27 minute read
Lauren McAllister & Simon Bank - Business Minds
focus_contributor.
BUSINESS MINDS
with LAUREN MCALLISTER AND SIMON BANK
FROM WEBSTUDIO
TAHSHI
P A Y N E
You have been appointed
GM of the Mercure Hotel - congratulations! Can you share with us where you’ve come from and the incredible experience you bring to the table?
Looking back, I’ve had some really diverse roles over the years! My background is predominantly in management and marketing in the corporate world. I have been fortunate for the last 15 years to work with some great companies, including eBay, FOXTEL and Macquarie Bank. These roles have all been great experiences and really helped me to develop my marketing and management skills! They have also allowed me to have exciting progression in my career.
Did you always see yourself in a role like this? Does it fall into the career plan you had for yourself?
At the start of my career, I taught snowboarding in Canada and worked in some fantastic hotels over there! This is where my love of hospitality and travelling began and it’s something I’ve always been drawn to. In terms of my ‘career plan’ - being a GM of a hotel wasn’t something I had thought much about! But I have always enjoyed this industry - it’s fast paced, there is never a dull moment. It also incorporates a number of my core skills and experience. I was already doing some consultancy work with Flower Hotels (and loving it!) so I knew hospitality was going to be a big part of my professional life. But I’ve definitely hit the ground running - there is a lot to be done, but there have already been some amazing rewards.
What do you think has been the most important driving force for your career, to get you where you are today. Was it education? Experience? Networking? Timing?
I think a lot has come down to experience and networking. A component of my marketing degree was that we had to undertake over 400 hours of work placement throughout the course. This was the perfect place to start as it allowed me to try a number of roles and it ultimately led to me gaining my first real marketing role for Sutherland Shire Council. The people I have met over the years and the relationships I have developed have really helped me progress over the years. Those long term relationships bring me so much joy - and really, that’s why we do what we do!
What is it about this role that you are most excited about?
I have always admired the relationship that Alistair and the Flower Hotels Group has with the local community. I am looking forward to bringing and strengthening that community element in this venue. The Mercure brand has a strong presence nationally under the Accor brand. This will help us continue to appeal to people - both nationally and internationally - when they visit this sensational region.
Can you tell us about your vision for the
venue, as GM? What are your first big priority actions in this role?
My key focus for this first month has been ensuring we maintain our strong team and the right staff, to provide the best guest experience. We regularly receive wonderful feedback from the guests who stay in the hotel about how friendly and helpful our staff are. There is so much potential! We plan to renovate and update - while continuing to provide a great place I have always for people to stay, for admired the both a holiday and for relationship that business. A strong focus Alistair and the Flower is connecting with the Hotels Group has with community, so they the local community. are aware of what we have to offer. We want to provide them with excellent function spaces - as well as a hotel they can feel proud to recommend to visiting family and friends.
I know you are excited about the rooftop level - any plans you can give us a sneaky preview of?
The rooftop is such a great element of the hotel and something we are working on renovating very soon. We have some exciting ideas and want it to be the place where locals can hold that really special function. We also want it to look and feel like the beautiful beachside area we live in - light and bright. We will also be looking to host unique oneoff events - so everyone in the region gets a chance to experience it. Stay tuned!
PORT MACQUARIE ASTRONOMICAL
ASSOCIATION
ON JULY 13, 2020, THE PORT MACQUARIE ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION (PMAA) realised a long-held dream when funding of $4.86m for its proposed new Astronomical Science Centre was jointly announced by state and federal government members, Leslie Williams (Member for Port Macquarie) and Pat Conaghan (Member for Cowper).
The PMAA had been working on this project for many years. The current observatory is itself a landmark in Port Macquarie, located in Rotary Park adjacent to Town Beach. Anyone living in or visiting the area will pass it as they drive into the town centre. The new Centre will be even more prominent.
History under east coast stars
Port Macquarie has a long history in astronomy. Just how long depends on how far back you wish to look. If you consider that the Port Macquarie Observatory is built upon traditional Birpai land, then there is astronomical and environmental knowledge going back tens of thousands of years.
If you consider western astronomy, then it could argued that it all started with Edmund Halley. Halley had published two papers proposing that accurate measurements of the solar parallax of a planet could be used to calculate the distance to the Sun, and thus distances in the rest of the Solar System. Expeditions to conduct such observations were sent to many parts of the world in 1761 and 1769.
In early 1768, the Royal Society petitioned King George III to finance a scientific expedition to the South Pacific to observe the transit of Venus. James Cook was promoted to lieutenant and given command of the Endeavour. Cook, his crew and a party of scientists set sail and arrived in Tahiti in April 1769, in time to catch the transit. From their (and other) observations, the distance to the Sun was calculated to be 151.7 million kilometres. (From the 1874 and 1882 transits the distance was refined to 149.59 million km.)
