Alistair Flower - In the Front Bar

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FRONT BAR

with ALISTAIR FLOWER

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FLOWER HOTELS

Alistair Flower, Managing Director of Flower Hotels chats to wonderful humans within our community. This month he caught up with Representative Rugby Union Player & Community Leader, Naomi George.

Naomi, you’re sitting here wearing two hats, not only are you a venue manager at the Fernhill Tavern, you’re also a key player in our local Women’s Rugby Union Competition. Playing for the Wauchope Thunder, when did your rugby career start?

I started playing rugby in school, but once I fi nished there wasn’t a women’s development pathway in our area. It was not until Wauchope Thunder was founded that we started to see Women’s Rugby develop. We didn’t have a competition, but we trained for two years. Two nights a week with the boys, we were committed. We got our fi rst run at Crescent Head 7’s back in 2015. With the introduction to Women’s Rugby in the MNC Draw in 2017.

Tell us the highlight of your career so far?

2019 – Grand Final.

We went into the match favourites, only dropping one game the whole season. But what came after that was just magic. A 55-0 thumping of our opposition in what was labelled as an absolute domination. Everything we had worked on that season just fell into place. I was subbed at ¾ time and coach said “sit down mate, you’ve done your job”.

We hear that you’ve recently been named in the NSW Country Rugby Union squad, what an achievement! Is this a fi rst for you?

It’s my third year in NSW Country. It’s an amazing experience. In past years we have only played versus Sydney City in Sydney, but now we are off to Adelaide for a week-long camp which is something I haven’t experienced before so I am really looking forward to it. The squad they have picked is full of experience and talent so I’m very excited to be a part of it.

You’ve got your hands full with a family at home, a busy job and a love of Union, and you’ve found time to join the Thunder Committee as well? What is your role and how do you fi nd time to do it all?

I wanted to take a step back this year as I started my new role as Venue Manager at the Fernhill Tavern, but due to lack of numbers available to help on committee, I now help the Treasurer and the Secretary. I have an amazing supportive husband who pushes me to chase my dreams and do the things I love. He gets called “Single Dad” in footy season and I secretly think he loves that nickname – haha. He sponsors the Wauchope Thunder as well and now he has his own jersey, he wears it to every game. I wouldn’t be able to do all this without him and his support.

What does the Wauchope community mean to the Thunder as a club?

The Wauchope The Wauchope community community keeps us keeps us going. We going. We appreciate the appreciate the support of every spectator support of every that comes to watch us spectator that comes play, or that pulls us up at to watch us play, or the pub to congratulate that pulls us up at the us on a good game. The pub to congratulate us support we receive from on a good game. the Hastings Hotel gives us a home, somewhere to come after the game and celebrate or commiserate, it really is the heart of the community.

Last of all, what is the best thing about the Port Macquarie Hastings Region?

The people. Holding a volunteer role (on the Thunder committee) you really do get to see the best in people. We have such great people in our community, it’s second to none.

These school holidays are set to be dinotastic not just for the kids, but the whole family! Get ready for the ultimate live show which gets you up close and personal to the energetic dinosaur team. We cha ed with the director Lisa Forde about the production, crew and what to expect.

Hi Lisa. This July, the Mid North Coast is set to see a stampede of dinosaurs stomping through our towns. Your successful Dinomaniacs show is here with a stage full of wonderful species. Tell us about the show?

THE DINOMANIACS is a highly interactive energetic DINOSAUR adventure which is suitable for the whole family!

At this ‘family show spectacular’ let your imagination run wild as you embark on an awe inspiring, exhilarating and gripping journey back in time with Toby the T-Rex, Trixi Triceratops, Ozzi & Oi! our Aussie dinosaurs, Tara (The Dino Queen), Shaun (The Dino Doctor), PLUS many more prehistoric special guests!

Incorporating The Dinomaniacs original songs like “Rock & Roar”, “The Dino Dr” and “Dance with the Dinosaurs” together with some all time classic toe tapping tunes that are sure to have everyone up and dancing.

There are plenty of surprises, songs, jokes and dancing, as well as exciting opportunities for the audience to get up close and personal with the dinosaurs. There’s a total of 7 dinosaurs as part of the show including none other than the uber famous Toby the T-Rex, Tara the Queen of all dinosaurs, and Shaun our eccentric Dino Dr. We will also be introducing our Aussie dinosaurs - Ozzi & Oi!

Can you tell us about the cheeky crew?

Toby the T-Rex is a very cheeky dinosaur. He’s like a big puppy - he has a mind of his own and you never know what mischief he will get up to on the day.

Tara and Shaun have known each other since high school and their rapport on stage is magical - bouncing off each other with quirky dialogue and sometimes going off script to suit the vibe - every show is unique.

We like to promote our cast as - Real People - no pretentiousness which is very warming to the audience.

They both sing live - no miming! And it’s high energy dancing.

