Greater Port Macquarie i94

Feature Story GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

September 2013 // issue 94

Claire Scobie

editor's note.

(02) 6581 8888 I glasshouse.org.au Cnr Clarence & Hay Sts, Port Macquarie

IN THE THEATRE CHEEK TO CHIC Cheek to Chic... Noel Coward and Cole Porter’s witty words and musical gems sparkle in this original production. Packed with magnificent melodies and irreverent humour this is one ‘swellegant, elegant... marvellous party you won’t want to miss!

Monday 9 September, 11am Tickets: $24 Adult, $20 Glasshouse Members, $20 Groups 6+

editor.

Y from the

jay beaumont.

KATHY TEMIN: BLACK GARDENS

Welcome to the September issue of Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS. ou might be thinking this month that we found a model to help promote this year’s Port Macquarie Cup Fashions on the Field, but no, our September cover girl is local jockey, Cassandra Schmidt. A big thank you to Cassie for being our cover model and to her sister, Priscilla, for joining her in the story of their riding success and to showcase local fashion for our lead up to the Spring Racing Carnival. We also would like to thank the Prosser brothers for allowing us to use their stables and one of their beautiful horses. A special thanks to The Department Store and elements of design, Wauchope.

FOCUS is again pleased to be presenting the Fashions on the Field event for the races – so get out, shop local and make sure you are ready, as there is over $6,000 in prizes, thanks to Settlement City Shopping Centre!

BUSINESS AWARDS – HALL OF FAME For the last 6 years, FOCUS has been very honoured to win 7 awards, voted by our peers in the Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards. In 2013 we will now be inducted into the HALL OF FAME. To be recognised at this level in the business community is a huge

contacts.

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

ADDRESS: 4/74 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444 PHONE: 02 6584 7433 FAX: 02 6584 6733 WEB: www.focusmag.com.au TV: www.focustv.com.au Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers or Editor. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders. Information appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at the time of going to press however no liability will be held for inaccurate information approved or supplied by advertisers or contributors.

While all care is taken it is recommended that readers confirm dates, times, prices and any other material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. Greater Port Macquarie Focus is produced and published by Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 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.

IN THE GALLERY — FREE

honour. We would like to thank those who continue to support us each and every month.

Congratulations to all this year’s nominees – we look forward to celebrating the big night on September 6 at Panthers!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Exciting times ahead for the region, as we move into the warmer months, with Tastings on Hastings, Festival of the Sun, the Business Awards, and loads of local entertainment.

We try to select the best stories to cover each month, and we hope you enjoy the lineup of interviews we have, including: Three’s Company; local racehorse trainers Colt and Dustin Prosser; artist Lisa Evans; Emma Siossian and Nyree Pryce – to name just a few!

FINAL QUOTE Who was the first to see a cow and think “I wonder what will happen if I squeeze these dangly things and drink whatever comes out?”— Unknown

Jay Beaumont – Editor jay@focusmag.com.au

EDITOR: Jay Beaumont

Temin’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. This viewing experience shifts between confronting and contemplative in order to explore ideas related to memory, history and loss.

Kathy Temin, Black Gardens, 2013 (detail), wood, steel, synthetic fur and filling, 227 × 158 × 370cm.

Image courtesy the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 gallery, Sydney.

DANIEL BOYD: A DARKER SHADE OF DARK A Darker Shade of Dark is a video projection of mesmerising coloured dot patterns featuring a dreamlike cosmic soundtrack.

Daniel Boyd, A Darker Shade of Dark #1-4, 2012 (detail), HD video, 16:9 with sound, 4 channel video installation, duration approx. 20 minutes each video. Sound: Ryan Grieve. Courtesy of the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.

HOLIDAY FUN Don’t miss our fabulous Holiday Fun workshops for kids aged 6 months to 12 years this school holidays.

25 September - 4 October See glasshouse.org.au for details!

COMING UP… BLUE GRASSY KNOLL Friday 25 October, 7.30pm The most unusual, fun and unforgettable night at the movies you will ever have!

Be mesmerised and in tears of laughter as internationally acclaimed Blue Grassy Knoll plays the soundtrack and all sound effects for Buster Keaton’s The General, live on stage, taking their cues from the action on screen – and the audience itself!

jay@focusmag.com.au

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

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

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Marchment michael@focusmag.com.au

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

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

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

MID YEAR GLASSHOUSE MEMBERSHIPS! The Glasshouse is offering part-year memberships, valid until January 2014 so it’s not too late to enjoy discounts, early bird buying periods and 20% discount in the Glasshouse Shop!

Membership: $20 adult, $17.50 concession, $15 under21/student

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

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

TRAVEL EDITOR: Susie Boswell winwin@portpr.com

COME & TRY OUR NEW SPRING MENU! NEW BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER MENUS Great food | Great coffee | Every day

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

of the

Ground Floor @ Glasshouse T. 6584 3677 The Glasshouse is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW

manning-great lakes focus 3

focusinterview.

C L A I R E S C O B I E

hat first attracted you to writing?

I’m not sure I can give you an exact time, but ever since I was young I was always writing stories, and I was always an avid reader. I started writing a diary when I was about 9, and I kept this up very religiously for many years. Then I set up a local community neighbourhood newspaper when I was about 13, which was a way to get news – I thought it was an interesting way to get to know the neighbours in England. I think I’ve just always been doing it … me and pen and paper have never been separated!

Was entering the field of journalism a conscious decision … or more of an extension of your love of writing?

It was a conscious decision. I started doing a lot of student journalism, so I really went into journalism through that. I got a job at the Saturday Telegraph Magazine in London not long after graduating. I started off there as a researcher, then I was given more articles to write – and it grew from there.

You’ve also worked in India … how did this experience come about?

I actually went to India on a holiday in ’96, when I was 24, and I loved it. I was working at the Telegraph and I had a really good job, but I has this romantic idea, I suppose, of wanting to go and work for a newspaper in India. I picked the Cochin Times, and that didn’t actually happen – but I decided I just wanted to combine writing with travel. So I moved to Delhi and started my freelance career there, sending stories to the UK broadsheets from India.

What were some of the challenged associated with living and working in India … language barriers, cultural difficulties, for example? All of the above, and also in some ways it was trying to get the right stories. There are so many stories in a place like India, but it was trying to get the right stories that would work for a UK audience. So I did spend quite a lot of time chasing stories that were phantoms – but at the same time, it was like following breadcrumbs; I’d do one story, and that would lead me to the next

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Claire Scobie, a journalist and author who has spent her working life divided between the UK, India and Australia, will be visiting the area to host some creative writing workshops and other literary events this month. Claire’s first novel, The Pagoda Tree, was released earlier this year – an amazing story set in India of the 1760s, when British power was coming to the fore.

one. Certainly I found the Indian photographers and journalists and press people were incredibly generous, and they were very supportive and they’d give me things to follow or put me in contact with the right people.

You appear to have developed a love for Tibet while you were in India as well – considering you’ve visited there at least 7 times?

I first went to Tibet as a journalist with a botanical expedition in search of a rare red lily – that was when I was still working for the Telegraph Magazine. I didn’t expect to have this incredible passion for the country when I first went, but there is something so unique about Tibet … I think it’s the Himalayas, the people … it really grabbed me. After that first trip, I went back and met a Tibetan nun, who I call ‘Annie’.

My developing friendship with her, which I talk about in my memoirs, and also the country itself and the plight of the people – I found myself incredibly moved by what they’re going through.

The memoirs you mentioned, the book you wrote based on these experiences, is Last Seen in Lhasa. How much time, effort and research went into creating this work?

A lot of time and effort – partly because, as you said, I went there 7 times, so there was that time involved and also the emotional involvement. But also, I’m someone who really likes to try and understand something before I write about it. I didn’t actually know I was writing a book for the first few trips to Tibet, so I didn’t go with that intention … but once I knew that that was what I was doing, I also spent quite a lot of time in Dharamsala with the Dalai Lama and did a lot of interviews and research with Tibetans.

So, many years, on and off …

You’ve now moved on to write your first novel, or work of fiction. What was the decision-making process here, as you’d only previously written non-fiction works?

Originally I thought it was going to be a nonfiction work about the temple dancers, but then with the research I did, I realised there was very little written information about them, because it didn’t exist in the archives. If you don’t have

sources, it’s pretty hard to write non-fiction.

I’d always wanted to write fiction, and this story really compelled me … who were these women, what was their journey in this extraordinary world I was uncovering … So I decided for the story’s sake, I needed to write it as fiction.

So, introduce us to Maya – the heroine in The Pagoda Tree? The heroine is a young girl called Maya who was destined by birth to be a temple dancer, or a devadasi and there was a great expectation that she would become famous, or even a royal courtesan for the prince at the time. These temple dancers often became the lady on the arm of the prince or the leading land owners of the day.

But then tragedy strikes the family and the city is invaded by the British, so she’s faced with this really tough decision about what to do – ad she leaves her ancestral home. It’s sort of a coming of age story about this young girl, and it’s set in a time of transition, when India was on the cusp of change.

To me, what’s really interesting about these women is they embody both the sensual and the sacred in their vocation as temple dancers, and it’s that difference between the two and their relations with men that was very rich material for the novel. It’s quite different to anything we know in the West; the closest equivalent would

be the Geishas, except that because of their connection with the temples, it makes them very unique.

Thanks Claire. See the trailer for The Pagoda Tree at: http://www.youtube.com/ embed/4TSufE76Mw4 Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug!

See Claire Scobie at the following venues: 20

Friday 20 September Writing workshop 2 - 5pm at Camden Head Pilot Station in the boathouse: Writing about Place; Writing about People.

Meet the author gathering and book signing of The Pagoda Tree at Laurieton Library: 6.30 - 7.30pm.

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Saturday 21 September Brunch at Kylie’s Hut:11am - 12.30pm.

Writing workshop at Camden Head Pilot Station in the boathouse 1.30 - 4.30pm: Evening literary dinner with Claire Scobie at Wauchope Arts: 7pm.

Bookings are required to attend the workshops: call the Camden Haven Community College: 6559 6699 and the literary dinner at Wauchope Arts: call Krissa on 0429 854 733.

inside this

Issue 94 - September 2013 Lisa Evans.

12.

Lisa Evans uses bright colours and Aboriginal dot art to transform small wooden surfboards into vibrant pieces of wall art. Each piece Lisa creates is a one-off, unique design, with many of her creations also telling a story ...

Three’s Company

20.

Since 2003, Three’s Company has been entertaining locals with the songs of the ’50s,’60s and ’70s. The trio comprises the talented Robbie Butler, Dave Parker and Jeff McCormack.

Grace Church.

69.

A team from Grace Church: Jacob Nocelli, Jakayla Reid, Dan Wilberforce, Leah Doeland, Ellie Morgan and Todd Murray went to Africa to raise awareness and support for various ministries in Zimbabwe.

15. Whores 4 Pinot 16. Hello Koalas 67. WASCALS 78. Nyree Pryce 82. i-Kew 100. Port Motor Mania

usual suspects.

the

10. what’s on for September 28. eat featuring local restaurants 37. social scene with Kate Wood-Foye 38. palate pleasures with Lou Perri 64. travel with Susie Boswell 65. tourism with Janette Hyde 79. starguide with Terri 89. port chamber update with Hadyn Oriti 91. landcare with Estelle Gough 91. real estate with Gregg Trembath

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

www.focusmag.com.au follow us on www.facebook.com/focus.mag www.twitter.com/focusmag www.focusmag.com.au/eat greater port macquarie focus 5

Sisters Priscilla and Cassie Schmidt lead a lifestyle that would seem completely foreign to most young women. 4am starts and late finishes 6 days a week, and a gruelling mental and physical regimen help ensure these talented jockeys’ continued success while wearing their racing silks ...

W

hat made you decide to become a jockey?

Priscilla: As kids we grew up in the racing industry, but at first I didn't really have any interest in it at all.

I went off to be a flight attendant because that was my childhood dream, but I found I needed a bit of a challenge in my life. Because I had done a lot of riding as a kid, I thought I would give the jockey profession a crack.

Cassie: Our family has always been involved in the racing industry, so as kids we were always around it. I was always told I was too big to be a jockey, but I used to ride track work so I thought I may as well see if I could get my weight down to give it a go.

Tell us about your family. What was your childhood like growing up in the racing scene?

Priscilla: No one really understands what it’s like unless you grow up in a racing family. It's a 7-day-a-week job. Early mornings and late days, Mum and Dad were generally at the races a lot of the time so we couldn't really play sport on Saturdays growing up, because of their busy weekend schedule. It wasn't easy, but we got through and enjoyed it, and we were able to get into riding. Had our parents not had their own business, we probably wouldn't have been doing that either, so it's had its ups and downs and pros and cons.

When did you start your apprenticeship?

Priscilla: I started my apprenticeship with my Dad, Dwayne Schmidt, in 2009. I had my first ride at Lismore.

Cassie: I started my apprenticeship with Glen Hodge, my grandfather, at Port Macquarie. I had my first ride on Boxing Day 2011.

Who have been some of your mentors along the way?

Priscilla: Probably our dad, Dwayne Schmidt.

Kathy O’Hara, because she is a female and has made it and won a Group 1 as a female, which is a big achievement and Blake Shinn, because I like the way he rides.

Cassie: Obviously my dad as well, and my sister, Priscilla, because she has been through war and back and still keeps going.

Describe a typical riding day ...

Cassie: We are up at 4am riding track work, finishing depending on what time we have to leave for the race venue. Once we are there, we ride all day, and usually get home quite late and start it all again the next day.

Priscilla: We ride track work six days a week, Monday to Saturday. Any days that we aren't at the races, we are at the stables with Dad’s horses, preparing them. But because Cassie and I ride so much, the majority of our weeks and days are spent at the races, or in the car!

Who are some of your role models?

Favourite jockey?

Cassie: I love Corey Bryan, and obviously Kathy O'Hara as well, because she is a female who has made it in Sydney with the big guns.

What have been some of the highlights of your career so far?

Priscilla: My biggest win was at the Gold Coast, a $100,000 Sky Channel 2 race; that was not long after I came back from my latest injury, so it was a big achievement of mine in May 2013.

Cassie: This year I won the NSW Apprentice of the Year, Country Apprentice of the Year, and also won the Northern Rivers Jockey and Apprentice Premiership. I was the first female rider to ever beat the jockeys in the premiership, so that was a big achievement for me.

Pros and cons of racing?

Priscilla: My apprenticeship started four years ago come November this year, and I have broken nine bones and spent half of my

y I have been luck a in e rid to gh enou st ju e w t Group 3 race, bu be to ue in want to cont keep riding successful and n’t really winners. We do in mind, ce ra g bi have one your I suppose to win hich is w p, cu hometown ld be a bit Port for us, wou ue.” tr e m of a dream co

“

apprenticeship on the sideline; I have only managed to ride for two and a half years out of the four. That is obviously not the best aspect of the profession, but you don't get into this job not knowing the consequences.

The amount of horses I get on, injury just comes with the nature of the job really. The reason you keep getting back on is because you love it; you don't do this job for any other reason. It really is more a lifestyle than a job.

Cassie: The hard part for me is keeping in form and keeping up with an intense training regime, which is an essential part of a career in racing. I do track work every day, and have to keep a strict diet and lifestyle. No going out and partying like normal 20 year olds!

What is the racing culture like for females in the industry; is there a lot of support for the ladies these days?

Priscilla: The times are definitely changing; the female to male ratio is changing. As the generation is getting on, the females are getting lighter and that is one of the reasons we are getting more coming through. I think a lot of

the old-fashioned trainers are becoming more understanding of that and giving the girls an opportunity. It is an even playing field now and it is opening up a lot of opportunities. With the likes of Cathy O'Hara, Clare Lindop and Michelle Payne being successful at the highest level, it is definitely opening up more opportunities for female apprentices coming through.

What is your dream event to race at?

Priscilla: I have been lucky enough to ride in a Group 3 race, but we just want to continue to be successful and keep riding winners. We don't really have one big race in mind; I suppose to win your hometown cup, which is Port for us, would be a bit of a dream come true.

Who would you like to thank?

Priscilla: We would like to really thank our family. This career is so physically and mentally demanding, we wouldn't be where we are today without them. They have been our biggest supporters, through the good and the bad.

Thanks Priscilla and Cassie. greater port macquarie focus 7

focusinterview.

SAM DALTON

C L I M B I N G

L O CA L A DV E N T U R E R SA M DA LTON I S J UST BAC K F ROM A T R I P TO N E W Z E A L A N D C L I M B I NG WAT E R FA L L S A N D ST E E P I C E R E G I O N S.

ow did you start iceclimbing, and what’s the attraction?

From exploring the family farm to rock climbing in the Blue Mountains, I’ve always had a fascination with mountains and adventure. My first taste of ice climbing was in 2005 in Switzerland while travelling with my wife, but my interest in mountaineering dates back to my early teens.

In more recent years I’ve been able to start preparing for more regular Alpine trips, and the short flight across the Tasman means it’s very doable.

How do you train for a sport like ice climbing, and does the weather play a big part?

Unfortunately I don’t follow a rigorous training regime; my busy work/travel commitments inhibits my ability to train as much as I’d like. However, I’ve managed to make a successful career out of instructing industrial and rescue disciplines and rope access, so I get plenty of time climbing and working hands on with gear.

The rest is weekend rock-climbing with my daughter and mates, pack hikes and the odd soft sand run. Yes, the weather is key, and unfortunately climbing in New Zealand is renowned as being erratic at the best.

A few weeks back a climbing colleague had flown in a week earlier than me to summit two renowned South Island peaks and ended

8 greater port macquarie focus.

up spending the week in the indoor climbing gym. We arrived a week later in the chopper to find our entire camp had been blown away by 130 km an hour winds – a very cold first night at minus 5 in our tent before our sleeping mats and accessories arrived.

I have total confidence in my climbing buddy and the gear we use; there really is no substitute for quality gear when it comes to alpine pursuits. The warmer and drier you are, the more you can concentrate on climbing and not be constantly reminded of the cold.

I also spend a lot of time researching new technology. Luckily my real job involves a lot of gear, and staying current is key to work and play. So, I’m pretty well across new techniques, which enables me to stay physically and mentally confident on ice/rock.

A solid background in the outdoors as a professional guide and instructing climbing disciplines means I’m pretty at home on ice and at height – but I try not to get complacent, because ice is very temperamental. You can hazard a guess and totally muff a move, or you can make an educated guess and ... booyah; it held!

Placing gear in ice is a bit like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get next … someone said that ...

It looks like a lot of preparation and equipment. How far in advance do you plan a trip?

Any alpine sport is equipment intensive,

and planning generally starts a few months and solid local knowledge is critical. in advance. I tend to train harder in the leadI also have a very capable climbing partner up to the trip, and there’s a lot of time and who is a professional yacht racer, so not energy in sourcing support. adverse to risk, but we work well as a team I’ve made some great friends whom I and both being fathers, have respect for the respect over a decade in the adventure outdoors. industry and have been offered What trips are you planning to a lot of support from do next? quality manufacturers I’m currently working er and distributors; minor th ea w e towards a trip to Denver, th ... sponsorship and is key, and Colorado. The annual pro-deals make it all Ouray Ice Festival is held unfortunately possible, and it gives climbing in New every January at the start d wne them an opportunity to Zealand is reno of the season and is an at trial new gear for them as being erratic unreal place to cut my best .” infield – works for me! teeth on some different You mentioned rock climbs. The region boasts climbing. How does ice over 200 climbs approximately a climbing differ? brisk 15 minute walk from the town Alpine climbing is much like rock centre, so is an absolutely epic place to visit climbing, in that there are many different and holiday – plenty for the kids and my wife genres. I have a newfound passion for mixed to do too! climbing, which combines rock and ice Following that, I’d like to visit Japan – techniques. largely unrecognised as an iceclimbing mecca.

I use a combination of ice climbing gear The Japanese have an amazing fascination and rock climbing gear – the ropes are much with waterfalls, so there are plenty of guide the same, but we use different hardware, books on waterfalls, and it’s is just a matter including picks and crampons. of tapping in on some local knowledge and How dangerous is ice climbing ? fingers crossed, the conditions are suitable.

Like any sport, there’s a lot of the assumed Sadly with the acutely obvious presence of risk and a little of the unforeseen. I’ve made global warming, there are actually less places a career in the outdoors and working at to climb. heights, so I’m completely confident that Thanks Sam. smart pre-trip planning, weather forecasting

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A RR OO UU NN DD TTHHE E R RE EG G J E U PL TY E M B E R A I OI O N N/ // / S

2 0 1 3

KRAP, it’s on again!

K Th Kundabung Regional Art Prize (KRAP) and Market is The on again! The art prize is now worth $300! There will be o something for everyone on the day, including: coffee and so cakes, sausage sandwiches, steak sandwiches and some of the ca best produce in the area, as well as art demonstrations, music, be and kids activities. an

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Six degrees of Degustation Six chefs, six courses, six wines – one night only!Enjoy live entertainment and premium regional produce.

When 9am on Sunday 22 September 2013 for a great day out!

W Where Kundabung Community Hall.

W Stall sites are $10. Contact Leigh Carnsew on 6561 5198 or St stewlei@bigpond.net.au st

Bookings contact Kate Wood-Foye on 6589 2811 or email kate_woodfoye@rydges.com When Friday 20 September, 7pm.

Cost $125pp Where Rydges, Port Macquarie.

Nicole Alexander Best-selling Australian storyteller Nicole Alexander will be at Port Macquarie Library to celebrate her new book, Sunset Ridge. Nicole’s earlier novels have been praised as Australian sagas rich with historical detail and authenticity based on her rural life experience in NW New South Wales on her family’s historic property. A passionate writer, with over 20 years’ experience, her fiction, poetry and travel writing have been published in Australia and internationally.

Where Port Macquarie Library.

When 6.30pm - 9pm, Tuesday 10 September 2013.

Free entry Wine and cheese and refreshments will be provided.

RSVP To the library on 6581 8755 or on the library website.

more information

25 The Great Gatsby Dinner Dance In support of Australia Rotary Health – proceeds go to research of mental illness.

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When Friday 25 October 2013.

Doors Open 6.30pm for 7pm start. Cost $50pp – 3 course meal. Where Port Macquarie Panthers Auditorium. Dress 1920s style.

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

A COMPLETE DAY OUT AT THE GLASSHOUSE THE FESTIVAL’S FUNNIEST COMEDIANS IN ONE UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT

Indulge

In a leisurely LUNCH Buy one main course

GET ONE FREE* Open for

Dinner Tuesday - Saturday Lunch Friday - Sunday

FRI 13 SEPT GLASSHOUSE PORT MACQUARIEE TO BOOK CALL 6581 8888 OR ONLINE AT GLASSHOUSE.ORG.AU

glasshouse.org.au l 10 greater port macquarie focus.

*Offer valid from 6/9/13 for a limited time. Not available Father’s Day 1/9/13. Main meal purchase from ala carte menu Friday - Sunday lunch only. Free main meal to same or lesser value. No further discounts apply.

BOOK NOW: 02 6584 3677 I LEVEL 2 @ GLASSHOUSE Cnr Clarence & Hay Sts, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444

focusinterview.

Prowl or over 30 years you have been ‘on the prowl’, to play on the band’s name – tell us about the early days and how you got together?

On the Prowl had its origins in a band called Ol’ 55, and Ol’ 55 had a big hit in the '70s with a song called On The Prowl. It (the band) was put together by the fella who wrote that and Rockpile Jones, who was one of the singers in Ol’ 55.

I joined the band about 20 years ago, but I had previously been involved with Ol’ 55, as I knew them and played with them a few times; and then it just carried on from there. It become a different version of Ol’ 55, that branded out into being a parties cover/Rock ‘n’ Roll band. What we took from Ol’ 55 was it was a very vocal group; we carried on the tradition, as there have always been four singers in the band and we always built on the harmony. We loved all the old harmony groups, and we have always tried to carry that on.

When you did get together, what did you aspire for the band to be?

Well, we just wanted to carry on playing the songs that we loved and bringing that out to the people. We didn't have any aspirations of being world famous, as we had already sort of had a go at that anyway.

So what types of bands did you look up to?

As I said, we all loved the harmony groups – the Dion and the Belmonts and the other penguin groups.

As far as Australian groups go, we were very much influenced by Daddy Cool.

What do fans love about On The Prowl ... what

has kept them following you for so many years?

I think one the things that On The Prowl does really well is that we don't try to copy the old songs; we don't try to be true to the record. I think one of the reasons is that if those bands were around today, they wouldn’t be doing the songs the same and true to the record either; they would be developing them.

I think that is one of our strengths – we know a diverse range of material, and we kind of make it our own. We take the songs, take the chords and take the vocals and make it our own – and put our own kind of stamp on it.

So what are some of your favourite songs to perform?

We still like the Ol’ 55 songs like On The Prowl, and Looking for an Echo and Get a Job, that Ol’ 55 used to do a cover of. We like the Old Buddy Holly songs, but we also like doing some of the more ‘60s things like The Beatles and The Monkees songs and even up to the ‘70s, as we do a cover of The Letter by Joe Cocker. We also do a great cover of a song that we have also recorded, called Spirit in the Sky, which is a kind of Boogie ‘70s song. We also go back and do a few songs by the old Blues artists and try to revitalise them and make them into Pop songs.

Can you highlight for us the best and the worst of touring, as you have been doing this for so long?

Well, the best bit is travelling to new places and meeting new people and playing the music for them, and the worst part is the travel ... as good as it is when you get there, some of the tours have been un-

der battle conditions as well, when we e of have had to drive I think that is on e w s th through the night our streng of e ng ra e rs to the next stop! know a dive e kind of But it is still fun, material, and w ” ... and we do love it. make it our own You will be appearing at Panthers for the Rock Around the Clock shows. What songs are you performing, and what kind of show can we expect? We're probably doing 2 long sets or 3 shorter sets; we will be focusing on Rock ‘n’ Roll and will certainly being doing Ol’ 55 hits, plus we'll do a fair bit of Aussie Rock, some Daddy Cool songs, and a good version we do of an Easybeat song called She's so Fine.

Interview with Rod Crundwell.

“

the plug!

See on the prowl on13 & 14 September 2013 at Port Macquarie Panthers, Tickets $15 Friday night & $20 Saturday night Doors Open 7:15pm Fri & Sat To book your Tickets call Port Macquarie Panthers 02 65802300

greater port macquarie focus 11

focusinterview.

Lisa Evans uses bright colours and Aboriginal dot art to transform small wooden surfboards into vibrant pieces of wall art. Each piece Lisa creates is a one-off, unique design, with many of her creations also telling a story ...

Lisa evans

H

i Lisa. Introduce yourself to our readers please ... where do you call home these days, and where do you work?

I’m Lisa Evans. I’m a single mum to 2 children, Kyra (11) and River (10) and have been living at Lake Cathie for 5 years.

I am currently building my home based business and also work 1 day a week as an Aboriginal mentor at Camden Haven High School.

I have also participated in a pilot program at Kempsey Correctional Centre, training the women in painting skills. This program is set to continue into the future.

Where does your talent for art stem from ... did you paint from an early age?

I started painting in my early 20s after a severe car accident, which left me unable to work, forcing me to re-evaluate my life and which direction I was going to go in. My first attempt at selling my art work was in the form of terracotta pots and mosaic mirrors, which I sold at local markets for the next few years.

What formal art training have you had (if any)? Do you have any artistic mentors?

I have never been formally trained in art, but I have always been inspired by the American native culture and our own Aboriginal culture. My style of paintings are not in traditional colours, as I like to use bright vibrant colours, and I also incorporate beads into the 12 greater port macquarie focus

patterns in some of the surfboard designs.

Describe your business, One Wave Design. How long has it been established, and what does it specialise in?

My business name is One Wave Design, which incidentally came to me in a dream and started out by me painting an old surfboard for my niece’s 16th birthI am happy to customise day 18 months ago. This , individual pieces ific has evolved into me now ec whether it be sp eone’s painting my designs on to m colours to suit so g small wooden surfboard in us or r co home de wall art. es av to suit the w e lik e a them the in While I mainly concenns ai individual or nt ou m or trate on small wooden surf the occasion. design.” art, I can also refurbish old I have done fiberglass surfboards into wall boards with art. Small wooden surfboards can individual people’s take up to three days, depending on names on them as part the colour and design. of the design.

Why surfboards? You could obviously These boards can, for example, be used for paint on almost anything ... so what’s the 21st or 18th birthdays, as friends and family significance of using surfboards as your can sign the back as a lasting memento. I also ‘canvas’? painted and designed a perpetual trophy for I have painted on many different mediums, the Bird Rock Memorial Surf Classic. but living on the coast and having a love for What particular style do you draw on to the ocean and the surf culture here, it seemed create your works of art? only natural to paint on to something relating Aboriginal dot art is what my designs are to that. made up of, which I use to create patterns What is unique about the designs you to tell my stories. The circles on some of the use on the surfboards – is each piece you boards are symbolic to family gatherings. create a one-off?

Where would you like to see your busiMy boards are all individual and one offs; ness go over the next few years ... are some tell a story, others may be customised you planning any exhibitions of your

“

work?

As I am currently studying to complete my Cert IV in Small Business Management, I’m hoping this will give me the expertise I will need to continue to grow my business. I am building up a body of work to display at this year’s art expo at Port Macquarie race course this November.

Are you available to design custom pieces for people – and how do they go about contacting you to arrange this?

I am happy to customise individual pieces, whether it be specific colours to suit someone’s home decor or using a theme like waves or mountains in the design.

Anyone wanting to contact me or see more examples of my work can do so on my Facebook page, my website, which is onewavedesign.com.au or email me on: likyri@yahoo. com.au - or phone 0435 731 873.

Thanks Lisa.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

focusreview.

with Julie from www.gourmetgetaways.com.au

local dr p.

Long Point Vineyard Deckchair White

Deckchair White is a delicious light, crisp and refreshing wine with just a nice amount of residual sugars to appeal to most palates. The wine is a blend of Chardonnay and Verdelho and has a pleasing un-oaked style, with a wonderful fruity aroma and mouth filling flavours.

As we come into the warmer weather, I would suggest trying a bottle or two for your next barbecue. So sit back, relax and enjoy a Deckchair White.

PAIR WITH: A delicious seafood dish or a spicy Thai curry.

COST: $15 per bottle, or 13 to the dozen.

Image of the month.

About: A friendly visitor at Nobbys Beach.

Photo by: Chris Nixon. Shot on: Nikon D800 ISO400 F14 1/40sec.

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

AVAILABLE: At the cellar door 6 Cooinda Place, Lake Cathie NSW 2445 or online www.longpointvineyard.com.au

LOCAL

READ Title. A Long Way Home.

Author. Charles Granquist

with Eric from www.theotherchef.com.au

WH

Charles Granquist spent nearly four years as a POW when he was captured by the Germans in Europe and orchestrated a remarkable five escape attempts. Granquist recalls “the scariest part of this escaping caper was the point of re-capture. Staring down the barrels of a number of rifles and wondering whether some nervous and trigger-happy German might tighten his finger, was to say the very least, discomforting”. Granquist is one of only several hundred surviving Australian POWS that were held in Europe. At 90 years old, this is his first book. Charles was incarcerated at a number of different European prison camps, including Markt Pongau, Feldkirvhen, Wolfsdberg and St.Georgen.

He now lives in the coastal town of Port Macquarie.

AT ’ S I N

LEMONS A native of Asia, the humble lemon has been farmed since 300BC and is now grown throughout the world.

Many varieties are available, with Eureka the best for juicing. Don’t waste the zest – it can be used to make lemon sugar or lemon salt.

Lisbon lemons are best for desserts, while the Meyer is suited to preserving, as it has a softer skin and a sweeter flavour.

Visit www.bigskypublishing.com.au and search A Long Way Home. Only $12.50.

