Greater Port Macquarie Focus i122

GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

January 2016 // issue 122

TER PORT MACQUARIE’ GREA S

Feature Story Narelle Autio

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Welcome to the January issue of Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS.

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT / EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR: Chrissy Jones JP

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chrissy@focusmag.com.au

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COPY EDITING: RnR Media rnrmedia@bigpond.com 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.

Coffs Coast Focus is produced and published by Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 621 287 8600 5. Material in Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications PTY LTD 2016 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

elcome to 2016!

A special welcome to visitors to the Greater Port Macquarie region this month.

As always, there is plenty happening this month, as holiday season and summer hit full swing, and this month’s publication is dedicated to getting out and about exploring our region and kicking off the new year.

The newly completed section of Clarence Street has a great look and feel about it, and it is certainly a welcome expansion of the CBD precinct.

There are a number of new dining options to be discovered, including Bar Florian - a retro ‘60s themed bar by Gino and Maree Cunial and also the Burger Rebellion (which we have frequented a few too many times this month!) New parking

also helps out the congestion (a little) and with the addition of the new businesses, certainly gives that end of town a lift. Well done to all involved.

On the Cover We’ve dedicated our cover to our lead feature for the month, titled “Best Kept Secrets”, and who better to tell us about some of our region’s highlights and must see attractions than the very people who live and work here - pictured is Angela Keating, Aimee Pelley Sandra Madeley, Andrew Devlin and Brendon Lynch. Find out more about them and their suggestions for what to see and do while you are enjoying our area this summer on page 50.

NEW in FOCUS As a special bonus for our readers in 2016, we’re creating 12 brand new online flip books! Each

flip book will be a special compilation from our key feature in the print edition from EVERY focus regional publication and made available to read online and download for free!

The “Best Kept Secrets” guide is online now, and makes a great handbook of things to do across the Mid North Coast and New England this summer.

So download it now and get out and explore!

Visit www.issuu.com/focus.mag Our missing Editor?

That’s right, after 10 years our Editor’s Note has been retired. Pulling each issue of FOCUS together is a huge team effort, and the friendly faces above work tirelessly to make sure we produce a quality issue every month. Thanks for all your hard work team. #lovesfocusmag

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focusinterview.

Untitled 12 ©Narelle Autio, Stills Gallery and Hugo Mitchell Gallery

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Narelle AUTIO

©Trent Parke / Magnum Photos

WITH THANKS TO THE STILLS GALLERY, THE GLASSHOUSE REGIONAL GALLERY IS PLAYING HOST TO AN AMAZING COLLECTION OF IMAGES BY RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER NARELLE AUTIO UNTIL JANUARY 31. NARELLE’S WATER HOLE EXHIBITION CAPTURES BOTH DRAMA AND LIGHT, SEEKING TO PORTRAY HOW WATER CAN BE BOTH THE GIVER AND TAKER OF LIFE …

H

i Narelle. I’ve read that initially you went to art college to study painting, but you ended up with a camera in hand instead.

What/who inspired you to change your artistic direction?

In my first year at art school, I initially took photography as one of my subjects because I saw it as a good complement to my interest in painting and drawing... The “magic” of the darkroom process first hooked me, and I really enjoyed the immediacy of the image making.

I’ve always been fascinated by what is happening around me and classify myself as a bit of a voyeur. I like the idea of drawing an image out of the chaos of life ... Watching the light, the people, the composition and capturing something special when it all comes together. I have always had a real interest in knowing what was going on in the world and as a very young girl, had aspired to be another Jana Wendt. Once I was hooked on photography I liked the idea of combining my interest in art with journalism and began a career as a photojournalist.

After you graduated with your Visual Arts degree, you worked a number of newspapers/publications in the UK. What were some of the highlights?

I was so excited by the idea of moving to the UK and working on Fleet Street (once the home of British national newspapers) but by the time I did this in the mid ‘90s, most of the publishers had moved and a lot of them had already begun the insatiable need to report on all things famous, the celebrity news ... It just wasn’t my thing.

My experience overseas was probably what drove me away from wanting to keep working for a news organisation ... My highlights during my time as a press photographer were always 4 greater port macquarie focus.

few years now ... Whereabouts are you the human interest stories - the everyday people based currently? What jobs/tasks generally who had a story to tell. Whether it be a happy or keep you busy nowadays? a traumatic one, I felt privileged for the invitation I am in living in a quiet beachside suburb into their lives and the chance to give them a of Adelaide with my husband and two voice. young sons, who all keep me very How do you feel working in busy. the media industry helped I have a couple of things you to expand your that I am exploring, but e th te knowledge and skill as D espi ng at the moment I am yi sa s a photographer? sign of rt pa working on a joint e, is Working for a news otherw ks in th s ay project with Trent w al e m organisation means you ight m e [husband] for the Basil er th sometimes have only some stray be Sellers Art Prize.

We are seconds or minutes to g crocodile lurkin going a bit multimedia make a photograph. You in the shadows.”

- a different direction for have to work fast. Work us - which is very exciting. the lighting out, predict You’ve received the movements of people, much professional read body language, then get the acknowledgement for your work. moment that sums the story up.

You were named Australian Art Back when I started working for Collector Magazine’s “50 Most Collectable newspapers, there was no digital, so I didn’t Australian Artists” in 2001, you’ve won a know if it had all come together until I had Walkley Award, and an American Picture processed the film back at the office. I loved the of the Year Award. What’s been the most surprise of this and the adrenalin rush of seeing rewarding part of your career to date? the negatives for the first time.

All of it ... The journey. I feel so lucky to be I think the media industry made me a very able to do what I do. brave photographer. I often talked myself into Your exhibition, Water hole, will be on the most uncomfortable or somewhat scary display at the Glasshouse Regional Gallery situations, because I believed no one else would until January 31. What was the inspiration do the same thing and therefore I would come behind this exhibition, and where were back with something original! most of the images shot?

I think in the end, simply the amount of I have always loved the sea and find myself photography I once did at a newspaper gave drawn to water wherever I am. While we live me a huge amount of experience that I would on the coast, we often travel in the outback, not have got anywhere else ... The camera where we again seem to find ourselves camped became an extension of me. I knew the workings by water. I was intrigued by our need to be near of it inside out and felt confident taking a and satiated by these water sources, but I also photograph in any situation. wanted to explore the fear that always seems You’ve been back in Australia for quite a to surround the waterholes up in Northern

“

Australia.

Despite the signs saying otherwise, part of me always thinks there might be some stray crocodile lurking in the shadows. For me, water both gives and takes away life, and these dark, mysterious waterholes feel like they embody this idea.

Tell us more about the exhibition ... How many works will be on display, and what are a few of your favourite pieces?

There are 28 photographs in the complete series …Tthree of my favourites would be Untitled 5, a “secret” underwater flowering garden, Untitled 12 (any photo I have with small girls swimming feels like a self portrait to me) and Untitled 18, the swimmer floating away into the darkness with just his feet in sunlight. I just love the ominous feel.

How were you able to combat the difficulties with lighting in your beautiful underwater shots?

I feel like the shafts and rays of sunlight are leading the way - revealing to me what I should photograph. I have a pretty good understanding of what the light reading is at certain depths and really, I am not interested in a perfectly exposed image. I like the drama of dark and light and think the deep shadows are just as important as the light ... If I really loved what I was seeing, I shot a lot more, bracketing exposures. After all, I use transparency film and I was going to be thousands of km away when I processed, with no opportunity to re-shoot.

Where can readers see more samples of your work? www.hugomichellgallery.com or www.stillsgallery.com.au Thanks Narelle. Interview by Jo Atkins.

See Narelle Autio’s Water hole exhibition at the Glasshouse Regional Gallery until 31 January.

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BEATLES FESTIVAL.

Neil Porter grew up listening to their music and now finds himself on the organising committee of our very own tribute, the “Port Macquarie Beatles Festival”. Coming in February 2016, Neil tells us what we can expect at this year’s event.

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FROM THE HEART. After an inspirational trip to Alice Springs in central Australia, artists Jill Cairns and Kim Madden have brought the drama and colours of the country landscape to their January exhibition at Long Point Vineyard and Gallery, “From the Heart”.

FAT PIZZA VS HOUSOS.

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The fully sickest delivery guys from Fat Pizza clash with the Housos of Sunnyvale. Featuring Franky Falzoni, Vanessa, Kev The Kiwi and a mystery guest; it’s a battle of chainsaws and thongs, cheese and vegemite, subwoofers and Ugg boots. Fifteen years in the making, this bogan Ben Hur is coming to Port Panthers on January 21...

R EGU L A R S 12. WHAT’S ON

FOR JANUARY 20. EAT

FEATURING LOCAL RESTAURANTS 30. SOCIAL SCENE

WITH KATE WOOD-FOYE 38. BEST KEPT SECRETS

GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

69.

94.

82.

STAR GUIDE WITH TERRI ABODE REAL ESTATE SECTION BUSINESS MINDS WITH JANE HILLSDON

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CHAMBERS FAMILY • LIFE • MUSIC GROWING UP IN A HOUSEHOLD OF TALENTED MUSICIANS PAVED THE WAY FOR ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST LOVED MUSICIANS TO GET TO WHERE SHE IS TODAY ... TRAVELLING AROUND AUSTRALIA WITH HER FAMILY BAND, BEFORE EMBARKING ON HER OWN SOLO CAREER HAS SEEN KASEY CHAMBERS AWARDED A MYRIAD OF ACCOLADES. KASEY CAUGHT UP WITH FOCUS TO TALK ABOUT FAMILY LIFE AND MUSIC …

T

ake us back to your childhood. Growing up in a musical family, was it always a dream of yours to be doing what you’re doing?

The main thing I wanted to be when I was growing up was actually to have kids - all I ever wanted to do was be a mum. So, that obviously has happened, but also, juggling this career at the same time. I never really thought that I’d be able to play music for a living; it was not really on my radar. I knew I’d always play music and that it would always be a part of my life, just because it had been ever since I was born. I knew it would always be around, but I didn’t know that I’d be able to make a living off it - so that’s a bonus!

How do you find a balance between being a mum and musician?

I sort of juggle the two things and look, I don’t always get the balance right sometimes I’m definitely rocking back and forth in the foetal position in the corner, like every good mum does from time to time. But for the most part, it works really well. The balance between career and kids and just general home life and that sort of thing ... We don’t really tour like we used to either; we don’t go away for three months at a time or anything like that. We go away

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They’re really

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y for a few days and family, and they great friends; m y m in r then we’re home for help out with dad plays guita um a few days and catch babysitting with band , and my m dise up on swimming my kids. sells the merchan y m lessons and school After a four on the ro ad and ager, an brother is my m and all of those year break, you uch a so it’s still very m things. got back into family affair.”

At what age did the studio to you start writing and record your latest playing? album, Bittersweet.

I started playing in my What inspired you to Mum and Dad’s band with them get writing and get this when I was about nine; they had a band, record off the ground after and my brother and I wanted to play in such a substantial time away? the band, so we just started doing gigs I had quite a big life change within with them. Then it just turned into touring that time: divorce, and then all of a sudden and we went travelling all around Australia I became a single mother. I think whatever in the family van. I was about 20 - 21 when is going on in my life reflects a lot of what’s I went solo, which was when my parents going on in my creative life as well. Even broke up - so it kind of broke the band up. if it’s good emotional times, there are just In saying that, they’re actually still both those things that go on in your life that working with me now. They’re really great spark creativity. friends; my dad plays guitar in my band, and Certainly a divorce does that a little bit my mum sells the merchandise on the road - not to the point where all the songs are and my brother is my manager, so it’s still about divorce, or anything like that. I think very much a family affair. it’s just when you go through something What an amazing family unit. You must emotional, it makes you kind of want to be have shared some precious memories creative and pour all of your emotions into over the years? something - which I did with this album.

We absolutely have. I just can’t imagine I also felt like I was a new person; I found doing this without my family, and obviously this whole new side of myself - a new that helps so much now that I have my own strength in myself that I never thought

that I had before and a new sort of control that I never knew I had before. I wanted to have the album reflect that; I wanted to try a new producer, new band, new studio, a new approach to song writing ... And even though I feel like the album is still very much me, I do feel like it’s a new side of me.

With a huge catalogue of songs under your belt, how do you choose your set list when touring, and will we be seeing a mix of new and old on this tour?

Yeah, I go all the way back to The Captain album, Barricades, Rattlin’ Bones, everything. And I still love playing them; I don’t just play them because that’s what people want to hear. My favourite song to play every night is The Captain; I still love that! There’s a certain comfort in that song for me, and with all of them, but particularly that song, I feel like there’s a lot of me in that song - it’s such a huge part of who I am.

Thanks Kasey.

the plug!

Catch Kasey Chambers @ Laurieton Services Club in Laurieton on Saturday, 9th January 2016, 7:00pm. www.laurietonclub.com.au

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R I E A U Q M A C

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l a v i t s fe TIAL LU E N F N I N USIC ERE A EIR M H W T S E D E AT L H OLD N Y, A N THE B R B OT R MA O O F F UP Y N A C ICO GREW W R TO D A R L E MUSI U T P L P OR IC A N D NO LL PO I S ST I S. N E I S N A F I NG R MU EW ANIS G THEI R O AND N O T UTE, E G

TH RIB NIN L F O N RY OW N T E LISTE S M ES S HI U R V E I E B E AT L O FIND F O R NEIL C Q UA UA RY 2016, ITTEE A M M M T CO THIS FEBR POR C T AT I NG I N THE “ E M P X O E C .

N I VA L” W E CA FEST W H AT E N T. TELL

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he Beatles Festival will celebrate its fourth year in February 2016. What is your involvement with the event?

For a number of years, Janette Hyde and I had an idea to hold the Port Macquarie Beatles Festival, and in 2013 we finally got it started. We have been lucky that so many other locals feel the same way, and we have had a very enthusiastic organising committee to help us bring the idea to realisation.

Why the Beatles? What do you love most about their legacy and celebrating it?

Like many other Baby Boomers, I grew up listening to the music of my parents. Music artists like Elvis, Bobby Darin, Bill Haley, Brenda Lee and Connie Francis filled our house with song. Then, in the early sixties, when I was 14 years old, this Band called the Beatles entered our lives. Soon, the Dave Clark 5, the Searchers, Gerry and the Pacemakers followed. They were the music of our generation. It was the first wave of the British invasion. Suddenly after years of American music, there was something fresh and vital about music created by musicians that looked different, with long un-greased hair and a sound created by three guitars and a set of drums. The Beatles were the biggest and most popular band of my era.

There will be trivia, car shows and more this year - can you outline some of the key events for us?

In 2016 we are sticking to the successful

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N E I L

SO, IF YO U A R E R EA D IN G TH IS OT ST O RY, W H Y N TH E R FO JO IN U S IN A L IN IV ST FE S BE AT LE H D EL P U S FE BRUA RY A N ” CE LE BR AT E!

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format that has been in place since we commenced. The 2016 Port Macquarie Beatles Festival will commence on Thursday 11 February at the Bago Tavern in Wauchope, with a Beatles Trivia and Talent Quest.

Friday evening will see the fabulous Beatle Boys at Laurieton Services Club.

Saturday morning in the Glasshouse forecourt will be a free concert celebrating popular Beatles performed by local musicians. Then on Saturday evening, the Beatle Boys will rock the night away at Port Panthers.

Sunday is Valentine’s Day, and for the romantics among us we have a breakfast at Roses Vineyard and then it’s back to Port for our free day of entertainment overlooking the water in the Plaza Car Park. A fantastic Car Show, market stalls, food and drink stands, Pin Up Fashion Parade with prizes for Best Dressed and local musicians - a great fun day for everyone.

This year State Rail is dedicating a carriage on the XPT to the Beatles Festival. So we are hoping to attract Beatles lovers from all over Sydney.

Who is the main musical act, and where are they performing?

Our headline act this year is The Fabulous Beatle Boys. This band is fast becoming the premier Beatles tribute band in the world. These boys are in demand right around Australia and the Pacific and next year, after playing at our

festival, they will perform a series of concerts accompanied by the Australian Symphony Orchestra at venues all around Australia. Wouldn’t it be great to have them perform at our world class venue, the Glasshouse? The band has a great web page, so have a look at www. thebeatleboys.com and come along and see them live at Laurieton Services Club, Panthers or Roses Vineyard.

The event is becoming a signature event on the Port Macquarie annual events calendar.

How can locals and local businesses support it?

We’d love to see locals and visitors come out to at least one of our events over the four days of the festival. It is a great time to invite out of town friends and family to come visit you in Port Macquarie and attend the festival.

We conduct surveys across all of our festival events, and feedback tells us that visitors make up over 25% of participants. We have a small number of local businesses who have supported the festival since its inception, and we are extremely grateful for their financial support. This year our local member, Leslie Williams, obtained for us a grant from the Minister for Tourism and Events. Without these great supporters, the festival would not exist. We welcome anyone

who can contribute ideas for growing our festival or support us as sponsors.

Why are events like this important for tourism?

The whole idea of the Beatles Festival was a collaboration of a love of the Beatles and their wonderful music and a desire to draw people to the Hastings to help us celebrate the world’s greatest band. Events like the Port Macquarie Beatles Festival are the reasons why visitors come to our towns. Our independently run surveys indicate that visitation to our festival from people outside of our area is growing, and we expect that in a few years, they may make up the majority of participants. This is not only great for our festival, but for businesses right across the Hastings region.

So, if you are reading this story, why not join us in for the Beatles Festival in February and help us celebrate! All of the towns that make up The Port Macquarie Hastings region would love to see you and make your visit your best ever holiday experience.

Who knows? One day Sir Paul and Ringo may want to join our celebration.

Thanks Neil.

the plug!

PORT MACQUARIE BEATLES FESTIVAL 11 - 14 FEBRUARY 2016 portmacquariebeatlesfestival.com

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GET HEALTHY WEALTHY & WISE IN 2016

THREE LOCAL INDUSTRY EXPERTS HAVE COMBINED THEIR RESPECTIVE TALENTS TO PROVIDE AN INFORMATIVE FREE SEMINAR ON THE 3RD FEBRUARY, TO HELP US ALL BECOME HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE!

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hrissy Jones had the pleasure of catching up Paul Loughland from Smarter Property, Graeme Lawlor of Everybody Personal Training and Malcolm Neale from Fuel 4 Business to find out more…

What can we expect at the seminar?

Paul: Some great tips and insight on how to build wealth with property in a safe and sustainable manner.

Graeme: If you have set goals for 2016 or just want to look and feel better, come along and learn how to do it with some simple, easy to follow steps that fit into your everyday busy lifestyle.

Malcolm: I will be sharing easy to implement principles on how to Fast Track Your success in 2016.

Why should people attend?

Paul: Keep your New Year’s Resolutions and get access to three local industry experts to kick start 2016. A balanced lifestyle is what we all want, so whether it is Health, Wealth or Wisdom you are seeking, this seminar will help you reach your goals faster and more effectively.

Unless you actually decide to take action, nothing will change. So take action and come along to make positive changes for yourself in 2016.

Graeme: If you want to learn the best ways to lose weight and maintain a leaner, healthier you, then you must attend.

Malcolm: You will learn about how

the world’s most successful people have achieved great success in their lives, careers and in business, and how this success has led them to living an extraordinary and fulfilling life.

How can the seminar help individuals?

Paul: Individuals will learn some important yet basic fundamentals that can help them build wealth using property.

These fundamentals are used by many experienced and seasoned investors. The sessions will help individuals map out their own plan for action in 2016.

Graeme: Leave feeling inspired with tools to help you get what you really want with your health and fitness.

Malcolm: Attendees of the seminar will realise they no longer have to accept living a mediocre life. They will gain a greater focus/clarity about what they want to achieve in 2016 and how they can take their results to a whole new level.

You all have individual expertise on offer…

Paul: How can you help us all to create wealth and leverage through property?

When it comes to property, unfortunately you don’t know what you don’t know, so we intend to give some basic insights that will help keep you safe and lower the risks. Importantly, we will show you how you can leverage from experience, knowledge and other people’s money.

Graeme: Why is a healthy lifestyle so important for everyone?

Leading a healthy lifestyle will give you more energy, less stress, help prevent disease and most of all, give vitality to cope with our busy lifestyles.

Malcolm: What is your favourite strategy for a fulfilling life?

What you focus on is what you get!

Your happiness is determined by what you focus on. A lot of people focus on fear, but fear is the number one thing that holds us back. We also tend to focus a lot on the things that go wrong in life, or the things we can’t control, which often causes us a lot of heartache and stress. If you want to have long lasting happiness, then you need to change what you focus on. You need to focus on the things that are going to make you happy. What you focus on is ultimately your choice, and the key to happiness is focusing on being grateful.

Where will the seminar be held, and how can readers book one of the limited seats?

Paul: On site at Everybody Personal Training Centre, 223 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie. Interest is already strong, so to book your seat simply call 1800 257 377 or email admin1@smarterpropertygroup.com.au so you don’t miss out on this empowering and insightful start to 2016.

Thanks guys; see you there!

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MEET TAMMY CLARKE – THE DISCERNING, ARTISTIC, AND IMAGINATIVE LOCAL BEHIND THE LENS THIS MONTH …WHETHER IT’S AN EYE FOR DETAIL, OR THE ABILITY TO CAPTURE AN ARRAY OF EMOTIONS, TAMMY’S SKILL IS OBVIOUS …

TAMMY T

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associate these letters with? so ow I started my business gr ey Th almost three years fast and change uring ago now, with much every day; capt eir little th of love and support the beauty always toes and fingers iness from my family pp brings much ha - particularly my for everyone .” husband! He wouldn’t I often took rest until I had gone for it off him to it and started. take pictures, and The business name is he would always “TLC”, which are my initials. comment on how much It’s a perfect acronym, as it’s the better he thought my photos way I like to treat my business, photos were, and that they were more and clients - with exactly just that: “Tender appealing than his. Trevor no longer Loving Care”. had an old Canon Camera - I did! I’ve Tell us more about your business. What never looked back since, and it never ceases types of photography do you specialise to amaze me how differently I see all things in? now - plus I get to play with my new cameras I specialise in portrait and family now. photography. Meeting new people, and When did you start your photography getting to know them helps bring out a great business - and I have to ask: are TLC your result in portrait and family photography. actual initials (middle name and all), or I like to create beautiful stories through do the initials stand for the traditional photographs for them to treasure. “tender, loving care” we normally

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i Tammy. Where do you hail from originally, and what led you to call the Greater Port Macquarie region home?

I was born in Sydney. At three years of age I moved to Gunnedah and spent most of my childhood there in the country; I loved the lifestyle. My family then moved to Port Macquarie when I was 15 years old; I’ve been here for 23 years (that’s giving my age away!)

Port Macquarie is such a beautiful part of the world to live in and raise a family.

Who/what inspired you to pick up a camera initially?

My husband, Trevor, firstly got me into photography; he had an old Canon Camera.

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Weddings are also something that gives me great pleasure to photograph. Weddings are another great day to capture for the couple, and their friends and family. These shoots are more challenging; however, it is a huge reward for me when I present the photos to the couple afterwards.

Funny photo shoots I like to do are animal birthday parties; lots of laughs and fun. And how can I not mention the blessing of having a newborn in my studio. They grow so fast and change every day; capturing the beauty of their little toes and fingers always brings much happiness for everyone.

What does photography mean to you?

Do you view it as an art form, a way to tell stories … more?

To me, photography is about expressing myself, being creative; it’s always like seeing something for the first time, in a completely unique way. We all see things differently; there’s no right or wrong way.

Photography, as I see it, is not only an art form, but a perfect way of telling a story of what is happening at a particular moment in time, or one’s life, which is able to easily be

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re-told generation after generation.

Imperialis”. I found it so interesting. I sent an What are your favourite subjects to shoot email to Sydney University to find out more (and why)? about this type of fly, as it was very pretty and Macro photography is something I adore.

I hadn’t seen a fly like this before in this area.

This means getting up close and personal to If you simply go outside, you will see so bugs, insects and flowers, to name many amazing insects. My Praying a few - this photography Mantis was sitting on my really explodes me with verandah out the back. excitement. From We have so much these amazing opportunity to capture ite ur vo fa One of my n ke pictures I have amazing creatures, ta ve ha I images y, Fl y m been designing as we live in such be to ve would ha I found it ’. is al ri cushion covers a beautiful part of pe Im ia ‘Amen sent an email I g. in st with all my the world. re te in so rsity to find beautiful macro I love portraits to Sydney Unive this type of images, and I and have been very out more about pretty and fly, as it was very have been selling lucky to spend time like this I hadn’t seen a fly ” them all over with many families ea . before in this ar Australia, and also in and capture some the USA. beautiful moments.

Real estate Children grow so fast, so photography is something to be able to capture all their that I also like to practice. I have sweetness is splendid. been studying “Home Staging” and Weddings are also so wonderful; hope to combine the two together. It’s a from the time you start ‘til the time you very important strategy to be able to do finish, every moment is special. You just want this successfully. The way you stage a home to capture it all. for photographing needs to be precise. You We all love our pets; they are such a big need to gain people’s attention immediately part of our family. One of my funniest photo to get the viewer to like the property. shoots was having a Great Dane in for her If you had to travel light and were limited birthday party. I really enjoyed it. to five pieces of camera equipment, what Where can people contact you or view would you take with you (and why)? your work?

Certainly my camera, a spare battery, People can contact me on my website: memory card, my 100 mm macro lens and my www.tlcphotographyportmacquarie.com.au 24 - 70 mm lens.

Facebook: TLC Photography Port With these pieces I should be pretty well Macquarie. covered to have a great day out, taking Also, my cushions can be seen on my photos of my favourite things.

Facebook page: Alfresco Cushions by TLC. What have been some of the favourite Email tlcphotos2444@gmail.com shots you’ve captured over the past few Mob: 0410 068 781. Vouchers are also years? available.

One of my favourite images I have Thanks Tammy. taken would have to be my Fly, “Amenia Interview by Jo Atkins

“

greater port macquarie focus. 11

focus_What’s On Greater Port Macquarie

January 2016

09

FRUGAL FOREST

24

Imagine a twilit space. You walk along a path, your footfalls softened by leaf litter. Overhead trees, palms, and vines vanish into darkness, and around you grasses, ferns and fungi flourish, you notice faces in the leaves, a hint of barcode in the bark.

Everything you see and hear is made entirely from salvaged materials. When Saturday January 9th from 8am - 1pm.

Where Glasshouse, Port Macquarie. Contact 0421 251 049.

THE FORESHORE MARKET

09

SUNDAY SESSION - SAILS RESORT

Hit the deck for an old school pool party. Grab your bikini, boardies and beach towel and settle in for an afternoon of chilled live music, cabanas and fun in the sun at the stunning Sails Resort pool and entertainment terrace. Everyone welcome!

Free entry. When Sunday 24th January, 1pm - 7pm.

Where Sails Resort Port Macquarie by Rydges.

DANCE FOR GIRLS Do you have a dancing fairy at your house? For little girls aged 2 - 5 years. Places are limited; don’t miss out! Join us for a fun girls’ day out at Port Macquarie. Where Performing Arts. When Wednesday 13th January. Register online at: www.pmperformingarts.com

Around 100 stalls stocked with handicrafts, woodfired breads, silver jewellery, African baskets, vintage clothing and a great selection of the freshest of local produce. Live music and a fabulous selection of food and coffee. When Saturday, January 9th from 8am - 1pm. Where Westport Park, Port Macquarie.

Contact Necia Waghorn on 0401 526 936.

ARTIST MARKET IN THE VINES

A wonderful selection of stalls selling handmade and art focused products. The stage comes alive with a great selection of musicians. When Sunday, January 24th from 9am - 2pm.

Where Cassegrain Winery.

Contact Necia Waghorn on 0401 526 936.

10 17 21

IWA PRO WRESTLING LIVE

PAINT THE TOWN PORT

When Sunday, January 10th 2016.

Where Laurieton United Services Club.

Doors 7pm. Show 7:30pm. VIP $25. Adults $16.

U/18 $14. Contact the club on 6559 9110 or visit www.laurietonclub.com.au

A little paint, a little wine, heaps of fun! Paint The Town Port is Australia’s creative way to celebrate! When Sunday, January 17th, 12 - 2pm. Where Oasis By The River, North Haven. When Thursday, January 21st, 6- 9 pm. Where Fat Fish Beachfront Bistro, Bonny Hills. Contact aimee@paintthetownport.com

12 greater port macquarie focus.

24

08

SAVE THE DATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY BREAKFAST

Hastings Business Women’s Network + Leslie Williams invite you to attend the annual “Hastings Heroine” event with special guest speaker Kirsty Ballinger.

When 8th March 2016. Where Panthers Club.

focuseditorial.

focuseditorial.

OCEAN COAST SUP

focuseditorial.

Garden Village FACTORY DIRECT STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS AND ACCESSORIES

W

ayne Dean opened Ocean Coast Sup at the start of the 2015 season at 6 Belah Rd, Port Macquarie. Catering for the local and interstate market, with flat water, surf, race and cruiser boards available, Wayne has boards to suit all styles and ages.

Ocean Coast Sup also has a great range of paddles and accessories to go with your new board.

Brands include SupCo, Natural Rhythm, Sup Rider, Titan Cruiser Boards and Soft Top Sups.

New and used boards available. NEW RANGE of SupCo and Natural Rhythm boards now in stock!

If you are looking for expert advice and great prices, call in and see Wayno!

6 Belah Rd, Port Macquarie. PHONE 0477 650 690.

VOLUNTEERS BACK ON DECK

GARDEN VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS ARE BACK ON DECK IN BOTH THE OP SHOP AND CRAFT CENTRE AFTER A MUCH NEEDED BREAK.

T

he Op Shop will re open on 6 January, each Wednesday and Thursday morning and second Saturday morning of each month. After a busy pre Christmas sale, any donations of saleable items of kitchen and homewares would be appreciated. Have that

overdue cleanout and drop it into Garden Village.

The craft ladies are back at work each Monday in the craft room at 9am from 11 January. Come along for a browse. Bring a friend, so you can enjoy a snack at GVs Coffee Shop.Â

greater port macquarie focus. 13

focusinterview.

Ron and Beryl

Wilson P H O T O S

B Y

N A S H Y S P I X

CAMDEN HAVEN HUSBAND AND WIFE DUO RON AND BERYL WILSON ARE WELL KNOWN LOCALLY AND FURTHER AFIELD IN ATHLETIC CIRCLES, AS THEY REGULARLY COMPETE IN TRIATHLON EVENTS. WITH AROUND 150 TRIATHLONS ALREADY UNDER THEIR BELTS, THEY REFLECT ON PAST EVENTS AND THE UPCOMING CAMDEN HAVEN TRIATHLON, WHICH IS SET TO TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 19 AND 20 …

H

triathlon so far? Maybe not necessarily how you i Ron and Beryl. You call the beautiful Camden Haven home ranked in the final score, but perhaps even an ... What do you both most love event where you felt you overcame the odds? about the area?

We both enjoyed Port Macquarie Ironman in 2012.

We both love the Camden HaWe both won our age groups (for the first time) and ven area, as it has great beaches, both qualified for Hawaii to race together there for quiet roads and overall is a place which offers the first time. a wide variety of things to do and placBeryl had just recovered from Breast es to see.

Cancer, so was especially pleased.

When/how did you become The Camden Haven Triathlon do interested in triathlons?

The volunteers will be held on 19/20 March e a great job. Thes We both became interested 2016. Will you be competclub in Triathlon in 1983/4, when are a mixture of l ing in this event ... and if ca members and lo rvice we were active in swimming so, how will it feel to race se individuals and and also running. on your home turf? re su en groups , who Triathlon was new, so we Hopefully we will both be e th ith w ce a safe ra to e tried it and enjoyed it. nc ie competing.

Only sickness or en nv co in least We did a few races close injury will prevent that. ” . ls ca lo to where we were living, then We enjoy the race, as we train travelled further afield to get more on the course and we don’t have to races. get up really early to get there, as we Roughly how many triathlons have you live less than 1 km from the race start. each competed in to date? What age categoTell us more about the Camden Haven event ry do you both compete in?

- what distances are on offer, and what age We have each done about 150 triathlons - we categories are catered for? haven’t counted them - from all distances from sprint The Camden Haven event has two days of racing. distances to Ironman.

The Saturday has junior races, with wade - run races Beryl is in the 60 - 64 age group, and Ron is in the for those very young, with distances from 50 m 65 - 69 age group. wade to 1 km run, to full triathlons with swims up to 300 m, rides to 10 km and runs to 4 km.

What do you feel has been you most successful

“

14 greater port macquarie focus.

Sunday has the open race of 600 m swim, 28 km cycle and 6.5 km run. Age categories run from 18 to over 70 years, and all of these are usually entered.

Some top local professionals usually race to add some real class to the race.

There is also an interclub challenge, which gives added incentive for hard racing.

We’re fortunate to have many wonderful people in our local community who volunteer at all kinds of events each year - but what would you say to encourage those who may not have given volunteering at a triathlon event a go before?

The volunteers do a great job. These are a mixture of club members and local individuals and service groups, who ensure a safe race with the least inconvenience to locals.

We would encourage any people who want to contribute in this way and meet new people to contact the Port Macquarie Triathlon Club to offer their assistance.

Where can readers find out more about the local triathlon club, and upcoming events?

Port Macquarie Triathlon Club: www.portmactriclub.com.au The email address for the club is: portmactriathlonclub@gmail.com Thanks Beryl and Ron. Interview by Jo Atkins.

Images - Nashyspix: www.nashyspix.com

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18/12/2015 11:23 am

focusinterview.

MONICA ORIEL IT’S BEEN A VERY BUSY FEW YEARS FOR WAUCHOPE GIRL MONICA ORIEL. WHETHER PERFORMING IN FRONT OF ROYALTY OR CAPACITY CROWDS AT MAJOR SPORTING VENUES, RELEASING HER DEBUT ALBUM OR REHEARSING, THIS ALL FORMS PART OF THE TALENTED PERFORMER’S DAY TO DAY LIFE THESE DAYS. SHE TAKES SOME TIME OUT OF HER HECTIC SCHEDULE TO GIVE US AN UPDATE …

H

i Monica. With over three years having passed since we last spoke, there have been some huge developments in your performing career.

What have been some of the most special moments?

So much has been happening … Singing at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Coronation Festival was incredible. Having parts of London shut down so that hundreds of Aussie and Kiwi special guests of Australia House could get to Westminster Abbey for a special ANZAC Day service was something I’ll never forget. High fiving Michael Clarke before singing the National Anthem at the Cricket World Cup was cool. And of course, recording my debut album was a really big moment!

You’ve now released your first album, First Love, which was recorded with John Foreman and a 70-piece orchestra. Describe the whole experience of working with John and the other musicians ...

We recorded the album in a week, but it took months of planning! It didn’t feel real until I was sitting in the parking lot outside Allan Eaton Studios, and the lady next to me was getting a harp out of her car!

I sat with my producer, Simon Paul, listening to John Foreman conduct 70 incredible young musicians, and felt like I had to keep pinching myself. I spent the next few days recording the vocals, with Stephen Smith popping in on his lunch break to record The Prayer. It was hands down the strangest and best week of my life.

Anyone reading this who knows me will know that I’ve always loved to sing, which is where 16 greater port macquarie focus.

Jenkins, and Russell Watson, so I was in good I got the name of the album. Simon took this company! album from a dream to a reality, and I’m so I sang over two days, including Royal Preview thrilled with how First Love turned out!

Day, when only special guests were allowed What are some of the tracks on the album? entry and the royal family was in attendance.

I’m classically trained, but I didn’t want to It was a beautiful day, and I’d drawn quite a sing just opera. I love singing lots of different crowd in front of the stage to listen. When the music, so I chose some of my favourite popular crowd started moving to my left, I thought and musical tunes and recorded them perhaps it was my song choice, and with my classical twist. The album I looked over … Prince Charles includes What A Wonderful and Camilla had arrived to World, Music of the Night, I spent the hear me sing!

You’ll Never Walk Alone, next few days cals , It’s true what they say The Prayer as a duet with recording the vo ith about practicing - I had Opera Australia tenor with Stephen Sm nch s lu popping in on hi e spent hours practicing and Stephen Smith, and Pie Th rd break to reco so somehow managed to Jesu. nds Prayer. It was ha t and keep singing, even though I chose all the tracks es down the strang e.” my mind went completely myself, because each of lif y best week of m blank. I remember that them are special to me.

I curtseyed, but I couldn’t Summertime and Song To possibly tell you which song I was The Moon I used to sing with singing at the time!

James Hannah as a teenager, and I You’re also becoming very well known sang them in honour of where it all began. I as the amazing talent who performs Could Have Danced All Night is from Mum’s national anthems prior to sporting matches. favourite musical, and I had to include What advice would you give to aspiring operatic arias O Mio Babbino Caro and Quando musicians about being a versatile performer M’en Vo, which I have been singing for many - someone who can engage an audience years. from all walks of life?

You’ve performed in front of some very high Engaging an audience can be tricky, but I think profile public figures over the past couple it all boils down to resilience and personality. of years. Tell us about the experience you had performing at HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s You’re not going to be everybody’s cup of tea, Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace in which can be really hard not to take personally.

