located there, and they needed people to test new products. I never went hungry while working for Pizza Hut. As I indicated earlier, accounting is an international degree and creates opportunities worldwide. As a result, I was able to secure a position with a ‘Big 8’ (now Big 4) firm, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) in Hobart, Tasmania, another great place to live in Australia. What are some of the subjects (and degrees) you’ll be lecturing in at CSU’s Port Macquarie campus? We are offering both the Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Business Studies at CSU’s Port Macquarie campus. The Bachelor of Accounting is an accredited course which will enable the graduate to join the professional accounting bodies, CPA Australia and Institute of Chartered Accountants. The Bachelor of Business Studies is a very flexible degree which enables the student to pursue their areas of interest. Both of these degrees are being offered face to face. Since I am an accountant, I will be lecturing many of the accounting subjects. Some of the subjects that we are offering include: Accounting 1, Company Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Management in semester one and Accounting

2, Strategic and Sustainable Accounting, and has evolved into more of an adviser role that Accounting Theory in semester 2. Additional operates in a global environment. The financial subjects include law, management, economics, world is so much more exciting now than when I statistics and business communications. graduated from uni. The internet makes financial The subjects are available to both internal information so much more readily available now. students and distance students who want to do a You’ve probably been asked this question a face to face subject. million times, but I’m intrigued at your other What are some of the skills you’re hoping to claim to fame ... you’re the 1973 Internationteach potential new students at CSU? al Pancake Race Champion. What did you Accountants and business leaders need to be have to do to claim this title? able to make decisions, both strategically and The tradition dates back to 1445 in Olney, operationally. The practical focus of CSU courses England. Legend has it that on Shrove Tuesday, ensures that on completion, the student will be a the church bells rang to signal the start of the work-ready graduate. We have incorporated Shriving church service. A local housewife had workplace learning skills in all our been cooking pancakes to get rid subjects. Some of those skills of the fats for the beginning of include leadership skills, Lent. On hearing the church n tio si communication skills, bells ring, the housewife ran po e th y da To s critical thinking skills and to the church dressed in of accountant ha e of an problem solving skills. her apron and headscarf, evolved into moroperates advisor role that nment. How difficult is it to with her frying pan still in in a global enviro stay abreast of the hand. so is ld or The financial w ting now constantly changing The 380 metres race ci ex e or much m uated ad gr I financial landscape, n is recreated every Shrove he w an th both globally and Tuesday and since 1950, from uni.” nationally − you must Liberal, Kansas has competed spend a fair proportion of against Olney, England. The your time studying the world’s winner with the fastest time in eifinancial trends? ther town is crowned the ‘International I have to be careful here, or you will be Pancake Race Champion. I was that winner able to work out my age! When I went to in 1973. uni, I was doing my accounting information Where can potential new students find systems assignment on punched cards that the out more info about the subjects you’ll be computer then processed. Women were not teaching at CSU, or contact you with further allowed to wear stockings into the ‘computer questions? room’ because of static electricity. The internet Our campus is located across the street from service was very limited. the public library on Grant Street. Every day is In my lifetime, I have seen an enormous Open Day at CSU; anyone can drop in at any amount of change and technological developtime for a visit. I can also be reached on 6582 ment. The job of an accountant has also evolved 9306 and my email is patclark@csu.edu.au over that period of time. When I graduated from Thanks Pat. uni, accountants were very much hands-on in Interview by Jo Atkins. processing the data. However, today the position

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TG’s Childcare comes to Wauchope Trevor and Gayle Kee have moved back to Wauchope after being in the Armidale district strict for the past 5 years. Trevor and Gayle are re now building a new, purpose-built Preschool ol and Long Day Care centre in Hastings Street, treet, Wauchope. Chrissy Jones found out more re ... elcome back to the Mid North Coast. What has prompted your return? We are so excited to be back in Wauchope. We consider Wauchope to be our home town. The people are so friendly and supportive. It has been great catching up with old friends; everybody has been so welcoming and positive. Don't get us wrong, we did really love living on the Northern Tablelands, but we do consider Wauchope to be the best place on earth. (Plus, the winters are a little warmer too!)

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Your brand new facility in Hastings Street looks fantastic. Tell us about TG's Child Care and how it all began ... ‘TG's’ stands for ‘Trevor and Gayle’s’. About 12 months ago, we purchased Lex Laurie’s old house, diagonally opposite the RTA office, and set about renovating the existing old house to live in. The block at 33 Hastings Street is huge (over 2,000 m² or a half acre block). We have room for 12 on-site car parks, a separate 3

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room Preschool Pre resc s ho sc hooll and and d Long Lon ng Day Day Care Da Care building Ca bui uild ild ldiin ing ing room and a fantastic outdoor play area. Thanks to Brad Maggs from BDM Constructions and all of his team, the building is now at ‘lock-up’ stage, well on schedule for a March 18 opening. It is obvious that you have a passion for early childhood development, children and their families. What will TG’s Child Care offer children and their families? Trevor and I take great pride in our ability to nurture and foster each child’s natural strengths and talents and to blend their learning into a socially cohesive group setting. Our ‘children’s playground’, with its natural play spaces, helps us to provide stimulating areas where each child has their own unique challenges to assist their social, cognitive, creative, positive and active development. Having fun and learning should go hand-inhand. The greatest thing we provide for families

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is ‘guilt-free’ parenting. Today’s society has changed dramatically! In particular, there is an ever increasing number of women in the workforce. Mothers, aunties and grandmothers are entering the workforce for a variety of reasons. Once the backbone of child care, these modern working women need quality, professional child care services. We aim to assist the parents and children around the Wauchope area to make life as easy as possible to raise a family.

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of staff is highly experienced and qualified, and they love their work too. Working as an early childhood educator is very rewarding and great fun too. (There never is a dull moment!) It is such a privilege to be able to assist local families in the care, education and development of their children. ‘A big start for little people’ is our motto.

This includes long hours of year round operation, providing healthy meals, hats, sunscreen, nappies and smiles, all in a funfilled and caring environment.

You are set to open on 18 March this year. Can we book a spot now for our little ones; how do we contact you? Yes, TG’s Child Care are taking bookings as we speak. Even as we began construction, many families have already been contacting us seeking enrolments for 2013.

What sets you apart from other services in the area? We love our work! Our team

Contact Gayle by email: tgschildcare@ westnet.com.au Or by phone: 0428 569 660.

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focuseditorial. Election Results ... Lies ... Let’s Recount Mother-In-Law ... Woman Hitler (That’s Not Nice!) WOMEN ON WHEELS ... Mountain bike weekend! This is a great weekend for women who like mountain bike riding. Women on Wheels are having a 'pampering and puffing' (sorry, I made that up, Belinda) weekend from 5pm on Friday 22 February to Sunday afternoon 24 February 2013.

Robyn Butler.

Welcome to 2013! Thanks to everyone who rang or spoke to me in the street to say they had made my 'foolproof' Christmas cake. 88 year old Betty said she had been making Christmas cakes for years, but this one was her best effort yet!

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image'!

you will see a small icon of a petrol pump. The handle of the petrol pump will extend out of either the left or the right of the pump. What ever side this is positioned, that is the side of your hungry petrol tank … impressed?

WHAT SIDE IS MY PETROL TANK CAP? How often do you go into a petrol station and wonder, "What side is my petrol tank?" I’ve seen people with their head out the window checking, so they know what bowser to go to. Solution … if you look at your petrol gauge,

ANAGRAMS TO MAKE YOU SMILE Presbyterian ... Best In Prayer Astronomer ... Moon Starer The Eyes ... They See The Morse Code ... Here Comes Dots Slot Machines ... Cash Lost In Me

s you can see, they have changed my profile 'mug-shot', as this is my fourth year with FOCUS, and I have aged – thus, the 'new

The weekend will centre around mountain bike skill coaching (the puffing side) and massage, yoga, and nutrition (the pampering side). The price is $220, which includes accommodation, fantastic food and the venue (relaxing pool) and of course, the ocean at your doorstep.

MOTHER’S MILK TEST Students in an advanced biology class were taking their half yearly exams. The last question was name seven advantages of Mother’s Milk. The question was worth 70 points. One student wrote: 1. It is perfect formula for the child. 2. It provides immunity against several diseases. 3. It is always the right temperature. 4. It is inexpensive. 5. It bonds the child to mother, and vice versa. 6. It is always available as needed. The student was stumped as to the last answer, but right on the death knock of time, he wrote: 7. It comes in two attractive containers, and it’s high enough off the ground where the cat can’t get at it ... HE GOT AN 'A'.