Also Available at Apple iTunes for $4.99. Available on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Video

4:17

OF THE

MONTH

Preserving lemons is a messy affair – if you aren’t willing to have all that lemon juice and salt all over your kitchen, why not pick up a jar of gold medal-winning The Other Chef Preserved Lemons at your local gourmet grocer store. They are a fantastic way to add some zing to your favourite winter casserole or roast vegetable salad.

If you prefer something sweet using fresh lemons, how about a lemon tart or a quick and easy lemon delicious – the lovely self-saucing pudding that requires little more than a couple of lemons and some other pantry staples.

WHERE

Locally, the Comboyne plateau provides us with a good supply of quality fruit, so be sure to pick some up from the farmers’ markets & local greengrocers.

Watch on your smartphone

VIDEO BY: Nathan Branch, Branch Productions, For Luminosity 2013.

ABOUT: This video recaps the first three days of the Luminosity Youth Summit 2013 held in Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast. Thank you to Nathan Branch for his videography!

WATCH AT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuhZ1SjKPgE

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focusinterview.

L

inzi, in n Whores 4 Pinot is a local b band. Tell us who makes up the ttrio and how you all met ...

Well, the stable members of the b band (not mentally) are myself, Scott M Mesiti and Ian 'Yanni' Barton.

The band started as a reason to howl at the moon on a Friday night, have a quiet drink and laugh at each other. We call ourselves Port Macquarie’s hobby band. So it took some time before we actually started putting songs together that made much sense, or that we would remember. Eventually we wrote enough to play a gig, then we went and recorded a bunch of them, but didn’t finish them. That was over four years ago, but who knows; we may come back to those songs one day and finish them.

There was also a period where I was out of town for a while, so the boys kicked me out and got another drummer without telling me. When I came back, I put my foot down, I made the boys apologise, and I was back in. Occasionally there has been the odd ring in who has come to play a few tunes with us, but most of them sho ho owed too much p showed potential ... so I had to get rid of them.

As a band, what makes the three of y you 'gel'?

Sarcasm mostly ... or maybe that’s just me? Yanni and I have b een mates since our school d been days; he owns a rather nice café in town, and Scot Scott I have known each other longer than I care to re remember.

We met in Sydney while studying music a number of years ago, which led to us touring and recording internationall lly with a little ba and d ccalled alled Ga internationally band Gabriel’s Day. I think Sc S ott is inv n olved in som ome music st tu around Scott involved some stuff town; we ed o ’t ttalk on a k mu al uch. don’t much.

We a allll e njoy nj o thr ree tthi h ng ngs: s: lloud oud ou d mu musi s c,, tthe odd enjoy three things: music, snif sn ifte terr of a le e/w /win ine e an nd .. ..... I fo forgot o w hatt th ha snifter ale/wine and what the other one was. wa s. O Oh h ye yeah ah .. .. e eac ach h ot othe h r' r'ss co omp mpan any. y. IIg g ... each other's company.

Ignore what

I wrote above. pleaser I think.

You haven't been rushed to make your single You mentioned you're hitting the stage for debut, but it has finally happened. How did it FOTSUN in December! A familiar setting for you, all came together in the end? but this time in front of the crowd! What will Well someone said, not sure who, "You can’t they love about the local chaps? rush creativity", and we’ve certainly taken that Yes, I recall Festival of the Sun, as I’ve been there approach. While writing the untitled single, we were once or twice in a ‘number’ of capacities. I helped approached by Circuit Breaker Records from Boston. with the toilets one year; Scott may have even given Circuit Breaker is a fun concept; they come up with a me that job. nd invite a bunch of bands to We’re looking forwa song title each month and forward to sharing the stage with ott You Am I and a Kingswo write and record a song with that song title. So Scott Kingswood especially.

All thre A ree e peo tailored the lyrics to suit, and Bottom of three people who have heard our band befo be f ore re the Barrel was born and released before hav have been going to FOTSUN ate July. sin si nce d through Circuit Breaker late since day one, so we are a chance of w, havin We’ve got the bug now, having a small audience. We are hop so hopefully it won’t be too hoping to attract a couple more All three people d ar he ve ha ho fan long before you get the next fans while we continue our ‘slow w ve ha re fo be nd ba bu song. build’ approach… These things our TSUN FO to g in go en ca So, the single will be be can’t be rushed. we since day one, so ng r. launched in September.

Being the Black Friday Theme, havi are a chance of w Describe the style of we may dress up, although we .” a small audience all look a bit funny in normal life music and other songss that anyw you cover. anyway. Dressing up may actually nd music work iin reverse for us. Regardless, I don’t really understand m er.

In n you can e in general ... I’m a drummer. expect Yanni to be in a good pair of shoes a Bottom of the Barrel, forr instance, Scott and me barefoot. rote one word. ord I reckon An ghts? wrote the lyrics, and I wrote Any final final tho thoughts? that one word made the song, so pretty much makes Well, I asked the boys, but apparently they are me 50/50 on the lyric credits. We recorded it at The void of the ability for abstract thought. Shame really Bakehouse with Phil Eades in a couple of hours and ... Yanni really can think when the wind is right. enjoyed every minute of it.

We’d love to get a big turnout to Finnian's on The best thing to do would be come to Finnian's Saturday 21 September, and we’re happy to beg if or FOTSUN and have a listen. Maybe someone need be. While there are more songs in the pipeline, out there who actually DOES understand music we urge you to be a taste maker and check, listen can explain it to me at the gig? But our songs are and/or download Bottom Of The Barrel for free at influenced by musical greats such as Kenny Loggins, www.triplejunearthed.com/THEWHORES4PINOT hence we cover Danger Zone, which is a crowd Interview with Linzi Steele.

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greater port macquarie focus 15

focuseditorial.

B L

A Z

E

R

S

HELLO KOALAS SCULPTURE TRAIL WELCOMES ITS INAUGURAL COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

W

ith 12 months to go, the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail (www.hellokoalas.com) is beginning to materialise as the signature cultural event for the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.

Fifty large-scale, creatively inspired fibreglass koala sculptures will dot the landscape, from the coast to the hinterland, to form an innovative Sculpture Trail from September 2014 to December 2015.

Conceived by locally based national organisation Arts and Health Australia, Hello Koalas has been inspired by the award winning Larkin with Toads sculpture trail in the UK (2010).

This highly successful cultural event saw 120,000 people take the sculpture trail in Hull over a 10 week period, injected over £1 million in the local economy and generated media coverage to the value of £500,000.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council is the principal sponsor of the Hello Koalas Public Sculpture Trail, which has cultural tourism, economic development and community cultural development as its prime objectives.

Project partners include the Koala Hospital, Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association, Arts Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce, Port News, FOCUS and ABC Radio Mid North Coast.

To make this exciting community project a reality, each sculpture will be sponsored by a business or community organisation. Sponsors are acknowledged as Community Champions.

Hello Koalas Project Director, Margret Meagher explains: “Hello Koalas is about community engagement and prosperity. To maximise its potential, we are seeking fifty ‘Community Champions’ to work with us collaboratively to develop a unique Sculpture Trail, which will engage residents and visitors to the region.

Fifty sculptures is an ambitious number but

16 greater port macquarie focus.

provides critical mass to enable the Sculpture Trail to extend across the LGA and encourage people to explore the many attractions that Port Macquarie-Hastings offers. The Trail is centred around three areas – Laurieton, Port Macquarie, Wauchope - but the Trail ideally will encompass smaller townships too.”

Community Champions already on board include Kathy and Peter Balodis, Macquarie Waters and The Corner Restaurant; Mark and Danena Stone, Billabong Zoo; John Cassegrain, Cassegrain Wines; Kerrie and Rod McMahon, World Par-TEA; Larry Collins, Port Macquarie Panthers; Chris and Trish Denny, The Observatory Hotel and Matt Dyson, Carbon Reduction Institute; Jim and Kay Mobbs, Bago Vineyards; Kathy Jones, Forestry Corporation; Muyesser Durur, Charles Sturt University; Tony and Carole Sarks, Ricardoes.

Margret Meagher describes these inaugural Community Champions as ‘Trail Blazers’.

“They are the pioneers of this exciting venture, seeing early on, the multiple benefits for their own organisation while also recognising the significant value for the broader community in social, cultural and economic terms.

And they have all joined without hesitation and much enthusiasm. Linda Hall, the Project Manager, and I feel privileged to be part of such a strong group of community-minded people.”

“I think the Hello Koalas project is fantastic and will be a real talking point,” said Kathy Balodis. “The word of mouth will spread quickly and lead to people exploring the whole region.”

Tony Sarks feels it is important for supporters to get in early to receive maximum publicity and believes that whatever is good for the district is good for Ricardoes!

“Forestry Corporation is excited to be part of the Hello Koalas Sculpture project and its educational program about koala care and

conservation,” said Regional Manager Kathy Jones. “We plan to share information about koala management in state forests - where to find koalas, how to best protect koala populations, and what tree species to plant to assist koalas. We want to encourage people to take our walking trails, such as the Old Bottlebutt walking trail in Burrawan State Forest, and witness firsthand the wonder of life in the forest.”

Jim Mobbs is planning an ‘A-mazing Koala’ sculpture to complement Bago Vineyard’s maze and gardens. “Bago is a destination journey. The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail will bring more people here and encourage them to enjoy other attractions too. I am also interested in raising awareness of the Koala Hospital, which is a great asset for the area.

The Hello Koalas project will highlight its work worldwide.”

CRI’s Matt Dyson said his company was pleased to partner with The Observatory Hotel, an established leader for carbon reduction, to support the Hello Koalas Sculpture Project. “The iconic koala sculpture is symbolic of the importance of conservation and care of our natural environment. We hope to work with Greater Port Macquarie businesses and individuals to assist in reducing their carbon footprint and help transition the planet toward a renewable energy future.”

John Cassegrain is proud that Cassegrain Winery is ideally placed to promote the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail. “We are strategically situated on the Pacific Highway, with millions driving past annually. We look forward to encouraging travellers to visit our own uniquely designed koala sculpture and explore beyond Port Macquarie, to taste and experience the diversity of our region.”

“Port Macquarie Panthers is a community based social club with a proud history stretching over 63 years. We are focussed on

stimulating civic pride and fostering a connected community,” says Larry Collins. “The Hello Koalas Sculpture Project is a great way to engage with all sectors of the community.

We hope everyone takes the opportunity to come and take a photo with their family and friends with our koala sculpture.”

Kerrie McMahon from World Par-TEA says “it’s a pleasure to be involved with such an amazing project that will benefit artists and the whole community. We are only a small company, compared to some of the other sponsors, but we love the idea of supporting a cultural project which is fun and will boost the local economy by encouraging a whole array of visitors and local shoppers to take the Sculpture Trail.”

“It is very exciting to be working with the Hello Koalas project team,” comments Mark Stone from Billabong. “They understand what is needed to increase tourism and they respect the importance of educating visitors about koala conservation. We are pleased to see an education program as part of this project and Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park will be actively involved.”

According to Muyesser Durur from Charles Sturt University, “CSU is delighted to support the Hello Koalas Public Sculpture project as it is an innovative and collaborative venture designed to contribute to a vibrant and engaging creative arts community – a key vision for CSU in the region.”

the plug!

To find out more about becoming a Hello Koalas Community Champion, contact Linda Hall by email Linda@hellokoalas.com or telephone 0428 975 650.

SWAROVSKI.COM

F I NA L S & C E L E B R AT ION CONC E RT

KENDALL NAT IONA L

COMPETITION • FINALS •

f you are a lover of the violin and Classical music, make sure you are in Kendall for the weekend of September 21 and 22, when you will be spoilt for choice with both the 15th Kendall National Violin Competition Finals on the Saturday and a Celebration Concert featuring Live Music Sydney, on the Sunday.

The KNVC is Australia’s premier National Violin Competition that attracts the country’s most gifted and able performers. The successful finalists chosen this year are: Benjamin Adler; Grace Clifford; Yejin Min and Tony Zhai.

Ben, aged 20, is in his third year of a B.Mus Performance degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying with Alice Waten. His achievements include being selected for the Kennedy Centre/National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute in Washington, DC, and last year he toured northern NSW as member of a piano trio with David Miller. Also in his third year at the Conservatorium is Tony Zhai, who is studying under Ole Böhn. Prior to studying in Sydney, Tony lived in Auckland, where he studied under William Hanfling and Mary O’Brien. He has won a number of scholarships and awards in NZ. Tony travelled to Brazil with his teacher Ole to attend the MIMU international music festival. Tony is also a frequent performer at the Oslo Vigeland Museum Summer Concert Series, having recently given a full length recital. In 2012 he was selected as the concertmaster for the Australian International Symphony Orchestra Institute program.

Our third finalist studying at the Conservatorium is 17 year old Yejin Min, who is studying with Professor Goetz Richter. She is currently a member of Sydney Symphony Sinfonia and recently has been appointed as the concert master of a small community orchestra KOZY Symphony Orchestra and Choir.

Our final and youngest finalist is Grace Clifford, who is in Year 9 at Abbotsleigh. In 2009 she began studying with Robin Wilson in the Open Academy Rising Stars program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. A scholarship holder in this program, she was awarded the prestigious Robert Pikler Scholarship in 2011. In April 2012, Grace was awarded 4th prize in the Junior Section of the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition held in Beijing.

Grace received the prize for the Best Performance of Bach and the Audience Choice Award in the 2012 Kendall National Violin Competition.

These performers will now compete and perform in Kendall on Saturday 21 September. The following day a Celebratory Concert will be held, featuring Live Music Sydney, special guests and the winner of the 15th Kendall National Violin Competition.

Tickets for all events are limited, so be sure to book early.

Further information on the range of ticketing options can be found at www.kendallviolin.org.au or by calling Mavis Barnes on 6559 4339.

Win an iPad Congratulations to David Wilkie of St Columba Anglican School for winning the iPad competition, thanks to Never Late Electrical. David’s entry caught the eye of the judges, and we wish him all the best in achieving his goals. From the team at Never Late Electrical, a big thank you to everyone who entered the competition.

“ I would use the iPad to learn how to design my own apps in Years 11 and 12 through the Software Design and Development course, using Xcode. I would want to make apps about education, that explains things simply to other students in the future, all the things I never understood.

The apps would be focused on visual learning, as I know that’s how I learn best. ”

Watch our video

Horton Street, Port Macquarie Phone: 02 6583 2044 Email: admin@jfj.com.au

www.neverlate.com.au greater port macquarie focus 17

focusinterview.

e of th

Calling all collectors of antiques or unusual things and people who have an interest in keepsakes from our past.

Wauchope Lions Club will host their Antiques & Collectibles Fair this month. Chrissy Jones found out the details from organisers Jim Munro and Gordon Douglas ...

W

hen and where is the Fair held?

Jim: The Fair will be on Saturday 14 September, 9am to 4pm and Sunday 15 September, 9am to 1pm. The Fair will be inside the main pavilion at the Wauchope Showground, so there is no worry about rain or a hot day affecting the event. There is ample parking and easy walking access to the pavilion.

Wauchope Lions is hosting this event and is responsible for taking all participant bookings and site allocations.

What can visitors to the Fair expect to see?

Jim: There will be many exciting, varied and interesting objects displayed by a range of collectors at the Antique and Collectables Fair.

Traders will also be in attendance, so there is the opportunity to add to your own collection, or even start one.

Will there will be an entry fee?

Gordon: Lions will charge a $5 entry fee for public admission, which allows many people to attend this interesting event for a small fee.

What's the history behind the Antique and Collectables Fair?

Jim: The Fair was first held in 1972, where members of the local collectors club

18 greater port macquarie focus.

organised the event. The Fair was styled on public. fairs in nearby towns. It was held for two Will any items be for sale? years in Port Macquarie, but all other years at Gordon Yes, traders will operate with a Wauchope. It is now an annual event and for range of collectables and sought after items. some years has been hosted by the Wauchope Visitors will need to make a deal to obtain Lions Club. 21 years, and still going strong! items. Wauchope Lions does not control sale What if visitors feel a bit peckish of goods, and all agreements on during the Fair? price and product are purely Gordon Lions will run its a matter between traders famous sausage sizzle for and buyers. a small fee, and visitors What are some le op pe Many can obtain tea/coffee of the unusual a n ke ta have eir th and a range of tasty collections s as am to e lifetim any m d cakes and slices. So as displayed in an , ns io ct colle are both they say in a particular previous years? items displayed some in advert: “you can stay a Gordon: It is unique, old and le.” ab little longer”. often amazing just cases, very valu What types of exhibits what people regard as are you expecting? collectable, but some of Jim: There are 101 the most unusual would be categories of exhibition, and most a big collection of Vegemite are expected to draw some items. jars, shaving gear, barbed wire Some of the categories are tin toys, and hat pins. Every year a new unique cameras, Depression glass, Vegemite jars, collection will be on show.

39 types of bottles, teapots and old lamps.

Will there be any other attractions?

Many people have taken a lifetime to amass Jim: Yes we anticipate having a range of their collections, and many items displayed beautiful needlework from local quilters, are both unique, old and in some cases, some vintage vehicles and old engines and very valuable. Most people start collecting an orchid display, just to add more colour to as a passing interest which develops into a the Fair. Local people will provide these items, lifelong activity, and they enjoy displaying their and we thank them for their great support of collection to an often amazed and thankful Lions community activities. Most collectable

“

enthusiasts appreciate quality in other people's hobbies and interest.

How will money raised on the day be used?

Jim: Monies raised on the day will be used to fund many and varied Lions local and National projects, such as cancer research, natural disaster relief, hearing research. At a local level, Lions supports disabled children, hospitals and public facilities like bus seats and litter removal from our streets.

Wauchope Lions invites everybody to visit a Fair unique to Wauchope, to enjoy the amazing displays and generally have a good day out.

Who can people contact if they want to exhibit or want to know more about the Fair?

For people wishing to enter as exhibitors or dealers, contacts are as below. Please be advised that this is very popular event; display space is at a premium and sites may not be available close to opening date.

CONTACT ...

Jim 6586 4744 Email: jim.munro1@bigpond.com.au Gordon 6585 1079 Email: signs@wauchopesigns.com.au All entries should be received by Friday 13 September; late entries will only be accepted subject to space available.

Thanks Jim and Gordon.

focusinterview.

Company

C

elebrating 10 years ... who makes up the band currently, and what is their background?

Dave Parker, the keyboard player: Dave learnt the piano at an early age and though not over enthusiastic, enjoyed the music theory and in the early ‘60s received his Certificate from the Australian Music Examination Board (A.M.E.B) in Pianoforte. He went on to to learn the bagpipes and was a member of several Scottish Bands, before taking up the organ and playing both solo and in bands around the club circuit of Sydney. When he moved to the Central Coast, he continued to be a valuable member of bands in the district playing organ/keyboard, before coming to Port Macquarie. Dave also plays the piano accordion and as you can see, is a very accomplished musician and a great asset to Three's Company ...

Jeff McCormack, guitarist: Jeff’s background is more diverse, as he was a ballet dancer, performing all around the world with different companies and making quite a name for himself. He also played guitar and bass guitar in bands ‘in the good old days’ around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. Jeff also plays the didgeridoo and is at present perfecting his flute and ukulele talents. Jeff now mentors young ballet dancers in Sydney, Raymond Terrace and at Wauchope/ Port Macquarie Performing Arts, passing his wonderful talents to up and coming ‘stars’ of the future.

Robbie Butler (me) singer/comedienne: no musical background other than, as a little girl, following my father around like a bad smell to his many singing jobs and knowing I wanted to be a singer. (My father was a

20 greater port macquarie focus.

Conservatorium trained singer.) About 17 years ago I sang at a few charity functions with a group of girls and performed at the Players Theatre in several of their productions. I love making people laugh, so I introduced jokes into our repertoire and found the audiences loved a bit of a giggle included in our shows.

So uninteresting compared to my fellow band members, I try and make amends by cooking nice morning teas at band practice ... you know that old expression!

You have a funny story about how you got your original guitarist. Tell us about that ...

That is a story in itself, as Dave (having a small farm in Wauchope) decided to put a ‘Wanted Guitarist’ sign up in a local Wauchope Produce Store of all things ... a lot of class about us … would you believe, a young fellow from Pappinbarra was coming into town that day to sell his guitar but when he saw the sign in the store, rang Dave and the rest, as they say, is history. His name was Steve Frew.

There is another twist to this story as well ... one day when Steve came back to my place to change, as we had two jobs on that day, he noticed on my fridge a picture of me in a school photo. He said my mother went to Asquith Girls High School as well ... to cut a long story short, I was his mother's 13 year old bridesmaid ... classic blonde me said, "Do you remember me?"

After months of practice, we made our debut on the 13 September 2003 at Garden Village and have been going strong ever since.

Steve was with us for over four years before moving to Queensland for work.

You travel to local retirement villages and nursing homes – what do they enjoy most when you visit?

They enjoy our relaxed and sometimes

Since 2003, Three’s Company has been entertaining locals with the songs of the ’50s,’60s and ’70s. The trio comprises the talented Robbie Butler, Dave Parker and Jeff McCormack, and is very much in demand for festivals, charity functions and private gigs. Music is the tonic they supply in abundance to make people of all ages happy ...

very funny antics and love singing along with a short time. Music is a tonic, and we have many of the songs we play, plus laughing at loved giving out Potion No 9 for 10 years. my sometimes corny jokes and the interaction We all work hard outside the band but every between the boys and myself during our Wednesday over the years is special, because concerts when I forget the words. we meet and practice and have a few laughs.

What kind of songs do you perform?

You are involved in a number We mainly sing the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s of charities too, we believe? music and love performing the Over the past 10 years we have old numbers and since Rod performed for many Cancer Stewart and Michael Bublé Council ‘dos’ for Mary have revived these songs McLaren, including d ur relaxe They enjoy o very through recordings, wonderful Biggest es and sometim singing all ages love them.

Mornings Teas at and love funny antics y of the I personally enjoy Tommy’s ... very an along with m plus laughing singing Bette Midler, memorable, let me y, songs we pla es corny jokes Anne Murray and tell you. Also, Breast im at my somet ween et b n io Diana Krall numbers.

Cancer functions, ct ra and the inte during lf se y m We all love letting our Daffodil Days and 2MC d an the boys I forget en h w s rt hair down with the Christmas Concerts ce n our co ” s.

Rock 'n' Roll songs. rd for the Salvation Army. o the w What is your favourite We put a track on 2MC's to perform?

Christmas album a few years Love is in the Air, S W A Y, ago, where all the money was Walk Away and I am Australian, with donated to the Salvos.

Jeff playing the didgeridoo in the background You also perform for local festivals and ... gigs. What do you have coming up where We hear you also do fancy dress? What is people can hear you? that about?

We are singing at North Haven Bowling and If the functions we perform at have a Recreational Club for a private function but theme, we join in the fun. For a 60th they had also Melbourne Cup Day, where everyone is a nautical theme, and I went as a coral reef welcome. (Great venue and good food). (hey, don't smile; I looked good!) and Dave had Watch the papers for the next Ladies Day at a fin on his back and a hammer attached to a Panthers. cap on his head and went as a ... wait for it ...

We are performing a Father's Day Concert Hammerhead Shark. We have been gypsies, for the Senior Citizens at their Hall on 7 Baker Bros and dressed as a Hawaiian band, to September, but I think that is invitation only. name a few. I love it ... the boys protest!

Around Christmas time we pop up Favourite memory from the recent years? everywhere ... just look for the groovy ties and Generally, I think it is meeting so many nice the funny hats! people and making people happy, if only for Thanks Robbie.

“

Harling has given his women. ogue sharp, funny dialto s ild bu ay The pl is a conclusion that ” g in ov m ly deep – NY Daily News.

“

Long Flat Hotel The Sensational Steel Magnolias

Graham Seers Cyclery

This well known and much loved play by Robert Harling is being presented at The Players Theatre from 6 – 22 September. It concerns a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small town beauty parlour; the play is alternately hilarious and touching – and, in the end deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters.

Spring time is here and the sun is out. Can you tell us

“Harling has given his women sharp, funny dialogue. The play builds to a conclusion that is deeply moving" – NY Daily News.

"A skilfully crafted, lovingly evoked picture of eccentricity in the small-town south. Steel Magnolias’s is suffused with humour and tinged with tragedy" – NY Post.

We were fortunate to find six fabulous women to play these diverse characters.

These six women have perfected their soft southern drawls for your enjoyment, but also bring to the stage their strength and talents in a way you will never forget, and prove why they are 'Steel Magnolias'. Do not miss the opportunity to see this outstanding production; you will regret it if you do.

what's new in your shop for those looking to get fit and enjoy the outdoors this spring? With the days getting longer and warmer and fitness on the minds of many, cycling is easy and fun and something the whole family can do. The Promovec electric bike range is getting more and more popular, with a wider range to choose from. We have the new range of 2014 Giant recreational and performance bikes, with the all new 27.5 inch wheeled bikes dominating throughout both ranges.

Christmas is something that would be on many people's minds. When it comes to the little ones and their first or second bike, what would you recommend? We have a whole range of bikes, such as balance bikes to suit 18 months olds, geared or single speed range in the kids' bikes, bikes with training wheels and BMX bikes to suit the extreme, as well as mountain bikes to suit any size rider. We are also doing lay-bys now to pick up Christmas Eve. Come in and see Dave and the team today and find a bike that gets you out and about this spring.

Located in the picturesque countryside and focused on good old fashioned hospitality, the Long Flat Pub is the perfect place to relax and take a break, celebrate a special occasion, and visit a piece of local history.

Owners David, Judith and Craig Sonter offer great service, icy cold beers on tap, family-friendly bistro dining and fresh coffee.

The Long Flat Pub was proud to host an Australia's Biggest Morning Tea event. Aunty June Rowllands of Long Flat was the organiser of the fundraising event and is pictured above receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Hastings Cancer Trust members, Betty (left) and Bernise (right).

The ladies of the Long Flat community recently enjoyed an Embroidery Retreat held during August 19 - 20 (pictured below). Judith, owner of the Long Flat Pub and coordinator of the Embroidery Retreats, teaches the basics of how to embroider using computerised machines and new technology, whilst getting together and socialising.

Visit somewhere different and unique this school holidays and bring the family (pets welcome outdoors only) out for a day trip to the Long Flat countryside; you won't be disappointed!

greater port macquarie focus 21

22 greater port macquarie focus.

October is Food Month October is Greater Port Macquarie’s Month of Food highlighted with the annual SBS S Feast Tastings on Hastings Food and Wine Festival with a schedul schedule of food, wine and beer focused events, serving up the best the region h has to offer.

T

he annual an SBS Feast Tastings on Hasti Hastings Food and Wine Festival has a sch schedule of food, wine and beer even serving up the best the region focused events, has to offer. lo oysters, free range duck Succulent local and chicken, mouth watering beef, vine tom ripened tomatoes, freshly picked blueberries, strawberries and avocadoes will be some off th the greatt fresh local produce on offer.

Creative dishes from some of the region’s best restaurants, with an international vibe including Indian, Thai, Italian and German cuisine, serving up special treats to be accompanied by a range of fine local wines and beers. This is a day to savour the flavours of the region, grazing on small, delicious morsels. Chairs and tables will be dotted across the Town Green and throughout Clarence Street for the comfort of patrons.

SBS Chefs in Action will bring their cutting edge talents to the SBS Feast Cooking Demonstration Pavilion starring alongside leading locals Eric Robinson and Craig

Freudenstein to deliver demonstrations, tastings and a copy of Feast magazine for just $5 per person.

Enjoy an international flavour with David Tsirekas from Greek restaurant, Xanthi, award winning young gun, Mitchell Orr, with his passion for Italian, and Patrick Friesen from Ms G’s Asian restaurant in Potts Point.

Live music reigns at Tastings, featuring funky high energy performers, a selection of young rising stars. Special guest artists include Beaten Bodies, an eight piece Blues and Soul outfit from Sydney, and pianist, songwriter and composer Lionel Cole (nephew of the late Nat King Cole). Local headliners are Ollie Brooke playing with Chris Tottman, Matt Brooker and Tony Gibson plus Qantum Soul.

Other local artists will include Triple J Unearthed talent Tegan Wiseman, Nikkita and James Bennett. Plus bands; Jordan Jive, Blue Hypothesis, Black Magic and other leading school and community groups performing from the main stage on Town Green and a second new stage in lower Clarence Street.

greater port macquarie focus 23

Journey Through Asia

Breakfast in the be ds.

Join us for a morning in the Hastings Valley hinterland.

Roam around our organic market farm, Near River.

Collect just laid eggs and pick the freshest asparagus and salad greens.

Hand the bounty to our chef, who’ll prepare it while you take your seat in one of the marquees in our garden.

Enjoy your meal, served by the farmers, washed down with a glass of local sparkling wine.

Discover the virtues of real local food, how it is grown, where it comes from, and who grows it.

In Conjunction with Tastings on Hastings

Victorian Banquet

Take the opportunity to purchase Near River condiments and produce.

Know that you’ve just enjoyed the freshest of food at a truly authentic paddock to plate event ... in the paddock.

The fun starts at 9am on Sunday, October 6, 2013.

You’ll need to book at www.breakfastinthebeds.com and there are further details here too.

It will cost $40 each ...

Our farm, Near River, is a 45 minute drive along sealed roads from Port Macquarie at 1466 Pappinbarra Road, Hollisdale.

Chat with us directly on 0412 995 256.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm Gourmet High Teas & Canapes for all occasions Vintage High Teas for young ladies Corporate Events Kitchen Teas Engagements Weddings Baby Showers Special Occasions

Indulge Yourself P

H

O

N

E

Shop 22/35 Merrigal rd; Port Macquarie

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Tour the farms, see the paddock to plate story and reap the beneFIts

Tickets strictly limited to 200

F ARMGATE TOURS R y d g es High Tea. A grand garden party on the lawn, on the river in front of Rydges Port Macquarie.

events for the girls, and this year the glamour

Lovely ladies will enjoy live entertainment

by Robbie Buttler and Three's company, a scrumptious high tea of warm savouries and naughty cup cakes, with delicious iced World ParTea served in vintage tea sets ... not forgetting the most important ingredient of all – a glass of award winning Cassegrain sparkling wine.

prizes for best dressed lady, and the best

The day is co-sponsored by Cassegrain, Port News and World ParTea to complement the fundraising Race for Rach, with all funds raised going towards Camp Quality. Kate Wood-Foye, Sales and Marketing Manager of Rydges Port Macquarie, is delighted to supply the venue and be a key sponsor: “This is one of my favourite

stakes will be even higher, with fabulous hat, including jewellery from Le Dãin Designs.”

Tickets will be strictly limited, as only 200 guests can enjoy the afternoon of live entertainment on the lawn – tickets will be available for sale at Rydges reception for $39 each. The bar will also stay open for extra Cassegrain bubbly and Pimms and Lemonade cocktails throughout the afternoon.

This is a once a year opportunity and a special charity event in the Tastings on Hastings calendar. Grab your tickets – one for your mum, your girlfriend, your sister and your boss! Hurry to avoid disappointment! Tickets will sell out!

North Coast TAFE is teaming up with Hastings Landcare to run a special Paddock to Plate Farm Gate Tour as part of the 2013 SBS Feast Tastings on Hastings.

The special Farm Gate Tour will run on the weekend of 19 and 20 October. People who register for this special tour will have the option of being transported by North Coast TAFE campus mini-buses to selected participating farms, where they will be able to join guided tours.

All registered participants will go into the draw for a seat at the table of the North Coast TAFE Hastings Landcare Green and Growing dinner on Monday 21 October at Port Macquarie TAFE Campus Graduates Restaurant.

The dinner will feature produce from farm producers presented in a range of signature

dishes prepared and served by North Coast TAFE students and staff and VIP chefs.

Anyone undertaking the Farm Gate Tour can also enter their digital story of their tour into the Paddock to Plate Picture Show Competition. Junior and Senior winners will receive a trophy and dinner for two at the Graduates Restaurant at the first available date.

