186 SEPTEMBER 2021
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EVERY AGENT TELLS YOU THEY ARE NUMBER 1. AT HEM, YOU ARE. Most agents seem to think the real estate industry is about them. They brag that they are number 1 or how they won some tacky franchise award. But at HEM, our focus has always been on YOU, your home and offering a personalised service around your individual situation. Our results and client satisfaction speak for us, so we don’t have to.
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Welcome to the September issue of Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS.
t feels a lot like deja vu this month. We’re back here again, locked up at home, town is dead, no tourism, home schooling, businesses struggling and it feels like we’re just treading water. But it’s not new to us this time around, we’ve been here before, and many of us have learned to adapt and manage though these times. Walk the foreshore, go for a swim, exercise with a friend and FaceTime with colleagues and family. Focus is no different, we adapted too by changing our format and delivery model to make sure that we could find a way, if and when this new normal came back. So in that spirit, a big thank you to everyone who appears in our latest edition and has helped us fill over 100 pages. With everything going on right now we’re very proud to be a positive voice in our community and, now more than ever, we need to remain positive. With so much going on it’s easy to forget we
live in one of the most beautiful parts of the regional bucket list! This month our cover features a familiar world with a vibrant and caring community. face in Brad Hodge. As the previous licensee of We might be stuck here in Port Macquarie, but Finnians, Brad has since would you want to be gone on to help launch stuck anywhere else? not one but several It’s a challenging time businesses in the local and it may be for months With so much area. Moorebeer, Coast to come, but what we going on it’s at Lighthouse Beach do know, is once Covid is easy to forget we and now Banks Cafe at back under control, our live in one of the North Harbour. All with Town will bounce back, most beautiful parts his signature styling and the tourists will flock in of the world with a flair. We also catch up again, and we can make with Pitmaster Adam up for lost ground. vibrant and caring Roberts on the launch of Hopefully regional community. his new Book ‘BBQ Like Australia will be back a Boss’ and Miss Nellie, open soon, and when whose touching story of it does, get out and generosity from another local business is helping support your local restaurant, retailer, cafe, get the iconic Kendall business back on its feet. salon and tourist location. Being locked up Thanks again for the support in these pages, right now might be a good opportunity to stay safe and be kind. plan for your next Staycation and start a NSW
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contacts.
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Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information. ADDRESS 2/28 Fernhill Road, Port Macquarie POSTAL PO Box 690, Port Macquarie PHONE 02 6584 7433 WEB www.focusmag.com.au IG focus.mag E info@focusmag.com.au
MANAGING EDITOR Jay Beaumont jay@focusmag.com.au EDITION COORDINATOR & ADVERTISING SALES Annette Wannell annette@focusmag.com.au ADVERTISING SALES Sarah Baker sarahmay@focusmag.com.au EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR Sarah Martyn sez@focusmag.com.au SENIOR DESIGNER Dylan Gaul
dylan@focusmag.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joseph Dable joey@focusmag.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kyle Rathbone kyle@focusmag.com.au PHOTOGRAPHY Gavin Moroney gavin@focusmag.com.au CIRCULATIONS COORDINATOR Steve Foye steve@focusmag.com.au PROOF READING Sue Chamberlain info@focusmag.com.au
Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers. 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 material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. Articles marked as ‘Interview or Contributor’ are non-sponsored content. Focus is published by Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 621 287 8600 5. Material in Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications PTY LTD 2021 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved. FOCUS is printed by Australian Community Media Print & Logistics North Richmond. Our paper is FFC and PEFC certified and meets with ISO14001 accreditation.
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PROPERTIES ARE SELLING
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Issue 186 - September 2021 INTERVIEWS
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BRAD HODGE
Brad Hodge has been a local businessman in our town for many years, and now with his third hospitality business open we catch up with him to find out how it all started...
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NATHANIEL GLAVURDIC
BLAKE FAIREY
This adrenaline junkie has turned a love of a heart-pumping sport into action. Nathaniel Glavurdic is living his dream and hopes to inspire others to take a step into the unknown.
You may remember Blake Fairey from our Men in Business feature last month. Blake is a local boy whose passion was and is all that is creative.
OUR CONTRIBUTORS 40. Lou Perry - Palate Pleasures 44. Nathan Tomkins - From the Shaker
DINING GUIDE
51. Alistair Flower - In the Front Bar 74. Michael Mowle - Business Voice 79. Simon Bank - Business Minds CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH
SIMON BANK
82. Hastings Business Women’s Network 87. Jeremy Brigden - Legal Light 90. Kate Wood-Foye - Business Illuminate 94. Jess and Ash - Design with Sess and Sass
Every month you'll find the latest news, reviews and interviews from these locals.
o o o o t t o to Follow us on 10 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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www.facebook.com/PortMacquarieFocus
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BUILDING YOUR IDEAL IDE LIFE STYLE WITH DAVID C. GRAY Dave C. Gray is an authentic and proven property entrepreneur, successful property business owner, engaging speaker, and thought leader committed to sharing property lessons on how to build wealth and lifestyle. Property is personal for Dave and his expertise covers all aspects of the market and customer journey. He lives and breathes property every day and has for the last 20 years. He is in the game, is actively calling auctions, working in his real estate agency and an active investor and developer. He has his finger on the pulse and his intel is ahead of the rest.
DECADES OF EXPERIENCE. RESULTS DRIVEN. WEALTH BUILDER.
If you would like a Free 30min Property Strategy session over a coffee please contact David on 0410 546 547 or email david@idealpg.com.au DAVIDCGRAY.COM.AU CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS
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WHAT'S SEPTEMBER 2021
CLASS BENTO - PROMOTING WELLBEING AND THE ARTS Enjoy a large variety of virtual workshops and classes online such as art, craft, cooking, plants and pottery.
GOOGIK HERITAGE WALKING TRACK Enjoy walking, hiking or cycling along Googik Heritage walking track in Lake Innes Nature Reserve. While making your way along this track, you’ll be keeping active as well as discovering some of the Port Macquarie area’s best-kept natural secrets. The track winds along gently undulating hills and, as well as the beautiful natural surroundings, allows you to see the local birdlife that call Lakes Innes Nature Reserve home, making it a lovely scenic journey for those who enjoy walking, cycling and birdwatching alike.
‘Mental wellbeing is often taken for granted, but it shouldn't be. By engaging in creative activities (like our workshops) and being in the moment, you'll fight off burnout, dementia and more - it's scientifically proven. We’ll also donate to Dementia Australia with every paid booking.’ More info & live streams: www.classbento.com.au
Where Lake Innes Nature Reserve More info https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/ walking-tracks/googik-heritage-walking-track
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MANHATTAN SHORT 2021 FINAL FILMS SCREENING LIVE at the Glasshouse BOOK NOW to secure your seat and enjoy some much needed entertainment and community participation (at a distance) https://bit.ly/37AqfWX When Saturday October 2, 7.30pm* and simultaneously across the world! *Please check our website and socials for most current information on venue closure status.
ARTHOUSE INDUSTRIES CREATIVE KITS & TUTORIALS AUSTRALIAN MADE, HANDMADE, UNIQUE While workshops have been postponed, Arthouse Industries offer creative kits such as resin jewellery making & cheeseboard decorating you can work on at home. ‘Our creative kits have been developed to give you an opportunity to get creative at home with confidence. Each kit includes all your materials, access to an online tutorial, written instructions and help from us if you need a hand.’ Have fun! More info www.arthouseindustries.com.au
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LISA RUSSELL-DUNCAN JOINS ONE AGENCY
Lisa brings with her 11 years experience in the industry including the Highest number of Sales in Wauchope in
2015
2016
2017
2018
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2020
Information sourced from ratemyagent & realestate.com.au
Contact Lisa on 0409 125 664 lisarussell-duncan@oneagency.com.au
ONEAGENCY PORT MACQUARIE • WAUCHOPE
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BRAD HODGE
Brad Hodge is a familiar face to so many in our town – if you don’t know him you have probably seen him around. Brad has been a local businessman for many years and now with his third hospitality business open we catch up with him to find out how it all started...
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ive us a bit of an insight to who you are and your connection to PMac. I grew up in Port, I went to Hastings Primary and finished my schooling at Port High. I played league with the Sharks and Port City Breakers but retired young to concentrate on my career. My wife Jess and I have been together
for 19 years; Jess and her sister Ash run a successful Interior Design business here in Port – Sess & Sass Design Co. Together we have two children Cooper is thirteen and Mia who’s ten. I’ve been in and around the Port hospitality scene for the last 20 plus years. I own and run Coast at Lighthouse Beach and am part owner of Moorebeer Brewing Co and Banks Cafe. Most people would remember you as the
I spent 18 years at Finnians, starting as a casual on weekends while I was doing my plumbing apprenticeship. I worked my way into a manager’s position then a licensee.
previous licensee of Finnians, tell us a bit about your time there? Jess and I were then given the opportunity to purchase the lease from Bob and Karen Laing. I met some amazing people and colorful
characters in my time at Finnians. I learnt a lot of life lessons and worked with and for increased demand over the years we have some really great people who taught me so greatly expanded our capacity. We are much. After running the business for 7 years, looking to expand further in the not to we decided it was time for a change, we distant future and are working on some had young children and exciting collabs with wanted to spend more local venues. quality time as a family. We have some You opened Coast I will be forever grateful exciting over 12 months for my days at Finnians. renovations starting ago, pretty much You started Moorebeer in the middle of soon which will make about 5 years ago now, a pandemic and you the area a lot more userwhat was it that made have done it again friendly and increase you decided to start now with Banks. our seating, we can’t your own business and Can you tell us the wait to be able to use why in brewing? vibe and vision The idea was hatched our tables again! behind these two whilst still at Finnians, businesses? simply as a hobby, a bit When Jess and I of fun. Ryan, who I started out with, was a opened Coast, we brought Bourkey (Andrew mad home brewer and I hounded him to brew Bourke) on board with us to help set up and a beer to put on tap at the pub. We did and run. We could see it had so much potential at the launch night sold 6 kegs, the response but just needed a bit of love. was crazy!! We wanted it to be more than just a kiosk So from there we decided to give a brewery that served takeaway, but a relaxed, fun place a crack. We started off quite small but with
for our staff to work, and customers to visit to grab an amazing breakfast/brunch with friends and family. We give our staff the freedom to come up with ideas and try new things. We have some exciting renovations starting soon which will make the area a lot more userfriendly and increase our seating, we can’t wait to be able to use our tables again! COVID was like a punch in the face when it first kicked in, but we continually pushed through with new takeaway ideas and pop-up nights. We are so grateful that with the support from our local community, we survived the first lockdown. Continued over... GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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It’s easier said than done that’s for sure, but if we can all get through what we have been through in the last 2 years (fires, floods, COVID) and with the support of our community, there are many good times ahead.
When things looked to be easing with COVID, Bourkey and I started looking for another venue. We found the old Saltys on Hastings site and had to have it. It was another spot that had so much potential, a restaurant literally a stone’s throw from the Hastings River… it was a no brainer! Our vision for Banks is a breakfast/lunch/ functions venue using fresh local ingredients, a fun place to eat and visit and a place you 16 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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but we are positive we will push through the current restrictions and look forward to a nice busy summer period. Where did your passion for working in the hospitality industry com from? It’s something I really just fell into. I completed my trade in plumbing and worked in the industry for 5 years, but it just wasn’t for me. I found I was enjoying the shifts I was working at Finnians so much more. The more time I spent in hospitality the more I enjoyed it. It can be very challenging at times, but the reward in creating a venue filled with customers enjoying We travelled to themselves, and hearing a few different good feedback is pretty comps up and down great – that’s what I live the coast and picked for! up a few trophies You had a small stint along the way. I still can book for a private as a competitive function (cocktail love my barbecue, Barbequer, tell us a wedding, birthday bit more about that but now it’s more for party, Xmas party etc). adventure and the work, I smoke meat Weeks after we “Burn 4 Yew” team. for both cafes and took it over we got hit Barbecue became the brewery. by the floods, then 5 my escape from work, weeks after opening, something I could do with we were closed down for takeaway only. To the boys. Robbo, Skazy and myself decided say it’s been a challenge is an understatement, to enter the Burn for Yew team for the first
Our view on the situation and advice is – although right now it’s incredibly tough, just keep doing whatever you have to do to push through.
time in a Port Mac BBQ comp, the rest is history... We travelled to a few different comps up and down the coast and picked up a few trophies along the way. I still love my barbecue, but now it’s more for work, I smoke meat for both cafes and the brewery. If you had to name three people who have supported or inspired you on your journey, who would they be? There have been so many people who have supported me over the years that I could mention, but there are too many. The three people who drive me to do what I do every day are my wife Jess and my kids Cooper and Mia. They are the reason for the early mornings and big days, they are always there for me. It’s a crazy and really tough time for so many small businesses at the moment. What advice would you give to others in business, and in particular the hospitality industry?
COVID has impacted the hospitality industry in a huge way! Our view on the situation and advice is – although right now it’s incredibly tough, just keep doing whatever you have to do to push through. You may have to reinvent your model to make it work under the current climate. It’s easier said than done that’s for sure, but if we can all get through what we have been through in the last 2 years (fires, floods, COVID) and with the support of our community, there are many good times ahead. Where to next for you Brad, do you have any other exciting ideas on the horizon? I’m definitely keen to get my hands into something else – I don't think my wife Jess will like to hear me say that though! But in the meantime there are some exciting plans for Coast, Moorebeer and Banks in the pipeline. Thanks Brad. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Nathaniel G L AV U R D I C This adrenaline junkie has turned a love of a heartpumping sport into action, highlining his way around AUS one slackline at a time. Nathaniel Glavurdic is living his dream and hopes to inspire others to take a step into the unknown.
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i Nathaniel. You enjoy nothing more than a high adrenaline, heartpumping sport. Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself. Hey, well my name is Nathaniel Glavurdic but commonly I’m known as Fann or Fanny! (Yes my parents also call me this unless I’m in trouble!) I’m 31 years old and I currently live in my 1984 VW van. This will be my 4th year living this lifestyle, travelling around Australia predominantly highlining and rock climbing, with surfing and diving still there when I need
my coastal fix! I’m the eldest of 3, I have a younger sister who is the middle child and my younger brother. I grew up in Port Macquarie after my parents moved us from Canberra for what seemed a better upbringing. I would say I did most of the usual coastal activities one coastal grom could do: surfing, skating, wake boarding, spearfishing, scuba diving and chasing girls with mates all up and down the coast. I completed my schooling here up to year 10, and then onto my apprenticeship as a joiner/ carpenter. I’ve spent most my working life in
focus_interview - walking along a 25mm or one inch flat piece of webbing with no assistance other than yourself. I mean it still blows me away when I see someone walking on such a small bit I always found myself wanting to go a of material in such a huge amount of space. little more off the beaten track, places Statistics show that highlining has become that only very few experienced really a really safe sport if practiced according to captivated my attention safety standards. Nowadays highline systems are redundant and, unlike slacklining close to the ground, the highliner simply falls into the air if mis-stepping with almost no risk of injury. What looks scary and dangerous from the outside has become a really safe sport with almost no limits. You’ve recently highlined over a pretty symbolic Port Macquarie Location. Tell us about this (and what’s the reaction from people watching)? Heck yes we did!!! Ever since I started slacklining and highlining I’ve always tried to be creative and unique by looking for places to set up either my slackline or highline, mainly to keep the mental game in check! Port Macquarie is actually an extremely challenging place to highline, but I always spent time looking at the space in between Highlining has John Downes Park and the become a really hill down at Nobby’s Beach safe sport... systems with the monument up are redundant and top. Walking that distance the highliner simply always seemed a little out falls into the air if of my league but I knew I the construction industry with a year’s work on you hooked? definitely had the rigging mis-stepping with pearling boats both on and off the water. I always found skills to do it safely. One almost no risk of A bit over a year ago I discovered the world myself wanting to day I went for a walk up of outdoor guiding and all the avenues that go a little more off injury. the monument hill and this can lead you onto. Since completing the beaten track, noticed a perfect gap my studies I have recently finished 6 months the places that through the tree canopy working locally, employed at an adventure only very few have been to or experienced and probably one of the strongest and sturdiest therapy company (New Heights Youth really captivated my attention. Obviously trees around. After years of rigging in logistical Outreach) as an outdoor guide and facilitator. this presented itself with its own skills and and challenging areas, all that knowledge We do a range of adventures and activities and techniques required, so when a mate asked me slowly built up and I saw the line come to life, help them along with whatever their journey to go to the rock climbing centre one day for measuring the distance (it came to 166m from may be. Some of the cool things I get to do fitness I was all ears! point A to point B). Now all that was left was include canoeing trips, rock climbing, mountain It was only natural progression before I to find the team that would share this thrill and biking, slacklining, bushwalking and abseiling was exposed to slacklining and highlining. At adventure with me and help me make this a to name a few on a daily basis. But now for the first highlining appeared to be really rad and reality. remainder of the year I’ll be continuing to work outrageous which is why I wanted to do it. So I threw it into conversation with a few on my bigger goals and dreams to try and push But then as time went on I would say I do it to close mates and over a relatively short period of the sport of highlining here in Australia. experience that empty bit of space in between a few months we had a team, dates were set How did you find yourself in such an two points and be in a place were no man or and our project was real. industry and what was it that initially had woman has been, whilst doing the unthinkable GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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The weather patterns for the area were our biggest risk, being exposed to both north and south winds it left us very vulnerable, with days leading up to the event being rain and strong winds, things were very sceptical. However the morning we chose was still looking perfect. We set the tagline across the gap late into the night, before pulling the webbing across for sunrise the following morning. I was lucky enough to go first and walk to the sunrise with whales breaching closer to shore than I’ve ever seen before. My mates on the other end with the amazed crowd that had already gathered up top on the lookout as well as down below in the carpark at Nobby’s were all just watching on, smiles all round with mother nature producing her finest work. The team consisted of 8; 6 of them all walking the distance of 166m and 3 also walking the entire way without falling, epic achievement!!! One major issue that was raised in our discussion of the project was how the locals and members of the public were going to react, as well as local authorities. Having had 20 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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We were all amazed and blown away by the amount of positivity from the locals. We were feeding off all the good energy around.