It will be held at the Uniting Church Centre, Bonny Hills. Positions are limited to 50, so you must get in and book if you are interested.

As you can see, in this month’s column there is a little bit of 'filler' – a bit like me after Christmas.

You can contact Belinda Green (not the Miss Universe, but just as pretty) on 0401 032 668 or log onto www.hvmbr.com.au

Happy New Year to you all. We live in a marvellous country, so let's celebrate, appreciate what we have, not what we don’t have and care for each other … HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY FOR THE 26TH.

HANDY HINTS 1. To stop little children falling out of bed, place a pool noodle along the edge of the bed and then place a fitted sheet over the top … a swimming idea! 2. Use a hanging shoe rack to store cleaning supplies. 3. Use a can opener to open blister packs and avoid cutting yourself.

EINSTEIN was asked to explain the general theory of relativity ... ”Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour … sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute …THAT'S RELATIVITY! Keep smiling, Robbie x

GPYR MDFT3828/C/ST

EDUCATING OUR FUTURE LEADERS The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) provides education and military training for the future leaders in Australia’s Navy, Army and Air Force. The program at ADFA combines a world class degree from the University of New South Wales with military training and leadership development. Undergraduate degrees include Arts, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Science, and Technology. Midshipmen and OfÀcer Cadets also earn a salary, enabling them to focus on their studies and training in preparation for their future careers in the Australian Defence Force.

CALL 13 19 01, EMAIL CPTNEWCASTLE@DFR.COM.AU OR VISIT DEFENCEJOBS.GOV.AU/ADFA

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“Come and join our ExtravaDance family in 2013.”

Extravadance 2013 4 Everything Dance! Dance Dreams Dancewear has everything you need for all styles of dance, from tights, leotards and skirts to dance clothing and hair accessories. Now open in Port Macquarie as well as Laurieton, customers can visit either store for the same friendly service and quality brands. Dancing is a big part of growing up for lots of children and their parents locally, and getting the right dance clothing, shoes and accessories for your child is an important part of learning and growing in the field of dance. Dance Dreams stocks popular dance brands including Bloch, Energetiks, Capezio, Mad Ally and Studio 7. Also in store is the unique Made4Stage range, handmade locally by Trish Triggs. Tiaras are made from Swarovski crystals and Czech crystals, along with glass pearls. Select from a standard range, or have something custom made. Get in now to order for Taree Eisteddfod: contact Trish on 0407 729 202 or call into Dance Dreams Dancewear. Trish is there every Wednesday morning to discuss any headwear needs. Thinking about starting dance in 2013? Come and see Micheala and the team at Dance Dreams 4 Everything Dance!

Now entering its fourth year, ExtravaDance Studios Port Macquarie and Wauchope is now bigger and better than ever. Whether it is just for fun or for serious training at a professional level, dance is a great form of exercise. Here at ExtravaDance you can let your child learn in a fun and creative environment for the sheer love of dance, or have our fully qualified and experienced staff encourage your child to develop their own individual talents and confidence to pursue a career in the field of dance. We offer an increasing range of classes for all levels and all ages, and pride ourselves in providing a supportive family environment for your child. Classes include RAD Classical Ballet, Boys Only Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical and Baby Ballet/Jazz. Our Classical Ballet students are also encouraged to sit their annual RAD Examinations, and Tap students their L.G.T.A Tap Examinations. Principal Amy Henson and her highly and fully qualified teaching staff look forward to welcoming new and old students in 2013. If you are looking for a dance school based on fun, friendship and fitness, ExtravaDance Studios is the place for your child. Our school is fun, lively and just a happy place to be.

Summer Dance School 2013 looks to be an exciting year for Wauchope & Port Macquarie Performing Arts, with the dance school’s Summer Dance Intensive kicking off the year January 19 - 23. The hottest teachers in Australia will be in Port Macquarie to teach, including ex-Australian Ballet dancer and current judge on Dancing with the Stars, Josh Horner. Aimed at students 8 years and up, the Summer Dance Intensive is open to all local dance students, no matter which school they train at – a great opportunity for students from all around the area to come together and share their love of dance. Secure your place today at wpmpa.com Be it Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary or Musical Theatre, Wauchope & Port Macquarie Performing Arts welcomes all dancers, no matter what their age or ability, to their family friendly studios in Wauchope, Bonny Hills and Port Macquarie in 2013. For a full list of classes and times for 2013, see their website now: wpmpa.co Enrol online today!

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Shenae Bignell stars as Alice at the Glasshouse. Photo by Jason Freeman.

It's not too late to enrol for 2013

fun, fresh and dynamic Dance, fitness, and performing arts are what it's all about at the exciting Movement Studios. Couple that with a fantastic ethos based around students personal development, attention to technique and a non – competitive atmosphere and you have a recipe for success! Movement Studios is a fun and dynamic place to meet with fellow minded performers to learn, create and enjoy performing, whilst forming life long friendships and developing their own performance identity. Tired of the “same old thing” Joanne Rowan principal of Movement, decided to break out of the mold and create a school where the pressure of eisteddfods and other various competition work was not the core component.

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Highly skilled in dance, fitness, stage management and childcare Joanne offers a fresh and exciting approach to all her classes. 2012 saw the rapid expansion of the Studios premises to cater for a large in flux of students. Now coming into it’s third year of operation, they are casting their net wider to not only offer the ever popular JFH, Contemporary and Boyz only classes, but will now be offering, singing drama, adult classes and a specialized music program for 1-4yr olds where they get to have a “hands on “ class incorporating musical instruments, singing, drama and movement with Mum or Dad their right beside them. Movement Studios are now taking enrollments for 2013. We invite anybody interested in classes to please contact Jo on P 6585 5058 M 0415246508 E www.movement-studios. com or follow us on facebook.

LVC is a well established dance school that has offered all styles of dance in the Hastings Region for over 28 years, under the professional direction of Elizabeth Polson-Galloway. Proudly, the team of qualified teachers have trained and nurtured students who have gone on to make careers in musicals, theatre and Classical Ballet, both locally and internationally. Classes for all students have been offered for girls and boys alike, and the students who currently attend have found them stimulating, promoting their confidence and sheer enjoyment as they have learnt the fundamentals of dance. The school offers classes daily for all ages and currently boasts a record of advanced students who have taken their tuition all the way through the classical stages – a massive achievement! The dance school and facilities are located centrally, with four fully equipped and spacious

dance studios, parking, foyer, waiting area and coffee shop to relax in while the children take classes. We even have our very own dance wear supplies within the building; the Hastings Dance Centre offers shoes, leotards and all accessories for all your dance wear needs, supplied by stockists in leading brands. Come along and try out some classes at La Vive Classique, a dance school which has stood the test of time, with an outstanding standard and reputation for excellence. Monday to Saturday, beginners to adults, we offer classes that you will love. Classes offered include Royal Academy of Dance classical ballet structured syllabus classes, pre school music and movement for the ages of 2 to 5 years, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical Modern, Song and Dance, Variety, theatrical presentations for Eisteddfods and much more.

BJP Physical Culture: Join a Club Near You! BJP Physical Culture, or Physie (pronounced 'fizzy'), is a sport for girls and women from 4 years up which aims to build confidence, good posture, strength, fitness and flexibility through exercise. Long before exercise became a growth industry, BjelkePetersen Physical Culture was keeping Australian girls and women fit and healthy. n fact, it’s been established in Australia for 120 years! The syllabus, updated annually, is performed to modern music and comprises standing and floor exercises, aerobic warm-ups, basic ballet, and modern dance.

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Our choreography is age-appropriately designed to teach the relationship of music to movement, rhythm, co-ordination, balance, and musical interpretation. Physical Culture is a marvellous way to develop healthy minds and bodies whilst forming friendships that last a lifetime. Most of all, it's a lot of fun! We provide a fun, safe, non-elitist, inexpensive, team-based sport, encouraging girls and women from all communities to participate. Physical activity is essential for a healthy life. The sooner we develop the habit, the easier it is to maintain. Physie is the ideal environment to inspire this healthy habit in girls and women.