2013, which celebrated the 60th anniversary Once you can accept that, you can get on with of the Queen’s coronation … putting everything you have into your music, and I was the only Australian to perform at the seeing your passion helps people relate to you Coronation Festival. The Gala event included a even if your music isn’t their style. performance by Dame Kiri te Kanawa, Katherine Forty-five minutes before I was about to sing

“

the Anthem on the NRL Footy Show Fight Night, I was sitting next to the ring and the boxers came right up against the ropes, kicked a promo sign, and suddenly I was covered in a jug of ice cold water from the table in front of me! The Footy Show crew tried to help, and I started laughing there was just so much water! I dried off as best I could, walked into the middle of the ring, gave the Anthem everything I had, came back and wrung more water out of my skirt, and we all dissolved into laughter again. A sense of humour can go a long way!

What do you like to do in your downtime, when you’re not performing or rehearsing?

That is my downtime! I’m currently selfmanaged, so when I’m not performing or rehearsing, I’m sending orders all over the world, replying to emails and social media, networking, scouting out gigs, updating my website … and looking for a manager to help!

What performances/activities do you have planned for the next few months?

As of January, First Love will be on the inflight entertainment of 75% of QANTAS aircraft, which is so exciting! There will be a few Anthems coming up, as well as some other projects, but I’d love to get out on the road and give some concerts in 2016, and Port Macquarie will definitely be on that list.

Where can readers find out more about you?

My album is on iTunes, but physical copies are available from www.monicaoriel.com, and I’ll happily sign them or add any special message. I update my blog there as well, so it’s good way to find out what’s happening. I also have Twitter, Facebook and my own YouTube channel, so feel free to say hi!

Thanks Monica. Interview by Jo Atkins.

greater port macquarie focus. 17

18 greater port macquarie focus.

focusinterview.

After an inspirational trip to Alice Springs in central Australia, artists

Jill Cairns and Kim Madden have brought the drama and colours of the country landscape to their January exhibition at Long Point Vineyard and Gallery, “From the Heart”.

H

i Jill. What was inspiring about your recent trip to Alice Springs?

The recent trip to Alice Springs was my first adventure to the Northern Territory and with a group of artists, the inspiration was immediate. Watching the scenery change dramatically from the air gave a taste of what was to unfold. The confluence of waterways blending in to salt pans created patterns, and the earthy colours added to the multitude of abstract images. The following days provided overwhelming experiences amongst the various gorges and chasms.

Seeing such majestic country landscapes, did you visualise certain pieces along the way?

The empowering landscape offered images with every turn of the head. It took a long time to get to Ellery Gorge on the first day, because we had to keep stopping the car to take many photos along the way. The ridges with their layered structures dominated the landscape, but in contrast, the soft grasses and the white trunks of trees kept us sketching and painting as much as the light would allow.

What other special places did you discover during your travels?

We travelled mainly into the Western Macdonnell Ranges, but spent a day in the Eastern Ranges. One of many highlights was the four wheel truck tour to Palm Valley Gorge.

Here the dry Finke River bed presented some of the oldest geology in the world. A much smoother rock formation covered in iron oxide and the contrast of tall palms and cycads was an artist’s delight.

We called in to Hermansburg, where a restored indigenous village has become an attraction. This was the home of Albert Namatjira, whose life was tough because of his non indigenous style. I felt moved to stand

where he did to paint those famous views.

Tell us about your artistic background and how you have developed your style over the years.

Gaining a Diploma in Graphic Design through the National Art School and then a Diploma in Education allowed me to teach art in high schools in Sydney and Port Macquarie.

There were limited opportunities during that time, with work and raising my family taking away painting time. Now, retirement and the construction of my new studio has given me an enormous opportunity to create.

The studio offers the space to create large works in oils and pastels. My style initially was impressionistic, as I admired the French and Australian impressionists very much. Gruner's Spring Frost affected me as a child and from then on, the love of light and high contrast of tone and colour is what I have pursued.

How do you use a variety of subjects and mediums for your pieces?

The Australian landscape has been the catalyst to create. The "plein air” experience in Alice Springs has taken that pleasure to a different level. Being "amongst it" allows you to feel the mood and be more spontaneous in response. The subject dictates my medium.

After recording in pastels on site, I have come back to the studio to develop larger works in pastel or oils. The softer, more linear landscape would require pastels; whereas, for the more powerful compositions I would prefer to paint in oils, where my palette has no boundaries.

Kim, as an enthusiastic traveller, how have you depicted the scenes of your most recent trip into the From the Heart exhibition?

My 24 paintings in this exhibition cover a period of perhaps two and a half years of my own artistic development. The half dozen or so works based on the trip to the MacDonnell Ranges are the most recent and show a

All my paintings are ‘From the Heart’. I never I paint anything ng ro st don’ t feel a .” ith w n tio connec

“

significant departure in style from most of my earlier work.

Firstly, they are landscapes and this is a subject matter I am, perhaps unusually, least comfortable with. l have really allowed myself to paint the colour I felt, as much as the colour I saw.

The drama and brilliance of the landscape itself made me think I could use whatever colours inspired me. I found the landscape very architectural - that great wriggling rock serpent atop the West Macs as you drive out from Alice made me think of medieval fortifications, and some of the rock formations suggested ancient burial mounds. As I develop my ideas, “emotion recollected in tranquillity” as Wordsworth said, I think there will be many more paintings to come on this subject which will be more expressive than representational.

But all my paintings are “From the Heart”.

I never paint anything I don’t feel a strong connection with.

What were some of the highlights of the trip for you?

Sharing the experience with three other artists who are also friends was special. On the way out to the spot where we’d decided to paint for the day, we’d be stopping the car every few hundred metres to take photographs and gasp at the scenery. Sometimes it would take hours to drive 50 km - if you weren’t an artist, you’d have been driven crazy. But we were all as happy as birds at sunrise. Then when we’d settle down to paint after exploring an area and all would be silent - just the scratching of pastel on paper or the flip of a paintbrush.

While we were all naturally impressed by the magnificent scenery and want to go back, the area has a stirring recent history - I love the story of the exploration and building of

the overland telegraph and some of the local antiestablishment characters like Olive Pink. It makes me wonder how I might incorporate them into a painting. And then there’s the vibrant work of local Aboriginal artists like Gloria Petyarre and Minnie Perle which I saw in galleries in Alice, which is just so talented and really shows how deeply they understand and love the place. I could go on. We even had some great food - although the camel sausages left a bit to be desired!

Using everything from watercolour to mixing with ink, charcoal and oils, how has this allowed you to be more expressive with your paintings?

Watercolour is a quixotic and temperamental mistress. Somewhat contrarily, it requires discipline, planning, excellent drawing skills and then swiftness of execution and a mindset that allows the unpredictable to happen.

What is one of your favourite pieces from this exhibition?

I could tell a story about each of my paintings in the exhibition, as each is special in its own way. But I do love Blue Cabbage Palms, which I painted on my return home from Alice - it’s based on photos I took of Red Cabbage Palms in Palm Valley in Fink Gorge National Park - what a rugged, vivid and inspiring place, with sensational red ochre cliffs, cycads and the palms which are remnants of a time millions of years ago, when the area was covered with tropical rainforests and the Finke River, which is supposed to be the oldest in the world.

A special favourite is a painting of Jill’s of Ellery Creek Waterhole at sunset, which was in Hastings Valley Fine Art Association’s recent Summer Showcase Exhibition at Laurieton. It’s a prize winner.

Thank you ladies. greater port macquarie focus. 19

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• Fully Licensed (No BYO) • Bookings preferred • Fully Licensed (No BYO)

Where Where food food and and service service work work in in harmony. harmony.

Synergy Restaurant & Bar, located at Synergy Restaurant & Bar, located at the the Mercure Mercure Centro Centro Hotel Hotel in in the heart of town. the heart of town.

For For an an intimate intimate dining dining experience, experience, offering offering modern modern Australian Australian cuisine cuisine at its best. at its best.

Intimate Intimate private private dining dining rooms rooms available available on on request, request, for for bookings bookings of of 10 or guests.

AlsoAlso consider our our unique rooftop banquet room, with 10more or more guests. consider unique rooftop banquet room, amazing ocean views, for that spectacular event. with amazing ocean views, for that spectacular event.

CnrHay Hay&&William WilliamStreets, Streets,Port PortMacquarie Macquarie Cnr 65830830 0830 www.centrohotel.com.au www.centrohotel.com.au 6583 days,6:30am 6:30am--10am 10amfor forbreakfast; breakfast; 77days, 5pm--late latefor fordinner. dinner.Bookings Bookingsessential. essential.

5pm

Handmade Curry Puffs and Prawn Pad Thai

right: right: Executive Executive Chef ChefJay JaySnelgar Snelgar left: left:Sous SousChef Chef Shivaneel ShivaneelNath.

Nath.

Owners OwnersBrendan Brendan &&Jennis JennisField.

Field.

3/2 3/2Horton HortonStreet Street(Located (Locatedon onTown Town Green), Green),Port PortMacquarie.

Macquarie.

6584 65844559 4559 Lunch Lunch // Tapas: Tapas: Wed Wed -- Sat Sat from from 11:30am 11:30am -- 2pm.

2pm. Dinner: Dinner: Tues Tues -- Sun Sun from from 6pm.

6pm. greater port macquarie focus. 21

Chocolate fondant, candied orange and crème fraiche.

Pad Thai and curry puffs.

aqua the westport club northpoint thai cuisine

salty's bar bar and and grill grill salty's

Summer is not to far away, and with summer comes Christmas HAPPY NEW YEAR. Holidays.

Join us at Salty’s this month for some live music, great food and Salty’s have the perfect location to treat yourself to some much needed wonderful friendly atmosphere. time out from the hussle and bussel of daily life. With perfect water Relax, unwind and enjoy the sounds of Jackson James playing on views, soaking up the sun and enjoying a glass of wine or cold beer has January 10th at 1pm. never been easier, match that with delicious meals and you have the Book a table with friends or family for lunch and stay for a great perfect lunch or dinner. afternoon overlooking the Hastings river.

Think of Salty’s when booking your next function or birthday party, talk Licensed to us today about the perfect package to suit your needs.

Family friendly Licensed Indoor / outdoor dining Family friendly Indoor / outdoor dining

The team at Salty’s.

Northpoint Thai is the perfect place for your next special occasion, party or event - book now.

• Lunch specials from $9.90 - daily specials • BYO Chef’s The Westport Club's

9 McInherney Close, Port Macquarie 6584 0841 9 McInherney Close, Port Macquarie 6584 0841

TABLE SPRING Sensations

25 Buller Street, Port Macquarie Shop Murray St, Port Macquarie 65831/2 1499 thewestportclub.com.au 6583 8990

Wednesday - Saturday, dinner from 6pm.

Wednesday - Sunday, lunch from from 12pm.

Wednesday - Saturday, dinner 6pm.

Wednesday - Sunday, lunch from 12pm.

Kingfish carpaccio, fingerlime, chorizo and radish

Enjoy exciting new options in Aqua with our menu whilst relaxing Fresh and full of flavour, Northpoint Thai Cuisine has been established in Port Macquarie for in our stunning, fully refurbished surrounds. nearly three years. With an experienced Thai chef, the extensive menu features a wide range Aqua now offers aand full fresh wine ingredients and dine experience emphasis on of local products with truewith Thaianflavours.

Australian Wines at our new Aqua Bar. Northpoint Thai is conveniently located in a quiet corner of the CBD at the end of Murray St. A new menu, a new restaurant feel combined with our classic Hastings Choose from a selection of entrees, salads, soups, noodle dishes, stir fires and curries.

River view and friendly service.

Bring a group of friends and enjoy a banquet style meal of different dishes to share Chefsfor dean Cuisine Bookings are recommended.

Chris & Luke experience to remember.

7 days. Lunch 11:30am 2:30pm.

Dinner 5pm - 8:30pm.

Lunch Tues - Sat ,11:30am - 2pm. Dinner Tues - Sun, 5pm - 9:30pm Closed Monday. Open Christmas Day, 5pm - 9pm.

zebu bar+grill

Summer is just around the corner - head to Zebu to soak up the pre holiday atmosphere with cracking water views and blue skys.

Enjoy the quintessential taste of summer with a glass of vino or a muddled mojito teamed with some succulent oysters or crispy duck spring rolls, whilst listening to some live tunes from many local talented musicians. If it’s something a little more refined you are after, head to the grill for our degustation menu with five hand crafted courses from Executive Chef Adam Tait matched with fine wines sourced from across Australia. Still can’t decide? Be tempted by the King Fish Carpaccio with fingerlime, chorizo and radish paired with a crisp Andrew Thomas Six Degrees Semillon - simply irresistible!

Diary Date: New Year’s Eve - Bring in the New Year in Sin City Style with a night in Vegas Here at The Bar Restaurant and Café at Flynnswith Beach, Mitchall dancing girls,and blackjack and poker! the team would like to welcome you to come in and enjoy yourself See page 21 for more info!

the bar restaurant and cafÉ

Berry Dessert

Bowers CafÉ restaurant Bowers is for lovers of good honest and original food in a laid back setting overlooking Kolodong valley.

We source the best local produce to create unique dishes with bags of flavour, morning, noon and night - plus, the coffee is to die for.

Family friendly lunches and intimate dinners.

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

with friends and family.

We offer a great variety of choice: tasty old style hamburgers, snacks, salads, and of course, fish and chips.

Choose from fresh daily seafood specials, quality steak, specialty cocktails and house made desserts.

We have added a larger selection of fish to our menu, including our favourite, the Flathead fillets.

• Live local oysters, freshly shucked • Open for lunch from 12pm during school holidays - kids’ menu available.

• New menu, new wine list and cocktail list!

Check us out on Facebook to stay up to date with what’s happening here at The Bar Restaurant and Café.

Executive Chef Adam Tait.

Hay Street Foreshore, Port Macquarie 6589 2822 www.zebu.com.au 4 Flynn Street, Port Macquarie 6583 5477 www.thebarrestaurantandcafe.com.au

7 days, from 6:30am - late. Bar open Open Monday to Saturday from 12pm for lunch andnoon daily. Bookings recommended. dinner. Reservations recommended.

26 greater port macquarie focus.

22 greater port macquarie focus.

The friendly staff.

Chefs Mark & Kelly Davis

Head Chef Mitchall and his family

Located along Port Macquarie’s Town Green. 461 Kolodong Road, Taree 6584 1146 6550 1230 7 days, from 11am - late.

EFTPOS available; phone orders welcome.

Tues - Sat, 10am - 2:30pm for morning tea and lunch.

Thurs - Sat dinner from 6pm

Chef’s Chef’s The Westport Club's The Westport Club's

25 Buller Street, Port Macquarie 6583 1499 thewestportclub.com.au

TABLE TABLE SPRING Sensations SPRING Sensations

7 days. Lunch 11:30am 2:30pm. Dinner 5pm - 8:30pm.

o re

a

lls, ocal e

es fine

a mply

ew

off the hook Off Off the the Hook Hook is is owned owned and and operated operated by

by Paul Paul and and Narelle Narelle Walsh.

Walsh.

We We offer offer aa great great variety variety of of choice: choice: tasty tasty old old style style hamburgers, hamburgers, snacks, snacks, salads, salads, and and of of course, course, fish fish and and chips. chips.

We fish to We have have added added aa larger larger selection selection of of fish to our our menu, menu, including including our our favourite, fillets. favourite, the the Flathead Flathead fillets.

The friendly staff.

ef

ie

Located along along Port Port Macquarie’s Macquarie’s Town Town Green.

Green.

Located 6584 1146 1146 6584 days, from from 11am 11am -- late. late.

77 days, EFTPOS available; available; phone phone orders orders welcome. welcome.

EFTPOS

Bago Tavern Welcome to the Bago Tavern ...

We’re situated just a 20 minute drive from Port Macquarie in the historic town of Wauchope.

The award winning venue is renowned for offering something for everyone. We even have a great spot for families with little ones, an undercover outdoor area with children’s playground.

Along with a great restaurant serving well crafted modern pub food, a fantastic range of draught and packaged beers, an extensive wine list, and friendly professional staff, the Bago Tavern is truly your place to enjoy.

Head Chef Grant Smart

235 High Street, Wauchope 6586 4722 We are open seven days a week, 11am ‘til late.

Lunch from 11:30am and dinner from 5:30pm. greater port macquarie focus. 23

focus_local recipe

Image of the month.

Title: Jaws.

Photo by: Ian Ramsay.

Camera: Canon EOS 450D, Shutter Speed 1/200Sec. @ F8.0, Focal Length 10.0mm.

curd Lemon SHOOTERS

Taken a great photo of our local area? Like to see it published in FOCUS for the world to see? Just email editor@focusmag.com.au

with Eric from www.theotherchef.com.au

INGREDIENTS (Serves 10) CORIANDER

AT ’ S I N WH

MERINGUE FROSTING 2 egg whites ½ cup caster sugar ¼ tsp cream of tartar 1 tsp vanilla extract

Coriander is one of the most widely used herbs around the world. While often considered an Asian herb, it’s also a staple of Spanish, Mexican and North African cuisines, to name a few.

METHOD

Remember to add the coriander leaves to your dishes just as they are being served, as heat can reduce its potency and quickly wilts the leaves.

The stems can be chopped and added during cooking, and even the roots can be used - just wash and grate finely into a curry.

Coriander is grown locally in Soms vegetable garden at Bago vineyards and is available to buy now at Ken Little Fruit and Veg in Port Macquarie.

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

24 greater port macquarie focus.

LEMON CURD Juice and zest of two lemons 80 g butter - chilled, cut into cubes 2 eggs - whole 2 egg yolks ¾ cup caster sugar

Summer at our house means lots of Asian-inspired dishes, utilising barbecued seafood, fresh crispy greens and summer fruits such as lychees and mangoes - and fragrant coriander is an essential ingredient.

Its fragrant aroma and distinctive strong taste is either loved or hated, but coriander is definitely good for you, being rich in Vitamins A, C & K, Thiamin and Riboflavin.

WHERE

CRUMB BASE 6 x Granita biscuits 2 tsp raw sugar ¼ cup slivered almonds 50 g butter, melted

CRUMB BASE Blitz together dry ingredients; stir in melted butter and place in fridge.

LEMON CURD Place sugar, eggs, egg yolks, lemon juice and zest in small saucepan. Whisk together.

Add in chilled butter. Stir over low heat, whisking slowly but constantly until curd thickens (will coat back of spoon like custard). Do not stop whisking or increase heat, or you will have scrambled eggs!

Pour into container through small sieve to strain out any zest and ensure curd is silky.

Cool and refrigerate.

MERINGUE FROSTING Place egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in metal bowl. Place the metal bowl on top

Chef Jenelle Nosworthy

Miss Nellie’s Cafe 33 River Street, Kendall NSW 2439 Phone (02) 6559 0085 Web www.missnelliescafe.com.au

of a simmering pot of water (but make sure the bowl is not touching the water).

Gently whisk the mixture until it is hot to the touch (140 degrees on candy thermometer).

Remove from heat and using whisk attachment on handmixer, add the vanilla and beat the mixture on medium-high for about 5 - 8 mins until the frosting holds medium peaks.

Assemble by spooning a little crumb into the bottom of shot glasses. Place curd in a ziplock bag, and meringue in piping bag with nozzle. Pipe layers ending with a meringue peak. If you have a kitchen torch, you can toast the meringue. Add a small wedge of lemon for garnish.

focus_eat

Lou Perri from the Stunned Mullet

LOU PERRI

CELEBRITY CHEF-DOM IT ALL STARTED BACK IN THE ‘80S IN SOUTH-WEST LONDON ... MARCO PIERRE-WHITE, MICHEL ROUX, THEN GORDON RAMSAY, FOLLOWED HOT ON THEIR HEELS BY JAMIE OLIVER.

M

eanwhile, Anthony Bourdain was leading the pack stateside.

A new kind of rock-star - instead of skin tight leather pants, their

They were bad boys in rock star vein (apart from our friend Jamie). Either school drop outs, or rebel rich kids. They partied as hard as they worked. They sported scars and burns like

uniforms were white jackets and chequered

tattoos - the more you had, the more kudos to

pants. They didn’t wield electric guitars, but

you - especially if you managed to get through

brandished the sharpest of Japanese knives.

to the end of dinner service with an almost

severed finger, or third degree burns.

Cut to 30 years later, and these legends of chef-dom are still massively visible in the public eye. The rigours of 16-hour days slaving in subterranean kitchens long behind them, they now languish in front of the cameras, starring in MasterChef style cooking shows, or in kitchen horror-humiliation shows such as Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. Their rags-to-riches stories are all bestsellers. They are the inspiration for the instigation of the career choice of chef to be firmly slotted into the most glamorous of professions.

Kids everywhere (and many older folks!) are sharpening their knives and enrolling in commercial cookery classes. Some are even side stepping the traditional apprenticeship and heading straight onto MasterChef type shows and getting employment at The Fat Duck straight off the bat!

Celebrity chef fever has gripped us all. We buy the cookbooks, we watch the shows on TV. We learn the lingo, we are inspired by the food philosophies imparted by our favourite chefs.

What exactly is so magical, inspiring and fascinating about the role of chef? After all, the reality of the job is long and antisocial hours, relentless and backbreaking physical work, and certainly repetition and boredom are definitely hallmarks of the early years in the trade. The creativity and the magic that comes from the alchemy of invention of those mind-blowing flavour combinations in the

dishes that you find in world-class restaurants are years and years down the track from the beginning of the career path of a chef.

This means that there are many casualties along the way (and no, I am not just talking about third degree burns and knife wounds here!) Wide-eyed food devotees starting as dishies and first year apprentices - and the glamour ends right there …

The reality of a first year apprentice in a top restaurant may well mean living in a shoebox, sleeping four hours a night and living on staff meals alone. It may mean spending an entire year picking coriander leaves - and being heavily berated for any lapse in speed or attention to detail in this task!

For those who have the steely determination and strength of character to get through this, well, the cheffing world is certainly their oyster.

Again, a comparison to rock star, or perhaps Hollywood superstar rings true here, in that for the most part behind the shiny and successful person you see today, there is many, many years of hard slog, rock bottom, tireless determination, steely resolve and just a smidgin of luck thrown in for seasoning!

The only thing left to do is sign up for the commercial cookery course, audition for a TV show. Or perhaps just breathe that sigh of complete satisfaction after a great meal at a restaurant and just feel very, very grateful for the existence of such people as chefs!

Happy dining!

greater port macquarie focus. 25

focusinterview.

Out to Lunch

with Susie Boswell

helen & john ross P H I L A N T H R O P I S T S , W E K N OW, G I V E M O N E Y T O H E L P O T H E R S . B U T T H E WO R D ’ S L I T E R A L M E A N I N G I S “ L OV E R O F M A N K I N D ”. S U S I E FINDS THE DE SCRIPTION FITS OUR MOST G E N E R O U S L O C A L FA M I LY.

T

here’s a little schoolhouse deep in remote rural Myanmar, or Burma, as Australia officially knows the nation lying between India and Bangladesh to its west, and China, Laos and Thailand to the east. The school’s 650-strong village community ekes out a living by subsistence farming of goats, chickens and crops of tomatoes, peanuts, palm sugar and sesame seed. Yet five brand new classrooms of some 100 kids aged from under five to 12 enjoy daily lessons by five salaried teachers there.

Most of us know the nation for its resistance leader, Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Most of the people in the village, Nga Paing, know of Port Macquarie, Australia. That’s because local identities Helen and John Ross, roping in six friends, built the classrooms, supplied uniforms, books and pencils, and endow the teachers.

It’s said it takes a village to raise a child: it took the Rosses and their group to effectively educate these village kids. Although the youngsters went to school before the group discovered them, the little ones, some handicapped, had to trudge up to 8km daily through rugged hot or monsoonal country to get to the school and back - barely conducive

26 greater port macquarie focus.

to attendance, let alone learning. Initially, three classrooms were built in the village by the Rosses’ group and, such was the response, when Nga Paing’s chiefs were asked what else could be done to help them, they requested a further two classrooms.

Burma, population 50 million-plus, is the biggest country in mainland south-east Asia and the poorest. It’s in transition from military dictatorship five years ago, just emerging into democracy. According to our Foreign Affairs office’s website (partly out of date!) a quarter of its people - equivalent to one in every two Australian men, women and children - live in poverty. By contrast, the Rosses and their friends live comfortable lives: in 2011 they were on an Orient-Express luxury riverboat cruise in central Burma, the second of their four trips to the country. The “Road to Mandalay” tour takes in the former royal capital, travelling along the famous Irrawaddy River to the renowned Buddhist temples and pagodas of Bagan. The on-board tour medic, Dr Hla Tun (“A saint!!” the Rosses exclaim) told them about the plight of the kids in the village, a torturous two-hours’ drive overland from Bagan, far distant from the nation’s biggest city, Rangoon (Yangon). The Rosses decided, with two other couples on board, friends from Sydney and England, and a third couple

they’d met on the tour, from Melbourne, to provide funding for a village school. They’d learned that when he’s not working on the riverboat, the doctor runs free medical clinics for villagers and raises funds for orphans and vulnerable children. John: “We said we’d like to make some contribution; what can we do to help?” Helen: “When we asked the doctor how much a village school would cost, we said ‘It’s doable. Let’s do it’!” They’ve since gone on to help the community improve its water supply and install solar panels to give the school lighting and power for computer work.

Tertiary scholarships to Australia are on the cards along with an agronomy aid project.

Noblesse oblige, the concept that declares the privileged must help the less fortunate, originally meant the nobility had a duty to use their inherited power to aid the needy.

The definition of “noblesse”, though, doesn’t quite fit the Rosses, who each grew up in ordinary circumstances in Concord in Sydney’s western suburbs. Now, though, the precept applies to not only aristocrats but those with the power of wealth. Americans, noted for philanthropy, collectively give more $1 billion a day to charity; entrepreneur Bill Gates alone gave $1.5 billion in the past year.

Helen and John Ross, too, have profited from their own entrepreneurial efforts,

building their prosperity, after being ordinary employees themselves, by branching out into various business endeavours. It’s calculated they’ve now given more than $3 million to worthy causes, although they’d be unhappy to dwell on the quantum: they delight in the outcomes money can buy, projects dear to their hearts that light up their eyes with enthusiasm and joy. Locally they’re patrons of the Hastings Education Fund, helping 130 young people so far into tertiary education, and have substantially sponsored the Glasshouse. A love of travel’s been a hallmark of their lives; they’ve visited around three-quarters of the world’s 200 or so countries. The pair founded the elite air tour company Captain’s Choice and operate J & H Tours, wholesalers and agents for a number of top-deck travel providers. But they also owned four McDonald’s stores and since 2008 have been partners with John Cassegrain in the wine business.

Most people’s holiday snaps reflect the good times, often with the faces of children having fun. The Rosses’ snaps are similar, except that they’re of these little Burmese kids, grinning in their cute school uniforms with pride and pleasure at being given their own schoolhouse, and dignity, in their humble village, thanks to the care and compassion of passing strangers.

28 greater port macquarie focus.

Dancing Queen 40th anniversary Celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of ABBA’s signature songs, Happy Days Records and GOLD: The Ultimate ABBA Show present Dancing Queen: The 40th Anniversary Tour, set to thrill audiences in 2016 with a brand new show.

Dancing Queen is arguably one of ABBA’s most popular songs.

Released in August 1976, the single led the release of the band’s fourth album, Arrival. In 2011, Rolling Stone Magazine listed the track as one of the greatest songs of all time, so it’s only natural that we bring out the flares and platform shoes and raise the disco ball in a production that will have you shamelessly dancing in the aisles.

Arguably now Australia’s most authentic ABBA tribute show, GOLD The Ultimate ABBA Show first landed in Australia for their New Arrival Tour in 2014 and since then, have performed to over 20,000 people across 80 shows, playing to all four corners of the country, including a packed house at Sydney’s State Theatre. The band, featuring internationally recognised ABBA performers, has earnt a reputation as a band “that’s an inspiration to Abba itself” (Review - WeekendNotes.com). … prepare yourselves for GOLD The Ultimate ABBA Show 40th Anniversary of Dancing Queen Tour!

Ken LITTLE’S The summertime is just right for all melons. Watermelon, honey dew and rockmelon are at their very best now.

They are so thirst quenching on a hot summer’s day.

If you love lychees, January is the month for them. If you haven’t tried a lychee, why don’t you come in and have a taste?

You are missing out on a mouth watering experience.

Mangoes are still very tasty, and this year they are in plentiful supply. Lots of delicious stone fruits are still available also.

Plums, nectarines and peaches are just divine.

Local product that is available: corn (the best on the coast), beautiful young beans, fancy lettuce, zucchini, squash, long white and apple cucumbers and potkin pumpkin. If you like it dry, then potkin pumpkin is for you.

Sadly, as January draws to a close, the wonderful crop of cherries will start to disappear. But guess what? They will be back at the end of 2016. Something to really look forward to!

Cheers, Ken.

SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY AT 8PM GLASSHOUSE - PORT MACQUARIE BOOK NOW ON 6581 8888 OR AT GLASSHOUSE.ORG.AU

greater port macquarie focus. 29

Kate WOOD-FOYE

from Rydges Port Macquarie and Sails Resort Port Macquarie.

Right. L-R: Elle Brown, Emily Paget, Ellena Tyler & Hannah Bell at the Port Macquarie Orthodontics Christmas Party at Rydges.

Right. Dylan Ward and Shannon Harris - CSU graduate in Business Marketing.

Below. Ramsay Health Christmas Party- HDU Renal Managers Juliana Geddes and Angela Plaistowe.

Above. Port Macquarie Orthodontics ‘80s Christmas Party at Rydges

Left. Paul and Trish Murfitt at the Ramsay Health Christmas Party.

SOCIAL/SCENE

THE SEASON FOR CHAMPAGNE, CHOCOLATES, PUDDING, CHRISTMAS HAM AND UNHEALTHY BUT FABULOUS REPEATS OF THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC LOVE ACTUALLY HAS LEFT SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS IN DIRE NEED OF A PICK ME UP.

A

s they are, shall we say a teeny weeny bit festively plump from all the festivities … The silly season has left us all a little snug in our Christmas best and ridiculously exhausted from Christmas celebrations and hoho- hoping we can make it to the New Year alive!

Thankfully it is almost here, and a new year and a new chance to start fresh, reset the clock and bring in 365 days to make a difference. What will 2016 bring? What will be your contribution, your discovery or your legacy this year? New direction, new hair, new house, new life, new love? Whatever this year has in store, it’s going to be a big one!

The Port Macquarie Orthodontics crew are just too much fun! They celebrated the end of a big year with a Christmas party at Rydges Port Macquarie and a scarily realistic nod to the fashion and fun of the ‘80s. Legwarmers, hairspray, perms and fluro accessories of epic proportions adorned the gorgeous team, who all celebrated in true PMO style, giving the Pointer Sisters, Roxette and vintage Madonna a run for their money. Guests including Tracey Pascoe, Elle Brown, Tracey Foley, Emily Paget, Eryn Metcalfe, Ellena Tyler and Hannah Bell all channelled their inner ‘80s diva with some shockingly highcut aerobic outfits that would leave any lyrcra addict gasping for air

30 greater port macquarie focus.

and a new sweat band! Merry Christmas to this awesome bunch, who take the party with them wherever they go.

One hundred and fifty excited university students converged on Port Macquarie’s stunning Glasshouse in late December to be the first students to graduate in a Charles Sturt University ceremonial graduation in the Hastings. What an electric atmosphere, as the academic procession entered the stunning theatre accompanied by Uncle Bill, who still brings me to tears with his beautiful gift of the Welcome to Country. Students from all over the country and indeed the world were a part of the celebration, headed up by Chancellor Michele Allan, Vice Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Vann and Head of Campus Heather Cavanagh. What a honour to be among the guests to celebrate this momentous occasion - so many happy faces relieved and delighted to have complete years of study to launch into their bright futures. Special shout out to Miedecke Motor Group’s Shannon Harris and Zebu’s very own Jacob Berry on their graduation.

One hundred and eighty guests, including Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers and stunning wife Pam, Jonathon Hewis, Joe Acker, Kellon Beard, Mayor Peter Besseling, John Hadfield, Sandra Wallace and Alison Woods all celebrated back at Zebu with the graduates! Congrats to all!

Another special congrats to CSU’s and Luminosity’s Shaarn Hayward, whose partner Shane Whitehouse popped the question to a very surprised Shaarn on a beautiful beach at Bonny Hills in late December. Congrats on your engagement, Shaarn and Shane!

Ramsay Health celebrated their end of year with a nautical shindig at Sails Resort, with nearly 300 guests on hand to bring in the Christmas cheer.

Guests enjoyed canapes, a seafaring buffet and live music from Dirty Covers, with plenty of fun outfits from medical professionals from across the town masquerading as heroes and villains of the high seas. CEO Connie Porter, Shayne McGuire and the organising crew did a fabulous job of the festivities - cheers to you all!

A “Burger Rebellion” of delicious proportions is certainly underway in Port Macquarie, with beautiful burger spam hitting our Facebook and Instagram feeds … Literally a celebration of retro fabulousness, an ode to the old fashioned burger with a seriously modern and tasty twist. The place is bursting with burger aficionados yearning for some hand cut sweet potato chips and the much famed tower of blokey goodness, the beef and bacon burger. Congrats to Matt and Bec Conway for bringing the boss burger back! Wishing you all the best in this little foodie hotspot that is now at the top end of Clarence St.

I am lucky enough to travel to Sydney on occasion for business, but recently I had the chance to enjoy a weekend in Sydney of pure pleasure, a night at the crazy, sexy, cool hotel QT Sydney, shopping like a demon in QVB and Pitt St Mall with my beautiful mum, followed by a night out with Ms Oprah Winfrey … Yeah sure, there were 39,999 other people there too, but who would have known, as this magnetically charismatic woman had the room hanging on her every word. A hilarious, fiercely intelligent, real, powerful, driven and wise woman - this was two hours of my life I will cherish forever. Just metres from this inspirational powerhouse sharing pearls of wisdom from her own journey. I have to admit as soon as she hit the stage, I was “one of those” … a dancing, blubbering, applauding, laughing mess … An epic evening … One more from the bucket list!

It seems blubbering may be a worrying new trend for me, as I sit again like a soppy and seriously questionable Hugh Grant devotee boohooing through another rerun of Love Actually; it’s easy to see that love really is all you need - love of life, music, dance, food, wine, travel and love of each other and this amazing place we call home.

Here’s cheers to a fantabulous 2016 for everyone, whatever your bucket list may bring … ‘til next month! Kate.

PORT MACQUARIE GOLF CLUB Come and visit the Port Macquarie Golf

Aspire Restaurant offers award

Club this summer holidays! With raffles and

winning lunch and dinner dining with a

entertainment, a delicious new menu from

contemporary mix of casual meals and al a

Aspire Restaurant and a relaxed atmosphere

carte dinner menus. If you are after something

with friendly service, you are sure to enjoy

lighter, the cafe and cake selection can

your experience with us. Join us for BINGO

also satisfy your appetite. Overlooking the

every Thursday from 5:30pm. Wednesday and

picturesque golf course with a menu to suit

Friday night raffles, and Poker on Thursday

all tastes.

and Saturday nights.

Australia Day Weekend Celebrations! Join

Enjoy a round of social golf this holidays

us for live entertainment and an Aussie BBQ

with family and friends. Everyone will enjoy

on Sunday 24th January. Ask about our FREE

a round on our award winning 18 hole golf

courtesy bus to pick you up and take you

course. Phone the Pro Shop for bookings on

home for your next visit.

6582 0784.

Great Golf, Great Food, Great Fun!

greater port macquarie focus. 31

greater port macquarie focus. 32

focusinterview.

THE FULLY SICKEST DELIVERY GUYS FROM FAT PIZZA CLASH WITH THE HOUSOS OF SUNNYVALE. FEATURING FRANKY FALZONI, VANESSA, KEV THE KIWI AND A MYSTERY GUEST; IT’S A BATTLE OF CHAINSAWS AND THONGS, CHEESE AND VEGEMITE, SUBWOOFERS AND UGG BOOTS. FIFTEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING, THIS BOGAN BEN HUR IS COMING TO PORT PANTHERS ON JAN 21 ...

W

here did the ideas for both Housos and Pizza come from?

When I was a kid, I used to drive past this little pizza shop every Saturday night when I went to the Drive-in, and there were two guys in there watching a TV and they never looked busy; it looked like the world’s worst pizza shop. It always stuck with me, and I thought it would make a good TV show.

And with Housos, it was more I just thought there were so many crazy bogans in Australia that we needed some bogan humour, and Housos was just an extension of that.

You’ve integrated the two and turned it into a live show; what kind of experience can we expect from the show?

These live shows are all about fun and having a great night out. It’s comedy that’s interactive - the audience gets involved, there are videos, stand up comedy songs. It’s a really fun, cool night. If you’re a fan of any of our shows, you’ll love it ‘cause it’s that sort of humour. We rarely have a night where some crazy outrageous thing doesn’t happen that you’ll never forget.

Are you bringing the usual crew along, or do you have new actors for the live

knickers in a knot about you actually show? basing a character around them?