troubles before we were all amazed and blown away by the amount of positivity from the locals. We were feeding off all the good energy around, everyone seemed to be amazed and grateful to see such a feat, usually the case. However with every action you get a equal reaction right, we do experience this on the other end of the spectrum unfortunately. This is why I’m so over the moon about this highline to showcase and educate people about their curiosity with the sport; it’s a great lesson to not judge a book by its cover I suppose. Another reaction we often get is “how hard is it?” To be honest it’s only a few hours a week of muscle memory and with practice you will get better, not the hardest. What’s great about this sport is the mental journey you experience within yourself. “Just stop, one more step, I’m tired, you can’t make that”, these are some of the mental questions you ask and also answer within yourself. The technical and physical capabilities of this sport
are roughly 30%, with the other 70% being the mental game, constantly in the flow with your body and somewhat a moving meditation. Your work sees you travelling Australia, showing off your skills and introducing others to this pretty amazing sport. What do you love most about doing this as an adventure sport on a daily basis? Oh gosh what a question! I think what I love most is that each and every day I get to live in the moment, 100% engaged in the now and I really enjoy that, living with a purpose. Or maybe it’s the fact it keeps me humble and in check. I get such a rush when I am out in the wilderness and I am 100% responsible for all the actions, decisions and outcomes. You have a few accolades under your belt. Tell us about them? Yeah kinda! The last few years here in Australia I have being lucky enough to be a part of a few big milestones within the sport. Just under a year ago we broke the Australian
I was one of only a handful of people to walk across this HUGE line. It was a ba le at times but then the most peaceful experience of my entire life.
highlining record, bringing it from 400m to 580m in total length. This at the time was a big deal, a huge amount of planning went into this project and we only got to have it set up for 24 hours before derigging. Shortly after that we kept pushing the stoke, with a lot of work from all that were involved we managed to set up the current Australian highline record at 777m long. This was also 1 of 24 highlines rigged and set up to showcase the potential and talent of the Australian highlining community. ( This is also to our knowledge the largest number of highlines ever rigged in the world!) I was one of only a handful of people to have also walked the entire way across this HUGE line, taking me just over 2.5 hours on the line. It was a battle at times but then the most peaceful experience of my entire life, out in so much space all on my own! I watched mates walk the entire way without falling and some walk in crazy amounts of time, in under a hour! Recently I was eager to challenge myself even more physically and mentally, so I teamed up with a good friend and made a self-
proclaimed challenge - with a few others we set out to see how many different highlines can we set up and walk in 24 hours!!! In 21 hours we set up and successfully walked 32 highlines, giving us the most useless and unofficial record to date !! Haha the joys of type 2 fun right! Where to next for you? Haha this is a question I ask myself… a lot! I’m not 100% sure where to next - I definitely have my sights on pushing my own personal solo rigging skills and walking long lines in the 200-500m range. As well, within the highline community there is conversation about pushing the limits here Down Under and going for the next big project at 1km long or even bigger! I would love to continue to share my psych for the sport and give as many opportunities as I possibly can to strangers and newcomers, as well as inform and educate others about all the benefits this wonderful sport has to offer. But for the current next 6 months I think my focus and drive is all for the 1km! This length of highline has only being done a handful of times around the world; those attempts saw
professional athletes pushing their boundaries and skills to a whole other level. I would be in awe just to make this happen Down Under in Aus and see our locals crush it! For anyone interested in finding out more or giving it a go, how can they reach you? A great starting place for any information is the Australian Slacklining Association, as well as ISA, International Slacklining Association. Facebook is a great tool for your local area to find common areas or even to share the setup at the park or cliffs (unfortunately Port doesn't have anything set up just yet, that’s on my to-do list next summer! ) but most other areas have this set up with a local community and regular meet ups through out the week on a weekly basis. @slackmate on Instagram will keep you in the loop with what is going on in the highlining scene in Australia as well as giving you a great starting point to get in contact with and in touch with others. I personally don't use social media at the present time but if you put a shout out on the Port Macquarie Facebook page to meet up with slackliners or just get it touch then I’m sure you will get pointed in the right direction from our community here. www.slacklining.org.au www.slacklineinternational.org GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Photo Credit: MC Images
Staycation Inspiration portmacquarieinfo.com.au
Pictured clockwise from top left: Cassegrain Winery & Port Macquarie Horse Riding Centre, The Break Wall at Town Beach, Koala Hospital, Bago Maze & Winery, Drury Lane Eatery.
SILVER LININGS Thanks to COVID, we’ve got this piece of paradise all to ourselves! So get out there (in a COVID-safe way of course)*, treat yourself, your friends and family, use your Dine & Discover vouchers and
Visit www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au for heaps
support local businesses. They need us
of Staycation Inspiration & ways you can Support
more than ever (and we need them).
Local, including our five NEW self-drive ‘Taste Trails’!
*Loving your local also means staying home if we’re in lockdown, abiding by all COVID health regulations and
Supported by Port Macquarie Hastings Council
getting vaccinated. Even if we’re still in lockdown, there are still heaps of ways you can support local businesses including takeaway, click and collect, gift vouchers and online purchases.
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The Mindful Playroom Ever sat down next to your child and thought “what next?” As a psychologist and a mum of two young children I’ve been asked this a lot! The answer often is “you’re enough”, your child will learn from you and their environment. But what if you wanted to assist? What tools do you need? Melanie Hunter has carefully selected products in The Mindful Playroom to assist in your child’s social, emotional or cognitive development. These products are not niche therapy products, they are products that are beautiful and engaging for both your child and yourself. To assist in answering the “what next” question I have developed flashcards.
IS A
Hello Koalas sculpture Buzzy Bee, by artist Lisa Burrell, makes Bellbowrie Park Business Centre her home!
These flashcards come complimentary with all purchases from The Mindful Playroom. Each product is assigned to a category which is listed in the product description. These flashcards include benefits, suggested activities and questions to expand on that type of play. We offer free local delivery and all products are in stock ready to be delivered to your door. We are new and hope to be a valuable resource for our community. Find us at www.themindfulplayroom.com
It’s no doubt we’re in uncertain times. Opening our two shopfronts at Bellbowrie Park Business Centre may be difficult sometimes but we haven’t stopped being “busy li le bees”, behind the scenes.
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ith Christmas looming, there’s lots to do with the surge of ceramic wholesale and custom orders, and making changes to our retail spaces. We are super excited to announce that now when you visit our studio at Unit 13, not only can you buy handmade ceramics and pure honey, you can also be fascinated by our live observation beehive - a wonderful way to see the workings of a hive through glass and be mesmerised by the bee highway the bees busily travel in and out of to forage!
We have also been collaborating with our much loved neighbour, Hello Koalas, at Unit 16, to prepare for Christmas and to showcase an exciting new personalised jewellery collection. We’re both thrilled too to be a part of the new Creatives + Curios Taste Trails map, featuring our ‘belightful’ Hello Koalas sculpture Buzzy Bee who shares her time between our two shops. We look forward to welcoming you to our friendly creative spaces. If our shopfronts are closed, you can contact us both by email or phone to discuss any personalised/ custom gift ideas and make purchases from our online shops.
Aleisa Byfield, Artisan Unit 13 Bellbowrie Park Business Centre, 10 Bellbowrie Street, Port Macquarie Email: aleisabyfield.artisan@gmail.com www.aleisabyfieldartisan.com Phone: 0423 072 663
aleisa byfield A R T IS A N
Margret Meagher, Hello Koalas Gift Shop Unit 16 Bellbowrie Park Business Centre, 10 Bellbowrie Street, Port Macquarie Email: margret@hellokoalas.com www.hellokoalas.com Phone: 0416 641 482
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Nellie’s
H Miss Nellie’s Cafe makes a much anticipated return. Interview with Jenelle Nosworthy
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i Jenelle. Miss Nellie’s Cafe in Kendall certainly suffered during Port Macquarie’s March floods. I know the business was absolutely decimated and you weren’t sure if you would be able to rebuild what you had lost. Tell us about this experience for you. Thanks Sarah. We were cut off at home from the cafe due to flood waters on the Friday morning, so friends sandbagged for us at 8am as the river was rising quickly, thinking we could prevent an inch or two from coming under the doors. We weren’t too concerned. However, within a matter of hours the river had broken its banks and we were sent photos of the water approximately 1m deep – up to the window sills. By 8pm it was over 2m and above the front door. We knew then we would lose a lot of equipment but could not imagine the devastation that ensued. We received photos the next morning at 8am (24 hours after sandbagging) and the cafe had been decimated – side verandah and garage ripped off, side wall ripped out and front windows and doors smashed in, with the deluge
We lost all our contents, equipment, food, utensils, furniture, keepsakes and grandma’s handwri en recipes - most of which ended up downstream or strewn around the backyard in trees and stuck in fences, under mud and debris.
creating devastating havoc inside. When we finally got in to see for ourselves, the water had subsided to ankle depth and we could not have imagined the devastation. Locals quickly came to our aid with scaffolding, roof supports and anything else they could do to secure the building. We lost all our contents, equipment, food, utensils, furniture, keepsakes and grandma’s handwritten recipes – most of which ended up downstream or strewn around the backyard in trees and stuck in fences, under mud and debris. How did it feel not being able to cook your beautiful cakes, as I know you lost all of your equipment and had to re-stock everything from scratch? Although I lost my equipment, offers of kitchen space and loan equipment came
flooding in immediately from all over the Hastings. I feel so fortunate to have found a temporary “home kitchen” at the Kendall Tennis Club, just 400m around the corner. So in fact, I’ve been able to continue the custom cake side of my business, balanced with cleanup and restoration at the cafe. The poor kitchen has had a workout over the past 5 months!! The business will be making a much anticipated comeback, with a reopening on August 20th with cake and coffee served on-site by vintage caravan ‘Travelling Millie.’ How did the collaboration come about with Miss Nellie’s and Travelling Millie? When the devastation happened, something
in me just knew I wanted to get back in business ASAP for myself, my staff and family, and of course the Community. I recalled Donna Carrier from Bent on Food had a vintage catering van and so I reached out to her to see if she would consider loaning her to us. Donna has been amazing, is so supportive and the way she lifts up fellow Hospitality businesses is inspiring. Millie was a perfect fit for our brand and already a much loved part of the team. Continued Over... GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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I have been positive and determined during this whole experience, but I have also learnt I am only human and some days you just have to let the tears flow, feel angry, frustrated – then pick yourself up, brush yourself off and carry on!
What are your plans going forward for the business? We have braced the building for safety purposes and it can be saved – of course this will take time and money and we want to be smart about making it “flood friendly” for the long term, so we are not rushing into a bandaid fix. In the meantime we are focussing on landscaping our huge 1800sqm block to create an alfresco dining experience – which, let’s face it, seems to be the way forward with COVID as well! After renting for 8 years, I only bought the property in Nov 2020 – many thought the flood was tragic timing, but in fact it has opened so many opportunities for us to rejuvenate the business and make it even 26 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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better! If this experience has taught you anything, would would it be? You don’t know how strong you are until you are faced with this kind of adversity, plus the support of family, friends and Community keeps you going long after you think you can’t continue. I have been positive and determined during this whole experience, but I have also learnt I am only human and some days you just have to let the tears flow, feel angry, frustrated –
then pick yourself up, brush yourself off and carry on! Finally, everything happens for a reason – and whilst I don’t know the reason, I do know the future is looking awesome for Miss Nellie’s. Thank you Jenelle. Interview: Sarah Baker. Miss Nellies Cafe is located at 33 River Street, Kendall.
A LIFESTYLE TO LOVE IN PORT MACQUARIE Experience a truly unique place at Pozières Retirement Village on Ocean Drive. Surrounded by beautiful bushlands, close to the beach and moments to Port Macquarie town centre, Pozières offers both a relaxed coastal lifestyle and urban convenience. Villas starting from $530,000.
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LIVE LIKE A
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COASTAL
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Go for a morning walk along the coastline and break wall and stop in for a fresh juice or coffee at one of our perfect cafes.
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Book into one of our Day Spas for a relaxing facial or massage.
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WINERIES
Visit our amazing Wineries and have a long lunch as well as grabbing some fresh produce to take home.
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Hire a bike, a boat or book a plane/helicopter ride and explore our beautiful region by land, sea and air.
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FAMILY
ACTIVITIES
Take the family to one of our many activity centres such as Hydro Golf, Camel Rides, Timbertown at Wauchope or the zoo.
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BOUTIQUE SHOPS
Spend the afternoon shopping up a storm in our many boutique shops.
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GRAB A BITE TO EAT
Enjoy an amazing meal at anyone of our restaurants.
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AMAZING SCENERY
End the night with a cocktail or two overlooking amazing scenery, or an ice cream/gelato overlooking the water as the sun sets. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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BLAKE FA I R E Y YOU MAY REMEMBER BLAKE FAIREY FROM OUR MEN IN BUSINESS FEATURE LAST MONTH. BLAKE IS A LOCAL BOY WHOSE PASSION WAS AND IS ALL THAT IS CREATIVE.
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ake us back to when you first took an interest in the creative industry? My parents tell me I have been creative from a very young age. Through my early years my friends and I spent all of our time creating cubby houses and bike tracks in the surrounding bush. We had beds, roofs, doors and we loved it. Throughout school I delved into Art and Ceramics. I would stay back at lunch time to create ceramic pirate ships and figures. Wood work was another area that I excelled in. I guess that creative ability helped here too? Photography and design became my focus in my late teens and they still are. Looking back now, everything I really enjoyed involved some form of creativity and craft. I was fortunate enough to combine work and travel for around 5 years after completing Year 12, until a good friend said to me “why don’t you study design?” Before I knew it I had moved to Sydney to study at 32 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Billy Blue College of Design. It wasn’t until I started to study that I saw how creative design can help the world. I saw the unifying principle of everything as being a design. For instance, our food system, our cars, our homes, there was nothing that design couldn’t help with. I saw the Through my degree unifying I learnt the power of What inspired you principle of everything thought and analysis to start your own as being a design. For as avenues for creating business? instance, our food design solutions. My mind Moving back system, our cars, our began to see many areas to Lake Cathie homes, there was or issues in society that I where I grew up nothing that design could apply design to, to after completing create viable solutions. my Bachelor of couldn’t help with. As my course Communication and progressed a definite Design, I felt the time passion developed within me, along with my was right to apply my skills and knowledge. skills and creative thinking. I saw a chance to I had the passion and the qualifications but do what I love, by helping people with their honestly I was a little hesitant as I didn’t design needs and subsequently earning a know enough about running a business. living, a win-win. Understanding that I needed help in
I have found through experience that this combination captures images nearly exactly as our eyes see them. This I believe makes the scene pleasing to view, as it is just like you were there.
this area I contacted The Edmund Barton Centre, which offer business advice and mentorship. It was then that I was introduced to John Oxley, Simon Bank and Grant Burtenshaw. They helped me structure my then hobby into a business and gave me insights and valuable guidance. After just a few meetings I had a broader understanding of my business and how to run it day to day. Simon Bank from Webstudio has been and still is a great mentor. Thanks Guys! With the business and marketing aspects more in hand, I saw how I could actually achieve what I had set out to do; to help people through design. With the skills, the passion and the support I have the power to help clients and I feel deeply motivated From here it is onwards and upwards through combining my skills and qualifications.
Tell us about your photos, what do you love to take pictures of, and tell us about the camera you use and why? My earlier travelling years saw me capturing many landscape shots and I still love to set up a great beach or forest scene, but these days see me photographing whatever is required. Immersing in a peaceful natural setting is very grounding and inspiring and I love nothing more than to capture that feeling through my camera lens. Predominantly I love to capture sunrise or sunset photographs so you get to appreciate the light, exploring the area and seeing it from every angle. It is this interactive creativity that I enjoy and what draws me to explore a new waterfall, or a quiet cove at sunrise, or a lone tree in a field. My current camera of choice is a Canon
6D with a 50mm lens. I have found through experience that this combination captures images nearly exactly as our eyes see them. This I believe makes the scene pleasing to view, as it is just like you were there. Photographically, I use a technique called exposure blending. Basically I take 3 separate photos with different settings then combine them on my Apple Mac. The benefit of this process is eye-catching details and vibrant colours, as well as a panoramic capture of the scene. This combination of the lens and the process allow me to take an image that you would have seen if you were there. Essentially this artistic direction is all about immersion and realism in an attempt to embody that peaceful freedom found in nature. Continued over... GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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What have you discovered about not only yourself but your work since you first started out? I have learnt to see that my art is reflective of my ideal internal world. I love balance, harmony and alignment as if they were attributes of my soul. As art is an expression from within it’s no surprise I suppose? I learnt a lot about myself as a business owner too, keeping up with marketing, communication, production and accounts. I saw my laid back nature was an area that I had to work on when productivity is needed. My creativity and analytical mind would overflow with ideas and I used to find it hard to focus on what was needed to be done. Often I would jump between playing the guitar, sketching drawings, and editing photos. Yoga and breath work along with techniques and skills to settle and focus now allow me to steer my creativity with wilful intention and to think cleverly and quickly. 34 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Who would be your biggest influences in the creative industry and why? Ken Duncan is one of my greatest inspirations and influence. Much of my style is inspired from his images. His ability to capture I think through panoramically great studying and colours and good applying nature’s proportions is world pa erns to our own class. The immersive designs, we would feeling of his work live in a much into nature has ways that it works as one brighter world. always guided my whole, in parts. eyes. His photos Nature designs functionally seem to carry a and aesthetically. It’s blissful essence that I feel. mesmerising. I think through studying The rest of my inspiration comes from and applying nature’s patterns to our own nature’s patterns. Nature acts according to designs, we would live in a much brighter a subtle flow and I find a lot of peace and world. Seeing the sustainable design of happiness in that. It’s comprehensive in its nature and knowing we too must be
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sustainable to survive, it is invaluable to study and be inspired by nature and its patterns. Where do you see yourself in five years, what would you like to achieve? In five years I would love to continue my discovery of design through videography, animation and product design. I do a little bit of each of these now but would love to get into them more. I’m deeply interested in Permaculture too. I’m doing an online course and have bought numerous books on it and I see it as a lifestyle choice that complements my design business. I would love to live on a property and practice these sustainable methods while continuing to assist people build their businesses through graphic design and photography.
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To me understanding and becoming more aware of ourself is somewhat superior to design, because it’s through ourselves that design results from.
Also, I would love to continue my interest in the design of the universe also. Through continuing yoga, breath work, meditations and philosophy, I hope to become more aware of who I am and the way this all is. To me understanding and becoming more aware of ourself is somewhat superior to design, because it’s through ourselves that design results from. Design is the outcome of our thoughts, feelings and actions. I feel through a deeper awareness and knowledge of ourself and the universe we can become better designers and create a better world. Who wants to live in a remarkably clever world but not love it, ourselves or each
other? Through these practices and more we leave behind fearful thoughts and enter the space of compassion for each other. In these modern times with many global circumstances, it’s imperative to be beyond fear and to give love so we are able to create a brighter world. If you would like to book a free consultation please contact me. Thank you all for reading and to Focus Magazine for sharing my work and story. Blake Fairey 0412 701 042 blakefairey.com blakefaireydesign@gmail.com @blakefaireydesign GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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DINING GUIDE
COVER DISH PUMPKIN PIE, SPICED PUMPKIN PUDDING, VANILLA AND PEPITA SHORTBREAD, CHANTILLY CREAM, PUMPKIN DULCE DE LECHE FROM DEGLAZE. 30 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Delicious Cakes and Slices? Have you tried our range of
Perfect for morning or afternoon tea.