Girls and women love being social. With Physie they can exercise, network and have fun from the age of 3 up. Many pressures and traps are facing our developing girls. Physie can break the cycle of inactivity, self-criticism and unhealthy lifestyle that can affect many teenagers and women. Come and join us and help yourself or your daughter or friend to a great active, fun and caring experience! FAQs How much do lessons cost? Between $5 and $10 per lesson, depending on the club. Annual registration with BJP is $50 ($55 if after 15 March). This entitiles you to learn the BJP syllabus, to compete in the optional BJP team and individual competitions and to have free audience entry to any junior zone competition. What do you wear to class? You can wear a leotard or dance pants and a top – comfy but not baggy clothing.

How many times a week do you go to class? Usually once a week, or twice if the club you choose offers two classes. How many students are in a class? This can vary from 5 to 25, depending on the club. Larger classes often have an assistant teacher. Do you have to compete? No, the competitions are completely optional. What sort of competitions are there? Two kinds: individual and teams of 8 girls or ladies. What do you wear for competitions? Leotards and, for older girls, fishnet tights – no

dance shoes required. What about tan, hair and makeup? Fake tan is banned for under 15s and discouraged above 15 years. There are strict makeup rules for under 15s, but not for adults. Hair is simple, stylish and feminine. To find out more information about your local club, visit our website: www.wauchopephysie.weebly.com or www.pmphysie.com

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By Jane Hillsdon Principal Consultant of Dragonfly Marketing

with

Stewart

Clark.

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hank you for taking the time to chat to me, Stewart. Can you talk us through the overall concept behind your coffee business, Doppio or

Nothing? The concept behind Doppio or Nothing was to have a business that does not just rely on one product or service. I have worked in the industry since 1990 and until now, I’ve never had a full time job. I had to rely on different skills and persistence to get the hours in pubs, cafés, restaurants, ski fields etc. I had to create an income to fund my travel addiction. The business has evolved in a similar way. We have now got a great crew with loads of experience in a variety of fields which provides us with diversity, which you could say creates security for us all. Where does the name ‘Doppio or Nothing’ come from? Doppio means double in Italian, and Aussies have always had a 'we will go double or nothing' attitude. This is how we work. If we are not going to try twice as hard, we will not do it. What was it that first inspired you to develop your business? The business was created to supplement my income as a part-time TAFE teacher in Port Macquarie. Being part-time meant I had no work for one third of the year. I started the business initially just to create security for myself, but now it creates security for my beautiful family and the crew who work with us. It is hard work, but we are starting to see some fruits for our labour.

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You clearly have a great passion for coffee! What has inspired this passion? I have always been into anything that splashes. The ocean, beer, wine, tea, coffee. All these things are seasonal, continually change, and you can never know everything about them. The more you learn, the more you realise you don’t know, which means you have to keep learning. This goes for the hospitality industry as a whole. The Doppio or Nothing mobile coffee van caters for massive events such as IRONMAN, the Quiksilver Pro Surfing Event and Festival of the Sun. What do you enjoy most about catering for these events? I love the surfing events! I’ve always lived at the beach and surfed, so why not mix work and fun together? We work closely with Surfing NSW and Surfing Australia for a wide range of events, and just being a part of the vibe is so much fun. I am writing these answers at FOTSUN. It’s a great event for Port Macquarie and with other events, such as the Ironman, it puts Port in the spotlight across Australia and now with social media, worldwide. It has to be good for the area! Tell us more about the training programs you run in conjunction with employment agencies such as Wesley Uniting Employment ... We conduct a course which uses coffee as a vehicle to motivate and help people problem solve and find pathways to get back into employment. It is not just about coffee. We can all work in some field, no matter what education, background, nationality, upbringing or disability we may have. We just have to look at the opportunities right under our nose.

This unaccredited training is not a counselling partners and provide the best support and session, but a workshop that gives you a skill service to our customers that we can. that is transferable to any hospitality job in the Everyone who is a part of Doppio or Nothing world. can put forward ideas and implement them. We also work with Matchworks Employment Doppio or Nothing is not Stew Clark. It is the all throughout Victoria. The thing I notice that team that makes us work so well. no matter where we are in Australia, the same You also provide a consulting service that problems arise. you offer to cafés; what does this involve? You are currently leading a team of 5 Our consulting service is primarily offered as a staff members. How do you manage complimentary service to our coffee customers, to encourage your staff to be such otherwise it is a fee for service. Our motto enthusiastic ambassadors of your for our consulting is 'Customised brand? Hospitality Solutions'. Every Two are family – my wife business has different needs e and father. They don't listen and directions. We treat es th g I am writin TSUN. FO at s to me anyway and tell me each issue as our own. er sw an for Port what to do, so they end up Our consulting It’s a great eventwith Macquarie and ch as the motivating me! service can cover other events, su the in rt Po ts Genevieve Hill has been compliance, fit out, pu it , Ironman Australia our Customer Manager for work flow, staff spotlight across cial and now with so two years, and Gen needs training and product e. It has id w ld or w , media ” ! ea ar e th no motivating. Anyone who knowledge, just to r fo to be good drinks coffee in Port knows name a few. Gen, and she is a great asset to Our approach guarantees our brand. that it's all about our customer, Chris Horwood is our accounts man, not Doppio or Nothing. and keeping my books and me in line is his What would be the one piece of main duty. hospitality advice you would offer to We have many others who jump in from regionally based cafés? time to time, and we would like to thank Ross It's a lifestyle – sometimes more work than Henderson, Jorgo, Fusion 7, Timmy and Shelley play. Research your idea, your suppliers, your Fabian for their efforts in the past and future. location and remember, nothing is for nothing! What business initiatives do you have Free on loan is never free. planned for the near future? And finally, what is it that you love the We are trying to do what we do well and most about your job? develop systems and procedures which will People. If I don't have people, I don’t have create more consistency in our day-to-day customers and I don't have a job. They are way running. Also, we plan to continue to build more important than any product I have sold. our business relationships with our distribution Thanks Stewart.

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focuseditorial.

focusrealestate

with Debbie from Pa radiso

Debbie King

2013 and a New Year has begun. With no control over the passage of time, we can neither speed it up nor slow it down, so accept it we must. The calendar turns over and with it comes a clean slate, a chance to begin again, reassess and possibly re-invent. ith a little extra time at home, we have the perfect opportunity to reassess our surroundings. The items contained in our homes and the way they are displayed are a reflection of who we are as individuals.

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Bright, colourful, zany, or soft, delicate and dainty, our personality is on display. Therefore no two homes should be alike; they should be as individual as their owners. I agree with designer Christiane Lemieux of DwellStudio when she states that: “The most stylish people these days understand this fundamental aspect of good living: it’s always evolving. Great style isn’t necessarily a finished product, so much as it is an ongoing process”.

items that have no purpose, no meaning or give you no delight to behold. (Yes, this may mean it’s time to say farewell to that print from Ikea you purchased when a student that fills that space on the wall.) Return only items which are purposeful or meaningful. (That print from Ikea just may get to go back on the wall under the criteria of meaningful!) Don’t overthink the process; the stylised project house look is just that look for project houses, not homes. Trust your instincts and just go for it. Once you have the items you wish to keep back in place, stop ... take a deep breath. Live with the room for a while, noticing the placements that work, and tweak those that don’t. Take note of areas that are lacking and visualise the size and shape of the missing pieces. It might be handy to take a snap and keep a pic with you to remind you of the space when you’re out and about.

Decorating should acknowledge that we and our lifestyles are constantly evolving, and therefore our decorating should be a continual process. Now it’s time to The New Year is a great Now it’s hunting time; my get stuck in to it. as h uc time to see whether favourite part. The perfect m Remove as om. ro e th m fro le our needs are being solution may come to ib poss that Start with items e, no met and if our home is you just out of the blue have no purpos you no a place that makes us if you’re open to thinking meaning or give ..” smile when we think of out of the square. Don’t delight to behold it. When we decorate, we limit yourself to design and shouldn’t be afraid of puthomewares stores. Chain deting our own signature stamp partment stores, reject/two dollar on the way we do it. Whether you shops, second hand stores, opporbelieve more is more or less is less, there is tunity shops, auctions, garage sales and no right or wrong. even roadside pickups are where you may just uncover that perfect something. Draw on your Forgetting styles and eras, your main purimagination, and trust your instincts. pose should be to create a place where you truly

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feel at home. A great starting point is to quickly flip through decorator magazines and tear out anything that appeals to you. Or you may prefer to lose yourself on blogs or pinterest, pinning your favourite interiors to a board.