North Coast TAFE’s Ecological Sustainability Project Officer for Primary Industries and Hospitality, Alicia Bales, says that the tour and subsequent activities provided Hastings residents with a great opportunity to discover many surprising elements of the ‘Paddock to Plate’ journey.

“In fact, we are now approaching it from a ‘paddock to paddock’ angle, where food waste, composting and recycling complete the journey,” added Ms Bales.

greater port macquarie focus 25

WIN AN APPLE IPAD SPAGHETTI EATING COMPETITION. It's back! And it's bound to be bigger and better than last year.

The Annual Greater Port Macquarie Spaghetti Eating Competition! Hosted by the FOCUS crew, locals will get down and dirty as they scoff fresh spaghetti – cooked to perfection by our friends at Café 66 and drenched in Ricardoes Tomatoes sauce!

Heats will be held from 11am 'til 1pm, with the Grand final kicking off at approx 1.30pm, and the overall winner will be taking home a brand new Apple iPad. The rules!

Contestants will have their hands tied behind their backs and will need to finish the delicious Ricardoes Tomatoes spaghetti from plastic plates, without spilling the plate off the table. The quickest two to do

26 greater port macquarie focus.

so in each heat to the judges’ satisfaction will make it through to the grand final.

Entry is open to all ages, and you simply need to turn up on the day and enter. Entry is $10, with all money raised going to local charities. The Spaghetti Eating Competition will be located at the Town Green.

Spectators and cheer squads are more than welcome.

Oh, and our advice ... don’t wear white.

Celebrity scramble.

If you missed our celebrity heat last year, don't miss it this year, as politicians, restaurateurs, entertainers and the like go head to head for the celebrity round ...

Want to dob someone in, maybe a local celeb? Call the FOCUS office and make your suggestion: 6584 7433.

Photo courtesy of InPhase Productions

B L A C K DUCK BREWERY. Is there any better way to enjoy your precious free time than in a brewery?

At the Black Duck Brewery we take a great deal of pride in providing the beer experience, not just a trip to a brewery. When you arrive at the brewery you will be pleasantly welcomed by the relaxed spacious cellar door with a full view of the brewing equipment.

At the bar you can try our range of beers.

There are eight taps and a variety of beers to try. Have a tasting paddle and sample any four of the beers brewed on site.

Take a seat and relax at one of our tables with a ploughman’s platter or house made beer bread, oil and ‘duckah’ and whittle away the time, read the paper or peruse something from our beer related library.

There is a great range of local produce and brewery merchandise on the shelves if you are looking for that perfect gift, or just to indulge yourself.

Tours are run at 2pm on the days the cellar door is open – other times by appointment.

As the summer months roll in, we will be launching Sunday sessions with live local music, local food platters, local beer, and all in your local brewery. We have a few new beers in the sampling phase in preparation for the warmer weather and will be launching them soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

The brewery is the ideal space for your next social or professional function, with catering packages to suit all budgets and occasions.

greater port macquarie focus 27

Greater Port Macquarie

Raspberry & Maple Steamed Pudding with Chocolate, Raspberry Sauce from Montana’s on High.

eat. Dining Guide is available for iPhone & Android App Store. www.focusmag.com.au/eat 28 greater port macquarie focus.

eat.

Seared lamb rump, eschallot pureé, sorbet of cherry tomatoes, baby courgettes, pickled artichokes, baby onion cells and parsley pureé.

Zebu bar + grill The sun has arrived! Perfect weather to head down to Zebu to soak up that Springtime vibe and beautiful water vistas as you enjoy one of our handcrafted cocktails and a bite to eat.

Make it a mid week session and get groovy with our Jazz Club every Wednesday with live Jazz tunes from 5pm.

Diary Date: Friday 20 September 2013 Six Degrees of Degustation – 6 guest chefs cook it out for your dining pleasure.

Six courses degustation dinner with matching wines and live entertainment– $125pp. Strictly limited seating, only 120 spaces!

Tickets available by contacting (02) 6589 2811 or email kate_woodfoye@rydges.com

Griddle Bar + Grill

Breakfast - Coffee - Cocktails - Steaks -

Experience the difference at Griddle Bar + Grill.

Seafood - 10 Tap Beers - Wood Fire Pizzas

Our NEW MENU has so much to choose from, we guarantee you won’t go home hungry!

Try one of our signature dishes – greedy ribs, succulent steaks and decadent desserts.

Monday to Friday KIDS EAT FREE for every Adult meal purchased over $25.

MENTION FOCUS! September Only. *Available for kids under 12yrs only. $25 Thursdays! Entree and Main Meal- 6 menu options to choose from for both courses. Between 5pm - 7pm only. *Ends 30 September.

Venue available for weddings, birthdays, christenings, Christmas parties *Conditions Apply.

Executive Chef Adam Tait.

Extensive Menu - Exclusive Wines - Beer & Cocktails - Steak - Ribs - Water Views

74 Clarence St, Port Macquarie (opposite the Cruise Terminal) t 6584 5559

Hay Street Foreshore, Port Macquarie t 6589 2822 w www.zebu.com.au

open 7 Days 11.30am til late. Bookings essential.

open 7 days, from 6.30am - late.

Bar open noon daily. Bookings recommended.

Spinnakers Restaurant + Bar

Scampis Seafood Bar & Grill

Get marina side for a springtime session sitting on the Spinnakers Deck with a sun infused breakfast, or treat yourself to an espresso coffee and sneaky weekend sugar fix with a devilishly sweet treat from our talented in-house pastry designer, Tina Hamel.

Scampi’s Seafood Bar and Grill enjoys magnificent ocean views and a delicious menu, taking advantage of local fresh seafood and the expertise of an experienced head chef.

PLANNING A WEDDING? Appointments now open for 2014.

Contact Michelle Dawson to arrange a viewing: (02) 6589 5166.

Takeaway or dine in.

Scampis is the perfect place to relax and enjoy for lunch or dinner.

Bookings for Friday and Saturday nights are preferred.

Fresh cocktails and cold beer.

Spinnakers Restaurant + Bar at Sails Resort Port Macquarie by Rydges.

Park St, Port Macquarie at the roundabout, opposite Settlement City t 6589 5200

Owners Mark and Jackie Holt.

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

open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6.45am, 7 days a week. greater port macquarie focus 29

eat.

Crumbed Herb Fish and Salad

Soft Shell Crab.

QuayLime Quay Lime is a temptation for locals and tourists alike.

Quay Lime offers live music for your dining entertainment every Thursday – Saturday night, from 7 - 9pm. Come and try our new menu with our signature seafood chowder and Quay Lime pie!

Join us for Marina SunDaze with $10 tapas menu, $20 beer buckets and live music on the wharf below from 3 - 6pm every Sunday!

Feel life’s stresses slowly drift away, as you drink in the ambience of Quay Lime Café & Bar in Port Macquarie. Situated in the heart of Port Macquarie’s marina, Quay Lime offers a unique dining experience., boasting locally sourced produce and a varied menu to suit all tastes.

Montana's on High Montana’s on High is a stylish and modern restaurant offering full table service from our dedicated team. Whether you are planning a romantic dinner for 2, a group dining experience, a casual breakfast or a catch up with friends or family, Montana’s on High is the place to come.

Quaylime R E S TA U R A N T

Chef Daryl prepares delicious dishes each day to tempt your taste buds.

The restaurant is fully licensed offers a large selection of quality wines and beers.

Montana’s on High is located on site at Timbertown Resort & Motel.

Chef Daryl Stuart.

Floor Manager Darren.

Shop 9/18 Park St, The Marina, Port Macquarie t 6584 4039 w www.quaylimecafe.com

230 High Street, Wauchope t 6586 0932 open Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch and Thursday, Friday and Saturday night for dinner.

open Open 7 days for breakfast and lunch, and Wed - Sat for dinner.

Off the Hook

Wauchope Country Club

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

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

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.

Hook N Slice menu...

Monday – $12 steak night;

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after 4pm are our extra special nights; pay just $9.90 for two fillets of fish and chips.

There’s nothing better than a meal by the edge of the beautiful Hastings River.

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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Thursday - $10 Snitty night The friendly staff.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday – select from our blackboard specials.

Wednesday nights - Club Super Draw

King Street, Wauchope t 6585 3020 w www.wauchopecountryclub.com.au open 7 days. Mon - Sun, lunch 11.30 - 2.30ish.

Dinner 5.30 - 8.30ish.

The Wauchope Country Club Chefs

focusinterview.

What is in store for Scampis heading into the spring and summer months? Will there be any changes to Sc ampi s is the the menu? perfect location Any time is a good time , with us since we were for any birthday ate to dine at Scampis, but or rp co anniversary at the Marina; Margot with the ocean view luncheon or even ar Manning, our soon to be of ye on a warm spring/ Christmas/end 3rd year apprentice; Steven summer’s day there is get togethers.”

Towler, our trusty kitchen just no place better no assistant. have lunch, dinner, or even And of course, our lovely front a quiet couple of after work of house team: Nicky, Jessica, drinks. We have our ever popular Charlie, Christine, Linda, Clayton and coacktail list for the ladies and gents, Bec. We also have a brand new member to as well as a classic range of beer and our family, Lola, who was born on 13 August wines. Over the next month we will be and makes Jackie and myself very proud working towards our new menu, with some grandparents. exciting specials that are sure to be enjoyed by all.

Do you cater for birthday/anniversary dinners?

Introduce us to your team at Scampis?

Most definitely. Scampis is the perfect How long have they been with you? location for any birthday, anniversary We have a wonderful team that work so well corporate luncheon or even Christmas/end of together, making sure all our customers have year get togethers. a relaxed and enjoyable time while dining

“

with us. Most of our team have been with us from the start. In the kitchen we have Beau Nutley, my right hand man, who has been

Please contact us today or any time to talk to us about catering, booking a table or even full venue hire. greater port macquarie focus 31

focusinterview.

Out to Lunch

with Susie Boswell

BEN They’ve been popping up around town for a while now, mysterious symbols carved into the grass at the edge of our main roads, appearing, seemingly anonymously, overnight. Port’s own version of crop circles. Who’s responsible? Susie unmasks their creator. hen big Smiley faces, some six metres wide, began appearing randomly in our grassy road verges, people just shrugged and thought the council’s outdoor maintenance men must have been smoking something. Or was someone sending a message mowing was overdue? Motorists swerved as they passed by and a school bus nearly tipped over as kids rushed all to one side to see the first Smiley. Most just went on their way, the images making the day brighter.

The one who knew best how they got there was Steve Poulter’s partner Sandra Lysaught.

Because she, unwittingly, started it all. “I’d been working at the golf club, and I got put off,” Poulter says now. “I came home, it was Valentine’s Day. I had no job, no money, and no flowers. I was staring out at the garden... Then Sandra walked in, upstairs. And suddenly she was looking out the window at this love-heart I’d whipper-snipped into the lawn.” That was clever; did it win her? “Win? It was SENSATIONAL!!” Poulter grins.

While the unique Valentine won Sandra’s approval, it didn’t endear Poulter to male neighbours. “They were saying: Look what you’ve done now! I’d shown them up! All the women were saying Look at him! he jokes, How special

32 greater port macquarie focus.

is he, because he’s done this! The men said You’ve raised the bar, haven’t you? What’ve we got to do now? Then people came and asked could I do something for them - an Easter egg for kids in the lawn at pre-school. Another woman said I want to surprise my husband, he drinks Tooheys; can you do a big stag in the grass? I couldn’t, so I just did a big bottle with four Xs on it. She was happy.”

He did a Smiley for the people next door.

“The four children sent me a note to say how happy they were. The kids loved it, so I thought Oh well, I can do more. After I left the golf club I bought a mowing business, so as I mowed lawns if people had a child I’d do Smileys for them.” The grass artistry grew. Poulter was approached for bespoke creations for anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions. As he honed his craft his enthusiasm grew. One especially big “canvas” caught his eye at the edge of Ocean Drive. He couldn’t resist: the whipper snipper man went public, and the Crestwood Smiley was born. “Because I’d had such a great reaction I said: I’ll do a giant one!

I’ve been looking after the Crestwood one for 18 months now. The first time I went there the council hadn’t mowed it; it took me three hours to get the grass down, rake off dead grass.

Sometimes the council goes straight over the

top of it [when they mow] but now it looks like the tractor’s gone around it; I think they leave it alone now.”

Soon it was joined by other grass sculptures on public land: a Peace symbol, four-leaf clover, a yin and yang, progressive State of Origin “scoreboards” for NSW and Queensland in the form of Smiley or Frowny faces depending on the outcome of each of the three matches, a Santa hat for Crestwood Smiley at Christmas, rabbit ears at Easter. Last year, some 2012 Olympic rings appeared at the Jonas Absolom corner: “About 20m by 10m! My most impressive work!” Poulter boasts, tongue in cheek.

Other creations have been a Viking emblem for a football team and a butterfly in a Lake Cathie park in memory of one of stepson Jack’s school friends who loved butterflies and lost her life at just 11.

“One day people were ringing up Ray Hadley on the radio, saying we have this phantom whipper snipper person who does pictures in the grass. Ray says Well WHO IS ’E? Does anybody know ’im? Has ’e GOT NOTHIN’ ELSE TO DO?!” Poulter laughs. “People rang him up and said it was nice to go past and see these things.” In fact, Poulter’s move into public art wasn’t all that far removed from what he’s done all his life, working in the green outdoors,

switching between landscaping and lawn mowing, and alternatively working as a golf pro and greens keeper.

“I’d be out there and women would stop their cars and give me a kiss: ‘Ooh, it’s so lovely!’ If I go and [maintain] the Crestwood Smiley I’m only there five minutes but 20 cars will bip me; they’re all happy. Two policemen pulled up once, very official and asked: ‘Are you the man who does this?’ And I went Errr .. why? They said because it’s great; we just want to know is it you? So I said Yes it’s me. I’m just a bored mower man.

“Last year I decided to do a heart for people getting married at Harry’s Lookout. So I’m there, and when I’m whipper-snipping I’m totally focused. I didn’t know a woman had stopped behind me to watch. I swung round suddenly with the whipper snipper roaring ... and scared the [stuffing] out of her!” The pictures are labour-intensive: “Once you do it you have to maintain it; it takes effort. As my mowing business got busier I thought I’m just creating a monster; I actually could do without it.

“But it does bring a lot of joy ...”

Want Steve to create art for you?

Call ProMow on 0413 855 952.

Out to Lunch is hosted by Lou Perri at The Stunned Mullet on Town Beach.

greater port macquarie focus 33

Saturday, October 12, the Glasshouse.

Johnny Cash The Concert RING OF FIRE 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR Fresh from their very successful 2012 national tour, Johnny Cash the Concert is back to celebrate all things CASH bringing to life an incredible new concert experience!

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of one of Cash’s biggest hits and best loved songs, Ring of Fire, Australia’s OWN ‘Man In Black’, Daniel Thompson, returns with an award-winning ensemble featuring Golden Guitar Winner (Alternate Country Album of the Year - 2013 Golden Guitar Awards) and Australian Guitar Legend, Stuie French.

This two-hour show will feature the tracks that made Johnny Cash’s live show something special. June Carter and The Carter Family, The Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins and Cash’s gospel greats will all be featured in the first half of the show, whilst the second set culminates in Cash’s biggest hits, including his 1963 hit Ring Of Fire.

Recorded in Nashville with mariachi-style trumpets and Carter Family on backing vocals, Ring Of Fire (written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore) was Cash’s biggest hit, earning him the top spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles Chart for seven weeks. With its instantly recognisable and distinctive sound, it went on

34 greater port macquarie focus.

This two-hour show will feature the tracks that made Johnny Cash’s live show something special. to become one of Cash’s best known and most loved songs.

Joining the tour is multi-award winning singer/ songwriter Tamara Stewart. Tamara took home the Golden Guitar for Vocal Collaboration at this year’s Golden Guitar Awards for her self penned hit, Women in Song, celebrating the long heritage of women in Australian Country Music.

And of course, the show wouldn’t be complete without our ‘engine room’, the best rhythm section in the country, The Tennessee Studs.

Last year’s ‘80th Birthday’ tour was not to be missed. This show will have music lovers talking for a long time to come. This authentic tribute to a true icon of the 20th Century will leave audience members feeling like they’ve just seen the real live Man in Black!

focusinterview.

Monkey

LOCAL THEATRE

Baa T H E AT R E COMPANY

The story of a girl with a sense of adventure and the most amazing gift – an eye on the end of her finger – Monkey Baa Theatre Company’s production of Emily Eyefinger is both heart-warming and uplifting. The play will take centre stage at the Glasshouse on September 17 as part of the Glasshouse’s Education Program. wo of the fabulous cast, Sandra Eldridge (the loveable but very batty Great Aunt Olympia) and Christopher Tompkinson (the dastardly and wicked Arthur Crim) are thoroughly enjoying being a part of the production …

Sandra, what’s some of the history behind Monkey Baa Theatre Company?

Sandra: I was one of the founding members with Tim [McGarry] and Eva [Di Cesare]. We set the company up in 1997 with an adaptation of the The Bugalugs Bum Thief. Basically, we were three freelance actors who got together, wanted to create something and do some adaptations – and what we thought would be 6 months’ work turned into, well … heading into our 16th year!

Initially we started touring in schools, and within a year we did a season at Glen Street Theatre, and the theatre manager there, Greg Randall, suggested we perhaps take our work into theatres. So, we’ve been touring Australia in theatres now for about 15 years.

Christopher, how did you become involved with Money Baa? Christopher: I guess the first connection I had with Monkey Baa was through the Australian Theatre for Young People [about 4 or 5 years ago] when there was a cooperative arrangement on developing a show called Hitler’s Daughter. I facilitated a couple of workshops, working with young people and getting their responses to some of the themes and ideas around the adaptation of that wonderful novel ... which Monkey Baa has just recently been touring overseas!

That, of course, is how I met Tim, Sandy and Eva – and we’ve just kept in touch. This [production] is my first opportunity to work as an actor for the company – and it’s been fantastic!

Describe your characters in Emily Eyefinger

for us … with tomb raiding whatsoever. She flies a very Christopher: His name is Arthur Crim; he’s old put together plane that she bought in a a criminal mastermind …, at least, in his own museum. criminal mastermind! He’s always foiled by the How does the story of Emily Eyefinger wonderful powers of Emily and her eyefinger. unfold?

He finally breaks out of prison and is on a misSandra: Basically, Emily is born with an eye on sion to GET THAT EYEFINGER. He wants to chop the end of her finger. She gets a lot of publicit off with a chainsaw, or a machete, or whatity, because she solves a lot of crimes with the ever means he can … so he’s a horribly villainhelp of this eye – so at the beginning of the ous, egotistical, conceited, wild and maniacal play she’s questioning whether or not she’s just creature who runs around in a top hat with Emily, for herself, or whether all she is is an a cane and a long, long cloak-like jacket – eyefinger, and nobody actually sees Emily. So while still wearing his prison pajamas. she’s having an identity crisis, at age 9!

I think maybe as a master criminal In the midst of this, her best he’s one or two rungs below the friend, Malcolm Mousefinder truly great master criminals of our finds a map leading to time, but he’s convinced of the the tomb of Tuten... as an actor too, genius of his own ideas. kamouse. Malcolm, l it’s been wonderfu You’ve done wonderwho unfortunately is to be able to be so fully well describing him dressed as a mouse, age – to extravagant on st – I don’t think I’ve ever has an incredible who play a character heard so many adjectives ability to find mice – and is so narcissistic in one sentence before! much to the delight d so self-possessed an Christopher: (Laughs). He of his dad, Professor expressive.” is a colourful character; he Mousefinder, who is as may only be clothed in black and batty as Aunt Olympia is. white, but he has a very distinctive The Professor and Mallaugh, and a curly moustache. He’s a colm go off to find the tomb of villain in the tradition of Jack Lemmon from The Tutenkamouse, and they get lost. Emily Great Race – the kind of Vaudevillian villain – has to go to their rescue with her Great Aunt the villains that cackle and guffaw and celebrate Olympia – and then of course, Arthur Crim and their own victories JUST at the crucial moment his sidekick, Doug, escape from prison and go that they are perhaps about to get caught … after Emily to get her eyefinger. So it ends up Sandra … Great Aunt Olympia. What’s she with them all in the jungle and eventually in like? the tomb of Tutenkamouse – which is a very Sandra: Great Aunt Olympia is completely frightening place. Is there anything you’d like to and utterly batty. She’s kind of like … an old add to that, Chris?

Agatha Christie sort of character … she’s an Christopher: Yes … there’s this AMAZING archaeologist and she has a stuffed monkey, villain, always doing extraordinary things! (Evwho’s her bestest friend and companion. She’s eryone laughs). completely nuts; she’s wanting to find treasure What have you both enjoyed most about and take it home. She has no moral issues this production?

“

Sandra: The shows have been wonderfully received, but for me, a show we did yesterday had the most delightful audience. They were yelling out lines to us – and they were lines we had written, before we could say them!

They were so engrossed in the story, they knew exactly what to say and move the plot along! At the end of the performance, they not only gave us applause, but a huge hip hip hooray three times, which had us all in tears.

Christopher: That was certainly a highlight.

I guess as an actor too, it’s been wonderful to be able to be so extravagant on stage – to play a character who is so narcissistic and selfpossessed and so expressive. I got a wonderful costume from the designer Mark Thompson, and it’s just been a sensational opportunity to play with all these actors … and to twirl my moustache. Oh – did I mention I had the opportunity to grow a handlebar moustache?

I think you may have mentioned that once or twice …

Christopher: (Laughs). I’m quite proud of that too!

What do you see as being the primary message of this production?

Christopher: I think the wonderful thing about this production is how it says we’re all unique, we all have something to offer, and we all need to find a way of not only being accepted by other people, but accepting ourselves, for our own differences and strengths …

Thanks Sandra and Christopher.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug!

See Emily Eyefinger at the Glasshouse on September 17 at 10am or 12pm.

Tickets cost $9 per student. 20 student tickets = 1 teacher FREE. Visit glasshouse.org.au for more details

greater port macquarie focus 35

focus column

Robyn Butler.

NEW LOCATION! Same great service and fresh seafood

Fish, Fish Fillets, Mussels and much more !!

now in their new premises on Short

Plus, a range of sauces and marinades and

Street.

seafood platters.

Dion and Tracey Hyde look forward to

Port Fresh Seafoods post regularly on their

welcoming you to their family run business

Facebook page, so customers are up to

– Port Fresh Seafoods – which they have

date as soon as the seafood arrives in the

owned for the last 7 years.

shop. Along with a huge variety of available

Port Fresh Seafoods are proud to supply

seafood, Dion will prepare seafood platters

to many locals in Greater Port Macquarie,

for that special occasion with the seafood of

along with over 35 restaurants and also

your choice.

supply products to Lord Howe Island.

Dion and Tracey are accredited Members

The new Short Street premises offers easier

of the Customer Service Excellence and the

parking and a great location next to other

Journey of Flavour Programmes, auspiced by

food outlets.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

Stocking a wide variety of fresh seafood

The shop is open 9am - 5.30pm Monday –

daily including local Oysters, Prawns, Whole

Friday and 9am - 3pm on Saturdays.

This month’s column includes numerous snippets, a love story, something amazing, a big thank you and Father’s Day. Hope you find it interesting and informative! pring is in the air, elections around the corner and Father’s Day is here to celebrate! What a diverse collection of happenings for September!

S

a week … Look at their website … brilliant!

Cheese platters and wine tasting also available (Hic!)

ROB OAKESHOTT MP … THANK YOU! This is in response from me to your thank you letter you sent to your constituents. Thank you, Rob, for 17 years of serving our community through good times SNIPPETS: and bad. Thanks to you we are one of the most ‘catered and cared’ for communities TRUE SOUL MATES … in Australia, which has come at Will start with a lovely story a price for you personally. I I read in the newspaper will not forget the times last month regarding b, Ro u, you gave to so many a couple in Thank yo organisations and the for 17 years ofunity America. Both mm serving our cotim many little problems you shared the same es through good s to solved for pensioners, birthday (31st and bad. Thanke of the families and anyone on e December), and ar you, we cared’ d an d re te ‘ca t who had nowhere else os were coming up for m unities in m m co r fo to turn … the ridicule their 75th wedding s tralia, which ha us A u yo and abuse from certain r anniversary … come at a price fo ” . radio announcers was ly adored by everyone al on rs pe nothing short of bullying, but who knew them and to your credit, you ‘weathered two months ago passed the storm’. away two days apart … love in Thought I would write my column along the same lines as last month ... as snippets.

Readers have told me they like that format, as it covers many different topics.

“

its highest essence and true Soul Mates ... sad, but beautiful!

ME THINK IT ‘MAZING’!

Have you been to Bago Wineyards lately? They have incorporated a maze in the grounds of the winery, which took over 11 years to construct. It is fabulous fun for both adults and children. You can sit on the hill above the maze and watch the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of the kids yelling and laughing and having a ball. (Bridges, secret clues, paths etc). Great exercise, relaxing and out of the hustle and bustle of everything. They have designed the maze using the logo on their wine bottles ... how clever. Other stages are in the pipeline and when completed, it will cover over 10,000 sq metres and be the largest hedge in NSW. Cost $10 adults, $7 children and $35 for families with more than two children. School bookings and group bookings available by appointment only.

Ph (02) 6585 7099. Open from 9.30am 7 days 36 greater port macquarie focus.

I truly wish you, Sara-Jane and your beautiful children a happy, healthy and hopefully a more relaxed and stressless future ... I think you will be a hard act to follow and truly missed by many. Good luck, Rob! Good luck to all the candidates running for the seat of Lyne in September ... may the ‘best’ man win.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, poppys and grandfathers, especially my dad, who will be celebrating here in Port with three of his four daughters.

AND FINALLY I was MC at a wedding the other day and for a bit of fun asked, “Would all married men please stand next to the one person who has made your life worth living.” The bartender was almost crushed to death!

Keep smiling …

Robbie x

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

Above. Enjoying the Masquerade madness

Left. Kylie Brown & Sharon Downs at the Lights and Sirens Ball Pics: Scott Faulkner, Hunter Shot Photography.

Below. 1920's glam at the Ball Tan é Holcroft & Astra O'Brien

Left. Laurie & Barbara Smith at the Masquerade Ball

Above Krysia & Tony Mailo, Roger & Sue Munro, Mary-Ann Parer (Back row) Rick & Carol Watson

Social/scene.

Masquerade pics by Georgia Wilberforce

Another 'PPMD' please! Instagram and Facebook are alight with images of our very own versions of winter's end perfection. rom all corners of our pretty city, perfect Port Macquarie Days are like our favourite tune on repeat at the mo’ with stellar days following one after the other in perfect succession. Serendipitous sunshine with a serve of seaspray and a dash of perfect sunset, thank you very much! If winter is dishing this treat up at its tail end, we can only hope for a spectacular summer! You can literally feel the parties and springtime shindigs hovering in the air …

Not to say that winter has been a snoozy time, with parties all across the town, including none other than the Rydges Masquerade Ball for local charity Hope Shop. Almost 200 glamazon guests arrived at the hotel on a chilly winter’s eve to find the venue transformed into a 1920s nightclub with stunning vintage car and red carpet on arrival and cheeky flappers and gangsters galore. Feathers and sequins were clearly the accessory du jour, with divine creatures adorned in jewels and beautiful beading to celebrate the seventh year of this gala event! Guests did the Charleston in the street with local quartet 'Dinner with Milton', AKA Phil Luke and the gang, pumping out some 1920s classics. Canapés and sparkling moscato courtesy of the De Bortli team were served on arrival, followed by a two course meal complete with gold plated dessert. Max Pogonovski and the crew from Swing Patrol flew

in from Sydney to perform as the Harbour City Hoppers in fabulous swinging style as an opener to the night’s events. The room was adorned in pearls and feathers, as all that glittered was gold. Guests included sponsors Kerrie and Andrew Pritchard and the Harvey Norman team, the girls from Sundial Dental, Daniel Parlyvliet and co, Linda and Teal Bryan, José and Brenda Fernandez, Zoe and Dennis van Mill, John and Mary-Ann Parer, Kate and Sebastian Hutten, Mark and Cher van Der Veer, David and Trish Relf, Sam and Mel Dalton, Barb and Laurie Smith, Simon and Alana Luke, Professor Johnathan Hewis, Aaron Patton, Evelina Kemp, Stephanie Selby, Heather Rawson, and Rob Eddy, to name but a few of the fabulous guests in their '20s feathers and finery. The Funky Doo Das got the guests up and in the party mood, with the ladies from Coastfront Realty, Sue Jogever and Donna Gillies, helping to raise the massive $25,000 for the local charity. A HUGE thank you to all of the local businesses who donated over and above the call of duty for this worthy cause ... A really fabulous night, which ended up a super late one for a few of the guests who took their party on to other venues … not mentioning any names or feathered fun!

The challenge is now on for next year to make it bigger and better! Congrats to the amazing voluntary ball team, who really worked hard to put some extra fabulous into the fundraising.

Just weeks before, the annual Hastings Lights

and Sirens Ball lit up the chilly night with an event for the Hastings District part of the Mid Coast Team of the Rural Fire Service. It was organised by dynamic duo Sharon Downs and Kylie Brown of Port Patios, who put on a fabulous affair, raising over $10K for the service.

Guests were welcomed by Jordan Jive, with decorations hand made by the team to represent bushfire and native surrounds. Guests included Superintendants Kam Baker, Jason McKeller and Peter McKechnie of Region East, Carl Schmitzer of the Manning Team, Dane and Simone Alling of Johnnos Camper Trailers, Steve and Angie McWhirter from Australian Silver Axe Company, Mark Ellen from Mr Swagman, Amanda Black from Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. The supporting brigades were Lake Cathie, Sancrox and Rollands Plain – congrats to all!

Happy birthday to FOCUS designer Dylan Gaul, who recently celebrated his 30th birthday with a shindig at TG’s with gorgeous wife Jenna of the Observatory and 40 family and friends. It all started on his actual birthday; the day prior at the office started with a kaboom, when said birthday boy unsuspectingly opened the door to the design office to find that his FOCUS crew had transformed the space into a nightclub complete with disco ball, gyrating go go girls and a striptease artiste with a Canadian accent formerly known as Mr Ed … hard to go anywhere but the pub after that kind of

performance at 9.30am! Happy birthday, Dyl. Foodies, mark your diaries! It’s on again: the Rydges Six Degrees of Degustation Dinner a must on the feast list – set for Friday 20 September at 7pm! Over 100 guests will enjoy a six course celebration of regional produce, wine and beer, as six talented chefs cook it out by invitation for the lucky guests. Dine at six restaurants in one night without leaving your seat, including culinary creations from Lou Perri of the Stunned Mullet, Ben Crompton from Eighteen Thirty Restaurant & Bar at the Glasshouse, Eric Robinson of the Other Chef Fine Foods, Adam Tait of Zebu Bar+Grill, Callum Riddock of Rydges Port Macquarie and dessert diva Tina Hamel of Sails Resort. Tickets will sell out and are limited to 120 spots – contact the hotel to book your seat at the table! $125pp including six courses, six wines and live entertainment, with a portion of all ticket sales going to the local Salvos appeal.

So if September is anything to go by, I will need to strap myself to the treadmill on warp speed for the entirety of the following month! And when I feel like hurling myself off for an ice cream, I just need to keep on reminding myself of a certain little fundraiser I have committed myself to in late November that requires minimal chocolate and bubbles and a commitment to cross fit and carrots ... watch this space!

Kate.

greater port macquarie focus 37

focus

editorial

Golf Club Gone Solar!

louperri.

from The Stunned Mullet

G l a s s i t or bottle i t?

Some days you only want a bit, some days you want a lot.

Wine, that is …

Most meals are complemented by a glass of wine, or two – occasionally more. But levels of alcohol consumption are closely aligned to personal preference – dependent on the mood, occasion, having to drive, responsibilities and commitments etc.