This is your third year on tour and each year it’s proven to become more and more popular. Why do you think that is?

I think it’s because we really focus in on interaction with our audiences - inviting them to join in the show with our modern music - especially our original songs - they have a very 80s-90s sound to them.

We also keep up to date with trends on the internet and social trends that the audience can relate to and incorporate them into the show. This keeps it fresh, current and funny. We have added a lot of tongue in cheek humour that the parents have a chuckle but goes over the kids’ heads.

We have had past patrons see up to 4 of our

ere's a total of 7 dinosaurs shows and they say it’s a different show again - we love that feedback as as part of the show we work hard to make it including none other fresh. Thats why I think than the uber famous it’s grown from strength Toby the T Rex and to strength. Tara the Queen of all Interactive, fun and dinosaurs, Shaun our educational at the eccentric Dino Dr. same time, what can

viewers expect from the performance?

We give the power to the kids to be in control of our dinosaurs - so the kids aren’t scared as they hold the power. They help us train our dinosaurs. Along with lots of laughs, dancing, singing along and role playing.

What do you enjoy the most about sharing this special production with an audience?

It’s the joy we see on kids’ faces and how they interact with the show - with smiles all round - even the parents get involved in dancing and singing along. It’s also wonderful to see the parents and carers enjoying their time with their kids together. It’s not every day you can spend a day with dinosaurs!

How can we find out more and book our spot?

You can book through the venue’s ticket site www.stickytickets.com.au/IPJ16 Video - YouTube https://youtu.be/PgiDabqu1GI

focus_interview

ESCAPE ROOMS

Angela Frimberger and Taylor Heath REVEAL WHAT EXACTLY MAKES FACADE ESCAPE ROOMS SUCH A FUN BUSINESS to work and play in!

Façade (fah-sahd): 2. a false appearance that makes something seem different than what it really is; a trick, deception, ruse, or artifi ce... "Nothing is what it seems"

Angela, for those who are unfamiliar with what an Escape Room is, can you please explain its concept?

Escape rooms are live-action mystery puzzle adventure games, where teams race the clock to solve mental challenges in a themed space. They’re set in an exciting fi ctional story, with a need to “escape” to boost the adrenaline (but players are never actually confi ned!). One of the aspects we appreciate is that it’s exciting but not physically strenuous, so it’s great for all ages, and something different generations can genuinely enjoy together!

We bring players into a new world, through a story, an experience, an immersive environment full of puzzles to solve, codes to crack, and an adventure to be had.

The only thing we love more than connecting with enthusiasts is seeing escape room obsession born here – we adore introducing someone new to escape rooms, and having them come out of their experience saying they can’t wait to play again!

We’re a small business, but the heart and passion behind our business and our team are enormous. Façade began in 2018 when our family addiction to this wildly fun activity sparked the idea that Port would benefi t from an escape room locally. We wanted to bring joy and excitement to locals and visitors, entertain fellow enthusiasts, and share the fun with people new to the experience.

Angela, you have a great team of ‘Game Masters’ and are focused on being a great employer too.

Our team is the heart of Façade Escape Room!

We value providing good quality jobs for locals. Many of our employees are young, so we feel it’s particularly important to set a standard of employer excellence, that they may carry through future employment. They give us hard work and dedication, and we thank them with a positive, safe and happy workplace, encouragement to develop further; and this year for staff aged 20-25 we’re offering entry to Luminosity Youth Summit.

We regularly receive wonderful reviews leading to our ranking #1 in Fun & Games for Port Macquarie on TripAdvisor – and this can only happen when a team feels genuinely supported and happy!

Taylor, you’ve just been promoted to Staff Supervisor, can you tell us about yourself and your role at Facade Escape Rooms?

I’ve been with Façade since it opened. I now fi ll a wide range of responsibilities across the business; but I’m also still one of the Game Masters you’ll meet when you come in for your game and I’m looking forward to making sure you have a fantastic time!

I love consistently learning, growing and moving forward. Since starting here I’ve embraced every challenge; this was a job I truly felt passionate about, and I still feel the same today. Last year I undertook a NSW TAFE Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management to help expand my opportunities at Façade, become an effective leader, and uplift our business with newfound skills and industry knowledge. This led to me becoming Staff Supervisor, so I now also do a lot of behind-thescenes work including recruiting, training and managing staff, WH&S and documentation. I’m also enjoying getting involved in the local business community, attending Chamber and Tourism Association networking events.

The initiative I’m most proud of this year is organising Façade’s team for Clean Up Australia Day on Town Beach.

I love all the design work and imagination that goes into creating the games, and I’ve been able to unleash my artistic side by contributing much of the decorative work at Façade. For example, during the close down last year, I used the time to paint fl oor to ceiling murals on ten walls, to increase the immersion and heighten the aesthetic appeal of the two games we were building at the time. It was a lot of hard work but hearing the excitement from players responding to my work when we re-opened was extremely rewarding!