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M AT T H E W & K E L LY F O R D
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Deglaze
After great success with Chow Haus Street Kitchen, Matt and his wife Kelly felt they needed to change things up and bring a new flavour sensation to Port Macquarie.
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ho and what is Deglaze? My wife Kelly and I opened Deglaze in May 2021. With over 40 years of combined experience in the hospitality industry, this is our second venture (formerly Chow Haus). Our staff are nothing short of amazing including Chloe, who has been with us since the beginning, Kerry our new sommelier, pastry chef Catherine, chef Aiden, our kitchen hand Breezy, and myself as head chef. Deglaze is about bringing American style food with a touch of finesse. American cuisine has always been a favourite of mine, full of flavour and quite generous serves. At Deglaze we are taking the flavour combinations of America’s favourites, using modern and older techniques, and creative plating to bring you something unique.
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For me it has to
What is your be the pumpkin favourite dish on the pie! I’ve always had a Deglaze menu? sweet tooth but there For me it has to be will be used. is just something the pumpkin pie! I’ve Matching drinks with about the spices, always had a sweet with food is important, textures and flavour tooth but there is just tell us about your of pumpkin pie. something about the selection? spices, textures and To stick with our flavour of pumpkin pie. American style cuisine we What do you take offer a selection of American beers, cocktails into consideration when purchasing your and some American wines selected by Kerry produce? our sommelier. Kerry will offer suggestions on Quality and freshness always come first. matching each meal with something to drink. Our saltwater barramundi comes fresh 3 Where do you source new ideas from? days a week, local pork, prawns fresh from My mind never stops thinking of food! a Coffs Harbour trawler, fruit and vegetables I’m always watching food shows, scouring are market fresh. We also use a small farmer the internet looking for something I’ve never in Telegraph Point for our herbs and seasonal heard of or eaten, classics that we can put our vegetables, and all our breads are from the spin on - the possibilities are endless. legends at Urban Grain Bakery. Where possible the most fresh local produce Thanks Matt.
t Parmesan
BEEF AND PORK MEATBALLS with rich tomato sauce, cheesy polenta
MEATBALLS
CHEESY POLENTA
INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS
500g beef mince
170g polenta
500g pork mince
500ml milk
1 brown onion diced
100g grated parmesan cheese
3 slices white bread, crusts removed
50g butter
1/3 cup milk
Salt
2 cloves garlic minced
METHOD
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1.Bring milk and water to boil.
Salt and pepper
METHOD 1. Cut bread into small cubes and soak in milk for 5 mins until softened. 2. Mix all ingredients in a medium size bowl until combined. 3. Roll into 50gm balls and set aside.
TOMATO SAUCE INGREDIENTS 440g tin diced tomatoes
750ml water
2. Whilst boiling start to whisk in polenta gradually until all incorporated (keep whisking to avoid any lumps). 3. Bring back to a boil then reduce heat to low, let cook until it thickens (around 30 mins) stirring occasionally to avoid sticking to bottom of pot. 4. Add cheese, butter, and season with salt and pepper.
2 cloves garlic sliced
BRING IT ALL TOGETHER
1/2 tsp chilli flakes
1. Sear meatballs on all sides.
50ml olive oil
2. Bring tomato sauce to a simmer.
1/4 cup chopped basil Salt and pepper
METHOD 1. Combine all ingredients into a deep sauce pan and bring to a simmer for 30 mins. 2. Remove from heat and blend with stick blender, adjust thickness with a little water.
3. Add meatballs into sauce and cover. 4. Place in 190 degree oven for 9 minutes. 5. Place polenta onto plate, top with meatballs, grate parmesan cheese over top and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
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focus_contributor.
Palate PLEASURES t
LOU PERRI
FROM THE STUNNED MULLET
THINKING INSIDE THE BOX…
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ell here we are again, Lockdown Part 2 for us here in Regional NSW. As I write this, I have no idea what is around the corner. As NSW waits with mostly resigned resignation at this stage, watching daily case stats with mounting concern as we bide our time as best we can, continuing on with our, for the most part, radically modified daily lives. Many of us cannot attend our workplaces, or perhaps have been thrust into being a makeshift version of their child’s teacher. What were once busy schedules are suddenly empty with days stretching out endlessly in front, somehow still hectic and exhausting yet without fixed parameters of time. Once again businesses all over have had to evolve and adapt to the strict rules and regulations of our current society. Somehow, going into this again for the second time (luckily only the second time for us here on the Mid North Coast) has felt eerily like riding some sort of cosmic bike. There’s less adrenalin, panic and fear – although most likely there should be, given the already strained governing safety nets. Stoic
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Once again
resignation is more the cold. businesses all calling card as now, we Somehow the last two over have had to evolve accept our fates and years has brought with and adapt to the strict trudge with one foot them a revolution in rules and regulations in front of the other to dining that so many have of our current society. get to what lays on the told us, that they hope Somehow, going into other side (who even sticks. this again for the knows what?). It has brought us great second time (luckily Ok, starting to get a joy to hear so much only the second time little apocalyptic here. wonderful feedback for us here on the Mid No point going there about our customers’ North Coast) has felt at all, but rather it is ‘at-home Mullet dining eerily like riding some much better for the soul experiences’ . More sort of cosmic bike. to focus on the ‘glass importantly, it is your half full’ in that the ongoing and unfailing boundless creativity and survival instinct of support that keeps our team together and humankind will of course prevail and we will afloat throughout this tumultuous era. find our way through this maze. Know I’ve said it many times before but And for us in the land of empty tables in there’s no more amazing community than the restaurants, that remains once again in the art one right here. of filling up the humble box. We’ve proven time and and time again that We would have never thought it possible – we can beat all kinds of adversity…We’ve got the infinite variety of ways there are to present this too. and deliver restaurant quality offerings in We’ll see you with our plastic packets plastic packets and cardboard boxes. But turns and boxes soon, or possibly we’ll get the out the sky’s the limit of possibility. absolute pleasure of having you seated in our Feels like a long time ago already that restaurant again one day soon. takeaway was only that, hot food in a plastic Till then stay safe and keep well. container to race home with before it got From our team to yours.
Southern style
COMFORT FOOD W I T H
A
T W I S T
6/124 HORTON STREET, PORT MACQUARIE PHONE 0434 542 700 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Adam RO B E RT S PITMASTER/AUTHOR
Who doesn’t love a good backyard BBQ? Pitmaster Adam Roberts has taken the art of tong wielding & meal creation to the next level. Being one of the most-awarded solo cooks on the competitive circuit, Adam has sharpened his skills and produced cookbooks so he can share with us his hot new recipes as well as fundamental tips and tricks on how to Barbecue like a Boss!
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ello Adam, thanks for chatting to us about your brand new cookbook ‘Barbeque Like a Boss’! Can you please tell us how it came about and what we can expect? Back in 2017, I authored a cookbook called ‘Ribs’ which went on to sell thousands of copies all over Australia and New Zealand. This first book became a best-seller and even picked up an International Award for being in the Top 3 best Barbecue books of the year in 2019 when it was revised and re-released as ‘Ribs & Sides’. Putting it simply, I really wanted to do a follow up book that shared more of my love of cooking over wood fire more broadly and ‘Barbecue Like a Boss’ delves much deeper into the fundamentals of barbecue than what I could share in the first book. What first inspired you to get into barbequeing and what excites you about it now? If you’ve ever seen my over-sized chassis, 42 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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you know that I love my food and beverages. I’ve had a long association with travelling and enjoying unique food experiences and have even had a couple of food businesses over the years. I dabbled in some low‘n‘slow cooking about 10 years ago when I had a food truck and from there moved more into wood-fired cooking when my buddy Jay and I kicked off the Australasian Barbecue Alliance right here in Port Macquarie. There’s so many people getting into grilling or smoking meats over wood fire and it’s really cool to see many more people recognising ‘barbecue’ as much more than a food, but a lifestyle or in my case an income producing career option. You have been in a lot of barbeque competitions, how have you gone and how does it work? There’s more than 30 barbecue contests across Australia and New Zealand each year with National Championship Series in each country. I’ve competed in more than 40 contests across both countries over the last five years and am one of the most-awarded solo cooks on the circuit. Teams usually
comprise a group of friends or family from all different backgrounds who get together and turn up to a scheduled contest. Teams bring all their own BBQ’s and meat and cook up for trained judges on site to a specific pre-advertised format which usually includes cooking Beef Brisket, Pork Ribs, Lamb and Chicken as a minimum. There’s usually prizemoney and trophies on offer from anywhere between $5,000 to $40,000 depending on the quality of the contest. You hold cooking classes locally, what’s involved and how do people find out more info and reserve a spot? Having spent many years competing against the best barbecuers and also learning from some excellent Pitmasters from the USA, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. I deliver ‘Learn to BBQ’ classes right across Australia and have more recently run more than 40 sold out classes over the last 18 months in Port Macquarie alone. A regular class goes for around three hours and I step participants through some real easy ways to ensure they can Barbecue like a boss right
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from the get go. I advertise my classes through my Facebook page ‘Pitmaster Adam Roberts’ and they do sell out real fast so I keep a wait list in case of any vacancies that pop up for anyone who misses out on the initial booking. What is the most interesting thing you learned about barbecuing and food while creating your book? I have to say that first off, I own more than a dozen BBQ’s, grills and smokers. Some of these cookers are built to run a particular process whether it be low‘n‘slow smoking, grilling or even rotating meat. No matter what cooker you’re using, the meat is going to be cooked to perfection if you follow the simple principles of cooking meat to a particular finished internal temperature. For example, a steak cooked to medium rare has a correlating internal temperature when finished of approximately 140F. If you cook the meat over direct fire, or in a smoker or even on a
Jay Beaumont which included Chargrilled Buffalo Chicken Feet, Bone Marrow and Smoked Bacon Oysters and Reverse Seared Kangaroo Fillet Tacos with Beetroot and Pistachio. I don’t think I’ll ever stop creating new recipes and already have plans for a third book which will likely showcase some really creative recipes I’ve been working on over the last few years. I’ve competed How can our readers in more than 40 find a copy of contests across both ‘Barbecue Like a Boss’? countries over the ‘Barbecue Like a Boss’ last five years and am is due in stores this one of the mostSeptember right across rotisserie spit, once the awarded solo cooks the country through internal temperature on the circuit. many barbecue retailers, reaches that 140F, it’s butchers and leading done. Some folks tend bookstores. I also have a to over-complicate special on my Pitmaster cooking, but cooking to Adam Roberts website right now where folks internal temperatures is so easy and practically can order a signed copy of the book and have foolproof. My book delves into this subject it delivered right to their door. in some detail and also provides many more Is there anything else you’re keen to easy-to-follow tips and tricks to help cook mention to our readers? meat to perfection. Folks can keep up to date with what I’m Which recipes are your favourites and doing on my barbecue journey by following why? me on Facebook, Instagram or through my I love thick and meaty pork ribs or a good website. Simply search ‘Pitmaster Adam slab of low‘n‘slow smoked beef brisket but Roberts’ and you’ll come across one of my my favourite recipes are a fusion of all types of pages. Simply give it a like or follow, and feel barbecue and inside cooking. I tend to push free to drop me a line if you have a group that the boundaries a bit with my home cooking to would like to ‘Learn to BBQ’ as I’m more than try and come up with new ways of integrating happy to deliver group and corporate classes. barbecued meats into everyday meals. I Thanks Adam. recently filmed a few short recipe videos with GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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PINA COLADA MARTINI
WITH NATHAN TOM K INS
INGREDIENTS 60 ml cold press ripe pineapple juice 30 ml organic coconut cream 20 ml pure cream 30 ml Bacardi Carta Blanco 30 ml Malibu white Carribbean rum
METHOD 1. Add ingredients to cocktail shaker with ice 2. Shake and shake and shake 3. Garnish martini glass with pineapple wedge 4. Strain mix into glass and top with fresh roasted coconut shavings 5. In joi (enjoy)
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COME & SEE OUR
O P E N 7 D AY S LUNCH 11.30PM – 2PM DINNER FROM 5.30PM
Bookings recommended
4 O W E N S T P O R T M A C Q U A R I E | P 6 5 8 3 1 1 3 3 | P O R T C I T Y. C O M . A U GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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BURGER REBELLION
The Home of Port Macquarie's Finest Burgers, the Burger Rebellion has been in operation now for 6 years and is one of Port Macquarie’s most popular restaurants.
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ake us back to when it first opened, what was your vision for the restaurant and do you feel six years later you have achieved it? I do feel I have definitely achieved what I set out to do. There have been plenty of challenges along the way, with adapting to changes locally and within the industry as well as the onset of bushfires, floods and a global pandemic. The vision was achieved early on, but it’s the ongoing consistency that is the challenge. So many things have changed in six years but the restaurant has remained one of Port Macquarie’s favourites, can you tell us why that is? It’s definitely consistency, and that’s across all aspects of the business. People know what they are going to get, and as the old saying goes “you get what you pay for” and they
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are happy to pay for a quality product and service. Because people know the difference, and they demand high quality. Hospitality is notorious for a high staff turnover, how has the Burger Rebellion managed to combat this over the years? It’s all about time, you must invest time in your staff. Time YOU KNOW training and building YOURSELF relationships. In hospo at IF YOU ARE the moment people can HAPPY TO GET walk through the door UP EVERYDAY of anywhere they like AND GO TO and pretty much get a WORK THERE IS job, so it’s important to HALF THE build a fun and enjoyable and that swells during BATTLE WON. environment for your holiday periods, five of team. You know yourself those have been with if you are happy to get us from the beginning up everyday and go to work there is half the six years ago. We treat them like family, and battle won. We have 18 staff at the moment like family they always stick their head back in
and say hi. Occasionally work the odd celebrity shift here and there for fun. What is important when producing quality burgers? To produce quality burgers you must have the highest quality, fresh ingredients. We don’t use pre-packaged products, trucked here from interstate. Everything must be fresh and locally produced, and made by hand. Our beef comes from Wingham, our veg from Comboyne and Collombatti, all our pickles, relishes and chutneys are made in Port Macquarie. We pride ourselves on the ethos of “We support you, you support us” concept or locals supporting locals. Call it whatever you like, this community is fantastic at it. Over the years you have produced the “Burger of the month” concept, can you tell us about the idea behind the collaboration with the local businesses and people? The concept is simply to engage our wider community through collaborating with other business networking structures, in turn exposing both the participating parties to a larger audience. Whilst having a burger and a beer with my mates who also run local small businesses. At the moment we are doing a collaboration with Fastplast building supplies, the Workx burger is a generous offering with all the goodies on there, bound to satisfy even
WE DONATED ALL PROFIT FROM THE SALES OF THE BURGER TO SUPPORT MATT AND HIS FAMILY, WHICH TOTALLED OVER $7000. I'M SO STOKED TO BE ABLE TO USE THE BUSINESS IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAN BENEFIT PEOPLE IN NEED.
the hungriest of patrons. All washed down with a Larry Local lager, especially hand crafted by Moorebeer brewery. Most recently I have geared the special to raise money for a local legend suffering from MND, Matty Adkins. We donated all profit from the sales of the burger to support Matt and his family, which totalled over $7000. I’m so stoked to be able to use the business in such a way that it can benefit people in need. To have our community come together and get behind the idea absolutely blew me away, but then again, we have an amazing community that know how to help each other out in tough times. We personally have experienced the community spirit when Covid hit. The Port Macquarie community really know how to band together to support one another. Burgers have a “unhealthy” reputation but The Burger Rebellion produces superior healthy options along with vegetarian and burger bowls, can you tell us about those? The burger bowls came about by providing
a Gluten Free option for coeliacs, then we just started selling quite a lot of them. People just want a light alternative to a large filling burger so we offer any of our burgers in a bowl without the bun on a bed of salad. We also have a few vego options available as well. Traditional burgers might have a bad rep, but ours are a cut above. Using fresh, high quality produce means that we don’t need to use preservatives either. Crowd favourites - what are the best selling burgers? Over the years that has changed a bit, at the moment it would have to be the Southern Fried Chicken Deluxe. A couple of years ago it was the BBQ Beef & Bacon but my all time favourite and the one most of the regulars come for is the Hot Rubbed Chicken. Just recently the Matty Mac was a clear favourite outselling everything else on the menu for the June-July period. So much so that we are keeping it available as a little off the menu secret item for all those locals that still want to grab it. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Kenny LITTLE'S
All hands on deck. Times have definitely changed We want to say 'Thank you' and we are busier than ever. to each and everyone of you Home deliveries have picked up supporting us through these with the new lockdown rules in trying times. Remember to Port Macquarie. support our We are super local businesses Ken has over lucky and proud over the next forty local of all our staff few months growers regularly coming from now more than supplying us with wholesale into ever. Buy a gift fresh, locally our retail side. voucher from one grown produce. The boys have of our great cafes changed from or restaurants. nightshift into normal day hours We are all in this together. Stay delivering to our local customers. safe and remember to be kind.
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WICKED ELF WELCOMES
RYAN N I L S S O N - L I N N E
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yan where did you come from and what experience do you bring to
Wicked Elf? I’m from Margaret River, a little surf, wine and beer town in WA. I’ve been in the industry 15 years, and I love beer! I have a good knowledge of what works and how to do it, and a real passion for everything new and exciting this industry has to offer. I also love the satisfaction I get watching people really enjoy my products. What do you have in store for the business? We are releasing a new range ‘The Mischief’ which will be full of fun, challenging and different beers. Starting with a Sub-Tropical Sour loaded with Mango and Passionfruit and then quickly followed with a Juicy Pale Ale. These beers are designed to challenge the drinker and take them on a new taste journey. Also, a
great opportunity for me to try out new products and techniques! I am all about community so you will see Wicked Elf start to really engage with local groups and businesses in Port Macquarie. Currently the local Surf Museum is showcasing several boards around the taproom. We have also started a homebrew competition with Country Brewer, with the opportunity for the winner to brew their beer with me. What would you say to the locals who are yet to visit Wicked Elf? Come say G’day. It is a cracking little venue with great food and beverages. A fun experience, brewery on site and a beautiful tap room to relax in. Gary makes delicious food that complements our extensive drinks list that will keep anyone happy! We are also making a nice little nook for kids to play so mums and dads can enjoy everything we have to offer.