After leaving Tahiti, Cook opened a sealed letter that contained further, dramatic instructions — find the mythical ‘great southern land’! The rest is history.
Fast forward 113 years, and Port Macquarie had been settled for 62 years. In town there was a keen astronomer, William John Macdonnell. In 1882 he was assigned the job of documenting one of the next transits of Venus, on a location in the middle of Port Macquarie now known as Transit Hill. Unfortunately for Macdonnell, December 6 that year was cloudy.
In 1885 Macdonnell imported a telescope from Thomas Grubb’s Astronomical Instrument Works in Dublin, and installed it in the town in a purpose-built observatory behind the Bank of New South Wales, where he worked as manager. This 150-mm Grubb refractor has now been restored and is on display in the National Museum in Canberra.
Fast forward another seven decades and the owner of the Royal Hotel, Bob Stanfield, encouraged people to drop their small change into a container on the bar. This money was used to build Tuppenny Road at Flynn’s Beach. But continuing the collection, Stanfield was able to raise enough money to purchase a telescope for the Hastings District Hospital, intended for use by convalescing returned war veterans. From its hilltop location, the hospital commanded a magnificent view of the town and out to sea.
Unfortunately, the 127-mm refractor was heavy and hard to handle and provided limited use for a small number of people. As a result, it lay unused for many years.
The observatory is founded
Next, Albert York, a retired master builder and architect, tried to build an observatory on top of a building in Joffre Street but was opposed by a neighbour. The local Council enquired into the matter and among those on the committee were some Rotarians who became interested in the idea of establishing an observatory in Port Macquarie. So they asked York to address a local Rotary meeting.
As a result of York’s presentation, a Dr McLaren suggested that York inspect the dormant 127-mm telescope at the hospital. It became clear that due to the telescope’s size, a proper building would be required to house it, and so York was asked to draw up plans. They were approved by Council, and subsequently the Lands Department set aside some land in Rotary Park. The Port Macquarie Rotary Club made the construction of the observatory an official project – it was built during 1961-62 and the 127-mm telescope was installed.
Around the same time, towards the end of 1961, a public meeting was held at the CWA hall and the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association was formed. York was its first President, a position he held until 1983. He passed away the following year at the age of 94.
The Port Macquarie Observatory began operating in 1962 but it wasn’t until 1965 that it was officially opened by Dr Harley Wood, the then NSW Government Astronomer. The observatory houses one of two orreries designed by Dr Wood and built by Horace Pinnock, an engineer from the Sydney Observatory. The other orrery can be found in the Powerhouse Museum.
From the beginning, the observatory has been funded by the work of volunteers and admissions paid by visitors. Spare funds were still used to purchase equipment for the local hospital up until the time responsibility for funding for hospitals was taken over by the state government.
The observatory, which now houses a C14 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope on a Paramount MX+ mount, has been opening to the public two nights per week ever since 1962 (excluding recent COVID-19 restrictions), plus additional openings for special events.
A community success story
Over the years the observatory has been a significant astronomical outreach facility, unique to the NSW Mid North Coast. Around 2,000 to 3,000 visitors per year have been amazed by the views through the telescope, seeing real ‘out of this world’ objects with their own eyes and being entertained and informed by our enthusiastic volunteers.
The PMAA also developed a range of activities for its members. Café Astronomy and Sidewalk Astronomy are held most months (disrupted lately due to COVID), in which members and guest speakers present on a topic of interest, not always astronomy.
Another project is the Cassini Group, a way for young members to learn the fundamentals of astronomy. This group is the brainchild of a PMAA member who was previously President of the Swiss Astronomical Association. The PMAA is very fortunate to have such experience and enthusiasm available through his active participation.
Dark sky nights are occasionally held in the district, when members take telescopes to events to show the public sights such as the Emu in the Milky Way, and to speak about some of Australia’s First Peoples’ sky knowledge.
The new Centre is conceived
PMAA celebrated its 50th birthday in 2012, with the help of well-known professional astronomer, Fred Watson (who has since become our patron). This was a time for celebrating our history and for looking forward to what we would like to bring to the public and our town in the future. The observatory, full of heart and soul from so many years, was nevertheless ageing and in need of significant repairs and modifications if we were going to embrace the 21st Century. It was then that a plan was conceived to replace the observatory with a new Astronomical Science Centre, in a building that would be fit for purpose.