With the school holidays coming up, what can visitors expect at Facade Escape Rooms?

Fun!!! We’ll transport you to another world in four different games: The Detective’s Offi ce – a classic murder mystery; Category 5 – a wilderness escape; Sabotage – an attack by a rogue military; and The Alchemist – an extrachallenging magical mystery.

We’re open 7 days, and increasing our capacity so there will be more availability. But we still recommend booking whenever possible to avoid disappointment.

For more information or to book, go to facade-escape.com.au, or phone 5590 0023.

A particular moment in time set Rhydian Lewis on the path to becoming the amazing talent he is today. Along with ‘The Residuals’ he has been performing Australia’s favourite Michael Buble tribute act for the past 10 years. This July, Port Macquarie is set to experience that magic.

RHYDIAN LEWIS

Hi Rhydian. You’re the lead singer of the amazingly talented big band ‘The Residuals’, bringing contemporary, swing and jazz to all corners of Aus. Can you tell us about your pathway into your music career?

Hi Claire, thanks for your time. I’ve always loved to sing. I used to sing in a church choir, then I sang in a Chippendales type group and then I had several attempts to get a record deal in London as a singer (as a soloist and also as part of a few bands). It wasn’t until I moved to Australia in 2006 that I heard Michael Bublé‘s ‘Everything’ on the radio and fell in love with music all over again. I loved his voice (Michael Bublé), the key and the song itself. The seed of becoming a singer again was fi rmly implanted, and thus began my journey to where I am today. It’s kind of funny as my fi rst hurdle was telling my wife my intention and so Paula asked me to audition for her and her parents. I didn’t pass the fi rst audition!

Putting my band together was just a matter of fi nding a musical director who helped fi nd the musicians to fi ll the spots that make up a big band. The big band is called The Residuals and we’ve been performing together now for over 10 years and I’m pretty sure we’re Australia’s longest running and most popular tribute act to Michael Bublé.

Not only do you perform versions of amazingly beautiful lyrics recognised worldwide, you’re also a longtime song writer and have collaborated with many musicians around the world?

Yes this is completely right. I currently have four albums distributed on CD and three albums available online for streaming and downloading on the various sites like iTunes and Spotify. There are some original songs on three of the albums that I put out with a songwriter called Dr Fred Cole. I’ve also written songs with Thom Hardwell who is a busy songwriter based in Nashville. I have also worked with some great producers, namely Steve Brown who worked with Wham! and Queen, and also Alan Tarney who worked with A-ha. I’m just about to release a brandnew EP with some songs that are produced by epic fi lm soundtrack producer and writer John Koutselinis. We recorded and produced the songs a while back now, in London, and I think they turned out superbly.

If you could name only three, who would you say have been major infl uences on your music career and why?

Frank Sinatra, Elvis and Cliff Richard. Simply because I grew up listening to the music of these giants and they heavily infl uenced the way I sang and the kind of music that I listen to. Looking back, I received a free education

from these three musicians by subconsciously learning the melodies and the lyrics, and so they are very easy to recall and sing now. The vast catalogue and influence of their careers will last for a very long time and it gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to their incredible legacy.

The chemistry, showmanship and talent on stage between you and the band is outstanding. How long have you and the team been together, and to what do you attribute your success?

It’s funny how many people notice the camaraderie between the band members. There is always so much going on on stage, so it’s very fulfilling for the audience to not only listen, but to also watch.

The band has grown organically over the past 10 years. Only 4 of the original 10 are still here, but as people have left the band it’s always been very amicable. We are not the normal band I guess, as we are all very tight and enjoy each other’s company and love performing and touring together.

This July, you will be performing the Best of Buble tribute experience at the Glasshouse. What can the audience expect from the show?

All the hits for sure. An incredible light show and visually stunning with all the talented band members on stage. There are very moving and funny stories from Michael Bublé‘s life including how he got discovered, stories relating to his past partners and his wife and what moments in Michael‘s life helped him write certain songs for certain reasons. It’s all relative and works really well now, after tweaking and improving the show over 10 years. We all scrub up impeccably as well, with out tuxedos and ties. Just think rat pack style meets the best in theatre production.

What are you looking forward to for the back half of 2021?

We are looking forward to more touring within New South Wales and hopefully Victoria, in some of the amazing theatres there.

I’m just about We are usually the go to release a to band for swing music brand-new EP with some songs that are produced by epic and Gatsby style themed events, so when things start to improve we can again perform to full film soundtrack houses in convention producer and writer centres for corporate and John Koutselinis. private functions. Towards the end of 2021 comes Christmas time, when we are usually at our busiest because Mr Bublé has had the number one Christmas album for the past 9 years, of which we play the most popular songs as part of our repertoire. Michael has made Christmas songs very accessible and commercial and incredibly danceable swingwise!

Thanks Rhydian.