THE TAPP HAS AN ECLECTIC INDUSTRIAL STYLE SETTING WITH SPECTACULAR WATER VIEWS ACROSS THE HASTINGS RIVER. An unexpected surprise is the exceptional tapas style menu…that pairs perfectly with a wide range of premium Australian wines and boutique beers. With a diverse range of live music every Friday, Saturday & Sunday and a creative cocktail menu…it is the perfect location for any occasion. From a catch up with friends to celebrate special events, through to an afternoon sipping cocktails and soaking up sun rays…The TAPP has it all.
1 BAY ST, PORT MACQUARIE 1300 PANTHERS GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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ALISTAIR F L O W E R
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FLOWER HOTELS
Local born and bred, Jess Flanagan enjoys mixing up genres while adding her acoustic version, giving her a sound that is uniquely her own. The community has embraced her with open arms, and while she continues to grow and learn as a musician, Jess is excited for what opportunities lay ahead.
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i Jess. Please introduce yourself and share your connection to our region. My name is Jessica Flanagan and I’m a 24-year-old musician born and raised on a farm, local to the Wauchope and Port Macquarie area. You have been singing since the age of 14 and performing for the past few years around our region, however you took a break more recently. How does it feel putting yourself back out there in front of an audience again? I am loving it! Entertaining is something I really enjoy doing and it’s an amazing feeling to share that with others, and to see people in the crowd enjoying what I do as well. You beautifully engage your audience with your music. Can you describe your sound/ genre for those who haven’t seen you perform? I am influenced by a wide range of genres which I think is a reflection of my personal sound and style. I would say my music is an acoustic version of country and rock combined. Do you write your own music and, if so, what is your creative process? I have a few different approaches when it comes to writing my own music. Sometimes I will draw from experiences in my own life to create my lyrics, other times it might start with a chord combination or a melody that I am messing around with. I have only very recently started writing music again, so I am looking
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forward to seeing where that takes me and enjoying the process. You’re multitalented, you also play the guitar. When was it spending your time? that you began and how have I love spending my time travelling, horse you developed your skills over time? riding, camping and hanging out with my I started playing guitar around the age of family and my mates. 14. I also played bass guitar in a band for many Since jumping back into the music scene, years which I really loved. I have recently started you have been busy. What’s on the cards using a percussion pedal to accompany me for you this year and what are you most at my gigs to fill out my sound and provide looking forward to? more of a beat for people When I first started getting to dance or tap away back into performing again to. I really enjoy picking I REALLY I had this expectation that I up new things and I am ENJOY would get a few gigs here constantly learning. A lot PICKING UP NEW and there. But since starting of my current knowledge THINGS AND I AM up again I have been flat is from things I have picked CONSTANTLY out and it’s been great! It up from friends, family LEARNING. all picked up really fast and members and also the I’m getting the opportunity internet. to have gigs at a wide range Who inspires and influences you in the of venues and for many different events. I’m music world and where do you draw excited to continue to grow and see what other inspiration? opportunities lay ahead. My love for music is majorly influenced by Where can people follow your journey or a wide range of artists. Some of my major reach out to book an event? influences would be Miranda Lambert, Guns I have started a Facebook page as Jessica N’ Roses, Fleetwood Mac, Chris Stapleton and Flanagan which you can like or follow for any Powderfinger. They are all quite unique and of my updates and future gigs. You can also there are very different qualities I admire about message me from there to book, so feel free to each of these artists. They have all been very send me a message: https://www.facebook. important role models for me. com/Jessica-Flanagan-100980588503399/ Outside of music, how do you enjoy GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Vincent MOORE
BLOKES COFFEE TIME
Creator of the Blokes Coffee Time group Vincent Moore recognised the need for a social club just for men and has successfully organised regular meet-ups that simultaneously support local businesses.
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i Vincent, you have created a fortnightly gathering for men in the Port Macquarie region to get together and chat over coffee. Can you tell me the reason behind starting this fantastic social group? My main reason for starting Blokes Coffee Time group was to help guys connect in the Port Macquarie and surrounding areas community. I noticed when I retired from fulltime work and moved to live in Port Macquarie, late last year, that whilst there were social coffee meet-up groups for women, there was nothing similar available for men, and felt that this gap needed to be addressed. Furthermore, the pandemic has caused a considerable amount of social isolation, mainly due to the social distancing, in addition to the fact that many now work from home, which can exacerbate the problem. In turn, it can place pressure upon marital relationships and make it increasingly difficult to maintain or form friendships. A Blokes Coffee Time group, with no restrictions re age, occupation, or socioeconomic background, enables guys to meetup each fortnight and relax with some new buddies. This seemed to be the ideal solution for addressing this issue. How have the meetups been so far and 52 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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A Blokes Coffee Time group, with no restrictions re age, occupation, or socioeconomic background, enables guys to meetup each fortnight and relax with some new buddies.
what kind of response have you had from the local community and all of the businesses you are supporting with your patronage? The meet-ups have been absolutely fantastic to date. Our inaugural Blokes Coffee Time meet-up, on February 3rd, attracted 10 guys, and the numbers have steadily increased. Our record turnout is 29 guys, which we have achieved no less than three times. The total online membership has grown steadily to well over 200 guys and increases by an average of 10 each fortnight. At each of the meet-ups we have all just relaxed and enjoyed having a yarn with some
guys over delicious coffee, which is exactly what the group is meant to achieve. Notably, several guys now privately meet-up to pursue other interests, ie: golf or a drink at a club. It gives me immense pleasure to report that the support from the local community has been tremendous, with local women frequently referring their male partners to the group, and the businesses are keen to host one of our meet-ups. Those businesses which have already hosted one of our fortnightly meet-ups have been most co-operative in organising the tables and seating arrangements for the group,
focus_interview sometimes even allocating us a private area. I believe it’s really important to support as many local businesses as much as possible, and can proudly say that, so far, we have yet to recycle a venue. And I wish to also acknowledge that the organisers of the local women’s coffee group have been extremely supportive. I wish to publicly express my gratitude for their advice and assistance. Tell me about your career as a funeral and The most marriage celebrant and important thing how that experience is that they have all has helped with running blended together your meetings. extremely well, and I have been a marriage made for enjoyable celebrant for over 16 and relaxed company years and have performed largely due to the at our fortnightly hundreds of weddings in more relaxed regional meet-ups. many exciting locations, centre lifestyle and including Uluru in the the absence of major NT and boats on Sydney city stresses, including Harbour. Since moving to Port Macquarie I’ve excessive noise, heavy traffic and overcrowding. performed weddings at such stunning spots as There is definitely a wide variety of guys Lighthouse Beach. who come from different backgrounds and Further, I am now also a funeral celebrant professions that have joined our group. For and regularly conduct funeral ceremonies in example, some are former police officers, Port Macquarie. teachers, office workers, IT specialists, and My extensive background experience in private business owners, whilst some have had public speaking roles as a wedding/funeral careers on the land as farmers. Nonetheless, celebrant, my early career as a schoolteacher, it is accurate to say that the vast majority are followed by many years employed in training either fully or semi-retired, with only a small positions, has proved invaluable in helping number still employed full-time. The timing of me run our meet-ups. One generally requires the meet-ups, on Wednesdays at 10am, usually a degree of assertiveness and confidence to doesn’t suit guys that are still working fullmaintain interest and attention whenever time, but the few that are in this position still addressing any large audience. As our coffee manage to come along whenever they possibly meet-ups generally number up to the high can. Regardless, the most important thing is twenties, my extensive experience in public that they have all blended together extremely speaking roles certainly comes into play. well, and made for enjoyable and relaxed What do you love most about the Port company at our fortnightly meet-ups. Macquarie area and is there a wide variety What do you like most about the new of men from different professions and group of buddies you have created? backgrounds that come for coffee? Probably that we now all have additional The thing that I love most about the Port contacts and faces we recognise when going Macquarie area, aside from the gorgeous about our daily lives in Port Macquarie. It is no rainforests, stunning ocean scenery, and the exaggeration for me to say that I now rarely go lovely weather, is the fact that I find the people into any of the large shopping centres in the here much friendlier and more welcoming than the people of Sydney ever were. This is possibly area without meeting and saying hello to one
of the Blokes Coffee Time members. Palpably, this proves that the group is helping guys to connect and become familiar with the other local guys, rather than simply always walking around in an anonymous and low profile fashion. What would you like to say to any men who are interested in coming to a meetup? All guys of any age are very welcome to join Blokes Coffee Time. It’s all about chilling out, sipping local coffee, having a yarn, meeting some new buddies, supporting the local businesses, and making connections with other guys in our community. And be assured that we always remain COVID safe, check-in via QR codes, wear masks whenever required and use hand sanitiser at all our coffee meet-ups. I can also report that many of our regular meet-up members, including myself, are fully vaccinated. How can people get in contact and connect with you to find out more? Any guy interested in joining our Blokes Coffee Time group simply needs to access our Facebook page online via the link below, press the ‘Join’ tab and then select the ‘I agree’ to the group rules tab. I will then immediately send them an invitation with the venue details for the next fortnightly coffee meet-up: Blokes Coffee Time | Facebook Thanks Vincent. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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K With the debut appearance of skateboarding at the Summer Olympics this year, many of us have recently been appreciating the skill, balance and athleticism required for this sport. Kevin Moran and his daughter Tameah have developed a strong bond and life philosophy through skating together and both enjoy the camaraderie of competing and being involved in the skating world.
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evin, you have been representing in skate comps in Australia and internationally for years and now your daughter Tameah has taken to it like a duck to water. What do you love most about skating with her and what ignited your passion for skating in the first place? I’ve been skateboarding for 37 years. Initially skateboards were just a way to get around the neighbourhood, then in 1985 I saw a movie called Back to the Future and that changed what I thought you could achieve on a skateboard. Skateboarders wear whatever they want and listen to whatever music they want. We don’t conform to the rules. Skateboarding is whatever you are willing to put into it - for me it has been an amazing way to connect with likeminded people that I would never have met if I didn’t skateboard. Skateboarders don’t think like everyone else; we see the world from different angles and can’t wait for that next session with our mates. Skateboarders get as much joy out of their mates succeeding as they do from their own success. Skating with my children is a great emotion fear mixed in with joy. Tameah has always been around skateboarding, she feels the energy that we breed. Tameah and I talk a lot about what we have learnt from our skateboarding and
how it influences choices we make in life. What have been some of your career highlights and are you stoked Tameah is following in your footsteps? Being able to say that I have continued to skateboard as long as I have is the biggest highlight for me. I remember watching my first Masters competition and being in awe of the guys out there competing. I never thought I would be good enough to share the platforms with those guys, who I now call some of my best mates. I’m happy that Tameah has a passion for skateboarding, as long as it brings a smile to her face. Honestly, I think she just loves the energy and feel of a good skate session as much as I do. She is always the first girl to sign up at every comp she goes in. Competition-wise I have competed in several Australian Bowl Riding Championships and Skated in Bowlarama Bondi against Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero and Mike McGill (some of my childhood heroes) but it was made even more special that I had some of my mates there with me. We also travelled to New Zealand where I competed in there national championships and came 4th. How have your practice habits changed since the recent travel restrictions and what have you enjoyed about having a break from competing? Covid has shut down a lot of the travelling and comps we would normally be doing. Luckily a new skatepark just opened at Lake Cathie and we have been sessioning that one as much as possible. There is a competition scheduled for mid-
I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they are competing. Dad has taught me to never give up and always try your hardest no matter who is watching.
September in Coffs Harbour so hopefully that will still go ahead. Away from skateboarding we both enjoy soccer as a good way to keep fit, surprisingly a lot of skateboarders are good soccer players. The lack of competitions and travelling has been good to show me the wealth of skateboarding talent this town has. Tameah, what inspired you to start entering competitions like your dad and what has he taught you about practicing, doing your best and being a good sport? Dad always says that the most important people in any competitions are the people who come last, second last and third last, and the people who organise it, because without them the competition wouldn’t exist. I love the feeling of them calling out your name, you get nervous but you don’t have time to be scared because you need to focus, then the energy just kicks in and before you know it it’s all over. I wish I could go in comps every day till I got better at them. I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they are competing. Dad has taught me to never give up and always try your hardest no matter who is watching. What is the best thing about skating and are you keen on turning it into a career? Tameah: Best thing for me is meeting new people and travelling to new skate spots. The fact is that skateboarders are one big family. I
would love to skate as a job one day. Kevin: Skateboarding is the fountain of youth for me, and as far as a career - that ship sailed a long time ago. What is your favourite local skate park and why? Kevin: I love any skate park that is new, when we here about a new skate park getting built we wait for the day the fences come down and we can get onto it straight away. So probably Lake Cathie would be the newest and favourite at the moment. Tameah: Lake Cathie , because it’s all so new and it has obstacles that everyone can skate on. Any solid advice for any upcoming skater chicks? Don’t be shy, talk to the other skaters at the skate parks, ask them how they do what they do. Even though there’s not many of us we are part of the bigger family of skateboarders. What are your favourite tricks and what have been your best or funniest stacks so far? Tameah: I just enjoy carving the bowl and the pump track at Lake Cathie. I don’t wanna talk about injuries. Kevin: My favourite trick is a smith grind, the way it feels and sounds is the best. I don’t wanna talk about injuries, we find it back luck to discuss them. Let’s just say the medicine cabinet is never empty. Thanks Kevin and Tameah! GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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DIEZEL F R O S T
and score goals, I feel really revved up when games are about to start and I try to spread the energy with my teammates. Not only do I love playing the sport, I also love to watch it at home or in public. I watch my step-brother play soccer some Saturdays. You train and play with the Port Macquarie Football Club. What is your team called and what position do you play?
The soccer club I play for is called Port Macquarie Football Club and my team name is the U16 Bandits. I play right wing most of the time and sometimes I might move into the striker’s position because it could make a positive change in the game.
For such a young soccer player, Diezel Frost sure has commitment, passion and knowledge of the game beyond his years. With such a good a itude towards practice, teamwork and play strategy, his goal of becoming a professional soccer player is well under way.
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i Diezel, you are 14 years old and have been passionate about playing soccer since you were 3! What is your first memory of kicking a ball around and what do you love about the sport? My first team I played for was called Little Gunners Toddler Academy at Macquarie Fields. I started playing when I was three and 56 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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haven’t stopped playing since then. From there I played with the Eschol Park Wolves and then I played for St Marys soccer club. My first memory of kicking a ball around is with my father and my three uncles they always said how good my coordination was for my age. Because I was so good at it they practiced with me a lot. Playing soccer always makes me feel good as it gets my adrenaline going and makes me feel pumped. I feel excited when I set up
How much do you practice every week and what is the coolest bit of fancy footwork you’ve learned so far? I train with my team two days a week and I kick a ball around with my brother Axel most afternoons or with teammate Ben on the occasional weekend. I’m not sure on the fanciest, I’m usually in game mode, and I just do foot work that feels natural. I can do a skill called an Elastico. I’ve been learning more and more skills whilst growing up but the Elastico is my favourite. What do you enjoy most about getting up to watch the World Cup and do you have any favourite players? When I was little I use to wake up early in the mornings to watch the Socceroos play in the World Cup. My favourite player for the Socceroos was Tim Cahill, he was a forward and a midfielder. These days I watch Argentina and France - my favourite players from each team are Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria. Watching these players and what they do really inspires me to push the limits in training
and get better at soccer. When I watch these players I try to replicate what they do in their games in my games. Do you have any mentors who are helping guide and inspire your love of soccer? My mentors are my parents, my grandparents, my uncles and my coach Col Purcell. Col really pushes me to work my hardest and train to prepare for each game every week, he’s good at setting up drills. He talks about strategies we could use on the field to help win the games, and he trains us to play the best we can in our positions. He knows things about other team’s strategies and gets us well prepared to improve our defence and gives us tips for attacking. My teammates Ben McIntyre and Aiden Campbell are my main inspiration from my team. Ben, Aiden and I have known each other for a while, and we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which makes us a strong team as we know each other’s tactics. But all my teammates and I work well together because of our love for soccer and our chemistry together. Your mum Kylie mentioned you are vocal and very encouraging to your teammates on the field. Good on you Soccer also for being supportive! builds the little Do you think it makes kids’ confidence everyone enjoy the which helps them game more and play learn and have fun in better when you all the playground as communicate? there and give it their they’ve been working I am always vocal and best shot - it’s good on building social very encouraging to my exercise, it’s a great interaction. teammates on the field team sport and learn as it creates a much everything you can greater atmosphere. We from your coach. And play better as a team when we communicate to watch the game and see how everyone is with each other. We know each others’ moves playing, and implement strategies to improve which helps set the team up on attacking and their game. defending. Starting playing at a young age is a good When we score goals we compliment each advantage because you start out with little kids’ other and celebrate it together then we get practice games where you learn to play as a ready to resume the game and do our best as a team. And as you get older you develop more team to win. skills and strategies. What is some good advice you can give to Soccer also builds the little kids’ confidence other players? which helps them learn and have fun in the I would encourage other players to get out playground as they’ve been working on building
social interaction. Weekend sport can help the kids have belief in themselves, so they are more likely to try out for school sport teams as well. What are your goals as a soccer player, do you aspire to play professionally? My goal is to play soccer professionally. My next goal from weekend sport is to play for a professional Australian soccer team. From there I would like to play internationally. My ultimate goal in my soccer career is to play professionally for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). I would like to conclude that soccer is a wonderful all round sport. It is great for cardiovascular health, mental health, builds strength, flexibility and endurance. So if soccer is your go-to sport, I suggest joining Port Macquarie Football Club. Thanks Diezel! GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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MNC C R I CK ET The seasons have changed and warmer weather is ge ing closer which in sporting terms means cricket season is around the corner. We catch up with Paul Dilley and find out what Mid North Coast Cricket have in store this season.