Some of you may have read the tongue in cheek food and wine philosophies scrawled across the blackboard at the restaurant – one of which is a personal favourite of mine – “Wine by the glass – don’t waste your time; buy the bottle. Medical research says you should”.

Indeed, precisely which medical research recommends imbibing larger amount of wine than an antioxidant loaded glass of red, or at the most – two a day, is debatable.

Regardless of the questionable sources of this information, however, for my own reasons (which do not solely consist of the idea of drinking more!), I do entirely agree with this statement.

Essentially, wine by the glass is a waste of time! On any given wine list, it is almost always an afterthought. It is, in fact, extremely difficult to find by the glass options which are remotely interesting. Usually only the most obvious and safest varietals are offered, for the obvious region that when you order by the glass, you are already playing it safe in regard to your choice.

More importantly though, is the very worrying prospect of being poured a glass from a bottle that has already been open for 3 days in suboptimal conditions. Unless an establishment has a dedicated wine preservation system, you should be extremely dubious about the freshness of the wine in your glass.

It's just too risky, as well as being quite uninspiring if you like your wine.

Of course though, I completely appreciate the many occasions that don’t warrant 38 greater port macquarie focus.

the purchase of an entire bottle and often importantly, the prohibitive cost involved.

As a restaurant owner in a regional and seasonal area such as Port Macquarie, I have needed to find another solution to this by the glass dilemma. Trade and turnover is simply too volatile to offer a large selection of by the glass options, and our proposition too small to invest in an elaborate wine vacuuming system.

This is why I have embraced the half bottle.

375 ml bottles are where it’s at! As I’ve found when creating my list, there are an ever increasing amount of producers, both local and international, who offer halves.

This opens up a myriad of possibilities for diners – not just wines that are freshly opened and infinitely more interesting than by the glass are on the menu, but premium wines that are simply unaffordable in 750 ml suddenly become a viable option. As Huon Hooke comments in his article about half bottles in last week’s Good Living – “Producers of high value wines should offer halves, because people who want to try their wines might baulk at buying a full bottle but may decide they can afford a half”.

It seems like a win-win scenario. So why are so few Australian restaurants offering half bottles? Well, cost is a factor, in that the mere fact that the 375 ml themselves haven’t yet caught on en masse means that wine producers are yet bottling the higher volumes required to bring prices down.

But the climate is changing … the fact that Huon Hooke devotes a full page spread in ode to the half in testament in itself that the idea will be firmly planted in the collective consciousness.

And that will eventually herald a happier perusal of wine lists everywhere …

Meanwhile … buy the bottle. And cheers!

The Port Macquarie Golf Club is so much more than just a golf club!

The Bago Magic Performance Group is the newest community group that The Port Macquarie Golf Club is now supporting. It is essential that these groups get the support they need from local organisations, whether it is by providing space for the groups to meet, or donating funds to keep the groups up and running.

John from the Bago Magic Performance group says: "The committee, Helen and myself, have had really rewarding discussions with Caleb and Kelly from the Port Macquarie Golf Club, and we have entered into a partnership with them. This will offer our group a beautiful venue, a wonderful room for our performances, workshops and special evenings, so we have got that support, which

is absolutely wonderful. A 21 seater courtesy bus is also available, and they have offered a pick up service for you and your carers to transport us to and from the venue. The Port Macquarie Golf Club really is a community organisation offering wonderful support, not just 18 holes on the golf course."

Port Macquarie Golf Club has gone solar, with 265 solar panels on the roof generating 70kg watts of power, saving 150 tonne of carbon emission every year.

This is one of a number of steps that Port Macquarie Golf Club is taking in an effort to be environmentally responsible.

Visitors to the area this school holidays are most welcome to join us for a meal in the restaurant or a round of golf, and we offer kids’ meals in a family friendly bistro environment.

Season 2

Morning Music

FABULOUS DAYTIME THEATRE AT AN UNBEATABLE PRICE Monday 9 er Septemb 11am

Comedy Night @ The Fig CHEEK TO CHIC...

CELEBRATING NOEL & COLE

And now for something completely different ...

The Fig is very excited to present comedian Dave O’Neil. With 20 years in the business of comedy, Dave is one of Australia’s most recognisable stand-up comics, having performed at 14 Melbourne International Comedy Festivals and at dozens of comedy clubs nationally.

Starring Hilary Henshaw

This is one ‘swellegant, elegant... marvellous party you won’t want to miss!

Dave was a regular part of successful TV shows such as Spicks and Specks (he holds the honour of being the guest with the most appearances, at 49) and Good News Week, and more recently in Adam Hills in Gordon St Tonight.

Recently Dave has been brushing up his trivia skills to take on the role of Team Captain in the ABC TV comedy quiz show, Tractor Monkeys, reflecting on the amazing footage housed in Aunty’s archives. Dave has also been dishing out life advice in The Agony of Life on ABC TV. He has written several books, including Everything Tastes Better Crumbed… and other BIG Statements, has written and acted in films (even starring alongside Eric Bana), and contributed to numerous sketch comedy shows.

“An atmosphere some comedians would kill to be able to generate, sitting in Dave O’Neil’s audience is genuinely to feel like you’ve stumbled into a relaxed conversation among friends … there’s an engaging affability … unprepossessingly good-spirited fun.” – Chortle.

“One of our most accomplished stand-ups.” – The Age.

Snare yourself a place this September!

It’s on again! After the huge success of last year’s inaugural drumming camp, Drum Attack Weekend Drumming Boot Camp organisers Mandy Campbell and Mark Spence are busy planning to make this year’s camp even bigger and better.

Boot Camp will be held 27 to 29 September at the Bonny Hills Conference Centre and encompasses everything drumming, from performances, demonstrations, workshops, small ensemble work, expression sessions, competitions and more!

4 day r n o e M emb Nov am 11

JONATHON WELCH SINGS THE GREAT TENORS Dr Jonathon Welch AM is a multi-award winning singer, conductor, teacher and songwriter renowned for his ‘powerhouse’ tenor voice & The Choir of Hard Knocks.

The weekend attracts school aged drummers from all over rural and regional New South Wales. With five inspiring and engaging educators booked, the level of drumming tuition is world class – a luxury normally only enjoyed by drummers in metropolitan areas.

Participants are guaranteed to have fun, develop new skills, a new motivation to practice and a new confidence for their instrument.

Master Drummer Grant Collins, who is known for his amazing ability to operate all four limbs independently, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed 2012 Boot Camp and am looking forward to furthering relationships this year. The camp provides an awesome opportunity for student development. It will be an awesome weekend.”

When asked in one word to sum up his camp experience in 2012, one participant from Grafton wrote “ThebestweekendthatIhaveeverhad!”

Fundraising throughout the year has kept the registration cost at just $229, which includes everything. For more information, you can contact Mandy on 0431 234 201.

Mond a Dece y 9 mber 11am

CHRISTMAS WITH SIMON GALLAHER Simon is coming to the Glasshouse to celebrate the festive season with you, singing all your favourite songs.

Tickets: Member: Adult $20, Non-member: $24, Group 6+ $22.50

BOOK NOW! call: 6581 8888 or online: glasshouse.org.au

(02) 6581 8888 I glasshouse.org.au Cnr Clarence & Hay Sts, Port Macquarie

greater port macquarie focus 39

40 greater port macquarie focus.

focusinterview.

After returning home from recording his first debut album with multi-talented industry expert Brad Bergen and Golden Guitar winner Tamara Stewart, Angus Gill from Wauchope is set to knock down the doors of opportunity.

Chrissy Jones found out more …

a n g u s

Y

ou are about to launch your first debut album Angus; tell us about that …

My forthcoming album is a compilation of mostly songs I’ve co-written or original works. Two examples of exceptions on the disc is my boppy Western Swing cover of a classic Slim Dusty song, Bushland Boogie and a song that Toowoomba Country music artist Alan Mackey wrote for me, titled Help the Candle Burn. I was thrilled to include two songs I cowrote with Tamara Stewart, hit songwriter and most recently a Golden Guitar recipient.

Your family is a great support; your grandmother, in particular, is a fantastic influence. How does she help you?

One song, titled Tea and Biscuits, was written about my grandmother and how she revives the wonderful old school traditions.

Grandma hates going down to the doctor’s surgery without a crossword puzzle, and I asked her to swap her crossword book for a pen and paper pad. I thought I’d give her a few ideas to chew over and see if she could come up with some titles for me.

The title that I took to Tamara was a standout selection that Grandma wrote; it had her stamped all over it. Memories at God’s Acre was another song that I co-wrote with Tamara.

This one was extremely sentimental to write and also for me to perform. I wrote a verse or two about my Pop’s passing and the rituals that Nan would undergo at the cemetery. I needed an extra verse about my Pop’s life, and

nd have I took it to the wonderful songstress Tamara, many years as a developing musician and rs. and in 15 minutes, she had weaved another been involved in many shows over the years. masterpiece.

When I was asked to organise the WauWhat are some other songs chope Country Club’s Talent Quest, on the album?

I jumped at the chance to sit Also included on back and observe the artists the album is Trails coming through. The talN O TI SI PO M of Crime, a song I ent quest will showcase CO MY T' EE R ST ER V wrote a few years the growing talents 'D RO H IT W TE RO W I ago about notoriof singers, musicians, IS A SO N G TE CA S E’ ous bushranger rappers, dancers, acBL CO O NA M LL A IS G N SO IS Jimmy Governor, tors and poets in the TE M PO. TH N IO AT IS N BA who was shot local area.

R A BO U T U D O O H D IL out the back of Can people still CH AND MY .”

D N U Wauchope. Also, enter the quest, and PL AYG RO Last Song on the what’s involved?

Radio is rather fitting, as It is not too late to regI am a fully qualified radio ister for the dance drama and presenter and love it. It is writpoetry section, we have $1,000 ten about the history of the 'wireless'; up for grabs, plus prizes, and you only I am comparing the past with the future have to be 8 years or over to enter. Entry and hoping that I won’t be around to is only $10 and the forms are on my website hear the last song on the radio. As techwww.angusgill.com/talent-quest/. The shows nology advances, I hate to say it, but we are are held in the Downstairs Auditorium of the losing some forms of entertainment.

Wauchope Country each Sunday afternoon My composition Drover Street is a song I between 3pm and 6pm. I will also be recordwrote with Coonamble’s Cate Tempo. This ing the highlights of the talent quest for my song is all about urbanisation and my childradio program on Sunday afternoons from hood playground. Keep posted for the launch 4 - 6pm on 103.9 2WAY FM or http://2wayfm. dates for my album via the mailing list on my listen2myradio.com/. Our first show kicked off website: www.angusgill.com/ on 11 August with the Vocal and Instrumental You have been busy organising and section; this was held in the Downstairs Aucoordinating the Wauchope Country Club ditorium of the Wauchope Country Club and Talent Quest. How did this come about? was a great afternoon of entertainment.

I have been on the talent quest circuit for Music heats were held on 18 and 25 of

“

D August. Dance, Drama and Poetry section he on 1, 8 and 15 September, heats will be held Semi Finals will be on 22 September and the F Grand Final will be on the 29 September. I will b be busy, busy, busy! I am looking forward to being the MC for the Grand Final – it will be a fantastic afternoon, and I invite everyone to come along for an evening of fantastic local entertainment.

On another note, you have just returned from the inaugural Singer/Songwriter’s Retreat at the DAG Sheep Station in Nundle.

What did you learn there to help you with your musical career?

I had an awesome time writing and learning with Golden Guitar winners/finalists such as Bill Chambers, Allan Caswell, Aleyce Simmonds, Lachlan Bryan, Amos Morris, Luke O’Shea and NZ Female Artist of the Year – Aly Cook. Meeting and working with some great likeminded songwriters, I came home with some songs I wished had made the deadline for my album.

I wrote a really cool Cajun/Country Blues flavoured song with a Toowoomban Accordion player, John Colville, and Melbourne Blues/ Roots Songbird Cathy Dobson. The DAG was also a great place to take photos; my dad and Aly Cook had Canons armed to gather some shots amongst the rustic scenery. The authentic wool shed was marvellous to capture the heart of Country Music. It had such a true blue feel; it made me proud to be Australian.

Thank you Angus; and best of luck with your MC Role at the Talent Quest. See you there! greater port macquarie focus 41

focus

editorial

Coffee and Tea BUZZ

Harry&Vicki

from Café Buzz

We love our Café BUZZ outlets, because we love to show our full range of coffees from all over the world.

C

offee is very personal, what you like is always the best, but, it is always good to taste other coffees in the BUZZ range. You can try any of our coffees at any of our cafés and of course, you can use your nose in our special ‘aroma’ jars.

Generally if you enjoy the aroma, you will enjoy the coffee. Nobody has the range of coffees you will find at your BUZZ.

cafés. Try some today!

Our HOUSE Blend is the coffee we serve in our cafés, and you can also take it home with you. It is a blend; a mix of different coffees from all over the world.

One of the best green teas to start with is Japanese Evening Mist. This is a delicate Japanese green sencha leaf blended with the divine blossoms of rose, corn flower and calendula … enjoyed at 80 degrees water temperature and infused up to 3 minutes!

You will feel so refreshed and energised after you enjoy a pot; try some at your local BUZZ.

e Many people ar g in er now discov n teas the range of gree BUZZ. ur yo at available not need Green tea does fact , it milk or sugar; in .” dislikes both

“

Another blend at BUZZ is our STRONG Blend. A big, strong, full flavoured blend of Arabica beans from Costa Rica, New Guinea and Ethiopia. This blend was designed for coffee lovers who enjoy a big, full flavour in their cup. This is not for the faint-hearted!

A true, rich taste from the Costa Rican, an earthy depth from the New Guinea, and a big chocolate finish from the Ethiopian – a blend BUZZ is proud of and well-loved in all our

42 greater port macquarie focus.

When it comes to tea, most people drink English Breakfast. However, many people are now discovering the range of green teas available at your BUZZ. Green tea does not need milk or sugar; in fact, it dislikes both. It is difficult at first to enjoy the taste, but, when you are accustomed to it, you will never go back. It is also extremely good for you!

In the image you see below is our Handybrew.

This is perfect for brewing coffee or tea anywhere you are. You can enjoy the best teas and coffees BUZZ has in an easy, convenient way. Available from $34.95, you get a free bag of coffee or tea with your purchase.

HASTINGS

CANCER T R U S T

Denise Eastabrook and Dr Begbie OCUS interviewed d you some time ago now, but to jog everyone’s memory, please remind us what the Hastings Cancer Trust is and what the aims of the organisation are …

Stephen Begbie: The Hastings Cancer Trust is a local not-for profit organisation which provides funding to assist our cancer services provide state-of-the-art treatment for local cancer patients. All funds are raised by volunteers to provide otherwise unfunded equipment, training, patient accommodation and other needs.

The Trust has been operating since 2004, and the current Trustees are: Shane Ryan,

B tt Gilbert, Gilb t Wayne W Brett Evans, Janine Buesnel, Peter Besseling and myself. Betty Allman is the Chairperson of Fundraising, and Denise Eastabrook is Co-ordinator.

The trust is calling for nominations for funding again this year. What types of individuals/organisations qualify ... and what is the closing date for applications?

Stephen Begbie: The North Coast Cancer Institute, local hospitals and palliative care services regularly apply. Community organisations that support cancer patients, cancer survivors and carers in the Hastings/ Macleay region are also welcome to apply for a grant.

The funding possibilities are numerous and

Bac o

a detailed explanation of the funding project.

Particular attention will be paid to how the project will benefit the maximum number of people with cancer. Detailed costing would provide scope for the trustees to provide partfunding for a project, where the resources were not available for full funding.

Applications should be submitted to The Hastings Cancer Trust by email: hastingscancertrust@hotmail.com or mailed to PO Box 838, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444.

Where and when will successful applicants be formally acknowledged?

Denise Eastabrook: Successful applicants will be formally acknowledged on Thursday 14 November 2013 at a presentation to be held at Rydges, 1 Hay Street, Port Macquarie.

Where do people go for more info?

Denise Eastabrook: For further information, refer to our website: www.hastingscancertrust. org.au or speak to me: 0411 357 208.

Thanks everyone.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

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ato Pot

Mexican

dependent on the creativity and energy of those involved in the management of cancer in this region. Projects might include the development of facilities, support of local research efforts, funding for the education and training of both clinicians and the community, purchase of aids and equipment, and even provision for the specific needs of community groups or individuals.

Submission closing date is Friday 11 October 2013.

How much money has the Trust donated since its inception?

Stephen Begbie: Over $1million has been raised over the last 10 years, and lots of projects have been funded. The local community has been generous, but we remain hopeful that we can continue to see the Trust support cancer services for many years to come.

How do people apply for funding ... what is the process?

Denise Eastabrook: Applications should include

&

ood Marinara S e af

The Hastings Cancer Trust has provided financial assistance to organisations and individuals who work to improve the lives of those with cancer in our local community since 2004. Applications for grants are once again open, but be quick – the closing date is October 11.

Satay Chi cke n

YOU E PANCAK a deserve

MAIN MEAL GET ANOTHER AT HALF PRICE* *Available LUNCH AND DINNER ONLY MONDAY - FRIDAY on presentation of this coupon. Dine-in meal only. Offer ends Friday 4th October 2013. Not to be used with any other offer.

Break

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greater port macquarie focus 43

focusinterview.

TROY WILKIE Meet Troy Wilkie, who's thrown his hat in the ring for the upcoming Federal Election. Troy will be running for the Palmer United Party. With a background in acting, Troy has grown own up and attended school in the local area, and he's passionate about making day to day life ife better for all Australians.

roy, you are a local who grew up and was schooled in Port Macquarie. Tell us about those years and what you were involved in locally as a student.

I have always been pretty active in all kinds of local groups, from Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, to surf life saving, Scouts, various bands, singing, but most of all acting; that’s always been my passion. It started for me when I was five.

My older brother, Rhys, was asked by his Year 3 teacher, Sandra Thompson, if he would like to compete in the local speech and drama eisteddfod. “No,” he replied. But when I overheard Mum and Dad talking about it, I piped up and said I would give it a go. I won two first places and had a great time. Every year since then, I competed in the Eisteddfod in Port Macquarie, Taree, Kempsey and Sydney.

I was pretty lucky to have a dedicated mum to take me to everything. She was far from a classic ‘show mum’, but very supportive and encouraging. Mrs Thompson gave up lots of time coaching me, so I owe her a lot too.

After graduating from St Columba Anglican School, what career and study did you pursue?

I knew what I was going to be right after winning those first two trophies at the age of five. Just a few weeks after finishing the HSC, I was working on my first TV show East West 101 for SBS alongside Gyton Grantly and Susie Porter. I had already finished my Diploma in Drama Performance via distance in Year 12 through Trinity College, London. Pretty soon I had an agent and was on the band wagon of constant auditions.

You also studied at the Australian Insti44 greater port macquarie focus.

tute of Music in Sydney. What experience did that give you?

AIM was great for me to refine my skills as an actor, but also work on singing and musicality, which is pretty vital to get work these days with so many musicals on. After I finished at AIM, I got a lead w up here I grew role as Bill Calhoun orrtt.. I love in Po in a new production ow an the area, nd I kn of the 1940s Cole t n' ld it well. I wou Porter classic Kiss Me be have thought I'd al Kate, which toured er d Fe a running for through China. g, n u yo Election this notice them walk in!

It was a pretty as h but the party So now in a twist, amazing few months, great ideas ...” you are turning to getting to experience politics. What promptthe country not only as a ed this? tourist, but working there.

I have always had an interest I quickly found myself part of in politics, but have been pretty fed the fabric over there. With so many up with it all for a few years now, to be honpeople in such big cities, it’s really immerest. It hasn’t felt like any ideas that will really sive. Everything is super cheap there too ... change day to day Australia for the better although, it can be hard to get clothes in your have been getting talked about. size. I take a small or medium in Australia, I was watching Lateline one night and up which translates to an XXL in China. I even came Clive Palmer: "This will be interesting," got kicked out of one shop for being ‘too fat’ I thought! He said he wanted to start a new to try on clothes! political party, of which I was skeptical of at You have since appeared in a number of first, then he went through 5 key policies. high profile TV shows. That must have I was taken aback. His ideas really struck been fun? a chord with me, and I was inspired by his Being on set is like stepping on a stage; it passion. These were the kind of new ideas I gives you a shot of energy every single time had been wishing someone would talk about. without fail. And you never know who you’ll I sent off an email to his resort that night meet. I had a small stint on Packed to the Rafasking that my interest in running for a seat ters a few years ago, and the scene we shot be put to him. A few weeks later, after lots of on the first day was also with Kate Ceberano interviews and talks, and here we are! and David Campbell, both of whom I am a Who and what do you represent? pretty big fan of with their work in music I am running for the Palmer United Party. theatre. You can’t show that, of course. That’s We are standing for a 20% increase to the the real acting: pretending you didn’t even

“

eterans aged pension, proper indexation of Veterans ng Affairs payments, the reduction and ending of various taxes, including reducing Income Tax and a refund of the Carbon Tax, for a common sense and humane approach to refugees, greatly increased funding to hospitals and schools, and for government to play a greater role in helping small business and encouraging people to buy local. We have also pledged to build a $100 million sport and health centre in the area if we win government. I have all the policies and ideas listed on my website: www.troywilkie.com What do you have that is special to bring the area?

I grew up here in Port. I love the area, and I know it well. I wouldn’t have thought I’d be running for a Federal Election this young, but the party has great ideas, and I have decided they are worth giving up my time for. We need someone who isn’t part of the major parties in the area to keep fighting for its needs. I have just that: fight and passion.

I really look forward to taking the challenge to Canberra and get what our community deserves.

Thanks Troy.

greater port macquarie focus 45

COLT AND DUSTIN PROSSER

focusinterview.

Colt & Dustin prosser

Brothers Colt and Dustin Prosser have grown up in the racing scene. Born and bred in Wauchope, the brothers have made a name for themelves in the local and country racing industry. We catch up with Colt and find out all about what goes on behind the scenes for these two young men.

T

ell us about your childhood and what it was like growing up in the racing scene?

The racing industry is like a giant family. As kids, we all grew up together going to race meets with other families, the Godbolts, Schmidts, Spragues, Grahams ... there wouldn't be a weekend go by without a race meeting then Pony Club, a local horse show or rodeo. Mum would even send me for riding lessons with premier trainer Jenny Graham for week-long lessons.

Weekends and even Christmas mornings would be spent at the stables. All racing people are hard workers, and it's often bred into you. Once it's in your blood, there is no getting out.

Did you always want to follow in your father's footsteps and be a trainer?

When I was younger, everyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I honestly didn't know; but, since leaving school I haven't done anything

else except work for my father and a few what we love. other trainers along the way. It wasn't How many horses do you have at the until I was working on the Gold Coast for moment, and how has this year gone group 1 and premiership winning trainer for you so far?

Bryan Guy that I got the urge to train We currently have 25 horses in for myself. training, and our racing seaIt can't be easy job with son ended in July. In only 4am starts every day, our third year of trainbut I'm sure it pays ing we had our best The hardest part is that off. What do you season to date, ual there is no man love the most breaking into the it on how to train; about it? top 20 country to all comes down My favourite part trainers in NSW, hat instincts and w ong of the job is the scoring 20 wins, al you have learnt joy and excitement 28 seconds and 24 .� ay the w on an owner's face thirds. This is a rewhen their horse wins cord we are proud of, a race; it puts a smile on but will strive to improve my face every time. It makes this year. We also managed all the early starts and freezing wet to win all three hometown cups mornings worthwhile. The hardest part in one racing season: The Woopwoop is that there is no manual on how to Cup, Old Boys Cup and Lasiandra Cup. train; it all comes down to instincts and We were quietly proud of that. what you have learnt along the way. A big What is a typical day like for yourself thank you goes to our partners as well; and your brother, Dustin?

Tarsha and Hannah often get the left over We always keep very busy, as we try to time, without much thanks. They let us do do most of the jobs in house – all track

“

work, shoeing, dentistry, pre training and breaking in. Dustin is the backbone of the stable. While I'm off at the races collecting all the glory, he is at home in the stables making sure all the small things are taken care of. There is so much behind the scenes that isn't on TV. A normal day is 12 hours long and 5 hours every Sunday.

As a local horse trainer, most of your meets would be in the local area. Do you have any goals when it comes to where you would like to see some of your horses race one day?

You really have to travel in this game to find the races to suit horses. We have won races from Ballina and Moree down to Newcastle and Wyong.

The big city win still hasn't come as yet.

The big city is where every trainer wants to end up eventually; that is where the big bucks are made. But we are happy at the moment where we are. We were born and raised here, and a Port Macquarie Cup victory would be high on our list of things to achieve.

Thanks Colt, and good luck to you and Dustin this racing season. greater port macquarie focus 47

48 greater port macquarie focus.

T H E D E PA RT M E N T S T O R E Great to be back in the Spring Fashion issue of FOCUS. What a blooming marvellous spring it is going to be. There is a look for everyone this season, from pastels to peplum, brights to whites.

The time is right to update your look. With an underlying ‘50s glamour mood, no doubt inspired by the Gatsby theme, there are sharp, monochrome tailored looks that team with beautiful accessories. Citrus brights and splashy floral prints are everywhere and you can mix your prints, but keep the colour uniform.

Gorgeous headwear, from fascinators to wide brimmed straw hats for relaxed glamour.

Jewels come in a visual feast of colours and styles, from metallics to fun pieces with tropical influences.

The caftan makes for casual dressing, and

wide leg pants in cottons and linens make a welcome return. Shoes complete the individual looks, with flat metallics, peep toes and platforms. Clutch bags make a statement in black and white and citrus.

Tried and true labels such as Gordon Smith, Jump and Gitane do not disappoint, with beautiful crisp linen and cottons. The Wish label never fails to deliver on trend, with exclusive prints, and the ever popular maxi dresses will be out in force for summer party nights. Dresses with jackets make for elegant special occasions, but the florals this spring make a definite statement. The feminine look is well and truly back.

We welcome lay-bys to secure your perfect look and size. So come on in and select from a huge range in store this spring.

See you in store. Judy.

elements OF DESIGN Spring has sprung at elements of design, with all of your new season requirements covered, ranging from a complete outfit to separates such as shoes, jewellery, hats, handbags, beach bags and our ever popular hammama Turkish beach towels.

With our clothing range we constantly source cotton pieces that are perfect for our climate – with easy to wear pants, dresses and tops that are suitable for all shapes, sizes and occasions. elements of design prides itself on uniqueness, quality and affordability.

Our focus is to assist customers with putting an outfit together and adding different accessories to dress up or down for any event.

Spring summer ambience can be created simply by setting the scene with a gorgeous flowy maxi dress or eclectic kaftan, teamed with a pair of funky wedges; add a multitude of assorted beaded necklaces and complete the look with a floppy vintage boho inspired straw hat.

For a beautiful finishing touch, Glasshouse fragrances, body lotion, soap and candle in Montego Bay - coconut and lime will be the total essense of spring summer!

We look forward to assisting you in store, and don’t forget to like us on Facebook to receive daily new stock updates and albums. facebook.com/elementsofdesignwauchope

greater port macquarie focus 49

colour B O L D, B R I G H T, B E AU T I F U L

Lusannaklotz from Meg & Me.

But you can forget the prime colour wheel we all learnt about in primary school; this coming spring, it’s everything in between that counts. From African Violet to Tidal Foam, Marigold to Indigo River, colour has been splashed back onto the catwalks of Milan and Tokyo and is set to storm across the Pacific and hit Port Macquarie’s shores just in time for race season.

S

o what’s looming on our fashion Metallics are back in full force, with designers horizon? Currently, colour blocking looking at new ways to utilise a classic to an almost paintbox style palette concept. Clashing with the soft and feminine, is surging through the fashion is a more contemporary, almost sculpted style, houses of Europe, with sharp lines and but this season, we can have our cake and eat urban inspired designs redefining what is it too (take full advantage, ladies; it may not an already edgy trend. Adding to colour last!) – whereby combining pretty and petite blocking’s recent overhaul are stunning ensembles, with chunky, overemphasised textural elements; sweet lace overlays accessories you can shift effortlessly from and sheer embellishments combine one look to another without altering a to create a look that is both thing. feminine and subtle, while Speaking of which, you producing a strong may be asking: how does silhouette – ensuring your one accessorise with presence will For the more such bold, statement ong be noticed at any event. adventurous am styles? The answer is

“

n has been

us, patter Interestingly, the ever easy – wood, baby, e the reborn. G one ar ts of our popular Ombre Effect and lots of it! Wood, in curtain-esque pr has transitioned from ceramic and resin are child ho od s.” hair to clothing, leaving 2013’s bling of choice. those of us wanting to These understated, earthy draw attention away from materials in overstated any perceived ‘problem’ areas shades and exaggerated designs thanking our lucky stars. The contrast perfectly with this season's Ombre Effect (or graduation of colours, for must-have trends. those not in the know), embraces the parts of Team your 'au naturale' accessories us we love with a bright burst of colour, while with a classic clutch or handbag drawing away from the parts we don’t by in a metallic hue, and you can’t go wrong. For morphing into lighter, almost pastel shades. the ultimate up to the minute statement, For the more adventurous among us, pattern has been reborn. Gone are the curtain-esque prints of our childhoods (and long shall they be banished to embarrassing family photo albums); these have been replaced with striking designs that would be better referred to as 'look at me' graphic prints – whether it be flowers, spots or lightning bolts – you name it, it’s there for the wearing.

50 greater port macquarie focus.

make sure you incorporate a hint of luminous silver or electric champagne. Whether you prefer a strong, statement look, or a softer, more feminine style, or indeed a combination of the two, ultimately nothing says ‘style’ like confidence.

Finally, as the eternally timeless Coco Chanel herself put it, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous”. The rest is up to you! X

F

a a p h re G c p ch

COLONIAL COBBLER I know! Where was winter? But the truth some very vibrant blues, greens, reds, purples is, we are all starting to get and yellows make their mark. our summer wardrobe This month we are highlighting the together, and our shoes Rieker shoes from Germany. Not are an important part only do they have the utmost Shoes and of that. in comfort to offer, but have can

“

accessories

tfit This season is going that certain European edge offer a plain ou out ith w , to offer us a variety to them. Sorry they don’t a new look our of colour; it is so do 8 inch heels, but then having to throw nts pa favourite black exciting to see new not every occasion calls out.” colour palettes emerge for that look! You will love after a period of black, them at first try; they have black and black. The splash that ‘ahhhh!’ feel about them. of orange we noted last Just ask anyone who has a pair of summer is with us again, but also Riekers.

D E S I G N Y O U R OW N FA S C I N AT O R Spotlight has just received a great new range of hats and millinery supplies ready for the upcoming Port Cup and Spring Racing Season. Coupled with our great basic range of millinery accessories, we can match any outfit for race day.

We will be running free workshops in store, so you can make your hat, fascinator or headband. Julie will be running these workshops on Friday mornings starting on 13 September through to Friday 11 October, from 10am 'til 1pm.

Free work shops starting 13 ugh September thro 11 to Friday am O ctober, from 10 .” m 'til 1p

“

Just select and purchase from our range the materials required for the style and colour to match your outfit, then Julie will help you make it in our free workshop.

For inquiries, please call Julie on 6581 5133.

greater port macquarie focus 51

52 greater port macquarie focus.

SPRING HAS ARRIVED

JAG G E D E D G E H A I R It’s spring time, and that means sun, fun and parties.

Class-ique Fashions is filling up fast with the arrival of all the new spring stock. Colour is the signature of this season: beautiful lemon, lime and oranges. To complement the vibrant colours, taupe and navy blue add a touch of contrast. White is making a comeback this summer.

Kaftans and long over blouses are also featured.

The long dress is included in this season’s range. Classic linen in bright colours teamed with cotton knits is a fresh change.