I believe it’s better to go without than make do, as by making do you’re prolonging the need to find that perfect match. Lucky our sofa has arms wide enough to hold a coffee cup, as I’m still searching for the perfect coffee table!

Don’t think long and hard before you tear or pin; just go for it. When you review what you’ve torn out or pinned, you’ll discover a common thread will start to appear. This will give you a guideline to follow. It may be a certain colour scheme or ‘look’.

Most importantly, don’t strive for immediate perfection; learn to appreciate the imperfections and let go, take your time and enjoy the process. You, your home and family will reap the benefits.

Now it’s time to get stuck into it. Remove as much as possible from the room. Start with

Ask Greg

Q

Greg Trembath answers wers estions. your real estate questions. higher than yours. Once the contracts are exchanged, the vendor is not able to sell the property to anyone other than you, at your agreed price. My advice is the quicker you get to the exchange of the contract, the quicker you know you have been successful in buying the home. With the market heating up on the back of lower interest rates, there is definitely more competition Once the for properties. If you are a contracts are e th serious buyer, make sure you d, ge an ch ex le have your finance and legal vendor is not aberty to sell the prop r representation organised to anyone otheur and ready to go. As the old yo than you, at saying goes, “If you snooze, e. ic pr ed agre you lose”.

I’ve made an offer on a property, which the owner accepted. My solicitor and bank have been advised to arrange a valuation for finance and contract exchange. Despite this, the agent continues to advertise the home and to show it to other people. Do I have any rights if a higher offer is made? A. The fact is, until you have exchanged contracts, neither you nor the vendor is bound to the purchase/sale. This is why buyers ought to exchange contracts immediately once their offer is accepted, using the benefit of the cooling off period to obtain pre-purchase reports. If another offer is made and you have not exchanged contracts, then you have no recourse; whereas, if you have exchanged contracts and are in your cooling off period and another offer is made, the vendor is not able to accept the other offer, even if it is

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.

May 2013 be a year of vitality. Live creatively. Debbie.

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GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

property guide

CREATIVE WORKS constructions

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CREATIVE WORKS

Creative Works Constructions love fulfilling people’s home ownership dreams by making it a hassle free experience and delivering a superior product.

or builder Scott Facey and wife Deborah, this luxury home has been a six year dream that has come to fruition magnificently. Chrissy Jones had the pleasure of being shown through the home that placed in the top 3 of the NSW HIA Custom Built Home of the Year Awards – $600,000 to $1 Million. With a motto of building designs to suit today’s lifestyle, the home fits this young family superbly. Having direct access to a deep waterfront on the Hastings River, a high priority was a garage/basement that opened from the street front right through to the boat ramp. Above the spacious basement storage, that has enough room for four cars, a boat, caravan and more, Scott and his team from Creative Works Constructions have built a resort-style four bedroom home for his wife and two daughters. An array of new and old technology has been used to create a home that stands out from the rest and

showcases what the local building company is all about. From the core filled block work of the basement that retains the adjoining properties and also forms the shape of the pool and built-in water tank, which provides enough water to run the entire home, to the suspended ground floor slab using preformed ultra-floor beams to gain a maximum unimpeded span, a lot of thought has gone into the design, products and building methods used. The ground floor combines a mixture of brick veneer and cavity brickwork construction which support the three external concrete balconies off each bedroom and also provides additional structural support for the rest of the home. A modern design, the exterior claddings and finishes are varied in colour and texture, comprising Scyon Matrix geometric panels, linea weather boards and Quick Clad, all combining expertly to give the home a modern, contemporary beach look. continued over

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Gorgeous river views are readily available from most rooms, but thought has also gone into window placement, with an emphasis on privacy from neighbouring properties. A very important element of the structure, a 100 mm commercial window suite with a grey performance glass on the western side to stop glare, have been powder coated in precious silver pearl to protect them from the salt air of the surrounding waterways. Timber eaves, 1,200 mm wide front and back, are an interesting contrast to the exterior finishes. Being finished off in a hi gloss marine varnish, the eaves are protected to ensure they remain flawless to match the rest of the home. The remainder of the exterior has been cement rendered and then finished in an acrylic based coating manufactured using graded quartz, mineral sands and aggregates to produce a stunningly natural, but stylishly modern

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textured finish. A striking external balustrade completes the exterior facade, comprising a mixture of stainless steel tubes and wire with a 14 x 45 Merbau timber top installed on an outward splay to portray a nautical feel. Entry to the home is via an exposed aggregate pathway, flanking the fully landscaped tropical gardens. Plantings include Native Grass Tree, Agave, Cycad, Mandina, Agapanthus, Bromeliad, Black Elephant Ear and Cocos Palm, which blend perfectly with river-stone pebbling and the purple sand cote of the entrance patio feature columns and timber eaves. An impressive double Merbau timber and opaque glass panelled entrance door opens into the vaulted 6 m high foyer; 400 x 600 natural Travertine stone floor tiling leads you through to the open plan living areas. One of the many highlights of the home is the custom built staircase with a curved 150 diameter

is “ The ceilingm ode fitted with a 7 that em st sy g in light has dims, flashes, ur s and lo co t en differ l at a al , ed is time fram � n. tto bu push

centre stringer forming the backbone of the floating Tallowwood treads. Herc Equipment have excelled themselves with this piece of engineering, that has shaped the interior of the home. Left of entry is the home office, fitted out nicely with a main office desk and further benches housing office equipment and shelving. Red overhead cabinetry matches the red office chairs and provide a contrast to the commercial timber look vinyl planks used to sustain traffic and the coming and going of trades and clients. Next is the Home Theatre Media room. Ingeniously designed by Scott, it has an acoustic ceiling 3.6 m high which has allowed for a perimeter bulk head with LED pelmet lighting, which enhances the recessed individual foam

pyramids that absorb sound – creating a cinema atmosphere. The ceiling is fitted with a 7 mode lighting system that dims, flashes, has different colours and is time framed, all at a push button. Thin floor to ceiling panel windows on opposite walls allow in light if needed, but have block out blinds supplied and installed by Cullens Carpets & Blinds, enabling the room to be nice and dark for movie time. Wattyl Pearl painted walls and soft carpeting add to the comfort of a room specifically provided for the family to relax together or entertain friends. An open plan living/formal dining/lounge room readily combines with a traditional kitchen and casual dining space and also blends extremely well with the outdoor kitchen, entertainment deck area poolside. The pool, installed by Country Pools, has an infinity wet edge to

CREATIVE WORKS

give an endless view off water – taking ki iin the h adjacent dj H Hastings River. With quartz finished recessed air rated seating, it is a great spot to sit back, relax and enjoy the afternoon sunset or water sports on the river. You could quite easily also enjoy a movie on the outdoor theatre, while having a quick dip. Surrounded by a chiselled edge marble tile, expertly laid by J and K Tiling, the pool area exudes a resortstyle ambience alongside the outdoor kitchen/entertainment splay balustraded deck. Fitted with an automatic security/insect screen, by Bi-Fold Solutions, a very comfortable outdoor BBQ area has been set up as the main entertaining area of the house, with its own fully integrated entertainment system that can be zoned separately if required. For catering, two gas BBQs and a wok burner give the option to roast in one while still cooking on the other. Placed in a custom built cabinetry, the outdoor kitchen has stainless steel Stainless steel benches, fluted glass doors and drawers, beer r and timbe fridge and plenty of shelving. te lu so ab work in The ceiling has been finished in timber to harmony. This built unique, custom complement and coincide with the eave line curving staircas ings, 3D TV set up for movies, ceiling fan, and e ac pl of e id takes pr try soft downlighting. For those cold winter evein the spacious en nings, the area can be screened off via remote foyer.” control and with use of the gas heater, will keep the outdoor theatre comfy. The formal dining room has been stepped up from the lounge to maintain uninterrupted river views. Stunning 100% solid Mosowood bamboo flooring – from Verde