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i Paul, What is your role within Mid North Coast Cricket and what are your main responsibilities and purpose? I was re-elected Chairman for the Mid North Coast Cricket Council (MNCCC) for a 2nd term at our AGM held in July this year. The MNCCC encompasses four cricket associations (Macleay Valley, Hastings River, Manning River and Gloucester Districts) covering about 200km of the NSW coastline and inland areas. We have adopted Cricket NSW’s stated purpose, we exist ‘to inspire everyone to play and love cricket’. My main focus is to ensure our discussions and decision-making are to facilitate opportunities and provide continual improvements aligned with our purpose. Can you tell us about the cricket season coming up? With a reduction in the number of teams participating in premier cricket league competition last season the MNCCC established a players’ sub-committee. The players were asked to undertake a review of the competition framework and provide 58 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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The MNCCC has purchased a FrogBox Streaming Kit which will allow live video streaming of cricket matches which is one of the most exciting and innovative changes to our premier cricket league competition this season.
recommendations to improve player expectations and commitment, in line with our purpose. With the outcomes of the sub-committee review available, as well as on-line player polls/surveys, discussions were held with each of the cricket association presidents. A number of options were presented to them to enable further discussions to occur locally, to consider and agree upon the best way forward for the upcoming cricket season. What the final structure of the premier cricket league competition will look like will ultimately be up to the clubs and their players. The MNCCC has purchased a FrogBox Streaming Kit which will allow live video streaming of cricket matches which is one of the most exciting and innovative changes to our premier cricket league competition this season. Are you and your committee working
on or have any other upcoming competitions and carnivals and what are they? The MNCCC premier cricket league competition has generally been considered the highest standard of club cricket for the region, providing players with many opportunities, with a number now playing in Sydney and Newcastle, and others selected in Cricket NSW Pathway Squads. We will also continue to provide opportunities for players to be selected for the North Coastal Zone and participate in NSW Country Competitions. The MNCCC representative cricket team is the Macquarie Coast “Stingers” which has entered the Cricket NSW Plan B Regional Bash Carnival for the past six years. In an effort to provide our players with an opportunity to prepare for this year’s campaign in Ballina on 23-24 October, the MNCCC is proposing to host a local series of T20 Cricket matches,
giving players much needed match practice and selectors an opportunity to observe and select a squad. Should the Stingers successfully progress beyond the preliminary rounds in Ballina, the players will have an ‘opportunity of a lifetime’ to play at the SCG; a magnificent incentive in line with our purpose. There are some really talented young players who are involved with cricket at the moment on the Mid North Coast, can you introduce them to us and what they have achieved? The Mid North Coast Junior Cricket Council (MNCJCC) has continued to develop many good young cricketers, some progressing to represent the North Coastal Zone in NSW Country competitions. Many of these players have played in the MNCCC premier cricket league competition, and others now play in Sydney and Newcastle. The annual awards for the MNCCC premier cricket league were dominated last year by young cricketers including MNCJCC and North Coastal Zone representative Cooper Petterson, as well as the Korn brothers, Mitchell and Jackson, of the Rovers Cricket Club. Jet Mason was recently awarded the Junior Cricketer of the Year for the Mid North Coast and was the recipient of the prestigious John McMahon Scholarship for demonstrating qualities of fairness, commitment and citizenship. In Season 2020-21, Jet played for Port Macquarie Junior Cricket Club (he
Hopefully the next was a representative The players couple of years will for the Hastings River will have an allow us to see the back District Junior Cricket ‘opportunity of a end of the pandemic Association), Macquarie lifetime’ to play at and some favourable Hotel Cricket Club in the the SCG; a weather to establish a Hastings River District magnificent robust and sustainable Cricket Association incentive in line premier cricket league Competition, with our purpose. competition framework represented the that provides an MNCJCC and played in opportunity for all the North Coastal Zone cricketers to aspire to be team winning the U16 the best they can be, fostering the transition Bradman Cup alongside a number of other from junior to senior cricket ranks, and to play talented young players from the Mid North and love the game of cricket. Coast, including Cooper Petterson, Beau So much has already been achieved recently Mainey, Will Elliott, as well as co-captains, with lights installed at grounds, and new Jack Wakely and Bryce Cook. turf wickets in the Macleay Valley. These Having played his junior cricket for the improvements, together with the introduction Camden Haven Cricket Club, Bryce was also of FrogBox to enable the live screening of a former recipient of the John McMahon matches, will enhance player experience and Scholarship and was a player integral to the participation. Port Pirates Cricket Club premiership success How can our readers get themselves or in the McDonalds premier cricket league their children involved in MNC Cricket? competition last season. Bryce is continually Go to play.cricket.com.au to identify your improving and further to his remarkable nearest club and cricket program. selection in the Australian U16 squad (two And for those that have far greater years after his brother, Connor, achieved the experience (50+ years) and wish to dust same) he was recently selected in the 2020off the kit and re-kindle their love for the 21 AW Green Shield Merit XII (Team of the game the Mid North Coast Veterans Cricket Year) playing for Gordon DCC in Sydney, in Association is also a wonderful group to get what is regarded as the strongest junior club involved with to play cricket at a more leisurely competition in the world. pace. Where would you like to see cricket Thanks Paul. heading in the next couple of years? GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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S U N D I A L D E N TA L
DENTAL
IMPLANTS
ARE THEY RIGHT FOR YOU?
Do you suffer from broken teeth or missing teeth? Dental implants are becoming a popular solution because they are natural, long lasting and a functional solution to a broken smile.
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aving missing or broken teeth can be a large burden on one’s quality of life. These gaps can affect your bite making it difficult to eat certain foods, speak properly and even affect your confidence and ability to smile. While dentures and bridges are good options for replacing missing teeth, in some cases they can lead to soft tissue trauma, be hard to adapt to and cause damage to adjacent teeth. What are dental implants? Dental implants are a great “fixed option” to restoring missing or heavily broken teeth. The implant procedure involves the surgical placement of a titanium fixture into the jawbone, underneath the gum where the tooth root is missing. This acts as a foundation, on to which artificial crowns and bridges and even denture can be secured. Are dental implants the best option for me? While dental implants are exceptional substitutes to missing teeth in most cases, there are some pre-requisites to consider before undergoing this treatment:
Good gum health – while implants do not undergo decay like normal teeth, they are still susceptible to gum disease and can fail in patients that have poor periodontal stability. Good systemic health – implant placement is a surgical procedure and requires cutting the gum and securing the implant into the bone. For this reason, patients who have certain medical conditions or take medications that affect the normal wound healing response are not advised to undergo this procedure: • Severe cardiovascular disease • History of head/neck radiation • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus • Osteoporosis and/or other bone disorders Good bone quality – the success of implant placement is dictated by the amount and quality of the bone available. With the loss of teeth the bone level often drops away; this needs to be assessed by the clinician prior to planning an implant, to decide whether any bone grafting may be necessary before going
ahead with the procedure. Good oral hygiene and ongoing maintenance - the longevity of an implant requires meticulous cleaning, flossing and regular dental visits to ensure the bone and gums of the implant remain stable. If you or a loved one is suffering from missing or broken teeth why not call for a consultation and 3D x-ray to assess if this treatment is the right solution for your dental health. To call the caring team at Sundial Dental ring Port Macquarie 6583 3533 and Wauchope 6585 2015 or visit us at www.sundialdental.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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WE ARE OPEN FOR RESPITE
A F F O R DA B L E INTEREST FREE PAYM E N T S TO S U I T YO U R B U D G E T • Faster treatment than traditional braces • A comfy ride, without the wire pokes! • Proven results with over 10 million straight smiles created world wide
• Be confident in your treatment by a Specialist Orthodontist • Have less time off school • Eat what you want BOOK A FREE INVISALIGN CONSULT
Take a Break with our Respite Teams at Seabreezes, Port Macquarie or Bonville, Coffs Harbour If you, or someone you know is aged between 7 and 65, has a disability and is looking for a short break then we can support you! Our respite service provides short term accommodation options for people with disability to relax and take a break, with either a planned holiday or simply somewhere to stay while family and carers take time away from daily routines. When staying in one of our houses our residents can: • relax in a comfortable and safe environment • explore somewhere new • meet and socialise with people of a similar age and interests • take part in their favourite activities For more information about our Port Macquarie accommodation, contact Danielle Heazlewood on 0488 296 021 or Joanne Harrington on 0414 652 695.
143A Horton Street, Port Macquarie Phone 6583 8425 info@portmacquarieorthodontics.com.au www.portmacquarieorthodontics.com.au 62 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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abilityoptions.org.au
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GINNANE THE WILLOW ROOM
Bernie Ginnane is a multi-faceted healer who uses many different techniques to facilitate change, insight and healing in others. A few of her offerings include Sound Healing, Quantum Reiki, Meditation, Counselling, Yoga, and we wanted to find out more about how she uses her life’s calling to help people de-stress, re-adjust, re-charge and re-focus.
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e last caught up with you in our March edition when we found out about your business ‘The Willow Room’ and all of the healing services you offer. Please tell our readers about the new space you have recently opened in Wauchope. I was excited for The Willow Room to put down permanent roots in Wauchope, at 1/243 High Street. It’s a cute little cottage, nestled between Greenbourne Nursery & Gift Shop and Bardi’s Café, opposite Timbertown. I feel it is a wonderful space, where upon walking under the arch and along the timber walkway through a small garden, you enter a new space; The Willow Room. For me, the entry very much symbolises stepping out of the hustle and bustle of life and entering a safe and nurturing space to pause and relax, to quieten the mind, to unwind and release what has been weighing you down, to de-stress, to re-adjust your priorities and to re-focus, to re-charge and return to a better feeling place within you. The Willow Room is a place to be heard, a
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Everything is
composed of place to connect, and a themselves and for life. place to be heart soothed. This inner energy. Our physical I offer one-on-one transformation can bodies, and thus sessions, couple’s sessions then ripple outwards every atom within us, and small group classes and into their families carry an energetic workshops, also sessions and relationships, frequency. via Zoom or Skype, as well their work and the as offering a small range of community. healing remedies, including You use many calming teas. different instruments for your sound What first drew you to this calling and healing sessions. Can you tell us about what do you like most about being a some of them and how they work? healer? As a Certified Sound Energy Healer, Shamanic I feel one who does this type of service is not Practitioner, Quantum Reiki Master, Meditation made, but born. It is innately within them, and Facilitator, Intuitive Mentor, Counsellor, when they are aligned with their life’s calling, Numerologist and Yoga Teacher, I use many their offering flows naturally to them and tools to facilitate change, insight and healing through them to others. for others. Life experience awakened the healer Sound Healing is a gentle but powerful within me, and I often draw silently upon my process to assist in bringing change to one’s life. experiences to guide others. For me alternative Everything is composed of energy. Our healing and counselling was something I was physical bodies, and thus every atom within always interested in, finding the ‘why’ for us, carry an energetic frequency. Our thoughts something, finding the root cause rather than a carry an emotion, whether positive or negative, band aid solution. and emotions are energy in motion. I most enjoy helping others to find more So, if we change our thoughts and emotions, peace of mind and heart, and to awaken their we can shift our frequency to a higher vibration purpose, their motivation and their passion for and be in a better feeling place.
I use a range of tools, sharing this particular My Sound including Therapeutic drink with your group? Healing tools Bowls, that are I enjoy the connection help clients to enter a composed of 12 metals, with those who attend, Theta brain wave unlike Tibetan singing connecting hearts state, the place of bowls that are composed through both the beat of deep relaxation, of 7 metals. I also use the drums and percussion meditation, imagery Quartz Crystal Bowls, a and also through the and the place of least Gong, Solffeggio Tuned sharing of a very natural resistance. Pipes (attuned to the and healthy Sacred natural frequency of Cacao, or spicy hot each Chakra), a Crystal chocolate, with intention Chime and Crystal Pyramid. I also have a range to open the heart chakra. of gentle drums that I play, helping clients to What do you get up to when you’re away connect to their intuitive self. from The Willow Room and in relaxation My Sound Healing tools help clients to enter mode? a Theta brain wave state, the place of deep Having fun with my grandchildren, and relaxation, meditation, imagery and the place catching up with my children, listening to of least resistance. In this safe space the sound music, walking my dog, gardening, getting healing tools and energy work such as Reiki, creative and short road trips to out of the way assist clients to shift energetic blockages and places. limiting thought patterns, and to relax the body, What are some of the sessions you have calm the mind and soothe the heart. coming up and how can people find out Until you heal the wounds of the past, they more and connect with you? will continue to be carried within you and affect I offer one-on-one Counselling sessions, all areas of your life. particularly for those experiencing anxiety, During your monthly full moon drumming burnout and grief, but also for those circles you meet up, play drums and experiencing changes in their lives which percussion together as well as enjoy bring up uncertainty and lack of direction and sacred cacao hot chocolate from Peru. What purpose. do you most enjoy about drumming and I offer small group classes for:
• Gentle/Chair Yoga, Meditation & Sound Healing every Tuesday morning 9.30am 10.45am • Group Meditation, Sound & Reiki Healing every Wednesday 5.30pm - 6.30pm & every 2nd Sunday. • 4 Week Meditation Classes, incorporating Creative Mindfulness, one class through the week and another Saturday mornings. • Full Moon Drumming Circles once a month, always a good time for releasing and readjusting our mindset. • A variety of half and full day workshops for small groups, including ‘Release the Old & Call in the New’ and ‘Heart & Soul Journey’. REVIEWS ‘Bernie is a gifted leader, facilitator, teacher and healer. You will be amazed at how you feel after her sessions.’ - Adrienne Smith, Mid North Coast ‘Bernie is able to hold space for emotional processing, storytelling and healing. Since our session there’s been quite a lot of positive movement for me. She is really an extraordinary healer.’ - Jane Galvin, PMQ To contact me: bernie224@gmail.com 0491 015 566 Check out my website: bernieginnane-thewillowroom.com.au Or follow me on GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Michelle STOCKS KIRINARI
Meet Michelle Stocks, the Business Development Manager for all of Kirinari in Mid North Coast.
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lease introduce yourself and your connection with the area to our readers? I have lived on the Mid North Coast for over 17 years, living in South West Rocks which is an amazing place to live with my family. I have worked in the Human Services sector including Ageing & Disability Care, Child Protection, Domestic & Family Violence services & Homelessness sector. Tell us about your role at Kirinari? I am the Business Development Manager for Kirinari on the Mid North Coast & I am in charge of development for Corporate and Brand Awareness, Accommodation, Supported Independent Living (SIL), Short Term Accommodation (STA), Medium Term Accommodation (MTA), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Behaviour Support,
Community Access, Support Coordination; and Youth Services Why has this industry had such a mammoth growth over the last 3 years? The introduction of the NDIA & the ability for customers to have more choice and control over how, when and where supports are provided; the NDIS puts them at the centre of the decision-making process about their life. This has pushed the growth back to consumers & those that may have not been receiving the supports they needed or wanted has certainly driven the growth in this sector.
Kirinari has an exciting new location. Tell us where we can now find you and who else from your team works out of this new office? We are located at 17 Hollingworth Street, Port Macquarie & we have a team of highly skilled & experienced staff including our Service Delivery Manager who is responsible for the operational needs of our SIL’s, Coordinator of Supports, including a Specialist Coordinator of Supports & behaviour Management Practitioner. Kirinari can provide access to skilled staff who can guide & support them to ensure they receive the best choice & care of services.
Your NDIS Provider Here at Kirinari we know that life is about having fun, doing the things you love, having dreams, achieving goals and living the life you want.
www.kirinari.com.au Please contact us on 1300 547 462 kirinari@kirinari.com.au 17 Hollingworth Street, Port Macquarie, NSW, 2444
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HOM E CARE
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VALUED UP TO
$20,000
SALES INFORMATION CENTRE OPEN 7 DAYS 9am – 4.30pm. FREECALL 1800 577 542 salesforster@palmlake.com.au 6 Tea Tree Road, Forster NSW 2428
THE BEST IN OVER-50s LIVING. THIS IS YOUR TIME. palmlakeresort.com.au
IngeniaGardens A C T I VAT E C O M M U N I T Y A N D SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY
There has never been a be er time to downsize to a low-maintenance unit in a community of like-minded people who share a strong sense of belonging and connectivity.
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eading owner operator of rental retirement communities, Ingenia Gardens, offers a popular alternative for independent seniors by providing the opportunity to experience the benefits of community living without the many up-front costs or complex locked-in contracts common in traditional retirement living options. The Ingenia Gardens rental model provides seniors the freedom of independence and flexibility, with the added benefit of a secure lease, along with the lifestyle, convenience,
and safety aspects of belonging to a retirement community. Portfolio Manager Ingenia Gardens Madonna Jackson said “Having access to onsite managers and living in a gated community with level, covered walkways connecting them to communal facilities are just some of the many ways residents feel safe and secure. “Renting in retirement is a great way to enjoy the best of both worlds – maintain your independence whilst enjoying community living. “And, during these challenging and
changing circumstances, the safety and wellbeing of our residents is of the utmost importance which is why Ingenia has been proactive in taking steps to safeguard residents’ health and provide support, so they feel secure, whilst maintaining their beautiful community spirit.” Ms Jackson said. If low maintenance living and freedom of independence appeals to you, then contact our caring and friendly Ingenia Gardens Port Macquarie team to book your private tour on (02) 6581 5223 or go to www.ingeniagardens. com.au for more information.
Feel the warmth of friendship Enjoy the comfort of living in your own home within our welcoming independent seniors rental community. Take a virtual tour today or call our friendly Community Manager Keiron on 6581 5223, and discover why our residents feel so secure and connected.
SCAN TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR NOW 12 SHERIFF WAY, PORT MACQUARIE ingeniagardens.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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MAKING A VALID WILL with a professional from the comfort of your home
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ecent stay-at-home orders in NSW have left many in the community contemplating their financial and legal affairs and people are using the extra time at home to catch up on important life admin. NSW Trustee & Guardian, the state’s largest Will-maker, recognises this demand and offers video conference appointments for people to make a Will during COVID-19 restrictions. “Video conference appointments mean people can stay home, reduce physical contact, and still complete this critical document,” said Acting Chief Executive Officer Megan Osborne. “It’s the same level of professional service you would receive in-person: we verify your identity, conduct capacity checks, discuss your wishes and provide expert advice about a range of issues related to your Will, including the role of an executor. The only difference is how we do that, and that’s through our flexible video conference service.”
NSW government passed a regulation last year under the Electronic Transactions Act 2020 to allow certain legal documents to be witnessed using video conference technology. Since launching, NSW Trustee & Guardian has seen an uplift for the video conference service as an immediate solution to changing restrictions. It is estimated that almost 50 per cent of adults in NSW do not have a current Will in place. “Making a Will is the best way people
can protect themselves, their loved ones and futureproof their valuables and assets,” said Ms Osborne. “This is our commitment to making our services as accessible as possible for NSW residents.” The Will-making service is free for people on the full Centrelink Age Pension. For more information about the video conference service or in-person appointments across NSW, visit tag.nsw.gov.au/iwill
Protect your loved ones with a valid Will Your Will is one of the most important documents you’ll ever sign. Trusting the right professional is essential.
