Greater Port Macquarie Focus - i195

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Welcome to the June 2022 issue of Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS.

W

elcome to the June edition of FOCUS. Can you believe it, June, wow. It’s another jam packed month here in our beautiful region. ArtWalk and Ride the Wave are the big events that are taking place this month, and I encourage everyone to get out and support both of these.

On the cover: The very beautiful and talented Mel Streater is our cover star this month to align with ArtWalk. Mel is a local Indigenous artist and is a descendant of the Wiradjuri Nation calling the beautiful seaside town of Guruk (Port

Macquarie) on Birpai Country her home. Mel’s interview is a must read and her art is just incredible.

To coincide with ArtWalk we have put together a beautiful Arts and Culture feature that starts with Mel’s interview on page 18.

Thank you to businesses that support this feature, showcasing what they are up to this coming month. You will also find a very informative 4 page ArtWalk spread with all you need to know for this wonderful event in the centre of our edition.

This month: We interview Mark Mathews. Mark is one of the world’s best big wave surfers, and his other great love is sharing his experiences

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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

contacts.

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 Daisy Moroney daisyfocusmag@gmail.com

with audiences to help people understand the connections between overcoming fear and building resilience. He will be the keynote speaker at Ride the Wave Festival here in Port Macquarie.

We also have an abundance of really amazing local interviews this month. We chat with Bruce De Graaf. Bruce has turned up to a Lifeblood Centre to donate blood an incredible 600+ times! Robyn Gilmour and Donna Dobson are two local sisters, born and raised in Wauchope. They are taking on a huge 150km walking challenge to raise funds and awareness for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Check out these amazing stories and more in this edition of FOCUS.

ART DIRECTOR Dylan Gaul dylan@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 COPY EDITOR 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 2022 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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Issue 195 - June 2022 INTERVIEWS

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JILL WOODLAND

CRAIG WILLIAMS

150KM WALK FOR CANCER

Jill’s small business Into The Woodlands started from a hobby, then it evolved into a series of products that she now works on with her daughter Jacqui and sells at local markets.

Wauchope local Craig Williams describes photography as being about capturing people and places as moments in time and then being able to reflect on those memories.

Wauchope sisters Robyn and Donna’s family was recently rocked by a brain cancer diagnosis.

They are walking 150km to raise funds and awareness for the Mark Hughes Foundation.

OUR CONTRIBUTORS 49. Tapp Bar, Panthers - From the Shaker 51. Alex Cassegrain - Wine Time 53. Lou Perri - Palate Pleasures 55. Alistair Flower - In the Front Bar 82. Rachel Leman - Fitness Update 99. Emma Walker & Simon Bank - Business Minds CONTRIBUTOR

100. Kate Wood-Foye - Business Illuminate

OF THE MONTH

107. Alan Priest - Legal Light

RACHEL LEMAN

108. Alex Glen-Holmes - Business Voice

Every month you'll find the latest news, reviews and interviews from these locals.

Thank you for your contribution to FOCUS. Follow us on 14 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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www.facebook.com/PortMacquarieFocus

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JUNE

TASTE OF WINTER Join them for Taste of Winter 2022, an inspired wine experience and degustation dinner hosted by Cassegrain Wines.

There are very limited tickets so please follow the instructions below to reserve your tickets and we apologise in advance for those who miss out Tickets events.humanitix. com/taste-of-winter-2022 Time 5:45pm 10:30pm Where Cassegrain Wines

LEAP

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LEAP is an explosive new, multi-faceted dance show created by Amy Campbell, one of Australia’s most exciting creatives.