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Bamboo – has been used on the staged dining room. A bulkhead ceiling, with perimeter pelmet lighting, adds a soft feel and continues out to the lounge. Feature Matrix panelling behind the multi-functional TV has been cleverly installed with LED lighting and is placed above suspended shelving that houses the DVD and surround sound system. The owners have a love for entertaining and have installed a state of the art Stelth invisible in-wall speaker system – you can hear it, but can’t see it. The home is totally wired for Broadband, with all TVs linked to the home’s computers and security system. Having the ability to give remote mobile phone access from anywhere in the world, the home has been designed for future technology. A custom designed network of data, coaxial and camera cabling running back to a coms rack has the home ready for any innovation. Scott and Debbie’s love for entertaining continues on in the kitchen, which is the main focal point of the living area. Designed by Debbie, who wanted a functional kitchen with breakfast bar for the family that also doubles as a drinks with friends space with a view, the kitchen is a standout. Installed by Hastings Kitchen Company, with a Bittersweet Chocolate Essa Stone benchtop from North Coast Marble and Granite on the breakfast bar and Quartz Alpine White kitchen benchtops that house the double Abbey Schock sink with stainless steel flick-mixer and a LED coloured light installed that changes water colour as the temperature heats up or cools down, the layout is both functional and practical. Cleaf and Createc Ultra Gloss cabinetry, encasing under bench deep self closing drawers and the hydraulic louvre overhead cabinets, provide plenty of storage alongside the walk-in pantry. An Electrolux Eline gas cook-top, conventional oven and a multi-functional combi oven allowing for steam, microwave and oven functions, stainless steel refrigerator and freezer with ice maker serve the kitchen and the family well. The home laundry is conveniently located rear of the kitchen and has a handy chute from the upstairs bedrooms. Side yard access, a wide tan coloured laminex benchtop with cupboards underneath, oval stainless steel laundry tub and a wall of shelving neatly tucked away behind closed doors; it ticks all the boxes.

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A guest bathroom on the ground floor with Travertine stone tiling on the floor and on one wall to its ceiling is readily available for daily visitors and by being located adjacent to the guest bedroom, provides a private wash area for longer term visitors. The glass walled shower is completed by a suspended high gloss vanity with above stone bench square set hand basin and WC. The guest bedroom is generous, a home away from home, having a large built-in opaque glass sliding door wardrobe with plenty of hanging space and drawers provided. Ascending the curved timber tread, stainless steel and Tallowwood staircase, you will find the family’s private rooms, comprising a study nook for the younger members, master bedroom with ensuite, two mirror image bedrooms with bathroom separating the same. All rooms have soft

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“ We realise that choosing yoursingle builder is the nt most importame decision a hoake.” owner can m

carpeting, ceiling fans and have been installed with varying window styles and shapes placed at different heights to allow for maximum views, privacy and cross ventilation of the river breezes. Boral linea cornice is found in the study area, giving a contemporary feel. Two separate mirror image built-in desks, with a set of three drawers each, enable a spot for the computer and storage for school work. Linked to the home computer network by a wireless router system, the study is also set to grow with both the children and future innovations. Nothing has been forgotten in the master bedroom – a fantastic parents’ retreat with lovely river views from the private balcony that also has a timber lined ceiling, splay external balustrade

and stairway access down to the pool. Wall recesses neatly display artwork and a widescreen TV alongside a wide, wall window and sliding glass doors that lead to the balcony. Once again, windows have been strategically placed for privacy and have double blinds – a block out blind for privacy and a sheer blind if views are wanted. Separating the main bedroom and ensuite is a walk-a-round divider wall. The ensuite is well laid out; an extra large his and hers vanity with mirror above and twin sets of drawers underneath conceals the shower on one side and the WC on the other. A deep double step up spa featuring a silicone join frameless window, allowing for unimpeded river views, adds a touch of luxury, and the walk-in

his and hers wardrobe finishes off the parents’ retreat superbly. The remaining children's bedrooms are also of a generous size and have their own balconies, opaque glass front three door built-in robes, ceiling fans and downlighting. Both have a feature painted wall, one in Wattyl Pearl and the other in Wattyl Opulence Purple. The children's bedrooms are separated by a bathroom that has a nice, deep bath with water spout, a separate angled glass walled shower that has a very handy recess with mirror and bench seat as in the master ensuite and also has a smart-tile drain installed. A large double self moulded acrylic basin in the hung vanity cabinetry, that has self closing doors and drawers with no handles and generous mirror above, completes a very functional and easy clean bathroom suite. A curved Travertine tile staircase, following the line of the ascending staircase, leads to the basement area and garage below, giving easy internal access if entering from the concrete drive through the automated aluminium RHS section gates of the front fence. Designed to house the family pets and give privacy to the owners, but not to diminish the overall openness and contemporary feel for the residence, the perimeter fencing is a combination of aluminium RHS and rendered brick. Overall, the home is a showcase of contemporary, luxury living that takes full advantage of its positioning on the beautiful Hastings River.

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CREATIVE WORKS FROM THE BUILDER Tell us a bit about your business ... how long sive master builders. have you been operating? Owned and operated by one of Port Macquarie’s Creative Works Constructions Pty Ltd commenced leading master builders, Scott Facey has developed operation in 2000. Creative Works Construction is a construction company that is known for delivering operated by licensed builder Scott Facey. Scott Facey exceptional workmanship, a discerning aesthetic has over 27 years’ experience in the building indusand compelling value for money. try and has been in control of projects ranging from Creative Works Constructions are fully licensed $10 million dollar extensions to an $800 to undertake all residential, commercial, deck renovation. There is nothing we refurbishment construction, design cannot do. and structural engineering projects, The home As the owner of a family run as well as holding all relevant has been company, Scott will give his perlicences and liability insurances. an designed as t sonal attention to every project Creative Works Constructions en nm ai rt ente CWC take on. With his extenis a company dedicated to venue to takethe advantage of e sive experience in the building upholding their responsibilities aspect and th industry, we have been able to regarding occupational health view. ” put together one of the best locally and safety. employed teams of tradesmen on the Scott Facey, owner and project Mid North Coast. manager says, “We realise that choosing Family owned and managed, our company’s your builder is the single most important decicommitment to clients is driven by the philosophy: sion a home owner can make. You need to ensure “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly”. Our your builder has the experience, efficiency and reliteam of highly skilled tradesmen and project manability to deliver the build you have always wanted agers are employed strictly on that basis. with minimum stress along the way. For more than 10 years, Creative Works Construc“Too often I have seen evidence of home builders tions has been regarded throughout the Mid North taking short cuts. We deliver what we promise, Coast in the building and construction industry as ensuring high quality at all times.” one of the most prominent, innovative and progres-

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Our aim is to provide our clients with the highest quality product, by taking pride in our work and an emphasis on attention to detail. Your complete satisfaction is guaranteed. Our extensive range of building services include new homes, extensions and renovations, villas, duplexes, development sites, office fit outs, hotels, motels, clubs, commercial and industrial. Whether your project is a new home or a multi staged development, Creative Works Constructions has the experience, resources and technical capabilities to deliver outstanding results. What are the types of building that you

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specialise in? • Residential build – new dwellings. House and land packages, knock down and rebuilds, design and construct projects, renovations and extensions. • Commercial works – hotels, large commercial buildings – fit out, extension of existing premises, new construction, design and construct works. • Office fit outs. • Aged care retirement new builds, strip out and refit existing retirement homes. • Project management. • Decks/pergolas. • Villas/townhouses/flats. What are some of the featured design ele-

ments of thiss home? • Timber cantilevered eaves. • Infinity edge pool. • Outdoor BBQ entertaining area with remote blinds for all year round protection. • Feature acoustic ceiling to theatre room. • Smart wiring, including cameras and security system. • Full height tower windows. • Self-efficiency solar power, solar HWU, water tank supplying whole house. • Marble and travertine tiling throughout. • Louvered windows. • Thermal efficient, with cross flow ventilation to each room. • Curved foyer walls.