I WILL
ease the pressure on my loved ones with the #1 maker and executor of Wills in NSW.
I WILL WITH NSW TRUSTEE & GUARDIAN.
That’s why the people of NSW have trusted NSW Trustee & Guardian with over one million Wills and counting. Get started from home and book a video conference appointment. Port Macquarie team: 114 William Street www.tag.nsw.gov.au
Scan here to visit our website. Fees may apply. See website for details.
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1300 10 20 30
GemLife.com.au/grb
Rainbow Beach. A whole new life.
GemLife offers luxury resort-style living with premium lifestyle facilities on your doorstep. No entry fees, exit fees or stamp duty Friendly community Pets welcome Gated neighbourhood Extensive premium facilities Luxury homes Optional caravan and boat storage* Retain your capital gain
Over-50s living on the Mid North Coast. New homes now selling.
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Call 1800 718 413
*Conditions apply.
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NEWPORT VILLAGE
Discover the ultimate over 55s lifestyle living at Glenfern Thrumster Glenfern in Thrumster provides the best of both worlds of the Port Macquarie region, nestled amongst world-renowned beaches and countryside bushlands whilst being a hop, skip and a jump away from the wonders of hub of local retailers and vibrant culinary scene. Be one of the first to discover Glenfern, designed to elevate your lifestyle. Perfectly set adjacent to Australian bushland, Glenfern is a master planned lifestyle community offering resort amenities that provide the balance of serenity and active living. The lifestyle community boasts state-of-the-
art facilities where you can enjoy swimming laps of the pool, hosting a BBQ with friends, catching a movie in the cinema, stepping out for brunch or perhaps dining at the sports bar & grill. Craft your ideal home with a selection of designs and interior finishes whilst welcoming
your own touches. With no Stamp Duty on purchase, no Exit Fees and a full retention of Capital Gains/Profits, NOW is the time to discuss your future at Glenfern. For more information please visit our website today: www.hometownaustralia.com.au
A brand new over 55s community coming soon Welcome to Glenfern, a master-planned new community nestled among beautifully landscaped grounds. You’ll enjoy a sense of connection and an active, engaged lifestyle with use of sensational facilities. Discover a new way of living today with brand new homes coming soon.
No stamp duty
No council rates
Retain capital gains
No exit fees
Call 02 4011 8921 to find out more Thrumpster St, Thrumpster NSW 2444 hometownaustralia.com.au
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BUSINESS
VOICE t MICHAEL MOWLE
PRESIDENT PORT MACQUARIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Port Macquarie is currently experiencing a housing supply and affordability crisis. This is being driven by high demand, rising building costs and land supply constraints. At present there is a limited and constrained supply of zoned land for future residential dwellings within our local government area to meet demand and maintain affordability.
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nalysis of the rising demand for housing in this area has resulted in a forecast that we will need to accommodate an additional 20,000 people by 2036. This means that the local housing industry needs to supply about 500-600 dwellings annually for the next 15 years. The recent and ongoing COVID pandemic appears to have accelerated an exodus from capital cities to regional centres and rural areas. The demand from this trend is likely to exceed current forecasts and put even higher demand on housing supply in our area. As part of its existing Urban Growth Strategy Council has a subordinate document the “DRAFT Housing Strategy” on exhibition for comment until mid September. This document is accompanied by a Theoretical Dwelling Capacity report undertaken by specialist consultants. This capacity report is significantly flawed in that a large number of sites within the Port Macquarie LGA have been incorrectly assessed as having development capacity. The resultant inaccurate data fails to identify that Port Macquarie Hastings LGA does not have an adequate supply of zoned land for housing to meet the forecast demand. 74 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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To properly address the land shortage, housing supply and resultant affordability crisis the PMHC Urban Growth Strategy firstly needs to identify future land release areas to exceed predicted demand up to 2036. This is so sufficient choice in location and price is available to purchasers, competition is maintained amongst developers as well as allowing for some areas to proceed while others are in planning phases. Secondly, the strategy must identify the critical infrastructure needed to support release areas such as roads, water, trunk sewer and services. Where appropriate council should then forward fund key pieces of infrastructure to unlock development potential. This ensures that land is made available in a timely fashion, supply to market keeps prices under control and the additional costs of lead-in infrastructure is not borne by the home buyer. The Housing Strategy document should underpin and support the Urban Growth objectives in terms of housing types, development control settings, incentivisation and specific aims for various housing precincts. One example of the latter being medium density in fringe CBD areas where
redevelopment could yield additional supply of villas and townhouses. The challenges here relate to replacing aging infrastructure, prescriptive development controls and high contributions making such development not economically feasible. In new release areas where 70% of demand is for freestanding houses the challenge is to extract the maximum yield from zoned land. This means ensuring that development controls allow removal of scattered vegetation that is not environmentally significant whilst protecting areas that are sensitive and of high ecological value. Anecdotal evidence suggest those moving to our area from cities favour not only their own yard space but also desire living in an area that preserves its natural surroundings. The local housing and construction industry supports over 3000 jobs directly and countless others indirectly in businesses such as real estate, hardware and building suppliers, furnishing and white goods, conveyancing, legal and financial services. A robust and considered long term strategy is required to meet our future housing demands, maintain housing affordability and provide certainty to a key local industry.
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C E L E B R AT E S
50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PORT MACQUARIE REGION
It’s 50 years since this young local lad commenced his own business.
H
Focus has coaxed John McGuigan to share his story with us.
i John. How did the business of John Oxley Motors start? Well I suppose it started in 1954 when Dad, Mum and I came to Port Macquarie from Premer in western NSW. My father was a farmer and grew peas, beans, tomatoes and cucumbers on our property out on Ocean Drive where McKillop Senior College and St Agnes Village are now. He did this successfully in the 1950’s but not so well in the 1960’s when Birds Eye introduced Frozen Peas and Beans. My father died when I was 14 so when the farm was sold up, we moved to town. My father had been a “Penciler” at the races also and had taught me to be fast and accurate with numbers, particularly multiplication and additions, so I knew how to write up a Bookmaker’s ledger. This got me an odd Saturday job with Bookmaker Mr Terry
O’Brien from the age of 15 on. I also ‘pumped petrol’ at The Plaza Shell for Mr George Heideman every second Sunday and public holiday when I was 17 to 18. This was while schooling was completed at St Joseph’s and years 11-12 at Port High. In 1971 after my HSC I went to work at the ANZ Bank as a junior and continued at Shell on Sundays. My friend, Geoff King, working for Jim Boardman Real Estate, one day showed me the lease of a Mobil Service Station, Macquarie Auto Port which was for sale, at $6,000. It was at the corner of Gordon and Munster Streets where the new Mobil now is. The business also happened to sell Volkswagens. The lease of the premises would be from people I knew, Bruce and his sister Silvia Longworth. Longworths’ Trading Company were the Mobil distributors for the Hastings. I knew from my bank experience that if Mum would lend me the house deeds, I could get finance and have a go. With the support
of the ANZ Bank, Volkswagen Distribution and my Mum’s faith in me we took over on 1st October 1971. With the competent support of our first two mechanics, Mick Higgins and Chris Van der Lay, more right decisions were made than wrong ones. We soon learnt that selling and repairing cars was more profitable than pumping petrol for a cent a litre. Business grew and Renault, Peugeot and Subaru asked us to sell their cars which we jumped at. Our first Salesman, Colin Pentecost, sold everything in sight at about the time a young tall skinny Volkswagen Mechanic by the name of Warwick Simpson, fresh from completing his apprenticeship in Sydney commenced. Warwick worked with us in various roles and contributed greatly to our success over the years till his untimely death in March 2012. And as good a person as you would want to know. Continued over... GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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JOHN OXLEY MOTORS PROUDLY CELEBR ATES 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PORT MACQUARIE REGION
59 Hastings River Drive (Yamaha)
Macquarie Auto Port
Mid 1974 we had Ivan Stroud, the State Manager of Capitol Motors, the Datsun Distributor (now Nissan) call in and tell us they wanted us to “give away all these supermarket brands” and be the Datsun exclusive dealer. I said “cannot do that Ivan” to which he replied “get a separate site as cars will be coming after Christmas.” This coincided with a quietening in Real Estate, so Geoff King and I decided to form a partnership and modify the old Terrazzo Factory at 95 Hastings River Drive into a Car Dealership. Again, we needed $6,000 and it was Geoff’s block of land we used to secure the finance. Part of the premises were owned by Mr Jim Goldring and the shopfront by Mr Eddie Quirk (where Andersons Car Care and Natrad are now). We delivered our first Datsun 1 tonne truck to Mitchell’s Timber and Hardware on 19th February 1975. John Oxley Motors was in business. Geoff and I had 10 very good years as business partners. I acquired his interests in John Oxley Motors and Geoff moved to Coffs acquiring the Holden/Mitsubishi Dealership in 1985. Geoff King Motors today is a highly 76 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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regarded multi franchise Dealer in Coffs Harbour. Geoff and I are very good friends and we continue to keep regularly in touch. Going back a bit, in my last year of school I fancied this young lady. She was the sister of one of my mates Geoff Spence. She thought I was ok, so Lorraine and I were married in 1974 and have just celebrated our 47th anniversary. We have three children Shane, Alison and Aaron. I wouldn’t have managed in business without the continual support and encouragement of Lorraine and the understanding of our children in their earlier years that “dad was at work”. One of our favourite brands BMW came along in 1977. Our first car was a BMW 3.0LA, worth $27,500. It was dropped off by the car carrier at our Gordon Street home one night. We were selling for $25,000. I said to Lorraine, if there is a fire tonight; get the baby and take the car. It’s worth more than the house. In 1977 the Macquarie Auto Port Business was sold along with our little family home in Gordon Street, to help finance the purchase of land and the building of a bigger John Oxley Motors at 59 Hastings River Drive (where Yamaha are now). We moved in April 1979.
We had taken a massive leap and finances were very tight for a few years but working with committed people we moved forward leasing land and buildings beside us and adding further Motor Franchises. Business had more good years than bad ones during the late 80’s and 90’s before we had again outgrown ourselves. In 1999, after 2 years in the acquisition, planning and development stage, and with a huge financial commitment we moved to part of the old drive-in site at 130 Hastings River Drive. The hard work of Sid Hopkins, Hopkins Consultants, Trevor King the Architect and Malcolm McDonald Constructions resulted in a first-class facility. It was at this time that the Volkswagen Factory announced their return to distribution in Australia. (From 1977 till 2000 VW’s were imported by commission agents and their sales were spasmodic.) We enthusiastically pursued the Volkswagen franchise which we were granted in late 2000. We had the brand back that started us off. In the years till 2018 we selected vehicle Brands that best suited our business model and Customer base. Some were added, some relinquished.
JOHN OXLEY MOTORS PROUDLY CELEBR ATES 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PORT MACQUARIE REGION
95 Hastings River Drive (The Terrazzo Factory)
John with model Chev they came to town in and the model of the first Beetle he sold
Our eldest son, Shane, after leaving school pursued a career in hospitality attending the Blue Mountains Hotel Management School and working in Melbourne and Brisbane. Lorraine and I wanted our children to make their own way and not just walk into a family business, which they all did. In 1998 there came a rare opportunity for Shane to attend the 7-month program at BMW Business School in conjunction with the European Business College in Germany. After prolonged family discussions and selling everything he owned to pay the heavily subsidised fee, his career was changing. Shane
graduated and returned, securing a position with Brisbane BMW for the next 3 years. His love of the car industry had started. In 2001 McGuigan BMW had a sales position. Shane applied and as the best applicant was successful. Shane went on to be General Sales Manager. In 2010 Shane and I had a conversation. Dad, one of us is staying and one is going. There can be only one Boss. Lorraine and I discussed, looked at my birth certificate and decided I would go. We put a plan together for Shane to take over the running of the business and also a 10-year plan for him to acquire the assets of the operating company. Shane exceeded these goals 2 years early and in 2018 John and Lorraine retired. John, to what do you owe the outstanding growth of this locally founded company? That’s simple. It’s the people you work with every day. They are the business. You show the care and attitude towards your customer, set the rules and the guidelines, what needs to be achieved and encourage everyone from there. Dedicated people do the rest. What has been the most satisfying highlight for you over the last 50 years? Firstly, the young people we have been able to help start their working life through apprenticeships and our ability to teach skills they didn’t learn at school. Some stay for a short time, some for decades. But equally it’s seeing
the excitement a new car brings to people. Helping them make the right decision for them, and providing a fix for the car problems when they arise. The people you meet in our industry, from the various Brands and like-minded Dealers, with whom many I have forged lifelong friendships. I miss the interaction with the people I worked with and the customers. What would you say is the best car? When you open the garage door and the car you see brings a smile to your face and a warm feeling… that is the best car. A bad car today is rare. Of course, Volkswagen is my favourite. What is your involvement with John Oxley Motors today? I’m still the Dealer Principal for Volkswagen. That is the person responsible to the Factory for the total operation of the franchise within a Dealership. They like the heritage and want me to hang around for a while. And so do I. We’re the landlord and have a very fussy tenant, Shane, making sure all the gardens are first class and the blown light globe etc is replaced immediately! I’ll also offer an opinion sometimes... but only when I’m asked. Thanks John. I know you were reluctant about any publicity and had to be encouraged by your family and friends to tell this brief part of the story with the hope it encourages others to have a go and “Do a good Deal Better!” GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Ltd 24 Muir Road Chullora NSW 2190 ABN 14 093 117 876 Phone (02) 9695 6000
C E L E B R AT E S
50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PORT MACQUARIE REGION
John McGuigan is in many ways the face of the Volkswagen brand in Australia. It is to him more than any other single dealer of the more than 100 in this country that our brand owes its status as the only European represented among the top 10 selling automakers in this crowded market. Whenever Volkswagen has been here, John has been there. The brand’s contemporary success was a remote prospect 50 years ago when the then-19year-old was appointed at Macquarie Auto Port. Indeed, Volkswagen was sKll at best a niche brand when we returned to Australia as a factory importer in 2001. Naturally, John was among the first dealers enfranchised. John, who even now remains Dealer Principal for Volkswagen at John Oxley Motors, has been not only Volkswagen’s longest serving dealer principal, he is among its most decorated. There can scarcely be room enough on his mantle for his array of Premium Dealer and Dealer of the Year Awards. To these add the seldom awarded Gold Pin and Diamond Pin. If a brand is only as good as its dealers, in John McGuigan we and you – the customer – could not be in beTer hands. Thank you, John, for your decades of making Volkswagen what it is in this country. Best wishes Michael Bartsch Managing Director Volkswagen Group Australia
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BUSINESS
MINDS t
LAUREN MCALLISTER AND SIMON BANK
FROM WEBSTUDIO
‘STORYTELLING IN A PANDEMIC - CONVEYING BRAND AUTHENTICITY, DIGITALLY’ Businesses who show leadership during uncertain times set themselves apart - and grow trust in their brand. This means brand storytelling is now more important than ever! We’ve put together some tips to consider when communicating with your community.
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very day, you are building your brand story. The projects you work on, the products you ship out - are all creating word of mouth attention for your business. There are so many touchpoints through which a potential customer might get their first impression of you. They might find you on Facebook, through a local “what’s on” group. Or they might Google ‘accountants near me’ and click through to your website, where they get a more complete idea of who you are and what you do. In the good ol’ pre-pandemic days, businesses were able to further develop this relationship, with face-to-face meetings. But as we (yet again!) find ourselves relying more heavily on online communications, it is important that businesses find new ways to convey the warm welcome people would normally receive when they arrive at your office or shop. Those who have already been using innovative ways to engage and connect with their customers are ahead of the curve. But for those who haven't - it’s not too late to start! Here are some tips for brand building in a
pandemic, to help you find the most effective ways to tell your story. Firstly - take a breath. We understand there is an urge to communicate. Send all the emails! Create all the social posts telling everyone you are still open! But make sure to take a minute and think - who do I need to reach out to first? What is the best way to reach out to these people? What are the key messages I need to convey? Brands who are reassuring and staying positive, while putting the needs of their customers - and their staff - first, will stand out. Consider your business goals. Some of us are lucky enough to transition easily into remote working and function somewhat ‘normally.’ But others need to do a complete reassessment of their business - especially if some staff are impacted by isolation orders or caregiving responsibilities (home schooling is rough!) So your ‘pre-COVID’ business goals and expectations may need to be adjusted - and so will your marketing activities, to reflect these. Revisit your mission statement. And make sure your employees know it too. Your mission statement is your core values, goals and promise to customers - all rolled into one punchy, meaningful statement. And it’s unlikely COVID has changed this. So now is the time
to come back to it. Branding is about so much more than your logo - it’s about the principles that guide your business. Know your audience. The most important element of storytelling! Lockdowns affect everyone in different ways. So once you’ve worked out who you need to connect with think about what they might be experiencing right now. What is important to them? What problems are they having that you can solve? Once you know this, create content that demonstrates that you understand them - and that you can help! If you position your brand as someone who they can turn to, you will build trust and convey warmth. Sometimes it’s the smaller, thoughtful things, like a handwritten note in a delivery - with some words of encouragement, or a joke of the day - that make all the difference. Know your platforms. Once you know what you want to say, and who you need to say it to - it’s time to find your people. Which platforms do they communicate on? Sometimes Facebook is the perfect tool to reach your audience and build engagement. Other times LinkedIn makes more sense. Getting your story out there means knowing where your people are, going there yourself - and sharing your story. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Start Damien Bailey Unified Accounting The increasing levels of restrictions in response to the current COVID-19 outbreak has put tremendous strain on our local businesses and those working within them. Now more than ever is the time to support our community and the businesses within it, both during restrictions and after they ease, to ensure we all get through this time as best we can. There is a range of government support options available to assist affected businesses, each have their own eligibility requirements and processes for applying. If you are a business owner who needs help with applying for government assistance do not hesitate to contact me.
focusing on your future
with Year 11 at
St Columba
I am only a phone call away and ready to help you. I can also assist you with cashflow planning and monitoring if needed, so you have the best chance of seeing any upcoming cashflow issues early and have more time to respond. To the business owners coming up with new and innovative ways to adapt to the changing rules, be proud of that achievement. Stay safe everyone and look after yourself and each other.
Full scholarships available for new students entering Year 11 2022. Conditions apply.
gain real career experiences
stretch your imagination
explore future possibilities Talk to our team today to find out more about starting your journey at St Columba Anglican School. www.scas.nsw.edu.au enrolments@scas.nsw.edu.au scasinfo stcolumbaanglicanschool GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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While it was full steam ahead for a few months enjoying our live networking and online events; social outings and face-to-face events have come to an abrupt halt with the NSW Lockdown.