For the show in Port Macquarie, we’ve got There was one girl who used to work for Vanessa from Housos, Kev from Housos and us who had a nephew, and his name was Pizza, myself and Abdul, the crazy Arab guy Anarchy - you know, like craziness Anarchy he’s been in Pizza, Housos and everything else - I thought that was just too funny, and just we’ve ever made. thought of a Houso kid. So, I used that name When it comes to the actual writing and and she wasn’t real happy with me creation of the characters, do about it, but it was too good to you base them around pass up. people you’ve actually What makes footy met, or are they of n fa If you’re a s, shorts and thongs completely fictional? ow sh r ou any of s it’ e us the best outfit in It’s a little bit of ’ca it you’ ll love r. ou m hu Sunnyvale? the actor who’s of rt that so ght ni a ve ha ly re Well for Franky, playing it, it’s a little ra We y my character, it’s where some craz bit of stuff that I’ve g outrageous thin at all about speed; its seen - sometimes it th en pp ha t doesn’ aerodynamics, ‘cause he can be directly based ” . et rg you’ ll never fo needs to run from cops on somebody; it just all the time. It’s the perfect depends. But usually, outfit. there’s truth in it one way Who are your favourite or another. I’ve gotta be honest characters and why? ... A lot of the actors kind of almost Hmm ... Very difficult. Probably Franky, bring the characters to life to a degree, just because he gets to beat up cops, he’s in and some of them aren’t too far from threesomes, there are no repercussions most the truth. I think we are all kind of like our of the time. He’s like a bogan Fonzie; you characters; it just depends how extreme the can’t beat that! character is, but there’s definitely a lot of Can you tell us a bit about yourself; how Housos and Pizza in all of us, which is cool. do you spend your time when you’re not Have you ever had anybody getting their

“

writing or filming your shows?

I don’t have a lot of spare time, but when I do I like to ride motorbikes, I like travelling, going to the movies, getting a little crazy on Tequila - probably all of that in one order or another!

Tell us about your Guinness World Records?

I still hold the longest pizza delivery record; I delivered a pizza from Spain to New Zealand.

And the selfie world record, I beat that and then The Rock beat me; I held the record for about a month, and then he decided to beat me and I got stooged!

What’s your favourite joke?

All my favourite jokes are too rude to put in your publication, I’m afraid.

Thanks very much.

Interview with Paul Fenech.

the plug!

Don’t miss Fat Pizza vs Housos at Port Panthers. Thursday 21st January.

TICKETS PR-SALE $25* | DOOR $35* SHOW TIMES: DOORS 7PM | SHOW 7:30PM. portmacquarie.panthers.com.au

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focusinterview.

SIBLINGS TARQUIN, TEMEEKA, AND CHARLA-MANE MARSH TRAVELLED TO NEW ZEALAND RECENTLY, TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA IN THE KANGA INTERNATIONAL TOURS. HERE, THEY WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE WAIKATO PEPSI JUNIOR OPEN, THE HAWKES BAY JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL OPEN, AND THE AUCKLAND PRE-CHRISTMAS JUNIOR TOURNAMENT - 16 DAYS OF CHALLENGING MATCHES AGAINST OTHER TALENTED YOUNGSTERS.

H

opefully we’ll catch up with these young tennis stars when they have their feet back on Aussie soil (and no doubt they’ll have a story or two to tell!) but here’s what they all had to say just before embarking on their trip …

How old are you, and what grade are you in at school?

Charla-Mane: Hi, my name is Charla-Mane.

I am 10 years old; I’m in Year 4 and I go to Heritage Christian School.

Temeeka: Hi, my name is Temeeka. I am 14 and in Year 8 at Heritage Christian School.

Tarquin: Hi, my name is Tarquin, and I am 16 and in Year 10 at Heritage Christian School.

When did you first start playing tennis?

Charla-Mane: I first started two years ago.

Temeeka: I first started playing tennis about three years ago, but I didn’t do tournaments until the second year.

Tarquin: I first started playing tennis about three and a half years ago and played my first tournament in my second year.

How do you feel about travelling to 34 greater port macquarie focus.

New Zealand to play in the Kanga In my first year of playing, I was ranked International Tours? number one out of my age group.

Charla-Mane: I feel excited about playing I would like to thank my coaches and my for Kanga International Tours. I think it will be parents for travelling with me to my coaching great fun for me. lessons.

Temeeka: I am excited and Temeeka: I am playing four times a nervous at the same time, week at Wauchope Tennis Club because I have never and Kendall Tennis Club been overseas or even and travel to Forster every on an aeroplane Tuesday to do training I owe it all to my r before! with the coaches and ei parents for th Tarquin: I’m other students. ay support all the w ks to an pretty stoked I would like to th and a special g in lp he r fo about going over thank my coaches, s my co ache er ay pl e th e m to New Zealand Jaime McDonagh from me beco ” . w to play tennis. I’m no Forster Tennis Academy I am also pretty excited to and Bob Hough for their experience the culture. expertise - and thanks to What training/ my parents for their support preparation have you always. been doing in the lead up to Tarquin: I have been training at the trip, and who would you like Wauchope Tennis Club once a week, then to thank for their support? playing socially afterwards.

Charla-Mane: I have been playing MJDS I also train in Forster once a week with Weekend Tournaments [Medibank Junior coach Jaime McDonagh, as well as playing a Development Squads] and in the State Team social “comp” in Kendall every Friday night.

[Under 10s] singles and doubles.

I owe it all to my parents for their support

“

all the way - and a special thanks to my coaches for helping me become the player I am now.

Also, a very special thanks to Paul Fox “Foxxy” - for his words of wisdom before comps, his support in difficult times after comps, and his overall excellence in being a tennis coach - from all of us! We love you, Foxxy - thanks!

What result are you hoping for in New Zealand?

Charla-Mane: I hope I will win a couple of games over there, because it will be great to come back with some good results.

Temeeka: To be able to play my best, meet new people, make friends and have a good holiday tennis experience - and also to learn about the culture.

Tarquin: I am hoping for some good results, but all I can do is play my best and hope it works.

I also want to give the Kiwis a bit of competition, and make some new friends along the way.

Thanks guys. Wishing you all the best in New Zealand!

Interview by Jo Atkins.

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focusinterview.

JUSTICECREW JUSTICE CREW ARE BACK WITH A DYNAMIC NEW SHOW, KICKING OFF THEIR NATIONAL LIVE & LOCAL TOUR. FOCUS CAUGHT UP WITH THE LADS FOR A QUICK CHAT …

T

ell us about how you first came You’re just about to embark on your Live together as a group? & Local tour. What kind of vibe can we We were firstly in different dance expect from your show? crews and competing in dance This show will be the first where we competitions, but after a while incorporate live musicians, and we are playing those crews didn't exist, and we decided to songs from our album that have never been come together because our passion for performed. It will definitely be a different performance was still there. show!

As an eclectic bunch of What has been the biggest dancers, how did you highlight of Justice all learn your forms Crew’s exciting career We get inspired om of art? so far? by anything fr a to , We have all learnt Having Que Sera ie ov m e a danc ement ov m l from different reach No.1 on the ca ni ha ec m . It’s avenues such as ARIA Charts for from a machine e see tw other performers nine consecutive weird to say, bu shapes d an ts en em mov in the industry, weeks is our biggest plicate that we coul d re old music videos, achievement, along on stage. ” YouTube, and we with breaking into teach each other.

Mexico.

When it comes to Where can our readers choreography, where do follow your journey? you draw inspiration from?

The best way to keep in We get inspired by anything from a touch with what we are up to is to dance movie, to a mechanical movement check out our Facebook (facebook.com/ from a machine. It's weird to say, but justicedancecrew) and Instagram (instagram. we see movements and shapes that we could com/justicecrewofficial). replicate on stage.

Thanks guys.

What are some of the ventures Justice Crew have been involved with to help the plug! support our youth?

You can catch the all-new live show on We are very busy these days, so we can't Friday 8 January at LUSC. commit on a daily basis, but whenever we are

“

in a country town we give our time and hang with the kids. We also always aim to inspire the youth by being role models in achieving your dreams and doing what you love.

36 greater port macquarie focus.

Doors 8:15pm.

Tickets $40 (all ages).

Phone (02) 6559 9110.

greater port macquarie focus. 37

Best Kept Secrets

38 greater port macquarie focus.

Best Kept Secrets

The Odd Couple Players Theatre Port Macquarie is proud to announce a great line-up of shows for 2016.

We kick off the year with the great Paul Simon play - The Odd Couple - under the direction of Steve Harris and a great local cast.

The Odd Couple is centred around the lives of two friends, Oscar and Felix, who share an apartment. Oscar is messy and out of control. Felix is neat and particular. Put them together and watch the sparks fly, as Oscars’ messy nature keeps Felix busy and Felix’s fastidious characteristics drive Oscar spare. We won’t spoil the story, but suffice to say there is an enormous argument and Oscar throws Felix out ... And a twist you won’t believe. At the end of the day though, it is clear some of Felix has rubbed off on Oscar.

Show runs March 4 - 20.

Next up it’s the musical The Producers, under the direction of Daniel Parlievet, which runs from 13 - 29 May. The Festival of One Act Plays returns over the June long weekend, with the organising committee seeking submissions from interested directors and visiting theatre companies.

Grease, the wonderful musical, will hit the stage under the Direction of Hamish Keddie from July 22 to August 14.

‘Allo ‘Allo, the well known BBC TV series adaption of this fabulous comedy, comes to Players under the direction of Cameron Marshall, with assistance from Alison Doak, from September 23 to October 9.

We then round out the year with the musical Sweet Charity under the direction of Peter Dransfield and Sue Morvan from November 11 to December 4. We are also bringing back the panto, with Puss In Boots returning in January 2017.

As you can see, it’s another year of quality community theatre, and we look forward to delivering these top productions in 2016.

Book now online at playerstheatre.org

Life is Short Lick the Bowl Better still, head to Miss Nellie’s for a homemade treat and see why this hip, hinterland café is one of the most popular treasures of the Hastings!

Nestled in the village of Kendall, where the beaches meet the lush scenic valleys of the Camden Haven, Miss Nellie’s Café is a modern-yet-classic haven for all. Defying the country café trend, the décor and vibe is modern with a retro twist, and guests are greeted with a friendly smile and welcoming atmosphere.

Enjoy a relaxing morning coffee with a book on the verandah, treat yourself to a homemade cake or Devonshire Tea with Miss Nellie’s jam, or bring family and friends to indulge in the all-day lunch menu. For those wishing to spoil themselves with a little decadence, Miss Nellie also offers a delectable High Tea service (bookings essential).

Make the most of the fine weather and dine alfresco-style in the recently built outdoor garden area - a great way to also taste the NEW Breakfast Menu (served weekends 9am -11am).

All meals are freshly prepared using the best of the Hastings local produce, including a generous gluten-free menu, while Miss Nellie herself bakes every sweet treat on the menu!

Just four minutes’ drive from the Kew turnoff on the Pacific Highway, Miss Nellie’s truly offers a taste of home! While you’re there, why not browse the shelves and take home some local goodies and gourmet gifts.

Miss Nellie’s is open six days a week, from 9am - 4pm.

CLOSED WEDNESDAY. BYO, EFTPOS, groups welcome, lunch bookings recommended.

Child and pet friendly! Air conditioned.

Ph: 6559 0085 or email info@missnellies.com.au

Long Point Vineyard This unique local artwork at Long Point Vineyard and Gallery was created by Francessca O’Donnell and Vick Compton. Francessca tells us more about the “bull”.

“We were delighted to be asked to create a mosaic mural for Long Point Vineyard and Art Gallery. The vineyard already has a number of fabulous outdoor sculptures in the grounds, such as Wanderers, the quirky artwork by Brad Jackson, and the tranquil lines and sounds of Windsong by Barclay Baily.

Our mural is at the gates of the vineyard, welcoming visitors to indulge their passion in fine art and wines while visiting this picturesque little vineyard.”

“The Mosaic Mural is about four metres long and created using ceramic tiles. It features an ornately patterned bull standing between black and white posts, which represent the six varieties of grapes grown at the Vineyard. The strong patterning on the posts is complemented by the flowing lines of colour in the background and very much represents our style of creating colourful and decorative artworks.”

So come along and sample the range of locally made wines and liqueurs and explore the Art Gallery and eclectic pieces in the sculptural park.

See more from Out There Design and Mosaic: www.outtheredesignandmosiac.com

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Best Kept Secrets

Award-Winning Forests On Your Doorstep State Forests of the Coffs Coast and Sealy Lookout were recently awarded medals at the NSW Tourism Awards 2015. These awards recognise tourism excellence and follow gold award wins at the recent North Coast Tourism Awards in 2015.

Sealy Lookout is home to the now worldfamous Forest Sky Pier, a 22 metre cantilevered “pier” above the forest canopy. Designed by local Bellingen resident Steve Gorrell, the pier showcases hardwood timber in a majestic structure that frames the view. And what a view: panoramic vistas from the hinterland to the ocean are on offer. With plans in place to rejuvenate the adjacent picnic area, ample parking, toilets and the view from the pier, it’s an unmissable stop on your Pacific Coast travels.

State Forests of the Coffs Coast are home to a myriad of experiences and destinations that allow you to explore, unwind or play. Mountain biking, four wheel driving and trail biking are popular pursuits. Walking tracks through cool, subtropical rainforest are for those wanting a quieter forest experience, whilst the “church pew” seating at Korora Lookout is a must-stop for anyone wanting to commune with nature.

State Forest

Sealy Lookout in Orara East State Forest is 10 minutes north of Coffs Harbour via a turn-off just north of the Big Banana. State Forests of the Coffs Coast can be accessed the same way. These forest destinations are open 7 days a week including public holidays and entry is free.

Find out more: www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit www.facebook.com/forestplayground Twitter: @visitnswforests Instagram: #visitnswforests YouTube: Visit NSW State Forests

Tourism

Sandra Madeley is a Forester, working as Recreation Coordinator with Forestry Corporation of NSW. Based in Wauchope, Sandra manages State Forest visitor areas in the NSW Mid North coastal region.

S

andra, what’s your connection to the area?

I’ve lived in the Port Macquarie Hastings area for the past 12 years, having moved from Tasmania equally stunning but much colder! Not only do I get to visit some pretty special places during my working week, I get to share these experiences with my family on weekends. My husband and I have two boys and two dogs, so State Forests are the perfect spot for us to burn up some energy. Some of my children’s special memories and milestones are connected with my work - like losing a first tooth while picnicking at Swans Crossing in Kerewong State Forest!

What’s been a recent highlight of your work?

Being involved in the establishment of the loop walk to the magnificent Old Bottlebutt and the Burrawan Picnic Area. Old Bottlebutt is a huge Red Bloodwood - the biggest recorded example in the world. It’s a very special place; I see and hear new things every time I visit. I had a lovely conversation with a local couple who brought their 92 year old mother out to see the tree. It’s not unusual to see three generations of a family enjoying a picnic under the shelter after spending time in the cool of the rainforest surrounding Old Bottlebutt. I’m very proud of the Gold Tourism award for Old Bottlebutt in 2014.

What are some of the local secrets that people might like to know about State Forests?

The last few months have seen a major

40 greater port macquarie focus.

redevelopment of two camping and picnic areas known as “Cobrabald” in Mount Boss State Forest. These places are a little off the beaten track, west of Wauchope on Hastings Forest Drive. It’s worth the trip - if only to relax beside the cool waters of the Wilson River.

State Forests are multi-use forests, so most recreation activities are allowed in State Forests (within reason of course!) As Recreation Coordinator, I have the opportunity to work with very passionate people, like the car enthusiasts at the Kempsey Sporting Car Club, who manage the Mt. Cooperabung Hill Climb Course under Forest Permit in Bellengarra State Forest. Or the guys and girls in the Hastings Valley Mountain Bike Riders - their commitment to managing the network of Telegraph Point single trails is admirable. We have many annual events staged in our region, and the hard working organisers do a fantastic job showcasing our beautiful Mid North Coast forests.

What’s next for State Forest tourism?

We’re committed to creating amazing visitor experiences in NSW State Forests. We are unique - where else can you walk your dog, ride your horse, mountain and trail bike, or 4WD as well as experience beautiful native hardwood forest? Only in State Forest.

We are actively planning upgrades to some well-known visitor areas along the North and South Coasts of NSW. We’re also creating something quite exciting in the township of Port Macquarie itself - stay tuned for more on that one in 2016!

Thanks Sandra.

Best Kept Secrets

magic exists I N

C O M B O Y N E

The Comboyne Hideaway celebrates 20 years as a unique getaway destination for romantics or those with busy lifestyles looking for a short break. omboyne Hideaway is also known as The Yurt, or in later years the Roundhouse, and has reconnected all four properties, offering four unique dwellings to cater for all retreat markets. Sean and Kristine Edwards from Peak Coffee purchased the Comboyne Hideaway two years ago, which includes The Roundhouse (Yurt) and Mainhouse. Harry and Gail Stathis have recently purchased the original farmhouse and converted dairy cottage.

All these dwellings are located on the beautiful Comboyne Plateau, the only true plateau in Australia, having amazing views looking over the Camden Haven and Manning Valleys all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The property has a range of spas, open fire places, and inground pool set on 10 acres of untouched rainforest.

The two couples can now cater for larger groups, including corporate getaways, family reunions and small ceremonies. The Comboyne Hideaway is situated 700 metres above sea level, located on the Lorne Road and surrounded by nature reserves and national parks, yet only 30 minutes from Laurieton and 45 minutes from Port Macquarie via Wauchope and the stunning coast

and beaches of the NSW Mid North Coast.

The property consists of The Roundhouse, with two queen size double bedrooms with a spa on the deck overlooking the rainforest to the ocean. The Comboyne Hideaway Mainhouse has four bedrooms, with two bedrooms having their own en-suite, large entertainment area, gourmet kitchen and in-ground swimming pool.

Casa Farmhouse has four queen bedrooms and has been fully renovated with a new modern kitchen with a wrap around verandah to take in the magnificent views. The Casa Cottage has three bedrooms, a wide entertaining deck and a timber hot tub.

The property is a short scenic drive through cow paddocks to the village of Comboyne, which has all the general facilities - a general store, bowling club, Community Centre, Tourist Information, gift shop and antique wares.

Comboyne is one of Australia’s best kept secrets, with its lush English dairy pastures and acres of avocado groves. Our best kept secrets are: ABUNDANCE OF BIRD LIFE. A unique feature of the Comboyne Plateau is the extraordinary bird life you will experience by simply sitting on the deck.

BOORGANNA NATURE RESERVE Boorganna Nature Reserve is the second oldest nature reserve in NSW. Boorganna is a 396 hectare reserve, a remnant of the extensive forests that once covered the plateau. There is a delightful picnic area and a 2.7 km walking track that takes you through different forest types down into the valley to view the spectacular Rawson Falls. Vegetation ranges from sub-tropical to eucalypt forest; there is a wide range of fauna and abundant birdlife.

BRIDAL VEIL FALLS FLORA RESERVE Bridal Veil Falls Flora Reserve is located on the corner of Comboyne Road and Stennetts Road on the northern side of the plateau. The views to the NW are sublime, as are the views to the NE from the local historic cemetery located nearby.

ELLENBOURGH FALLS Ellenbourgh Falls, with a single drop of 200

metres are a spectacular site and the second largest waterfall in the southern hemisphere. The Falls are found by travelling on Tourist Drive 8 from Taree, through Wingham and on to Elands.

Features include viewing platforms, picnic and barbecue facilities, a food kiosk which operates on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, toilets and a timber stairway to the bottom of the Falls.

For further information and rates, please contact: Comboyne Hideaway - The Roundhouse (Yurt) and Mainhouse www.stayz.com.au or www.airbnb.com.au Phone: Kristine 0427 341 927 Casa Comboyne - Farmhouse and Cottage www.stayz.com.au or www.airbnb.com.au Phone: Gail 0439 623 047 or Harry 0415 266 056.

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Best Kept Secrets

Sea ACRES W I T H

L I N D A

H A L L

Linda Hall, Team Leader Northern Zone - Customer Experience Division, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) shares some of the history behind iconic local attraction Sea Acres, which also offers an array of facilities to its many vistors ...

W

hen was Sea Acres declared to be a National Park? Sea Acres was dedicated as a Nature Reserve in 1987 and became a National Park in 2011, mainly due to the recreational uses identified in the Park. Sea Acres was also the first coastal landscape to attract a Heritage Listing for the preservation of an area containing an outstanding remnant of coastal rainforest.

How large an area does Sea Acres encompass, and what are some of the most common flora and fauna species on site?

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is located 4 km south of the Port Macquarie CBD. The reserve is 72 ha, the second largest coastal rainforest left in NSW. It is home to at least 275 different plants and 140 animal species, including the Australian Brush Turkey, the Lace Monitor, Green Cat Birds, Bangalow Palms, Strangler Figs and the prehistoric Bolwarra tree.

Describe the education centre at Sea Acres ...

The outdoor classroom was constructed in 2010 in memory of Bryce Laut, who was killed while firefighting in 2008. His family donated towards the construction in his memory. It is a beautiful place for storytelling, meditation and children’s activities, or just sitting enjoying the tranquillity of the rainforest.

Other functions, facilities and tours at the Centre include: two additional rooms for hire offering a tranquil, accessible place to hold meetings, training workshops and small conferences; fully guided tours included in the boardwalk entry fee; Yun Yi Barragay (walk with me) - Aboriginal Eco-cultural Experiences; School Rainforest Tours from 6 to 12 years; WilderQuest interactive area - WilderQuest is a NPWS children’s programme designed to nurture a love of nature. Children can experience nature by visiting the WilderQuest

42 greater port macquarie focus.

Greg Croft, former Regional Manager for the Mid North Coast NPWS and now Volunteer Guide at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, showing some visitors the sights.

website, playing the award-winning educational is also located along Sea Acres Rainforest app or having a WilderQuest experience at NPWS Boardwalk and is a fun self-guided interactive visitor centres like Sea Acres; Tours for TAFE and experience designed specifically for families university students; Coach tours are also catered with primary-aged children. It links into the for. award-winning WilderQuest digital programme.

There’s also a special eatery on site. Tell The interpretation has been specially developed us more about this venue … The Rainforest for guiding and stimulating children to explore Café is a delightful place for a delicious lunch or the walk themselves. It also tests their powers morning and afternoon tea. Relax and unwind, of observation on a quest for rainforest animals. while French chef Jean-Louis prepares delicious At the end of the trail, children receive a special fresh food, all with a local influence. A French code card that unlocks content they can access influence can also be seen in the daily specials at home on the educational WilderQuest interacand homemade cakes and desserts. Open 7 days tive website: www.wilderquest.nsw.gov.au from 9am - 4pm, public holidays Boardwalk entry fees: $8 adult, $4 school 10am - 4pm and age child, $16 per family (two adults, closed Christmas Day. two children), $7 pension/seniors Sea Acres Describe the boardwalk card, companion card/carer free st Rainfore that winds its way of charge. d te ca Centre is lo e through Sea Acres.

What is known about Sea th of h ut 4 km so D. CB ie The Sea Acres Acres’ significance to local ar qu ac M Port ha , 72 is e Rainforest Boardwalk indigenous people? Sea Acres rv se re e Th est is best experienced on National Park is the traditional the second larg st left a guided tour. Many country of the Birpai people. The co astal rainfore wonders of the rainforest park’s landscape has provided a in NSW. ” reside above ground level, rich source of food, medicines and so getting up into the canopy is shelter for thousands of years. Evidence the best way to explore it properly. An of Aboriginal inhabitants has been found in easy 1.3 km walk through the rainforest Sea Acres National Park, and it is likely the Birpai canopy, rising 7 metres through the forest used the area for fishing, hunting and gathering. understory to the canopy above, Sea Acres RainIf you are looking for an educational experience forest boardwalk provides the perfect platform within Sea Acres National Park, then take some from which to experience this busy habitat. Built time out to have a look at The Spirit of the in 1987 and completed in 1989, the boardwalk Land exhibition located downstairs at Sea Acres is 1.5 metres wide with a maximum gradient of Rainforest Centre. This multimedia interactive 2.5 degrees. The boardwalk was built to allow exhibition takes you on a virtual tour of Birpai people to enjoy a walk through the rainforest Country and introduces you to key Birpai stories. without disturbing the vegetation. The boardThe exhibition showcases local national parks walk ranges from 30 cm to 7 metres above the through a range of audio visual, interactive meground and winds its way between the trees, dia and visual arts displays. Visitors to the exhiallowing visitors to see all levels of the rainforest bition will learn about the rich Aboriginal culture and is suitable for wheelchairs and prams. of the Port Macquarie region and be captivated The WilderQuest rainforest discovery trail by the use of digital sand performances of two

“

Birpai Aboriginal stories: The Legend of the Three Brothers and Birpai Dreaming - and create their own “sand story” in the sand play light box.

What have been some of the major changes experienced at Sea Acres since it first opened? Sea Acres Rainforest centre was refurbished in 2011; a strong focus on Aboriginal programmes and connection to Country e.g.

Spirit of the Land exhibition (2012), Yun Yi Barragay Cultural tours (2007); growth in volunteer participation and in turn increasing guides and tour numbers; Community programmes, including education seminars, talks and open days.

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is one of 16 Visitor Centres throughout the state that sits under a relatively new division of NPWS, called the Customer Experience Division (CED). This Division is responsible for delivering customer strategies and services, including digital and voice channels, marketing, education and volunteering, to all of OEH and its cluster agencies. CED is also responsible for the on-ground delivery of core National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) customer service functions, including face to face services, experience development and tourism partnerships.

In November 2015, Sea Acres Rainforest Centre won the Silver Award for Specialised Tourism Services at the NSW Tourism Awards. This award is testament to the diverse and passionate work conducted by the team at Sea Acres Rainforest centre 364 days of the year in the area of environmental education, conservation, and visitor experiences.

Opening days/hours? 9am - 4:30pm daily (closed Christmas Day).

More info? Phone the Centre during business hours on 6582 3355, visit our website at http:// www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or follow us on Facebook: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Thanks Linda. Interview by Jo Atkins.

Best Kept Secrets

Little Palm Boutique Hi Rikki. You are the proud owner of Little Palm Boutique; tell us what you specialise in ... Little Palm has been open now for four months. We are a ladies’ boutique, offering a wide range of clothing and accessories from formal wear to everyday outfits. We have new arrivals coming every week, with new colours and styles.

We offer an online service aswell, so if you don’t live locally or can’t make it into the store, you can contact us on our Facebook page with your order and we can post it off to you. Website coming soon...

Tell us about the different labels you have in store ... Our clothes are from suppliers in QLD. We shop at a variety of suppliers, to make sure we have the latest styles and trends. We have just received in new accessories, from beach tote bags, to floppy hats and sunglasses that are from South Australia.

We stock “Mandela Throws”, which have been very popular this season, generally selling out in only a few short days.

What's in style for summer 2016? At the moment, summer florals and pastels are in, but we’re also back to the basics like neutral tones such as nudes and greys. We are seeing trends repeating themselves, like jumpsuits and simple, ready to wear outfits.

Can you tell our readers your opening times and where they can find you? We are located in the Colonial Arcade, which is directly opposite ANZ bank, just a few metres down from Port Central Shopping Centre. We’re open Monday - Wednesday and Friday, 10am - 5:30pm; Thursday 10am - 6/6:30pm; Saturday 10am - 3pm, and Sunday 11am - 2pm. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, “Little Palm Boutique” to keep up to date with our new arrivals, behind the scene work and regular giveaways and promotions. We appreciate all the support we have had from everyone so far; thank you ever so much!

Arthouse Industries What makes Arthouse Industries one of Port’s “best kept secrets”? We are located out of the main shopping area on Sunset Parade, so most people who visit the store are referred to us from customers who have fallen in love with the store and products.

The store is my studio space, so as a practicing artist you can see me working with molten glass as well as experience the unique shopping environment we have created. There are not many places in Port where you can watch an artist at work and then take a piece home with you.

Tell us about the unique product ranges available.

We keep a range of my beautiful wearable glass art, handmade clothes and gifts from local artisans, a gorgeous range of vintage style dresses and amazing local art. Our product range starts from $10, so there is always something for you to take home. I source handmade and Australian designed from small independent artists whenever I can, and this ensures my customers will always find something exciting and unique.

What is your background as an artist?

I have always loved being creative, and in the last nine years have focused on Lampworking, which is the art of creating glass beads from molten glass. It’s so exciting to have a studio space where my customers can watch me work, as I believe this encourages our community to embrace handmade, local products. Demonstrations are available anytime I’m in the studio, so please just ask if you would like to see me work.

Classes are available in Lampworking all year round and range from a mini bead making experience that lasts about an hour to full day workshops. Information on classes can be found online at www.arthouseindustries.com.au or by calling the studio on 6584 5443.

The Yoga Shala A new year holds the prospect of change - a new beginning.

We’re inspired to reach high and make changes for the better. What is it that we aspire to? Many people are pursuing goals that improve their health: reducing alcohol, eating better foods, starting a new exercise regime. This is a time people start doing yoga, often with the intention of losing weight, becoming more flexible or to improve their general sense of wellbeing - all of which can be achieved through a regular yoga practice.

Interestingly, those for whom yoga becomes a way of life often after many years of practice - state that what makes yoga important to them goes way beyond its physical benefits. Some feel that they’ve found a sense of community amongst like-minded people. Others state that yoga has had a significant impact on their emotional and mental wellbeing. It is the subtle changes, which occur over a long period of time, that are most valued. Changes that - unexamined - might go unnoticed, but on reflection become quite significant: less worry, more acceptance of things that can’t be changed, more mindfulness, less need to be right, more gratitude, less need for material things. All of those make for a much happier life.

Yoga is many things to many people. There are many types of yoga and many different teachers. If you are starting your yoga journey now, I recommend exploring a few different classes to find what works for you. At The Yoga Shala, we offer small group beginners courses as an introduction to Ashtanga Yoga. Find out more at www.theyogashala.com.au

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Best Kept Secrets

Like a

Francessca O’Donnell Family members: Vick and I live on a beautiful property in Beechwood.

Number of years living locally: About 28 years in this beautiful part of the world.

How I came to call Wauchope home: At the time we were looking for a small country town close to the ocean, with a Montessori preschool for my two young sons.

Mark Strachan Family members: Wife Deborah and son Alex (now living in England and missing the sunshine).

I have discovered the best thing about living here is: That the area is not only scenically beautiful, but there is a great community of friendly, down to earth people, excellent shopping and facilities and only about twenty minutes to the beach.

Living in: Flynns Beach.

Favourite café/restaurant: Watermans and Abudnance Café … Delicious !

How I came to call Port Macquarie home: Got a job here in 1989 (2MC).

Favourite outdoor photographic spot: Is the Wilson River Reserve … Nature is my greatest inspiration.

I have discovered the best thing about living here is: It’s the best of both worlds! Surfing and fishing on the coast and the hinterland a short drive away. Our family and friends in Sydney groan when I tell them I go to the beach at lunchtime.

“But how do you do that? How long does it take?” When the reply comes back, “Three minutes”, they just shake their head!

Then when they visit and see a koala in front of our kitchen window chowing down on a gum leaf, or catch the sight of a whale breaching out the front, they often comment we live in an open air zoo. Every day I go home via the coast road, and the stunning natural beauty of this place is never lost on me.

Best shopping spot: There is no doubt some of the most interesting and unique giftware and clothing on the Mid North Coast can be found at Elements of Design, The Coop Family Store, Charlize Rose and the Crystal Shop.

Number of years living locally: 27.

Favourite café/restaurant: Perno’s On The Beach at Flynns and Mi Casa - si!

Favourite outdoor photographic spot: North Brother Mountain.

Best shopping spot: Munster St, fresh and local!

Best kept secret: Midweek picnic at Harry’s lookout on sunset.

Best new attractions locals may not have seen yet: Burger Rebellion.

Best entertainment hub: Glasshouse and The Blue Water.

Best place for families: Westport Park.

Must not miss while in Port Macquarie this summer: A day on a BBQ boat with family and friends with fishing, swimming and beach cricket!

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Best kept secret: Our spectacular National Parks. A must see is “Old Bottlebutt”, an enormous ancient Red Bloodwood in the Burrawan Forrest. It is believed to be over 200 years old and has a base of 16 metres.

Best new attractions locals may not have seen yet: Jacaranda House Creative Hub, where you can discover something arty and unique at Vasnas Designs and Marrange Art. Also worth the trip to see the new indoor and outdoor art installations at Long Point Vineyard.

Best entertainment hub: Live music, Sunday afternoons at the Beechwood Café over looking Bago Mountain ...

Chillaxing!

Best place for families? The River Park at the end of Stoney Creek Road, a picturesque park right on the water, where you can picnic, play, or cast off to explore the beautiful Hastings River.

Must not miss while in Wauchope this summer: Jazz in the Vines and the Annual Grape Stomp at Bago Vineyards, Hastings Farmers’ Market - 4th Saturday of the month and Artist Markets In the Vines @Cassesgrain - 4th Sunday of the month.

Rob Dwyer My family members: I am married to Kate, and we have three beautiful children: Flyn (12), Jim (9) and Neive (7) plus a menagerie of animals. ​ 2.

Number of years living locally: 2 Living in: The beautiful Camden Haven.

How I came to call the Camden Haven home: After working in several clubs to fund my Bachelor of Business, I applied for a trainee manager’s role at the LUSC. I have discovered the best thing about living here is: ​T​he people and their passion for this patch of the world.

Favourite café/restaurant: The North Haven takeaway shop on Ocean Drive, because I can rely on a great burger o ​ n the way to a park or the beach to hang out with the family.

Favourite outdoor photographic spot: Favourite is such a tough word in this instance. There are so many beautiful spots - the beach, Diamond Head ..​. ​But the place that cannot be beaten is on top of North Brother Mountain in Dooragan National Park. It isn’t listed in Australia’s Lonely Planet edition for n​othing​!

Best shopping spot: L​ aurieton, North Haven and Kendall have pretty much everything we need. Wauchope is also a favourite shopping spot for Kate!

Best kept secret: Very tough question. Exploring the rock pools at ​ Wash House Beach in Dunbogan, where the starfish and sea urchins are plentiful, or the Rotary Loop walking trail on top of North Brother lookout. It takes you on a 500 m trail through rain forest to a lookout that features Diamond Head. The walk is seldom used and is an easy walk that i​s​wheelchair friendly.

Best new attractions locals may not have seen yet: The multi award winning and new tennis centre at Kendall.

Best entertainment hub: Definitely the LUSC. They have great shows all year. In January alone, some of the entertainment includes: James Reyne; Justice Crew; Kasey Chambers; Lisa Hunt; Pro Wrestling; and Sam Moran for the kids.

Best place for families: Relaxing with a coffee at the Dunbogan Boatshed while the kids are feeding the ​hundreds of hungry fish, or at the b ​ ​each (in between the ​f​lags)!

Must not miss while in the Camden Haven this summer: New Year​‘s Eve on the waterfront between the Camden Haven River and the LUSC. For $10 the kids can go on the activities all night and the ​fireworks are on a 9​p​m. With outdoor entertainment including a DJ and live music by Strong​ha​ rt, i​t​is the event not to miss!

focus_tourism

Janette Hyde from Port Macquarie Tourism Association

tourism UPDATE

Janette HYDE

TOURISM AWARDS GREATER PORT MACQUARIE TOURISM OPERATORS WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL AT THE 2015 STATE TOURISM AWARDS. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TWO BRONZE WINNERS - TELEGRAPH RETREAT COTTAGES AND HELLO KOALAS SCULPTURE TRAIL.

T

he Observatory continues to pick up some very well deserved awards; this time they struck with two gold, one for Deluxe Accommodation and the other one was the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable

Tourism. A fantastic achievement!

The Observatory has recently changed its tagline, “Port Macquarie’s Best Address” to “Leading Green Hotel”, as it’s one of only three 100% carbon-neutral hotels in Australia.

Touch State Cup The weather was perfect for the Touch State Cup, which made their Tournament Team and competitors very happy. The final match was very exciting, with a draw and then a playoff, which led to a very competitive finish.

Greater Port Macquarie is Ready for the Holiday-makers Just went for a drive around our beautiful beaches and if this weather keeps up, we will be very proud to show off our beautiful region.

The new Eat See and Do Guide is out just in time for the holidays. You can pick up this very informative book at the Visitor Information Centre in The Glasshouse, at the iKew Visitor Centre, all Council offices and libraries.

Redistribution of Federal Electoral Boundaries It was a really good outcome for residents that the Australian Electoral Commission chose to host an enquiry into the redistribution of the Lyne electorate in Port Macquarie. If the Electoral Commission goes ahead with the planned changes dividing our LGA into two, it will have, in effect, built a barrier and will expect the elected representative to straddle it. The proposal needs to be dismissed out of hand and the status quo remain. Many caring people took the time to send submissions and on the day of the enquiry, 12 people put forward some very compelling arguments as to why Lyne should not be divided.

Port Macquarie Beatles Festival Relive your youth from 11 - 14 February

2016, as The Beatles Festival grooves into Port Macquarie for four days of music, magic and memorabilia.

ACTIVITIES HAPPENING IN JANUARY 28 Dec - 5 Jan 10 - 5pm, Hastings Valley Fine Arts Society 10th Annual Summer Showcase Exhibition and Sale. www.hastingsvalleyart.net.au 1 - 26 Jan - Mingle at the Maritime, 10 - 4pm every day. www.maritimecottages.org.au 8 - 16 Jan 32nd Golden Lure Fishing Tournament. www.pmgfc.com.au 10 Jan Jazz in the Vineyards Goes Country with Cedar Creek Band, 10 - 3:30pm, Bago Winery. www.bagovineyards.com.au 11 Jan Convicts, Commandants and Clergy Walking Tour. www.portmuseum.org.au 23 Jan Hastings Moonlight Movies, Red Dog, Lake Cathie Reserve, Lake Cathie, 8:30pm.

25 Jan Hastings Moonlight Movies, Back Yard Ashes, Town Green, 8:30pm. www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Lists/NewsListing/2015-Media-Releases/January/ Moonlight-Movies-are-back 26 Jan Australia Day Celebrations, Town Green, 8am.

McLelland Reserve, Laurieton, 7am.