• Drive through basement. • Spectacular steel and timber designed staircase sweeping up to second floor. • Floating office. • Sand coat render. • Cascading water feature. • Master suite with rain shower and spa overlooking the water. • Chef’s kitchen with huge hidden walk-in pantry. • Staged formal dining. This home won a prestigious award – tell us about that? After missing the cut off date for the local Regional HIA awards, we were placed by HIA directly into the finals of HIA – CSR NSW

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... it is a great spot to sit back, relax and enjoy the et afternoon suns or water sports on the river. ”

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Housing and Kitchen Bathroom Awards. Our home was judged, and we placed runner up at the Housing Awards in October 2012 held at the Sydney Exhibition Centre. This is a great achievement for our company, and we look forward to being a part of the 2013 Regional and State Awards. How do we go about commissioning you to build for us? What is the process? As the client is the most important part of our business, it is most important to establish the client’s requirements and a good working relationship from the start.

Scott Facey believes it is a priority to establish rapport with his client and understand what it is his client is looking to achieve in their build. “Clients are the single most important part of our business”. The first step in engaging Creative Works Constructions Pty Ltd to build on your behalf is meeting with the team and establishing what you, as the client, are hoping to achieve. Scott Facey, our owner and builder, can answer many of your questions during this meeting, and we can understand your lifestyle and how your new home/extension may fit into your life.

We have many resources within our team, which may include sitting down with our draftsperson and designing a house/extension to suit your lifestyle, engaging our interior designer to ensure your home has those finishing touches you require, or speaking with one of our many quality contractors to ensure that your every need is met. Once we have conducted a needs analysis and inspected your proposed site, we can then put together a detailed itemised quote within your budget and timeframe. Finally, a contract is drawn up once all par-

ties agree, and works can then commence. Rest assured, your project will be managed by our highly qualified team of Project Managers and our onsite supervisors. Thanks Scott.

the plug! For more information about Creative Works Constructions, contact Phone: (02) 6583 2264 Mobile: 0414 854 479 www.creativeworksconstructions.com.au

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Stock up now for all your turf supplies.

Careers That Care

Prepare your lawn for Summer The humble backyard is the breeding ground for sporting heroes globally. It is also a sacred place for people of all ages to escape the increasing demands of our fast paced modern world. So when one of your loved ones tell you this year that they want a ‘‘Buffalo’’ for Christmas – you can bet your boots it will be a Sir Walter Soft Leaf Buffalo lawn they are referring to on their list! If you like the sound of lazy summer days on a shagpile rug in your own backyard – then visit one of Earl’s regional landscape displays, located locally at Grow Lush Landscape Supplies, 2/2 Lindfield Park Rd, Port Macquarie. Bonny Hills Garden Centre, 1055 Ocean Dr, Bonny Hills or visit the Taree farm, 60 Levicks Lane, Taree. You will soon discover why more than 35 million square metres of Sir Walter has already been sold nationally! Phone 6551 5555 or check out earlsturf.com.au to place your order.

Do you have young people living at home who are interested in getting paid to study? School Based Traineeships have now been made easier with a locally funded support and mentoring program called Careers that Care. School Based Traineeships have long been recognised as an innovative way to combine paid work, school curriculum and vocational training. Careers that Care is specifically targeted at Community Services and Health Sector School Based Trainees. The program provides students with a personal Support Person who provides an individual and structured mentoring program throughout the first twelve months of the traineeships, which traditionally is the most likely time for attrition to occur. Parents are encouraged to use social media platforms to communicate directly with their young person’s mentor directly using Facebook and text messaging to talk about any questions they might have. Parents’ feedback is encouraged by completing anonymous surveys in survey monkey. Parents and guardians’ support is vital in supporting students to finish their Apprenticeship/Traineeship. The program was developed based on both student and employer feedback. Trainees have many competing demands, juggling school, work, a social life and rest. Careers that Care can be used to help with assessments, school work, motivation, communication and negotiation, even helping in the workplace to develop new skills. Careers that Care can support trainees undertaking Aged Care, Disability Services, Allied Health and Child Care. Additionally, Careers that Care can provide assistance with young people who are considered vulnerable and at risk. Mid Coast Connect has been working with local schools and businesses for many years. Careers that Care is funded through the Australian Apprenticeship Mentoring package and is facilitated by Connect Northern Rivers, Youth Directions and Mid Coast Connect. For more information, visit www.careersthatcare.net or contact Gabbie Beckley (02) 6551 5463 or 0447 788 993.

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WHEN IT COMES TO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT The McGrath team provides depth, knowledge, security... The McGrath network has earned its enviable reputation, at the pinnacle of the property services industry. Each and every McGrath oϞce, together with each and every McGrath client, beneÀts from state-of-the-art systems which have been developed by recognised experts in the business, and McGrath’s benchmark training programs continue to ensure that clients can reap real and lasting rewards from dealing with Australia’s most respected name in real estate. Nowhere is this more important than in protecting clients’ property investments. In Port Macquarie, the McGrath Property Management team oϝers depth and experience in their services, a broad-based knowledge of the local industry and the security of dealing with an eϞcient panel of qualiÀed experts who, by utilising McGrath’s proven systems, provide clients with premium returns and total peace of mind. There is no better investment protection, than McGrath Property Management.

....and a new TV in 2013 As a sign of appreciation to their loyal Property Management clients, the team at McGrath has decided to hold a draw and to reward one lucky landlord with a brand new Sharp 40 inch LCD television. The draw will take place on February 28th and will be open to all local McGrath Property Management clients who are active at that date, so why not contact McGrath Property Management today? Let them take away any and all concerns regarding your property investments and provide you with total peace of mind. Then, perhaps, you can take the time to relax and to enjoy a new TV in 2013.

McGrath Estate Agents 147 Gordon Street Port Macquarie T 6589 3777

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Call us for a quote for your new jetty or pontoon today.

Australian Solar Timber. Renovating? Old home or new, AST has the right hardwood for you ... When considering your flooring options, have you thought about the lasting beauty and durability of a solid hardwood timber floor? Australian Solar Timbers sources fully certified product from Forests NSW managed forests, using world’s best practice in sustainability. The recently released Finnish Study (Comparison of Selected Forests Certification Standards) compares forest certification schemes. It has assessed that NSW is at the pinnacle of forest management frameworks internationally and operates under some of the most rigorous standards in operation. Australian Solar Timbers combines traditional hand craftsmanship with modern manufacturing technology to capture the magnificent natural characteristics of Australian hardwood and can cater to all your hardwood requirements at surprisingly affordable prices. Add value and beauty to your home and give our friendly informed sales team, Mick and Wayne, a call for more information about AST’s stunning range of hardwood flooring options on (02) 6562 6839 or visit us at www.astfloors.com.au Australian Solar Timbers – affordable beauty that will last a lifetime!

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Awesome Window Tint. Your New’s Year wish For your home ... The view without the GLARE, To stop reflective glare. The light without squinting, Sunlight without UV damage. Save money with your heating and cooling. Cooling without blinds. No curtains; no dust. Daytime privacy. Adding safety to your glass Easy to clean; no chemicals. Environmentally friendly. Homes have a lifetime warranty. Commercial 12 year warranty. How can you (NOT) have a FREE measure and quote? UV rays are here all year round. Artworks and furnishings protected. Flooring lasts longer without sun damage. Call Pauline or Scott today: 0401 396 762 or 0410 039 471. Closed Christmas, Boxing and New Year's Day. We hope you had a happy Christmas and a cooler New Year.

Over 30 years in the industry. With over 30 years’ experience in the jetty industry, local company Tidemaster Jetties will design and build a top quality jetty or floating pontoon just right for you and ready for the long hot summer months ahead! In the Port Macquarie area alone, Tidemaster has installed over 90% of the existing jetties in canal developments and rivers. The highly skilled team offers advice and professional service from first contact right through to the finished jetty. The jetties are built in the local factory and then transported to your site. Council approval is hassle free, with full engineer’s specifications included. Offering flexibility in design and construction, the most popular product is the floating aluminium pontoon; constructed from Marine Grade Aluminium, it is guaranteed rust free and comes fitted with durable polypropolene floats and with your choice of either all-weather carpet or a timber deck. Phone Stephen on 0415 778 073 to obtain a quote for your new jetty or floating pontoon today! Or check out our website @ www.tidemasterjetties.com

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All round property success. Local property management specialist Terri Tipper, after recently establishing her own business, has taken the property management real estate industry in Port Macquarie to a whole new level. As most business owners are aware, referral business is the best compliment you can receive. In order to receive referrals, your product and service have to be better than your competitors and your attention to detail second to none. Terri says this formula has been one of the key ingredients which has built her new business so quickly. After working in the rental real estate industry for almost two decades, Terri Tipper understands that property investment is one of the most important financial decisions people will ever make. Her reputation and work ethic exceeds many investor expectations.