LEAP breaks the rules of traditional dance shows! It is muscular, bold and daring - combining multiple dance styles fused together into an athletic celebration of movement and music. Where Glasshouse Theatre 7:30pm - 9:00pm More glasshouse.org.au/Whats-on/LeapJune-2022 16 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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2022

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HASTINGS FARMGATE TOUR The annual Hastings Farm Gate Tour is a selfdrive tour held over the June Long Weekend, celebrating the resourceful Farmers and Land Custodians of the Greater Port Macquarie / Camden Haven / Hastings region who farm with nature, sustainably - with an eye on building our future Email hastingsfarmgatetour@gmail.com Phone 0492 972 723

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DISNEY IN CONCERT

Theatre Oz is excited to invite you to experience a world where dreams really do come true. Featuring hit songs from Frozen, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and many more. Become part of our world this June, as Disney in Concert arrives for the first time in forever! Where Theatre Oz 1a Blackbutt Road, Port Macquarie 5:00 pm - 6:00pm More theatreozpm.com.au

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DANCE FESTIVAL

Presenting works of more than 1200 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 from public schools across the Lower North Coast of NSW. When Tuesday, 21st June | 5:30pm - 6:30pm & 8:00pm 9:00pm tickets glasshouse.org.au

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FARMERS’ MARKETS

The Hastings Hinterland weaves together family farms serving communities near and far with milk, cheese, potatoes, blueberries, avocados, pork, beef, garlic, macadamias and so much more.

Where Wauchope Showgrounds, from 8am until 12pm

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Mel STREATER

Local Indigenous artist Mel Streater is a descendant of the Wiradjuri Nation calling the beautiful seaside town of Guruk (Port Macquarie) on Birpai Country her home.

H

i Mel. It is such a pleasure to speak with you. Your inspiring work holds such connection to Country evoking emotion from your imagery. Tell us a little about yourself as an artist.

Yiradhu Marang! (That’s “G’Day!” in Wiradjuri speak).

These days my art is mostly reflective of the natural environment, or a comment on what is happening in the world around me – Country, culture, place. I paint from experience and the moments and feelings I hold deeply are what naturally appear when putting brush to canvas or pen to paper.

I understand your love of art developed at a young age, watching your Dad paint and sculpt, and as you grew you also realised your own drive for artistically creating beautiful moments. How did your Dad first inspire you and how have 18 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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his teachings shaped you today? and then, when the story comes to you, you I’ve painted and drawn for as long as I will know it’s time to translate that into the can remember. My Dad, Jeff, is an artist so I physical form. The longer I sit with my Dad, was always picking up his brushes and trying and with my cultural Aunties and Uncles, and to emulate what he the longer I sit with was doing. When Country and listen to I was very young, I her story, the more their When I was remember sitting on messages begin to fuse very young, I the lounge room floor and embed within my remember sitting on of our Telegraph Point spirit – this is when the the lounge room floor home watching Dad stories come. of our Telegraph paint for hours on end.

You hold a Bachelor Point home watching I was so impressed of Creative Arts and Dad paint for hours by his focus and Design majoring on end. mesmerised by how in Graphic Design he could transform from Charles Sturt blank canvas into University and such beautiful stories. certificates in Cultural Years ago, I asked him why he doesn’t paint Arts. How was this process? What more, to which he replied, “I only paint when did you gain from a greater depth of the stories come to me.” He explained that understanding of Indigenous culture? our art isn’t just about the pretty picture.

I’ve tried so many things since finishing It’s about listening, watching, experiencing, school in 2006. I floated around Sydney for a

while and tried different things but struggled to plant my feet on solid ground. It wasn’t until I moved back home and began studying art and design that I felt things start to balance.

Coming back to my birth Country and my family made all the difference. I began to dig deeper into culture and rediscovered my true love of art. After completing a certificate in design at TAFE and having lots of encouragement from my teacher, Sally Goodfellow, who I credit for helping build my confidence in design fundamentals and so beautifully supporting me in my early years of design, I gave university a crack. I’m now on the other side of a degree and run my own art and graphic design studio called Marramarra Creative, meaning ‘to create, to make, to do’. The grounding in design that I developed at TAFE and uni has really elevated my arts practice and set me up with the confidence to run a small business. I love learning and find huge satisfaction in processing new information – I’ve become a bit of a serial studier!

Since uni, I’ve studied Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts at Wauchope TAFE. I’m hugely grateful for sister Angela Marr for her efforts in getting the course off the ground, developing course materials that are relatable and culturally appropriate, and for so generously sharing her knowledge and skills.