Wauchope Showground, 9am. www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/australiaday

get the most out of your holIday Pick up a copy of the new visitors guide Eat See Do today. Packed full of must do activities and attractions around the region.

now available at the Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre, in the Glasshouse, or iKew Information and Community Centre in Kew or ask at your accommodation venue.

Greater Port Macquarie @PortMacquarie @PMQTourism Portmacquarietourism portmacquarietourism

#portmacquarie or #iloveportmacquarie

www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au

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Best Kept Secrets

Mount Seaview Resort

Paint the Town Port Paint The Town Port is Australia’s creative way to celebrate! And that’s just what we’ve been doing this season.

Whether it’s a group of co-workers out for their Christmas function, a collection of friends in for a birthday party, or a public event with a variety of cool cats from Port, we provide a new experience for everyone.

You don’t need an artistic bone in your body to take part in this FUN art, not FINE art. Sip, Paint, Celebrate!

This month we have some rockin’ public events for you to come try it yourself.

One exciting opportunity for the whole family to get involved in is The Artist Market @ Cassegrain Winery on Sunday January 24th from 9am- 2pm. We will walk you through painting a different scene in 30 minutes using acrylic paint on canvas.

Sessions start at 9:30am for only $15. All ages welcome.

For a full schedule and to view paintings, visit paintthetownport.com and facebook.com/paintthetownport.

Contact aimee@paintthetownport.com to book your private FUNction or FUNdraiser!

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Mount Seaview Resort is a country-style Resort with friendly staff and a relaxed country atmosphere nestled on the bank of the Hastings River, in the hinterland of Port Macquarie. The surrounding countryside is alive with an abundance of birdlife, local fauna including a number of platypus colonies and a number of World Heritage National Parks.

If you enjoy country style cooking, our licensed restaurant-café is just the place and caters for all meals with inside and alfresco dining.

Rooms vary from lodge rooms to luxury motel rooms, some with self-cater facilities, and the Kookaburra room is an entertainment space with TV/DVD and lounge facilities as well as a pool table and table tennis table. This room can also be utilised for dining.

Our conference room is a function room for weddings, conferences and educational studies and has adjoining office spaces and projector and screen available.

Activities enjoyed by our guests include bird watching, bushwalking, relaxing in or by the river, playing tennis, taking a guided quadbike tour or 4WD guided tours of the local region.

Our friendly staff would love to welcome you or your group to come and experience our country hospitality at Mount Seaview Resort.

For enquiries and bookings, please call (02) 6587 7255 or (02) 6587 7188.

Best Kept Secrets

Charlize Rose on Hay Street

Community Projects Your Purchase Matters: Every time you purchase a Fair Trade product, you are buying a story of equality, transparency, and respect.

responsibly and under the Fair Trade ethos.

When you buy such goods, you are openly expressing YOUR values.

return goes back to the producer community.

Fair Trade is nothing more complicated than simply being fair. Your purchase becomes a step forward towards the eradication of poverty, while creating higher standards of living.

You spark change by creating a demand, and creating an impact on the producers and their families.

Fair Trade Goods Do Not Necessarily Cost More: We work directly with our groups, which helps ensure they are dealt with

In return, you are able to enjoy a product you love at an affordable price, while a greater This allows them to preserve their culture and shape a better future for generations to come.

Choose Fair Trade for Christmas: We sell a wonderful range of unique, handmade, artisanal products, which range from clothing, shoes, jewellery, fashion accessories, glassware, baskets, wind chimes, crockery, candles, sculptures, teddies, and so much more.

Visit us and mention this FOCUS feature to receive a free gift in store with your purchase for the month of January!

From the moment you step into this beautiful boutique, you will know it is one of a kind in Port Macquarie. Charlize Rose on Hay Street is totally different to its mother store, Charlize Rose on High in Wauchope, offering candles, homewares, cushions and 100% linen doona covers from Byron Bay, Gingerlily pyjamas, leather bags, Adorn jewellery, plus exclusive new fashion labels. Stock is arriving every second day; the range is extensive.

saw a need in Port Macquarie to offer casual,

The Wauchope store caters for the mature woman, whilst the Port Macquarie store caters for locals, the young and young at heart and of course, holidaymakers.

the occasion. Charlize Rose is committed to

Why open another store? Charlize Rose is into its 10th successful year in Wauchope and

range of labels await you. The variety in store

stylish daywear, elegant layering and also a beautiful range of homewares and jewellery.

Where can we find you? As the name suggests, you find us on Hay Street, in the Rydges complex next to Zebu. You are encouraged to browse to make your own selections, but for those wanting some extra assistance, staff are more than willing to help you find the perfect outfit or gift, no matter providing the right style for the individual; we want you to feel your best. Having a great eye for casual everyday wear, a stunning elegant is a temptation that is hard to resist.

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Best Kept Secrets

Treasures, Teas T A S T I N G S

&

T O U R S

The enthusiastic volunteers at Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard are holding a TTTT day on Saturday, January 16th 2016 from 9am to 2:30pm.

W

hat are the four Ts? colouring in fun.

Treasures, Teas, Tastings Take time to stroll around the cottage, rose and Tours. and vegetable gardens; then walk through Treasures! Trading the orchard with 28 fruit and nut trees. The Tables with a huge range ornamental ponds are a new feature and all of household bargains and bric-a-brac; there’s provide a delight for gardening enthusiasts, something for everyone to purchase. artists and photographers. Visitors can Teas - yes, those famous Devonshire Teas experience the special ambience that this with other refreshments will be unique establishment provides. available, including a sausage With entertainment throughout sizzle. You could even the day, Douglas Vale is able bring a picnic; Douglas to provide something for of ur to a Take , Vale was the favoured everyone to enjoy! ad te es m ho e th picnic venue in ck If you have never ba s te da ch whi Port is d Port Macquarie for visited Douglas Vale an s ar ye 0 15 st generations, and much Historic Homestead Macquarie’s olde vlo is undercover. and Vineyard before, or timber building, the by ed or st re y Taste six exclusive maybe you are a regular, ingl volunteers . ” wines, including two then take this opportunity whites, two reds and to drop in and have fun rose, along with the much on Saturday 16th January. As loved Portabella Port, made one of the six historic properties from the Isabella grapes. Enjoy the remaining in Port Macquarie and quality and economical prices! You could the only community run vineyard in even win some Douglas Vale wine in the NSW, this unique organisation appreciates raffle. your support, allowing for the continued Take a Tour of the Homestead, which dates restoration and upkeep of an important Port back 150 years and is Port Macquarie’s oldest Macquarie icon. timber building, lovingly restored by the Entry is free, but as always donations volunteers. It contains a dedicated Museum, enable this not-for-profit group to continue with artefacts recounting the stories and to preserve an absolute gem in Port lifestyles of the pioneer residents, who helped Macquarie, for future generations. establish the wine and oyster industries in Douglas Vale is in town at 235 Oxley this area. The National Trust has classified this Highway between Widderson St and Findlay structure and its outbuildings.

Avenue. Ph: 6584 3792, or check out the At the stunning entrance to this website: www.douglasvale.com.au magnificent property, hiding in the Heritage Douglas Vale is access friendly and open bamboo, the Pandas will be waiting for to the public from 10am to 3pm Wednesday, children of all ages to count in an all-day Saturday and Sunday throughout the year, if competition, which will also include Panda you are unable to visit us on our Open Day.

“

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Best Kept Secrets

Colonial Cobbler

Oasis by the River Oasis by the River Café and Restaurant is an award winning eatery run by local chef Brendon Lynch. Brendon has had much success since opening the establishment in 2012, winning the Country NSW Certified Angus Beef Provincial Restaurant of the Year Award for the second time this year.

Relax by the river and watch the sunset with our fire sticks, that set the mood for you to enjoy a candle lit dinner with a warm and friendly welcome by our friendly team; Oasis offers fantastic table service for all guests to enjoy. The Oasis menu focuses largely on using the best produce on offer, with Certified Australian Angus Beef, fresh local seafood, local open range eggs, local wines, Black Duck beer and super crème Peak coffee.

The large outdoor alfresco dining area with its

own full service bar is the perfect place to relax on a summer afternoon, with live music on the weekends. The kids’ play area and large fully covered grassed area is great for the kids to enjoy while Mum and Dad take a break.

Oasis is supplied with fresh local bread daily, fresh local produce and open range Idlewilde eggs, with a choice of gluten free options available and superb super crème Peak coffee.

Oasis by the River truly is one of North Haven’s “Best Kept Secrets”, with a wonderful team of people who look forward to creating an exciting dining experience for you.

Be sure to make a booking at Oasis by the River this summer season! Phone 6559 6918.

Subscribe to our newsletter to go into the draw to win Prize 1 of 5 Ralph Lauren Polo shirts!

Summer is a great time to have fun with your footwear and embrace bright colours and stand out patterns that will add an extra layer of style to any outfit.

Colonial Cobbler stocks a great range of high quality brands at affordable prices.

Josef Siebel - The European Comfort Shoe: Josef Seibel is one of Europe’s longest established shoe manufacturers, producing shoes since 1886. The brand is now sold in more than 40 countries across the world and has become known as The European Comfort Shoe based on its mix of comfort, style and value.

Ziera: Ziera brings together premium materials, in-depth knowledge of the foot and constant testing to create shoes so luxuriously comfortable, you can wear them all day,

every day. Ziera orthotic-friendly shoes also have extra depth and a removable inlay to accommodate your custom orthotic.

ECCO: This Scandinavian brand creates style based on clean lines, beautiful leathers and premium materials. Scandinavian designers are famous for creating timeless appeal with sleek simplicity, and ECCO delivers the highest quality standards, a great fit and affordable luxury.

Zeta: Zeta Spanish Shoes and Sandals have a stunning range of multi colours and pastels for the season. Try the earthy summer comfort sandals with soft leathers. Zeta shoes and footwear are always stylish and also great multi-purpose shoes.

Come and see the range of great brands in store at Colonial Cobbler today!

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Best Kept Secrets

Best Secrets Kept

Our

Aimee Pelley

Angela Keating

PAINT THE TOWN PORT

PORT MACQUARIE HORSE RIDING CENTRE

My favourite thing about our local region is: The epic environment! The countless beaches, trails, and natural beauty of Greater Port Macquarie will keep my family happily active for years to come.

My favourite thing about our local region is: The connection between the coast and the country. It’s so nice to be at the beach one minute and the bush or forest the next.

My favourite thing about our local region is: The climate and accessibility to so many amazing places so close to the coast.

There is a real sense of community as well.

I chose to work in this industry because: It’s my passion!

I chose to work in this industry because: I love working with people and supporting their creative ability.

Best places to EAT, PLAY, UNWIND: Oasis by the River and Fat Fish Beachfront Bistro - again, it’s all about the atmosphere!

Best places to EAT, PLAY, UNWIND: MakiMoto - sounds very tame, but I love taking my son to the local pool or beach for a splash and some quality time / horse riding on the North Shore beach.

I chose to work in this industry because: I wanted to be involved in an industry that provided a balanced management of our valuable forest resources, be it for timber, flora and fauna, water, and of course, recreation!

In my spare time I like to: Do anything outdoors with friends and family. Laughing and exploring keeps this momma happy.

In my spare time I like to: Spend time with my beautiful family.

Andrew Devlin

FORESTRY CORPORATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES

In my spare time I like to: Spend time with my husband, two adventurous boys and two well-travelled dogs. We love to explore our local area either camping or bushwalking.

Brendon Lynch

BAR FLORIAN

OASIS BY THE RIVER

My favourite thing about our local region is: That we have a wide range of activities available for a regional town, and one of the most iconic Ironman races!

My favourite thing about our local region is: I love simplicity of the area and the quality of fresh produce in the area is fantastic, such as Black Duck Beer, Local Peak Coffee, Bago Wine and the list goes on ...

I chose to work in this industry because: I have a passion for hospitality and providing guest satisfaction at all times.

Best places to EAT, PLAY, UNWIND: Eat, Drury Lane.

Play, Jolly Nose fire trails, for both running and cycling!

Unwind, Lighthouse Beach.

In my spare time I like to: Prepare for the annual Ironman event, so I can be competitive in my age group.

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Sandra Madeley

I chose to work in this industry because: Of the people you meet and the relationships you make from our brilliant team to our regular customers, who are like family to us.

Best places to EAT, PLAY, UNWIND: Little Fish Café. Steve and Angie are wonderful people and have a fantastic venue with quality food.

In my spare time I like to: I love to spend time with my wife, Therese and two kids, Eliza and Cody, at the beach and walking and riding along North Haven Breakwall.

focus _Travel

with Susie Boswell.

LOVED

IN PRINT AND ONLINE

Best Kept Secrets

Best Kept Secrets

Wayward The Farmstay at

JERSEYS

D E B O ’ B R I E N & F A M I LY

Deb O’Brien and her family simply wanted to share with others what they considered to be fortunate to have. At Wayward Jerseys, they believe in the philosophies of free range kids, natural produce and being surrounded by lots of animals, and they wanted to give people the opportunity to experience this too.

Photo credit John Nalder Photography

TOU R TO T H E WOR L D’S B E ST DI N I NG

C

aptain’s Choice, the homegrown travel connoisseurs offering luxury boutiquegroup touring to diverse and exotic destinations, has a 2016 package to the world’s best restaurant, accompanied by one of our own best chefs. So it looks to be Australia’s best-ever gourmet tour.

El Celler de Can Roca was named world No 1 by trade magazine Restaurant in both 2015 and 2013, after being placed second in 2011, 2012 and 2014, vying with Rene Redzepi’s famed Noma in Copenhagen. Noma’s closure for Denmark’s winter and transfer to Sydney’s Barangaroo this month reportedly sold out its 5500 seats at a prepay tab of $485pp plus credit card fee - drinks extra! - in 90 seconds. So El Celler, operated by the three Roca brothers - with three Michelin stars - should surpass even the former Spanish legend, El Bulli. Moreover, famed Spanish maestro Frank Camorra (pictured), cookbook author and Sydney Morning Herald columnist, of MoVida in Melbourne and Sydney, will escort the September tour. The restaurant sits in Girona, in Catalonian north-eastern Spain about 100km north of Barcelona, where Camorra was born.

CC boasts its guests enjoy “superior standards ... polished to perfection”. A Taste of Spain, 25 days, starts at $31,000 a person on a twin-share basis; unlike others, you won’t wait a year for a table!

Add around $9000 for singles, $10,000 for first class flights and see www.captainschoice.com. au to marvel at the truly magnificent itinerary and glorious Belle Epoque Al Andalus train.

It’s little known that Captain’s Choice had its origins on the NSW North Coast: Port Macquarie business identities John and Helen Ross pioneered the boutique tours after earlier chartering jets from Qantas. Helen, a former Qantas VIP ground hostess, and John, then Chamber of Commerce president, lobbied for a new Qantas jet to be named for their town, to promote the area, and organised a charity air tour to Cairns to celebrate.

Other tours from Port Macquarie to the tropics and the Red Centre followed and were snapped up, and Captain’s Choice was born when the Rosses expanded the concept, joining up with Kaye and Phil Tasker of Melbourne’s Croydon Travel agency. The Rosses sold to present owners Melbourne-based APT, another family-owned touring company, in 2000.

SUMMER FESTIVAL Summertime’s one long festival in Sydney and, like Noma at Barangaroo, St George Open Air Cinema on Sydney Harbour has once again opened to a near instant sell-out.

Movies on the giant screen in the world’s best amphitheatre this year include Carol, Joy, The Dressmaker, Spectre and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Set the scene with dinner on site, facing the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and see Luna Park’s lights come up as dusk descends: gates and catering open at 6.15pm. If you miss securing a booking a limited number of tickets is offered nightly, for the same evening, at the box office at the gates from 6.30. Check availability from noon daily at www.stgeorgeopenair.com.au or 1300 366 649; prices $38, $36 conc.

Saturday January 16 is the 40th anniversary performance of Symphony in the Domain when the repertoire will be a “best of” of the past four decades’ most popular music. The following Saturday’s Opera in the Domain features Australian Opera’s biggest stars, under the stars from 8pm. Both events are free, picnicking permitted; food and drinks also on sale from 4pm.

JETSTAR UNDER REVIEW: Two incidents involving Jetstar domestic flights in October last year are reportedly still being looked at by the Australian Transport Safety Board and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority as we go to print. An A320 from Brisbane to Melbourne was said to have found after take-off to have 16 more passengers than advised to pilots, 1.3 tonnes heavier than calculations used for take-off and landing. Then an A321 from Melbourne to Perth was notably nose-heavy and had trouble taking off. Both cases were dealt with in-flight by the pilots but are said to be fundamental errors affecting aircraft control that could have been more serious. The ATSB expects to complete its investigation in October this year with CASA meanwhile overseeing Jetstar’s corrective action.

22 new england focus.

ell us about yourself and your family ...

My name is Deb O’Brien, and I grew up in the local area. After ten years of travelling Australia, my husband and I realised that “home” was a pretty awesome place and made the decision to move back. I would describe myself as a unique blend of quirky and earthy, and I believe Wayward Jerseys Farmstay reflects that. Wayward Jerseys would not be, without the love and support of my husband, Lauri Pulkkinen. Lauri is the type of man who not only supports his wife to follow her crazy dreams, but also says, “Fine, you want to buy a milking cow … Well, let me build you a dairy”.

We also have three beautiful little girls, ranging in ages from six to eleven, who love their way of life and love sharing it with other people. I have always loved animals and am passionate about the New England area. I truly believe I have the best job in the world!

What prompted the beginning of Wayward Jerseys?

The name “The Home for Wayward Jerseys” (shortened to Wayward Jerseys for convenience) was initially a term that my husband jokingly used to describe my penchant for Jersey cows.

It also alludes to what we see as their unique personalities. Simply, we wanted to share with

others what we consider to be fortunate to Pop as well. I find our guests often come from have. At Wayward Jerseys we believe in the either Sydney or Brisbane, or both in a lot of philosophies of free range kids, natural produce cases, as it is a good place to meet in between and being surrounded by lots of animals, and (we are exactly half way between Sydney and we wanted to give people the opportunity to Brisbane). We also get a lot of overseas guests experience this too. who are interested in getting off the beaten What can visitors experience at track and seeing what Australia Wayward Jerseys? is like outside the cities.

Basically, a visit to Wayward As to what “type” of Jerseys is like a visit to people we get, a One of my favourite things is being a petting zoo … On pleasant surprise child at steroids! We are extremely has been how nice introduced to a stay a the beginning of interactive, so expect to all our visitors down head their has who get up close and personal have been - kids their and focused on to the animals. We are and adults alike. game, and favourite video stay famous for our “morning I have thought a by the end of their tell you routine”, which includes lot about why this they couldn’t even device learning how to milk one is, and this is what where their gaming of our Jersey cows, feeding I have come up with. is. ” our baby animals and collecting The types of people eggs. For our day tour people, who visit a Farmstay are added to this is a country style, home the types of people that are cooked morning tea and marshmallows to engaged with their children and toast on the fire. Our overnighters get all of this family, interested in how others live, complimentary to their stay, as well as other love animals and they’re prepared to try inclusions such as an optional ghost tour at something new. All in all, this makes for pretty night. amazing people, on the whole.

What type of demographic visit the farm?

Tell us about some of the reactions you get I must say the majority of our visitors are from visitors? families with children. We accommodate up to “Milk comes from where?” Unfortunately, seven people at a time, so often it is Nan and it is true that many children do think that milk

“

comes from a supermarket, and a wonderful part of my job is educating them otherwise. Our guests are a pretty open minded lot and even if incredulous at the beginning, it is not long before they get into the spirit of things and are milking cows like a professional. Actually, one of my favourite things is being introduced to a child at the beginning of a stay who has their head down and focused on their favourite video game, and by the end of their stay they couldn’t even tell you where their gaming device is.

Do you think locals like us take for granted what’s in our own back yard in regards to primary produce?

Yes and no. Yes, because I think we are truly spoilt here in regards to our primary produce.

But just because we are spoilt, doesn’t mean that most people don’t know they are on a good thing by living here. It’s like this area is a wonderful secret, and all us locals are in on it. There is a lot of buzz around local food and produce at the moment - justifiably so - and there are also a lot of amazing and dynamic people starting to really do some incredible things. I would have to say that it is pretty exciting times here in New England.

Plans for the future?

Yes, yes and yes. At the moment my lips are sealed, but think tourism and think local produce, and watch this space!

Thanks Deb.

INTRODUCING THE FOCUS MINI-MAG new england focus. 23

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The mini-mags are a compilation of our Best Kept Secret feature from the print edition of each region! United in one flip book and delivered online for you to download... for free.

COFFS COAST ARMIDALE NEW ENGLAND

GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

MANNING - GREAT LAKES

VIEW THIS MONTH’S FEATURE ONLINE AT FOCUSMAG.COM.AU/MINIMAGPMQ GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

Photo: Fiora Sacco greater port macquarie focus. 51

focuseditorial.

THE SNOW QUEEN’S

Aussie

FREEZING Show

Following over 4,000 performances around the world with The Wizard of Oz Show, Youngstars2.com is now proud to present Snow Queen’s Aussie Tribute Show - touring the North Coast during the January school holidays with the Children’s Hospital Toy Appeal.

T

he Snow Queen’s Aussie Freezing the Oscar-winning LET IT GO! Show is a highly interactive show FOCUS is excited to offer THREE of our with lots of singing, dancing and lucky readers the exciting opportunity to special characters that will enchant win a special double pass and autographed children as they help their photograph! favourite Snow Queen recover To enter, go to the Port Macquarie her lost magic wand so that FOCUS Facebook page and they can all play in REAL, tell us in 25 words or less FALLING SNOW! who your favourite Frozen To enter, go to the Port Sing along with the character is and why.

S Snow Queen, boo (www.facebook.com/ Macquarie FOCU d tell an Facebook page the Evil Jester, play PortMacquarieFocus) less us in 25 words or funny, frosty games, Where: Port Macquarie ite ur vo fa ur who yo learn some icy dance Panthers. is r Frozen characte routines and magic When: Mon 11th Jan at d why. ” an 11am. spells as characters like Drama Workshop 9:30 Bushman Bob and the 10:30am, then perform on stage Snow Girls leap to life in with the cast. $10pp. Bookings Ph: flashy costumes accompanied 0401 030 463. by catchy music and fun interactive Come dressed up and have fun, and don’t activities. forget to bring a toy or book for our Children’s A special pre-show Frozen sing along Hospital Toy Appeal.

by The Presenters is a glowing tribute to the Show tickets: $12. film that took the world by storm and features Available at Port Macquarie Panthers. the hit songs For The First Time in Forever, Do Phone 6580 2300.

You Want To Build a Snowman and of course,

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52 greater port macquarie focus.

52 group

Bago Vineyard & Bago Maze

Take time out to visit Bago Vineyar unique and pleasant experience off diverse range of activities for all ■ Enjoy wine tasting in the Cellar D enjoy a local cheese platter on the overlooking the vineyards & surrou

Port’s must-do activity: “Let’s go to Ricardoes”

■ Join us for Jazz in the Vineyards Sunday 12th July and Sunday 9th A

■ Explore and lose yourself within Maze, the largest hedge maze in N

Since 2002, when Ricardoes began planting hydroponic tomatoes on the riverside at Blackmans Point, the farm has grown to become a popular all-round tomatoes and strawberries attraction, a household name in Port and our bestloved visitor attraction. Co-owner Anthony Sarks tells Chrissy the story.

Phone: 6585 7099 Open: daily until 5pm

Address: Bago Vineyards, Bago Rd, W Web: www.bagovineyards.com.au

A

in Greater Port Macquarie

using our berries, tomatoes and other produce nthony, how’s access to in jams, salsas, sauces, chutneys and soups has Ricardoes now the Pacific Highway expansion’s 30 lines in the range now, and they’ve been underway? multi award-winners.

Ricardoes is thriving! I’m You’re also the region’s most awarded happy to say access is even tourist attraction, with strawberry picking easier than before. The highway speed limit’s the big drawcard. down to 80 km/h, so it’s safer to turn in to That’s right. Our strawberries grow on Ricardoes and there’s basically no interruption vertical lattice frames, easy for everyone from from the roadworks, so come on out! The kids to seniors to just roam the avenues and new roundabout will make access even better. reach out and pick the fruit they like at arm’s I heard Ricardoes is being offered for sale length - no bending! No minimum quantity; and further development? visitors pay only for what they Yes, we’ve plenty of ideas pick. It’s all under cover of and plans on the drawing our massive weatherproof board for expanding the greenhouses, so rain, activities we offer here wind or cold are no We’re happily at what’s historically barrier to enjoying the operating at full er nt proven an everexperience. wi r ou d an steam ’s a growing tourism The name of your strawberry crop te lu and healthy food Café Red celebrates cracker, an abso it! ” iss attraction. We thought the colour of both beauty! Don’t m we’d investigate if other the tomatoes and business entrepreneurs the strawberries ... out there would like to Café Red offers fresh take those plans forward and budget-priced meals: brekkie, brunch, lunch, snacks, capitalise on our reputation. In the Devonshire Tea and barista coffee meantime, we’re still happily operating and cakes seven days from 9am. There’s at full steam, and our winter strawberry also fresh produce to buy, stacks of preserves crop’s a cracker - an absolute beauty! (with free tastings) and unusual souvenirs and Don’t miss it. gifts.

You won first prize again in 2015 for We host free farm tours every weekday at the champion tomatoes at Sydney Royal 11am: no need to book, just turn up! Entry to Easter Show, and you’ve many other the farm and picking is free and starts at 7am awards too? weekdays, 8am weekends/public holidays, We’ve lost count of the awards. We 364 days. Families, groups, caravan travellers, consistently win top tomatoes in NSW in the everyone enjoys a day out in fresh country air.

Show’s District Exhibits Competition and ever We’re 10-15min from town with ample sealed since we planted our renowned “strawberry parking for RVs and clean rest room facilities. avenues” seven years ago, we’ve had a swag Thanks Anthony. of ribbons in top Fine Food Shows around Interview by Chrissy Jones.

Australia. Our own Ricardoes preserves line,

Sea Acres

Rainforest Cen ■ Rainforest boardwalk.

■ Discovery tours ■ Spirit of the Land Exhibition ■ Gift Shop ■ Rainforest Cafe ■ Entry fee applies for boardwalk

Address 159 Pacific Drive, Port Macq Phone 6582 3355 Web: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au Open 7 Days 9am-4:30pm Cafe Open 9am-4pm

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56

Majestic Cinem

Movies Come Alive in Port Macq ■ New Screens ■ New Foyer ■ New Candy Bar

Join the Movie Clu for great discounts

Majestic Cinema's Select Series s a range of high quality content to

the discerning audience. Hand pic excellence.

Join us on Facebook!

Phone: 6583 8400 Web: majesticcinemas.com.au

greater port macquarie focus.

visit

Get out there! www.52things2do.com.au + Family Fun

Bago Maze Billabong Koala & Wildlife Park Hydro Golf & Putt Putt Jumbos Playland Majestic Cinemas Port Macquarie Panthers Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries Sea Acres Rainforest Centre Timbertown Heritage Theme Park Wave Bowl

+ Tours

Mid North Coast Maritime Museum Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage Port Macquarie Historical Museum Port Macquarie Sea Plane Roto House

+ Arts and Cultural

The Glasshouse - Arts, Conference and Performance Centre, Port Macquarie

+ Action and Adventure

Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding Centre of Gravity Indoor Adventure Centre High Adventure Paragliding Coastal Skydivers Mid North Coast Paintball Jetfighter Ocean Star Deep Sea Fishing Port Macquarie Camel Safaris

+ Water Activities

Dunbogan Boatshed & Marina Camden Haven Cruises Jordans Boating Centre and Holiday Park Junk cruises & Port Venture Port Macquarie Cruise Adventures Port Macquarie Kayak Adventures PortJetWave Rider & Jet Ski Hire Castaway Estuary Fishing Charters Port Macquarie Surf School Stand Up Paddle Port Macquarie Stoney Park Water Ski and Wakeboard School Soul Surfing

+ Food, Wine & Beer

Abundance Lifestyle and Garden Bago Vineyards Black Duck Brewery Cassegrain Winery Laurieton United Services Club Long Point Vineyard & Art Gallery Rose’s Vineyard The Little Brewing Company World Par Tea

+ Sporting

Camden Haven Golf Club Port Macquarie Golf Club Emerald Downs Golf Course Port Macquarie Golf Driving Range Wauchope Country Club Port Macquarie Tennis Club

View the 52+ Video now!

Scan this with your QR Reader (Free App)

+ Lifestyle

Aqua Vitae Day Spa Port Macquarie Day Spa Sundowner Holidays greater port macquarie focus. 53

holidays Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding We’re open 7 DAYS; bookings essential.

Phone 6587 5227 web: www.bellrowanvalley.com.au ■ Take to the hills and explore the hinterland, a great Aussie bush experience ■ Daily 1hr & 2hr Trail Rides, 2 Day Pub Ride, Overnight Packages, 3 Day Trek ■ Beginners to experienced riders from 5yrs+ ■ Small groups with experienced &friendly guides ■ Shady, picturesque forest trails, abundant wildlife ■ Easy scenic 30 min drive from Port Macquarie ■ Happy, quiet, healthy horses; the best!

TRAIL RIDES AND TREKS

Sea Acres

Rainforest Centre ■ Rainforest boardwalk.

■ Guided tours ■ Rainforest Cafe

■ Gift shop.

■ Entry fee applies for boardwalk.

J. Spencer/OEH

Address 159 Pacific Drive, Port Macquarie.

Phone 6582 3355 Web: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au Open 7 days, 9am - 4:30pm.

Cafe Open 9am - 4pm.

FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED Become a Top Gun Pilot for a day.

Our Pilots are standing by to escort you on the adventure of a lifetime in the Albatros L-39C. This is the ultimate adrenaline experience.

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Prices start from $1400.00 Choose your Mission: Web: www.jetfighter.com.au Phone: 1300 727 700 Email: broni@jetfighter.com.au

“Take the wonder walk”

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

54 greater port macquarie focus.

Jetfighter

Port Macquarie Seaplanes FABULOUS SCENIC FLIGHTS ■ Experience the thrill of taking off and landing on water ■ Take in the glorious spectacle of our beautiful coastline ■ Special packages and Gift Vouchers for all occasions ■ Restaurant transfers, weddings, special charter ■ Seaplane Endorsement Training 1 Short Street, Port Macquarie Call Judy on 0404 684 212

Email: info@portmacquarieseaplanes.com.au Web: www.portmacquarieseaplanes.com.au

■ Discovery tours ■ Spirit of the Land Exhibition ■ Gift Shop ■ Rainforest Cafe ■ Entry fee applies for boardwalk

+MOREschool 2012

Address (Shelly Beach) Pacific Drive, Port Macquarie Phone 6582 3355 Web: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au Open 7 Days 9am-4:30pm Cafe Open 9am-4pm

+

in Greater Port Macquarie

Fastest C Skirmish Down Under In addition port jetto our paintball we now

Bellrowan Valley Cruise Terminal Terminal Cruise The Thebest bestofofcontemporary contemporaryand andvintage vintageriver river Horse Riding cruises. cruises. Our large catamaran cruiser has

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■ Tuition before and during every ride Our Ourbeautiful beautifulauthentic authenticChinese ChineseJunk Junkhas has ■ Quality horses, beautiful scenery and river rivertrips tripsevery everyday dayon onthe theHastings HastingsRiver.

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Be ofof our hour friendly guides Freshly baked damper Belulled lulledon onone one■ ourtwo two hourtrips trips– – & either sh eitheraatasty tastyfifi sh&&chip chiplunch lunch cruiseorora a refreshments after every ride.cruise yummy yummymorning morningtea. tea.

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Indoor Rock Indoor Climbing&&Dark Dark Climbing Zone Laser Laser Zone

Over70 70diff diff erentclimbs climbstotochoose choose from Over erent from Fromages ages33and andup up From SaturdayNIGHTS NIGHTS--unlimited unlimited climbing and Saturday and laser laser7-10pm 7-10pm Dark Darkzone zonelaser laser==IMMENSELY IMMENSELYFUN! FUN! For info: 6581 3899 Formore more info: 6581 3899 www.centreofgravity.com.au www.centreofgravity.com.au 52 52Jindalee JindaleeRd, Rd,Port PortMacquarie Macquarie

Black Duck

Cruise Terminal Brewery

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The best of contemporary and vintage river Come down and relax at the brewery. cruises.

Our large, fast, modern cruiser Enjoy some cool tunes, some craft beer has three decks and plenty of space to on tap and local produce and nibbles. move around. Choose from one of our Why would you be anywhere else? river cruises: Bush BBQ, Eco History Cruise, Our cellar door hours are: Family Fun twilight Cruise.

■ Wednesday to FridayChinese 11 'til 6, Junk has Our beautiful authentic ■ Saturday andday Sunday 11 Hastings 'til 4. river trips every on the River.

Be■lulled oneyou of our hour trips Otheron times are two welcome by – either a tasty fish & chip lunch cruise or a appointment. yummy morning tea.

Call Al on: 0407 874 474 Sunset cruises also available, and some Address: 6b Acacia Port Macquarie. dolphin spotting onAve, all cruises!

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Black Duck

Phone: 6583 3058 or 0409 744 270 BREWERY & BAR Web: www.cruiseterminal.com.au Address: River end Clarence St, Port Macquarie

Coastal Skydivers ■ Small groups or private lessons We make surfing easy, fun and unforgettable

■ Kick start your surfing from $50

■ Jumps from 10,000 feet ■ Qualifi ed and friendly ■ Spectacular views instructors of the coast ■ All including ■ equipment Tandems &supplied, freefall courses

board hire phone: 0428 471 227 ■ Lots of support and encouragement web: www.coastalskydivers.com ■ 100% guaranteed FUN! email: jumpportmac@bigpond.com Phone: 6582 0114 Email: corey@soulsurfing.com.au Web: www.soulsurfing.com.au

Hydro Golf Golf &Hydro Putt-Putt & Putt-Putt

web: www.hydrogolf.com.au phone: 6583 3200 web:(02) www.hydrogolf.com.au

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greater port macquarie focus 53

focusinterview.

BILLABONG ZOO BLAKE AND BROOKE STONE

Blake and Brooke Stone have a love and dedication towards all animals. Being third generation zookeepers, they have a wealth of knowledge and experience, growing up at Billabong Zoo. Chrissy Jones chatted with them about life at the zoo.

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hat have your parents passed on to you over the years?

Blake: They have passed on a love of animals and nature in general. The information and knowledge that dad would have got from his parents, without using the phrase of learning from his mistakes, has proven priceless.

He has almost 40 years of experience in the zoo industry, and over 70 between them and Dad has passed on this knowledge to us. Being third generation we have both benefited from mum and dad’s passed experiences and knowledge.

When you leave school and look at finding a job or a career path generically you want to find something that you already like doing and preferably something that you are good at, something that you are not banging your head against the wall with. Because we had a lifetime of experience at the zoo, I knew that it was something that I liked to do and already was something that I was getting better at as each year went on.

Brooke: They have taught us to love and respect all animals which is the biggest thing for me. They have also allowed us to grow as individuals and to have Billabong Zoo as a family business, has opened the door to many opportunities for me personally. We are constantly learning from other keepers as well as in a classroom setting, which is pretty special.

Mum and Dad have always encouraged us to learn.

What’s the best thing about being a zookeeper?

Blake: Hopefully getting the message out to people about conservation and conservation based programs and how to get involved. Even if they don’t immediately go home and make a contribution, they might come back to the zoo 56 greater port macquarie focus.

Blake: There are a lot of experiences and and after a while, see the relationships we have memories I have. We have seen the rapid with the animals and the experiences that we growth of Billabong over the years and I know can pass on to them. Maybe the information will the hard work that has gone into it, specifically build up to them eventually doing something – for mum and dad but also everyone that has for example, they might take their been involved over the years. Brooke annual leave and donate and myself more than anyone else their time to helping a know and have seen from start to conservation cause. tly tan finish where the zoo came from Brooke: I love the ns co We are r he ot m and what it has now become. interaction with the fro g learnin m oo ssr cla a In the early days it had a small animals, something in as keepers as well . ial ec sp y ett bird collection with koalas, a you wouldn’t get pr setting, which is s ay alw couple of wombats and some ve with any other job. ha Mum and Dad ” . rn lea wallabies.

Now the collection To experience the to encouraged us includes many exotic animals animals at a much and is still growing. deeper level, when you Brooke: There are lots of work closely with them memories and life experiences I will you create a special bond. I cherish from growing up at the zoo. To find it very rewarding, giving our be so young and be able to always be around visitor’s an experience to remember and these amazing animals could never be matched. something they can take away with Training is really important to me no matter them. Conservation through education is so where you are or what you do. But we have important and something I am passionate about had this amazing ability through our parents to passing on through our keeper presentations. experience what we have through the animals.

What do you do at the zoo?

Blake: I work with all the animals, with the What’s your favourite animal? exception of the venomous snakes. As far as Blake: Generally everything new is where our a role or title goes, I am the zoos Operations attention is focused. So for a lot of us it would be Manager. I designate the day to day tasks for all the cheetahs at present. If I had to give a generic the keepers, I also run our volunteer programme answer – I like wild dogs, and the only wild dogs and I am the TAFE NSW liaison and whatever else in our collection are the dingoes at this stage, I is involved with animal education. also spend a fair bit of time with the red pandas Brooke: Basically, I also work with all of the and meerkats. animals, and again except for the venomous Brooke: I love all the animals equally, but snakes. I love working with the big cats and our as new animals arrive the excitement and new cheetahs are awesome. I spend a lot of my anticipation of their arrival is overwhelming. I spare time and after hours working and bonding have a passion for big cats but a special love for with our cheetahs. I, as well as most of our wombats, I think I got that from my mum. She keepers do a lot of enrichment work with our really loves wombats too. Recently I have been animals which keeps me always learning. working with Mimia our female Southern- Hairy What’s it been like growing up around the Nosed Wombat which is very rewarding. There is zoo? a lot of conservation work that should be done

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for our wild wombats, as the Northern- Hairy Nosed wombat will probably be the next animal to become extinct on the planet.