Over the following eight years, plans for the new Centre were developed and evolved through stages into the form that has now been approved by Council. The process consumed a lot of PMAA resources and a lot of time and energy from the committee, which is full of very hard-working members whose decisions are made with the betterment of the PMAA at their core. Many other members have made significant contributions to support the activities of the Association.
The new Centre will house not only the observatory, but also an 85-seat auditorium, display area, a multi-purpose function area, meeting room, kitchen, office space and accessible toilets. Outside, there will be beautifully landscaped gardens and lawn areas. We intend to save the old dome and relocate it in the new grounds.
For future generations
No account of the Port Macquarie Observatory would be complete without mentioning one member in particular, former President (an office he held for 19 years), life member and active committee member, Jim Daniel. For many years, Jim’s contribution as a volunteer was a key part of the success of the Association and led to the current committee succeeding in developing the plans and obtaining the government grant to build the new Centre.
On one open night, a father brought his 8-year-old child along, and mentioned how his own father had brought him to the observatory when he was just 8 years old. On that night all those years ago, the young man and his father were given a presentation by Jim, which led to the man’s lifelong interest in astronomy. Fast forward to the open night in the 21st Century, and by chance it was Jim presenting again — a whole generation on!
Jim exemplified the true value of volunteer members for an association such as the PMAA. He died in 2020 at the age of 91, and was active in the PMAA until the very last.
One could say that the future of astronomy is looking up in Port Macquarie. The vision of the PMAA is to bring astronomical topics to the public via a bigger, better facility, and engage, excite and inspire the public in the wonder of the natural world. We are seeing a new age of space exploration and Australia is investing in it and is part of it. It is PMAA’s charter to also be part of it and to share it with the public for at least another 60 years.
Robert Brangwin is President and David Edgerly is Secretary of the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association. For more information, go to portastronomy.com.au
JOHN CRISP
THE MAN WALK
After suffering two heart attacks and taking up walking to look after his health, local man John Crisp heard about The Man Walk through a relative from the south coast and decided this was something he and the community could benefit from here in Port Macquarie.
Hi John. Can you give our readers an idea of what The Man Walk is?
The Man Walk provides an opportunity for men to get together to walk, talk and support each other in a regular and healthy way.
The Man Walk provides an environment that is positive, supportive and inclusive, where there is no pressure and no barriers to entry. Just an opportunity to walk, talk and support! We want to make it ok to talk, and we want to make it ok for men to ask for help if they need it.
You started The Man Walk in Port Macquarie, what made you want to start it in our area?
I was introduced to the organisation through a relative on the south coast. The
The Man Walk provides an environment that is positive, supportive and inclusive, where there is Man Walk is Australia no pressure and no wide and a great barriers to entry. Just network to be involved an opportunity to walk, with. talk and support! I suffered my first heart attack at 37, and five years ago I had a second heart attack. As part of my recovery I found walking the best form of exercise. Walking and talking go together and Port Macquarie is an easy walking place. I just wanted to form a group where we can check in on each other, see how everyone is travelling and have those conversations while we’re walking. We have lots of short walks suitable for all levels of fitness. The Saturday group also caters for those who choose not to walk and are happy to just sit and talk.
How has it helped you and what effect has it had on your health and wellbeing?
Walking is an important part of heart health
for me, and it also helps with stress levels and overall wellbeing. Exercise in general helps with mental health, and talking after a walk brings up topics of conversation that would not normally be discussed.
What do you hope participants get out of being involved in The Man Walk?
A sense of belonging and knowing that there are others out there who will listen.
I have a lot of life experience in drug and alcohol recovery, mental health recovery and homelessness. I have worked for many years in the community and through these experiences I have seen how helpful it is to have a regular place to meet, and listening to other men talk about their struggles can often encourage men to open up.
We have lots of laughs and it is a great place for newcomers to town to find out what is going on in Port Macquarie. The men have a lot of life experience to share.
Where do you go on your walks?
The walks start at the outdoor Gym Set near Breakwall HQ Coffee Shop. We walk along the beach to Flagstaff Lookout, then we walk to Oxley Beach up to the Windmill Hill Reserve. Including the return trip, it is approximately
We have lots of laughs and it is a great place for newcomers to town to find out what is going on in Port Macquarie. 45min. The other main The men have a lot of life experience to walk is from the same starting point and along the Breakwall, through share. the Town Green over to Westport Park. When we get back, we usually grab a coffee from HQ and then sit and yarn. On the first Saturday of every month, we are now starting a new walk at Lighthouse Beach leaving from the BBQ area near Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club. This walk can go in either of 2 directions – along the beach, or up to the lighthouse which can include stairs for the fitter members. There are cafes nearby for those who need their coffee.