The grounding in design that I developed at TAFE and uni has elevated my arts practice and set me up with the confidence to run a small business.

Uncle Elwyn Toby and Sebastian Perri are now teaching the course – Sebastian is a strong ally and brings so much skill and experience to the table. Uncle Elwyn believes in giving back to community and raising culturally strong young ones, which is why he is so giving with his knowledge. I strongly encourage any mob in our area who are interested in practicing arts to check out the course, it’s a culturally safe platform for our community to learn, grow and shine together. Come as you are, be authentic and humble, and not only will you be nurtured and accepted, but you’ll make friends and family for life.

I understand you are also on a journey of furthering your education in your ancestral Country’s native tongue.

I’m learning Wiradjuri language through the Yarradamarra Centre at Dubbo.

‘Yarradamarra’ can be translated to ‘the Dreaming is in our hands’. It can be hard to explain all the emotions that come up when

learning language. There is a huge sense of joy, pride and connection to my people when using these words, but it’s more than that, language also holds meaning beyond the words themselves. It is a way that allows us to pass on cultural knowledge and tradition. Speaking and learning language provides a sense of identity, belonging and empowerment. Culture and language go hand in hand and without our words our cultural identity is fragmented.

There is also a deep sorrow that swells in me when reflecting on why our languages need revitalising. Inexplicably inhumane past government policies saw our Ancestors come face to face with genocide and those who survived were moved onto missions, children were removed from families, and brutal punishment would come to those who defied orders and spoke language or practiced culture. The link between generations was broken and the ability to pass down language and culture was severed.

Continued over...

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Our communities still experience the legacy Your work shows extraordinary depth and of this trauma and displacement. It angers me talent, both visually and the meaning and to think of the knowledge, connection, and storytelling within. Why is telling stories wisdom we have missed out on because of and creating content that encourages the the greed and self-righteousness of others. sharing of ideas important to you?

This is why the revitalisation of our languages There was always a reason why our old is so important in reconnecting us to culture, people painted and told story. Navigation, to grow a strong sense Dreamings, relationships of identity and place.

– but not only are I am so grateful to these visuals a way of our old people who sharing information, Telling story, kept our language they are also a living visually or and culture safe history, about lived verbally, engages all these years. I experiences that help us in connection to must acknowledge us connect, ancestrally Country, family, the authors of our and contemporarily, Wiradjuri Dictionary, to people and place. animals, our hearts Uncle Stan Grant Telling story, visually or and spirits.

Senior, and the late verbally, engages us in Dr John Rudder, for connection to Country, their tremendous family, animals, our efforts in preserving hearts and spirits. This and documenting our language. I also want connection reaches out and embraces another to acknowledge Aunty Iris Reid, Ngadhi person. It makes the story a living document Yalmambildhaany (my teacher), a proud that can be felt, not just seen, or heard.

Wiradjuri woman whose generosity of spirit I believe that sharing story through art is so and wisdom is cherished by many. I am important. There are many instances where stronger in culture, identity, and mind for language alone is incapable of adequately having been her student. expressing an idea, and often times, language 20 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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can be enhanced and better understood through the addition of visual content.

Central to your work is also a desire to design from a culturally aware and ethical framework. You are passionate about environmental sustainability and preservation and social justice. Tell us why this is an important ethos for you from a personal and business perspective?

We belong to Country, not the other way around. She is our nurturer, protector, teacher and healer. She provides animals, plants, foods, rivers and oceans, traditions, medicines and healings, seasons. All we need, we find within Mother (Country). When we learn to walk in synchronicity with her heartbeat, we realise we are nothing without her. We must respect and look after her. Without connection to Mother, we lose ourselves.

For this very simple reason, I design from a culturally aware and ethical framework. I am nothing without Country. It is about respect and responsibility, to protect and preserve Country, culture, and my fellow humans.

What are some highlights of the projects you have been involved with to date?