HBWN
HASTINGS
WOMEN’S NETWORK
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uch like the lockdown of 2020, the Hastings Business Women’s Network has been swift to ensure its members have the opportunity to connect with other women during this time. How we’re adapting: Each month the HBWN hosts a faceto-face coffee catch up event – these events are a welcome opportunity for local women to meet with our committee and discuss the benefits of being part of the network. This month we’ve shifted to online to ensure all our members and potential members have the opportunity to connect. So how do these catch ups work out side of the big monthly events? Let’s hone in on the coffee catch ups for new members. Some frequently asked questions we
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get are: annual events and workshops to suit all How long does it go for? women in the workforce. Well as the name suggests its a ‘Coffee’ How do I know when they are on? Catch up. So it only goes for an hour – or The easiest way is to have a look on our ‘one cup of coffee’. website or Facebook What do I need to page. That is where Each month the bring? most events are HBWN hosts a Nothing at all, this posted. face-to-face coffee catch meet up is a pop in I am not sure where up event – these events event where you can to start? are a welcome meet our membership Starting is the best opportunity for local co-ordinator and step forward you can women to meet with learn more about take. our committee and the HBWN and its Email us discuss the benefits of benefits. – membership@hbwn. being part of the Do I need to own com.au, or message us network. my own business? on Facebook and one Absolutely not. The of our team will be HBWN is for all women – whether owning happy to guide you. or managing a business or running a Our supportive, informative and open community organisation or volunteering. network look forward to welcoming you Small, large, or corporation we tailor our to any and all of our events.
Dr David Gillespie MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LYNE Our community is a great place to live, Locally I have been delivering for you, your family and local community, including: work and raise a family. This year, our focus has been to suppress the virus and deliver the vaccine, continue to guarantee the essential services that we rely on and protect and secure Australia’s interests in a challenging world. Our Government has been taking all possible steps to protect lives and livelihoods, including unprecedented support for health care and mental health. We are in a stronger position to recover than most countries. The next stage in our plan to secure Australia’s economic recovery includes: • Incentives for investments, jobs, new apprenticeships, and skills training. • More infrastructure - including roads, rail, bridges, dams and electricity transmission. • Substantial new investments in aged care, health, mental health, and the NDIS.
Dr David Gillespie MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LYNE
He Listens. He Cares. He Delivers.
• $1.35 million to upgrade St Joseph’s, Wauchope • $455,000 to replace Scrubby Creek Bridge, Pappinbarra • $480,000 for the Beechwood Shared Pathways • $415,000 to replace Thompson’s Bridge, Upper Rollands Plains • $80,000 for the Lake Cathie Community Hall, to install 3x3 Basketball Court • $785,000 to upgrade Cameron Street • $120,840 for the Laurieton United Services Club’ new generator • $160,000 to replace Old School Road Bridge, Herrons Creek • $300,000 for the Wauchope Showground New Stables and Amenities
Wauchope Office
Taree Office
02 6586 4462
02 6557 8910
Corner of High and Hastings Streets, Wauchope, NSW 2446
144 Victoria Street, Taree, NSW 2430
david.gillespie.mp@aph.gov.au
DavidGillespieMP
david_gillespie_mp Authorised by Dr David Gillespie MP, National Party of Australia, Corner of High and Hastings Streets, davegillespiemp Wauchope, NSW 2446. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE focus 83
T E N Y E A R S H E L P I N G S C H O O L L E AV E R S A C H I E V E T H E I R D R E A M S This year’s HEF Student grant recipients and the tenth annual cohort.
Education Fund H A S T I N G S
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HE BEGINNING Ten years ago, a group of local educators decided to improve opportunities for school leavers in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area. A significant number of our school leavers need to move to metropolitan areas to access further education and training. The costs are substantial and a barrier for those without financial support. To assist, a branch of the Country Education of Australia to be known as the Hastings Education Fund (HEF) was established in 2011. The Foundation Committee made two very astute decisions from the outset. They approached John Ross (OAM) and Helen Ross (OAM) to be HEF Patrons. John and Helen are well known, successful businesspeople and highly respected members of the Hastings community. The Foundation Committee also appointed retired school principal Peter Cuskelly as the Foundation Chair. Together, they worked exceptionally hard to establish a Management Committee, secure sponsors and fundraise. In 2016, Peter moved away, and another highly respected educational leader, Jim O’Brien, took his place. The HEF has gone from strength to strength under Jim O’Brien’s dedicated leadership. A DECADE OF ACHIEVEMENTS This year, the Hastings Education Fund celebrates its tenth anniversary helping school leavers from the Port Macquarie-Hastings region
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Matthew McCarron CEO of major HEF sponsor Lewis Land Group/Sovereign Hills pictured with HEF Chair Jim O’Brien
achieve their education and career goals. The Fund awards eligible students with non-cash grants. These grants can be used for education-related costs such as textbooks, computers, printers, course fees and specialised clothing. Over the past decade, HEF has helped 283 graduates from the nine secondary schools in the Hastings with grants and access to national scholarships and university co-funding totalling just over $750,000. Of this amount, an impressive $512,000 has been raised locally from fundraising events and sponsorships. THE SUPPORT TEAM Four groups, who have worked together since the inception, are responsible for the success of the Hastings Education Fund. • Generous local businesses and individual sponsors provide most of the resources needed to support local students. • The dedicated patrons and members of the HEF Management Committee and other volunteers. • Local principals, career advisors and Year 12 coordinators liaise with us to connect students with HEF funds. • Country Education Foundation provides students with access to national scholarships and university co-funding. THE MOTTO The motto for the Hastings Education fund is DREAM-BELIEVE-ACHIEVE. We encourage students to have dreams and believe in
themselves, and the Fund helps them achieve their dreams. CONTINUING SCHOLARSHIPS Students who complete their first year of study can apply for a continuing scholarship. Recipients will receive $5,000 per year for the duration of their degree course. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of John and Kay Burman and the Lewis Family, the Hastings Education Fund offers two continuing scholarships each year in addition to the start-up grants. APPLY NOW FOR 2022 Applications for the 2022 HEF start-up scholarships are open now and will close the end of September. To apply, students should consider the main criteria of circumstantial need and demonstrated commitment. Details and the online application form are https://cef.org.au/foundations/hastings/ THANK YOU TO LOCAL SPONSORS The HEF is indebted to the many generous cash and in-kind sponsors for their ongoing support and commitment to the Hastings community and our youth. GET INVOLVED We’re looking for businesses and individuals to get involved and support local students. If you’d like to volunteer, donate or be a sponsor, contact HEF Secretary Joy Corben or HEF Chair Jim O’Brien at hastingseducationfund@gmail.com For more information visit our Hastings Education Fund Facebook page.
HEF Patrons Helen Ross OAM and John Ross OAM
HEF Chair Jim O’Brien pictured with major HEF sponsors Kay & John Burman, Leslie Williams MP and Hastings Secondary College Principal Meaghan Cook.
Hastings Education Fund and our grant
Hastings Co-op
Port Macquarie Hastings Council
recipients thank our gold, silver and platinum
Hastings Data Loggers
Port News
sponsors, major donors, and others in the
Hastings Secondary College
Dr Kristian Prados
Hastings community who support our vision.
Hastings Valley Fine Arts Association
Dr Chris Prowse
Dream. Believe. Achieve.
Peter and Cate Hearle
Rotary Clubs: Laurieton; Port Macquarie;
Anne Johnson Photography
HEM Property
Sunrise; PM West; Wauchope
Monica Atkinson
Hennessy Coffee
RYLA
Bennetts Steel
Dr Deon Heyns
Saxbys
Peter and Carole Briscoe
Hopkins Consultants
Peter and Carmel Searson
John and Kay Burman
Hunt Hospitality
Peta Simmons (Helen Glen Memorial Award)
Dr Brenda Campbell
Inner Wheel Club Port Macquarie West
Geoff and Lynn Slack
Jody and Patrick Carey
Kendall Community Op Shop
Snap Printing
Cassegrain Wines
Laurieton Bonny Hills Uniting Church
Sovereign Hills Sales
Charles Sturt University
Lewis Land Group
St Agnes Parish Schools
Comboyne Avocados
Lions Club of Port Macquarie
The Friendship Club
Commercial Project Group
Fran and Steve McDonald
Timeless Quilters
Compass Financial Management
Julie McLeod
Tierney Property Services
Corben Family
Macquarie Business Accountants
Triple M MNC and Hit! MNC Radio
Debbie Moore Real Estate
Masters Builders Oxley Division
John Turner
Donovan Oates Hannaford Lawyers
Men at Work
Unite Advisory
Eastland Truss & Timber
Mid Coast Connect
Richard and Anne Vella
Eire Constructions
Miedecke Motor Group
Wauchope Vets
Expressway Spares
Mt Seaview Natural Spring Water
Leslie and Don Williams
Elizabeth Fielding
Newton Shutters, Blinds and Awnings
Thanks to all from our Patrons Helen Ross OAM
Focus Magazine
Optus Port Macquarie
and John Ross OAM, and
Grigg Advisory
Oxley Insurance Brokers
Chair Jim O’Brien
Kim and Warren Frumar
Panthers Port Macquarie
Harvey Norman Tech & Entertainment
David Plews
Hastings Business Womens Network
Port Macquarie Golf Club and Veteran Golfers GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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JO FACEY
CHESS CONNECT BUSINESS R E S I L I E N C E M E N TO R
The Business Resilience Project is a free mental fitness and wellbeing service, designed to help local businesses build resilience and recover from the stacked stress and disruption of the Black Summer bushfires and the disasters that followed soon after.
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HESS Connect Business Resilience Mentor Jo Facey brings her experiences as a small business operator and her work in the mental health and wellbeing sector to connect authentically with other local business owners. We discuss the Business Resilience Project with Jo and learn a little more about how small business operators can manage overwhelm and maintain perspective during challenging times. What kinds of behaviours or stressors have you observed in the local business
community since the Black Summer Bushfires? The drought and bushfires were just the start. The collective trauma was and is still felt. There was beginning to be a sense of some healing and reduced suffering about 12 months after the fires. Even through the onset of COVID, small businesses showed their true grit and adapted and battled through. Why is it important for small business operators to work on their resilience and mental fitness? Understanding stress and ways towards stress management helps promote a
mentally fit workplace. Developing resilience can help improve staff morale and reduce staff turnover. Business owners who learn how to recognise when someone is struggling, whether that be employee or customer, and know what steps to take to support them find this incredibly rewarding and empowering, both personally and professionally. What sets the Business Resilience Project apart from other workplace wellbeing services? Offering that ongoing one on one support when a lot of other workplace wellbeing services are only available through online delivery or via telephone support is quite unique. We are hearing more and more the importance and value placed on face-to-face local connection – even through a mask! As a Business Resilience Mentor, I can support a business to identify and assess their needs and be a guide by their side to help navigate other business related and mental health services. I’m as involved as they want me to be. The Business Resilience Project is a fullysubsided workplace wellbeing service, providing small business operators with the tools and guidance needed to support resilience and mental fitness for both themselves and their workforce. Contact CHESS Connect to learn more. Call 1800 899 017 or visit www.chessconnect.org.au
Free mental wellbeing support for small business operators and their employees. For local small businesses in bushfire effected regions
1800 899 017
www.chessconnect.org.au 27001
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LEGAL
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JEREMY BRIGDEN
FROM PRIEST LEGAL
Employment Arrangements: BEWARE THE ROOSTER
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istinction between Employee vs Contractor at Common Law Under the common law, ascribing the label of ‘contractor’ to the legal relationship does not make it so. In Re Transport Workers’ Union of Australia (1989) 34 IR 179 illustrated the point by proclaiming ‘[t]he parties cannot create something which has every feature of a rooster, but call it a duck and insist that everyone else recognise it as a duck.’ Whilst parties may readily agree that the relationship will be one of principal and contractor, the law imposes its own definition of ‘employee’, and this trumps the ‘contract’ label. In other words, the Courts will look to the ‘real substance’ of the relationship in question. Two recent decisions of the High Court of Australia on the employee-contractor distinction are Hollis v Vabu Pty Ltd [2001] HCA 44 and Sweeney v Boylan Nominees Pty Ltd [2006] HCA 19. The fundamental distinction between an employee and an independent contractor is: ‘… rooted fundamentally in the difference between a person who serves his employer in his, the employer’s, business, and a person who carries on a trade or business of his own.’ There are a series of factors, referred to as ‘indicia’, which generally help decide what a person is. These indicia include: • control – whether the worker has control over the way they perform a task; • integration – the nature of the services rendered by the worker and whether they are an integral part of the business activities carried on by principal or whether the worker operates on their own account; • provision of tools and equipment – whether the worker is required to supply/maintain tools or
equipment; • results – whether the worker is paid to achieve a result or paid for their time; • risk – whether worker is liable for any defective or remedial work by them; • delegation – whether the worker has the right to delegate the performance of the work; and • the contractual terms – the agreement between the parties as to the nature of the relationship. The consequences of mislabelling can result in additional liabilities for the principal/employer including superannuation guarantee obligations, workers’ comp, PAYG and additional payroll tax. It can also result in civil claims [being sued] for underpayment of minimum entitlements under the NES or any applicable ward, as well as unfair dismissal claims on the basis of a ‘deemed’ employment scenario. Further, dire implications can arise in circumstances where a contractor, being deemed an employee, is under-insured as a result of the mis-classification, and a principal/ employer can be held liable for losses which might have otherwise been fully insured. Casual v Permanent Employment As with the distinction between contractors and employees, another duck and rooster scenario is the distinction between casual and permanent employment. Again, it is not up to the parties to ‘label’ the relationship. It is a classification determined according to legal principles. The intention of the parties, save to the extent that it is contained within a written employment agreement, is largely irrelevant. In a controversial decision last year [WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2020] FCAFC 84] the Federal Court ruled that casual employees
undertaking ‘continuing and regular work’ could claim permanent employee entitlements. What was worse is that this decision did not allow employers to offset the casual loading that was paid, effectively allowing casual employees to ‘double dip’ on their entitlements. This decision had huge impacts for both employers and casual employees nation-wide. This month the High Court on 4 August 2021 in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2021] HCA 23, hearing that case on appeal, has clarified that continuing and regular work alone is not enough to establish permanent employment, and that there are two factors are to be considered when establishing permanent employment. Firstly, there must be a firm, advance commitment to continuing and indefinite work; and, secondly, this commitment must be based on a binding, written employment contract. What can you do? 1. Get Advice. Employers simply need to get it right. If in doubt, get competent legal advice. Ensure that where the distinction is tenuous, remuneration paid to the contractor is at least as beneficial as their minimum employment entitlements under the NES or applicable award. 2. Have a contract. Invest in a competent written contract drawn up by a competent lawyer. 3. Have adequate insurance. Make sure your insurance cover is adequate for your business operations, and those engaged. 4. Know your rights. Employees should be aware of their entitlements. The National Employment Standards exist for a reason. If you think you’ve been underpaid and/or misclassified, you may have unpaid entitlements which you are at liberty to try and recover. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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o t to IN YOUR WORKPLACE TODAY
G 30 YEARS
CELEBRATIN
UNITY!
IN THE COMM
Join Key Employment’s
100 CLUB!
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id you know only 48% of working-age (15-64) people with disability are employed, compared with 80% without disability. This means there is a huge number of potential employees being excluded from the current labour market. We think we can do better than this on the Mid North Coast and we are setting the local business community a challenge to diversify their workplace and employ a person with disability today. Join some of our region’s leading businesses and become a part of Key Employment’s 100 club – a community initiative designed to increase employment and inclusion of people with disabilities on the Mid North Coast. Kicking off on 1st September 2021 we are aiming for 100 businesses to commit to hiring a person with disability to help us create a more inclusive community.
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Kicking off on 1st We know that a truly We urge all local September 2021 diverse workforce businesses to focus on we are aiming for 100 drives growth, ability and help us create businesses to commit innovation, brand a more diverse and socially to hiring a person with awareness and inclusive community. ultimately profitability. disability to help us Employ a Key Employment It also makes good create a more inclusive client today and become business sense; community. a part of the #achieve research shows that anything movement. workers with disability To sign up to the have fewer workplace challenge or for more information contact injuries, better attendance records and show Lisa Reed on (02) 6691 9999 or email jobs@ greater loyalty and productivity than other workers. keyemployment.com.au
TELSTRA
Business Technology Centre HOW RELIABLE, BUSINESS-GRADE FIBRE CAN SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS GOALS.
T
he way we do business is ever-changing and improving. Customers now expect to be able to engage with businesses online, and in recent years we’ve seen more and more businesses move to the cloud – which requires fast and reliable internet. Thankfully, just as the way we work has evolved, so too has the technology that keeps us connected. Business-grade fibre is now more accessible than ever to customers in selected areas of our region. Here are a few ways that businessgrade internet can support your business goals. Provide a better experience to your customers. If your business uses retail systems like POS, or you sell products or services online, a reliable internet connection can help you provide a consistently good experience to your customers. In fact, this could be your competitive edge – particularly in the digital space, where customers have a shorter attention span.
Boost your team’s productivity. With your staff connecting and collaborating on your network, lags in sharing and transferring files can build up and reduce productivity over time. If you use file sharing software, or send and receive large files over email, choosing business-grade internet that can keep up with your business can help boost your team’s productivity. Power your technology and tools. Cloud computing technology and tools are on the rise, helping businesses work smarter. Business-grade internet can provide the
additional upload bandwidth that’s required to support these systems. Ready to find the right connectivity for your business? With Telstra Internet Direct, small and medium businesses are now able to access fibre internet at speeds that were historically reserved for large-scale enterprise businesses. At Telstra Business Technology Centre Northern NSW, we understand that different businesses need different things from their connectivity. Call us on 1300 822 822 today to find the right internet solution for you – both for today, and into the future.
Let’s help you connect with business-grade fibre. Unlock faster speeds that help keep your business connected for the day-to-day. Get nbn™ Enterprise Ethernet for $0 install cost, plus up to $1,200 credit to get you going. Welcome credit for new TID Adapt customers only. The $0 installation fee is subject to remaining connected to nbnTM EE service for a minimum of 36 months. Minimum spend applies.
Talk to us on 1300 822 822 for fast fibre solution that works for your business. Telstra Business Technology Centre Northern NSW connect@tbtcnorthernnsw.com.au
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THE GUTS, GRIT AND GROUNDWORK OF REMARKABLE REGIONAL E N T R E P R E N E U R S , I N N O V AT O R S , LEADERS AND GAME CHANGERS.