Have you undertaken any studies?

Blake: I attended Wauchope High, completing year 10 and going on to complete a certificate two in animal studies and a traineeship with Billabong Zoo. The following year I completed my captive animals certificate three then the year after that at age 18, I was approached

by Wauchope TAFE to teach animal studies certificate two. I taught my first class that year and also completed a certificate four in captive animals as well as a certificate four in training and assessment. I now teach at both Wauchope and Port Macquarie campuses, and this will now be my fifth year of teaching. We also receive students from Sydney, Kurri Kurri and Coffs Harbour for practical training at the zoo.

Brooke: I also went to Wauchope High, completing year 12 and undertook and completed animal studies certificate two with Blake as my teacher in year 11. My gap year saw me complete my vet nursing certificate through TAFE and I am now studying at Armidale University, doing my Bachelor of Zoology, completing my first year of three years, this year.

Every opportunity I get I return home to work at the zoo.

As brother and sister, how is it working together?

Brooke: As we have gotten older and have matured, we have gained respect for each other.

I have a huge amount of respect for Blake and what he has achieved in the zoo industry. Yes, we have gone slightly different paths but they have lead us to the same destination, to be able to work so close together is great. I think not only as brother and sister, but our entire family working together, makes us a much closer family for it, and I absolutely love that.

Thanks guys.

Billabong Zoo Billabong Zoo is delighted to announce the much anticipated arrival of our two cheetah brothers, Warrior and Vongani (the name means “to give thanks”). These brothers have travelled all the way from Cheetah Outreach in Cape Town, South Africa, and they’ve come with an important message.

The cheetah is well known for being the fastest land mammal, capable of reaching speeds of 100 km per hour - but they are losing their greatest race of all - the race of survival.

Since the turn of the century, their population numbers have dramatically declined from 100,000 animals down to as few as 10,000 today. They are rapidly losing their habitat and natural food sources, and this leads to regular conflict with farmers as the cheetahs are forced to hunt domestic prey. Warrior and Vongani are here to raise awareness and support for the conservation efforts being undertaken

by Cheetah Outreach and their livestock

guardian programme. A special thank you to our friends at Mogo Zoo, who quarantined our boys in Australia. Their arrival and official opening date coincided with the September school holidays.

Billabong Zoo is a great day out for the whole family, from our monster croc Shrek to our mischievous meerkats. We have animal presentations happening almost every half hour that are sure to keep the kids on their toes. For that truly unforgettable experience, why not book one of our personal animal encounters - feed a snow leopard, koala, meerkat or red panda, perhaps cuddle a penguin or a python; full details on our website. Hungry! Why not grab a bite to eat at the zoo café, try our chef’s porterhouse steak, homemade scones, biscuits and burgers, or a fresh ground coffee. Don’t forget our huge gift shop for that special memento. Check out our website, join us on face book, and remember, Billabong Zoo is the place for you!

Greater Port Macquarie, a beautiful and diverse region packed with things to do!

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n top of being one of NSW’s most spectacular and popular tourism regions you can enjoy an abundance of Tours and Attractions from the Beaches to the Mountains, the ocean to the forest, the town to the bush. Big attractions, small attractions, exciting ones and relaxing ones. Some for everyone, kids, families, couple and singles. All weather attractions, plus ones that are great for a rainy day!

52+ Things to do was created and is run by Mark Ennor from Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding, together with the region’s operators wanted to challenge the perception (mostly from locals) that “there’s nothing to do”. Locals are busy with their day to day lives and, unless they have visitors staying with them, aren’t looking for things to do as much as tourists would do. Unless they see an attraction or activity or hear about them they simply wouldn’t know about the abundance of activities on their own doorstep.

Now in it’s sixth year 52+ Things to do is a well known phrase known to most people

living here, no doubt nobody could name all 56 Tours & Attractions in GPM but at least they know there is LOTS TO DO here and they can easily find them by grabbing the brochure or browsing the listings on the website.

It has also been a real winner for tourists coming to GPM, they could grab a stack of brochures to go through or pick up one brochure with everything in one place, browse the category that suits them e.g Family Fun, Action & Adventure, Water Sports, Tours & Sightseeing, Food, Wine & Beers, Culture & Events, if they find something they like they have the information at hand to contact the operator for more info or go to their website.

The initiative has also brought the regions operators closer together by getting to know each other, sharing information and knowledge of the industry, networking and recommending each other.

So just go to the website or grab the brochure, browse the category that suits you and start ticking off the 52+ Things to do!

52+ Things to do! That's one for every week of the year! www.52things2do.com.au greater port macquarie focus. 57

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VANTAGE POINT S t

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STEVE PELEPCZUK ESTABLISHED HIS BUSINESS, VANTAGE POINT UAV, AROUND 18 MONTHS AGO. FLYING RPAS (REMOTELY PILOTED AERIAL SYSTEMS) OVER OUR LOCAL AREA, THE POSSIBILITIES FOR HIS BUSINESS AND THESE TYPES OF AIRCRAFT ARE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS! STEVE FILLS US ON SOME OF THE POTENTIAL USES OF HIS AIRCRAFT …

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i Steve. How long have you called the Greater Port Macquarie area home?

My wife and I moved to Port Macquarie from the Central West of NSW in 1997 and fell in love with the Port Macquarie lifestyle.

When and why did you establish your business, Vantage Point UAV? About 18 months ago I decided to start an aerial photography business, which was a progression from my interest in remote controlled vehicles. I then spent the next 12 months completing the Remote Pilot Certificate to obtain a licence to fly a RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial System), obtaining my Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operators Certificate (licence to operate commercially) and also completing training in using Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems for mapping and surveying.

Describe the various aircraft and camera setups you have available …

I am currently using a DJI Inspire 1 dual operator quadcopter, which is capable of recording video in 4 K and taking 12 mp photographs. Having the dual operator system means that while operating at tricky jobs, I can concentrate on flying the RPAS and have someone else control the camera to obtain the perfect shot.

I also use a Splashdrone (another quadcopter) which I have redesigned to suit a special need. The Splashdrone is fully waterproof - it can land in water and take-off from water, and it uses a GoPro Hero 4 camera in a waterproof case. When the Splashdrone is floating on the water, the camera sits about 10 cm under the surface, while still sending live video back to the operator.

Typically, what types of services do you provide clients?

I provide aerial imagery, including photography and videography to suit just about any application, from real estate to weddings.

I really enjoy making large panoramas of heli pad.

These rules pretty much put 90 percent of beautiful places around the Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie off limits; however, having the which involves taking a series of photographs commercial qualifications allows me to fly up (sometimes 16 - 20) and stitching them to the airport boundary, as long as I follow the together to produce one large image. correct procedures.

I have a wide format printer, which can print There have been a lot of stories in my images onto canvas and other media up to the media lately about shark attacks.

1.1 metres wide.

Some people have suggested that Remote inspections and asset remotely piloted aerial systems management is big at the moment, providing surveillance is as I can easily fly over a one possible solution building and inspect roofs, to warn swimmers gutters, solar panel and Having the dual and surfers of any air conditioner units, to operator system le potential threats name a few. By using means that whi ky jobs , operating at tric in the water. How my services, it takes e on I can concentrat d have feasible do you away the need to put an flying the RPAS rol believe this idea people in dangerous nt someone else co in the to be especially situations. ta the camera to ob when you factor in Aerial mapping perfect shot . ” the capabilities of the and 3D modelling is aircraft, running costs created by flying over an etc.? area of interest, taking many Over the last six months I have photographs (200 - 300) then developed my Splashdrone specifically using sophisticated software that can for shark monitoring as a cost effective produce highly accurate DEMs (Digital alternative to using manned aircraft to Elevation Models) for surveying. High monitor our coastline. My system comprises a resolution GeoTiff images are produced, which waterproof RPAS, controller, tablet computer can be overlaid onto Google Earth for high and video monitor. resolution mapping. Also from these images, The idea is to have one of my systems at 3D models of buildings and terrain can be each patrolled beach to be operated by either created, which are GPS accurate down to a a trained Council or Surf Life Saving staff couple of centimetres. member. I have designed the system to be fully At what altitudes are you able to operate autonomous, meaning a specific flight path is your aircraft? programmed into the Splashdrone to suit each There are quite a few rules and regulations location, and all the operator needs to do is by which all RPAS pilots need to follow; press start on the drone and it takes off and however, having the commercial qualifications flies its mission all the time, sending a live high means some of the rules do not apply to me. definition video feed back to the operator.

CASA rules state that you cannot fly higher If the operator spots something in the than 120 metres to maintain separation from water, they can take control of the drone and manned aircraft, you cannot fly over crowds fly it to take a closer look. If it turns out to and must remain 30 metres clear of any person be a shark, the beach goers can be warned not associated with the operation and must immediately. At the end of the mission, the not fly within 3 nm (5.5 km) of an airport or

“

RPAS will automatically return home and land.

My system does have an initial set up cost, but is far more feasible than using manned aircraft - which cost thousands of dollars per day to operate.

To set up surveillance such as this, what type of support would be required from government (all levels) and the public?

Over the past few months I have been involved in meetings with local Council and Surf Life Saving staff. I was directed to contact the Department of Primary Industries and have sent them emails on the subject.

I think lobbying the State Government will see a trial of using this system along our coastline beneficial, as it is cost effective and easy to operate in comparison to manned aircraft monitoring.

Technology is constantly changing and evolving, and no doubt new uses for remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS) will continue to come to light. Where do you see the future of the industry heading?

RPAS systems are evolving at a rapid rate.

Universities have already designed a computer programme which can be added to the RPAS which use algorithms to identify shadows in the water as possible sharks, which would take away the need for someone to be watching the monitor.

Large companies are also trialling drone delivery systems at the moment. I think we are at the start of a booming industry in the use of RPAS, with some very exciting times ahead for the RPAS industry.

Where can people find out more info about Vantage Point UAV? I have a website www.vantagepointuav. com.au which has a lot of information about my services and contact details. I also have a Facebook page set up, which is updated regularly: search for Vantage Point UAV Photography on Facebook.

Thanks Steve.

Interview by Jo Atkins. greater port macquarie focus. 59

WELLBEING W I T H S H E L L E Y L A I N G F R O M B E A C H S I D E M E D I S PA

W I T H J K H E A LT H C A R E

KEEPING YOUR HEALTH ON TRACK! Surviving the festive season relies on keeping your health on track. Here are some ideas from the Accredited Practising Dietitians at JK Healthcare to get you started: • Aim for a balanced diet with a wide variety of nutritious food and drinks.

• Include whole grains such as cereal, oats and rice.

• Have small amounts of “good fats”, such as nuts, seeds and olive oil.

• Include red meat, fish and chicken most days.

Include vitamin C with meals to improve iron absorption.

• Opt for lean meats + trim fat and remove chicken skin. Why not try legumes and lentils?

• Aim for adequate calcium intake, with 2 - 3 serves of low fat dairy daily or a suitable dairy

substitute.

• Limit alcohol consumption to no more than two standard drinks and ensure at least two alcohol free days. Try reduced alcohol varieties.

• Participate in physical activity most days of the week.

• Avoid skipping meals. Eat regularly and avoid junk food.

Make your goal to keep your weight the same.

Remember though … Christmas is only one day!

For a FREE newsletter, email admin@jkhealthcare.com.au Look for us on Facebook to get recipes! For an appointment in Wauchope, Lake Cathie or Port Macquarie, please ring JK Healthcare on 6583 7717.

TOP 10 ANTI-AGEING SKIN SECRETS 1. Vitamin A topically is scientifically proven to reverse the ageing process.

2. Vitamin B3 or Niacinamide topically to heal, hydrate and repair tissue.

3. Use sun block with a physical barrier e.g. zinc 365 days a year under makeup.

4. Restore lost facial volume with dermal fillers, collagen stimulators or fat transfer.

5. Use age defying matt mineral foundation, powder and eye primer to remove dark circles.

6. Reduce age spots, pigmentation and redness

by laser for an even tone, youthful skin.

7. Reduce top layer of epidermis by microderms and peels to reveal a shiny surface that will reflect the curves.

8. Stimulate collagen and fibroblasts with skin needling or RF to reduce wrinkles.

9. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, omega 3 foods, resveratrol vitamins, and keep hydrated.

10. One hour of exercise most days and yoga (with lots of down dog).

WITH HEARING CARE

HearingCARE

HEARING CARE IS A PROUDLY INDEPENDENT, PRIVATELY OWNED AUDIOLOGY CLINIC NOT SUBJECTED TO THE COMMERCIAL IMPERATIVES OF CLINICS OWNED BY HEARING AID MANUFACTURERS; OUR FOCUS IS SOLELY ON PATIENT OUTCOMES.

O

ur independence ensures we can offer all brands and styles of hearing aids to our clients, so they receive the best hearing solutions for their needs. This is our guarantee!

Being privately owned, it gives Alex Meares and Michael McIntosh the ability to establish deep relationships with the community through local support, donating generously to charities such as Legacy, local sporting groups, the local oncology unit, Lions, to mention a few.

Hearing Care does not conduct

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or support intrusive telemarketing practices, which allows our costs to be kept to a minimum on all our hearing devices. Nor do we operate on commissioned based sales or rent space to conduct testing at pharmacies or clubs. All these factors contribute to the cost of a particular device.

Feel free to call us for a quote on any hearing aid from any manufacturer we are sure you will be surprised at the savings! We offer a four week free trial period on all hearing aids, to ensure you are getting the right product for you and to ensure they stay out of the drawer and in your ear.

Veterans and Pensioners can benefit from the free services and excellent quality “free” hearing devices.

Private clients also benefit from low priced hearing devices and services, while gaining access to premium technology.

The team at Hearing Care look forward to welcoming you. Whether your hearing condition is new, long-standing or you have persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus), the first step is to call us on 6584 5899 for a free consultation.

NEW YEAR • NEW YOU

JK Healthcare JK Healthcare is owned by local Jodie Kennett, Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE). Working in the industry for over 20 years, she now has over 11,500 clients! The business includes Jessica Moss (APD) and Louise Schneider (Reception). We provide clear and realistic education regarding your dietary needs, including heart disease, cancer, bowel disorders, food allergies, and weight management.

A CDE advises on conditions such as Diabetes, Impaired Glucose Tolerance, Insulin Resistance, and glucose monitors. We also regularly conduct clinics at Wauchope and Lake Cathie.

New For 2016!

• Pump Info Sessions. These are great for people with Diabetes taking insulin, and interested in learning more about Insulin Pump Therapy. Insulin Pump Therapy helps people with Diabetes who are having multiple insulin injections each day. Gone are the days of eating to match your insulin - now your insulin matches your food!

• Diabetes Groups. For those concerned about their blood glucose levels, weight or who have Diabetes. Includes education and exercise in both Wauchope and Port Macquarie.

• Why not drop in and check out our new range of books?

For a FREE newsletter, subscribe by emailing admin@ jkhealthcare.com.au. Look for JK Healthcare on Facebook to get recipes! For more information, please contact Jodie Kennett on 6583 7717.

everyday nutrition A registered Master Trainer, with a Bachelor of Science/ Teaching and a Masters in Nutrition, Lisa Michele combines a wealth of experience in nutrition, health and fitness to provide a supportive, holistic nutrition and health practice. Lisa Michele’s Everyday Nutrition centres on education, and making things simple, fun and practical.

People learn differently, and it can be frightening and sometimes frustrating reaching out for help. Finding a professional who is genuine, understanding and personable is not always as easy as it should be. However, through a range of unique, client centred programmes that recognise that our relationships with food and exercise are more than skin deep, Lisa Michele is changing the face of nutrition practice and empowering her clients to take charge of their own wellbeing.

The boutique practice located near Port Macquarie’s beautiful Lighthouse Beach provides a comfortable, private setting for clients to take real steps towards achieving what may have been long-term, elusive health goals.

Lisa Michele also conducts health and fitness seminars in the Port Macquarie area aimed at helping organisations, employers and schools reap the benefits of improved engagement, learning and attention through improved nutrition knowledge and health.

greater port macquarie focus. 61

NEW YEAR • NEW YOU

Is your child Ready for school?

Undiagnosed vision problems can result in learning or behavioural difficulties for children as they struggle to focus at school. Research shows that one in four school students have a vision problem that could be hindering performance. The increase in vision problems seen today is a result of the fact that children are spending far more time doing visually demanding near tasks compared to their parents, with the widespread use of hand held devices and computers.

We recommend that all young children have a full eye examination before starting school, and at least every three years as they progress through primary and secondary school.

If your child has never had an eye examination, it should be a priority, as early detection and intervention is essential for best results.

SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR: • One eye turns when the child is tired or when concentrating • Frequent blinking or rubbing of the eyes, red or watery eyes • Sensitivity to light • Squinting when watching television or playing computer games • Tilting head noticeably when looking at things • Covering or closing one eye when reading • Reporting headaches or blurred or double vision • Difficulty learning to read • Books and hand held games held too close • Poor concentration and reduced attention span So don’t be complacent when it comes to your child’s vision and organise a visit with your local Eyecare Plus Optometrist. No referral is necessary, and consultations receive a rebate with Medicare.

Plus, get a FRee 2nd PaIR wIth youR InItIal PuRchase.

It’s haPPy new yeaR FRom us. *Conditions apply.

Port Macquarie: 95 william st – 6583 7333 29 horton st – 6584 3948

eyecareplus.com.au/Portmacquarie

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Wauchope: 6 Bransdon st – 6585 2393 eyecareplus.com.au/wauchope

Driving Assessment And rehabilitation service Promoting Road Safety and Maintaining Independence The ability to drive can be compromised by visual, cognitive, perceptual, psychological or physical impairments associated with illness, accident, congenital conditions or the ageing process. Determining the safety of a driver is a complex task performed by specially trained Occupational Therapists who have completed post graduate training in driver assessment.

The Occupational Therapy driver assessment involves a comprehensive off road (clinic based) and on road testing.

The purpose of the assessment is to determine whether the person has retained sufficient functional capacity to drive safely. The Occupational Therapist aims to enhance independent driving through the recommendation of licence restriction, provision of driving equipment and/or teaching compensatory strategies.

During 2015, DARS has assisted drivers who have presented with age related conditions, brain injury, Dementia, Autism Spectrum Disorders, spinal cord injury, vision deficits, neurological injury (strokes, MS, Parkinson’s Disease), amputees and clients with mental health conditions.

Individuals or family members can arrange a referral to DARS, or a referral can be organised through their Doctor.

Nick Neville and Michelle MacLeod would like to wish all our clients and referrers a very Happy New Year.

massagE At Port Macquarie massagE At Port Macquarie

“The real world” is a place where people have learned He Ling Ying is very much a “people to lower their(Ling) expectations, but it’s a worldperson”. far removed from theproven genuine warmth, care and honesty thatand best Utilising abilities, honed from years of training describesthe Hevery Ling Ying (Ling).

The practice, popular principal of hugely Massagepopular at Port principal of at Port to Macquarie totally Macquarie is Massage totally committed providing is the finest remedial committed providing the finest remedial or relaxation or relaxation to massage available anywhere, with honest “word massage anywhere. of mouth”available her investment for the future.

Highly qualified in Australia, as well as in her native China, As a masseur, Ling is highly qualified in Australia as well as Ling’s skills are quite unique, as she successfully combines in her native China. Her skills are therefore quite unique, as today’s recognised contemporary techniques with timeshe successfully combines today’s recognised contemporary honoured Chinese modalities to provide real assistance to techniques with time-honoured Chinese modalities to provide those with physical discomfort, sport, health or occupational genuine assistance to those with physical discomfort, sport, mobility issues, insomnia or even common fatigue. In fact, health or occupational mobility issues, insomnia or simply Ling’s loyal long-term clients are an ongoing testimony to her common fatigue. In fact, Ling’s loyal long-term clients are an outstanding level of care. ongoing testimony to her outstanding level of care. Approved Fully accredited by the Australian Association of Massage treatments are recognised by most major health funds, Therapists, Ling practices from her air-conditioned homewith clinic HICAPS providing instant rebates. in the Lighthouse Beach/Shelly Beach area, where parking Fully by from the Australian of Massage is justaccredited a few paces the door. Association Approved treatments are Therapists, practices herfunds, air-conditioned home clinic recognised Ling by most majorfrom health with HICAPS providing in the Lighthouse instant rebates. Beach/Shelly Beach area, where parking is just considerate surprisingly strong, Ling cares for aWarm, few paces from theand door.

Warm, considerate and surprisingly her clients male,for female, young- male, and not-so-young - with strong, she-cares her clients female, young and notcompassion, respect and always withand traditional Chinese so-young, with compassion, respect always with traditional courtesy courtesy and values.

Chinese and values.

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16/12/2015 7:18 pm greater port macquarie focus.

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greater port macquarie focus. 65

focusinterview.

A NEW YEAR IS UPON US, SO FORGET THOSE HALF-HEARTED RESOLUTIONS AND REALLY FOCUS SERIOUSLY ON YOUR HEALTH AND FITNESS, IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CONCERNS YOU! JAMES

TURNHAM - LIFEGUARD, FITNESS COACH, TRIATHLETE, AND ALL ROUND SUPER-BUSY GUY GIVES US SOME GREAT TIPS TO

c o a c h

HELP US KICK OFF 2016.

H

i James. What’s your connection to Port Macquarie - are you born and bred, or a “sea changer”?

I was born in Port Macquarie and grew up here. I’ve only ever left Port for a boarding school swimming scholarship for Years 11 and 12, a few years study at the University of Newcastle to do a HPE teaching degree, and a couple of summer lifeguard seasons in the USA. When did you first become interested in health and fitness, and what sports have you been involved with over the years?

I’ve always had an interest in health and fitness, especially growing up as a competitive surf life saver and swimmer, achieving numerous national and international titles. As soon as I finished high school, I began studying health and fitness to become a personal trainer, along with work as a professional ocean lifeguard. I also enjoy the odd triathlon, ocean swim and obstacle race.

I have a love of being active and working with children, which led to my decision to also study in Newcastle to become a health and physical education teacher. Whilst in Newcastle, I also gained qualification as a triathlon coach, and this enabled me the opportunity to coach an elite triathlon squad alongside my studies.

You’re not only an active competitor in events such as the Ironman, but you also 66 greater port macquarie focus.

I have a love of being active and working with to led children, which so al to on my decisi le to st ca ew N in study d an become a health n io at physical educ teacher.”

“

coordinate the Lifeguard Service for Port MacquarieHastings Council AND you operate your own business, JT Fitness and Coaching. How do you manage to juggles so many roles - and does being fit and healthy play a part in this?

Keeping fit and healthy plays a big part of it. Running the Lifeguard Service is a full-time seasonal role, and keeping fit and healthy is obviously an essential requirement of being a professional lifeguard.

The fitness sessions and coaching that I run are usually early mornings, and this forms a part of my own training as well. Along with other lifeguards in the service, we sometimes sign up for various events including the Ironman and fun runs. Signing up for events like this make our training more exciting and something to also look forward to socially.

Tell us more about JT Fitness and Coaching.

What types of sessions do you offer clients?

My sessions run out of a gym located on Flynn’s Beach - possibly one of the best gym locations anyone could ask for. My personal training sessions focus mostly on functional fitness - exercising that uses multiple muscles and joints at once that prepares the body for everyday, real-world activities. This makes for

challenging, effective and fun full-body workouts.

I will be running low cost beach fitness classes over summer, which everyone finds a great start to the day - especially with the sun rising over the beach. Coaching options are there for triathlon and multi-sport athletes, therefore specialising in swimming (including surf and open water), running, cycling, and board, kayak and surf-ski paddling.

Each Monday evening I also offer a free social run that meets at the Flynn’s Beach Surf Club, where we run a 5 km course. Anyone is welcome.

Given your work as a lifeguard and love of the surf, it only stands to reason that you’ve incorporated the beach into your coaching sessions. What’s involved with your beach classes?

They are kind of like a boot camp. There’s not too much need for equipment, and it’s easy to prepare fun and exciting fitness workouts on the beach. Of course, there are some stairs and soft sand shuttle runs, but I tend to incorporate mini workout challenges into the workout, if that makes sense.

What age and fitness level do people need to be/have to take part in your coaching sessions?

Personal training and coaching is open to

all fitness levels and ages. There’s some varied fitness levels amongst the beach fitness classes, but all workouts are scaled to suit each person.

At the start of a new year, many people are determined to improve their overall health fitness. What are some good tips you can give them to help get them started?

Make the most of the outdoors and start the day early if possible - it’s the best part of the day! Drink plenty of water during the day; I recommend a full glass before every meal as well. Obviously make sure you’re eating the recommended serves of a range of fruit and vegetables every day. Avoid sugar, and don’t go to the grocery store when you are hungry!

Some people also find it hard to keep their motivation levels high when they start a new health and fitness regime. What would you say to encourage these people?

Stick with it. It’s hard for any person beginning a new programme, but as your body adapts you will start to find it easier, and you will learn to be able to push yourself that little bit more each time.

How can people find out more about you, and your business?

All information can be found on my website www.jtfitness.com.au Anyone wishing to join in on our free running group, find us on Facebook under “So. Run.2444 - Social Runners Port Macquarie”, or contact me through the details on my website.

Thanks James. Interview by Jo Atkins.

greater port macquarie focus. 67

focus_interview

with Michelle Newman from Newman Communications

michelle newman

GRAEME LAWLOR

EVERY BODY PERSONAL TRAINING

W

hile many of us are still relishing the conditioning is a real passion. festive season, and all the eating, “The best change I see in people is when clients take up drinking and merriment that comes strength training and follow a meal plan not unlike a body along with it, others have their sights builder.” set firmly on their health and fitness Turning to a personal trainer to provide guidance, goals for the New Year. information and accountability can help people achieve their Personal Trainer Graeme Lawlor encourages goals. “For busy people it’s about getting the most out everyone to enjoy the holidays and then go of your training, and it can be a great release or with the 80/20 rule. time out from your busy life. For others, it’s “80% of the time eat as close to about having someone to listen without nature as possible and fill your diet with bias. People have usually tried many things We help lean and unprocessed foods. Drink and mostly failed. We help people to people plenty of water and exercise regularly. believe in themselves and show them to believe in The other 20% of the time, enjoy that they can do it!” themselves and whatever life brings.”

The day in the life of a personal trainer show them that Graeme became a personal trainer involves PT sessions, staff management, they can do it! ” 10 years ago and has conducted more sales, admin, book work and the than 40,000 personal training sessions occasional counselling session. in that time. Some of his clients have been “Empathy is the most important skill for a there since the beginning, and their regular PT. You have to be able to relate to everyone, sessions have become part of their weekly to be a good listener and also have the ability to routine. sometimes give people the harsh truth.”

A brick layer by trade, Graeme also ran a timber floor Helping people achieve their long term health goals business. He was involved in competitive sports which and improve their lifestyles to be fit and healthy is incredibly involved a lot of gym work and says becoming a personal rewarding for Graeme, who moved to Port Macquarie from trainer was a natural progression, especially as he loves helping Cronulla 13 years ago. people.

“Here we have time to be fit, healthy and active. I fish, “I initially studied for my Certificate 4 in fitness, and since mountain bike and try to surf. So Port is perfect.” then I’ve acquired several fitness related qualifications, from Every Body Personal Training is running a Fit Bit Challenge to working with the elderly to CrossFit qualifications.” help people stay on track in the New Year. If you’re up for the He trained in the gym for 24 years and competed in challenge, there will be loads of prizes, and best of all, great numerous body building competitions, so strength and results to be achieved. Call 6584 5001 for all the info.

“

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my Day 4:10am

Wake up and breakfast.

5:30am

Start my first Personal Training session.

11:00am

Finish up with my morning clients.

12:00pm

My own training.

1:00pm

Lunch at the Sushi Train.

2:00pm

Back to work for admin.

5:00pm

Some sales and follow up calls.

6:00pm

Off home to spend time with my family.

with Clairvoyant Terri Hall Phone. 0424 818 343

JANUARY 2016

with Terri

AQUARIUS. January 21 - February 19

Avoid concerning yourself with morbid thoughts of what you believe others are thinking of you. You are very capable of being extremely charismatic; you just need to occupy your thoughts with self-esteem and compliments.

Who cares what other people think? Rose Quartz is a powerful self loving crystal.

GEMINI. May 22 - June 22

Justice will finally be served to you. Anything that was unfair toward you in the last twelve months should be balanced. Become the answers to your fears, so you won’t need to challenge or face them. A nice feeling of ownership of your reality will be enjoyed soon. Ruby protects us from our fears.

LIBRA.

September 24 - October 23 You may have outgrown some of your old beliefs at present. Instead of feeling comforted by your beliefs, it is likely that you are feeling trapped in them. Do some debating with your beliefs and enjoy the change in every aspect of your life.

Citrine helps us to be objective and grow.

PISCES.

CANCER.

SCORPIO.

You may be feeling unsupported at present.

Identify any emotion you wish to feel externally and wake it up on the inside by breathing into it and igniting it. By becoming the answers to your fears, you will avoid facing them and having to challenge or grow through them. Ruby is powerful for inner strength.

Anything you put your nurturing into will grow and expand very quickly at present.

Play with your talents and watch your confidence grow. Relationships offer you the chance to mirror yourself and see how loving you are; acknowledge your kindness and enjoy the rewards.

Rose Quartz is the crystal of love.

Restless energies can be your motivational force at this time. Set some fresh goals and give yourself permission to achieve them.

Practice some self-love techniques, such as kindness to yourself in thought, and enjoy the change.

Malachite brings past hurts to our awareness for releasing.

February 20 - March 20

ARIES.

March 21 - April 20 Now is a great time to plan for completing a dream that you’ve carried for a long time.

Write a list of all the things needed to achieve your dream and take action; go and get something on your list so that when the opportunity arrives, you are prepared for it.

Have fun!

Clear Quartz is a wonderful motivator.

TA U R U S .

April 21 - May 21

It’s a great time to set some fresh goals.

Be aware of your motive, as this ensures no insecurities or fears will motivate your intention. Cater to the needs of your mind, body and spirit to guarantee a feeling of complete contentment. Selenite shatters fears and encourages positive energy.

June 23 - July 23

LEO.

July 24 - August 23 Love yourself as much as possible to release insecurities that might be playing with you at present. Give yourself permission to love and be loved fearlessly and feel that “Leo” passion revive your senses. This will bring peaceful, uncomplicated emotions back in to play.

Rose Quartz restores self-worth.

VIRGO.

August 24 - September 23 Avoid criticism, as this is washing back on yourself. You are very clever and have a natural charisma. Your energy is the first thing people experience when they are in your space, so be aware of what thoughts you are entertaining about yourself in company.

Turquoise is great for self-esteem.

October 24 - November 22

S A G I T TA R I U S .

November 23 - December 21

Relationships will provide ample opportunity for self-awareness and growth at present.

Enjoy a mutual project with a loved one and experience a newfound level of love. See your own divinity in your relationships for self-approval.

Rose Quartz is a beautiful loving crystal, helping us to feel our unconditional love.

CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20

Total change is likely to take effect. Your need to achieve your life’s purpose is on your agenda. Set some new goals and be realistic, then thank yourself for achieving. Selfappreciation is most beneficial for attracting new success.

Rose Quartz is the crystal for self-love.

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70 greater port macquarie focus.

BACK TO SCHOOL

readak Readak has proven methods which improve the way students learn, read, study and take exams. An internationally renowned programme, the Readak course is now available to students in grades 5 - 12 and students studying at tertiary level right here in Port Macquarie.

The Readak course offers a path to a successful academic future with its unique programme, which covers:

The key purpose of the Readak course is to provide students with the skills, tools and habits to be an effective, efficient, independent and confident learner, no matter the subject.

• Time management and organisation skills • Reading and comprehension skills • Note taking • Study skills • Essay planning • Exam preparation • Exam taking strategies • Tips on how to alleviate test anxiety

In today’s fast paced and highly competitive world, students face more educational challenges than ever before.

The Readak Advanced Learning Skills course is an essential academic resource for lifelong learning.

is the difference www.readak.com.au

greater port macquarie focus. 71

BACK TO SCHOOL

BACK TO SCHOOL

by Alyson Gainsford

Seems like you just get through Christmas, spending time with relatives and friends, a short break, celebrate the New Year, a few New Year’s resolutions to kick start 2016, before the flood of “back to school” campaigns hit early January.

E

verywhere you look, you see back to school promos, from books, pens, pencil cases, lunch boxes, shoes and bags. By the end of January, some parents are only too happy to see an end to the school holidays, feeling stressed, bored nagging kids, squabbling siblings, and free childminding services taking its toll on grandparents, who are now in need of a holiday of their own. Your view of teachers has changed to saints, after spending school holidays with your own kids, and the thought of throwing an additional 20 30 kids into the mix is unthinkable!

For some parents, however, 2016 marks a special milestone in their family, with a child transitioning from home, daycare or preschool to big school for the very first time. In 2016, more than 615 kids will be starting kindergarten in Port Macquarie. Our son, Jake, is one of these kids, transitioning from Goodstart Early Learning after more than four years to Tacking Point Public School.

Starting school can be an exciting and special time for parents and kids - a time where you reflect on your own school experiences and others; it can also be a time that creates discomfort, anxiety and stress for families. Our family is no exception; however, our experience has been made easier with excellent transition to school programmes focusing on literacy and numeracy, confidence building and social

72 greater port macquarie focus.

activities to scheduling lunch box days and been’.”. introducing books such as First Day Jitters.

“So vulnerable, innocent and cute. Big Jake also visited his new school as part of days, tired when they finish, sleep on the a Teddy Bears’ Picnic and staged four week way home, and the first year went so fast.”

Orientation Programme. These activities “Being on canteen and watching {my} provided an opportunity for kids to explore child sitting all by herself in the playground. their new school environment Painful. When my last born started, from the playground to I went shopping and kept classrooms, engaging in reaching for a little hand fun activities, meeting that was not there.” s, For some parent teachers, making “I remember my son however, 2016 new friends in a retelling me to stop in marks a special family, laxed and comfortthe drop off bay and r ei milestone in th ng ni able space, whilst let him out. ‘I'm a big tio si an tr with a child or e ar parents mingled boy now, so you can yc da e, from hom ol ho sc g over morning tea. leave’!” bi to l oo presch time. ” With the tran“Tiny little people in for the very first sition to school just oversized uniforms and around the corner, I was hats.” curious to hear other par“I followed the bus from ents’ experiences about first days school to home to make sure my of school. These conversations were son got on and off the bus safely.” diverse, colourful, funny and at times “My daughter smiled and waved goodemotional. This is what some parents bye to me. She was fine; I wasn’t. I sat and shared with me: cried my eyes out.”

“I wouldn’t leave; I stood outside the “We made it through the first day. One school for hours, until a teacher came and day down, and 13 years to go.” said I should go home. That was my baby Without a doubt, starting school is a boy I was handling over to strangers for big milestone that brings about significant the first time. I was there so much, they change, mixed emotions and experiences for kids, siblings, parents and extended gave me a job.” family. Here’s my 30 Top Tips and Resourc“I ran home on my second day of es to Help with Transition and Back to school, and my mum got a nice shock to School, download available at: find me knocking on the door. She said, www.transitiontoschool.com.au ‘You should be at school’, and I said, ‘I’ve

“

Congratulations Class of 2015

From the Principal

LEFT TO RIGHT: Back Row Aaron Nebauer, Aneeka Brownsberger, Maxwell Tooby, Thomas Carney, Stella Hannock, Curtis Brims, Aaron Bull, Nico Muhmenthaler, Joshua Vardanega Fifth Row Mr Terry Muldoon (Principal), Paul Galloway, Kurt Smith, Angus Hone, Isaac Rikmanis, Eli Blue, Alexander Bolton, Aidan Howard-Chen, Esteban Duran, Alex Kroon, Lachlan Philpott, Alexander Burnett, Mr Allan Guihot (Head of Secondary), Mrs Shelly Kelly (Year Patron) Fourth Row Shenae Bignell, Nathan Burgess, Lachlan Hill, Nicola Reardon, Dylan Brotherston, Daniel Younghusband, Matthew Gregory, Andrew McDonald, Benjamin Black, Jordan Duckworth, DanaJade Dunn, Aaron Oppedisano, Joshua Perrett, Michael Dimuantes Third Row Imogen Shoesmith, Jessica Heazlewood, Christie Clark, Alexis Strumolo, Alisha Woods, Jasmyn Lee, Alexandria Lahey, Rebekah Badman, Naomi Brown, Chloe Sloane, Madeline Turner, Kaitlin Forster, Sinead Purcell, Jayden McGrady Second Row Calum McArthur, Sarah Parker, Rachel Worcester, Tomika Adams, Evangeline Roebuck, Henry Ausling, Brandon Stewart, Sarah Cooper, Brock Thomson, Amber Jenkins, Michelle Lay, Olivia Seller, Aidan Guest, Matthew Crowley Front Row Mikaela Toms, Abbie Stoner, Colleen Doyle, Georga Goldsmith, Laura Job, Olivia Grant, Claudia Bastable, Kate Jonasson, Rebecca Gray, Alyce Robins, Emily Smith, Riley Gaul, Sarah Harrison, Nicole Miall, Ashleigh Benson

Outstanding HSC Results

JOSHUA VARDANEGA

LACHLAN PHILPOTT

ALEX KROON

ATAR OF 97.50 Distinguished Achievers List

ATAR OF 97.20 Winner of the 2015 SCAS Award

ATAR OF 95.95 Top Achievers List 9th in State in Business Studies

RACHEL WORCESTER

ATAR OF 95.75 Top Achievers List 15th in State in Business Studies

MICHAEL DIMUANTES

ANDREW MCDONALD

STELLA HANNOCK

MAXWELL TOOBY

ATAR OF 99.85

Winner 2015 Dux HSC All Rounders 2nd in State in Legal Studies

RILEY GAUL

ATAR OF 94.70 Distinguished Achievers List

ANEEKA BROWNSBERGER ATAR OF 93.75 Distinguished Achievers List

ATAR OF 94.65 Distinguished Achievers List

SINEAD PURCELL

ATAR OF 93.50 Distinguished Achievers List

Find us on Facebook www.fb.com/scasinfo

ATAR OF 95.65 Distinguished Achievers List

In a world that so often critiques young people for the many perceived failings of “today’s youth”, the SCAS Class of 2015 shines as a beacon of positive energy and potential.