I’m really excited by the development of Braenchild Collective. Myself and three creative and passionate individuals –

Dr Willhemina Wahlin, Thye Reading and Victoria Erskine – have created a multidisciplinary studio specialising in design, illustration, strategic communication, research, education and facilitation. Collectively, we have experience in large events, exhibition design, PR and marketing, organisational communication, journalism, editing, illustration, UX/UI and branding. Each of us have a heart for social justice, human rights, environmental preservation, wellbeing and communication. We choose to work with ‘for purpose’ clients whose principles and values align with our own.

Establishing this collective has been the highlight of my design career so far. I get to do what I love, surrounded by like-minded people. It is my way of being able to give back to community by working on projects that have the ability to implement organisational and societal change for the better.

You created the cover art for the ArtWalk event in Port Macquarie on the June long weekend. What can we expect this year?

I get to do what I love, surrounded by likeminded people. It is my way of being able to give back to community.

I feel very honored to have had my artwork chosen to represent ArtWalk this year. 2022’s theme is ‘Nyiirun girranggang ginyaanggang biladiyn’ meaning ‘We are more alive and happier because of the river’, in the Gathang language of the Birpai Nation. I pay my respect to the Birpai Nation, to the Ancestors and Elders, and thank them for the opportunity to live, walk and work on this beautiful Country.

The artwork is called ‘Ngurambang-gu Dharrungarrung’, translating to ‘My Honey Bee Country’ in Wiradjuri language, and represents my childhood home at Telegraph Point. The Wilson River is where we would picnic and canoe, and Red Hill comes down from the top. There was a tree with native honeybees and we would eat the honey.

The large meeting place is my home with my Mum, Dad and myself. The smaller meeting place is a special place by the creek. We called it ‘Sitting Place’. We would sit on logs and make a fire for a cup of tea. We would bathe in the creek after rain. We would bring friends and family here, and remember past loved ones. It was a safe and happy place.

In previous years ArtWalk was a night that brought the whole region together for art and music. Covid put a stop to it for a few years, so I think all the artists and businesses are gearing up for a big one! The main event will be chock-full of exhibitions, activations, illuminations, live performances, artists markets, workshops and creative installations.

You will experience the diversity of our local artisans and can have a yarn with them about their practice. It’s always a fun night and I imagine this year will not disappoint.

How can people find out more about you and your upcoming projects?

The best place to reach out is through my website marramarracreative.com You can have a squiz at past projects and contact me there. Or jump on the braenchild. com website. Otherwise, I’m on Facebook and Instagram at Marramarra Creative.

Thanks Mel. Interview: Sarah Baker.

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ARCHIBALD

PRIZE N E R A M

The Archibald Prize 2021 is not just an exhibition, it’s an experience for the whole family to share.

T

he Archibald Prize 2021 opened at New England Regional Art Museum on Friday 13th May and already hundreds of visitors have come to enjoy the country’s most-loved portrait prize award, and one of its most prestigious.

The exhibition is an outstanding collection of artworks by some of Australia’s leading artists and visitors to the exhibition at NERAM have been captivated.

Of course, it is natural that visitors are inclined to debate the winning work, which in 2021 was Peter Wegner’s portrait of 100-year-old artist Guy Warren (himself an Archibald winner in 1985). Everyone has their own favourite who they believe should have been the winner.

Fortunately, you can express your opinion by voting in the ANZ People’s Choice Award and go into the draw to win a $500 cash

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prize. Voting closes on Sunday 19th June.

Families looking for a fun day out can take advantage of the Archibald Prize 2021 Children’s Trail. There are seven activities to complete while children explore the exhibition with their families. Or plan your visit during NERAM’s Archibald Prize 2021 Family Days on 11th and 12th June to participate in a range of art making activities. Finalists in NERAM’s Young Archie exhibition will be on display from 15th June to 26th July.

The Archibald Prize 2021 is on at New England Regional Art Museum until Sunday 26th June.

Visit Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00am to 4.00pm. Tickets available at NERAM Reception.

The Archibald Prize 2021 regional tour is an Art Gallery of New South Wales touring exhibition.

Presenting partner ANZ. www.neram.com.au

EXHIBITIONS @

ANGELA MARR-GROGAN

F E A T U R E

Angela Marr-Grogan is an Aboriginal woman and artist who is extremely passionate about celebrating her culture through art and language.