LINK BALE
BALE DEFENCE Link Bale is a man on a mission, heading up a dynamic locally-based engineering firm providing innovative design solutions to organisations across the globe. As an early adopter of technologies driving the evolution of industry, Link shares his passion for the next generation of manufacturing and how a healthy appetite for risk, leadership and collaboration drive the success of Bale Defence.
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s Managing Director of Bale Defence you are responsible for a team and business that spans the globe. What keeps you passionate about this diverse industry and drives you to take family-owned Bale Defence to the next level? What drew me to engineering originally is that it is all about problem solving and delivering solutions that make a real difference to the experience of other human beings. Our company is fortunate enough to get the opportunity to tackle some really complex briefs for the military that make a real difference to the safety and effectiveness of defence personnel operating in the toughest of environments. I really love what we do and the tactical advantage we give to the men and women of our armed forces. Based in Port Macquarie you lead a team that bids on business across the world. Can you share some of the key projects you and the team are most proud of? We design and manufacture a range of offroad vehicles for Special Forces that have been 90 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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deployed all over the world. We also manufacture a great opportunity to pursue that as a career equipment for tactical assault and amphibious through the company my Dad had spent so many operations including unique Ladder and Launcher years building. I’ve been very fortunate to benefit Systems. For Navy we have a wide range of from the great head start he has provided me. equipment we have been manufacturing for Before taking the reins, I spent a lot of some time now including weapon stowage time reflecting on my personal strengths and systems and various types weaknesses as well as of Explosive Ordnance those of the business, stowages too. We have which also meant I’VE ALWAYS a pretty broad catalogue considering the risks LOVED of equipment we offer and opportunities that ENGINEERING AND Defence so it certainly lay ahead. That built the THE IDEA OF TRYING keeps things interesting! foundations for where TO WORK WITH Did you always know I wanted to take the PEOPLE TO COME UP you would enter the business and how I wanted WITH DESIGN family business and to get there and ever since SOLUTIONS THAT how important has then I’ve been a man on a THEY CAN’T FIND it been for you to mission! ANYWHERE ELSE. develop leadership skills I have such a great team to support the next around me and we are generation? really focussed on our core I’ve always loved engineering and the idea products and where we can deliver the greatest of trying to work with people to come up with value to our end users. That is what will take us design solutions that they can’t find anywhere to the next level and why I’m so excited about else. I knew early on in my life that I had a such what we can achieve going forward.
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How important is technology and connectivity to the success of Bale Defence’s operations? How is Bale Defence changing the game in this space from a traditional engineering firm? By Australian standards we were an early adopter of computer-controlled machining and computer-aided design, which has significantly contributed to the advances we’ve made over that time, and we use a lot of in-house rapid prototyping solutions that mean we can go from concept to trialling a prototype and then onto production when most of our competitors are still contemplating the design on a screen. Our agility as a business is a real discriminator and I think that combined with our high-quality standards, are why we have had so much success in the Defence space. Connectivity is also really important to us; with customers and partners all over the globe, even in a pandemic we are able to collaborate and verify our designs remotely with them. As a leader, how important has learning and self-development been to success and impact within the company? Extremely important. Early on in my career I spent a lot of time working on developing my technical skills and that type of professional development felt effortless. In contrast, I found
leadership required a more concerted effort and I struggled with the lack of objectivity simply because everybody has different wants, needs and styles of communication. I’ve put a lot of time into developing my leadership style and setting the goals for myself and the company. I am constantly learning and developing as a leader but once I had a better understanding of how I wanted to lead, I’ve found it to be really rewarding. How important has risk been to the success of your journey? Very. Every risk presents opportunity, so we certainly don’t shy away from them. From a research and development standpoint, every project we green light has a high degree of risk as there is never any guarantee of finding a solution or of ever seeing a return on the investment, so the business case behind them needs to be robust. We also invest significantly in technologies to advance our design and manufacturing capabilities. It’s always a gamble investing in new equipment and the training burden that comes with it, but I have very few regrets over those investments because they always seem to unlock another layer of creativity and ingenuity in our designs that we otherwise wouldn’t have explored. You have a unique relationship with
Newman Senior Technical College – how important is it for this region to be developing the next generation of talent in this space and growing your own? There are significant challenges to delivering training in regional Australia, particularly in the manufacturing sector. We are extremely fortunate to have an organisation like Newman in our local community who are dedicated to delivering training in a setting more reflective of industry. We are working with Newman, John Henry Institute and another RTO to shape an advanced manufacturing training program with footings in CNC machining, fitting and fabrication that can be delivered here in Port Macquarie. That’s something I’m personally really excited about and something I am proud to be a part of as it is shaping the training program to better align to what the future of manufacturing will be. What is the hardest lesson you have learned in business? Working on the business is as important as working in it. As much as I love the technical and creative side of what we do, I know that if I don’t work on improving the business, we will lose our drive and competitive edge. Thanks Link. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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1A BLACKBUTT ROAD LOOK FOR THE BIG SIGN ON BLACKBUTT ROAD
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oz
MARK AND SARAH
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lease tell us about the world of Theatre Oz. Theatre Oz Port Macquarie is a warm and safe space for our community to explore creative development and live performance. The studio is constantly alive with creativity, friendly connections and laughter. Our mentors nurture self expression as a performer and as a person.Our group classes give students an opportunity to hone drama, acting and singing skills in an ensemble environment as well as performance opportunities to cement their class work. Private lessons in singing, acting, instrumental and performance preparation, allow students to hone their skills in more specialised areas of their choice.
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Opportunities for performances outside of the class/lesson structure such as Musical Project give students a chance to participate in a full production. Our most recent productions include: Cinderella (2021), Honk! Jr (2019), Teenage Rebellion (2018), Showtune Sessions: KIDS! (2017) and Broadway Downstairs (2016). Specialised Workshops - Past workshops include: Screen Acting, Audition Preparation, Improvisation, Music Theatre Intensive, with more to come. What specific classes are on offer each week? • Weekly Drama, Acting and Music Theatre classes - For students - ages 5 to adults (all ages) • Weekly Adult Vocal Ensemble - ages 17 and up
• Weekly Improv Club - ages 17 and up Semesterly Musical project class - ages 9 to adults of all ages! • Private Lessons in: Acting, Singing, Instrumental, Music Theory, Audition/ Performance Preparation. How can involvement in theatre and drama for kids assist their development? Theatre and drama are life changing experiences for students of any age, but especially for kids as it facilitates the value of working as a team to create something unique. Theatre and drama help kids understand the world around them. It develops social skills, emotional control, concentration and memory skills, resiliency, conviction of character, self-awareness, self-worth and most importantly self-confidence! It has actually been scientifically proven that involvement in performing arts increases kids’ academic performance. All our classes support teamwork and ensemble building. Creating a supportive, safe and creative environment for all ages, no matter the skill level. Theatre is a way for an individual or group to express themselves, feel counted, share stories through various mediums, using their bodies and voices as their instrument. Thank you both. Interview: Sarah Baker.
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COASTLINE CO. CLEANING
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i Zac. Thank you so much for speaking with Focus. What sets your business apart from other cleaning companies in the industry? We are a family owned cleaning business and therefore I feel like we give a more personalised service. We pride ourselves on taking that extra few minutes to make sure our clients are happy and satisfied. No job is too big or too small for us.
What have been some of your highlights throughout your career and what gives you the most satisfaction in your work? One of the biggest highlights would definitely be to see how far we have come in such a short amount of time. When we first started we had a team of 5 with a very small client base. We now service over 100 holiday lettings and our regular client base grows by the day. Our team has also grown and as the holiday period picks up we will be looking for
more staff. As far as my personal satisfaction goes, it is in each phone call or email I receive with the words ‘thank you’ from our clients that satisfies me. What are your plans going forward for the business? We are hoping in the next few months to try and branch out into the commercial side of cleaning and grow our relationships with local builders. To me the ‘sky is the limit!’ Thank you Zac. Interview: Sarah Baker.
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focus_contributor. EASY AND A F F O DA B L E WAYS
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With most of us working from home these days, we wanted to share with you some inexpensive ideas that can spruce up your home office, promoting a clean, calm and inspirational space you will love.
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et organised – Set up practical ways to keep your home office organised. Decluttering will provide a clean base to begin organising and will instantly create a sense of calm and order. Storage solutions like baskets and folders to keep paperwork in order are a must. Clear labelled containers are great for filing and archiving. These can be stored away from your desk in the garage, keeping your workspace free from clutter and excess paperwork. Inspiration board – To help you achieve your goals we recommend installing a large inspiration or memo board to your workspace; this will add interest to your walls, help you stay on top of your priorities and achieve your goals. We personally love pinning magazine cut outs, quotes, holiday destinations, family photos and other images that inspire you. Lighting – Good lighting is essential in every workspace. The easiest way to add task lighting to your desk is with a table lamp and with the great range of lamps out there, you’ll be sure to find one that can become a feature. Our favourite suppliers include MRD Home, Milk & Sugar and Beacon Lighting. Office chair – Is your office chair uncomfortable? Is it falling apart? Past its used
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by date? If you said yes to any of these, it’s time to treat yourself to a new chair or upcycle an old chair. Refurbished armchairs look great and are an affordable alternative. New stationery – New stationery not only adds colour and refreshes your workspace, it’s fun, too! Typo, kikki.K and Temple & Webster are a few of our favourite places to shop for beautiful yet affordable notebooks, pens and other stationery. Consider setting a colour theme in your office i.e., soft neutrals, pretty blushes or bold navys and look for stationery that complements. Indoor plants – Indoor plants are one of our favourite styling props because they not only look beautiful but also offer a lot of positive health benefits – from helping to purify air to reducing stress and blood pressure. If you are lacking that green thumb, consider opting for low maintenance plants in your office, such as ferns, succulents or cacti.
Candles – Candles create ambience, they transform an atmosphere through scent, changing the way we feel in space. Choose a scent that stimulates your mood; both Citrus and Cinnamon are perfect scents for your home office space: • Citrus – Citrus smells are great for wakefulness and alertness and they're great to give people an energy boost. • Cinnamon – This scent can improve performance on high-focus work and is also linked to better memory. Music – Music can play an important role in improving focus and productivity. Dust off your speakers and play your favourite Spotify tunes in the background to lift your mood. What are you waiting for? Get creative and give your home office the spruce up it deserves! Stay Safe! Jess & Ash xx
G R E AT E R P O RT M AC Q UA R I E
PROPERTY GUIDE
HIBBARD H O M E S GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Taking the first step is probably the hardest, because you just don’t know which is the best way to go.
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ven if you’re not a first home buyer and have purchased a home before, you probably still lack confidence in knowing what to do – things will have changed since you last went to buy a house, your situation would be different, and you would be looking at the market from a different perspective with different needs. So how do you know what’s the best way to buy a home? Is there a best way? Hibbard Homes is so committed to Australians realising their dream of home ownership, we just encourage you to take A step. Any step is a step closer – but we also encourage you to align yourself with someone or a team that has good intentions toward you achieving your goal. Hibbards make purchasing a home easier than anywhere else by making the process simple, and we’ve been doing this for over 50 years. There’s often a lot of confusion about where to start so people don’t actually make a start. With Hibbards, it all starts when you fill in the form online. Filling in the online form doesn’t 96 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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mean you’re obligated to go further and it doesn’t mean you’re going to get a house, BUT what it does is it allows our team who are SO DEDICATED to helping people realise their dream Hibbards make of home ownership, purchasing a to take a look at your home easier than situation to see if there anywhere else by is a way that you can on the floorplan a making the process become a home owner walk-in pantry – but simple, and we’ve through Hibbards. of course every one been doing this for What do you need to of our kitchens have over 50 years. qualify to buy a home? a pantry. Ducted airIf you have a good job conditioning, coloured with regular income and driveways, tiled a clear credit history – alfrescos are the latest that’s a great start! Everything else needs to be additions to our standard inclusions. looked at case by case. How long does it take? What’s included in our homes? This is a question that is very much Everything you need! All you will need to dependent on your situation. The actual do is turn the key and move in. We build the building of one of our homes can take home so that you can walk straight in and between 16-26 weeks, dependent on things make it your own. Neutral internal colour like weather/floorplan/suppliers etc. schemes. Our kitchens have stone benchtops, How long does it take for a client to be soft close drawers, dishwasher, and depending ready?
If you pay $400
That is up to sorts of conflicting and a week rent over each individual’s confusing advice from 5 years that’s over situation. Some friends, family and the $100,000 wasted! We people are ready internet. They may have home buying with their deposit, have gone into a bank programs to assist finance, everything and been knocked people that have and can purchase back or given more affordability but little immediately. Others need advice to add to the savings to work to work on the finance, confusion. towards becoming a or savings etc – if they Simply filling in our homeowner. have the “affordability” online application form but not quite the savings is the first step toward that are required they knowing what it can go on one of our savings programs. would take for them to work towards home Sometimes we check out our client’s ownership and if their affordability is ready situation and we can't help them – they may right then or in the near future, we will hold have too much debt or need to earn more so their hand from there. Otherwise, they form they actually walk away from Hibbards at least a relationship with our team in their region knowing what it is in their situation that could and can check in any time – seriously, our be holding them back. More often than not guys LOVE that!! these people come back in 8, 12 or 24 months Are you no longer a first home buyer? and have worked so hard to pay off their debt Not many people have a great deal of or better their situation and then they find experience in buying their own home, even if they have purchased before chances are themselves in their own home just weeks later. it feels like a completely new experience How do Hibbards help first home buyers? again. Sometimes things don’t work out the First home buyers are very green when it way you planned and you’ve had to sell your comes to buying a home. Often filled with all
home, you may need to up-size, down-size or for any other reason you’re no longer considered a First Home Buyer or eligible for any Government grants so it’s necessary to have a deposit in order to satisfy the financiers, but how much is enough? We can help answer all your questions by looking into your current situation, just take a couple of minutes to fill in the Next Home Buyer form on our website and one of our experts will be able to give you a great indication of what your circumstances mean and what to expect. Did you pay rent this week? If you pay $400 a week rent over 5 years that’s over $100,000 wasted! We have home buying programs to assist people that have affordability but little savings to work towards becoming a homeowner. Contact our team today – it’s the easiest first step you will take towards purchasing a home. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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I selling agenty. We simply wanted toyour get away DONT DELAY, NOW is really from the stereotypical, dog-eat-dog image of real estate and createT aOmodel B U Y that A focuses on what is important, the clients and homes we are selling or renting. Essentially, all agents have the same “tools”, but we feel it’s the approach, attitude and what you do that is the difference. For us, a great sale price or sold sticker is not enough. People come to HEM because of our proven track record, reputation for great service and results, but above all because we are good to deal with. We treat people how we want to be treated ourselves and that is the key to our philosophy of happy ever more.
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f you are one of the many that have been looking to buy a home in 2021, you will know just how difficult it can be. Our property market is experiencing one of the biggest booms in history, with rapid price rises and homes selling faster than ever. Sounds great, but it has presented a lot of challenges for buyers. The lack of supply, combined with sharp rises in demand from buyers coming from metropolitan areas, resulted in huge numbers at open homes and multiple offers being placed on properties. Offering the asking price is no longer a guarantee of securing a home, as in this competitive environment, sales often end up going well over reserve or advertised prices. So for buyers, 2021 has been tough, and when you have missed out yet again to a higher bid or a cash purchaser, it can be
disheartening. But it appears the tides may have turned for local buyers. This latest latest lockdown has meant harsh restrictions on people’s movements. Luckily, the Real Estate industry is still able to operate, albeit under new rules, which means sales have continued to be very strong. But without open homes and buyers travelling from other areas, this terrible situation does, without doubt, in turn present the best opportunity for local people to buy. At HEM, our advice to all local buyers is to get out there and look to buy NOW. If we have learnt anything from last time, it is that when lockdown finishes and we all open up again, we could expect another surge of buyers into our marketplace and more competition if you are looking to buy.
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METRICON TO OPEN A STATE-OF-THE-ART SELECTION CENTRE IN NEWCASTLE
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ustralia’s leading home builder, Metricon, is set to bring next level design, style, and innovation to Newcastle, when their brand-new customer selection centre – Studio M – opens later this year. In a move to further support the growth of its home building business throughout the Hunter Valley, Metricon Homes will be opening a second NSW state of the art showroom, with the lease signed and fit-out underway, for a planned late 2021 opening. The 1000m2 space located in Hamilton is currently undergoing an extensive build program with Cunsolo Architects working closely with Metricon, to develop a contemporary and interactive interiors and exteriors showroom. The amenity-rich customer experience facility represents a significant investment in the Hunter region. The progressive customer selection centre will enable Metricon to deliver a seamless customer service experience with great levels of personalisation and customisation of homes. The strategic location on Donald Street in Hamilton will prove to be a convenient access point for customers building in the burgeoning region. Patrick Eather, Metricon’s General
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Manager, NSW said, “the Hunter region is Metricon’s second largest market in NSW and this move cements our commitment to customers building new homes throughout the area. We are creating a world class environment which is focused on a highly personalised experience that allows customers building with Metricon to step into the next generation of home building and customer service innovations right here in Newcastle. “The innovative Studio M is designed to be very interactive for the visitor, while showing a wide range of possibilities and examples of interior and exterior products. “Now, more than ever, home buyers crave access to interior design expertise. The Newcastle Studio M will offer a personal experience under one roof, with authoritative advice from our qualified interior stylists. “The floorplan design has allowed for a range of gallery and showcase spaces, but also for private retreat and breakout zones, for when reflection and discussion might be required. “We are also designing the space to be able to comfortably host a range of design and style inspiration events and educational seminars. The space really will be more than a showroom, it will be a true design and style inspiration hub,” concluded Mr Eather.
Renovating or updating your home? We offer obligation free quotes on your next home improvement project. With a trusted team of trades to complete your project. We offer an end to end service. All of our windows, doors and screens are custom made by our local team at our factory here in Port Macquarie.
Proudly servicing builders of the Mid North Coast Send us your plans info@nu-look.com.au for a quote
Oxley Nu-Look has a proud history as a locally owned business and as the first to manufacture aluminum windows in Port Macquarie. We make all windows, doors and security screens to your sizes, with no job too big or too small.
QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE. LOCAL AND CUSTOM MADE HERE IN PORT MACQUARIE • • • •
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
Residential windows Residential doors Security doors & screens Commercial windows & doors
02 6581 1763 | 150 Lake Road, Port Macquarie info@nu-look.com.au | nu-look.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Overseas model shown. Australian specifications & features may differ. See your Lexus dealer for details.
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