Affordable fashion is what we like to do best – good quality garments that co-ordinate throughout your wardrobe.

Class-ique Fashions has something for everyone, all ages, all occasions, and sizes 8 to 24. We stock only leading Australian brands.

Come in and experience the personalised service we offer, with large fitting rooms that offer mirrors to view the front and back.

Style, Fit and Service is our motto.

R E F R E S H A N D F E E L G R E AT

Come and experience the great skills and talents of the Jagged Edge team this spring.

Spring has sprung, and there are no excuses not to look and feel your best.

We are offering packages for the Port Cup and for all the young ladies having their formals, who need the whole deal for their special day.

Enchanted in Peach Tree Walk (arcade directly across from the Commonwealth Bank in Horton Street) has some exciting packages to refresh that winter body from top to toe, as well as the extensive range of beauty therapies on offer, including, waxing, tinting, lash extensions, acrylic nails, spray tans, manicures, pedicures, shellac, massages and facials.

We have a very professional team, including Julie, who has many years of experience in the hairdressing industry and is just one of the best hairstylists. Joanna, who has lots of experience herself, with so much hairdressing knowledge.

Shenade is very enthusiastic and full of the latest ideas and ready to create and share them with her clients, and our new face, Andrew, who is also trained in all the latest cuts and styles, has great colour knowledge and is also very enthusiastic about his amazing blowdrys and upstyles.

Give us a call today to make an appointment with one of our friendly team and to find out more about our packages.

Gift vouchers are available; drop in and we can work out the best package for you.

Appointments can be made by phoning 6584 0248.

You can also check them out on Facebook.

Open by appointment Mondays and Sundays.

Tuesday to Friday 9am - 5pm.

Saturday 10am - 1pm.

Appointments available after hours.

greater port macquarie focus 53

IN MY element Another new adventure for elements of design in Wauchope is 'in my element'.

Bringing to Wauchope a totally new shopping concept, located next door to elements of design a whole new look has been created where you will find occasional furniture pieces, home wares, childrens wear, mens apparel and accessories, ladies lounge/sleepwear with a selective clothing range to come.

Here you will find something extraordinary that is far from the ordinary!

I N S I D E O U T C A F E S H O P 2 /4 6 W A T O N G A S T, L I G H T H OU S E B E AC H PHONE. 0403 569 478

e l e m e n t s D E S I G N

O F

1 3 H I G H S T, W A U C H O P E P. 6 5 8 6 0 9 0 0

Each week new and exciting stock will be arriving with displays created to tempt you!

Opening hours are Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm Saturday 8.30am - 1pm Make sure you like us on Facebook, Facebook.com/elementsofdesignwauchope, where we will combine both our boutique updates with new stock albums daily.

T H E D E P A R T M E N T S T O R E 2 2 H I G H S T,

Looking forward to assisting you in making your house a home ‌

WAU C H O P E P. 6 5 8 5 2 2 9 9

M E G A N D M E B O U T I Q U E 12/6-14 CLARENCE ST P. 6 5 8 3 7 7 7 3

I N

M Y

e l e m e n t

SHOP 2/13 HIGH ST WAU C H O P E P. 6 5 8 6 0 0 4 0

54 greater port macquarie focus.

EVELINA KEMP The roaring 1920s Masquerade Ball was a huge success, for The Hope Shop in Port Macquarie.

Evelina Kemp of Glasshouse Hair & Beauty has supported this event throughout the years, and would like to thank Kate Hutten, Kate Wood-Foye and John Parer for keeping this event such a success each year and for allowing me to be a part of this event.

Evelina's special Hope Shop package is still available for bidding! Offering one lucky family one whole year of hair care and pampering.

Family Pack Includes: • 4 x women's cuts $200, • 3 x full colours with styling $480, • 1 x Make up consultation $50, • 4 x Kids cuts $80, • 4 x Men's cuts $120, • 1 x Pack including shampoo conditioners etc $200 • Valued at $1,130.

• Starting bid $600 / Reserve applies.

Please contact the hope shop to place your bid.

For the 2014 masquerade event: Get your mask painted with Evelina at Glasshouse Hair & Beauty and your donation will go towards The Hope Shop. Feel free to come in after 2pm and I will paint you the best mask of the night!

greater port macquarie focus 55

focuscolumn.

We a r e all a b o ut l ov e at t h e G l a s sh o u s e at t h e m o m e nt . . .

Two of our very special volunteers and supporters, William and Marse Coghlan, celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Such a special moment and 60 years of happiness, love and loyalty must not go unmarked. e are so honoured to know William and Marse and be a part of this special moment in their lives – the Glasshouse team sends you warm wishes and congratulations, as you celebrate 60 years together. In a tribute to their enduring love, it is time to share the little love secret permanently tucked away in the Glasshouse.

Much has been made of the wonderful acoustics of our venue, and the intricate timber panels in the theatre have become instantly recognisable as the Glasshouse.

w ith Be linda G ibson

The Glasshouse theatre’s warmth and amazing acoustics are revered in the Australian performing arts industry.

So much so, that without having even stepped in the building, Marina Prior and her team chose to use her sold-out concert at the Glasshouse last August over any other venue on her tour to film a live-in concert DVD (Live at the Glasshouse – coming to a store near you!).

Inside the theatre, the fabric-backed timber panels on the walls and ceiling serve a very practical task. The varying

56 greater port macquarie focus.

twisted angles reflect, disperse and absorb sound – stopping sound bouncing around the theatre; instead, they reflect sound out in a random scatter pattern. All terribly dry and practical so far, isn’t it …?

When you stand on stage and look out to the audience, the gentle waves and the warmth of the dimly lit timber appear to hug the audience in a warm embrace, and the computer-generated carvings are reminiscent of old paper piano rolls’ perforations. A vision not lost on Paul Kelly when he performed his sold-out show last month, saying it was “… like playing inside a pianola”.

places – like our lovely acoustic panels.

I respect and admire the design genius and technology that sits behind the acoustic efficiency of the Glasshouse timber panels – but my favourite part is the little bit of love they hold. You see, some of the panels in the theatre have a little secret.

What an observant and romantic comment! Arty types are often viewed as romantics; however, it’s not a trait often associated with tradesmen, so the next Glasshouse theatre secret may surprise and amuse you …

In the past, stonemasons would carve a personal symbol or ‘makers mark’ into their work, so as each great landmark building was constructed these tradesmen would leave their own private stamp on each building they helped create. The craftsmen behind our timber panels maintained this romantic tradition. Tucked safely amongst the mass of computerised looking circles and lines in the timber discreetly sit some perfectly formed cut outs in the shape of a heart.

In an era dominated by rapid technological change and mass production, it is easy to forget that many modern trades come from craftsmen traditions, and little bits of ‘tradie’ romanticism pop up in the strangest

A little bit of love permanently embedded in the Glasshouse to last the passage of time. Now, like all love, it’s up to you to find it ... but if you are feeling all warm fuzzy in the theatre, there’s a reason – it’s hidden in walls!

Don't miss out: Sunday 15 September.

Comboyne Village Fair Come and join us for a festival of food, entertainment and activities! Comboyne Village Fair is being held on Sunday 15 September. This is an opportunity for others to experience what can be achieved by a small community. This can be done by driving up the mountain to the Fair and indulging in High Tea in the hall, which has been transformed with oriental style flower displays into a Japanese Garden Tea House. Those who enjoyed last year’s Casablanca Garden Café will appreciate that this is worth the outing in itself.

As well as the tea house, the Village Fair also offers the 4B3 small art exhibition, the Red Plateau landscape exhibition, Car Capers, which displays a diverse range of car enthusiasts in competitive events, markets, great food, kids’ entertainment and live music, all in an atmosphere of relaxation and enjoyment.

• Indulge in the Japanese Garden Tea House surrounded by beautiful oriental flower displays • 4B3 Art Exhibition, Water • Red Plateau landscape exhibition • Car Capers • Markets, great food, kids' entertainment and live music!

Free parking is available at the showgrounds. FREE shuttle bus available all day.

Visit the website: www.comboynevillagefair.com for more information and details of what is on offer.

greater port macquarie focus 57

focuseditorial.

The Face of Birth

H

astings Maternity Coalition is free, family discounts apply and all proceeds screening The Face of go towards one of our first fundraising Birth on Sunday projects to improve birth options in 8 September our area. There will be a lucky at the door prize, a great raffle draw go “ ...all proceeds Port Macquarie Flynns and afternoon tea provided. r towards one of ou Beach Surf Life Saving This event will take place first fundraising Club, Tuppenny Road. at 2pm for a formal greet, e projects to improv The Face of Birth is a with a 2.30pm screening r birth options in ou documentary that explores start. The Hastings Maternity area. ” the importance of How, Coalition is a not-for-profit Where and with Whom we community group who have give birth. The HMC invites joined forces supporting local mothers, daughters, babes-in-arms, women's birth choices. If you would pregnant women, partners, friends, expecting like more information or to contact the parents, birth workers and the general public Hasting Maternity Coalition, please email to be a part of this exciting event! The cost hmaternitycoalition@gmail.com or like us on for the screening is $5, babes in arms are facebook. Your voice is our voice!

focuseditorial.

C O M B O Y N E

WAR

Memorial HALL

The War Memorial Hall at Comboyne is rather special. Over the last four years it has undergone the second rescue in its lifetime. Its first rescue was from the spectre of demolition to make way for a car park.

SUNCORP CELEBRATES group of people got together in the 1990s to say, "No; this community needs a hall"and restored it to its original 1920s state. It subsequently hosted many events for Comboyne families and for the community as a whole over the next 20 years.

S

uncorp Bank celebrated their branch the day to continue the celebrations, and the relocation to Shop 5, 124 Horton local support was well received.

Street on Thursday 8 August.

The Bank hosted a wine and cheese event Leslie Williams officiated in the evening, which was again at a morning event by the officiated by Leslie Williams. cutting of the Suncorp cake, Joining her for the evening d her an l al nd Ly “ freshly baked by long term celebrations were local team, Grant and customers Horton Street ParaOlympian Ryley Batt, to Kelly, would like Fresh Bake. The mornwell known local business for thank everyone ing celebrations also saw professionals, banking their support with the appearance of long clients and Suncorp manthe relocation ....” term clients Mr and Mrs agement.

Graham, who were the first Lyndall and her team, clients to join Suncorp Port Grant and Kelly, would like to Macquarie when the branch origithank everyone for their support nally opened 10 years ago, and they were with the relocation and would like to the first clients in the door when the branch welcome you all to the new branch to say reopened in the new Horton Street premises hello or discuss any of your banking needs on 22 July. Many more clients attended on with them.

Its present state is the result of a concert event that had so much potential, but was lacking in many ways. Its success required a vision for a community hall that combined better warmth, ventilation, light, acoustics and visual beauty.

This was going to cost commitment, time and m money, but with the help of many people in the c community working in many capacities, this has b been achieved. The ‘special’ element is that it has b been achieved through independent community effort to restore a community owned hall, one of several that operate outside of Council funding in the Hastings district.

It started with a meeting which inspired many to an effort to change from an ethos of fundraising to keep the hall maintained, to organising major fundraising to restore the pride the community had in this hall in the past. The Spring Fair was revamped and enlarged into the Comboyne Village Fair.

A regime of applying for community grants was established. Slowly, but surely, development projects happened as a result of the success of these efforts. The ceiling was insulated, the floor polished, acoustic baffles and soft furnishings mounted, new windows, gas heaters and fans installed, the interior, and just recently the exterior, painted.

The result is a stunning example of Art Deco style in a warm, comfortable space that has already

found a spot in the heart of the Comboyne community. The restoration is part of a wider plan for Comboyne as a major tourist destination and a way this wonderful geographical and community place can be shared with others in the greater Hastings.

The Comboyne War Memorial Hall is the venue for the community revival that is gaining ground with every event. A film festival was the catalyst for the idea of regular film nights, a weekly yoga class has grown to a membership of at least 20, concerts and dances are happening more regularly, the first dramatic production in many years made its debut on Saturday 3 August, the community choir holds it weekly practice, another talent quest is planned, and the annual garden café at the Comboyne Village Fair is an event in itself.

Comboyne Village Fair is being held on Sunday 15 September. This is an opportunity for others to experience what can be achieved by a small community. This can be done by driving up the mountain to the Fair and indulging in morning tea in the Japanese garden tea house, which will transform the hall. Those who enjoyed last year’s Casablanca Garden Café will appreciate that this is worth the outing in itself.

As well as the tea house, the Village Fair also offers the 4B3 small art exhibition, the Red Plateau landscape exhibition, Car Capers, which displays a diverse range of car enthusiasts in competitive events, markets, great food, kids’ entertainment and live music all in an atmosphere of relaxation and enjoyment.

Visit the website: www.comboynevillagefair.com for more information and details of what is on offer. greater port macquarie focus 59

60 greater port macquarie focus.

strange new arrival in their field.

focus_travel.

MY HOLIDAY Hot Air Ballooning Weekend in

the Hunter Valley

COOK ISLANDS

A short break away provided an opportunity for Emma Siossian and husband Adam Easter to recharge their batteries. The highlight of the trip? A sunrise hot air balloon flight with Balloon Aloft ... he most amazing experience of our trip was: Flying in a hot air balloon …

When we gathered for our flight, there was a sense of magic in the air.

The first rays of sun transformed the sky into blazes of pink, red and orange and lit the surrounding hills and vineyards with a soft, dawn glow. The moon hung in the marbled sky, a silver sentinel watching the day come to life. The sound of birdsong echoed in the valley.

We were standing in a small group in the middle of a Hunter Valley paddock at dawn on a cool, autumn morning. We were huddled around a giant, brightly coloured hot air balloon and about to be part of an early morning flight over the valley.

We were excited and nervous as we watched the balloon inflate. Its sheer size came as a shock as it started to take shape, dwarfing the crew holding it in place. It soon started to lift off the ground and there was just time to click off a few more sunrise photos before we were told it was time to jump into the basket, our journey about to begin! The ropes holding us in place were untied and with barely a whisper, we left the ground.

My husband, Adam, has a fear of heights.

Not surprisingly, he gripped the edge of the basket and said little as the balloon rose into the air, quickly leaving the boggy paddock behind. Once we were underway, however, he relaxed, surprised by how calm he felt as we floated through the sky. That’s the remarkable thing about being in a hot air balloon; in between the hot, noisy blasts of

air, it’s completely silent and peaceful as you sail with the wind. There is time to savour the experience and soak in the view.

As the sun rose further, the mountains and valleys around us came to life. Swirls of high cloud reflected the colours of the sunrise, and the moon continued to keep an eye on our progress. Sometimes the balloon soared very high, so that we could see over the ranges, mist hanging in the valleys of the Barrington Tops to the north, the patchwork of vineyards sprawled far below.

Other times we swooped so low, it felt as if we could almost touch the tree tops. The calls of Kookaburras and Currawongs marked our passage, and we watched as startled kangaroos bounded among rows of vines.

Ducks took flight over tranquil ponds, which mirrored our overhead passing.

There were only six of us in the balloon, two other couples, one celebrating a 50th birthday, the other marking their wedding anniversary and of course us, celebrating Adam’s 40th.

We were strangers, and yet it felt like we were sharing an intimate experience as we floated above the earth in our little basket.

Given the natural serenade we received during the flight, it seemed fitting that our welcoming party upon landing was a herd of cows. They were lined up in a straight row on our hillside landing strip, silhouetted against a moody sky.

We hit the ground with a thud and climbed out, exhilarated and energised. The cows sauntered over to investigate this strange new arrival in their field. They watched as we all helped pack up the huge balloon, and then it

was time to head back to our starting point designed to let nature in, the large windows for a champagne breakfast. framing the bush setting – there’s even a view The leisurely breakfast was a great chance from the wonderfully deep bath. to relive the experience with our flying It’s private and quiet, with an open fireplace companions and to ease into the rest of the for cool days and an upstairs double bed day (which was really only just beginning after area and downstairs living area with a bed-sit our early start). The food was also great: a section. There’s also a large outdoor deck from full hot breakfast, champagne, orange juice, which we watched a huge number of native coffee and even some chocolates (there birds, including the striking Rainbow Beewas also a chocolate shop eaters, Yellow Robins and Superb right next door, which was Fairy-Wrens. an added bonus).

There are a few bushwalks e th t hi e W Who we flew with: on the property, and during ground with a We flew with our stay nature had d be im thud and cl d and te Balloon Aloft. They really sprung to life after ra la hi ex out, ws offer sunrise flights, an unusual amount of energised. The co to sauntered over followed by a summer rain. Wildflowers e rang investigate thisthsteir champagne breakfast bloomed in abundance new arrival in and presentation of a next to bubbling mountain field. ” ‘flight certificate’ and streams. optional ‘in-flight’ group The food: photo.

The cottage has a full kitchen, We stayed at: and breakfast provisions are supplied on We were fortunate enough to spend a request. The Broke general store is also only a couple of nights in the Hunter Valley in a short drive away. We chose to self-cater, so we lovely bush cottage, somewhat off the beaten could spend more time relaxing at the cottage. track, in the growing wine district of Broke If you feel like heading out, the cottage Fordwich. is conveniently close to a number wineries, My husband and I had actually stayed at the including Nightingale Wines which, in addition rustic mud brick cottage, ‘Corymbia’ (formerly to Cellar Door sales, offers very tasty meals. known as ‘Kim’s Cottage’) 10 years earlier, and Overall experience: we found it largely unchanged. Tucked among Overall it was a perfect mini-break – a the gumtrees on 100 acres of bushland, below way to recharge our batteries and reconnect a stunning escarpment, it remains a peaceful with each other. Hot air ballooning was a place to rediscover the beauty of nature and wonderful, surreal experience we won’t forget the simple things in life. and wouldn’t hesitate to do again given the The cottage features an open plan layout, chance.

“

greater port macquarie focus 61

Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding We’re open 7 DAYS, and bookings are essential.

Phone 6587 5227 web: www.bellrowanvalley.com.au ■ Daily 1 & 2 hr Trail Rides. Pub Ride 2 Days ■ Tuition before and during every ride ■ Quality horses, beautiful scenery and friendly guides ■ Freshly baked damper & refreshments after every ride.

TRAIL RIDES AND TREKS

The Port Venture Fantastic range of cruises on an awesome boat- Dolphin spotting on all cruises too.

Eco History tours - most afternoons. Enjoy afternoon tea whilst cruising the Hastings river with informative commentary.

Whale watching season has started. State of the art whale watching boat- fantastic stability and largest boat in Port Macquarie.

Five diff erent viewing levels to take the best view advantage. Whale commentary included.

Bush BBQ cruises- Let us look after you for a day out. Morning tea and Lunch included.

Book in for your Port Venture experience.

BEST BOATS, BEST CRUISES, BEST PRICES. Phone: 6583 3058 or 0409 744 270 Web: www.cruiseterminal.com.au Address: River end Clarence St, Port Macquarie

Chinese Junk Our beautiful authentic Chinese Junk has river trips every day on the Hastings River. Be lulled on one of our two hour trips – either a tasty fish & chip lunch cruise or a yummy morning tea.

Sunset cruises also available, and some dolphin spotting on all cruises!

BEST BOATS, BEST CRUISES, BEST PRICES. Phone: 6583 3058 or 0409 744 270 Web: www.cruiseterminal.com.au Address: River end Clarence St, Port Macquarie

62 greater port macquarie focus.

Majestic Cinemas Movies Come Alive in Port Macquarie ■ New Screens ■ New Foyer ■ New Candy Bar Join the Movie Club for great discounts!

Majestic Cinema's Select Series showcases a range of high quality content to engage the discerning audience. Hand picked for excellence.

Join us on Facebook!

Phone: 6583 8400 Web: majesticcinemas.com.au

Bago Vineyards & Bago Maze Take time out to visit Bago Vineyards, a unique and pleasant experience offering a diverse range of activities for all ■ Enjoy wine tasting in the Cellar Door, enjoy a local cheese platter on the pergola overlooking the vineyards & surrounds ■ Join us for ‘Jazz in the Vineyards’ Sunday 8 September and Sunday 13 October ■ Explore and lose yourself within the Bago Maze, the largest hedge maze in NSW Phone: 6585 7099 Open: daily until 5pm Address: Bago Vineyards, Milligans Road (off Bago Road) Wauchope.

Web: www.bagovineyards.com.au

Hastings Valley Helicopters Take an amazing scenic joyflight over our most spectacular areas of coastline, rivers and farmland covering the Hastings Valley, Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie, Wauchope, Comboyne, Kendall and beyond...

■ Gift vouchers for all occasions ■ Many tours available ■ Weddings a specialty for that perfect day or how about a romantic champagne helicopter proposal?

Contact: Tallun Rose on 0413 134 777 Web: hastingsvalleyhelicopters.com.au Email: info@hastingsvalleyhelicopters.com.au

Holiday Fun Workshops Kick Off @ The Glasshouse

Checkout the new red pandas

Holiday Fun The Glasshouse will be a creative haven for kids this school holidays, offering an exciting range of artistic and dramatic workshops with experienced tutors.

Panda-monium at Billabong Zoo It's been 'Panda-monium' at Billabong Zoo since the arrival of the two beautiful red pandas. Sisters 'Rato', meaning red, and 'Tito, which is a type of bamboo, made the journey from Mogo Zoo just in time for the July school holidays.

The four year old pair have settled very quickly, and Billabong keepers have been enjoying to get to know their very different personalities.

Rato is very confident and bold and even a little pushy when it comes to her food – choosing to climb on to her keeper’s shoulder to steal the best treats! Tito is a little more timid and likes to check things out from a distance, before choosing to be involved.

Like their much bigger, distant relative, the

Giant Panda, the Red Pandas enjoy a variety of bamboo species, as well as enjoying fruits, vegetables, berries and eggs. One of Rato and Tito’s favourite items are dried figs, imported all the way from Turkey! Sadly, in the wild Red Pandas are classified as 'Threatened', with their forest homes being destroyed, as well as the threat of illegal hunting for their fur.

As few as 10,000 breeding individuals remain in the wild in places such as China, Nepal and Bhutan. To learn more about the plight of the red pandas and to enjoy watching Rato and Tito enjoy their dinner, why not come along to their special feeding presentation, which will commence for the September school holidays.

Hear the keeper talk and watch the red pandas munching at 2.30pm daily.

Due to the immense popularity of the workshops, the Glasshouse now offers classes for children aged 6 months to 12 years. For the tiny tots, they can ‘crash, bang and rattle’ their way through an hour-long workshop or creative play session with their parents, or the workshops for children aged 6 to 12 years allows parents to drop the kids off for two hours and slip off for a relaxing cup of coffee!

The Holiday Fun @ the Glasshouse workshops are tutor-led classes – aimed at introducing them to the world of music, arts and drama. The workshops include activities such as sculpture, design techniques, colour mixing and creating snowdomes.

“These activities are an opportunity for young people to discover their artistic skills, gain confidence and make new friends, all while learning and participating in making art,”

said Skye Frost, public programs and audience development officer for the Glasshouse. “The Glasshouse is a terrific venue for children to enjoy themselves, be inspired by art and learn from experienced and talented tutors in our purposebuilt Artlab, which overlooks the forecourt.”

“The workshops open a doorway into the art world,” explained Ms Frost, “and that doorway is not just letting children experience twodimensional art forms such as painting, but also three-dimensional art forms. Three-dimensional art forms, such as shadow puppets, snowdomes and sculptures, help the children develop creative and decorative skills while creating something functional that they can take home and play with afterwards.”

Holiday Fun @ the Glasshouse runs from 25 September until 4 October, workshops go for between one and two hours and start from $10, which includes all arts materials. Places are limited – to avoid disappointment, parents can book their spot online at glasshouse.org.au – call the Glasshouse Box Office on 6581 8888 or drop in.

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

for KIDS

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS:

WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER - WEDNESDAY 2 OCTOBER

CRASH BANG RATTLE

FUR FOREST SCULPTURES

... the Magic of Music for little ones

Tuesday 1 October, 10am — 12pm

Wednesday 25 September & Wednesday 2 October Ages: 6 months – 3 years: 9.30am – 10.00am Ages: 3 – 5: 10.15am – 11.00am

Ages: 6 – 12 Cost: $15

PAINTING WITH SPOTS Wednesday 2 October, 10am — 12pm

MONKEY MADNESS: CREATIVE PLAY

SNOWDOME CITIES

Monday 30 September, 10am — 11am

Thursday 3 October, 10am — 12pm

Ages: 3 – 5 & their carers Cost: $10

Ages: 6 – 12 Cost: $15

Ages: 6 – 12 Cost: $15

TIE DYE T-SHIRTS Friday 4 October, 10am — 12pm Ages: 6 – 12 Cost: $15

KIDS SPOT

r, 14 Septembe r, be m te 28 Sep & er ob ct O 12 9 November

DRESS TO MAKE A MESS!!

Ages 4 - 9 FR EE

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL visit glasshouse.org.au or call 6581 8888

GLASSHOUSE PORT MACQUARIE 02 6581 8888 glasshouse.org.au Cnr Clarence & Hay Sts, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444 The Glasshouse is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW

greater port macquarie focus 63

focustravel with Susie Boswell

DESTINATION : BROOME

here’s Baz Luhrmann when we need him, the big-picture director who gave us Gatsby, Australia and Moulin Rouge? When history needs to be writ large with a flourish, Luhrmann’s the mann: has he, like most, never visited Broome, one of the nation’s most remarkable locations and stories? The grand saga that grabs the gut, begging to be told with all its glamour, gore and pathos, sits waiting to be evoked, in Broome. The real story of Australia’s pearling capital has been captured only in a few documentaries and well-researched texts from the days of Ion Idriess to the turn of the century.

It’s one that realises the Dorothea MacKellar “beauty and terror” conflict of our country: the beauty and wonder of a flawless pearl and the horrors endured by pioneers who gave their lives to beget, ultimately, a multi-million dollar industry and the incomparable South Sea Pearl.

In Broome itself, the story’s captivatingly told by a travelling English-History teacher presenting the Pearl Luggers tour offered to visitors to the remote north-west coast of our continent. Chris MacManus relates its vivid essence to spellbound tourists visiting the Pearl Luggers museum in the Chinatown pearl showrooms district. The dozen or so shops – famous Kailis, Paspaley and more, treasure troves of lustrous pearls – on both sides of the terrace are sheer delight: it’s fashionable to buy a pearl on arrival and wear it proudly. But it’s MacManus’s storytelling that has tourists holding their breath.

It’s a tale of 19th century skin divers who sought the original treasure, the Mother of Pearl of oyster shells - for buttons, jewellery, cutlery – and any natural pearls, often misshapen, they bore. Some divers were kidnapped pregnant Aboriginal girls, considered 64 greater port macquarie focus.

to have superior lung capacity for searching longer under water - many fainting and drowning, or ripped apart by sharks. Later, of suited Japanese divers fed hand-pumped air, who were paralysed, crippled or died in agony, burdened by 200kg of apparatus: heavy steel helmets, massive leaden boots and layers of protective canvas and woollen suiting - before the bends and decompression were understood. Pearls valuable; life cheap - as cemeteries (pictured) reveal. Of the pearl masters, many mercenary and merciless, who affected a quasi great-white-hunter apparel, their white suits said to be worn once in the red dust and sent to Singapore for laundering, while the overlords quaffed champagne.

Of syphilis, leprosy, brutal spearings and shootings amid a seething racial hierarchy of colonials, Japanese, Malay and other Asian workers, and the Aborigines. Japanese hegemony. (And later, wartime bombing raids).

Graft, greed and filth, the bay a mass latrine; rampant cockroaches nibbling exposed seamen’s toes till they bled, as they slept in foetid on-board bunks. Cyclones, too, took a terrible toll on the fleet and crews. Exactly, merely, 100 years ago pearling and profits were at their peak: 400 luggers, some 3500 divers and crew, and 33 diver deaths in the season from the bends alone. After World War 1, the Depression, and the arrival of plastic buttons pearling, as it had been, was never the same.

A different aspect, then, on the tour to sister-attraction, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, an enervating 40km coach ride on dust-in-yourthroat red pindan roads. On a boat in the estuary tourists see a fascinating practical exposition of how now, out at sea, cultured pearls are grown, the magnificent pinctada maxima shell seeded and nurtured to bring forth valuable immaculate specimens. Other offerings include guided tours on foot, taking in landmarks like the charming open-air Sun

Pictures theatre (Chinatown Walking Tours), Beach Club, covered elsewhere, and also coach tours (Broome Sightseeing Tours), and spent a night at Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary, by hovercraft, boat ... and camel. where the welcome’s warm and corrugatedOrganised tours aside, Broome and Cable iron self-catering garden apartments (outdoor Beach are spread out; visitors need transport terrace pictured) are spacious, private and to usefully get around. Unless your hotel has ideal for families, with big swimming pools a shuttle, you can wait agonisingly on arrival perfect for kids. On a previous visit I loved at the airport for a taxi, booked or not, or Bali Hai’s individual villas with outdoor mandi travel circuitously via other hotels on the and this time briefly checked neighbouring public shuttle, not a good beginning after a five-star Paspaley-owned Pinctada, insectlong flight. I find car-hire companies gauzed tents at The Billi (pictured) and seldom offer optimal customer clean budget accommodation service so it was agreeable at Beaches of Broome. Not to discover locally-owned just for backpackers (dorm Broome Broome Car bunks from $24 nightly), The grand saga Rentals: efficient and Beaches has individual that grabs the ld genuinely geared to and family rooms, light to gut, begging to be r, guest satisfaction. brekkie and airport ou with all its glam ts si , Staff collect you at pickup included. os gore and path , ed ok your hotel and take ev Being a tourism waiting to be you back after car ” operator isn’t easy: in Broome. drop-off. As usual vicissitudes of climate, with rental companies seasonal patronage, costs we reserved “the last one and other elements mean available”, so were happy on excellence is hard won. For Perth pick-up to be offered an upgrade. people, Broome’s easily reached, but Airport pickups and drop-offs also are offered we could fly to London return for the price at no extra charge, including out of hours. of flights from the east. So I thought, for Recommended! instance, some life-size bronzes of pioneer We drove to dinner at popular casual Cafe identities (pictured) and a hard-hat diver in the D’Amour for wonderful pizza and pasta in a town centre could do with better interpretive tropical courtyard garden, run by outgoing signage. A greater than usual complement Jude and her Cuban husband Radiel. Good of itinerant workers versus vested hospitalfood in a relaxed space. Another word-ofity trainees has both pluses and minuses. mouth dining experience is seafood at the But Broome above all offers a cultural and Wharf. The tyranny of distance means little’s physical intensity to be savoured. It’s a land of cheap in this isolated spot (except at the tercontrasts: of sensual red earth and soothing rific Town Beach night markets with sensaturquoise ocean, of searing heat and relief tional hawker food and well-priced pearls). in the rain, of dramatic Indian Ocean sunsets At the Wharf we enjoyed oysters (no pearls, and the Staircase to the Moon, when a soft, sadly) and prawns, despite a somewhat grotty shimmering golden “pathway” to the rising outdoors dining space. Here, Broome needs a orb is reflected across the vast darkened tidal broom and a good scrub. We stayed at Cable mudflats of Roebuck Bay.

“

focustourism.

Port Macquarie Tourism Association

T o u r is m

janette hyde.

What wonderful weather we are having – roll on spring, so we can all enjoy our little piece of paradise.

T

he Country Link North Coast Tourism Awards was held on 17 August in Ballina, and the Greater Port Macquarie region was well represented amongst the winners.

Gold Winners Telegraph Retreat Luxury Cottages – Hosted Accommodation Port Macquarie Hastings Council – Local Government Award for Tourism The Glasshouse – Heritage and Cultural Tourism Tastings on Hastings – Festivals Bago Vineyards – Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries Two strongly contested categories resulted in two Bronze Winners: The Corner Restaurant – Restaurants and Catering Services Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat – Unique Accommodation Congratulations to all of the winners – a very worthy reinforcement of the variety of wonderful tourism businesses in our region.