She teaches both art and language within the community and runs her art and design business, creating culturally inspired pieces for individuals as well as working on some big public art projects.

H

i Angela. Can you tell us a bit about your background and when you first really connected with art?

I’m a Birrbay woman and the beautiful Guruk, Port Macquarie is my home town.

I now live west of Yapun (Wauchope) at Huntingdon in the stunning hinterland area.

I’m a mother of four amazing children, Tori, Tarran, Gideon and Harper.

My children are my world and I’m inspired by and in awe of them in so many ways.

I have a strong sense of family and of community and a commitment to my people.

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I am driven and inspired by the many others who have led and those that continue to lead; paving the way within the community.

I have been a creative all my life, and due to increasing family commitment I gave up traditional working life and hours to channel my love of creativity and have a healthier work life balance.

I established my own culturally inspired and driven art and design business and I have been practising as a professional artist for over 15 years within the industry. I love the freedom that being the Creative Director of my business ‘Cultural Industries’ allows me and my family.

I’ve always loved creating, I really enjoy taking the time and putting energy into something

that’s an expression and an extension of me and creating something unique.

My creative world is varied and comes in many forms from custom imagery and digital design, original canvas works of art, drawing, mandala art, stone art, healing orbs, hand painted glassware and found or repurposing or recycling decorative pieces.

As an artist I have many creative interests.

How would you describe your art?

From a cultural design and imagery perspective it’s contemporary, bold and symmetrical in style.

Colour harmony, symbolism and meaning also are important features of my works. I try to create works that not only tell a story that

others see, but also use colour to create a feeling, It’s a children’s a connection or evoke a cultural program memory. that is group setting student intake of NDIS Other creative works based. The program is and OOHC Aboriginal include my hand painted supported by and children. Working with adoption stones and delivered from Bunyah our young ones and healing orbs. They are sharing culture and my Local Aboriginal Land bespoke pieces lovingly love of creativity and Council in Wauchope. created over many hours language is a passion. It and days. They are very warms my heart to see intricate and detailed in our young ones speak design and make the perfect gift for that special language and create artistic works that support someone or occasion. their journey to a strong sense of cultural My favourite artistic freedom is creating identity. pieces about my connection to and love of Community capacity building in this area is Country. The pieces that I create simply for an important cultural space that I want to see oneself, these works are a rewarding and develop and grow to support the delivery of deeply spiritual process for me as an Aboriginal the program and other cultural programs for woman and artist. community.

You create custom artworks, but you also You used to teach at TAFE and you are offer up your creativity in many other currently running workshops and classes, forms. What are some of the things you what do you enjoy about passing on your offer? knowledge?

I’m passionate about art and Traditional I taught at TAFE and worked for Creative Language and run Burrayguba Ngarralbaa, a Design and Ideation and Career Pathways, community art and language program.

Education and Aboriginal Languages, teaching Burrayguba Ngarralbaa means ‘Child’s Cultural Arts and Traditional Language.

Learning Place’ in Gathang, the Traditional Last year I was honoured when I was Language of the Birrbay, Warrimay and awarded both a TAFE NSW Regional and State Guringay people.

Award for ‘Contribution to Community’.

It’s a children’s cultural program that is group I’m currently taking some time off setting based. The program is supported by and TAFE teaching and focusing on delivering delivered from Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land community-driven programs, my design work Council in Wauchope.

I also offer private tuition and have a limited and supporting Wauchope Creative Hub.

The Wauchope Creative Hub is an initiative of Stu Doherty and is a collective of many talented local artists. I love working with other creatives and I support the space by running monthly mandala art classes.

I really enjoy teaching and sharing my love of creativity with others.

You’ve worked on some interesting projects lately, could you tell us about some of them?

I usually always have a creative project or two in the pipeline. Things don’t move fast in my creative world and can take months of conversations, planning and creativity.

Recent project launches include a collaboration with Transport NSW and a custom design to feature on one of their water tankers.

The piece I created was water inspired and in celebration of our beautiful ‘Dungang’, Hastings River, and acknowledges the Birrbay People as the Traditional Custodians of Country.