Their multiple successes in study, leadership, sport and cultural pursuits, as well as their development as young adults make them prime candidates for success in their post-school world.

As individuals and as a group this class truly represents the School’s aspiration Mr Terry Muldoon for its graduates.

Principal SCAS Graduates will: • Display, by their words and actions, a positive, Christian view of the world and their place in it.

• Understand that while they should be valued as an individual, their willingness to serve their community, now and in the future, will be a key to their continued growth.

• Have been shaped by the ethos and actions of the school and in turn, have played a role in the evolution of the school community towards greatness.

• Have been offered access to an education that not only allowed them to reach their academic potential but also provided them with the access to the knowledge and skills required to successfully enter the next phase of their lives as lifelong learners who are erudite, optimistic and disciplined.

• Understand the vital nature of change in the world and are prepared to face this reality with confidence and resilience.

• Be exposed to and given the opportunity to develop such 21st Century skills as agility, creativity and an ability to work collaboratively with others.

• Have developed leadership skills so that by their great and small actions, they will have the potential to make the world a better place.

• Stay connected with SCAS after they leave and be able to feedback to the school what they liked, what they have learnt and how we can improve.

From the Head of Secondary School The School Council, Principal and staff of St Columba Anglican School wish to acknowledge the excellent Higher School Certificate results of the Class of 2015. The students of the 2015 cohort have performed at an outstanding level and deserve warm congratulations. The class of 2015, our 9th Higher School Certificate candidature, have improved upon the proud academic tradition of the School, building on the achievements of those who came before them.

The statistics for the Class of 2015 tell the story with over 53% of students’ results in the top two performance Bands. This year’s cohort achieved excellent results across a range of Higher School Certificate subjects .

Mr Allan Guihot Over 15% of SCAS students appeared in the Distinguished Achievers List, a result which has seen SCAS improve its position in the top 100 Head of Secondary schools to 93rd (source SMH 16.12.15), making it the top performing regional school.

Some subject results of note include: 86% of students in Design and Technology achieved Band 6 results; 67% of the Dance students achieved Band 6 results; 60% of students studying Music 1 achieved Band 6 results; 50% of the Drama students achieved Band 6 results. Four students achieved State rankings in the Top Achievers List; Riley Gaul - 9th in Business Studies; Henry Ausling - 4th in Construction; Joshua Vardanega - 2nd in Legal Studies and Rachel Worcester - 15th in Business Studies.

Joshua Vardanega, the School Assessment Dux, placed in the HSC All Rounders List, achieving Band 6 results in 10 units or more. Joshua added to his Band 6 result from last year in Software Design and Development with Band 6 results in English, Legal Studies, Biology, Chemistry and Extension English. Our warm congratulations go to Joshua as he heads off to Sydney University to hopefully study a combined Law degree.

The recipient of the 2015 SCAS Award (recognising excellence in a range of academic, leadership, sporting and cultural pursuits), Alex Kroon, also enjoyed academic success, achieving Band 6 results in four subjects including Chemistry, Extension 1 Mathematics, PDHPE and Physics. Alex hopes to study Engineering in 2016.

A number of our students have been nominated for excellence in HSC subjects: SCAS received 7 nominations for HSC Dance ‘Callback’, with Imogen Shoesmith, Amber Jenkins and Alexis Strumolo being asked to perform at next year’s showcase; Tomika Adams, Maxwell Tooby, Kate Jonasson and Olivia Seller were nominated for HSC ‘DesignTech’; Aneeka Brownsberger was nominated for HSC Drama ‘On Stage’ and Stella Hannock for HSC Music ’Encore’. We congratulate these students on their outstanding achievement.

A large number of the class of 2015 will matriculate to university studies in 2015/16. Some 25% of our students have already received offers of early acceptance into the University of New England, Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross University, the University of Canberra and the University of Wollongong.

Overall candidates received Band 6 results across twenty three different subject areas in 2015 – Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Community and Family Studies, Construction, Dance, Drama, Design and Technology, Advanced English, English Extension 1, Hospitality, Legal Studies, Mathematics General, Mathematics Extension 1, History Extension, Music 1, Music 2, Music Extension, PDHPE, Physics, Society and Culture, Textiles and Design and Visual Arts.

We congratulate the class of 2015 and wish them well for what lies ahead of them.

Congratulations on the outstanding achievements of our HSC students across the areas of Design & Technology, Dance, Drama and Music

ATAR OF 93.90 Distinguished Achievers List

HENRY AUSLING

4th in State in Construction Distinguished Achievers List

Follow us on Twitter @scasinthecloud

TOMIKA ADAMS

KATE JONASSON

OLIVIA SELLER

MAXWELL TOOBY

STELLA HANNOCK

ANEEKA BROWNSBERGER

Nominated for HSC ‘DesignTech’

Nominated for HSC ‘DesignTech’

Nominated for HSC ‘DesignTech’

Nominated for HSC ‘DesignTech’

Nominated for HSC Music ‘Encore’

Nominated for HSC Drama ‘On Stage’

AMBER JENKINS

Nominated for HSC Dance Performing at ‘Callback’

A World of Opportunities...

The School Office re-opens on Monday 11th January 2016 from 8.00am to 4.00pm daily for enrolment enquiries for 2016 and beyond.

IMOGEN SHOESMITH

Nominated for HSC Dance Performing at ‘Callback’

ALEXIS STRUMOLO

Nominated for HSC Dance Performing at ‘Callback’

SHENAE BIGNELL Nominated for HSC Dance ‘Callback’

St Columba Anglican School 3 Iona Ave, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 T: 02 6581 4188 F: 02 6581 4190 E: info@scas.nsw.edu.au W: www.scas.nsw.edu.au

BACK TO SCHOOL

YEAR 40 S

BJP PHYSIE in the hastings

Where girls and women come together to dance their way to confidence.

PHYSIE IS - Hip Hop, Ballet, Contemporary, Pilates, Aerobics, Jazz & FUN!

C

an you tell us what clubs and areas are represented in BJP Physical Culture?

BJP Physical Culture is an Australian wide organisation, with clubs predominately in NSW and QLD. Clubs are also now in Victoria, South Australia, and there are two located in Perth. It really is a growing sport and has been around for a very long time. BJP physie started back in 1933, and over the past 15 years has come leaps and bounds with choreography and growth within each region. There are four BJP physie clubs locally: Bonny Hills, Camden Haven, Port City United and Wauchope. Wauchope & Port Macquarie have been operating for 40 years with Camden Haven celebrating 35 years last year.

There were 44 girl/ladies who made it through to the National Finals in November 2015. Tell us about this ...

Each year the clubs from this area travel to Coffs Harbour in October to compete in the

74 greater port macquarie focus.

district level championships. For girls aged between 6 - 14 if they place in the top five in their age group, they are then eligible to compete at the Junior National finals held in November at the States Sports Centre in Homebush. We had 28 girls make it down to Sydney from this area to compete at that level last year and from the 28 that headed down, four made it through to the top 18 in Australia and Stephanie from Wauchope placing 5th in her age group. For our ladies who compete, the same applies for them - top five placing in Coffs Harbour then through to The Ladies National Finals, also held in Homebush.

In 2015 there were seven ladies from this area who made it through, with Heidi from Bonny Hills making the top 18 in Australia.

Our senior girls (aged 15 - 33) have a different set up for qualifying for the national level; they go directly to Sydney, where they compete for the top 15 in their age section (top 30 for 15 18 years). Once they reach this level, they then compete for the National Title at the Sydney Opera House; we had nine girls/ladies compete

for this title last year. Two of the girls placed in their age sections; Bailey Innes 5th and Kristelle Innes 2nd.

What makes BJP Physie different to other sports for young girls and women?

Physie uniquely combines dance and sport, with both team and individual competitions available to those who desire to compete. There is nothing quite so rewarding as working together as a team and celebrating a common achievement. That’s why women do Physie for life - because it’s not only a sport or a great bunch of women meeting up every week, it’s an activity that makes you feel and look good - inside and out. Physie isn’t just about dancing or competitions though; Physie is about empowering girls with the skills to become confident, strong women. It’s about getting fit and healthy and having a place where you feel encouraged, supported and valued. With great role models to look up to, Physie girls learn about positive body image from a young age. They’re taught to embrace fitness as a way of life and focus on what their bodies can do, rather than

how they look.

You’ve mentioned that BJP physie is for girls and women of all ages; can you elaborate on this?

Yes, classes are structured by age group. Our preschool class or physie fairies as we like to call them are for girls 3 & 4 years. Our Junior classes are ages 5-14 years, with senior girls starting at age 15 years through to over 28 years, there is no age restriction on the senior girls class however once you turn 18 you have the option of joining the ladies class which is divided up into beginner, novice and open. Open ages go right through to over 53 years.

All the choreography is age sensitive, modern and works on skills such as rhythm, coordination, flexibility, strength, grace and of course fitness.

How can our readers find out more?

Classes will begin in February for most of the schools in the area. You can contact me on 0447 157 340 to find out where classes are held closest to you.

Thanks Annette.

BACK TO SCHOOL

CSU Extravadance

Twinkle toes and mini men

Fun, Family Friendly and Affordable!

If this is what you are looking for, then ExtravaDance Studios is the school for you! ExtravaDance has had an amazing 2015, with students again receiving 100% pass rate in their annual RAD Classical Ballet Exams, and is ready to explode into 2016!

Classes are held in fully equipped professional Studios in Port Macquarie and Wauchope, with qualified, fun and friendly teachers and offer classes for all ages in Pre School Ballet/ Jazz, Classical Ballet (RAD), Hip Hop/ Break Dance, Tap (LGTGA), Jazz/Funk, Contemporary and AcroDancer.

Come and experience the ExtravaDance difference.

You will see that we are different - every dancer is given the same opportunities and forms a special part of the ExtravaDance family. ExtravaDance prides itself on building self-confidence and team work that doesn’t revolve around competition.

Classes start from as little as $8, with dance packages and family discounts available. Students interested in performance are able to be a part of our Performance Classes and have private lessons with any ExtravaDance teacher.

Enrol now for 2016. Come and join the ExtravaDance family for fun, fitness, friendship or fame! You will love what we do!

If you have a little one at home with energy to burn, get them into dance in 2016!

With classes to explore for all ages, Twinkle Toes & Mini Men at Port Macquarie Performing Arts provide dance classes for kids who love to move.

Watch as your little girl twirls like a princess, see her flitter flutter with her butterfly wings. Watch your little man hop like a kangaroo, stomp like a dinosaur and kick like a karate king.

See them both explore the depths of their imagination with each class they attend. Along the way, your child will develop new skills, become more confident working with other children and learn how to express themselves through expert guidance and individual attention.

They will love the story-telling and creative dance exploration, along with singing, acting and developing skills to stimulate their coordination and development.

With classes every morning (except Sundays) in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Bonny Hills, watch the smile your child’s face grow as they experience the magic of dance at Twinkle Toes & Mini Men at Port Macquarie Performing Arts. Classes start from $5 - lots of classes to choose from for kids walking age and above. Enrol online at pmperformingarts.com to secure your place for 2016, or register on our website for your free trial!

After buying a new home in Port Macquarie two years ago, Adam and Rachel thought about renting out the third bedroom to help pay off the mortgage.

However, they still wanted an empty house over Christmas time for family.

“It wasn’t until a friend suggested renting the room out to a university student that we’d even considered it,” Adam recalls.

Finding a Charles Sturt University (CSU) student provided the perfect solution.

“We went online and added our room to the listings on csu.studystays.com. It’s free, and you can upload photos.

We ended up with a lovely girl from Tamworth, studying paramedics,” says Rachel.

“She goes home for the holidays, leaving us plenty of space for family to visit over Christmas, plus she is returning to rent from us in 2016!”

With more that 600 new and returning students arriving in Port Macquarie to study at university in 2016, CSU is inviting enquiries from people wishing to rent rooms to students, and students looking to rent a room or to share accommodation.

Visit: csu.studystays.com to register your property for rent or contact Kristy on 6582 9345 or accommodationpmq@csu.edu.au

greater port macquarie focus. 75

BACK TO SCHOOL

PAUL

KING HASTINGS SECONDARY COLLEGE

Meet Paul King and his team of highly skilled and dedicated Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) staff from Hastings Secondary College (Westport Campus). This year’s crop of TAS students have achieved excellent HSC results, courtesy of a lot of hard work, perserverance and talent on their part, and also thanks to the excellent facilities at the college …

Paul Finnerty, Paul King & Roger McClintock

H

i Paul. What’s your role at Hastings Secondary College, Westport Campus?

My role is that of Head Teacher of Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) and I oversee a staff of seven highly qualified and experienced professionals.

How long have you held this position, and what’s involved with your role?

I’ve been a head teacher for 13 years and have been teaching for 23 years. The Industrial Arts staff has a combined total of 80 years teaching experience. We work well together as a coordinated team.

Roughly how many students (and from which years/grades) do you teach?

We teach every student in the school at some stage of their schooling. Students in Years 7 and 8 study two years in TAS subjects, with one of those in Industrial Arts. In Years 9 and 10, students can elect to study Industrial Technology Timber, Industrial Technology Multi Media/Photography, Industrial Technology Metal, Industrial Technology Electronics, Graphics Technology, Information Software Technology or Year 10 Metals Manufacturing Pathway, which is a VET course.

By Years 11 and 12, students who have developed a taste for Industrial Arts can further their studies in Industrial Technology Timber, Multi Media or Graphics. Vocational courses are offered for career minded students in Certificate II in General Construction and Certificate I in Metals and Engineering.

Describe the state of the art equipment you have on site - particularly the computerised metal lathe and router. What makes this equipment so special?

We were fortunate to be one of the small number of successful schools in NSW to have a state of the art Metal and Engineering Trade Training Centre built on site in 2012, which came fully equipped with industry standard equipment, including the latest welding, machining and manufacturing equipment.

On top of this we have a computer numerically 76 greater port macquarie focus.

Tahlia Sheather, Lachlan Bennison, Georgia Hamilton, Braden Clarke, Kyah Griffin and Tegan McCauley. controlled CNC lathe. Students can design and skill known as “computational thinking” due to draw on a computer, and then have the lathe their increasing use of technology both in school machine the article. We are also excited about and in their private lives. This skill allows them having a CNC router, which is very versatile. It to understand and use new technology quite allows students to draw patterns and shapes, quickly and easily. and it then machines these intricate designs by You have had some outstanding students routing and engraving what they drew. who have been involved with Industrial We have been using 3D printers in the Arts classes at the College. What have been school for nearly four years. Students not only some of their achievements? embrace the technology, but they like to push Every year our TAS results in the HSC are the boundaries of what is possible. When senior consistently well above the state average, with students are planning their major several students attaining a top projects, they now design items three placement in the state. to take advantage of these Numerous students over machines’ capabilities. the years have been As a result As a result of becoming selected to have their g of becomin competent in these work displayed at the e es th competent in ts technologies, students annual InTech display, en ud st , es gi technolo ed are better prepared which is an exhibition ar ep pr r tte are be d an for the design and of exemplary works gn si de e th for manufacturing industries throughout the state. manufacturing they when they leave school.

This year is no industries when .” ol ho sc What are some of the exception, with some leave tasks completed or objects outstanding results that have been made by achieved: 73% of students students using this high tech studying Industrial Arts subjects machinery?

(Industrial Technology Timber, Industrial There’s an endless list of tasks that students Technology Graphics, Industrial Technology can achieve. These include prototyping and Multi Media, Metal & Engineering and modelling design ideas, complex inlaying, Construction) achieved a Band 5 or above, and intricate rosettes and carving from computer this included six Band 6s, Lee Hume’s multimedia drawings. The HSC classes add extra design project being selected in the 2016 InTech Display, layers to their major projects using these high and Josh Bennison coming first in the state in tech machines.

Metal Engineering.

Typically, how much time would it take Industrial Arts may still be considered by the average student to learn to use this some people to be a male-dominated field. machinery - is it very complex, or difficult to What are your thoughts about this: are master? you finding that more girls are becoming Elementary working knowledge of the interested in metalwork, woodwork and computerised lathe can be achieved in about other related activities these days?

10 minutes. Students generally learn how to Yes, Industrial Arts has traditionally attracted use these machines very quickly. They develop a mostly boys. That has been gradually changing

“

in recent years. For example, next year in Year 9 Timber, there are 17 girls out of a group of 40 students and three of the 20 studying Metal are girls. We expect this trend of more girls becoming involved in Industrial Arts subjects to continue, as girls realise that it is not so much about timber and metal in the traditional sense, but it is becoming more and more linked to computer design and manufacturing. Most of the girls who take these subjects excel, as they tend to be very precise and display attention to detail.

How do you feel the Industrial Arts programmeat Hastings Secondary College helps to equip students for a future career?

As well as developing skills and getting experience in current modern manufacturing techniques, our students will be given further opportunities with the introduction of “STEM Academies” at both campuses at Hastings Secondary College. There is a national drive to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We are introducing STEM as a stand-alone subject, where students who have an interest and a flair for these disciplines can apply for entry to one of these academies to spend more time exploring their interests in project style, individualised learning.

This year (in 2016) we are introducing a STEM Academy for Years 7 and 8 and for Years 9 and 10 the following year. We are working collaboratively with our colleagues at Port Macquarie Campus to develop skills and strategies to give our students the best new and individual way of studying.

Finally, let me add that we are already exploring robotics, and we hope to increase our involvement in robotics as part of the STEM Academy. The future looks bright for all our students.

Thanks Paul.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS: HIGH ATARs Laura McMahon 97.75 James Searle 97.70 Courtney Dudgeon 97.40 Seamus Dempsey 97.15 Liam Pikett 96.65 Jayden Hunter 96.60 Cameron Gan 96.45 Jack Titterington 95.85 Priyanka Schuetz 95.70 Bryce Cunning 95.65 Sophie Hughes 95.60 MACKILLOP COLLEGE A Ocean Drive, Port Macquarie T (02) 6583 2632 E pmac@lism.catholic.edu.au

Bianca McKinlay Sarah Smith Olivia Bentley Kaitlyn Sichter Alicia Myhill Karla Martin Olivia Tostivint Samuel Langley Tennille Johnson Eleanor Wright Tomislav Sindija Isabella Flannery Ashley Thompson

95.50 95.45 95.30 95.15 94.80 94.75 93.75 93.45 93.40 92.30 91.60 91.50 91.40

Miller Shore Bronte Van Dervelde Jaimie McNulty Hannah Vogel Abbey McKell Caleb White Connor Doherty

90.70 90.70 90.65 90.50 90.35 90.20 90.05

Standard English state ranking (out of 31,695 students): Tennille Johnson 4th Kaitlyn Sichter 14th

ST JOSEPH’S REGIONAL COLLEGE A College Drive, Port Macquarie T (02) 5525 4100 E sjrhport@lism.catholic.edu.au

NOMINATIONS & SELECTIONS ArtExpress (Visual Arts) Seamus Dempsey Jordan Denley Danya Gobius Riley Holland Michaela O’Donovan OnStage (Drama) Kathleen Fingleton Olivia Tostivint Christopher Treeves

Industrial Technology Nicholas Brown Oscar Ford Joseph Gaynor Thomas Hooper Joshua Lawrence Callback (Dance) Hayley Coenraad

www.sapss.nsw.edu.au greater greaterport portmacquarie macquariefocus. focus. 77 3

BACK TO SCHOOL ‘Develop me’ Contemporary program

ME

ET

JOANNE ROW

AN

MOVEMENT STUDIOS

Evolve your individuality

Creative, passionate, innovative, personable, hard working and experienced. These are just a few words used to describe the teaching staff and students from Movement Studios.

L

ed by their founder Joanne Rowan, who has one of the most diverse training backgrounds, including a BA in contemporary dance, Pilates instruction, personal training, sports coaching, stage management and lighting design, choreography and her newly added role as a life coach behind her, the students and teachers at Movement Studios really do get the best of all worlds!

Always looking to expand and grow, Movement will now be offering three of their highly popular programmes: “discover me” - for preschoolers, “Urban Flavorz” - hip hop programme and “Develop Me” Contemporary programme to Port Macquarie residents alongside their fully functional Laurieton Studio.

All programmes have been five years in the making and continue to evolve to bring students the best and most current industry experience, says Jo. What type of experience will students have with Movement?

Movement students experience unique training; our focus has brought us to

78 greater port macquarie focus.

concentrate on participating in workshops Movement students are encouraged to all over Australia, bringing in highly develop their own style, push any perceived renowned guest teachers, participating in boundary, or limitation, given extensive all performance opportunities available to anatomy training and goal setting us, learning about all facets skills. These are the skills that of staging, choreographing and will serve them well into developing works. And of their adult life and into course, developing our a professional career We are not a bodies, skills and minds if they so choose. petition m co through advanced and What are the use of school , and beca able leading edge forms choreographers en this we have be om of technique in all areas of today looking fr s cu fo to shift our to , te pe of dance, movement for? m co to training rs be em m r and performing arts.

Dancers with ou ng traini .” ce an m or rf What makes your individuality, pe r fo studios unique ? well rounded in We are not a competition different dance styles school, and because of this we and creative expression. have been able to shift our focus Extensive anatomical from training to compete, to training our understanding of their bodies members for performance. Competition will and how they move in space. You just always have a place in the dance world, and need to have a quick look at last year’s the best thing to come out of competition production of Genesis by Marko Panzic’s is the performance experience. This is what - Dream Dance Co, or any work coming we are focused on. Many professional out of Transit Dance or SDC (Sydney Dance dancers have never set foot into eisteddfods.

Company) to see what’s coming our way.

“

This is the future for contemporary and commercial urban dance.

We heard that you have something special for dancers coming our way in January ... What is it ?

Yes we do! “Staging Ground”. We have a cast of amazing urban and contemporary instructors coming to Port, alongside two of Movement’s own instructors. These guys are super connected and working in the industry, including ex artistic director of Bangarra Bernadette Walong-Sene.

How do we book ?

Through eventbrite. Just type in eventbrite - “staging ground” into Google, and you’re off and running!

Back to your classes in Port and Laurieton …How do we enrol for these ?

Just hit our website: movement-studios. com and one of our staff members will personally be in touch with you within 24 48 hours. Port classes will be operating on Thursdays. Both studio’s timetables will be available on our website.

Happy New Year everybody, from Jo and the Team @ Movement. x

BACK TO SCHOOL

Give your child the gift of learning in 2016 Begin Bright is a School Readiness and Primary Tutoring Centre. Our motto is to “let no child ever come to us without leaving happier, smarter and more confident”. We believe that learning is fun for everyone when you Begin Bright.

literacy programme. Children are introduced to

Begin Bright offers a range of educational services and products for children aged two to 12 years old.

or 60 minute sessions. Programmes are

Programmes available:

Group Tutoring Sessions

Two Year Old Craft Weekly classes are designed to play with purpose. They are filled with fun and educational learning activities around age appropriate concepts.

Small group tutoring sessions of 3 - 4 children

School Readiness Classes Children attend classes for only one hour per week. We introduce children to phonemic awareness and synthetic phonics through our

School Holiday Workshop

numbers and numerical concepts through a fun and exciting programme.

Individual Tutoring Sessions Tutoring is available for 30 minute, 45 minute individualised and are designed around your child’s area of need.

are available for literacy and numeracy consolidation or extension. These one hour group tutoring sessions are stage based, and children work collaboratively and individually.

Science and Craft school holiday workshops are every school holidays. Children can attend individual workshops, or stay and play all day.

greater port macquarie focus. 79

focusinterview.

Dr Rosemary A S S O C I A T E

W

P R O F E S S O R

here did you grow up, and what inspired you to study a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Geography?

I spent most of my school years living in Sheffield in the north of England and then went on to study Geography at University College in London. It was really my father who introduced me to the wonders of nature and the outdoors. As a family we’d go to the Peak District National Park or Derbyshire on the weekends for walks and picnics, and my father would take me and show me wildflowers, animals and insects.

The other person who really inspired me was Wendy Newton, one of my Geography teachers (who I’m still in contact with).

She was so passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the environment.

My parents are also very adventurous travellers, so they really inspired me to travel overseas to lots of exotic and adventurous places like Antarctica and Africa. As a geographer, I love visiting places where I can interpret the natural environment - how it’s been formed and how it’s changing, like beaches and glaciated areas.

You’ve worked as an adventure travel guide for seven years in countries such as Nepal, India and China, prior to becoming a park ranger at Myall Lakes and Kosciuszko for a further six years. What were the highlights of both these roles for you?

Working as an adventure travel guide was an amazing experience - it gave me the opportunity to travel to some incredible places in Australia and overseas like India, China, Tibet and Fiji and meet some amazing people.

During our winter I would teach crosscountry skiing and snow camping in Kosciuszko National Park, and in the off season

80 greater port macquarie focus.

Charles Sturt University will be introducing an exciting new course at its Port Macquarie campus in 2016 - a Bachelor of Applied Science (Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism). Dr Rosemary Black, having recently settled in the area after relocating from Albury, will be coordinating this new course offering, and says Port Macquarie is the ideal location for such a diverse and unique study opportunity …

I would lead overseas trips. Living and working in Nepal, leading treks in the Himalayas was a real highlight - the mountain scenery is awesome and the Nepalese people are so friendly and kind, despite having so little in terms of material wealth.

It really opens your eyes when you visit developing countries; you realise how much we all have here. As a guide, it’s really rewarding to show tourists the area and teach them about the environment and the local culture.

I’d always wanted to work as a park ranger, because of my passion and interest in the environment. Being a ranger, you play a really important role in helping to protect the natural and cultural environment and also inspire visitors to appreciate and care for what we have. We’re so lucky to have national parks where everything is protected, but at the same time they’re there for us to enjoy too.

Being a ranger was such a diverse and interesting job - I did things like whale rescues, boat patrols, search and rescue, fire suppression, flora and fauna surveys and educating visitors.

You’ve been a lecturer at Charles Sturt University in Albury since 1995, and the Associate Head of School (School of Environmental Sciences) for two periods of time. What have you found to be the most rewarding aspects of your time within the education sector?

I think teaching undergraduate students is a privilege, and you can make a real difference to students’ lives though your interaction with them - in the classroom, on field trips and socially. I still get emails from former students saying how much they enjoyed my subjects and how useful they’ve been in their careers. It’s really rewarding to get that type of feedback.

My engagement with the ecotourism industry and national park agencies as industry

partners in research projects has also been very rewarding - working in partnership with industry to help answer some of their questions that will hopefully assist them in their organisations and also making improvements in society generally. I’m definitely an applied researcher; that means I do research that helps solve real world problems.

I also enjoy the leadership role of being Associate Head of School, as you can help create an environment that people enjoy working in - that’s really satisfying.

You’ve recently relocated to Port Macquarie to coordinate a new course - Bachelor of Applied Science (Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism) which will be offered by Charles Sturt University locally from 2016. Describe this course in more detail for us please ...

This is a really amazing and unique course - no other university in Australia offers it.

We’ve been running this course from our Albury campus for about 15 years, so we’ve got a lot of experience. The course combines students doing subjects at uni and at the same time learning outdoor skills like rock climbing, abseiling, wilderness first aid, bushwalking, navigation, canoeing and other specialist outdoor activities.

The topics they cover at uni included ecology, outdoor recreation, leadership, environmental education and tour guiding.

Port Macquarie is the perfect place to deliver this course, as it has so many great outdoor recreation opportunities in the region. The other day I went up to Jolly Nose and did some abseiling - the views along the coast are amazing.

You’ve probably experienced the impact both positive and negative - that tourism has on poor and developing nations.

What’s your view on the future of ecotourism?

I think ecotourism has the potential to

provide benefits to local communities in developing countries, as well as protecting the natural and cultural environment. There are lots of different definitions of ecotourism, but broadly it’s responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.

The research shows that most tourists don’t just want to sit on a beach and sunbathe; they want to learn new things as part of their holiday, so that’s where ecotourism comes in.

In developing countries, communities can benefit from ecotourism through jobs, like tour guides, setting up small businesses, developing new skills and encouraging locals to protect and value their culture and the environment.

By educating tourists, ecotourism promotes greater understanding and appreciation for nature, local society, and culture.

What types of careers would graduates from the new course at CSU be qualified for?

The students who do this course are highly sought after by outdoor education camps and organisations, private schools, school camps and of course, commercial outdoor activity businesses like rock climbing schools and sea kayaking companies.

Our students often work in North America during the winter as skiing or snowboarding instructors and then come back to Australia in our winter and work in the ski industry or do white-water rafting. It’s a great lifestyle.

Where can potential new students find out more info?

They can find out more about the CSU course by contacting Matthew Hunt our Course Director on (02) 6051 9651 or email mahunt@csu.edu.au or visit our website http://www.csu.edu.au/courses/outdoorrecreation-ecotourism Thanks Rosemary.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

BACK TO SCHOOL

NE

F

WMAN COLLEG

E

MEASURES SUCCESS

or students and staff at Newman Senior Technical College, the year 2015 delivered much reward for effort, and Principal Stephen Pares is confident the positive outcomes will continue into the new year and beyond for new and returning students and the dedicated teaching staff.

"There are many ways to measure success, and there are so many levels of success at Newman College,” Stephen Pares said.

“Frank Smith is just one example of the potential for success. Frank gained a traineeship in Financial Services whilst studying at Newman; he now has full-time employment and has been accepted into university with the support of his employer.

“This year, three ex-students who completed the nationally-recognised CIII Aged Care qualification through Newman College have recently become nursing graduates.”

Newman Senior Technical College has also continued its long standing record of success in the WorldSkills arena (VETiS Category) held throughout 2015.

The College has achieved outstanding results in the Zone 3 Regional Competitions, which covers the Mid Coast, North Coast, Hunter and New England areas.

The results show Newman Senior Technical College achieved gold in six of the eight categories contested, plus two silver and two bronze medals.

The WorldSkills Competition is the flagship event for Vocational Education and Training (VET), held every two years. It is the biggest Vocational Education and Skills Excellence event in the world and helps to build a skills culture by inspiring young people, celebrating skills excellence and providing them with an opportunity to showcase their trades and skill talent.

THE RESULTS: • Automotive: 1st Jordon Peterson, 2nd Brayden Donegan • Business Services: 1st Rebecca Lakis-Smith, 3rd Ethan Sinclair • Construction: 1st Bryson Hamilton • Electrotechnology: 2nd Zac Monkley, 3rd Oliver Savage • Information Technology: 1st Maddison Seaborn, 2nd Jake Irby, 3rd Alysia Blundell

• Metal & Engineering: 3rd Blake Tipper • Hospitality: 1st Macey Currie • Retail: 1st Courteney Newham, 2nd Ashleigh Clark Newman Senior Technical College VET in Schools Coordinator, Tom Moriarty said, “This is not only a testament to the hard work of students who prepare well and are able to work under competition conditions, but also to the staff who help prepare students, travel considerable distances to compete such as Merriwa for Business Services, and where necessary, convened and organised competitions.”

All gold medallists will be invited to compete in a “Skill-Off” early in 2016 to decide the NSW State Representative. This rep will proceed to the national WorldSkills Competition to be held in Melbourne 6 - 8 October 2016.

Principal Stephen Pares said, "I would like to congratulate the exiting students on their successful results in WorldSkills, their achievement in gaining Traineeships and Apprenticeships and

Our Resume isn’t padded. It’s

those now employed and going on to further study.

“We look forward to enhancing the possibilities for the new Year 11 and 12 students in 2016 by providing a broad range of opportunities via our innovative HSC offering.

“The ongoing successes of the students, staff and school are testament to the College’s commitment to providing an HSC like no other through a unique blend of school-based study and workplace learning.”

Powerful.

In 2015 Newman students gained 61483 hours of ‘hands-on’ work place learning.

95% of 2015 Newman Senior Technical College graduates achieved positive post school destinations.

Newman Senior Technical College continued its long standing record of success in the WorldSkills arena (VETiS Category) achieving gold in 6 of the 8 categories contested plus two silver and two bronze medals.

14 Medals at the Regional Finals of the WorldSkills Australia Vocational Education & Training in Schools including: • Automotive - Gold, Silver • Business - Gold, Bronze • Construction - Gold • Electrotechnology - Silver, Bronze • Hospitality Commercial Cookery - Gold • Information Technology - Gold, Silver, Bronze • Metal & Engineering - Bronze • Retail - Gold, Silver North Coast VET in Schools Student of the Year 2015 - Frank Smith 63 School-based Apprentices / Trainees in vocations including: Aged Care, Automotive, Beauty, Business, Community Pharmacy, Construction, Electrotechnology, Fitness, Furniture Making, Information Technology, Hospitality, Retail, Warehousing.

(Left to right) Oliver Savage, Jordon Peterson, Jake Irby, Zac Monkley, Brayden Donegan, Maddison Seaborn, Rebecca Lakis-Smith, Courteney Newham, Macey Currie, Ashleigh Clark

Newman Senior Technical College A Boundary Street (PO Box 442) Port Macquarie NSW 2444 P (02) 6580 3800 E newman@lism.catholic.edu.au

Early Entry offers to Universities, including the following Bachelor courses: Education (Primary), Nursing, Business Studies, Business Administration, Communication, Computer Science, Accounting, Information Technology, Equine Science and Educational Studies.

www.newman.nsw.edu.au greater port macquarie focus. 81

focus_interview

Business Minds with Jane Hillsdon of Dragon Fly marketing

jane hillsdon

BUSINESS minds

C

ongratulations Jane; this year will be Bangalay Childcare’s sixteenth year in business. Your other childcare centre, Fernhill, also celebrated 20 years in operation in 2015. Can you share some of the highlights over the past 20 years in business?

Twenty years has flown by, and there have been many changes to the childcare industry in this time. One recent highlight has been the implementation of the National Quality Framework. This framework has transformed childcare centres from “babysitting centres”, to education centres that employ high quality staff.

Before you commenced operations in childcare, you and husband Graeme were in real estate. What inspired you to make the transition into running a childcare business?

Actually, we were in childcare as well as real estate at one point! We had a wonderful lady, Marilyn Stephen, running our schools for many years. We lost Marilyn to breast cancer seven years ago, which was a great loss to our school. I had to step in and try to fill the position that was left.

Stepping into this role was a big change for me, but having wonderful staff made it much easier. Some of our staff have been here at Bangalay since we took over ownership.

I am extremely fortunate to have wonderful ladies in Kim Ferguson and Nicky Lewis, who 82 greater port macquarie focus.

are a great asset in our IBISWorld recently, Yes, there have office. Not forgetting Australia is set to many changes our fantastic Director, experience a mini t A . cade over the past de gone Erin Hartland, whom baby boom over the ve Bangalay we ha I continually bombard next five years, with re nt ce e from an 80 plac re with question after industries such as nt ce e to a 130 plac question. childcare set to surge ” d. an m due to de As an independent as Australia’s birth childcare business, rate rises by 6.4%. The you essentially have childcare industry has two groups of customers undergone some significant to consider: the children you are changes over the past decade; caring for, and their parents. What how have you adapted your is your personal customer service business model to adjust accordingly to philosophy? these changes?

My personal philosophy is that children Yes, there have many changes over the past should be in a supportive, nurturing and decade. At Bangalay we have gone from an consistent environment to foster their sense 80 place centre to a 130 place centre due to of trust, well-being and learning. We always demand. We now have two preschool rooms have an open door policy for our families that provide children with school readiness. to discuss any needs or concerns regarding What are some of the challenges you their children. We wholeheartedly believe have faced in the running of your in fostering open lines of communication business, and how have you managed to between both our children and parents. overcome them?

What do you think are some of the One of our many challenges today is the important factors to consider when you amount of paperwork that is involved in are hiring and training childcare staff? running a childcare business. In the last few Many of our staff are long term employees, years there have been many changes to but when hiring new staff I always assess their staff-to-child ratios and staff qualification personal presentation and the sense of pride requirements. We have been able to make within the applicants. We hold staff training these changes in the required time frame. in very high esteem, and all of our staff have Once again, we are lucky to have such a access to training in-house and also off-site in strong team of supportive staff members who Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne. are able to help us overcome these challenges According to figures released by as they pop up.

“

What do you wish someone would have told you before embarking on your journey as a business owner?

Graeme and I have always been in business together since we were married. Graeme was 24 years old and I was just 20 when we started our first venture. So, I’m afraid it has been a learn-as-you-go for us, and fortunately, we haven’t had any major disasters along the way.

What does 2016 hold in store for your businesses? Have you set any New Year business resolutions?