What is the fitness level required for your walks?
The walks cater for all fitness levels and a quick verbal assessment is done prior to walking for new members. Walkers are made aware of the first aid points along the way.
All walkers are responsible for deciding how far they can walk but walking is not the only option.
What sort of feedback have you had from men that have participated?
Feedback has been very positive and as it is a low impact activity there is no pressure. Some men have reported that it has motivated them to leave the house and it has helped to relieve depression.
One participant reported that it is “A great catchup for blokes of all ages and backgrounds. A fantastic opportunity to have a good chat and a laugh over coffee, and a short walk for your health, for those who are inclined.”
How would someone go about joining in?
I can be contacted on 0467 390 813 or just show up at 9am on Saturday mornings.
Thanks John.
LIVING Community
COULD MAKE YOU HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER
As a society, we prioritise accumulating wealth during our working lives – so it’s natural to assume having more money is the key to a healthier future. But research shows that the type of community in which we live can make a big difference.
Recently, ProMatura conducted a survey of retirement community residents and prospective residents and found two-thirds of retirement community residents said their health had either remained unchanged or improved since they moved in. And residents were two to five times more likely than non-residents to take part in fitness and social activities. During that same period, Ingenia Gardens conducted a resident survey and found that 82% of residents had a positive outlook on life and 90% were moderately to extremely satisfied with the sense of community they felt. Both surveys suggest that many community residents experience a sense of peace of mind and in times such as these, community connection has never been more valuable.
At the heart of Ingenia Gardens Port Macquarie is the Community Room which is central to the social life of the community. “It is where you can relax and enjoy a catch up with your fellow residents, watch a movie or quietly read a book in the lounge area or enjoy lunch with your friends,” Madonna Jackson, Portfolio Manager Ingenia Gardens said. If residents’ health needs change, Ingenia Gardens Port Macquarie has a complimentary and personalised care co-ordination service, Ingenia Connect, to assist residents to maintain their independence for longer. Ingenia Gardens Port Macquarie is set within beautiful, manicured gardens, conveniently located close to the Lake Innes Village Shopping Centre, Port Macquarie Base Hospital and other facilities. If maintaining your independence for longer in a low-maintenance home within a friendly community appeals to you, call Community Manager Keiron on 6581 5223 to arrange a personal tour or visit ingeniagardens.com.au
A safer place to live
and a great place to be.
TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR NOW
Experience the feeling of belonging and connection at our independent seniors rental community.
Take a virtual tour today or call our friendly Community Manager Keiron on 6581 5223. For further information, visit ingeniagardens.com.au.
12 SHERIFF WAY, PORT MACQUARIE
GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
PROPERTY GUIDE
SORENSEN & CALDON
BUILDERS OF DISTINCTION
SORENSEN & CALDON
BUILDERS OF DISTINCTION
Hi Kylie, who are Sorensen & Caldon Builders and how long have you been in the industry?
Sorensen & Caldon Builders are an award-winning design and construct builder who specialise in delivering quality built custom homes on the Mid North Coast and has been doing so for more than 40 years.
Tell our readers about the Sorensen & Caldon difference?
We as a business are very client focused. Most of our clients have an idea of what they want to achieve and are chasing quality. They come to us through recommendation, knowing we are great at converting their ideas into a buildable form that is practical, beautiful and above all well built.
It’s our willingness to really invest in their dreams and ideas, to explore product and pricing options, to take that time onsite with them and ask the question “What if we approached things like this? And if we did it like this you can still achieve your desired look but save some dollars... Or, have you thought about this product?” It’s knowing our clients, really listening and understanding their style, helping them make smart informed choices without locking them out of the design and build process.
This focus on detail starts in the sales office with Kylie Caldon, then with our Director Adam Ferris, all the way through to our head supervisor Andy Fawcett and our individual suppliers and trades, many of whom have been creating beautiful homes with us for many, many years. We know our clients and our goal is to deliver their dream.
You have two brand new display homes in the Sovereign Hills Display Village. Take us through these homes and tell us about some of the key
It’s knowing our clients, really listening and understanding their style, helping them make smart informed choices without features? locking them out of Our homes are the design and build very different… The process. Cottesloe is our standard inclusion design and it’s what we like to call ‘Australian coastal cottage’ in its presentation. This home has a wonderful feel; filled with light and beautiful features,
which prove you don’t need to sacrifice on quality or style when you select products within our standard allowances.
Then there’s our showstopper – The Manhattan. This home showcases our upmarket level inclusions shining the spotlight on solid spotted gum floors, soaring raked ceilings, quality fixtures and fittings and custom joinery at every turn. This truly modern home has been designed around a central courtyard and is a must visit for anyone visiting the display village.