I was also honoured recently when I was approached by Ironman Australia for a culturally inspired piece to feature on their ‘Hall of Fame’ Trophy.

The trophy is a new initiative celebrating and acknowledging Country. The official ceremony was held last month at the Town Green as a part of this year’s Ironman Event, where Craig Alexander and Glenn Gorick were honoured and inducted.

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ANGELA MARR-GROGAN

Another project that I’m excited to celebrate and showcase is the Wauchope Train Station upgrade. The project features custom cultural works by myself and Wauchope TAFE Cultural Art students. We are currently finalising the second phase of the install and looking forward to a project launch in September.

I’m a freelance artist as well as an artist on the National Aboriginal Design Agency team (NADA).

Last year I was engaged by Jane Tavener, Project Director at NADA, to create two custom designs to feature in a limited edition 26 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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The designs have been transferred onto fabric and integrated into a limited edition handcrafted bespoke furniture range, created by Dean Bridgman from Ashton Designs.

bespoke furniture range.

The creative project is a collaboration with the Design Agency and Ashton Designs in Toormina.

The project is titled Gurrwa Marraygan meaning ‘Sea Spirit’ in Gathang.

The designs are custom works of art celebrating my love of saltwater shells and honouring my Traditional Language name.

The designs have been transferred onto fabric and integrated into a limited edition handcrafted bespoke furniture range, created

by Dean Bridgman from Ashton Designs.

The project launch will feature at the Saltwater Freshwater Festival at Eungai on Saturday 28th May. I look forward to sharing more of the project and story behind the pieces.

I’m also looking forward to continuing my work with Benita Rumbel, Area Customer Service Manager NSW Trains. I will be working with Benita on engaging community and coordinating cultural works for their Wingham and Taree Train Station upgrades.

What is like creating designs on a really large scale or for objects that you’ve never worked on before?

As with any creative project it’s important to understand my client’s needs. Fortunately most large scale projects come with a creative brief which makes the design process much easier, however there are always conversations that

need to be ongoing to ensure I’m meeting the brief and my client’s needs.

The majority of my works are original hand painted works and for large public work installations I always create to scale. I then have the artwork professionally imaged by photographer, Cherie Morton at Reimagined Images into digital high resolution images, or have my Graphic Designer, Tarran Marr-Harris create a digital vectorised image or version.

You’ve got a few more things in the pipeline too, can you tell us about any upcoming projects?

Future projects include working with Penny Small, President of the Beach to Beach (B2B) Project at Camden Haven.

I’ve been engaged by Penny and the B2B committee to coordinate the creation of two culturally inspired murals.

The project will involve the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Certificate IV Cultural Arts students at Wauchope TAFE. It’s an exciting opportunity for the students to gain industry experience working towards a creative brief and creating large scale public works.

I’m also looking forward to continuing my work with Benita Rumbel, Area Customer Service Manager NSW Trains. I will be working with Benita on engaging community and coordinating cultural works for their Wingham and Taree Train Station upgrades.

As a creative I’m really excited about all the recent public art opportunities within the Hastings area. Our local area is rich in artistic talent, and it’s great to see artists showcasing their art in large scale works throughout the area.

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Discover a world of opportunities www.scas.nsw.edu.au 28 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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KYLIE’S ART STUDIO Kylie’s Art Studio in Laurieton has been operating now for nearly 11 years and stocks all the major brands in art supplies. Whether you’re a professional artist or enjoy painting for a hobby, we have all the equipment you need.

We stock a full stand of Art Spectrum oils, full range of Atelier Interactive and Matisse Structure in Acrylics as well as Jo Sonja. Watercolours are covered with Daniel Smith Watercolours and Winsor & Newton plus Art Spectrum colours, a range of gouache from Holbein and not to

forget the pastel artists, we have art spectrum pastels and PanPastels along with applicators, brushes and different brands of watercolour paper and pastelmat paper by Clairefontaine for pastel artists.

We also cover the needs of resin artists with stocks of slow cast and fast cast resin by Just Resin along with pastes, pigments and inks plus alcohol inks. All that is listed is only a fraction of what we have in store.