Our New Year business resolutions are to utilise the very generous funding given to us through Leslie Williams, for staff to gain access to further training and resources. At Fernhill Preschool there will be a major renovation and expansion in 2016.

And finally, if you could invite any three business people to lunch, who would they be and why would you invite them?

Father Chris Riley - what an amazing man.

I met him only briefly once. He helps so many street kids.

Mrs Julie Bishop - she is an extremely intelligent woman and a great Foreign Minister. It is wonderful to see women in Australia obtaining high positions.

J.K. Rowling - she has brought back the joy of reading books for children. I must admit I have read a few myself. She has an amazing mind.

Thanks for your time, Jane, and wishing you a fabulous 2016!

greater port macquarie focus. 83

BACK TO SCHOOL

PORT MACQUARIE PERFORMING ARTS

As we head into the New Year, it is time for children to choose the after school activities that will make them laugh, learn and develop in 2016. Have you considered dance?

D

ance is an incredible discipline for a child to experience.

Dance is fun; it allows children to explore their creativity and express themselves.

Through dance, children become more confident in themselves, discover the rewards of working in a team and forge life long friendships. Regular dance lessons can increase your child's flexibility, range of motion, physical strength and stamina. Becoming a skilled dancer requires practice, discipline and focus.

Leanne Mallyon is the mother of 8 year old Melesse, who trains at Port Macquarie Performing Arts: “The positive impact dancing has had on Melesse's confidence, social development, gross motor skills, memory and concentration have been amazing. She has gained the confidence to get up in front of a crowd and not only dance, but speak to an audience. This flows through into her ability to socialise with

84 greater port macquarie focus.

her peers and relate to other children. She has formed the strongest of friendships with children outside her school and other sporting activities and has role models in the older girls at dance that any parent would be grateful for their child to have.”

If you choose dance for your child in 2016, there are a few important things to take into consideration when selecting a studio to best meet the needs of your child.

Ensure the teaching staff have sound teaching qualifications; a good dancer does not always make the best teacher. The staff must have good communication skills, a thorough understanding of safe dance practice and secure knowledge of the curriculum they are teaching. The studio itself must be a safe space to dance in, with adequate dance flooring. The studio should offer the opportunity to advance through examinations and assessments, but at the same time understand that these measures are not suited to all and that some children may only wish to

Young students tly will benefit grea ng from experienci e a variety of danc hers , ac te e styles , danc ce and performan ” . es iti un rt oppo

“

dance for enjoyment.

Most importantly, the studio should be a positive, joyful and nurturing learning environment.

Young students will benefit greatly from experiencing a variety of dance styles, dance teachers, and performance opportunities. Let your child try Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre and Ballet, especially when first starting out. As dance is a subjective art form, beware of extremely competitive environments, where you often find a culture of comparing students rather than celebrating individuality, unique skills, different body types, creativity and musicality.

Competitions and examinations are not the only measures of achievement for a successful dance studio. A successful studio can also be seen through the way your child participates: if your child enjoys his or her lessons, looks

forward to the next one, smiles and is happy in class, is rarely injured and seems to be learning or consolidating new skills regularly, the chances are that the studio is the best place for your child to be.

A well-managed studio will keep parents and students informed about fees, upcoming events, student progress and will make it easy for both students and parents to ask questions. Before you sign up, ask all the questions you need answers to and view testimonials on their website, or ask for recommendations from other parents or professionals.

Enjoy your dance in 2016!

Stacey Morgan is the Principal of Port Macquarie Performing Arts and the host of Australia’s Ask a Dancer podcast, available now on iTunes.

Photo Credit - Fab Photos.

BACK TO SCHOOL

MU

P

SIC TEACHE

R

DENISE BEGNELL

lease tell us a little about yourself and anything of note about your career in performance industry and what prompted you to start teaching ...

I started singing lessons at the age of eight and continually progressed through my AMEB exams, obtaining the highest level of grades and winning championships in The City of Sydney eisteddfods. I began performing in musicals in my early teens, which I loved, followed by performing cabaret in Sydney clubs and Dinner Theatre Restaurants, such as the Burning Log and Footloose Dinner Theatre. Whilst performing, I commenced teaching and realised that this is where my passion lay. I began teaching at MacDonald College of Performing Arts Strathfield with my teacher, Robert Bickerstaff, of International Voice. I am humbled to say that he calls me one of the finest Soprano voices in the Southern Hemisphere. I eventually moved on to manage, develop and implement the vocal curriculum at Johnny Young Talent School Central Coast from 1988 - 1995, as well as teaching privately from my own studio.

Over the last 20 years you have been teaching in Port Macquarie and have seen great

success for your students. What are some notable achievements for them?

I am pleased to say that I have a 100% pass rate in vocal examinations and a 75% success rate for placings in highly competitive Vocal Eisteddfods. I have had a number of students go on to work professionally and study at various Music Institutions - locally, the most recent being Sally Lloyd, who graduated from one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in London, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, with a Masters in Musical Theatre, whilst another, Grace Guild, is teaching music and drama also in England. I am sure that many locals will recognise the name of Amanda Gordon, who performs locally, and Jaimie Leigh Johnson, who has graduated from the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) and gone on to perform in professional musicals, most recently Gershwin’s Of Thee I Sing at the Sydney Opera House.

What age do most students commence lessons?

I have had students as young as five years old, where I concentrate on developing the young ear for music and rhythm, but really students can start at any age. I also teach many adults who are busy in their individual careers who have an inter-

est and possible latent talent in singing. It’s never too late to start. Primarily, most start around the age of 7 - 8 and also in their early teens, when they start to take a more predominant interest in music.

What coaching and instruction is available from your school?

As a vocal consultant I offer Soloist Private Lessons both at my private studio as well as the Catholic High Schools and offer Soloist Preparation, Vocal Master Classes, workshops for HSC students following the school curriculum, as well as individual preparation for HSC, Auditions, choral work, and Music Theory and Aural Classes.

Do you have to be able to sing already to have lessons? Not at all. If you are willing and patient, you can be taught.

Why is singing a good choice of interest/

hobby for young people?

Not only is singing a great way to build selfconfidence, but there are many health benefits for singing. It reduces stress, improves moods, lowers blood pressure, improves breathing, sense of rhythm, promotes learning in children, motivates people, provides comfort, empowers and promotes wellbeing.

What has been your philosophy for teaching over the years, and how has it helped your students? Singing should be enjoyable. I strive in helping people understand and achieve their own goals with music, whether it be classical, jazz, music theatre or rock. Students are always approached in an individual way, as everyone learns differently, but all are given the basic technique to be able to perform all genres.

Thanks Denise.

greater port macquarie focus. 85

86 greater port macquarie focus.

BACK TO SCHOOL

SCHOOL

SH ES THE PICK OF THE BUNCH

CA

NCER

COUNC

HARRISON INDIANA II YTH

IL

Black RRP $109.95

LUNCHB X TIPS

Cancer Council NSW is encouraging parents to create healthy lunch boxes for their primary-school aged children that are packed full of fruit and vegetables. Our Eat It To Beat It programme recommends eating five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit every day to help reduce your risk of cancer.

W

orryingly on the Mid North Coast, just 12.8 percent of adults eat enough vegetables, while 53.7 percent eat enough fruit. These low numbers mean there is plenty of room for improvement. We know that what parents eat impacts an entire family’s food choices.

To help turn this around, the Cancer Council NSW Eat It To Beat It programme provides free workshops and sessions for parents, to help them understand the importance of eating the right amount of fruit and vegetables.

Eat It To Beat It gives parents simple recipes full of fruit and veg, ideas on what to pack in school lunch boxes, nutritional news and clever tips on how to entice fussy eaters. The programme is based on the latest scientific evidence around healthy eating and the benefits of fruit and vegetables.

CLARKS KIDS INDULGE Black RRP $119.96

School children eat more than 2,500 lunches in their 13 years in the playground. We see that as 2,500 opportunities for them to eat fruit and vegies. Eat It To Beat It helps parents navigate the often confusing world of lunch box snacks.

Follow this six-step method to make school lunches easy, healthy and eaten every day!

1. Include a serve of fruit (chop into small piece or try stewed fruits (like apple and pear) for an easy snack) 2. Include a serve of vegies (cut up vegie sticks (carrot, celery, cucumber) and don’t forget legumes like baked beans count as vegies too!)

3. Include a serve of wholegrains (bread, rice or pasta leftovers) 4. Include a serve of reduced-fat dairy (cheese, yoghurt, milk popper) 5. Include a serve of protein (egg, chicken, tuna).

6. Include a bottle of water instead of fruit juice

Top Healthy Lunch Box Tips: • Look out for fruit and veg in season • Avoid packaged foods • Bake vegie/fruit muffins e.g. carrot, zucchini, banana as a treat • Make lunch the night before to save time • Include your children and get them to choose from healthy choices foods they would like in the lunch box Visit our website: eatittobeatit.com.au and join our Facebook page: facebook.com/eatittobeatit for inspiration, recipes and lunch box ideas.

Local schools can book a Cancer Council NSW Eat It To Beat It Healthy Lunch Box presentation for their Kindergarten Orientation Programme. Parents who attend receive a showbag of goodies, including our fun and interactive lunch box kit to use with their children. To book a session please contact Juanita Nantes on 6639 1306 or visit our website for more information: eatittobeatit.com.au

CLARKS KIDS infinity Black RRP $119.96

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ReSkill • UpSkill • MultiSkill at SkillsLink in 2016 Concessions apply. Fees range from $0 - $2300 according to qualification and eligibility - Contact SkillsLink for more information CHC33015 CHC33015 CHC33015 BSB30415 BSB31115 SIT30713

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Don’t know what to choose? Try our multi-industry tasters Literacy & Numeracy courses also available

Enrolling now for a February 2016 Start This training is subsidised by the NSW Governmentt

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SkillsLink Training is the training arm of Port Macquarie Community College RTO 90315

ph: 6583 7288

77 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie

admin@skillslinktraining.com.au greater port macquarie focus. 87

focus_business

Karen Archer from the Hastings Business Women’s Network

Karen archer

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD THE HASTINGS BUSINESS WOMEN’S NETWORK (HBWN) PASSIONATELY BELIEVES IT IS THE RIGHT OF EVERY BUSINESS WOMAN TO HOLD HER HEAD HIGH AND, LIKE THE TALL POPPY, STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD.

F

ounded in 1999, the HBWN has Family and Domestic Violence Specialist a proud history of encouraging, Service. empowering and educating women Come and experience the warmth of in business in Port Macquarie and International Women’s Day and the Hastings surrounding regions.

Heroines award, help raise funds to assist The HBWN is an organisation of local local women and children in need and women who come together on a monthly celebrate the achievements of women in basis to exchange ideas, information and our region. The community is encouraged inspiration as they strive for business success. to nominate a Hastings Heroine by emailing In partnership with Leslie Williams MP, we Hastings.Heroines@gmail.com to request proudly host our International Women’s Day a nomination form. Nominations open (IWD) Hastings Heroines event in March each on Monday 18 January and close Friday 19 year. At this event we recognise the February 2016. unsung heroines of our local In addition to the IWD region, as we announce the Hastings Heroine event, Hastings Heroine award the HBWN meets year finalists and honour the round and is open to t Come along, ge Hastings Heroine for new members at any d involved and fin 2016. This important time during the year. rt n be pa out how you ca ork award recognises Network events are tw of a fantastic ne women who live and held monthly on r that is striving fo in contribute significantly the last Thursday. en om equality for w ” . to the local community Typical events on gi re our local with little recognition. include networking We are proud to breakfasts, cocktail acknowledge the women functions, business lunches who make our community a and a range of personal and great place to live and work. professional development seminars.

The HBWN and IWD strive to elevate Our first event for 2016 will be held on women in society. Women have gone the evening of Thursday 28 January. As a a long way towards achieving their goals networking event, the evening will provide an and closing the gender gap in Australia, but opportunity to reconnect with old friends and still lag behind men in many arenas. We are colleagues and meet new ones in a friendly working towards closing the gap further. and casual setting. We will announce our Come along, get involved and find out how calendar for the first half of 2016, which will you can be part of a fantastic network that include professional development workshops is striving for equality for women in our local in addition to networking events. region.

For more information about Hastings The 2016 IWD Hastings Heroine event Business Women’s Network events and will be a breakfast held in early March at International Women’s Day, visit our website at www.hbwn.com.au, or connect with us on Port Macquarie Panthers. The event is also a Facebook or LinkedIn. fundraiser for the Port Macquarie Hastings

“

88 greater port macquarie focus.

focus_business

Hadyn Oriti with the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce

HADYN ORITI

PROPOSAL A CONCERN FOR ALL THE PROPOSED REDISTRIBUTION OF THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN COWPER AND LYNE ARE A CONCERN FOR ALL IN PORT MACQUARIE. IF THE PROPOSAL GOES AHEAD, IT WILL RESULT IN THE PRACTICAL DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF RESIDENTS OF THIS WHOLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.

T

he Chamber of Commerce made written submissions to the AEC redistribution committee objecting to the proposed redistribution. I also attended the hearings conducted in Port Macquarie by the AEC held on 18 December 2015 on behalf of the Chamber. The commission will consider the submissions and is expected to respond with its determination

by Australia Day 2016.

All submissions made at the hearing, bar one, objected to the boundary change carving Port Macquarie out of Lyne and putting it into Cowper. That sole objection came from Peter Alley who, you may recall, ran as the ALP candidate for Lyne in the 2013 election.

Objectors came from many areas within the LGA, including Comboyne. The

commission listened intently and thanked all for participating. My clear impression was that the members of the commission did not appreciate the level of dis-satisfaction with the proposal before the hearing.

The common theme was the lack of coherent “communities of interest” in the redistribution. But first, some background.

NSW lost a seat and WA gained one following growth in that state. This has meant a significant redistribution. There is a quota of about 110,500 for each seat. The AEC is obliged to achieve that quota within a tolerance of 3.5%. Roughly, that means electorates can range between 106,600 and 114,300.

Changes to the electoral divisions north of Lyne resulted in half of Port Macquarie’s residents moving into Cowper, an electorate dominated by Coffs Harbour. Wauchope, Lake Cathie, Laurieton and Comboyne are being retained in Lyne, which in turn would take in more residents of the Hunter. We would be swamped by Coffs Harbour and lost in the Hunter - disastrous.

There are very different dynamics at play here compared to city electorates. It is notable that regions have voted strongly for those they consider to be their champion. It is the regions that have produced the likes of Bob Katter, Tony Windsor, Cathy McGowan and Rob Oakeshott. Love them or loathe them, regional electorates know that in order to overcome the sheer weight of numbers of the cities, we need to have someone who will

fight for our town and region.

Here, it has been regional champions that have delivered the airport upgrade, the Base Hospital and the fourth pod, Charles Sturt University, the Oxley Highway upgrade and other essential pieces of infrastructure. We expect our elected representatives will take on Macquarie Street or Canberra to fight for what we need and what Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong take for granted. We expect them to buck the constraints of party, if that is what is required.

It will take champions to deliver our community vision for the Port Macquarie Foreshore, the link road from Ocean Drive to the Airport and acceptable development on the Plaza Car Park site.

In the city, one’s connectedness to the electorate is not the same. Having once lived in Pyrmont, I don’t think I could have cared less whether I was in Sydney or Grayndler. It made absolutely no difference to services or infrastructure.

Well, in Port Macquarie it does matter.

Where the electoral boundaries are drawn affects whether we are heard by our representative, their connection to our local networks and their understanding of our issues. It is significant.

The commission has a hard job. I know they listened. Let’s hope they can see a way forward that addresses real and legitimate community concerns.

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• • • • • • • • • •

Significantly • Significantly increase the increase Age Pension the Age Pension • Significantly increase the Age P Reduce •Personal Reduce Income Personal TaxesIncome Taxes • Reduce Personal Income Taxes Many peopleMany have people talked about have talked the need about for the Australia need for to consider Australiaadopting to consider theadopting same the same Reduce •SmallReduce Business Small TaxBusiness Tax Small Business Tax GST model atGST Newmodel Zealand. at New I would Zealand.

NOT Isupport would NOT a broadening support a or broadening increase inorthe increase GST inin the•GSTReduce in Abolish Payroll • Abolish Tax and Payroll otherTax inefficient and otherState inefficient Taxes State Taxes • Abolish Payroll Tax and other in isolation. isolation.

Clamp down • Clamp on multinational down on multinational companies avoiding companies theiravoiding tax obligations their tax obligations • Clamp down on multinational co Make private • Make healthprivate insurance healthmore insurance affordable moreand affordable reduce “out-of-pocket” and reduce “out-of-pocket” If a New Zealand If a New GSTZealand model was GSTapplied, model was I would applied, only Isupport would only suchsupport a proposal suchif ait proposal if•it Make private health insurance m medical expenses. medical expenses. included many included of the many items of listed the above, items listed most above, notablymost a significant notably aincrease significant in the increase Age in the Agemedical expenses.

Introduce• new Introduce incentives newtoincentives make infrastructure to make infrastructure and servicesand delivered services by delivered the by the • for Introduce new incentives to ma Pension, TaxPension, Cuts, Reform Tax Cuts, of Commonwealth-State Reform of Commonwealth-State Relations andRelations additional and funding additional for funding States and Territories States andmore Territories efficientmore efficient States and Territories more effic infrastructure. infrastructure.

Change •the revenue Change the mix revenue betweenmix the between Federal and the Federal State Governments and State Governments to better to better • Change the revenue mix betwe align with their align roles withand their responsibilities roles and responsibilities align with their roles and respon At present, I At ampresent, finalising I am a submission finalising a incorporating submission incorporating much of yourmuch feedback of your to both feedback the to both the Reform local • Reform government local government to become more to become sustainable more through sustainable a closer through alignment a closer alignment • Reform local government to bec Reform of Federation Reform ofand Federation Tax Reform andWhite Tax Reform Paper White processes.

PaperI processes. have been seeking I have been costings seeking costings with State Government with State Government agencies agencies from the Parliamentary from the Parliamentary Budget OfficeBudget on many Office of the on many suggestions of the suggestions put forward and put forward will and willwith State Government agencie Increase•funding Increase for major funding national for major and national local infrastructure and local infrastructure projects projects • Increase funding for major natio incorporate them incorporate in my upcoming them in mysubmission. upcoming submission.

Fixing Our Federation & Tax System Authorised by Dr Authorised David Gillespie

by Dr David MP, 75-77 Gillespie Clarence MP, 75-77 Street,Clarence Port Macquarie Street, Port NSWMacquarie 2444. NSW 2444.

forfor Lyne Dr DavidDrGillespie David Gillespie MP | Delivering MPdelivering | Delivering record funding record funding our local for our community local community

Reforming our Federation and Tax system has the otential to deliver big wins for our electorate.

Fixi

Dr David Gillespie greater port macquarie focus. 89

Reforming our Federat potential to deliver big

90 greater port macquarie focus.

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focusinterview.

BRIAN BLEVINS Yabby Industries

YABBY INDUSTRIES’ OWNER BRIAN BLEVINS STARTED HIS BUSINESS IN PORT MACQUARIE IN 1999 TO CATER FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT ONE TO LET A DISABILITY GET IN THE WAY OF TRAVELLING OVER DIFFICULT TERRAIN. BRIAN SAYS THAT TODAY, YABBY INDUSTRIES PRODUCE THE ONLY AUSTRALIAN-MADE MULTI-TERRAIN WHEELCHAIR ON THE MARKET. READ ON TO FIND OUT HOW BRIAN AND SOME LOCAL FREEMASONS (LODGE HASTINGS 69) WERE ABLE TO HELP A VERY SPECIAL FAMILY … i Brian. Share a little of your history with us what brought you to the Greater Port Macquarie area initially?

After a lifetime in the hustle and bustle of Sydney, it was time for a seachange. My wife and I travelled a bit throughout the area, we were in South West Rocks for a few years, but just kept coming back to Port Macquarie. We finally committed and bought property near town about 18 months ago.

What encouraged you to start up your business, Yabby Industries, in 1999?

Having being made redundant, it was difficult to find good paid work for a while.

Once we moved north, I began working with a business producing wheelchairs, which was really enjoyable. One thing led to the next, and suddenly I had produced the Freewheeler, which then progressed into the Sandcruiser and then the Sandpiper.

Tell us about these two beach wheelchair models you manufacture - the Sandpiper and the Sandcruiser. What are the differences between the two models?

We’ve been able to produce two very versatile chairs that suit a variety of ages, disabilities and adventurous situations.

Both the Sandcruiser and the Sandpiper are manufactured from 316 grade marine stainless steel and have an all-weather proof five year warranty. Their polished mirror finish is complemented by the UV resistant ocean-blue canvas, comfortable enough for adventuring over sand, snow, gravel or grass day long.

Our flagship chair, the Sandcruiser, will 92 greater port macquarie focus.

comfortably suit adults and older teenagers, Both chairs are easy to assemble and while the smaller Sandpiper is a tighter fit for dismantle, with a series of super durable dropchildren and younger teens. nose pins and “R” clips to keep it all firmly in What is it about the Sandpiper and the place. There are no special tools needed to Sandcruiser that makes them ideally suitpack it up for travel in the back of a car, trailer ed for beach conditions? or roof-top pod.

The biggest difference between Having easy-release swivel arm rests a regular wheelchair and the and an adjustable foot rest means Sandcruiser/Sandpiper are that the rider can be moved the “Wheeleez” tyres in and out of the chair of The adventures fitted to both. They are fluidly. We also have a few the Jones family pneumatic tyres that accessories that riders can d te men are keenly docu ng essentially glide over select from to improve ni in the award-win air challenging terrains. their adventures. ch el he blog Have W til un up Keeping them at a d Please explain your an , el Will Trav of ns ea m low pressure permits connection to the e th ly recent the to n w do rolling heavy loads Freemasons Society BJ g in gett creative, over unstable/uneven locally, and how both water have been ” ground with ease and you and the Society to say the least. provides additional shock were able to assist a young absorption. family with the donation of a Ensuring the frame is constructSandcruiser? ed in electropolished 316 grade stainless I had been friends with the Jones family steel means that it will resist corrosion for some time, and was aware of the extensive from seawater and sand, making it ideally travel they did both around Sydney and around suited to consistent beach usage for years and the country. I was especially touched by their years. clear love of the Port Macquarie region. So, Both chairs have been certified by the Yabby Industries and Lodge Hastings 69, of Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration which I have been a member for some time, (ATGA) to receive their Class 1 Medical Device teamed up to gift their 19 year old (BJ) his own rating. They are manufactured in accordance Sandcruiser Wheelchair. with all the Australian relevant codes, and have “The expression of joy [on his face] was achieved the requirements to receive the NATA absolutely amazing, he was really shocked and certificate of approval and are the only Aussit was emotional for us all,” was the comment ie-made multi-terrain chairs on the market. from the Chairman of Lodge Hastings 69, WorWhat other features do the wheelchairs shipful Master Robert Battle. “To watch him have that help make life easier for those take it out onto the beach that first time was with disabilities? just fantastic. We are all really grateful to have

“

been a part of it.”

This family’s son, BJ, is 18 and has Cerebral Palsy. The family host a very special website called “Have Wheelchair Will Travel”, which provides tips and info to people who wish to travel while accommodating wheelchairs and other equipment. What’s the feedback you’ve received from BJ and his family about his new Sandcruiser?

BJ is a fantastic young man who is not one to let his Cerebral Palsy get in the way of a good holiday; a regular wheelchair does often restrict the fun of their frequent family trips around Australia.

The adventures of the Jones family are keenly documented in the award-winning blog Have Wheelchair Will Travel, and up until recently the means of getting BJ down to the water have been creative, to say the least.

Blog creator Julie notes, “We have regularly borrowed the beach wheelchairs that Council provide, while visiting Port Macquarie on holiday. Most beaches only have one chair, so we are always nervous that another person will be using the chair for the day in the peak season, leaving us without a chair. We can only use the chairs when the lifeguards are on duty, meaning no early morning walks, or walks in the late afternoon on a summer’s evening”.

Where can readers find out more info?

You can find a full list of features on our website: http://yabbyindustries.com.au We can be contacted by email: yabby@iinet. net.au - here, you’ll also find your nearest distributor and a range of testimonials from some very happy families.

Thanks Brian.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

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GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

property guide

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is As you enter th m, ge ry ra po em cont ly iate you are immed ning un st ith w d te gree ay w er at w panoramic rtunity po op y er ev views at o tw throughout the l luxury ve -le lit sp , ey stor residence. ”

“ To custom-build means to build a unique home.

The FOCUS Home of the Month is certainly that plus much, much more … AND It’s all about the view! Chrissy Jones had the pleasure of taking a walk through the magnificent waterfront residence, built to exacting perfection by Brandon Calder Homes, that has taken local home building to another level.

rom the onset you know something special awaits; this architectural masterpiece adds a contemporary flair to Port Macquarie canal living.

Having an eclectic exterior facade, encompassing rendered brickwork from Boral CSR Bricks, plus a mix of James Hardie claddings and a rustic corten plate cladding from Muras Steel that adds a point of difference to the garage door; the home is a stand out in its surrounds. All is complemented beautifully by landscaped, easy-care gardens from Flourish Garden Management.

Entry to the home is through a majestic white and vertical glass panelled entrance door via a non-slip tiled stairway that leads to a welcoming portico. As you enter this contemporary gem, you are immediately greeted with stunning panoramic waterway views at every opportunity throughout the three storey, splitlevel luxury residence. Off-white porcelain 800 x 800 tiles, from Tiles with Style Colortile, are underfoot in the expansive entry foyer and throughout the entire ground level - a perfect match for the crisp white of the walls, that are adorned with the owners’ tasteful art pieces.

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Adding to the privacy of the ve oo bedr ms, all ha n either their ow lcony courtyard or ba in e ar d an space to close proximity ch hi w , the TV room est gu as s le also doub ” n. io at od m accom

“ THE LOWER FLOOR/BASEMENT The basement comprises boat shed, pool pump room, wine cellar, plant room, steam room and four car garage.

THE GROUND FLOOR Comprising three spacious bedrooms, kids’ TV room, open plan kitchen/dining/lounge, indoor/outdoor entertainment area and pool - the ground floor is designed for easy care, relaxed waterside living.

BEDROOMS All are spacious, have mirror fronted, builtin robes, ceiling fans, downlighting, a rich, warm, dark Russian brown feature wall with matching plantation window shutters that

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allow for direction of light and breezes.

The bedrooms all have their very own en-suite, having WC, glass-screened shower recess, wall mounted vanity with off-white Essa stone bench-top and above bench, square set hand basin, plus a vanity mirror above with built-in, vertical strip lighting.

Adding to the privacy of the bedrooms, all have either their own courtyard or balcony space and are in close proximity to the TV room, which also doubles as guest accommodation.

THE KITCHEN Designed and installed by Designer Living Kitchens, it is any home cook's dream! Simple lines and combinations are the key.

Equipped with dark Russian brown fronted under bench cabinets, Essa stone counters, mirrored splash back, island bench, Miele appliances and white 2-pack overhead, louvre fronted cabinets, integrated pantry and refrigerator, the kitchen is both stylish and functional.

The table-like waterfall edge island bench

doubles as a breakfast bar as well as a work space, having a glassware cupboard and bar under bench one side, with the other housing the dishwasher and built-in rubbish bin drawer, plus deep, soft close drawer storage.

Stylish Miele appliances, including a fast oven/ microwave, convection/steam oven and a large heat drawer, are placed vertically alongside a caesar-stone bench-top with in-built teppanyaki hot plate and an induction cooktop with overhead, concealed range-hood.

The kitchen’s stainless steel sink has the added advantage of a Zip HydroTap. Instant hot and chilled, filtered crystal clear water is readily at hand from the stylish designed tap-

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ve Perspex walls ha d, le been instal ng the pool from di vi di the river the spa, and on pool are side wall of the .” clever inclusions

“

ware, that has outstanding energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

LAUNDRY/BUTLER’S PANTRY Alongside the kitchen is the combined laundry and butler’s pantry. A clever design, the L-shaped cabinetry neatly tucks away the washer and dryer, has a square set stainless steel laundry tub and plenty of both under bench and overhead storage for appliances and the like.

OUTDOOR KITCHEN/ENTERTAINING/POOL AREA In perfect position for easy indoor/outdoor entertaining, the outdoor kitchen continues on from the interior kitchen and has mirror

image cabinetry and bench-tops. Food prep and BBQs will be a breeze, with the inclusion of a SMEG stainless steel BBQ and stainless steel sink.

A comfortable outdoor lounge area adjoins, creating a fabulous outdoor entertaining space alongside the pool and spa. Frameless, glass balustrade from Muras Steel screens the L-shaped pool and spa, which has been expertly built by Country Pools. Perspex walls have been installed, dividing the pool from the spa, and on the river side wall of the pool are clever inclusions. The pool has a Mediterranean feel, with cool, peaceful blue mosaic tiling and waterfall fountains.

The outdoor entertaining area is partly covered overhead by the cantilevered Parents’ Retreat, which spans the width of the home.

It is a marvel of architectural design, modern engineering and a display of exceptional building skills.

DINING/LOUNGE Dividing the dining and lounge rooms is a feature copper-look panel wall, which has a Jetmaster, see-through energy efficient gas fireplace and wall mounted TVs on both sides.

The spacious lounge has an angled back wall that has its own bulkhead ceiling line, with downlights installed adding to the ambience. Opening out, via a bank of floor-

to-ceiling glass bi-fold doors from Mid Coast Windows, onto the pool area, the lounge is a superb spot to kick back, relax and take in the unimpeded water views.

2ND FLOOR A stunning, 2-pack white steel balustrade and floating timber tread open staircase, masterfully crafted by Muras Steel, leads to the top level of the residence. Beautiful industrial quality timber versailles style parquetry flooring underfoot, laid to precision

by Clint Jordan Floor Sanding, takes you to the master suite, home office, and media room.

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MASTER SUITE The master suite is exquisite. From the remote control TV in the ceiling that automatically lowers when needed, to the dividing wall that doubles as a bed-head and has two rectangular porthole alcoves to capture the expansive waterway views, the master suite is a private space luxuriously appointed throughout.

Tranquil hinterland and water views are captured due to the bulkheads that have been built into all water facing windows, allowing for hidden installation of window blinds. LED lighting is also installed to accentuate the views. A Juliette balcony with a

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glass balustrade allows for unimpeded views and the advantage of being able to open the floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors and allow in the subtle cool breezes.

A double-sided walk through robe, left for him, right for her, has both shelving and hanging space, a high ceiling, pendant lighting and integrated LED lighting in the shelving. This leads you through to the opulent master en-suite.

Grey marble floor and wall tiling, an opaque glass panel window and floor-toceiling opaque louvre windows, placed either side of an Italian design white oval bath with waterfall spout and attached shower hose,

provides a feeling reminiscent of a stay at a luxury hotel.

Adding to the luxuriousness is a frameless glass screened shower with both a wall shower rose and a ceiling mounted, square set rainforest shower head that has a soft waterfall.

The wall-mounted vanity has “his and hers” flat hand basins, an ingenious design, being a one piece stone bench-top slightly sloping back to front with a waterfall edge to the water catchment. The above vanity mirror has integrated touch lights, adding a romantic feel.

The quality of craftsmanship and attention

to detail are evident in the stunning design of the master en-suite.

HOME OFFICE Having purpose built cabinetry, incorporating desk spaces, overhead and under bench shelving which wraps around two walls of the home office, the work centre is very well thought out.

The home office also has a comfortable lounge seating area, with wall mounted 75 inch TV and gas fireplace adding a peaceful ambience.

Floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors open out onto the Juliette balcony that adjoins the master suite.

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land Tranquil hinter s and water view e th to e are captured du en be ve ha at bulkheads th ng ci fa er at w l al built into ing for windows, allow n of tio hidden installa ” . ds window blin

“ MEDIA ROOM The media room is a comfortable home movie theatre with black velvet curtains, plush carpeting, custom-built wall cabinetry for the cinema and sound equipment. The nerve centre for the integrated home music system and the CBUS controlled home automation and security system are found in their own room at the rear of the media room and has been fitted out with cabinetry that provides convenient storage for CDs and DVDs. DOMUS LIFT / 4 CAR GARAGE Adding not only convenient, fast access to all levels of the home at the push of a button, the Domus lift that has been installed

is mirror fronted, reflecting water views at every opportunity.

Compact and stylish, the lift uses the latest European technology.

The garage is easily accessible externally through an auto lift garage door and internally via the lift and stairways. Providing the space for up to four vehicles, the garage also has the added bonus of plenty of storage. Alongside is an alcove that takes you through to the steam room and also down a small flight

of stairs to the games room and boat shed.

STEAM ROOM / GAMES ROOM / BOAT SHED A peaceful place to unwind and luxuriate, the steam room is the result of a combination of the expertise from the tradesmen involved. Bricks laid by Williams Bricklaying were shaped into a custom made L-shaped seat by Darren Roach Tiling, who then tiled the entire room with the blue mosaic tiling. Glass shower screens, from Port City Glass, enclose and section the steam room, which also has a shower recess

for cool down.

The games room and boat shed combine seamlessly, giving a space for the family to gather waterside and relax. Easy access to the waterway is through bi-fold glass doors to the private boat ramp and jetty. The home is definitely all about the view. Evenings can be spent gazing at the falling sun across the waterway from the outdoor alfresco, in the comfort of the lounge, or out on the private jetty. It is evident that extraordinary vision, exquisite taste, clever design and meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship have created this perfect waterfront home.

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The property faces north, e north-west, so th ry ve e ar evenings ol; we sunny by the po ets. ns get beautiful su and ul ef ac It is very pe quiet. ”

“ FROM THE OWNERS You chose Brandon Calder Homes as the builder of your new home. How has it been working with Brandon and his team?

Fabulous. Definitely, Brandon has always been approachable and always accommodating. When he wants a job done, he gets the tradesmen on the job in a flash.

Even though the build did take a while to complete, it was a home with a lot of detail, and Brandon really made the effort to perfect it.

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What are your favourite aspects of the home?

The open plan living and the feeling of living outside from within always. There is a lot of glass and windows, so you always have a view of the waterway and the mountains from upstairs. The property faces north, northwest, so the evenings are very sunny by the pool; we get beautiful sunsets. It is very peaceful and quiet.

There are lots of aspects we love. We love the high ceilings; we didn’t want to feel

boxed in. We wanted the luxury of living on the canals and having everything condensed, but still have a feeling of space and light and openness and being able to capture the views.

We love the lounge room. Having that indoor outdoor feeling, having a beautiful open view, able to watch the day go by, the lovely gas fireplace that has a beautiful flame.

Our parents' retreat is also a favourite space.

The timber parquetry flooring adds warmth, and then there’s the mountain and waterway views. As a family everyone can enjoy the home either individually, or together.

Our architect Rob Snow listened to all our ideas and put it all together; he did a fantastic job. We worked very closely with him, fine tuning everything; he added to our ideas and worked closely with Brandon and us.

The state of the art home automation system is incredible and a true luxury. It is a

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We have three bedrooms on the ground level, each with te their own en-sui so y, on lc ba d an eir everyone has th .” ea ar e at iv own pr

“ CBUS controlled security system that can be controlled by us anywhere in the world. It has different modes, including winter mode, summer mode and holiday mode. The system has five surveillance cameras and alarms installed, so we feel very comfortable and safe at all times. We can program the system so the lights or heaters come on at a certain time, open the blinds, or turn on the airconditioning.

Who came up with the design?

My husband and myself definitely had a

strong idea of what we wanted, which was to simplify our living.

Even though it is a big property, the home features simplistic living. We have three bedrooms on the ground level, each with their own en-suite and balcony, so everyone has their own private area. This was done purposely for our children, who will eventually come back and forward over the years and bring their families, so they will

each have their own little apartment.

Tell us about the colour scheme?

We really wanted to have a dramatic feel. On the canals there are a lot of charcoals and beiges.

I wanted to do something different. I felt I wanted to bring more warmth in, hence the brown copper look. To achieve a rich contrast, I used a very clean white and a very rich brown.

Would you recommend Brandon Calder to other prospective home builders?

Definitely. Brandon is a very knowledgeable and experienced builder, especially around the canals. This was important to us, that someone had that knowledge and expertise to build an underground garage. He met our expectations and followed through with a truly beautiful home for us. info@brandoncalderhomes.com.au www.brandoncalderghomes.com.au

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After some research , I suggested solid , hardwood treads se po ex to d te as bl sand ve gi the grain and and aesthetic appeal ip sl e m so e provid resistance . ”

“

FROM THE ARCHITECT - ROB SNOW A brief to design a home of distinction on an exquisite waterfront site is still as exhilarating as it was when I first qualified as an architect 30 years ago. In addition, the inspired, enthusiastic and committed clients made working on this project an absolute pleasure, and perhaps it is this excitement and joy which gives this building a special glow.

The clients contacted me back in 2013 when I was a senior architect at King and Campbell, and arranged our first briefing meeting. It was clear they had been formulating their ideas for some time, and they presented a clear vision of what they wanted in their home. My challenge was to translate their “wish list” into a practical

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purpose-built home, while keeping the concept fresh and vibrant.

Over numerous early-evening design meetings, helped by some superb red wine, clients and architect got to know each other, brain stormed ideas, discussed and deliberated, and the design evolved. I did numerous conceptual sketches, and the concept came together relatively quickly, considering the complexities of the brief: boat shed, cellar, steam room, plant room, underground four-car garage, gym and lift ... And we hadn't even got up to ground level yet!