The Tourism Network Mini Expo Night was held on the 13 August at Black Duck Brewery.

Over 70 operators attended and enjoyed the hospitality offered by Black Duck Brewery. It was a fantastic networking opportunity for the tourism industry.

Sydney Weekender on Channel 7 has continued the series of features focusing on the Legendary Pacific Coast. The Greater Port Macquarie segment was screened on 17 August. It was wonderful exposure for our area.

Events Coming in September and October The Port Festival, Saturday 7 September 2013 to Sunday 8 September 2013 Port Motor Mania presents The Port Festival.

This is our second year, and it’s getting bigger.

A two day fundraising event celebrating music, cars and lifestyle. The biggest and most diverse car show in Port Macquarie, with 6 live bands, cars, activities, along with food and market stalls.

Venue: Westport Park.

Contact Micheal Head by phone on 0416 809 533 or by email at mick@portmotormania.net for further information.

Comboyne Village Fair 2013, Sunday 15 September 2013, 9AM – 3PM

Diverse and innovative village fair with something to offer for all ages. Live music, art and garden exhibitions, Japanese garden café, specialist and historic vehicles, great food. Relax with family and friends.

Venue Comboyne Village Incl. Hall, Showground, Community Centre and streets, Comboyne.

Web www.comboynevillagefair.com 2013 Carlton Mid Port Macquarie Cup Carnival, Friday 11 October 2013 to – Saturday 12 October 2013 It's that time of the year again: Spring Racing.

The Port Macquarie Racecourse comes alive on Friday 11 October with the Carlton Mid Port Macquarie Cup Day. It's a chance to frock up, sip champagne and enjoy the racing trackside or on the giant video screen! And don't forget the FOCUS Fashions on the Field, where you can see the region's best couture.

Venue Port Macquarie Race Club, Oxley Highway, Port Macquarie 2444.

Webwww.portmacquarieraceclub.com.au IRONMAN 70.3 Australian Age Group Championship Sunday 20 October 2013 Athletes from across Australia will descend on Port Macquarie in October to compete for the Australian Age Group Championship, with 25 qualifying slots for the IRONMAN World Championships 70.3 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Winners will also be awarded the title of IRONMAN 70.3 Australian Age Group Champion.

Athletes will complete a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike and 21.1 km run. 2013 course outlines are being finalised. Visit the website: updates will be made regularly.

Venue Various locations around Greater Port Macquarie.

Web www.IRONMANportmacquarie.com SBS Feast Tastings on Hastings 2013, Sunday 27 October 2013, 10AM – 4PM The SBS Feast Tastings on Hastings returns to Port Macquarie's Central Business District with more than 100 stall holders, serving an amazing range of great local cuisine along Clarence Street, the lower end of Horton Street and onto the expansive lawns of the Town Green overlooking the glistening Hastings River.

Web www.tastingsonhastings.com.au/events greater port macquarie focus 65

School Holiday Fun

Seabird Swimwear Introducing the new owners of Seabird Swimwear. On 1 July, Jo Salter and Peter Schubert purchased Seabird from former owners, David and Di Edgerley.

Jo previously worked for David and Di manufacturing Seabird Swimwear, so it made perfect sense to buy Seabird when the opportunity arose.

Jo and sales assistant Rhianon will now be manufacturing the swimwear on site, offering a whole new opportunity for locals and the long list of repeat customers already using the fantastic online store, selling around Australia, NZ, US and the UK. All of the existing Chlorine Resistant styles for the over 50s will remain, and we are about to introduce a new range of younger styles catering for all shapes and sizes – from teens through to young mums and. Jo and Rhianon invite you to come in and share your ideas on the new styles and colours they should introduce.

Most importantly, they are now offering the choice for you to individualise your swimsuit! Choose the style, fabric and colour of your choice. This service is at no extra cost, and generally your swimsuit will be ready within a week of ordering.

CURRENTLY 50% OFF IN STORE TO CLEAR CURRENT STOCK!

66 greater port macquarie focus.

The cheapest entertainment for kids! This program runs each school holidays for 2 weeks between 9am - 3pm and is for primary school aged children, between 5 - 12 years.

The program gives children an opportunity to mix and meet new friends (and catch up with old ones too!) while enjoying sport, group games, and jumping castles in a safe, controlled environment. Activity days involve children in a range of sports and games, including badminton, volleyball, basketball, soccer, polo hockey, netball, group games, jumping castles and watching a movie.

TIME: 8.45am to 3pm. Please note, we now have a late pickup time through to 5pm (at an additional cost of $5 per day).

COST: $20 per day/per child. ($5 extra for late pick up – check though, when booking.) EFTPOS AVAILABLE. BOOKINGS: Must be made in person at the Sports Stadium on the corner of Hastings River Drive and Hibbard Drive. We can’t take bookings over the phone, as we require firm bookings for staffing each day.

REFUNDS: Refunds are not possible for ‘on the spot’ cancellations or ‘No Show’ bookings. Refunds are possible if cancellations are made with enough time to offer your spot to another child from the waiting list.

NUMBERS: Due to limited spots available, bookings are required. So book early to avoid disappointment. www.portstadium.com.au

Ready for Retirement Ormond Williams, who has quite a family history in Port Macquarie, has operated Ormond’s Framing for 28 years, and the time has come for him to retire in order to spend more time visiting family and on his passion – photography!

Ormond’s Framing is a custom picture framing business specialising in conservation framing of a wide range of items, including certificates, objects, artworks and memorabilia!

The business is for sale as a going concern and includes all plant and equipment, fixtures and fittings. Importantly, an intensive training program will be provided by Master Framer, Ormond Williams, that will include: • Framing techniques and methodology • Materials selection and utilisation • Use of all shop equipment (including computerised machinery – mat cutter and vee nailer) • Frame selection and client interaction/sales technique • Stock management • Supplier systems and interaction • Network introductions – local, national and international.

More information available, in person, from Ormond’s Framing, 7a Bellbowrie Park, Port Macquarie.

focusinterview.

Westport Aware Students of Cancer and Leukaemia Sufferers

Andrew Parkin is a Coordinator of a very dedicated team of students at Westport High School. He tively introduces us to WASCALS, and tells us the amazing story of a group that has been able to collectively raise over $300,000 for cancer sufferers and cancer research ...

P

lease introduce us to WASCALS ... what does the acronym stand for, and what is the aim of the group?

WASCALS (Westport Aware Students of Cancer and Leukaemia Sufferers) is a volunteer group at Westport High School that has been running since 1992. The aim of WASCALS is to raise awareness, support the community and give hope to those affected by Cancer. WASCALS does this by participating and fundraising in events within the community, so that we can assist in the improvement of treatment, research and prevention to beat cancer once and for all.

How many students and teachers are currently involved with WASCALS? Currently there are approximately 40 student members from Year 7 to Year 12 who meet each Wednesday lunch time. As WASCALS is a student run group, we have a voted executive leadership team who run our meetings and organise students for the events we participate in.

Our current executive members are: President – Kira Olive, Vice President – Megan Cooper, Junior Vice President – Reef Christiansen, Secretary – Niamh McCluskey and Kate Clarke, Treasurer – Krystel Hollis, Publicity Officers – Kristy Field, Natasha Bordin & Zoe Vanderstelt as well as our Support Unit Executive − Demika Hedger – President and Jessica King – Vice President. To assist the WASCALS executive, there are 3 Coordinators: Mr Andrew Parkin [myself] Ms Gail Mead and Mrs Amanda Locke.

What’s a bit of history behind the group ...when was it established, and what was the impetus behind its formation?

WASCALS were formed in 1992 when Mr Wayne Bourke was Year Adviser of Year 9 students. The group was formed as students of this year group wanted to do something no one else had done and leave a legacy at Westport High School.

so in this event eventt From 1992 – 1995, WASCALS was exclusive students shave their heads, but also to this year group only. After 1995 and much students, including WASCALS Vicee President success, the group continued and was open for Megan Cooper, participated in the Pantene membership to the whole school.

Beautiful Lengths – Wigs for Women Campaign.

In the group’s initial year, it had joint The purpose of this campaign is to generously Presidents: Mark Smith and Helen Dowse. Mr provide locks of hair to be used to craft beautiful Wayne Bourke sent the Presidents to the local high quality wigs, which will then go to women paper to get some publicity for the group. It affected by hair loss from cancer. The idea is was here where reporter Lyn Boutlis decided the that this will help women with cancer feel like group needed a name, and WASCALS was born. themselves again when looking and feeling In 1995 the Year 12 art group and WASCALS healthy is so important to them. members designed the WASCALS logo which is We have also wrapped Christmas gifts at Big currently used today – a hand holding W in December last year, we ran Sweets a daffodil, which signifies hope. for Sufferers at Westport High How does WASCALS help School, which was our version to raise awareness of of Biggest Morning Tea, as hy Other reasons w cancer related issues? well as our major Christmas pt students are ke WASCALS raises and Easter raffles. they motivated is that unity awareness by going out Since the group’s rt see it as an oppo s and into the community inception, roughly how nd to make new frie events and participating much money has it at have lots of fun . in e at in various events. raised... and how have that we particip e tiv ac ry ve a WASCALS actively get these funds been used WASCALS is ” p. ou gr involved in promoting to benefi t cancer and al and soci safe behaviours regarding leukaemia sufferers? cancer at a school level by Since 1992, WASCALS has promoting healthy messages at raised over $300,000. This money school assemblies, creating posters gets distributed to cancer sufferers such as anti smoking, modelling safe within our local area. We also raise money behaviours such as sun protective gear for organisations such as the Port Macquarie and applying sunscreen and participating in Oncology Unit, The Cancer Council and Camp events run at school.

Quality.

Describe some of the fundraising efforts the WASCALS also use money raised to help group has been involved with this year... towards holidays, dinners, laptops or any other WASCALS participates in a range of events technology to assist in catering for needs and organised by larger organisations such as The help with dreams to try and make life easier and Cancer Council, Camp Quality, Lions Club and take the pressure off sufferers and their families. various others. Each year WASCALS partakes Tell us a bit about the significance of in Relay for Life, Daffodil Day, Camp Quality Daffodil Day... what plans did WASCALS Christmas games and Lions Club Australia Day have in place for the day this year? games.

Daffodil Day is a very important day on the WASCALS also runs their own fundraising Cancer Council Calender. The Daffodil gives a efforts. This year we ran our version of Shave sign of hope that a cure for cancer is found. On for a Cure: Crop, Chop and Cure. Not only did Daffodil Day WASCALS went to the 5 Hastings

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Valllley Vall Va ey Community C Com ommu om muni mu nitty ni ty off Schools’ primary prima schools Valley Kindergarte and Year to talk to the students in Kindergarten 6 about the importance of this day and more so to encourage students to support events like these so that one day a cure can be found.

Each student received a daffodil for a gold coin donation. From this day, we raised over $1,600 for the Cancer Council.

What keeps group members motivated to keep up their fundraising efforts?

The WASCALS members are kept motivated for a number of reasons. Mostly, students are keen, as it gives them a sense of belonging, they feel a sense of accomplishment, to feel like they’ve done a good thing by helping out the community by raising money and awareness.

Some members of our group are motivated by personal losses, or have cancer themselves.

Other reasons why students are kept motivated is that they see it as an opportunity to make new friends and have lots of fun at events that we participate in. WASCALS is a very active and social group.

How can people help WASCALS continue the great work it does in the community?

People from the community can contribute to helping WASCALS through buying raffle tickets, donating goods for the group to have as prizes in their raffles or give monetary donations. The public can also help by being supportive of WASCALS if they see them out in the community − the students are recognisable by their WASCALS shirts with a Daffodil Design, the symbol of hope. Any student who attends Westport High School is able to become a member of the group.

Where can readers find out more information about the group?

To find out more about WASCALS, contact Westport High School on Ph: 6583 6400 or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/ Wascals /199812410070882?ref=hl Thanks Andrew.

Interview by Jo Atkins. greater port macquarie focus 67

focusinterview.

RURAL Carl Schmitzer from the Pembrooke Rural Fire Service tells us about an Open Day planned for September 28, 10am - 2pm.

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hat’s your role/ position with the Pembrooke Rural Fire Service, and when did you join? NSW Rural Fire Service employee, Rank of Inspector, position, Community Safety Officer. I joined the RFS in 1991 as a volunteer.

Tell us a little bit about the Pembrooke RFS ... roughly how long has it been around, and how many members/volunteers do you currently have?

Pembrooke Rural Fire Brigade is located in the village of Pembrooke – the Brigade station is located on Pembrooke Road, next to the local tennis courts. The Brigade has a membership of 17.

Currently the Port Macquarie-Hastings District has a volunteer membership of over 700.

What are some of the typical duties/

68 greater port macquarie focus.

tasks your brigade is called upon to perform within the community? The Brigade is called upon to deal with grass and bush fires, structure fires, motor vehicle accidents and also to assist other agencies that require assistance during an emergency.

There will be an Open Day held at the Pembrooke Rural Fire Service headquarters on September 28, from 10am - 2pm. What’s the aim of this day?

RFS Open Day gives the local brigade the opportunity to open the doors to the general public, to give the public guidance and information with regard to fire safety around the home or property.

Also, it gives the public the opportunity to join the RFS. Which other local brigades will be holding Open Days? Are members of the public also welcome at these events?

Yes, s, members of the public are most welcome to go along to any of the brigades participating in the Open Day. They are Wauchope Brigade, Lake Cathie, Lorne, North Shore, Rollands Plains, andSancrox/Thrumster.

How do interested people actually apply to join the RFS? To make an application to join, you should contact your local Rural Fire Brigade. If you are not sure where your closest brigade is located or if you would like more information, email us at volunteer@rfs.nsw.gov.au Thanks Carl.

focusinterview.

in Zimbabwe A team from Grace Church: Jacob Nocelli, Jakayla Reid, Dan Wilberforce, Leah Doeland, Ellie Morgan and Todd Murray went to Africa to raise awareness and support for varies ministries in Zimbabwe. Their aims were to expose people to life in another culture and to contribute to the needs of those ministries. Todd Murray tells us more.

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hen did you first become involved with the Ministries in Zimbabwe, and what did you learn about them?

Grace Church has been involved with the Mission in Zimbabwe for over 6 years now. The work in Zimbabwe started with Martin Barrow.

Martin Barrow, formerly from Port Macquarie, has lived in Zimbabwe for 11 years, and in that time established many awesome projects to help the disadvantaged people of Southern Africa.

Martin leads this Christian Ministry, reaching out to the poor in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

A team from Grace Church, six of you, embarked on a journey to Africa; what did you want to achieve while there?

This trip was very much about allowing some younger people from our church to experience life in another culture and to see how diverse our world really is. We were able to achieve this by helping in a variety of ministries, such as the Isaiahs Homes of love, which was established to assist abandoned babies, orphans and children in desperate need of care. Since 2007 they have cared for over 100 babies/children, with a third of them fostered to be adopted by loving families, 18 placed into ‘forever family homes’, 21 reunited with their extended families, and unfortunately 5 of their babies have passed away.

They have a babies home for abandoned babies, where they are lovingly cared for and they help to facilitate fostering and adoption.

In this home they currently care for 24 children aged between newborn and five years old.

They partner with organisations and have established ‘Forever Homes’, where abandoned and orphaned children not fostered or adopted

are cared for in a family environment. There are two of these homes in operation, with a vision to establish another home in the very near future.

As well as the babies home, we were able to work alongside a very new school. This is a school for children who have missed out on many years of schooling for various reasons, including those who have lived for a period of time on the streets. The school provides quality education, as well as training in life skills, social development and health education. They run the ACE home-based schooling curriculum and supplement this as appropriate. Currently they have 14 children attending this school, with another 16 about to be enrolled.

What did you personally experience, and how has it impacted your life?

One of the experiences that challenged me the most was when we visited an 18 year old boy in hospital. This young man was bashed severely for his mobile phone. As a consequence from the bashing, he was hospitalised with fluid on his brain and a possible fractured skull. The young boy needed a CT scan to find out what was causing the fluid build up. The mother sold most of her belongings and managed to raise $200. The CT scan would cost $500. We managed to hear about this mum’s difficulty, and it was no problem to give this lady the extra money she needed for the scan to take place.

The swelling on the young man’s head was so large and evident, it looked like a football was embedded under his skin. What impacted me the most was, before we left the hospital the two young girls travelling with us prayed for him; they prayed that God would heal this young boy. Before we left Zimbabwe, we heard that two days after our visit, the boy’s swelling had gone, the CT Scan came back all clear and

the boy was discharged from hospital. I believe You know, Zimbabwe people struggle just like in God and that he heals people still today. This Australian people. They get sick, they work at was an amazing example of that! holding marriages together, they have teenagers The overwhelming, continual and persistent struggling with identity and self worth, they’re poverty is obviously a huge issue. Resources are young people struggle to find a future and always stretched, and they never seem to keep husbands leave wives, people take drugs, up with the need. Take this story, for example. people are abused, people suffer depression and Brandon was abandoned as a newborn baby all that life sometimes throws our way is just boy and was discovered by passing as evident in their culture as in ours. Of Police Officers when he was course, their resources for handling heard crying. these issues are not as available Investigations were as they are for us, but for The fruitless in tracing his them and for us, Jesus overwhelming, mother or any known really is the only answer. continual and relatives. Brandon What's next for your rty is persistent pove developed lactose work with overseas e. issu obviously a huge intolerance within his organisations? s ay w Resources are al first month, which This year alone ey th stretched, and up resulted in admission we have people from ep ke to never seem to hospital on two Grace Church travelling .” ed ne with the occasions. He later to the Philippines, India developed pneumonia and Finland, plus those and once this was treated, recently just returning from he seemed to suffer from Africa. We have relationships with eczema, which is now being treated people in Mongolia, Papua New Guinea at home with prescribed lotions. He has and one couple currently looking to move settled well and still loves the cuddles and to Cambodia. Grace Church is very alive and attention he receives. active in overseas involvement. We see in Grace Without homes like Isaiahs Home of Love, Church that overseas involvement will grow what would happen to this young boy? What from strength to strength. In the last financial would have happened to the young 18 year old year our church donated $30,000 to overseas whowas bashed if we weren’t in the country? missions’ activities. This does not include what Many people wonder what kind of impact individuals in our church might be donating as one person or one church can make ... we made well. We hope to significantly increase this in the a difference to that one young man ... for him, years ahead. We encourage anyone wanting to it changed his world, and for me that is worth donate or be involved in overseas mission work every effort it took to travel to Africa. to come speak to us; we have much experience Faith is a huge part of your lives; what and opportunity to offer anyone who might be is their faith like there, and how do they interested in trying something new. God Bless. practise?

Todd Murray, Senior Pastor Grace Church.

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greater port macquarie focus 69

By Dr Graeme Browne from The University of Newcastle

By Glenise McLaughlin from The Natural Health Sanctum

Thyroid I S S U E S ?

IS YOUR THYROID HOLDING YOU BACK? id you know that it is estimated that around 10% of the population have thyroid issues? That is one in ten people!

Most people don’t even know that they have thyroid issues. But I got ahead of myself there.

Most people don’t even know what the thyroid even does! It is a small butterfly shaped gland situated at the base of the front of your neck, just below your voice box and is a 'master' gland, which means the hormones it produces have an enormous impact on your health, affecting all aspects of your metabolism and every organ in your body. These hormones maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, how fast or slow you burn calories, helps to control your body temperature, influences your heart rate and helps to regulate the production of other hormones and proteins.

If your thyroid is not active enough and makes too little hormones, it is called hypothyroidism and can lead to symptoms including – weight gain, fatigue, depression, dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss, high cholesterol, constipation, infertility, recurrent miscarriages, hoarseness, menstrual abnormalities, decreased sweating, sensitivity to the cold, fibromyalgia, joint pains or stiffness and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

If your thyroid makes too much of the hormones, it is called hyperthyroidism and can lead to symptoms including- increased heart rate, restlessness, weight loss for no obvious reason, increased appetite, insomnia and make you more

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sensitive to heat.

Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism, and it is more common in females than males.

Many of my clients at my clinic present with symptoms of thyroid issues but have returned ‘normal’ blood test results, leaving them to believe that their thyroid is functioning adequately.

But, it is important to know where your thyroid hormones levels actually sit on this ‘normal’ scale.

Just because your levels sit within the parameters of ‘normal’ doesn’t mean that it is the correct level for optimum thyroid function within your body.

The good news is that Mother Nature has provided us with many safe and effective herbs and nutrients to help your thyroid function at optimum levels.

If you think you have thyroid issues, call Naturopath with over 20 years' experience, Glenise McLaughlin at The Natural Health Sanctum on 6583 3544 for an appointment.

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he experience of anxiety is normal. It is the fear of a future threat – real or imagined.

Moderate levels of anxiety can improve alertness and performance. Unfortunately, some people have problems with anxiety. For these people, the anxiety is excessive and persists, despite the lack of a real threat.

Excessive anxiety is the most common mental health problem is Australia today.

Unfortunately, most people don’t attempt to do anything about their anxiety for many years. Often they do things that relieve the uncomfortable feeling, but do not get at the underlying problem.

Those things that do not solve the problem include recreational and prescribed drugs. Recreational drugs like alcohol and cannabis can do a great job of relieving the symptoms BUT only cover up the problem. Prescribed medications such as benzodiazepines (Valium, Serepax etc.) do a similar job and should only be taken

short term. If one uses drugs to solve anxiety problems, they run a very real risk of developing dependence/addiction. In reality, drugs usually make anxiety worse.

What works? Things that make a real difference to anxiety include healthy eating and exercise (don’t we hear this all the time); yoga, tai chi, meditation are probably the first place to begin. Supportive relationships with someone you can talk openly with can be very helpful. Some people find that engaging with their religion or spirituality helps with their excessive anxiety. As well, some people find some form of psychotherapy with a Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or Psychologist useful.

Dr Graeme Browne RN, MHN, PhD Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing & Midwifery Faculty of Health University of Newcastle Port Macquarie Campus

By Jamie Finn from Port Macquarie Day Spa.

Massage for

MEN

70 greater port macquarie focus.

GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN DAY SPAS WERE ONLY ABOUT WOMEN.

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’m pleased to say we are seeing more and with and aches and pains. more men come through our doors, Added benefits of massage include and it’s with good reason. A day improved blood circulation, help spa is all about relaxation, with sleeping disorders such as health and wellness – a place to insomnia, improved skin tone, t “ Why not trea escape the hurried world and strengthening of the immune Dad this Father’s with our hectic lifestyles, what system, the release of endora gift ith w ay D better place to be! Massage is not phins, reduction of stress, and voucher? ” just an indulgence; the benefits the list goes on. Team this with for mind and body are extensive a hydrotherapy spa, and there and with a range of massages to suit you have a match made in heaven! all needs, they really are a must! Our faSo why not treat Dad this Father’s Day vourite selection and most popular men’s choices with a gift voucher from Port Macquarie Day are renewal and hot stone massage, designed Spa, available online www.portdayspa.com.au, in to take you to a total state of bliss, but also help store, or simply give us a call on 6584 2255.

Smartphone eyestrain Thyroid holding you back?

Are you wondering where your ‘get up and go’ went?

• D o you want to lose weight, but can’t?

• D o you feel sluggish all the time?

• Is your skin dry, nails brittle?

• Y our hair falling out?

• Fer tility problems?

• Rais ed cholesterol levels?

• Ins ulin resistance?

• DDe ecreased appetite?

If yyou answered yes to any of the above, you may be suffering from low thyroid function.

Symptoms of low thyroid function occur slowly over time; making it difficult to notice them until they start to significantly affect the quality of your life ( ie: fatigue, weight gain, higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes etc.). Therefore restoring normal thyroid function is vital to ensure your long term health.

The good news is that Mother Nature has provided us with many safe and effective herbs and nutrients to help your thyroid function at optimum levels.

So, if you would like help to regain your ‘get up and go’ and to improve the quality of your life, call Naturopath with over 20 years experience, Glenise McLaughlin, at The Natural Health Sanctum (6583 3544) for an appointment.

People are aware that excessive computer work can cause eye strain, but few realise that excessive use of your Smartphone can cause the same problems. In fact, long periods of screen viewing on your smartphone can cause more eyestrain than a computer, essentially because the screen is significantly smaller.

Smartphone technology and Wi-Fi networks allow us to do all the things we used to do on a computer, anywhere and anytime. Browsing the web, emails, Facebook, reading and writing documents, etc. are all possible now on our smartphones. The small screen, however, is not adequate for long periods of viewing, so viewing should be limited.

Hints to minimise eye strain with smartphone use: 1. Have your eyes examined to rule out any vision problem 2. Rest your eyes by looking away from the screen every 5 minutes, and limit periods of continuous viewing to half an hour.

3. Don’t hold the screen too close – 40 cm is good 4. Blink frequently – our blink rate halves with screen use. This results in gritty eyes and contributes to eyestrain. Lubricant eye drops prescribed by your eyecare provider will help alleviate this.

5. Adjust screen settings for ambient lighting – dark rooms or outdoors in the sunlight require different screen settings for optimal contrast.

6. If your eyes continue to be sore, try turning the phone off, or maybe using it for the old fashioned use of talking to someone.

Dr. Bobby Kumar on Breast Reduction Dr. Bobby Kumar, Cosmetic Surgeon.

• Do you suffer pain, discomfort, or lifestyle limitations due to large or droopy breasts?

• Have you lost weight and are unhappy with the remaining shape and position of your breasts?

• Are you unhappy with the shape, size and position of your breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then breast reduction surgery might be for you.

There are three main types of breast surgery: Breast Reduction only – to reduce size and volume of breasts.

Combined Breast Reduction and Lift – to reduce size and volume and address position of the breasts.

Combined Breast Reduction, Lift and Augmentation – to reduce size and address position of the breast, in addition to restoring volume and shape.

The specific technique for Breast Surgery depends on the existing breast tissue, size, shape and position of the breasts, and the result you are seeking to achieve. Dr. Bobby Kumar, Cosmetic Surgeon, therefore tailors the surgical options to the needs of the individual woman.

Dr. Bobby Kumar also brings his personal experience and expertise to: • Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation (Anti Wrinkle & Dermal Filler Treatments) • Skin Cancer Assessment, Treatment & Surgery Call Wendy today on 1300 676 003 or 0430 491 009, or email bobby@bareaesthetics.com.au

Your Vision - Our Focus

• Comprehensive eye examinations • Cataract & glaucoma testing • Digital retinal imaging • Health fund instant claims

PORT MACQUARIE: 95 William St... 6583 7333 29 Horton St.... 6584 3948 WAUCHOPE: 3 High St......... 6585 2393

www.eyecareplus.com.au greater port macquarie focus 71

s a h g n Spri

g n u R sP

Spring has srpung, and with that brings the excitment of parties, race day, formals and nights out on the town. At Spotlight, the options are endless when it comes to fabrics for that special or everyday dress.

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pring 2013 fashion is ultra a feminine fabrics that feminine, with flirty flirty fabrics flow and move with your body, featuring in styles that are cut to drape and enhance you. This season you can’t go wrong on race day if you choose a classic, elegant design teamed with the right accessories.

The 2013 colour palette varies from soft, feminine pastels to bold, vibrant oranges, yellows, fuchsia, purples and crimson red, with a mixture of colour blocked plains and bold prints on soft flowing fabrics. Black and white stripes and geometrics also feature strongly and are a classic race day style.

Don’t forget to add some matching fashion jewellery: necklace, bracelets, rings and earrings in colours to Have fun with enhance your outfit. accessories; And top it all off with g add a coordinatin ave a matching bag; this t. H fascinator or ha year the clutch bag e to a go at making on or is in, as well as large, it, match your outf hat colourful handbags. existing

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add to an make it or fascinator to .” gn si your own de

Pick a style that flatters your body shape, keeping in mind that race day is a time to dress up and be noticed, so leave the shorts and trousers in the wardrobe and go for a feminine look. Also, remember you will be on your feet all day, so choose a shoe with a medium heel if possible.

Have fun with accessories; add a coordinating fascinator or hat. Have a go at making one to match your outfit, or add to an existing hat or fascinator to make it your own design. There are a great range of hats 72 greater port macquarie focus.

d millinery supplies available ava ailable these days, so and person nalise your choice to it makes it easy to personalise match any outfit. The millinery styles this year are also very feminine, with feathers, flowers, nets and bows. If you feel uncomfortable wearing a hat, go for a pretty headband; there are many styles and colours available to match any outfit.

If you really want to have some fun with race day fashion this year, why not go retro? The Gatsby look of the 1920s is very popular: straight dresses with a hipline waist, headband or Cloche hat and a feather boa. The '40s and '50s fashions are also popular and very elegant; you can really go to town with pinup girl makeup and hairstyles – ultra feminine.

So as you chose your outfit for the Port Cup, have fun, and choose colours that make you feel great. Go feminine, and don’t forget the accessories. Take care with your hair and makeup, and we could see you in the lineup for best dressed. And for one final tip ... don’t forget to back the winner!

Maria Visvikis, Jodie Kennett and Jessica Moss (Kylie Battiston absent)

Bowen therapy helps roll away chronic pain Are spring allergies getting you down?

Gentle, effective relief...

Bowen Therapy is a gentle and dynamic system of muscle and connective tissue remedial therapy, which can be administered through light clothing with the client standing, sitting or lying.

Bowen provides rapid and lasting relief from pain and discomfort. It improves mobility, relaxes tight muscles and tendons, stimulates the lymphatic system and improves circulation.

JK Healthcare As spring comes around the corner, it reminds us all to get our health back on track after all the winter goodies! Instead of focusing on what we can’t have, try something different this year and think about all the healthy foods we don’t have enough of:

With spring comes birds, bees and for some, a wheeze.

For those of us that suffer from Asthma and Hay Fever, this time of year can be a real nightmare. With the onset of pollen and smoke particles in the air we breathe, many find this time of year triggers Asthma attacks and Hay Fever more than any other time.

• Fill up on salad and vegetables. Aim for 2-3 cups spread over the day.

For a 100% DRUG FREE Treatment for Asthma and Hay Fever, Halo Healing Haven offer Halotherapy through a Salt Cave purposely built to help relieve your breathing problems.

Bowen therapy can help a wide range of symptoms, both physical and emotional, and is suitable for all ages and stages in life.

• Be mindful of overeating fruit. Limit juices and dried fruit.

Aim for 2 pieces of fresh fruit per day.

Bowen may assist with back, neck, and joint pain, sciatica, frozen shoulder, headache/migraines, sports injuries, pregnancy issues and childhood complaints.

• Don’t forget to keep up the fluids. Try to limit soft drinks and watch alcohol. Remember water!

Bowen may also relieve stress and tension by releasing ‘feel good’ endorphins into the body. Incidental benefits include improved quality of sleep, elevated mood and improved concentration and focus.

During a treatment, the practitioner uses fingers and thumbs to make a series of small precise rolling movements over soft tissue. No hard tissue manipulation or force is needed or used. Many clients drift off to sleep during a treatment.

A visit to your local Bowen Therapist will leave you feeling revived, refreshed and reinvigorated.

Halo Healing Haven

• Are you eating enough fish? Do you include legumes?

• Keep active and get outdoors to help you feel great and drop the winter weight.

• Think about portion sizes. Is your plate too big?

These are just a few small things we can do to get our health back on track after winter. If you are unsure where to start, or would like some realistic and practical advice on how to achieve your goals, ring JK Healthcare on 65837717 to make an appointment with Jodie Kennett (Accredited Practising Dietitian/Diabetes Educator) or Jessica Moss (Accredited Practising Dietitian) today!

The salt cave's micro-climate is created with the help of salt minerals that cover the walls and the floor. Plus, a halo-generator disperses salt aerosols that reduces the activity of infectiousinflammatory processes in the respiratory organs of the patient.