If we don’t happen to have what you need, we will gladly source it and order it in for you.

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Drawn From Here is an annual creative art journal project open to all residents on the Mid North Coast. Participants of all ages and skill levels are supplied with a blank A5 art journal which they are invited to complete however they wish.

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hese art journals then form a unique, fun and interactive exhibition, held at project sponsor Sunset Framing & Gallery.

Drawn from Here was established in 2018 by Illustrator and Designer, Katherine Appleby, with assistance and support from Sunset Gallery Arts Manager Cherie Morton and was officially opened by Leslie Williams, MP. Katherine came up with Drawn From Here with the aim of connecting local creatives of all levels and varieties of skill and medium, and giving them an opportunity to showcase the unique diversity and styles within our local arts community.

In 2020/2021 Katherine handed over the hosting of Drawn From Here to project Sponsor Sunset Gallery as she pursued an adventurous opportunity that arose for her illustration and design career in Canberra, as a global pandemic hit.

Sunset Gallery jumped into the role with enthusiasm and has relished the chance to further support the Mid North Coast creative 30 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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arts community by hosting and running Drawn From Here.

Sunset Gallery have some fun and new ideas to add to the existing Drawn From Here Project in the next few years.

WHO CAN ENTER? Drawn From Here is open to all residents on the NSW Mid North Coast. Whether you’re already a practising creative, or someone that has always needed an excuse to give it a go, Drawn From Here is for you! Writers, photographers, musicians, poets, artists, designers, illustrators, and a mix of them all, if you’re creative and have an idea for filling your own art journal, why not enter Drawn From Here 2022.

PROJECT PROCESS On entering Drawn From Here, you will be sent an A5 art journal. Over the next few months, you can complete this journal in any way you wish, with whatever mediums you like! You can remove pages, add pages, cut pages, and even take apart and re-sew the entire book! The only guideline is that the book is used in someway, and presented in the exhibition within its original dimensions. It’s

also recommended that your book does not exceed 10cm thick, especially if you need to post it.

You can paint, sculpt, cut, write, draw, compose, glue – with a theme of your choosing, or our optional theme for the year, or with no theme at all. It’s entirely up to you!

And as an entrant, you will become part of a private Facebook group where you can meet other creatives in the region and share ideas and inspire one another. You also get to join the optional “DFH journal club” that will have regular get togethers to work on our books, share skills with one another and generally just have some fun.

When it’s completed, your art journal will then become part of a one-month exhibition held at Sunset Framing & Gallery in Port Macquarie with the option to donate your completed journal into the library of journals always on display at our project hosts Sunset Framing & Gallery.

We hold an opening night so we can all get together and celebrate, and during the exhibition we also hold a People’s Choice Award to add a little fun.

ORKS HOW IT W • You’ll receive an A5 art journal • You can complete it any way you wish • Your art journal is exhibited in a month long exhibition • In 2020, we introduced an under16s category as well as an optional theme and it went so well we are going to continue it this year.

• This year’s optional theme is SANCTUARY. • You can interpret and explore it however you like – or use a theme of your own, or no theme at all!

You’ll be asked in the entry form whether you would like to use the optional theme, as we’d love to display those books grouped together.

FAQ

Q: DO I NEED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST/ ILLUSTRATOR/DESIGNER/WRITER/ETC TO ENTER? A: No! The project is open to all skill types and levels! This is what makes it interesting and exciting. For professionals, it’s an opportunity to participate in something that is not about getting client work done or responding to a specific brief.

For everyone else, it’s a fantastic opportunity and excuse to explore your own style of creativity! The best thing is, we can all connect, support, inspire and learn from one another as we take part in the project.

Q: IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT? A: There is no age limit! And we have an under16s category – so if you’re keen to get involved, and so is your daughter or son, go for it!

Q: IS THERE A THEME? A: Drawn From Here aims to encourage your

own creative journey, so there is an open theme so you can create whatever you like. You may like to choose your own theme or just let your creative heart wander free. However, if you prefer to have a bit of a challenge, each year we will select an optional theme that you might like to explore. This year it is SANCTUARY. Those journals that respond to this will be exhibited grouped together as best we can.