As the brief evolved, it became clear that the accommodation requirements called for a fairly large building, with my challenge being

to fit it on the site without making the building look overbearing. By moving the garage underground, we freed up space on the ground floor and reduced the visual impact of the garage doors.

The design has a central circulation corridor, punctuated by two courtyards, with an imposing grand staircase forming the internal focal point. The staircase provides visual continuity between floors and allows good cross and stack ventilation, with high level clerestory windows which open to purge the heat in summer and flood the centre of the home with light.

The brief for the staircase was for

“something special, as long as it is all white”. I proposed an aesthetically light system of cantilevered treads off a central steel structural “spine”. After some research, I suggested solid hardwood treads, sandblasted to expose the grain and give aesthetic appeal and provide some slip resistance. I built a small model to “sell” my concept to the clients and then had three stair treads fabricated, sandblasted and painted with two-pack polyurethane. The experiment identified the most suitable sandblasting depth and also the fact that a non slip nosing insert was required.

The staircase, which has become the focal point of the home, required considerable attention

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“

This build had a number of engineering challenges which ed were incorporat gn si de ul ilf with sk modifications .”

to design detail, as well as expert craftsmanship from Muras Steel and the stair maker. The everpresent and efficient contractor Brandon Calder and his group of specialist "can do" tradesmen, seamlessly helped to turn design into reality.

The home is filled with many other features, such as: The large gravity-defying cantilevered overhang, which provides a good shaded outdoor alfresco area off the living rooms.

The Juliet balcony, which gives an outdoor feel to the water-facing master bedroom and parents' retreat/study.

The minstrel gallery link on the top floor.

A dual-entry 4-stops lift, future-proofing the home for people with mobility problems.

The clients also pushed the technical “intelligent home” design requirements, including 3-story lift, CBUS (home automation), state-of-the-art entertainment system (audio and visual), media room, air-conditioning etc.

The exquisite location, exclusive design and enthusiastic clients made this a most rewarding project, from concept to completion.

FROM THE BUILDER - BRANDON CALDER This waterside family home is a great example of a smooth and rewarding custom-build.

Firstly, we had great clients who had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve, with the site to create a home to suit their family and lifestyle, without having to compromise.

Then they employed an architect who could

interpret their wish list and, importantly, transfer those thoughts into concept plans for discussion and future modification.

As a custom-builder, it makes my life so much easier if I am involved with clients and an architect who are on the same page and will listen and adapt plans to meet any particular, practical building considerations.

This build had a number of engineering challenges, which were incorporated with skilful design modifications. So we had a great foundation to start with, to which we applied our project management skills to ensure a quality build in the quickest time possible.

As you can see by the number of associates, trades and suppliers proud to support this

custom-built home, Brandon Calder Homes strives to use as many quality locals as possible.

I am also appreciative for a great regional magazine like FOCUS for giving local builders the opportunity to showcase a quality built custom-home we are certainly proud to put our name to.

the plug!

BRANDON CALDER HOMES National award winning custom-builder 0403 348 288 info@brandoncalderhomes.com.au www.brandoncalderghomes.com.au

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Happy New Year and Welcome to 2016.

2015 was a solid year for Port Macquarie real estate that saw reasonable growth in value overall.

In saying this, some pockets of Port Macquarie have performed extremely well taking advantage of our changing landscape – the introduction of a university campus to town.

town with about three weeks of the year to go. I anticipate close to 760 properties will sell in Port Macquarie in 2015. This is fairly low due to the fact the amount of properties for sale has been limited.

According to realestate.com.au, the median prices for Port Macquarie are: During 2015 the Port Mac3 Bedroom home - $416,000 quarie market has been 4 Bedroom home - $545,000 driven by low stock and However, if excellent demand 1 Bedroom unit - $195,000 a we go back however the number e th 2 Bedroom unit - $280,000 s ar couple of ye t of properties listed os m al 3 Bedroom unit town had r for sale has been $389,000 900 properties fo nt increasing over sale – so the amou Early in the New Year the the last couple of of properties onasonsome home owners will re ill st market is months. I noted in last be looking to put their ” . w ably lo month’s column that properties on the market. If the amount of properties this is the case – and with more listed for sale was 368, yet properties for sale creating more as I write this it’s sitting at 387. competition – it’s more important than What this means for sellers is that the poever to get your property feeling and looktential purchasers have more properties to ing right to maximise its potential value. choose from and therefore it’s paramount I suggest you attend to the little things like a property is managed effectively. decluttering (less is more), general maintenance However, if we go back a couple of years the (like fences, spider webs, clean gutters, windows town had almost 900 properties for sale – so etc), fixing tiles, painting the deck and garage the amount of properties on the market is still floor, clearing the kitchen bench, eliminating reasonably low. odours etc

“

As I write this there have been 707 sales in the

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Have a wonderful and safe 2016.

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Most Outstanding over 50’s Estate in Australasia

2015

NO uty Stamp D NO rp Fees Body Co NO Exit Fees S O U T H E R N

S T A R

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T

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Companies is a premium The Group also offers screen solutions for manufacturer of windows and its windows and doors in various options, doors in Australia. Our brands are from aluminium and fibreglass mesh to well known and trusted within the domestic pet-safe and security, as well as pleated and building industry and culminate in over 100 retractable styles. years of experience.

Our products can be customised and We are the supplier of choice for many tailored to individual specifications, with a major builders Australia-wide and, in Port myriad of options for size, configuration, Macquarie, we are proud to supply Pycon glazing and colour.

Homes, Hibbard Homes, G.J. Gardner, We are pleased to announce the Cavalier Homes, J & E Miller arrival of operations in the Builders and many more of the Port Macquarie region, area’s most popular builders. with our new office and Catering to In New South Wales, showroom located zes projects of all si the Group comprises at 5 Merrigal Rd, nge of with a broad ra Southern Star Aluminium Port Macquarie. , ucts superlative prod an d Windows and Doors This expansion will w we offer a windo it any and Canterbury Timber see the delivery of su to door solution Windows and Doors. the Southern Star al tic ac pr aesthetic or al on Through our flagship iti Group’s high quality ad tr er th he need , w brands we offer an and extensive product ” n. er od or m extensive range of products. range to the Mid North Our window range includes: Coast region. sliding, awning, double hung, As part of our continuous casement, louvre and bifold windows commitment to customer - while our range of doors includes: sliding, satisfaction, we have founded stacking sliding, bifold and French doors. All this branch to ensure the effective products are available in either aluminium and efficient delivery of our high demand from Southern Star Aluminium Windows and products to the local market.

Doors, or timber from Canterbury Timber Catering to projects of all sizes with a Windows and Doors. broad range of superlative products, we Aluminium products are offered in 100, offer a window and door solution to suit 200 and 300 Series as a good, better, bestany aesthetic or practical need, whether tiered assortment. There are nine standard traditional or modern. powder coat colour options, which provide So visit our showroom today to view an an array of colours to suit any interior and extensive range of product and meet our exterior design style. friendly, helpful staff.

Timber products are available in Western To find out more information, view our Red Cedar, Meranti or KD Hardwood, which products and download a free catalogue, visit you can stain or paint to provide further www.windowsanddoors.build

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“

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45 Botanic Drive, Lakewood NSW visit us online www.laurietonresort.com.au

Call today to arrange your personal sales consultation

P: 1300 55 70 75

greater port macquarie focus. 105

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focus_editorial

robyn’s

spot

ROBYNBUTTLER

HO! HO! HO!

BY NOW THE HO! HO! HO! IS SOUNDING MORE LIKE OH! OH! OH! WALLETS A LITTLE THINNER, CARDS LOOKING A LITTLE WORSE FOR WEAR, WAISTLINES EXPANDED A FEW INCHES, BUT YOU HAVE HAD A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR FAMILIES AND YOU’RE HOPEFULLY LOOKING FORWARD TO A FEW WEEKS’ HOLIDAYS.

W

elcome to all the visitors enjoying our beautiful district and its beaches, cafés, wineries etc.

Locals be patient with the influx of travellers - with parking being the main source of contention. It is bad enough during the year, but holiday season really puts a strain on the parking situation and people’s patience …

AUSSIE BOOK FOR CHILDREN ...

LOCALLY WRITTEN AND PRINTED HERE IN WAUCHOPE - ONLY $10 I would love to have advertised this book in last month’s column, but it was only given to me last week. I am so impressed by this Aussie ABC book; my friends and I have purchased quite a few. The book is the A-Z of Australian animals and birds, with fanastic illustrations of each one.

The book is more visual than words, but shows children all about Australian only native birds, animals and flora.

This wonderful book was written

by Bessie Jennings, who incidently won Australian Bush Laureate Award Children’s Poem of the Year in 2012.

Bessie tutors writing classes at U3A (University of the 3rd Age) and her works include humorous verse, bush poetry a biography and a CD of original poems.

Bessie’s sister, Patricia Gardner, has done all the paintings in the book, and the way she has captured the look and movement of the birds and animals is captivating … You can contact Bessie on 6583 5255 or email her at

108 greater port macquarie focus.

bessiejennings@bigpond.com to order a copy.

Bessie lives in a retirement village in Port Macquarie, where she has the books available. Congrats to the printers, M@S Print of Wauchope, for a superb job in putting this very well worthwhile book together. Copies of the book also available at Sea Acres ...

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS - True Story?

Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with that expensive doublepane energy efficient kind, and last month, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the work had been completed a whole year ago, and I still hadn’t paid for them. Helllooooo … Just beause I’m blonde doesn’t mean that I am automatically stupid. So, I told him just what his fast talking sales guy had told me last year: that in ONE YEAR these windows would pay for themselves!

Helloooo? It’s been a year, I told him!

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung up.

He never called back. I bet he felt like an idiot!

THE HISTORY OF APRONS - Happy Memories!

I don’t think our grandchildren know what an apron is … Well, not all of them.

The principal use of Nanna’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few and because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses, and aprons required less

material.

Along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. When the weather was cold, Nanna wrapped it around her arms.

From the garden it carried all sorts of veggies … After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

When unexpected guests drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Nanna walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and everyone knew it was time to come in for dinner.

Remember, Nanna used to set her hot baked apple pie on the bench to cook ...

Nowdays, we set our apple pies on the bench to thaw.

The do gooders would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don’t think I ever caught anything from an apron but love - do you?

Happy New Year, everyone. Slip Slop and Slap, be kind to each other, and may 2016 be a healthy, happy year for you all, filled with much laughter ...

Keep smiling!

Robbie. x

focusabode.

We house hunt and negotiate we house hunt negotiate great deals forand buyers for buyers

Robert Snow Architect

excellence in sustainability

Robert Snow Architect would like to celebrate a successful year in business and thank all the clients who have made this possible. The year has seen the design of six new homes which are currently under construction, as well as numerous alterations and additions, commercial work and work at local schools.

Fuji Xerox Business Centre Mid North Coast nominated for Excellence in Sustainability.

Since arriving in Port Macquarie eleven years ago, Rob Snow has been involved in a wide range of practice-based architectural work. The decision to “go solo” has allowed Rob to offer a more personalised service and focus on achieving design outcomes for clients.

The benefits of a small practice with low overheads translates into a value-for-money service. The practice uses the latest ArchiCAD 3D software, which generates sophisticated 3D models, making it easy for clients to understand the design by enabling a “walk through” experience of their project.

Rob has extensive overseas experience and while in the UK, completed a Masters Degree in Environmental Design In Buildings (University of Wales, Cardiff, UK).

Communication is key to excellence in design and the guiding of a project through the administrative nightmare of the planning and construction approval process. With experience and local knowledge of consultants and contractors, Rob can reduce the likelihood of meeting “cowboys” on your project.

If you are looking for design and construction ideas on a home or building project and would like to have a talk with an architect, contact Rob Snow for a no-strings-attached discussion.

Environmental sustainability is well-embedded in our business, thanks to a long-standing commitment to environmentally responsible product design as well as committed staff who create and follow sustainable practices. Fuji Xerox technology and services are designed and managed to improve sustainability the perfect stairlift solution performance for customers.

Our equipment features environmentally responsible design and energy efficient enhancements With a tailor-made Acorn Stairlift, you can stay right and our document software and digital technologies reduceand where you are - keep your home, keep your freedom paper wastage.

Our services enable clients to improve the retain your independence. efficiency of document intensive processes and optimise their At Acorn we want to make sure that you get the perfect stairlift equipment infrastructure to save costs and cut carbon emissolution for your needs. Our unique rail system means that we sions. Specifically, our Fuji Xerox new series devices give a very can fit an Acorn Stairlift to all types of staircase, and what’s good overall performance during the BLI’s (Buyers Laboratory) more, we can do so within a matter of days, rather than weeks. environmental evaluation, including lower than average energy A visit from one of our friendly surveyors will allow you to see consumption, no problems running recycled paper, reduced what sets Acorn Stairlifts apart from any other stairlift company. noise emissions and quick recovering times from energy-save.

After assessing your needs, our surveyor will instantly be able to We and activity working to giveare youcommitted the peace to of sustainability mind of knowing exactly how affordable both reduce the impact of its operations and act as a leader to an Acorn Stairlift can be. all. We have a dedicated sustainability officer who reports on Acorn has always been at the forefront of the stairlift industry. our sustainability targets each month, that include reducing enWe have led the way with our design and innovation. Acorn will ergy, water and fuel consumption as well as effective recycling always strive to deliver our products with you, our customers, in programmes. mind.

To find out how your business can be more sustainable, Acorn Stairlifts are the first stairlift manufacturer to be awarded please contact our team on 6584 0800. the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease-of-Use Commendation.

We have helped more than 350 people buy over We have helped more than 350 Australia people buy over $200 $200 Million Dollars of property wide.

Million Dollars of property Australia wide.

Wow - 2015 has been crazy for Smarter Property and its Wow - 2015team has been crazyagents! for Smarter Property and its professional of buyers’ professional team of buyers’ agents! to an even more successful We are very excited and look forward We have been working hard with clients all over Australia securing 2016 for our clients. properties from Perth tohard Portwith Macquarie, to We have been working clients allfrom overMelbourne Australia securing Maroochydore.

Our clients comment how happy they properties from Perth to Portoften Macquarie, from Melbourne to are after engaging Our our clients services, as you don’t know Maroochydore. often comment how what happyyou theydon’t are know when it comes to property. after engaging our services, as you don’t know what you don’t Oftenwhen people will asktothat essential elevator question, “What do know it comes property. you do?”, so this month we wouldelevator like to summarise just some Often people will ask that essential question, “What do of the services we offer to our happy clients. you do?”, so this month we would like to summarise just some of the services WHAT WE we DO:offer to our happy clients.

WE HOUSE HUNT and NEGOTIATE FOR BUYERS WHAT WE DO: • Reduce the risk and of buyingFOR yourBUYERS dream home or WE HOUSE HUNT andstress NEGOTIATE investment property • Reduce the risk and stress of buying your dream home or • Keep youproperty safe investment • Save you valuable time and money • Keep you safe • Use professional research determine a property’s real market • Save you valuable time andtomoney value • Use professional research to determine a property’s real market • Negotiate contract terms for the best deal value Bid at auctions to remove emotional ••Negotiate contract terms for the best bid dealand improve your success • Bid at auctions to remove emotional bid and improve your success Accessto toproperty propertynot notadvertised advertisedto tothe thegeneral generalpublic public ••Access • Acces qualified Property Investment Advisors • Access qualified Property Investment Advisors Soififyou youtoo toowant wantyour yourhappy happyever everafter after......then thengive giveus usaacall calland So and let us show you how it’s possible to have your home and let us show you how it’s possible to have your home and investment investmenttoo. properties too. properties

Award Winning Fuji Xerox Buyers Lab (BLI), the world’s leading independent tester of document imaging products have announced that our latest ApeosPort-V series devices have earned the following awards.

Fuji Xerox Business Centre Finalist in the Excellence in Sustainability category.

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focus_editorial

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110 greater port macquarie focus.

Estelle Gough from Port Macquarie Landcare

SUMMER IN PORT MACQUARIE IS HOT, BUSY AND NOISY. CICADAS ARE SINGING THEIR LOVE SONGS NIGHT AND DAY. THESE ONE-NOTE SONGS SURE ARE LOUD: UP TO 120 DECIBELS (LOUDER THAN A LAWNMOWER).

T

he cicadas’ racket may also deter predators, and cicadas have many: birds, reptiles, mammals and other insects feed on them.

Perhaps you have seen and heard a cicada shouting “Help!” from the beak of a Dollarbird, whose diet is insects taken on the wing.

The Dollarbird has a loud call too, a monotonous grating kak-kak-kak that tells us summer’s here again!

Another powerful sound can often be heard around dawn. It’s the Tawny Frogmouth bird rhythmically crooning a single note call, almost like a heartbeat.

These birds, which have a big mouth (yellow inside), are easy to spot at night hunting insects and small mammals in the suburbs. They roost in trees, but during daylight hours their perfect camouflage and complete stillness make them almost invisible.

Then there’s the night music - from our koalas.

They have more than one note, so their love songs are a bit more complex.

The call of the male koala has been described as a roar, bellow, snore, burp, or grunt, and it advertises the male’s presence to rivals, as well as to females.

The females’ calls are quite different, voiced during courtship and described as a high pitched snarl or scream. A mother koala can also talk to her joey with clicks, and it can reply with little squeaks.

All these sounds are part of our summer.

It would not be Port Macquarie without the background of loud melodious calls from Rainbow and Scaly-breasted Lorikeets as they

feast on flowers.

They are joined by screeching Galahs and Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, in the trees or on the ground gleaning seed.

One of the loudest parrots is the magnificent Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. You may hear a trio of them calling, “Where are you?” while flying overhead, or shredding branches to get at the grubs inside.

Well, Landcare can take some credit for this all this joyous noise.

In 2015 we planted thousands of native trees, shrubs and ground plants, as we have every year for the past decade.

We have put back the plants that were here originally: the ones our beloved wildlife needs.

We built for them homes among the gum trees and the rainforest.

Landcare has removed unproductive weeds and revegetated bare areas over dozens of hectares.

Our mission is to repair the ecosystems that support native species, while also providing the environment we humans want to live in.

Because of Landcare, there are many pockets of shade and greenery that now welcome you.

They are interesting to walk through, and will probably be noisy too!

You can enjoy for free our Blair Reserve, Absalom Reserve, The Lilypond, Rushcutter Reserve and Lighthouse Beach, to name a few.

Many have illustrated Landcare signs that will enhance your visit.

Please consider the wildlife and only bring pets where permitted, on a leash.

Contributed by Julie Ho.

focusabode.

AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU GET CAUGHT UP IN THE EXCITEMENT The event develops an aura of anticipation; it builds awareness and creates a sense of urgency. Then, when interest is at its peak, the highly-publicised day arrives, banners fly, presentation is perfect and a profound sense of premium results lingers in the air.

I

t all starts in January and (unless sold before) McGrath’s Gala Auction Event will culminate on February 20th.

The last time McGrath Port Macquarie presented a special auction event, attendances exceeded every expectation and the final results were outstanding. Now it’s about to happen again and already a substantial number of properties have been subscribed, taking advantage of an extensive lead-up to what will become a very exciting day.

Properties such as those pictured: a magnificently unique home with absolutely breathtaking views, in The Summit; a highly luxurious waterfront residence on the North Shore; and a lovely town home in Owen Street, near Town Beach. There are already many more, and marketing for these will commence from early-mid January 2016.

Recognised for its outstanding marketing strategies, industry-leading service and superior results, the McGrath network excels when it comes to promoting special occasions, so the Gala Auction Event is destined to attract significant attention from potential home buyers across a

wide area of Australia.

Thinking of selling in 2016?

The local market is strong. Port Macquarie has been nationally The last time recognised for its growing McGrath Port infrastructure, particularly ented a Macquarie pres ent, ev in the areas of education, special auction eded ce ex s health and accessibility. It ce an nd atte and n marketing io at has long been appreciated every expect e er w lts consistently attracts su for its natural attributes the final re ” g. in more buyers from outnd and the local economy is outsta of-town and its valued very sound indeed. Apart from vendors can only draw locals, a substantial number of benefi t from this broadened “sea-changers” and investors have exposure. become interested in the region and many To find out more, talk to a friendly of these will be visiting during the holiday season.

McGrath agent today. Every agent is It makes good sense therefore, for vendors involved.

Every staff member is involved. The to present their homes to the marketplace Gala Auction Event will take place on Saturday during the January peak period, to have signage February 20th, McGrath’s exclusive auctioneers on display, promotion in the public eye and will be out to set new records and, should you representation ready to show properties to decide to become a part of the day, the team interested parties. McGrath’s Gala Auction Event could be visiting your home too. has been strategically planned to capture and Amazing things happen when you get caught to capitalise on this advantage. In addition to up in the excitement. those from the local area, the brand’s exclusive

“

McGrath Port Macquarie Selling Agents: Todd Bates (Principal)

M 0420 318 305

Greg Bates

M 0418 112 025

Dayne Molony

M 0400 702 866

Steve Newman

M 0425 252 520

Keith Olsen

M 0400961 186

Tim Milner

M 0407 645 637

Corrine Cunningham

M 0409 468 773

greater port macquarie focus. 111

THEN

The first 20 years A S T H E L O CA L R E A L E STAT E O F F I C E C E L E B R AT E S I T S 2 0 T H Y E A R , C H R I S KO C H R E F L E C T S O N T H E B U S I N E S S ’S H I STO RY A N D T E L L S U S A B O U T T H E I R FOCUS FOR THE FUTURE.

Ingrid Moon sold the first home in Jan 1996 in the first week of trading. A 4 bedroom home on a large block in The Spinnaker.

Construction in front of the Horton Street office circa 1996 as part of the council’s CBD beautification program.

Photo: Port Macqaurie Historical Society Collection

Population LGA Port Macquarie 20 yrs ago approx. 58,000, now 78,000

I

t’s a fact of life: very few small businesses achieve long term success. Many fail to navigate the first 12 months. For a boutique real estate office to reach the 20 year milestone, requires the right mix of commitment, local knowledge, passion and enthusiasm, and the best possible team.

In 2016 Laing+Simmons Port Macquarie celebrates its 20th year. The undisputed local market leader under the leadership of Chris and Kelly Koch, Laing+Simmons Port Macquarie has gone from strength to strength as the market over the past two decades has ebbed and flowed.

Consider how much has changed since this time 20 years ago. Telecom had just become Telstra, eBay went live, Frank Harrison was just settling in as Mayor of Port Macquarie, locals were enjoying the new Port Central shopping experience, and a small real estate office popped up on the corner of Horton and William Streets.

Fast forward to 2016 and much has changed. “Port Macquarie has emerged to become one of the state’s fastest growing regional centres,” says Laing+Simmons Port Macquarie Principal Chris Koch.

“Unprecedented growth – the population of the Port Macquarie LGA has increased by around 20,000 to 78,000 in the past 20 years – as well as major new investments in infrastructure has supported the town’s development from a seasonal fishing and holiday village to the important regional

2 greater port macquarie focus.

city it is today.”

The Laing+Simmons Port Macquarie team sold around 250 “From a property perspective, to say the Port Macquarie properties last year. This is about 25% more than its nearest market has experienced substantial growth is an competitor, and the team have no plans to take the foot off understatement.” the pedal.

“The median house price has more than tripled.

“Our focus is on the next 20 years. Having In January 1996, in the week Laing+Simmons set the standard in real estate service, Port Macquarie began trading, the office the team’s challenge is to not only Our focus is on listed a four bedroom home on a large remain at the forefront of the local s. the next 20 year rd da block in The Spinnaker for $109,000. an real estate industry, but to take Having set the st e, ic rv se te ta The median house price in Port further strides ahead,” says Chris. in real es nge is Macquarie is now approximately “Obviously the team we have the team’s challe at ain to not only rem $465,000,” he says. on the ground is the key. Having l ca lo e th the forefront of t bu , According to realestate.com.au, historically grown in tandem with ry st du in real estate es rid st er which coincidentally also recently the wider region, we currently rth fu ke to ta celebrated its 20th year, Port Macquarie have 15 team members and we ahead.” was the most popular suburb in the whole remain in a solid growth phase.” country to buy property in 1995, recording As such, the business has outgrown the highest number of transactions over the its current location. Laing+Simmons Port course of the year. This no doubt reflected the pristine Macquarie will soon move into a new purposenatural beauty of the town, its beaches and its surrounds – built office on the corner of Clarence and Murray beauty which remains just as evident today.

Streets, in Clarence House.

Yet despite the major shifts of the past 20 years, the “It’s an exciting time, with the new state-of-the-art fundamental principles of customer service remain timeless. premises providing nearly twice the space for us to focus on These are the hallmarks of the Laing+Simmons Port providing an even better customer experience,” Chris says.

Macquarie approach, enabling the talented and dedicated The move will bring with it a sense of déjà vu for the team to evolve and grow with the town and its residents.

Koches. The new premises are on the former site of Todd

“

Now

The current office on Horton Street has served Laing+Simmons well in its central location.

f u t u r e

The future home of Laing+Simmons ‘Clarence House’ one the corner of Murray and Clarence Streets.

Median house price 20 years ago approx. $136,000, now around $465,000

Holden, the car dealership purchased by Kelly’s father in 1973, and where Chris began his sales career over 20 years ago.

But for Chris and Kelly, the future is the focus. Having introduced a property management service 18 months ago, this area of the business has grown exponentially.

“We recognise the importance of providing a complete service to our customers and our property management function has been extremely well received,” Chris says. “We also have plans to expand our service offering to commercial sales and managements in the near future. Resting on our laurels is not an option.”

It’s a mantra the broader Laing+Simmons group appreciates. In this age of innovation in real estate, some agents invest too much in themselves and lose sight of the customer. But buying and selling property is a major decision for everyone, and the best agents never shift their focus from the customer’s needs.

“From a network perspective, Port Macquarie has consistently been one of our strongest performing offices, both in terms of sales and customer service, throughout the history of Laing+Simmons,” says Leanne Pilkington, Managing Director of the Laing+Simmons Franchise Group.

“After meeting Chris 10 years ago, it was immediately obvious he had the drive to make a real mark on the real estate landscape in the Port Macquarie region as well

The team at Laing+Simmons Port Macquarie as in the Laing+Simmons group. It’s rare to discover the combination of passion and enthusiasm with that distinct local knowledge that defines Laing+Simmons, but with Chris this combination was unmistakable.”

“It is a testament to Chris, Kelly and the entire Port Macquarie team to reach the 20 year milestone, having been the market leader for so long yet continuing to invest in the future to ensure their customers receive the very best service,” she says.

To this day, Laing+Simmons Port Macquarie is the most awarded office in the history of the group. The team is a repeat winner of Laing+Simmons Gold Awards for outstanding customer service, sales and marketing. But it’s never been just about the awards or the numbers; it’s always been about the service provided.

And after 20 years, for customers of Laing+Simmons Port Macquarie, that service is only getting better.

6583 7733 | lsre.com.au/portmacquarie

greater port macquarie focus. 3

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focusinterview.

BILL PAIN H A N G

G L I D I N G

BILL PAIN WAS EXCITED BY THE THOUGHT OF HANG GLIDING AT A YOUNG AGE, AND BY THE TIME HE WAS 16, HE’D HAD HIS FIRST LESSONS! THESE DAYS, HE MANAGES TO GET AIRBORNE MONTHLY, AND HE STILL LOVES THE SPORT. NOW BILL HAS ALSO TURNED HIS SKILL AND SPORTING EXPERTISE TO YET ANOTHER SPORT, CREATING A RANGE OF KAYAK SAILS, WHICH HE MARKETS ONLINE …

H

i Bill. You started hang gliding in 1976, when you still lived in England. How did you get started - why did you actually want to

hang glide?

Well, I used to receive a kids’ science magazine called The World of Wonder. I would have been 12 years old at the time when I read this article on hang gliding, so that would have been 1972. It just looked amazing, and right then I just wanted to do that.

By the time I was 16, I was earning some money in the holidays, so I had enough to go and do a two day course on Dartmoor in Devon. It was real early days, and teaching seemed to consist of shouting instructions at you whilst you were flying!

When did you emigrate to Australia - and what prompted the move?

To anyone who has suffered 40 English winters, the answer is obvious! Seriously, it was a lifestyle choice, and we wanted to be somewhere with consistent good weather, so it really was decided from that point of view.

Also, the Sydney Olympics had just been held and with the benefit of the splendid

BBC coverage, which really did the job of transporting you to the event like no other, the mood and positiveness of Australia looked so appealing. I am glad to say the move has lived up to expectations … well, almost anyway!

Why did you choose Coomba Park to be your new home?

There is another story. We had spent over two years travelling around Australia, albeit just visiting NSW, VIC, SA and QLD. We actually only scratched the surface, and we are planning on resuming our travels. While travelling, we were always on the lookout for the right place.

We did have a stringent want list, not to mention a limited budget, so it was potentially frustrating - but our prayers were answered when we discovered Coomba Park. It is a true jewel with a wonderful and varied community.

Add to that the location on Wallis Lake, how are you going to find better?

Since your early days with hang gliding, you’ve been involved in the R & D aspects of the sport. What are some of the most significant changes you’ve witnessed in hang gliding over this time?

When I started flying, it was just going through probably the most significant

developments in improved safety, stability and The only place to go is an approved ease of use, so from 1976 to 1978 we saw school, which you can find on the federation dramatic improvements - and it was a very website http://www.hgfa.asn.au There are exciting time. We were coming up with new schools in Newcastle and Sydney. ideas and things to try almost weekly.

You’ve turned now turned your expertise Now the modern high towards designing and performance gliders exceed producing kayak sails. even our wildest dreams How and where do you at the time, and we distribute your sails?

16, By the time I was have incredibly I lent my experience e as earning som w I airworthy and trusty to developing a lid ays, so I money in the ho a do machines to fly that range of sails to d an go to had enough tmoor ar D are exhaustively fit all sorts of on se ur co two day early al re as w tested. kayaks, and I sell It . on in D ev ng se emed hi ac te d How often do most through eBay an , ys da ting you manage to and my website: to consist of shou whilst u instructions at yo get airborne these kayaksails.com.au ” g! in fly e er you w days? Where do You have some you normally fly? wonderful hang I probably get out gliding videos on one or two times a month, YouTube. Where’s the best as my time for this is split with link for readers to go and see windsurfing and I like to fly from Blueys this footage?

Beach or Booti Booti, but I get to fly from You can find my channel here, which Pebbly Beach from time to time. has videos of flying in the local area as well as What’s involved with learning to hang kayak sailing on Wallis Lake: www.youtube. glide? If someone’s a rank amateur and com/user/billpain keen to learn, where’s a good place to Thanks Bill. start?

“

greater port macquarie focus. 115

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focusabode.

A star

is born

ORION ON THE BEACH WE’VE ALL DRIVEN PAST THAT LAST REMAINING BLOCK ON THE FAMOUS TOWN BEACH “STRIP” AND WONDERED WHAT EXCITING DEVELOPMENT WILL TAKE SHAPE TO COMPLETE THE ROW OF WORLD-CLASS WATER VIEW APARTMENTS.

W

ell folks, the wait is over, and the news is very exciting.

With the recent growth and increased interest in Port Macquarie, the time is now right for the redevelopment of this prestige site.

Grosvenor Capital has secured this premier site and is moving forward with delivery of arguably Port’s most exciting mixed use development since the early 2000s.

This is good news for local building firm BDM Constructions who have been recently appointed as the project builders. Grosvenor Capital and BDM already have an established successful working relationship, teaming up to deliver a number of positive regional developments in New South Wales.

Grosvenor Capital, Executive Chairman Tony Veale said, “This acquisition is the natural progression for Grosvenor and BDM Construction and we are very pleased about this opportunity to invest and develop in the Hastings area, this project will be truly amazing.“ Grosvenor Capital have recognised the Port Macquarie Hastings area as the prime lifestyle location on the Mid North Coast.

This recognition has led the company to invest in a land subdivision in the area, which is currently under construction. The arrival of Grosvenor Capital as a major contributor in the local development industry, is a great boost to the local economy. Not only in the direct purchase of land but more so in what the development activity and ongoing service related activity does, to boost and sustain the local economy.

With a philosophy of “keeping it local”, the developers are excited and very determined to include as many local

Location Shot

tradespeople and suppliers as possible to Street complex, will offer outstanding north service the delivery of the project. Similarly, to north-easterly views to Point Plomer and local specialist Nationwide Property Brokers, across the South Pacific where the ocean have been engaged to co-ordinate and literally meets the sky. market the development to the local and These high quality yet very affordable broader marketplace. apartments are set to include open plan It is expected that more than 150 direct living, high quality finishes and inclusions, and indirect local jobs will be created both a gym, restaurant and coffee shop, along during and post delivery of the project, with manicured grounds and other yet to be with construction anticipated to announced surprises. commence in the second half With a range of of 2016. apartments to suit This development entry level budgets is named after the right through to With the rece nt prominent constellation prestige living, the growth and in st which shines bright development also re te in d se increa e in the night sky comes under notice th , ie ar qu Port Mac directly above the site, as being one of the r fo t gh ri time is now “Orion”. With the most unique real of t en the redevelopm creation of ‘Orion - On estate offerings on ” . this prestige site The Beach’ a new star the Mid North Coast. is born.

Residents will be The Orion Development spoilt for choice with is one of the most exciting two local beaches within construction projects which Port 500 metres, a wide variety of Macquarie has seen in over a decade. retail shopping, quality restaurants, This multi-million dollar development bars, cafes, multi-screen movie theatre will certainly breathe some new life and world-class cultural facilities are easily into the William Street and Town Beach accessed on foot via scenic stroll along the neighbourhood. Its premium ground floor South Breakwall as part of the Town Beach retail space will bring an element of fresh precinct walking trail. new choices into the western end of the Combining all of the modern features of strip. this contemporary new development with Activation of the sites three street the natural surrounds and local amenities frontages with individual buildings will sets Orion out on its own as the only transform the appeal of the location and development of its type currently on offer. offer a variety of apartment layouts and It ticks all the boxes of executive apartment styles with unique views and outlook. lifestyle living, on the beach.

Orion will deliver 1, 2 and 3 bedroom The development site is already buzzing high quality apartment options, in three with activity with the addition of a display individual buildings, fronting William, Lord and sales pod, where all facets of the and Church Streets. The completed William development and pre-sales information can

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be viewed and discussed on location.

Apartments within “Orion - On The Beach” are sure to be snapped up by those seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle due to its premium Town Beach location.

Real Estate expert, Nationwide Property Brokers’ Tony Rathbone, is currently taking pre-sale enquiries and EOI for the development and is available at any time to discuss an apartment or retail space that “best fits” the buyers budget and lifestyle desires.

To learn more about Orion or make a sales enquiry, please contact Tony Rathbone on 1800 223 768 or info@nationwidepropertybrokers.com.au

SNAPSHOT LOCATION: • Coffee/Café 100 m • Rotary Park picnic area 100 m • Town Beach (patrolled) 300 m • Chef’s Hat Restaurant 300 m • Bowling Club 300 m • Walking Trail 300 m • Oxley Beach 500 m • South Breakwall 500 m • CBD shopping, bars, theatres 1 km

SNAPSHOT ORION APARTMENTS: • Offering of 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Apartments • Open Plan • Modern Façade • Premium Location • Affordable Pricing - Entry to Premium.

• Residents Gym • Superior local Amenities • Stunning Views greater port macquarie focus. 118

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L O C AT I O N , L O C AT I O N , L O C AT I O N THREE BRAND NEW PROPERTIES TO MEET ALL BUDGETS

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RI GH T IN T H E H E A RT OF M E DIC A L, A C A DE M IC , R E TA I L H U B

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4-6 Toorak Court, Port Macquarie Brand new apartments to invest or live in positioned adjacent to new and upgraded infrastructure: •

Port Macquarie Base Hospital precinct

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University of NSW Medical Training School

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Newcastle University Satellite Campus

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Charles Sturt University Campus

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2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, single garage or carport

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Galley stone kitchen, alfresco courtyard or balcony

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Stage 1 selling fast, incentives apply, STCA

From $349,950

2 Bed

2 Bath

1 Car

Artists Impressions

B E A C H S IDE T OW N H OUS E S

BERMUDA BREEZE 2-10 Cathie Road, Port Macquarie

STAGE 2 ONLY 3 LEFT D ON’T MISS OUT

Fantastic low maintenance lifestyle or solid investment property in highly sought after locale •

Positioned only 900 metres to the beach

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650 metres short walk to shopping village

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Three bedrooms, two car spaces, 2.5 bathrooms

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Spacious open plan living, undercover alfresco areas

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Ducted air conditioning, stone benchtops

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Choice of timber flooring or modern tiling

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Stage 1 Sold Out, Only 3 left in Stage 2, Act Now

From $439,950

3 Bed

2 Bath

2 Car Artists Impressions

DUA L IN C OM E S OLID R E T UR N IN G IN V E S T M E NT

CLEARWATER A PPROX .

6% PL U S RETU RN

32 Clearwater Crescent, Port Macquarie Brand new 4 bedroom energy efficient home with a separate studio apartment / secondary dwelling •

Private, secluded position with tree lined aspect

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Master built with finest inclusions throughout

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Positively geared, furniture, depreciation schedule

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Pay less stamp duty as separate house and land contracts

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Solar savings, smart wired, Conveyancing included

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Only 1 left out of 5, Act now before all are SOLD

From $604,750 Artists Impressions

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4 Bed

2 Bath

2 Car

1 Bed

1 Bath

1 Car

FOR MORE INFORMATION 1800 223 768 www.nationwidepropertybrokers.com greater port macquarie focus. 119

Make this a stellar 2016.

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