When creating new homes and living spaces what do you and your team take into consideration?
We try to put ourselves in our clients’ shoes when we consider their needs and their nonnegotiable ‘must-haves’. Key considerations include orientation, views, the amount of fall on a site, privacy and any potential access issues. Then there’s the overall look and feel, and of course our clients’ budget. Once we’ve established these factors the design can start to evolve, all based on what we would consider a best build outcome.
What do you believe is the most important step when it comes to choosing and building your dream home?
Rapport, trust, a willingness to work with your ideas, open lines of communication with the people who have boots on the ground working on your project, knowing you can
pick up the phone and talk to someone who knows you and your build 24 hours a day.
The best advice we can offer is to find a builder with a proven reputation, ensure you have everything included from the get go in your tender price, ask to speak with past clients, organise to visit their new home builds and ensure there is consistency between the display home and the clients’ finished product. Look into the allowances (especially in the kitchen and wet areas) to make sure you won’t need to keep putting your hand in your pocket throughout the construction process.
Most importantly, find a builder with a willingness to go the extra mile and focus on the extra detail that will make all the difference to your dream home. In the building industry the devil really is in the detail.
Sorensen & Caldon are recent Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence in Building Award winners, what do you put this down to and what makes Sorensen & Caldon who they are?
We recently won Best Display Home in the Newcastle Division over $550,000 category for our upmarket Manhattan display home, as well as taking out the Regional MBA Safety Award which we are very proud of, as safety is at the forefront of all of our new home builds.
When judged by other industry professionals it’s the ultimate compliment that you are recognised as putting forward a good product. We believe the judges appreciated our build quality, attention to detail and found our design ideas refreshing.
When all is said and done though, it’s our people that define Sorensen & Caldon Builders as niche builders. Our people at all levels of our business are committed to ensuring every one of our clients creates their ultimate lifestyle home. Come and talk to our team at the Sovereign Hills Display Village. We’re open Monday to Friday (10am - 4pm) and weekends by appointment on (02) 6551 0445. Or visit
sorensenandcaldon.com.au
focus_interview
ALL TIME
GLASS & ALUMINIUM
All Time Glass & Aluminium is Port Macquarie's friendly, reliable onestop shop for windows, mirrors, shower screens, splashbacks, security doors and screens. We are also Port Macquarie's 24-hour glass repairs and replacement specialist. Customer service and quality products keep us thriving. You can count on us to take care of you.
All Time Glass and Aluminium; a business that has been locally owned and operated for quite some time. For those who don’t know you or are new to our area can you introduce yourself and your team?
My wife and myself have owned and operated All Time Glass & Aluminium for 9 years now and have lived locally here in the Hastings Valley for over 20 years. We employ a couple of local guys who have been working in the industry now for many years and who have vast knowledge and experience in the glass industry.
Tell us about the products and services that you offer/provide?
We offer a large range of products and services including installation of shower screens, security screens and doors, dog doors into glass or screen doors, all types of glass and mirrors cut to size, emergency glass repairs, sliding wardrobe doors, commercial work including shopfronts and automatic doors, installation and supply of new glass windows and doors. We also do repair work to existing glass doors and windows. We cover the entire Hastings Valley from Laurieton and Kendall in the south, out to west of Wauchope and as far north as Kempsey.
What does a typical day on the job look like for you and your team?
There is not a typical day for us as each
day brings all types of different jobs, from emergency window and door repairs to installation of commercial shopfront doors. However most days involve installing shower screens and security products to our customers’ properties and performing the usual reglaze. I am normally out and about doing measures and quotes for customers. If we aren’t installing products we are back in the shed making them.
What do you enjoy the most about your role and working within the local building
I enjoy meeting new customers industry?and helping them I enjoy meeting new out with their customers and helping renovations and them out with their seeing a project renovations and seeing come together. a project come together. Our jobs vary from commercial work down to small domestic jobs. This is what makes it enjoyable and interesting to work in the local area as each job can be very different.
Tell us about the most popular/sought after product on the market at the moment? (In your showroom of course) What makes it one of the best?
Currently security products are very popular as people are more aware of keeping their properties secure. We make a variety of security doors and window screens that suit every situation and need. We can come out to your property and recommend what product best suits.
Our security products can vary from full stainless steel products to perforated aluminium and diamond grille options.
Shower screens are another popular product as people renovate their bathrooms and are looking for different ideas. We can provide fully framed, semi frameless and fully frameless shower options. A new shower screen can help modernise the look of a bathroom.
Thanks Anthony.