Due to the antibacterial and hypoallergenic air environment, less pressure is applied on the human immune system. The micro-climate normalises the level of histamine in the blood and facilitates normal function of respiration.

At Halo Healing Haven all new clients receive their second Treatment absolutely FREE. Please come in to discuss your treatment options and explore a natural alternative. The treatment is non-invasive, and most patients experience a feeling of relaxation and calmness during the session.

Call now on (02) 6584 2870 to book your Halotherapy session.

greater port macquarie focus 73

DO IN G A SP RI NG EAT DE TOX IS A GR RT A ST CK KI WAY TO OR W EI GH TL O SS TH E JU ST TO LO SE ” .

AT W IN TE R CO

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Floral design classes Designed especially for you, Glasshouse Flowers floral design classes are a great way to experience the world of a florist! Come and join in a fun-filled evening of inspiration, creativity, and refreshments.

Learn the basics of floral design and some tricks of the trade when you make your own stunning arrangement using a variety of flowers and materials. Everything you will need is provided, so bring along a friend, your mum or some work colleagues and have a great time creating a masterpiece.

With a class limited to only 6 people, you will have an inspirational evening with hands-on experience in a fun and relaxed environment. We have four classes to choose from: Contemporary Vase Arrangement, Vintage Posy Bowl, Table Centre Piece, and Beautiful Succulent Terrarium. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided, and at the end of the evening you will take home your own creation to show off to your family and friends.

Gift certificates are also available for either the introductory session or the series of four classes. Spoil someone you love with an experience that is original and sure to be remembered for years to come. You can also give this as a great Christmas gift! For more info and bookings, please drop in or call us on 6584 2242.

74 greater port macquarie focus.

Bored of the same old pilates class?

KG Dance Academy is now offering for the first time in Port Macquarie the Xtend Barre classes.

The Xtend Barre Workout is the premier ballet barre workout … Dance and Pilates Amplified.

Celebrating 10 Years

The system used in Xtend Barre sculpts the body proportionately, so that all the body parts are equally challenged.

Time for a spring clean With the start of a new season and the weather already warming up, it’s a great time to renew your health and vitality by doing a detox program.

This total body workout serves to strengthen, lengthen, and stretch the body from top to bottom, from inside out. The end result is a long and lean physique … without added bulk.

Developed from a dance/Pilates background, the Xtend Barre workout combines the amazing results of dance with the principles of strength and safety in Pilates.

As the creators of Xtend Barre state: “Pilates sculpts your body; Xtend Barre chisels it”. Most importantly, you will walk away with more energy, looking and feeling great.

Classes are held in the fully equipped studio of KG Dance Academy.

For enquiries, call Kristy Gastaldi 0407 900 913.

Detox programs are designed to help restore health to the digestive system, liver and kidneys to enhance our capacity to eliminate toxins. It is easy to put on weight over the winter months, as our diets tend to be heavier, and we may exercise less.

Doing a spring detox is a great way to kickstart weightloss or just to lose the winter coat.

For advise on which detox program is right for you, pop in store to chat with one of our knowledgeable staff, or book an appointment with our Naturopath for an integrated dextox program.

Dr GUY

HINGSTON. Sublime Hair by Lou

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Louise Turnbull has been in the hairdressing industry for 13 years, starting out in Armidale, where she ran a salon with four staff. Now having been in Port Macquarie for 6 years, Louise has spent the last 5 years at local salon Hairmatters. Louise decided it was time for her own venture and has now opened Sublime Hair in Port Macquarie.

What do you specialise in? I cover all aspects of hairdressing, catering for ladies, men and children, and have quite a passion for creative colouring and upstyles. Wedding parties are a favourite, and I’m happy to provide a mobile service for the bridal party if that better suits their needs.

Describe some of your exclusive product ranges. JUUCE and Pure are both Australian made products. Juuce offers an extensive range for all hair types, at an affordable price. Pure is more of a natural line, being silicone, sulphate,

and paraben free, with some organic ingredients.

The speciality is Davines. An Italian company with amazing products, they offer a unique retail range, Mask colour, and their newest additon, ammonia free “A New Colour”. Davines are all about sustainability and looking after the environment, and this reflects in their products.

Trends for the new season? I am booked into workshops in November, and early next year, to keep myself up to date in the industry. Davines have Flamboyage, exclusive to Davines-affiliated salons, an innovative colouring technique that gives the hair depth, natural looking and brighter results without the re-growth effect. I have been stepping into this, so I am looking forward to being able to do some more creative work with my clients. There will be more new products shortly, and new techniques to come, so follow Sublime Hair to keep in the know!

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

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

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

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

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

To find out more or to contact Dr Guy, visit him on Facebook, his website www. breastreduction.com.au or www.gold-book.net greater port macquarie focus 75

76 greater port macquarie focus.

Hastings Aquatics It's nearly time for the swimming season to commence, We catch up with Brad Holt manager of the Hastings Aquatic Centres and find our what will be on offer at the pools this swimming season.

All pools will open on the 21st September, can you tell us a bit about each pool ?

Each of the pools are unique in their own right, Laurieton & Kendall pools are solar heated.

Kendall includes a ramp access to the main pool. This is the only ramp entry to a public pool in the Hastings Area & terrific for senior members of the community. Wauchope is a 50m 6 lane pool & includes 1m & 3m diving boards & water slide. All pools have free BBQ facilities & FREE warm showers.

I'm sure lots of parents are keen to get their kids back into the water, what types

of programmes & activities are available this swimming season at the pools?

At the three pools we offer a range of activities including swimming & fitness, community, aquatic educational & recreational programs. These programs include Aqua tots, Learn to swim for all ages, Squads & stroke development, Swim Fit, Aqua Fitness , Aqua Splash Play group, Aqua Challenge pool inflatables, water slide, diving boards & more.

How can parents find our more or enrol their children in any of these programmes?

Visit our web site at www.hastingsaquatics. com.au . From the web site parents can actually complete an online form to begin the enrolment process for their children, submit an general enquiry or even book the pool for a birthday party .. even before the pools open.

greater port macquarie focus 77

focusinterview.

Nyree Pryce is a qualified Naturopath and local Mindd Foundation Practitioner. With the rise in childhood health disorders including Autism, ADD, asthma, allergies and more, the Mindd Foundation is about integrative health care and provides an amazing resource for parents.

Nyree Pryce Mindd Foundation

W

hat is the Mindd Foundation, and what are its goals and objectives?

The Mindd Foundation is a non-profit Health Promotion Trust set up to promote improved treatments for a range of childhood disorders, including Autism, ADD, Asthma, Eczema, allergies and more.

Mindd stands for Metabolic, Immunologic, Neurologic, Digestive, Developmental conditions that often affect the mind in terms of mood, concentration, behaviour and IQ. The foundation is about integrative health care and is an amazing resource for parents as well as practitioners, providing support, information and training about wellness and disease prevention. The Mindd Foundation promotes an integrated biomedical approach and aims for optimal health of mind, body and spirit. Integrative healthcare offers real solutions for the whole family by integrating principles of dietary therapy, nutrient therapy, progressive functional and naturopathic medicine, allopathic medical knowledge and environmental and lifestyle education to restore the body's natural ability to grow, heal and prevent disease.

As a local Mindd Practitioner, what are some of the things you treat?

I treat a wide range of conditions in children, including behavioural disorders, learning delay, allergy, gut problems, food sensitivities, chronic infections, depression, obesity and more but really, I treat individuals. As a Naturopath I approach health holistically, which means I don’t separate a condition from a whole

78

greater port macquarie focus.

person, and I don’t separate one body system from the whole of the body, as it functions together. I believe in preventative healthcare.

Preconception health is a big part of that, as healthy parents will generally produce healthy children. A healthy pregnancy, labour and neonatal period is also of utmost importance.

I provide advice for prospective parents, as well as integrated healthcare solutions for the whole family, including children of all ages.

What motivates you to be involved in childhood healthcare?

I’m a mother of three beautiful and healthy children. I love seeing them grow and thrive, and I wish that all children can have that same opportunity. So often health problems hold a child back from fulfilling their potential. I have also practised naturopathy for 15 years, and I see a lot of adults with preventable disease which may be a result of dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors. I feel strongly that a lot of conditions that affect children can be treated early and naturally and prevent a lifetime of poor health. Early intervention can make a lifetime difference. Educating parents and children about what makes them healthy and to make changes before it impacts their health is a huge motivation.

Why is diet and nutrition important?

Diet and nutrition are cornerstones of good health. But even more important is the digestive system itself. There is a direct link between the gut, the immune system and the brain via neural pathways. Did you know that around 70% of neurotransmitters in the brain are also in the gut? Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine have varying functions, but are mostly important for mood

and behaviour. If you have a healthy gut and good probiotic balance in the gut, then brain function is a lot healthier too. A good diet and optimum nutrition will support healthy gut, brain and immune function. A lot of kids have diets that fall short of feeding their brains and bodies what they need to fulfil their potential.

There are so many non-foods out there disguised as food marketed to kids. They are mostly full of sugar and refined carbohydrates, artificial colours, flavours and additives that are not conducive to health for anyone. Making dietary changes to eliminate the foods that aren’t so good for kids and replacing them with healthy and nutritious foods can make a real change in moods, behaviour, learning and general health.

Are childhood illnesses often a result of family history?

Genetics definitely influence the onset of childhood disease, giving children a predisposition to a particular illness. However, it is only part of the picture. It depends on a number of other factors as to whether or not those genes express. These factors include toxic exposure and total body burden of toxins, nutritional status and even stress. The health and nutritional status of parents preconception and of mum during pregnancy is also very important. The birth itself can also impact on children’s health and that is why preconception and pregnancy healthcare is so important. So family history is important, but not necessarily the determining factor as to how healthy your children are. It is a combination of factors.

How does the rise in childhood disease signal a need for this sort of preventative

health care?

The incidence of childhood disease has risen dramatically in recent times. Rates of allergies, Asthma, ADHD and Autism are alarmingly high. Statistics show that ADHD affects 1 in 10 school aged children, and 1 in 91 children are diagnosed with Autism today. At the same time, 25% of children in Australia and New Zealand are overweight or obese, and the incidence of atopic conditions such as Asthma and Eczema has increased five-fold over the last 40 years. There is also wide-spread zinc, iodine and omega 3 deficiencies that adversely impact IQ and immunity. This is indeed an epidemic of childhood disorders. Preventive healthcare has never been so important for our children’s health. This rapid increase in childhood illness signals a real need for change in our approach and a focus on cellular health by optimising nutrient intake and minimising environmental factors such as pollution, food, medications and stress that denigrate cellular health. A healthy diet and great nutrition pre-natally and throughout childhood is paramount.

Where can parents find more information and resources?

The Mindd Foundation is a great source of information about diet and a biomedical, integrative approach. I I am available for private consultations and also run workshops on therapeutic dietary intervention and children’s health.

I can be contacted at Quality Discount Vitamins, 56 Horton St, Port Macquarie.

Ph: 6584 1300 / email:nyreeqdv@gmail.com Thanks Nyree.

SEPTEMBER 2013

WITH TERRI

AQUARIUS.

GEMINI.

January 21 - February 19

May 22 - June 22

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

Citrine is great for cleansing and clearing.

PISCES. February 20 - March 20

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

Aquamarine is very powerful for dream interpretation.

ARIES. March 21 - April 20

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

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

September 24 - October 23

Until now your focus has predominantly been on pleasing others; now it is time for you to have what you want. The problem is you don’t know where to look or what to look for, because you have never been your priority. Set some goals and be aware of your intention or motive and enjoy your outcome.

Turquoise helps us reach our full potential.

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

Selenite is powerful for shattering negative thoughts and creating abundance.

CANCER.

SCORPIO.

June 23 - July 23 Ju

Justice is coming into play for you finally.

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

Ruby releases fear so we can embrace change happily.

LEO. July 24 - August 23

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

Watermelon Tormaline enhances friendship, laughter and playful energy.

TAURUS.

VIRGO.

April 21 - May 21

August 24 - September 23 A

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

Ruby is good for patience and passion.

LIBRA.

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

Citrine shatters negativity and attracts an abundance of good luck.

October 24 - November 22

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

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

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

SAGITTARIUS. November 23 - December 21

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

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

CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20

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

Turquoise will enhance self-esteem and confidence.

greater port macquarie focus 79

focusinterview.

By Jane Hillsdon Principal Consultant of Dragonfly Marketing

Sonia Higgins

P

Y

ou clearly have a great passion for what you do.

How important do you think it is to be passionate about what you do in business?

Passion is a vital component in running a successful business. It is the very thing that keeps my business evolving and moving forward. I have a genuine interest and an abundance of passion for my business and my trade – it can be a very exciting industry!

What was it that first inspired you to start your own business?

Peeka-Bu Hair is my third salon. I figured with my experience and knowledge, it made sense to create something special for myself and my clients. My vision was to develop a salon that prioritised attention to detail that some other salons may miss. I go to great lengths to ensure that my clients have a pleasant experience, from the moment they walk in to the moment they leave the salon.

What do you wish someone would have told you before embarking on your journey as a business owner?

I wish someone would have told me that you will constantly be tied to the business, particularly in the early days. I liken a new business venture to having a newborn baby. It is such a priority in your life, and you would do anything for it to be successful. The flexibility and a bit of a reprieve can come when the

80 greater port macquarie focus.

business is more established, and it takes quite a while for that to happen.

What is the most motivating thing about running your business?

I am motivated by my clients. I have such an array of different age groups and personalities, that no one day is the same in the salon. Most of my clients are very appreciative of my service, which motivates me to maintain the same level of enthusiasm and professionalism at all times.

What has been your biggest challenge in running your own business?

I think any business owner will agree that managing staff can be a challenge. It can be really hard trying to get a group of people moving in the same direction as you and your business. It can be a bit of a balancing act!

How do you differentiate your business from your major competitors?

We offer our clients a very intimate experience at Peeka-Bu Hair. With a consistent one-on-one service, clients are not handed around the salon from person to person.

We offer all of our clients the finest quality teas, coffee and other treats as complimentary.

We have rewards plans and reminder calls and of course, we offer the expertise for finding our clients a new style or maintaining their locks in a professional manner.

You’re obviously a very creative person, and I imagine this is something that helps set you apart from your competition and keeps your customers coming back

e

e

k

a

-

B

u

for more. Where do you turn to for your inspiration. We’ll then be teaming up with creative inspiration? other local businesses to provide clients with I try to attend as many courses as possible holistic wedding or special occasion packages. and source lots of educational resources. I have This project is still under construction at the a collection of training dolls to practice all of moment, so watch this space. my ideas and new styles on. Fashion I can imagine your role as a hair magazines and the internet also stylist and business owner play a huge role in terms of must be quite demanding, keeping me up to date physically and emotionally.

I think any business owner with up and coming How do you go about anaging fashion forecasts. achieving a good work/ will agree that m nge. alle staff can be a ch What changes have life balance? hard It can be really you noticed in Hairdressing can be of oup trying to get a gr your industry over very demanding both e th in people moving you the last decade or physically and emotionally, as same direction so, and how have so I think it’s really important .” ss ne si and your bu you managed to take to include exercise in my advantage of these daily routine. Exercise not only changes? keeps my core strong so I am able The readily available online to withstand hours of standing up, but education, webinars and Facebook have it also clears the mind with all those good been a great addition to the industry! endorphins. Also, a little glass of wine at the These online avenues allow me to follow end of the day can help too! my fellow stylists and mentors for updates Do you have any strategies for business on what is happening right now. If there is success that you can share with us? anything I am unsure of or anything I want to I wouldn’t really call this a strategy, but I learn, it’s just one click of a button away! believe it is so important to be consistent, to What business initiatives do you have be available and reliable and to keep people planned for the future? informed. People spend their money with you We have some really exciting stuff coming up because they choose to, not because they have for 2014 at Peeka-Bu Hair. I will be participating to, so value your clients and if you say you are in a 5 day boot camp that specialises in going to do something, DO IT! bridal and formal hair styles, for some new Great advice. Thanks for your time, Sonia!

“

greater port macquarie focus 81

focusinterview.

Annette Jepp is a volunteer at the i-Kew centre – a valuable resource for the Camden Haven community that provides information and a welcoming smile for both visitors and locals in the area. The i-Kew centre is growing and evolving – all thanks to the tireless efforts of a group of hard-working volunteers.

w e K ihat exactly is i-Kew, and where is it located? i-Kew is a Voluntary run Community Information Centre catering to travellers requiring information about the local areas and directions on getting there; or it can just be a rest stop with a good cup of tea/ coffee or soft drink on offer. Frequently the locals call in to collect the local papers, pick up a gift or just get that pot of honey for their morning toast.

We are located in the heart of the town, with flags flying on Nancy Bird Walton Drive, Kew. The centre is situated in a large log cabin which is hard to miss, with the Big Axe which has adorned the centre for years. The axe is an important reminder of the timber heritage of the Camden Haven and is also a memorial to late timber worker Rufus McCarthy, who donated the land for the visitor information centre. Restoration is about to take place to bring the axe back to its original splendour.

How long has the i-Kew building been established now … and how has it evolved over time?

The log cabin was built in 1987 by the local Rotary Clubs as an information centre; their logo was ‘The Gateway to the Hastings’.

Over many years the Port MacquarieHastings Council has used the building as an Information Centre − closing the doors three years ago, and they were about to sell the building.

The people of the Camden Haven decided it was an asset to the community to keep it as an Information Centre and after much negotiation through the Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce, an agreement was made for the Centre to be run by volunteers, with the Council providing the building rent

82 greater port macquarie focus.

rAnneette Jepp t n e c with

d /it f sale l and d if so, what h t produce/items for kinds of goods are available?

We have sourced some beautiful scarves, jewellery, toys, books, handmade cards and consumer goods such as jams, honey, sweets, nuts and soaps; our aim is to carry only local products. We were pleasantly surprised to see the amount of goods we were able to place on our shelves.

What other service does i-Kew offer visitors?

We are there to provide information to travellers about local caravan park facilities, motels, National Park maps, local businesses

From 9 to 14 e September we ar ity un having a comm for awareness day en’s om W y tr the Coun splay di n O n. tio ia Assoc , ts af there will be cr and s, ok bo C.W.A. cook the of s ok bo illustrated ” y.

Country of Stud

“

free for two years. We have now been open for four months; the enthusiasm of the volunteers is a credit to them.

How many staff work at i-Kew, and how many of these people are volunteers?

We have no paid staff at i-Kew; the centre is run entirely by volunteers. There are 43 volunteers at present, either rostered on a four hour shift a week or fortnight. Many are on call and fill in for people who are ill or on holidays. We are always looking for more volunteers.

What is the aim of the organisation?

To encourage the traveller to stop and see the beauty of our area, to help the local industry and to bring more people to our part of the country.

What exhibitions /displays can currently be viewed at the premises?

From 9 to 14 September we are having a community awareness day for the Country Women’s Association. On display there will be crafts, C.W.A. cook books, and illustrated

books of the Country of Study.

From 21 September to 19 October, there will be a combined art exhibition of watercolours and mixed media by Ann Middleton, Eileen Ward and Barbara Atkins. These three ladies have many years of experience between them; their work should make a wonderful exhibition.

What are a few things you feel really differentiate the Camden Haven area from other areas?

The majority of folk who have visited the area see the beauty, with the panoramic views from North Brother Mountain and decide that this is the place to retire. Having time to spare and being willing to give a helping hand to those less fortunate than themselves − the voluntary workforce in the area is also a credit to the Camden Haven. With new estates being built at a surprising rate, a younger generation is arriving in the area and being welcomed with open arms.

Does the organisation stock local

in the area, tea, coffee and soft drinks. We are about to jazz up the public toilets and have them as a ‘talked about identity’ in the area; we have a disabled ramp and toilet for the physically impaired, and we always have a warm, welcoming smile for any visitor calling in.

What plans does the business have moving forward over the next 12 months?

The Council is putting in a dump site for caravans to dispose of their toilet waste. We hope to landscape the site with tables and chairs, which are at present being built by Kendall Men’s Shed, and the local garden clubs are lending a hand to beautify the area around the centre. Our Big Axe is about to get a facelift, returning it to the original state of when it was first erected − signifying the bygone years of the timber industry which was so productive in the area.

How can readers contact the i-Kew centre?

We are situated in the main street of Kew. We can be contacted by phone: 6559 4400 or by email: ikewinfo@gmail.com Thanks Annette.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

focusinterview.

New all round approach to accounting Local Tax Agent and Self Managed Super Fund specialist, Tania Magon, has just launched her new business, All Round Accounting, ready for tax time. ania, tell us why you’ve decided to join the team at all round?

I understand from clients that they are frustrated with the inconvenience, complexity and confusion of having their financial affairs managed by different businesses all over town.

T

at the all round team, I feel that everyone is working for me. This gives me a great feeling and sense of confidence when making financial decisions, knowing everyone at all round are working behind the scenes providing that support. It’s invaluable to have that wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.”

By adding All Round Accounting to the All Round suite of services, we can help clients through the full investment cycle – including financial planning, home loans, property management, and tax and accounting matters.

Tania, what is your background and your area of specialty?

I’ve had 20 years in the industry helping individuals, small businesses and companies with all their accounting needs. I’m also a registered Tax Agent and one of only four accredited Self Managed Super Fund Specialist Advisors in the area.

The team at All Round – Carol Round, Christine Zimmerman and Terri Tipper – are each experts in their fields, and together we can offer a wealth of experience to help clients navigate through the investment process from start to finish.

What does this mean for your clients?

We offer a collaborative, cooperative approach where everyone works seamlessly together towards the same goals to provide the best outcome.

One of our happy customers, Cheryl Pavey, said, “Having used the services of everyone

I’m keen to help clients ensure they don’t miss out on deductions, but I also look beyond that to add value to my clients’ business or individual circumstances by ensuring compliance, providing advice and helping set up processes for next year to ensure the best results.

We’re right in the thick of tax time. Tell us why people should consider using a professional to lodge their return?

I’ve had 20 years in the “ industry helping

individuals, small businesses and companies with all their accounting needs.”

It isn’t just fraudsters and tax cheats who face penalties, but also anyone deemed as 'failing to take reasonable care' when lodging their tax return.

Just recently a taxpayer who made an 'honest mistake' incurred a steep $19,000 penalty, even though the Small Taxation Claims Tribunal found 'there was no reason to doubt the honesty and integrity of the taxpayer'. His good intentions were not enough of a defence against the error he made when completing his tax return. e-tax certainly has its place for the simplest tax returns, but as soon as you add investments or Self Managed Super Funds to the mix, you should seek professional advice to get the best outcome and avoid any problems.

There are new rules relating to the assets held in super funds that can affect compliance which many people may not be aware of. The ramifications of non-compliance can be huge, including devastating tax consequences and the ATO having the power to wind up your fund.

It really pays to seek advice from a specialist.

greater port macquarie focus 83

Call Call now now to to arrange arrange your your free free Superpower Superpower Discovery Discovery covery covery Session Session

david@thesupercoach.com.au david@thesupercoach.com.au

Every Every business business needs needs a hero a hero 84 greater 84 greater port macquarie focus. port macquarie focus.

tereotypes of accountants crop up aall the time. One of the most common is the of the bespectacled bespectacled, boring guy in the brown cardigan, tied to his desk crunching numbers. And while you will find plenty of legal eagles in Ho Hollywood movies, think Tom Cruise in The Firm ... but the accou accountant is nowhere to be seen.

But what happens when the brown cardigan is removed? We had a chat to David Ross a local Chartered Account Accountant about his new business Supercoach and why the Stereotype sometimes cou couldn’t be further from the truth ...

As a child everyone has a dream about what tthey want to be when they grown up, was becoming an accountant y yours? I had no idea they even existed. It changed a lot, like any typical kid in the 70s/80s. At 7 I wanted to play 1st Grade Rugby League for St George. By 11 my focus had changed to playing cricket for Australia and by 17 Rockstar was the goal of choice.

Despite getting the chance to support such A Australian music legends like Paul Kelly, The Divinyls and Icehouse, I thin think our enthusiasm ultimately outweighed our talent. Also, growing up in a family with old school values, it was pretty hard to stray from the secure job/ study route. So the boots, bat an and guitar were hung up in favour of the books.

What made you travel d down the accountant path?

It was really a matte matter of falling into it.

Studying business g gave me a great base. After unsuccessfully tryi trying to get all manner of jobs in marketing, I to took on a job with a Central Coast accountin accounting firm and it went from there. I remem remember an old boss once said to me though ... become a Chartered Accountant (a (at the time the most difficult of accounting qualifications to gain), and you will open up all sorts of opportunities for your futur future. Many CEO’s of Australia’s top companie companies are Chartered Accountants so who was I tto argue.

And the doo doors did open. In 2001, I founded Directio Direction Accounting, but I was determined not to get stuck in just doing tax.

From day one we o offered business coaching as part of our suite o of services. With this focus on business, we were aable to grow the firm to include multiple divisions such as finance broking and business sales. That multi disc disciplinary model is still being emulated today.

So my old boss was right. Since becoming beco an accountant, I had the opportunity to work with literally tho thousands of businesses in very diverse industries. That type of expe experience is invaluable when coaching a business client. It’s kind of an advisor sixth sense which can really help not only troubleshoot qu quickly but professionally assist a business to achieve their best.

Unfortunately, being part of the acco accounting brand, you can find yourself being drawn into the brown ca cardigan world too often though. It’s this passion and the desire to be true to who I am that has led me to the launch of the Superco Supercoach brand.

Tell us a bit about what you are up to at the moment and what differentiates you from other co coaches? With my strong business accounting and managerial back background to call upon, our coaching provides more than just quick a motivational hit. Too often

do we come across businesses that have been mentored then left floundering when they get to the end of the book.

Our programs and methods are grounded in the numbers. It is key to business success to measure the right areas and our professional approach to coaching is built upon this.

Our ability to be at the leading edge of strategy is also of great value for our clients. We are not afraid to work with clients on early adopter concepts, helping them keep one step ahead of their competitors.

Unfortunately for coaching, being part of an accounting brand, you can find yourself being drawn into the brown cardigan world too often. From the very start my passion has been to help businesses increase their profits, improve cash flow and design a business that is a valuable asset to them.

In order to do that I have changed my focus. Over 15 years I have built some great relationships with my clients who I intend to continue to work with as their accountant. The coaching and advisory area though is where I believe I can provide the greatest value. To do this I am moving away from the public face of the Direction Accounting brand and launching our Business Coaching service as it’s own fresh brand Supercoach.

Supercoach sounds exciting how did this come about? Supercoach started as a bit of a play on the Rugby League coaching legend Jack Gibson.

The more we worked on the brand though, the more it morphed into the Superhero concept. It is one which has some extremely strong layers, and our main philosophy of Every business needs a hero is one of those. We believe that every business person we come into contact with has the potential to be a hero. As business coaches, we are there to equip them with the skills, mould their talent and hold them accountable when they need it most.

Every hero has a story and we look forward to working with our business heroes to develop theirs.

How can Supercoach benefit business? Our coaching model has been developed to apply to a wide range of businesses. Rather than be stuck to a franchised system, businesses can receive tailored coaching to suit their needs. Of course we have elements of structure in our various programs and workshops, but our experience in working with businesses in a professional environment, allows us to develop specific solutions as the need arises.

Our model is based around the 6 Superpowers for business success. These enable a business owner to try a little or a lot when using our services.

For example, a business can work with us on the power of Awareness by attending our workshops such as Operation Beancounter or Superbusiness.

Alternatively for a well established business, they may be interested in Superstrength which provides fully tailored business coaching at the highest level. We see many of the businesses we work with progress from power to power as they become better equipped and see the real results that can be achieved from working with us.

Looking into the future where do you see yourself and what are you doing? The local launch of our new brand Supercoach on 17 September is just the start.

It is a bit of a line in the sand for us, and we may even see the sacrifice of a brown cardigan on the night.

Ultimately the Supercoach concept will be rolled out nationally with my role being to train our coaches and present key workshops and programs. Having spent 15 years at the coalface coaching local businesses, I guess I see my role as that of an enabler. The growth of Supercoach will come from partnering with the right coaches in other regions and enabling them to apply their unique skills to clients using our model.

We are always creating new resources to use with our clients so product development will be key over the next 5 years.

It’s an exciting time which has been 18 years in the making. Besides ... the Brown Cardigan doesn’t look anywhere near as impressive as the Supersuit!

greater port macquarie focus 85

Thinking about higher education study options can be confusing, and there is lots of information scattered across the internet.

The Mid Coast Uni Portal was created specifically for students (and prospective students) living on the Mid North Coast, to encourage them to consider expanding their horizons through studying at university or TAFE.

To keep up to date with new programs, events or other ns developments in higher io at ic pl ap With education on the Mid for university urses North Coast, you can and TAFE co w open, for 2014 nodo click like on the Mid e m so it's time to d consider Coast Uni Portals an ch ar rese ww.

Facebook page or your optionns:ipw tal. midcoastu or register to receive regular � u .a m co e-newsletters.

“

The portal contains lots of information about various study programs offered face-to-face, by distance or online. It also gives key advice and information about what to expect when you study at uni or TAFE, the benefits of choosing to study locally or alternatively moving away to study, and

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what to expect if you choose to learn through a distance or online course.

With applications for university and TAFE courses for 2014 now open, it's time to do some research and to consider your options. Why not try the www.midcoastuniportal.com.au for starters? There are links to the portal's TAFE and university partners websites, so finding the right course to suit your needs has never been easier.

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Stock up now for all your turf supplies.

Macleay Valley Education Fund Launch A cohort of local identities and community members gathered on Thursday 18 July at the Kempsey Macleay RSL Club to officially launch the Macleay Valley Education Fund.

The Fund is being established in the Valley to improve education and career prospects for local youth by providing them with noncash grants, encouragement and support. This support will enable them to realise their aspirations for further education or career ambitions.

Grants are awarded to applicants for a number of reasons, such as requiring equipment to pursue a trade through to educational needs for those who are enrolling in university or TAFE courses. They are not necessarily presented to the highest achievers; rather, all applicants are assessed on realistic goals and their financial need.

Sponsors have already come forward providing generous donations to establish financial support for this worthwhile endeavour.

The major sponsors so far include University of Newcastle, Mid Coast Connect and a benefactor who remains anonymous. Other participants on the evening have shown interest in either donating financial assistance or in kind donations to support this meaningful venture.

Guest speaker for the launch was Sarah Taylor, CEO from Country Education Foundation Australia. This Foundation assists new Funds by matching donations on a sliding scale for the first three years. To add to this generous donation, the foundation is in partnership with a number of universities who offer additional funds for those who wish to undertake further education at their university.

Terry Witchard said, "The support offered by the Fund builds capacity and long term sustainability in our community by investing in local youth and creating diversity of skills. This not only benefits our local community, but also our greater Australian community. By communities investing in their youth, recipients gain a powerful message that their communities believe in them and are supportive of their aspirations. This is an incredible boost to a young person's confidence, right when they need it the most."

If you are interested in donating or would like to find out more about the Fund, please contact Michelle Fisher on 6562 5314 or michelle.fisher@midcoastconnect.com.au (L-R) Terry Witchard (Chairperson), Sarah Taylor (CEO, CEFA), Bonnie Hillsley (Treasurer), Michelle Fisher (MCC) and Mark Morrison (Vice Chairperson).

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Prepare your lawn for Spring Spring is a very important time of year for lawn enthusiasts everywhere. By the end of August, the days get longer and the grass will start getting longer as well!

The first rule of spring is this: FERTILISE AND FERTILISE EARLY! Fertiliser is food for your lawn, and a well-fed lawn performs so much better. Fertilising in early spring will save you water, money, time and energy by giving your lawn an extra boost of health for the warmer months ahead.

Remember to water the fertiliser in thoroughly, or if you are very environmentally conscious, consider fertilising in the rain it's nature's sprinkler!

At Earl’s Turf we have all of your lawns needs available.