By focusing exclusively on property management services, including holiday management, Terri’s fresh approach aims to maximise rental returns and provide clients with a greater sense of security. When acting on behalf of property owners, Terri manages a property as though it is her own.

Brett and his wife, Tory, along with their twin boys were looking for that perfect home to build. After seeing G.J. Gardner's home and land packages advertised, they new it was exactly what they were after. Brett talks to us about how easy and uncomplicated building their dream home with G.J. Gardner was.

G.J. Gardner Homes

Terri’s experience, dedication and enthusiasm, combined with an in-depth knowledge of the Port Macquarie-Hastings rental real estate market, provide landlords and tenants with a level of service that is second to none. The team at All Round can also assist with all your financial service needs, such as superannuation, wealth creation, retirement planning, estate planning and money management, as well as offering home loan services and financing for residential or commercial investment properties.

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hat were the reagrade, and was this an easy process once sons behind building your decision had been made? Yes, we instead of buying? upgraded pretty much our whole kitchen and We had just had twin the vanity in the bathrooms; but in saying that, boys, so we needed there were parts where we downgraded, as we a home that ticked all the boxes, had a nice didn't really need them and had to keep in line big backyard, was family friendly, and the with our budget. We got there in the end, and plan that we picked through G.J. that's the main thing. Gardner definitely did that. Now that the house is comOnce we had chosen the plete, is it everything that house we liked, we sat We had visited me you wanted it to be? Yes, their display ho down with the staff and it is. We are quite comfortve near where we ha went through a few r he ot able with it. It is very famw fe a so built and al things that we wanted and , ea ar e ily friendly, and that's the th in es hom pressed to change, and they biggest thing we wanted we were really im rd of the went out of their way with the standa to achieve with our home. finishes..” and tried to fit that into It does everything we our budget. wanted it do, and we are

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We had visited their display home near where we have built and also a few other homes in the area, and we were really impressed with the standard of the finishes. How easy was it sticking to your budget with G.J. Gardner and their house and land packages? They worked well with the budget we had set. There are always going to be things you want done that push it over, but G.J. Gardner helped us go through areas where we could cut back on those things less important to us and added in the features that we did want in our new home. Did you go with standard inclusions or up106 greater port macquarie focus.

very happy living in it. What's the best part about your new home? Being in a new home! We have a large open area that opens out onto a fairly large outdoor area, and it's just great for the kids. What would you say to those who are looking to build with GJ Gardner? They are a name that has been around for a while; they are a very proven company with quality houses and reliable staff. The foreman, Ray was just great; I can't really say enough about him. He held everything together; any problems, and he would have them fixed straight away. Just amazing.

Landlords grow rich in their sleep Debbie Moore Real Estate has been operating for over 20 years in commercial and industrial real estate in Port Macquarie and the surrounding areas. With this wealth of experience in many aspects of real estate, Debbie and her team can provide an ideal first point of contact for all your real estate requirements. Debbie currently has available properties for lease ranging from 30 sq metres up to 1,000 sq metres, which include shops, offices, warehouses and distribution centres.

professional service in leasing and selling, they also offer a comprehensive service in planning, developing and construction of commercial and industrial complexes of all sizes. Located in the old Visitor Information Centre on the Corner of Gordon and Gore Street, Debbie Moore Real Estate is easy to find, has great parking and access and is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. “As an added service to our valued clients, we now offer the complete package, which

Debbie also has on offer a number of portfolio and development opportunities. Contact Debbie with your special requests and draw on her in-depth knowledge of the local market.

includes residential property management

Not only do they provide expert, reliable and

John Stuart Mill.

with the same knowledge, experience and professional service as is in our commercial division,� stated Debbie.

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focusinterview.

DAMIAN BENNIE

North coast Surf boat Series Teams of surf boat crews will contest Round 8 of the North Coast Surf Boat Series (NCSBS) at Bonny Hills on January 5. Damian Bennie, Surf Boat Captain for Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club, shares some history about the Series, which promises a day of action on our local waves …

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ow long have you been involved with Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club, and what is your role there? I have been a member of this surf club since 1995. My current role is the Surf Boat Captain, which means that I need to make sure that all our surf boats with associated equipment are kept in good repair and are ready for the use of members. I also liaise with the committee by attending monthly meetings. Where is your club based, and do you have many members? Tacking Point SLSC is located on Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie, which is a south facing beach that leads to some very large and dangerous surf for swimmers from time to time. I’d have check with the registrar for the exact numbers, but you only have to call in on a Sunday morning to see how many Nippers are running around on the beach! We also have a large group of U19 competitors training with Dave Rickwood in a higher performance squad who compete at carnivals up and down the coast. What is the North Coast Surf Boat Series? The North Coast Surf Boat Premiership was first proposed circa '93 - '94. It was the brainchild of Greg ‘Whale’ Coleman from South West Rocks. Whale contacted Michael ‘Cactus’ Moran from Macksville Scotts Head about how they’d go about starting the series, and it snowballed from there. They contacted representatives from Clubs as far south as Pacific Palms and all the way up to Cudgen. The series has had Clubs from Pacific 108 greater port macquarie focus.

k Palms, Forster, Cape Hawke, Black How many competitors are you expecting Head, Taree Old Bar, Crowdy Head, Crescent will compete on the day, and what clubs Head, Hat Head, South West Rocks, will entrants be representing? Macksville Scotts Head, Nambucca Heads, Approximately 45 - 50 crews (5 in a crew) Sawtell, North Beach, Urunga, Coffs Harbour, will race over the weekend. These will be from Woolgoolga, Red Rock Corindi, Yamba, Minnie Waters, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Cudgen, competing on a regular basis over Crescent Head, Red Rock Corindi, Macksville the years. Scotts Head, South West Rocks, Tacking Point, There have been a number of crews from Wauchope Bonny Hills, Forster, Cape Hawke, the NCSS that have won medals at and Port Macquarie. Country, State and Australian What exactly is involved Championships in both with each race ... how Open and Masters many individuals will NCSBS' aim is to life Divisions − Forster there be in each rf promote the su well Masters being one of as t team, and over what en saving movem mponent co the successful clubs. g tin distance will they or as the sp petition. m co at Since 2008, they have bo rf have to row? su of n achieved bronze, At the Australia there are Each boat has a Championships,petitors silver and gold at crew of 5, male or over 4,000 com boat State Championships female, made up of 4 rf su alone in the and bronze and rowers and a Sweep at .” events silver at Australian the stern, who steers the Championships.They are still boat. after the Holy Grail of surf life Crews row out to colour saving, being a gold medal at the coded buoys, set at approximately Australian Championships. 400 metres out to sea. When they The series was also a leader in having reach them, each crew turns around their a women’s division, Blackhead being the designated buoy. On their way back to the inaugural winners in the 1994 - 95 season. beach, each crew goes past a second set of Round 8 of the series will take place at buoys called gate cans, which are used to Bonny Hills on January 5. Where exactly spread out the crews. If they do not navigate will the event take place and what time the correct sequence of buoys, they are will it kick off? disqualified. Testing ocean conditions can The ‘Carnival’, as we call it in the Surf Club make this a difficult job, leading to rollovers world, will take place at the main beach at and other problems, especially when catching Bonny Hills, half way between Port Macquarie waves. and Laurieton in NSW. All crews rowing will The main action both for spectators and meet at the Bonny Hills Surf Club starting participants is when crews are negotiating the from about 8am, with racing commencing at surf. 10am. Surf boats have long been involved in

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Australia’s surf life saving movement, having been used extensively in many ocean rescue missions. How much of a part do these craft play in our local waters – are they used extensively for rescue these days, or more for competition? Surf boat rowing is an iconic part of surf life saving. The original surf boat design came from the whaling boat and also has a historic connection with the landing craft used in WW1. They had a surf reel built into the bow of the boat that was used by the crew as a rescue device; however, with the invention of the inflatable rescue boat (or IRB), surf boats are no longer used for rescue and are only used in competition. What do you see as being the main aim of the North Coast Surf Boat Series? NCSBS’ aim is to promote the surf life saving movement as well as the sporting component of surf boat competition. At the Australian Championships, there are over 4,000 competitors alone in the surf boat events. The image of the Aussie surf life saver is undeniably iconic, and the surf boat competitions add to the visible interaction with the public; also, the education and development of new and existing members is continuous. Who can readers contact if they’re interested in learning more about the event at Bonny Hills, or the club? For any information regarding the Series, please contact Damian Bennie, Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club Surf Boat Captain on 0427 821 581 or email the club at: tpslsc@ ecopost.com.au Thanks Damian. Interview by Jo Atkins.

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focus

motoring.

‘The The Smug Smug’ g

The Smug returns for another candid appraisal in test driving the BMW 1 Series (F20) M135i courtesy of McGuigan BMW Port Macquarie. Three letters came to mind when I pressed the start button of the M135i, and they weren’t BM&W ... rather – OMG!

I

was fully expecting a hoity-toity champagne experience, given its classy exterior style and luxuriously appointed interior, but was blown away by the ballsy and gravelly V8-like growl that came from under the hood. To put this one in perspective, one of the main competitors of this particular BMW offering is the Subaru Impreza WRX Sti and closely followed by the Audi S3 Sportback. Some very sporty options indeed. The M135i had some serious work to do to impress during this test drive, with me having already test-driven the afore-mentioned WRX, but I was quietly confident it could make the grade with its TwinPower Turbo engine. I must admit that I let out a bit of a chuckle when my head threw back into the headrest after I gave it a bit of a squirt to get it up to speed. I certainly wasn’t expecting so much punch and grip, and it caught me a bit by surprise. Upon consulting the trusty spec sheets, I noted that the M135i has a stunning 235 kW of output, 450 Nm of torque and can achieve the standing start to 100 km/h in a very impressive 4.9 seconds. I started the session with a few laps of the CBD to get a feel for how useful this power and acceleration would be in and out of traffic. It did take a little bit to keep control of my accelerator-foot, but I eventually mastered a smooth cruising altitude. Parking was a breeze, with the M135i standard feature of Variable Sport Steering, which is as a kind of turbo-powered power steering, increasing the steering angle by up to 25% and ultimately making those tight parks a sinch. If you’re still struggling with spacial awareness, this one comes with front and rear parking assistance and certainly lets you know when you’re within kissing distance of anything you shouldn’t be. There’s no doubting that the form of the M135i exterior is stylish and whilst cruising around town, I certainly turned plenty of heads from both men and

110 greater port macquarie focus.

images, map display north upwards, arrow pointers women, which gave me a bit of a complex, but I’m sure and a very reasonable 1280 x 480 pixel resolution the inquisitiveness was more for the car than anything I screen for crystal clear imaging. could personally offer. This vehicle also comes standard with its very own Once out on the open road, it was certainly an cinema-style surround sound in the form of the HiFi exciting drive and of course, I had to test out the 4.9 Loudspeaker System. There are speakers and tweeters seconds from zero to 100 km/h theory. In short, I can (nothing to do with people using Twitter) everywhere, confirm that this statistic is a dead-set certainty – twice. with an amazing twelve speakers in total. The handling and body balance was as Selecting tracks from my iPod was easy good as anything I’d experienced, through Bluetooth (or USB if preferred) particularly with the longer connectivity, and Accidentally Kelly winding bends that levelled Street by Frente has never sounded out really well due to the I must admit that I let out a bit of a so good – allegedly. well designed variable sport y head chuckle when mthe Even though the M135i comes steering feature. Check the threw back into ve it with more standard features than specs sheet for more on ga I r te af headrest get it most other vehicles’ ‘upgraded’ that one in particular. a bit of a squirt tortainly ce I d. versions, there’s plenty of room to The 18” rims with Highup to spee g so sprinkle your flavour on this one. Grip Technology specific wasn’t expectin d grip, much punch an a bit by The paint colours, upholstery tyres really stuck to the and it caught me and interior trims can all be hand road like glue and certainly surprise.” picked with both metallic and nondid reduce the braking metallic finishes for the paintwork or distance. your choice of black, oyster or red leather Taking a look at the very sporty upholstery. interior in more detail, there’s plenty of I’m guessing that if you have the coin handy fun going on in here. to take home your very own BMW M135i, you’d The use of LED lights are a feature in this probably not be too fussed on the fuel efficiency and interior, with more individual globes than a fully cash savings to be had there – but it’s noteworthy all laden Christmas tree. They’re all in very practical and the same. With 8.0 L/100 km for the manual mode useful locations though, including the dash of course, or 7.5 L/100 km for letting the car do its thing in door handles, exit lights, foot-wells and front and rear automatic, the fuel economy is right up there with reading lights. There’s also the optional sunroof for anything else on the market. maximum lighting on those clear sunny days. There are plenty more surprises to this one that I The very large 8.8” in dash display screen really don’t have the space to write about today, but I’d assists with HiFi system navigation, which is easily suggest that if your New Year’s resolution was to controlled by a stylish iDrive controller (turn dial) splash out and upgrade the chariot with something conveniently located right next to the driver’s left hand a little more exciting and luxurious but is something armrest. The standard feature Navigation System that’s not going to break the bank, then this one is Professional (609) includes 3D view and satellite well worthy of your consideration.

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AWARDED

HIA PROFESSIONAL MAJOR BUILDER

4TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

HOMES PRICED FROM

$136,400

*

STYLISH HOMES FOR

COAST OR COUNTRY When you live on the stunning Mid North Coast, you want a home that matches your lifestyle and individual needs.

STYLISH DISPLAY HOMES NOW OPEN Sovereign Hills Port Macquarie Ph: 0409 882 108. Oxley Highway, Turn at the McDonalds Roundabout.

At McDonald Jones, we’re focussed on creating functional designs that both embraces our wonderful climate and enhances the way you live. Our leading architect, Stuart Everitt, has designed award-winning homes which are ideally suited to coastal or country living, be it your first home or a grand acreage manor.

HOME AND LAND PACKAGE SOLUTIONS

With stunning contemporary architecture, gourmet kitchens with butlers pantry, private retreats and spacious alfresco living areas, a McDonald Jones home has everything you’re looking for.

Searching for a package that fits your budget and preferred location? Talk to our house and land specialist Ph: 0418 745 396. Cnr Horton and Hayward Streets, Port Macquarie.

We invite you to take a stroll through our stunning Sovereign Hill display homes and discover the McDonald Jones difference. NOW BUILDING ACROSS THE MID NORTH COAST including Port Macquarie, Great Lakes, Manning Valley and Coffs Harbour

Call for your free DVD / Brochures / Price List

Ph: 1300 555 382

www.mcdonaldjoneshomes.com.au

+Conditions apply. * Prices for homes in the GenOne range start from $136,400 for the GenOne Hamilton design. Specific prices of these products are available on our price list available at our display offices. The photographs of interiors may be from another McDonald Jones design range. Photographs shown here depict fixtures, finishes and features not supplied by McDonald Jones such as landscaping, alfresco decking, fencing, driveways, swimming pools and furnishings. Accordingly, the published prices do not include the supply of any of these items. The photo may also depict optional variations to the standard home which incur additional charges. Prices listed here do not include site costs. Additional material delivery costs may apply to some building areas. For detailed home pricing, please talk to one of our consultants. Newcastle Quality Constructions Pty Ltd ABN 82 003 687 232, Builders Licence Number 41628, MJH0452FOCUS T/A McDonald Jones Homes. Architect Reg No: 4234

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it’s ok to dream.

Imagine your home in Port Macquarie.

Homes designed around you.

Visit us today.

+ Award winning plans customised to your needs,

15 Ocean Drive, Port Macquarie

budget and lifestyle + Mix and match quality fixtures and fittings

Or our Display Home at: 6 Currawong Drive, Oxley Park

+ ‘Small builder’ flexibility with ‘big builder’ savings Opening times:

Visit our display home today and imagine your dreams come true. Contact us on 6584 5116 or visit gjgardner.com.au/nsw Photographs may depict fixtures, finishes and features not supplied by G.J. Gardner Homes. These items include landscaping – including planter boxes, retaining walls, water features, pergolas, screens and decorative landscaping items such as fencing and outdoor kitchens and barbecues. Narsza Pty Ltd. BL: 72890C.

Thurs: 1 – 3pm, Fri: 1 – 4pm and Sat: 12 – 3pm