For more information on when and how to fertilise your lawn, take a look at the following lawn care webisodes at www.sirwalter.com.au

focus_business.

with the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce mmerce

Hadyn Oriti.

MINDING YOUR

BUSINESS ELECTION TIME AGAIN. HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE WILL THE RESULT REALLY MAKE TO BUSINESS?

W

hen you are in business, there are any number of opinions given as to why things are as they are. You will often hear, “it’s school holidays”, or “the weather is cold and people would rather stay indoors”, or “there is an election on, and people stop making decisions”.

Over the last few years, however, commentators are agreed that consumer and business confidence in the non-mining sector of the Australian economy has suffered.

Spending is down, bank deposits and savings generally are up. Defaults on mortgages are trending pretty much as they always have. The population has looked across the economic horizon and seen unsettled weather ahead.

They've battened down the hatches, even though we have been spared much of the turmoil that has affected Europe and the USA. Since the global financial crisis, Australian savings rates have risen dramatically. It was not so long ago that the lack of savings was the complaint of our leaders. Compulsory superannuation was designed as a strategy of ensuring self-reliance. Governments were devising strategies to make investing in super all the more attractive. An increase in personal savings represented by the individual superannuation accounts was intended to avoid unsustainable demands on the public purse as the boomer generation moved into retirement.

said, "Well, if the government debt position is going backwards, we’ll have to become more prudent". Whether the fears of the population are real or imagined, people have responded across the board by saving more, paying down mortgages and as a result, not spending. There are reports now that the $900 cash splash did not have any significant effect on retail spending. People simply banked the cash.

The paradox of thrift has emerged with real consequences for our economy. For retailers, it has been hard and dramatic. Coupled with an increase in internet sales, retailers have really struggled. Port Macquarie has not been spared, and we are seeing how we are not an island insulated from what is happening elsewhere in the broader economy. There are too many vacant shops. The effect on retailers has then rippled through the rest of the non-mining economy.

And this then leads me back to whether the election result can change anything.

If whoever wins and forms government can assuredly take control of the treasury benches without being beholden to rent seekers and special interest groups, cut down on red tape, simplify the tax system, make it easier to employ people and build better infrastructure, then I predict a real positive change in confidence generally and in the economy.

However, the global financial crisis has shown that the Australian consumer can change their behaviour even contrary to government wishes when they believe it is necessary for their survival. Over the last few years, debt and deficit has been daily fodder in our newspapers and in the political debate. That ongoing conversation has had an effect.

If that occurs, then I predict we will all see over time a change in spending behaviour. If we, as a nation, are confident that our government has the economic levers firmly under its control, not engaging in unwarranted spending, with a credible plan to deal with the country’s debt and deficit, then, individually and collectively, we may be prepared to take our own personal risks, make the investment decisions we have deferred and loosen the clasp on the purse.

As the public debt has deepened, private savings have increased. It is almost as if the people

So yes, the outcome of this election has the capacity to significantly affect business. greater port macquarie focus 89

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Porcelain Members of the Mid North Coast Porcelain Painters Association Inc. are very busy preparing to display their craft in an amazing exhibition and sale of hand painted porcelain art across two floors of The Grace Hotel, Sydney, in October. Chrissy Jones found out about the Association, the exhibition and the art of porcelain painting from artist Dianne Holyman.

T

ell us about the Mid North Coast Porcelain Painters Association …

Members of the Mid North Coast Porcelain Painters meet in Port Macquarie on the first Friday of each month at the Seventh Day Adventist Hall, Maranatha Place, off Ocean Drive, for a day of painting and companionship.

On these Fridays they learn about new techniques, new products and what is happening in the world of porcelain art. Each year they hold two exhibitions: the first at the Laurieton United Services Club on the long weekend in June and the second at Panthers in Port Macquarie with the Hastings Wood Workers Guild in the September/October school holidays. Their work can also be seen at the Wauchope Show.

This October, the NSW Porcelain Art Teachers are hosting an Australasian Convention in the Grace Hotel in Sydney, and some of your members are attending. Who’s going, and what can they expect to experience?

Five local painters: Jan Gowen, Dianne Holyman, Dorothy Jones, Beverley Kilpatrick and Joan Wilson will be at the convention coordinating the demonstrations, which will be run over three days. They will be taking several examples of their work to be included in the exhibition and sale of work by porcelain art teachers from all over Australasia.

They are excited to be dazzled by all the styles and techniques known in porcelain painting today – the exhibition and sale of works includes world renowned artists to view with lectures, commercial sales and gallery sales. This event will showcase the new directions in porcelain art today from all corners of the globe – a learning 90 greater port macquarie focus.

experience for all. Showcased within the exhibition will be a special feature of miniatures, Art Deco designs and teapots – a collector's dream!

A highlight and feature of this exhibition and Painting is convention will be What is involved in not the only n guest artists Peter ca h ic h porcelain painting? w e techniqu Faust (Switzerland), ns o ti p o er th O Porcelain painting . d be use Filipe Pereira nes li e n fi g in w is a fine art that ra d are (Portugal), Joan , ib n d an en p h involves painting on it w Lamb (Australia), ating iridescegnt o glazed bone china or fl and Debbi Good lustres, applyintextures porcelain, then firing (Australia). Featured subtle or bold plying it in a kiln so that the artists Harun and finally, ap ld.” colour fuses with the Aschrafi (Switzerland) platinum or go glaze. Being fired means and Etsuko Hanajima that the painted piece can (Japan) will also be present be used and is not merely to demonstrate their latest decorative; it can be used in the same techniques. way you use a dinner set.

During the exhibition, both Peter and Filipe The paint comes as a powdered mineral, will present their new co-authored book on which is then mixed with oil so that it can be porcelain art, featuring new works and styles by applied with a brush for delicate applications, both artists. Attendees can take this opportunity or used dry and dusted onto an oily surface to to paint with Filipe and Peter and learn new create strong vibrant colours. Painting is not brush skills and application techniques to the only technique which can be used. Other achieve a fresh new look to their work. options are drawing fine lines with pen and nib, The hotel itself is a fine example of Art floating iridescent lustres, applying subtle or Deco architecture, so there will be an Art Deco bold textures and finally, applying platinum or flavour to the convention. Renowned porcelain gold. Each artist can create a work that is either artists are coming from Switzerland, Portugal, traditional or modern in style and is an original Japan, France, Korea, New Zealand and most piece of work. states of Australia to demonstrate and teach.

Can readers come along to a meeting to Already painters from as far as Asia and the USA find out more about your art? have booked to attend. As each day passes, We are always happy to have people come the anticipation and excitement builds, as the along to our workshops to see what we do. If chance to participate only comes to NSW every they give us some notice, we will have some twelve years. equipment ready for them to use on the Further information is available online at: day so that they can practice. If they enjoy www.apat2013convention.blogspot.com.au

“

the painting, we can then help them to go further and increase their skill. At our monthly workshops, one of our members shows the group how they paint a subject or technique.

This builds up our skills, as everyone paints differently. Our members range from beginners to some who have been painting for more than thirty years.

Can anyone try their hand at porcelain painting? Is it hard?

Anyone can learn porcelain painting. You don’t even have to be able to draw, although it does help if you can. If you want to learn, you will succeed. Once you have learnt how to mix the colours, load the brush and handle the brush in the most effective way, you will find that it is not that difficult. If you have painted with watercolour you will find porcelain painting easy, as both are transparent mediums.

The basic elements and principles used are the same as in any other form of art. In fact, some of the renowned artists such as Renoir began their careers painting in the porcelain factories of Europe.

Whom do we contact for more information about your Association?

A phone call to either Joan Wilson (President) on 6586 1167 or Dorothy Jones on 6582 2238 will answer any questions but if you prefer emails, you can contact our secretary, Robert McKenzie, at robert.mckenzie3@ bigpond.com Thanks Dianne.

focusrealestate

estellegough.

Ask Greg

Greg Trembath answers ers tions. your real estate questions.

Q UPDATE

It’sL andcare Week Landcare is for everyone! We can all make a difference.

I

n fact, small people are making a big difference. Nine years ago, students from Westport Primary planted hundreds of native seedlings at Lighthouse Beach.

school students to plant local native plants, including littoral rainforest species.

Those plants have grown – just like the children.

These have grown well and formed a protective tree canopy. The trees now attract birds that bring in seeds, helping the bushland to return to rainforest.

So when a group of today’s students came back, they found the seedlings had turned into a forest.

Landcarers Julie Ho and Steve Cartwright told the Westport students how important the forest on the sand dunes is.

They revisited the planting site (near Camel Corner) and were surprised to see how the environment has improved. It was clear that small people had played a big part in this change!

Native beach plants evolved to live in a harsh and rapidly changing environment. They are very good at stabilising sand dunes, and do it for free. This is an ecosystem ‘service’ that human engineers and materials cannot match.

A Landcare sign at the site shows a 2004 picture of students, wearing Westport’s maroon and gold, planting trees from Landcare’s nursery. The seedlings are surrounded by mulch, and there is only one large tree.

The native bushland protects our assets – like houses and roads – from the ocean and the wind. The bushland also gives food and shelter to native animals, so wildlife can move safely through urban areas.

This photo caught the eye of teacher Kellie Hall, who thought the new generation of students would be inspired by the lasting contribution that the school had made.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to show how community groups and schools can collaborate on projects for the benefit of education, the environment and the community,“ she said.

Today’s students, when they came to look, said they liked to see more trees like Banksias, where birds could find food. And they thought that planting would be more fun than being in the classroom.

The 1.5 hectare area was first planted on Schools National Tree Day 2004, sponsored by our Council. They had cleared the Bitou Bush using herbicide, and then spread heavy mulch to stop it coming back.

The site was made ready for Landcare and

Hey Greg, I’ve noticed you’ve moved great news. to a fixed commission structure since On the other hand, we see no need to have we last did business. Based on the expensive CBD or main street office space, and the new rates, my wife and I estimate we will cost savings benefit our clients. save quite a lot next time we sell through The bottom line is we know how to market you. How do you do it? Paul, Port properties cost effectively and find Macquarie. buyers quickly. Domain magazine A. Thank you for noticing our also showcases our properties fresh approach, Paul. Our weekly. Our low set commission r be m nu The agency is very cost effective provides great value for owners. of buyers visiting – we operate with relatively These are the things that have s our website ha % 24 low overheads and pass the combined to help us become increased by x savings on. Our approach si the third highest selling agency st in the pa saves most sellers from $3,000 in our area (source: www. s. month to $6,000. Recently we saved realestate.com.au). one lovely retired lady more than One thing that hasn’t changed since $11,000 in commission! we last did business is service quality.

Given people use the internet to find Everything Kim and I do is with personal whatever they are looking for, buyers find care and professional expertise, and that will never searching for real estate online the perfect fit. With change. the internet now the key search tool, it’s the right Give me a call, and we can work out just how place for us to focus time and attention. much more money will stay in your pocket next We list properties on real estate portals like Domain time. Answers are general comment, and readers and Realestate.com.au and these drive traffic to should always seek their own independent our website www.gregtrembath.com.au which professional advice. maximises sale potential for our owners.

Send your real estate questions to Just last week we had 331 buyers from Sydney greg@gregtrembath.com.au checking out properties on our site. In fact, Greg Trembath is Principal/Licensee at the number of buyers visiting our website has Greg Trembath Real Estate. Licensed Real increased by 24% in the past six months, which is Estate Agent – Licensed Auctioneer.

Volunteers have been putting back native vegetation for 20 years, starting when the area was almost bare after sand mining.

Recently Port Macquarie Landcare organised some regeneration work to control weed outbreaks, funded by an Australian Government Community Action Grant.

Birpai traditional custodians participated, with their Green Team from the Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council bringing to the work their knowledge and connection to Country.

TAFE and St Columba students planted more seedlings this year, completing the regeneration work. Landcare continues to look after this bushland, helped by our Council.

Now it’s Landcare Week – the ideal time for you to become a member! Find out more at landcareportmac.com.au Contributed by Julie Ho. greater port macquarie focus 91

focusabode.

GREATER GREA EATER TER PORT R MACQUAR MAC MACQUARIE QU IE QUAR

property p roperty g guide uide

92 greater port macquarie

focusabode.

MCDONALD JONES Mc Donald Jones is one of Australia’s leading new home builders, providing contemporary, architecturally designed homes.

C

hrissy Jones had the pleasure of viewing their display homes at Barton Ridge, Port Macquarie.

Impressive inside and out, The Monaco One has an abundance of high quality fittings and fixtures throughout, is spacious and has a variety of living areas for the whole family to enjoy.

A contemporary rendered front facade with timber windows and shutters is appealing and inviting from street level. Complemented by its fully landscaped garden surrounds and timber deck entrance, The Monaco One is a real standout within the HomeWorld display village.

Upon entry through the glass panelled timber

doorway, fitted with an omni tri-lock door handle, you will discover the architectural integrity of the this design. A flowing tiled entry foyer benefits from a 2.7 m ceiling height, and this links to the generous children’s activities room which incorporates a computer recess, offering kids of all ages a place to escape and chill out.

This area at the front of the home is the centrepiece of 3 adjoining carpeted bedrooms, all with built-ins, ducted air-conditioning and integrated home entertainment system. Servicing these rooms is a spacious bathroom that has both shower and bath, plus a separate two way powder room for guests.

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focusabode.

M CDO N AL D J O N E S

TOSCAN HOMES

The Master Suite provides your very own private sanctuary, featuring many impressive design elements, including a bed and furniture recess with downlighting, generous Walk-in Robe that has plenty of hanging and storage cabinetry and a spacious en-suite with his/ her vanities, glass doored shower cubicle and concealed WC. The Master offers a tranquil space to relax after a long day and offers access through glass sliding doors to its own private outdoor screened sitting alcove, completed nicely with timber planter boxes. This environment really delivers privacy and a calming environment to escape the daily grind.

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Placed at the rear of the home is the tiled open plan lounge, living and dining areas on a split level which offers a 3.04 m ceiling height, creating a wonderful feeling of spaciousness.

Connecting seamlessly with the outdoors through glass bi-fold doors, the living area is accentuated by a delightful outdoor alfresco entertainment area, which allows for year round entertaining.

This functional space is defined by a clever and well thought out layout that wraps around the rear and eastern exterior of the home. Timber decking is edged by a pond that leads to a waterfall feature incorporated into the coffered alfresco columns of the deck, giving the area a

resort feel.

The heart of the home is the large gourmet kitchen with drop edge ceiling sectioning the kitchen from above. Featuring an L-shaped island bench that doubles as a breakfast bar enhancing the entertaining areas, the kitchen is fitted out with all the mod cons, including Baumatic electric oven and gas 3 burner cooktop and range hood – just perfect for the family chef.

Housing a dishwasher and double stainless steel sink with flick mixer and separate drinking water spout, the island has plenty of storage cupboards and drawers that complement the pantry that is tucked away behind timber framed opaque glass doors.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the spacious home theatre, that can be closed off via double opaque glass sliding doors to create an ideal environment to take in the big game or catch up on your favourite movie. Built-in cabinetry surrounding the LG widescreen TV, 2 x wall panel windows with timber shutters to block out light, give the complete theatre experience at home.

The Monaco One is a faultless design delivering on functional and contemporary living spaces to enhance your lifestyle. All the modern conveniences for luxury living are at your fingertips. But don’t just take my word for it; call into the display at Barton Ridge and see for yourself. You will be glad you did.

focusabode.

A bout Mc D o n al d J o n e s

M CDONA L D JONE S “ Customers will always remember our service, because McDonald Jones is founded on treating people with respect. ” Bill McDonald.

When Bill McDonald set out in 1987 to build a business that built people’s homes, he had no inkling that one day the company he had founded would become one of the most trusted and successful home builders in the country. Then a licensed carpenter with many years experience in the building industry, Bill decided to head up his own building company; he had no idea just how far his personal philosophy of ‘you reap what you sow’ was going to take him, but he would recognise the spirit that infuses every one of his company’s employees to this day. That passion for helping people realise their dreams is met with an unswerving commitment to guiding others on a journey that generates a lifetime of memories.

In the early days of operation, McDonald Jones comprised a team of 3 dedicated, hard working partners who concentrated on building small residential unit complexes. As the business grew and moved towards the 150 homes a year mark, the business continued to expand into numerous sectors of the building industry, being new project homes, renovations, extensions and office fit outs.

Today, McDonald Jones has now been in the building business for over 26 years, employing over 240 permanent staff and raising the bar in the new home industry. They have garnered the respect of consumer clients and shone among their peers, winning a host of professional awards along the way.

In addition to their permanent staff, McDonald Jones utilises the services of hand selected subcontractors and tradespeople, many of whom have been working with McDonald Jones since they began operations.

Through nurturing and developing quality relationships with their tradespeople, they will continue to build to the highest standard and exceed their clients’ expectations. This importance of building a home of the highest standard is only achievable by open two way communication; this is a core pillar at McDonald Jones.

“From humble beginnings in a fluctuating market, we’ve grown to become the largest builder in NSW – and we are proud of that.”

Bill McDonald.

ENTER WITH STYLE At Gainsborough we’re all about opening a world of new possibilities. For over forty years we have built our reputation on developing leading-edge door hardware – innovative levers, knobs and locks that work silently to reflect the style and needs of our customers.

With our smart, design-savvy range we invite you to create harmonious living environments that reflect your individuality and personal flair. We make it easier than ever to live the way you choose, feel secure and enter with style.

Open your world to the smart style of Gainsborough.

To find out more about our range of door hardware contact us on 13 14 18 or visit www.gainsboroughhardware.com.au

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focusabode.

M CDO N AL D J O N E S MC D O N A L D J O N E S

hat is the McDonald Jones Vision?

We want you to enjoy the journey of building your home as much as we do. We don’t just put bricks on top of each other, hammer in a few nails and tighten a few bolts. We’re in the business of creating the most important thing in people’s lives. Homes are more than functional; they become places where families laugh, grow, dream and sometimes shed a tear.

People have always been at the centre of our business. Building is just one small part of what we do. We partner with you throughout the

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entire building process, from the day you pick your block of land, until we hand over the keys.

We know that building a brand new home is sometimes a bumpy road, but McDonald Jones will be there through every step.

Our reason for being is to make the home building journey as enjoyable as possible.

Have McDonald Jones won any awards?

Awards aren’t really what we’re about, but when the Housing Industry Association sees the number of happy clients we’ve worked with and awards us the Professional Major Builder of the Year for four years running, we feel pretty thrilled. It’s a feeling that we can all share in,

clients and staff alike, as we simply get on with the job of building people’s dream homes. So thanks go to our customers and clients and our people for their faith and hard work over the last 26 years, not just the last four.

Why should people choose McDonald Jones homes?

When you build a new home for yourself and your family, you want to know that it’s built to last, and at McDonald Jones we reckon we know a thing or two about building homes that can stand the test of time. We’ve been doing it for more than 26 years.

In the process, we’ve built thousands of

architecturally designed homes, most with Australian-made steel frames, every one manufactured especially for Australian conditions using world-leading Aussie knowhow and innovation.

Around 40,000 trees are spared every year

by McDonald Jones by using steel frames.

Our TRUECORE ® steel frames come with a 50-year structural warranty, giving our clients peace-of-mind, without having to use harmful chemical treatments or pest-control measures.

Our steel framed homes are and always will be 100% termite-proof and by using the patented Supaloc precision-engineered steel building

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MCDONALD JONES

system, we guarantee your home will stay straight and true.

Our designs don’t just look good; they feel good, inside and out.

This is partly due to the skills of our architects, including the internationally renowned Stuart Everitt, who works wonders with natural light and cross ventilation to help keep energy costs down and reduce a home’s environmental footprint.

Not a new home is built these days without sustainability principles driving much of the design process and choice of building materials. McDonald Jones is committed to the HIA GreenSmart Code of Practice and is part of the GreenSmart Partners program. McDonald Jones sets the standard for others to follow, constructing most of its homes using Australian-made steel frames, every one manufac-

tured especially for Australian conditions using world-leading Aussie knowhow and innovation.

Every one of our homes is built to the same exceptional standard and with one simple philosophy in mind: we’d love to live there too.

We started this business with these honest principles, and that’s what will keep us in business for many, many years to come. Building a home is quite challenging and immensely rewarding and although we’re the ones who build them, we never forget that the home we are building is yours. We understand that building a new home is a big journey to take.

It’s our mission to make sure this journey is memorable and that your dream home becomes a reality. Honesty, empathy and respect guide everything we do.

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focusabode.

What do you offer prospective new home owners?

We have one of the largest ranges of home designs in the business, but we know our clients want something that’s totally unique; a home you can call your own. At McDonald Jones, we use our vast experience to help you create ‘the one’. No matter what lifestyle, land, location or budget, we mould our designs to suit individual needs, and our MyChoice Colour Studio helps create homes that are one of a kind. From enviably immersive home theatres to overindulgent bathrooms to the perfect walk-in robe, our team of MyChoice consultants can help you realise your home’s possibilities.

Choosing what you step on, look at, cook in, turn on, open up or study in, our experts ensure that you spend your time wisely and really advance your plan to build the home that you want – something that is uniquely yours and a reflection of who you are.

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M CDOMNCDONAL AL D J ODN JONE ES S

We offer you professional advice to help choose colours and schemes, as well as helping you select features and fixtures such as tiles, doors, door handles, appliances, tapware, bathroom accessories and electrical fittings.

You can have confidence when considering and selecting the options for your immediate and future needs, as our experts will be there through every step to ensure you capture the exact look and feel you want for your new home. Whatever your lifestyle needs or vision, from street appeal to reworking a design, we’ll work with you to bring your dream to life.

Our team of consultants and interior designers live for their craft; they love it. They’re pretty passionate people. They know the newest, latest trends and fashions, they know what’s hot and what’s not, what’s happening locally and abroad, so you can come in and choose from the latest innovations. Whether it’s adding a new twist to a classic colour palette or finding

the best setup for your home theatre, with our MyChoice experts it’s never been easier to stay up-to-date.

There’s something very special about building a new home. We like to partner with our clients throughout the entire building process. The McDonald Jones team are here to support you through every step. Our aim is to make your home building journey as enjoyable as possible.

We should also flag that we are about to launch a new range of Split Level homes, so if you have a lot which is sloping or unconventional, you might want to take a look.

How do people go about building with McDonald Jones; what is the process?

After experiencing our display homes at Barton Ridge or viewing our designs online, our Building and Design Consultants can walk you through designs that align to your lifestyle needs and budget. Should you like to modify a design, we’ll will work with you to achieve the

home you desire. We’ll help you find the one.

Once you have selected your preferred design, we’ll then undertake a site inspection, complete soil tests, conduct a survey and site your home on the block of land. Once complete, we’ll meet again to present the quote, generate a contract and outline the next steps.

Once the contract is signed off, we’ll move forward on the pre-build phase.

Building your dream home is an extremely exciting time in your life, so we want you to enjoy the journey.

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Michaell Head

Michael Head is really excited to share the details of this year’s Port Motor Mania event, set to take place on September 7 & 8, 2013. This year promises an amazing array of action!

H

i Mick. What will the Port Motor Mania event be raising funds for this year; why is this cause important to you?

Hi Jo. Again this year, we will be raising money for the Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Why? I have been blessed with 2 sons, Andrew and Justin, both in good health.

They’re my best mates. But some parents are not that lucky. One in 200 kids will contract Mitochondrial Disease, there is no cure, life for them is short, and this disease is getting worse and there is no government funding; all the research and support is privately funded.

There is nothing more precious than our kids.

Imagine being told your child has a terminal disease and there’s nothing anyone one can do ... to look at your son or daughter and know that very soon they will be gone. It’s up to all of us to help out when we can. Isn’t that the Australian way? Isn’t that a parent’s job?

To believe that the world we live in can produce incredibly complex products, computers, mobile phones, cars that can drive themselves, but we cannot find a cure to a disease that’s killing our children. The government can spend millions of our dollars on the boat people, millions on New Year’s Eve fireworks, give themselves pay rises, travel first class and get chauffeur driven limousines, but won’t spend a cent to help our kids with this disease ... shame, shame, shame!

What is your fundraising goal – how much would you like to raise?

Last year we raised $11,000. This year $20,000 would be a dream, but we will be grateful for whatever we raise.

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When and where will the event be held this It starts at noon, with a duet, Jake and Lucy; year? both these kids are still in school in Taree. Then Saturday 7 September, 9am at Edgewater there’s Envy Days: 2 brothers, Clay (12) playing holiday park, a welcome breakfast for lead, Jake (14) on the drums and Jess, a 16 year competitors, and at 11am we get together old singer and bass. I was blown away by the and leave Port Macquarie’s Food for Less car talent they have. Then The Ritual: a three piece park in Short St for a convoy to Beechwood band that’s incredibly talented, followed by a Pub for lunch; spectators are welcomed and man in a bear suit; these boys will blow you encouraged. away. It’s amazing how much talent is out there.

At Westport Park in Port Macquarie, We have $500 prize money, thanks to NRMA Saturday 7, at noon, the Battle of the Insurance.

Bands begin, market stalls, car What are some of the major attractions/ displays, amusements and rides, exhibits etc. at Port Motor Mania and at 7pm an old fashioned this time around? drive in – or perhaps bring The Sunday will see a a chair, sit back and return of the classic cars enjoy the movies. we had last year. The only and To look around Sunday 8 requirement is that the ople see so many pe September the fun car is special in some d fun an having so much starts at 9am and way; so, if you like hot y was enjoying the da ch at m goes until 3pm; the rods, they will be there. to fantastic, so just t.” day is jammed packed Perhaps corvettes; they ea it w ould be gr with fun. Five live will be there. In fact, there bands, over 300 cars on are 35 categories, from race display, over 30 vendors, cars, work utes, commodores, helicopter joy flights, a Euro and Jap, trucks, 4WDs – fashion parade and sheep racing even classic caravans and bikes of all ... yes, sheep racing! descriptions.

How will the event differ from previous We have stalls selling all kinds of goodies: years? clothing, jewellery, shoes, flags, car parts, It’s now on for 2 days, and the emphasis is food of all descriptions. At noon we will have on family fun. A kids’ activity centre, rides and a skydiving display from Tony and the crew at amusements; it’s a true family festival – the Port Coastal Skydivers and a landing in the park – not Festival. to be missed. Helicopter joy flights, kids’ rides Tell us about the Battle of the Bands comp and games, a kids’ activity centre, 5 live bands, that is happening this year ... how many Envy Days, The Ritual, Cheryl Hall and Crank The entrants do you have, when and where Monkey. will the comp take place, and what are the And as mentioned before, for a first in Port prizes up for grabs ?

Macquarie, the sheep races! Four sheep racing

“

down a 100 m track; you can bet on your favourite and win some great prizes (if sheep cannot be used, they may be substituted by chickens). Whatever happens, it will be fun.

Also there will be raffles all day, and some great prizes will be given away.

What kind of feedback have you received from previous events, and how do you hope to top that this year?

It will be hard to top that. Everyone had a ball last year; we were overwhelmed by the comments and emails that we received. To look around and see so many people having so much fun and enjoying the day was fantastic, so just to match it would be great.

But this year with a few more attractions, something to do all the time, thousands of dollars in prizes to give away and raffles all day; it’s shaping up to be great.

How much will entry to the event be; where can tickets be purchased?

Entry is $2. Yes, only $2 and you will receive a wristband that shows you have supported the day, payable at 4 places within the show; just look for the Australian flag flying high, and below that there will be a ticket counter.

Where can people find out more info? www.portmotormania.net or ring Mick on 0416 809 533.

Thanks Mick. Interview by Jo Atkins.

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Getting Real with David Plews!

Considering a Renovation? it is imperative that you consider this when As I mentioned last month, with confidence contemplating a renovation. Any trustworthy, returning to the local real estate market, areas knowledgeable agent will be able to provide such as Eastport, Transit Hill, Hastings, Shelly a fair and accurate idea of a property’s worth Beach and Bellevue Hill are offering excellent once completed if provided the plans and value for their renovation potential. The intended quality of finishes. My advice reason is that these older areas is to only commence a renovation of Port Macquarie offer some once you know your property's homes for sale for $350,000 worth when completed – begin David is and under. However, the knowing the end in mind. efficient, great benefit is that there When renovating, the market a good or at ic n u are some homes in these likes dollars being spent on m m co and ethical an.” pockets worth in excess bathrooms, kitchens, lifestyle - Vicki Allm of $450,000. I therefore areas like decks, windows believe it won’t be too long, that provide extra light, and in particularly with low rates for more recent times, the garden/ borrowing money, before we see yard area. If you decide to renovate, major renovations commence again in it is also important to have consistency these areas. in the home. By this, I mean, don’t renovate the home but exclude areas like the kitchen Once this happens, these areas will have or bathroom, as this will disappoint the further appeal; hence, their property values marketplace. As this goes to press, we will be will increase above the average. If considering approximately two weeks out from a Federal a renovation, I encourage all home owners Election. Whichever party wins government, to conduct their research thoroughly, rule I do hope they bring further confidence to up a strict budget and stick to it as best you the property market and don’t forget Port can. You must ensure that you do not over Macquarie in their plans! capitalise – spend money on your property

“

that the market is not willing to repay when completed. Every area of Port Macquarie has a different average price and a maximum ceiling the market is willing to pay; therefore,

This article has been prepared in good faith with due care by David Plews. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy of information contained in this article and readers should make and rely on their own enquiries as to the correctness of such information.

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focusinterview.

McGrath welcomes Bonni Fitzgerald t’s been another record-breaking month for the team at McGrath Estate Agents, Port Macquarie.

It leaves them with no doubt whatsoever that excitement is growing in the local property market and also that, with this growth, the marketing tools which are unique to the McGrath brand are proving their effectiveness, more than ever before. This is not just simple rhetoric. Unlike traditional agencies, the McGrath network and its massive pooled database reach a huge number of potential buyers from across Australia and from around the world.

I

The highly-respected McGrath magazine has a printed distribution of 15,000 weekly, many thousands of additional copies are printed in Mandarin, and the magazine also has multi-lingual availability online.

McGrath is the only real estate agent with access to these tools, being just a few of the many elements which have been instrumental to its ongoing success story.

Consider that, for the Port Macquarie region, in excess of 45% of total property buyers are currently being attracted from out-of-town, a highly significant increase over past years, then the effectiveness of McGrath’s strategies becomes very obvious.

To keep pace with this growing success story, McGrath has recently appointed another new team member to

the Port Macquarie office.

Bonni Fitzgerald is a true local: an impressive young lady who has lived in our town since birth and has already established a strong history in sales and customer service, around the region.

Meeting with Bonni is an absolute pleasure.

Well presented and impeccably groomed, she speaks with clarity, intelligence and with a genuine concern for others – attributes which will serve her well, in her future at McGrath.

At McG rath , we choose our fully people very care t fit ec rf pe ... Bonni is a d we for McGrath, an e her m co el w ly warm to our team . ”

“

As this is Bonni’s first venture into the real estate industry, she has joined McGrath, totally free of preconceived ideas or influences, and therefore ready to embrace the unique McGrath approach to marketing, business ethics and sales.

Throughout her training period and during her early years she will, however, be working under the direct guidance of Principal, Todd Bates.

Todd Bates was directly involved in selecting his new

team member and in his own words, says: “At McGrath, we choose our people very carefully. We choose them for their character, for their ability to grasp the many new, exciting challenges and for their willingness to undertake the intensive training, which plays an integral role in the company’s unique and successful approach to setting benchmark service and results for our industry.

"Local businesses benefit from the talents of good local people and as our company grows, we will continue to support employment from within our own community.

Bonni is a perfect fit for McGrath, and we warmly welcome her to our team.”

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

McGrath Estate Agents

Whether you are buying, selling or renting, McGrath has the experience, the marketing strategies and the professional expertise to achieve premium results, more swiftly.

Port Macquarie

147 Gordon Street T 6589 3777 mcgrath.com.au

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