Q: I’M A WRITER, CAN I STILL TAKE PART? A: Drawn From Here is for ALL creatives! That’s writers, photographers, sewers and stitchers (we’ve had fabric books exhibited before!), illustrators, designers, artists, musicians (talk to us if you’d like to perform your piece/s on the night!), and even 3D artists have taken part (get in touch if you have an amazing idea but you’re unsure if it’s allowed). The only rule is that you use the book in some way…

Q: 40 PAGES IS A LOT! DO I HAVE TO

COMPLETE THEM ALL? A: You can remove pages if it’s too many – or add pages if you’d like more. In fact, you can even take the whole book apart and re-sew it with whatever pages you’d like inside (great if you want to use fabric or some other kind of material).

So long as the book is used in some way, and remains within its original dimensions (A5 and no more than 10cm thick) – the only limit is your imagination!

ENTER NOW • Entry costs $30 per person • Your book will be sent to you via Australia Post from 7th May • Entry includes membership to a private Facebook group • Entry includes a one-month exhibition at Sunset Framing & Gallery, which starts with an awesome opening night!

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Jill Woodland started her small business Into The Woodlands from a hobby that evolved into a series of products that she now works on with her daughter Jacqui and sells at local markets.

Into The

Woodlands

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an you tell us a bit about Into the Woodlands and what you make?

Into the Woodlands is a small family business that specialises in beautiful handmade products for your home and body. We proudly make all our items in our studio in Bonny Hills. Some of our more popular items include soy wax candles, natural body oils, room diffusers, soaps, perfumes and personalised gift hampers.

How did the idea for Into the Woodlands

soon I was looking for my next project. Candles were the answer and the business naturally developed from there.

Your daughter is also part of Into the Woodlands. How is she involved?

The business name is her brainchild. Jacqui had a small bespoke millinery business by the same name when she Like many lived in Sydney years ago. people, after She is my product tester, I retired from work I sounding board, social did lots of travelling, media manager, sales and also spent assistant and signwriter. time volunteering What do you enjoy about working together at the Wauchope on this?

Bonny Hills Surf Club We get satisfaction come about? function centre. from our customers I love the concept of coming back having been styling and how things delighted by our products. complement and group Sometimes the early morning markets test Jacqui together. These ideas can be applied in fashion, out because she has a full time job, however design, home and fragrance to name a few. she does it with a smile on her face. We love Scent is emotive and powerful, and beautiful to see the finished product (each a labour of fragrances enhance our lives. Like many people, love) displayed in our inviting, beautiful market after I retired from work I did lots of travelling, stall. Originality is essential to us and it’s great to and also spent time volunteering at the have the ability to be seasonal and change our Wauchope Bonny Hills Surf Club function centre. offerings when we feel like it. >>> However idle hands are the devil’s workshop and GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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Can you tell us about some of the processes for creating your products?

Not all products are quick to make. For example, the natural soaps take 6 weeks to cure before they are ready to sell to the public. Patience is indeed a virtue and forward planning is critical. I am inspired by my garden and will use the limes, oranges, figs, and flowers in my products. We source containers that are reusable, and my soy wax is sustainable, biodegradable and vegan friendly. We also try not to over package the products and be environmentally conscious, which includes designing and producing all our own labels from my home office.

How do you come I am inspired up with the products by my garden you’re going to make and will use the and all the amazing limes, oranges, figs, fragrances? and flowers in my Selfishly, I use the scents products. We source that I love the most and containers that are luckily, I love everything! reusable, and my soy Many of the products take wax is sustainable, hours of experimentation biodegradable and and testing to find the perfect combination. vegan friendly.

This sometimes means laboriously counting hundreds of drops from an eyedropper to make a recipe.

Ten drops of lemon myrtle, fifty of rose geranium, three of clove... It can be very frustrating when I am interrupted mid count.

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I don’t believe

People want to know in complex what is in the products recipes and most of the they have in their home ingredients are found and/or put on their in your average pantry. body, so having all Many of my products the ingredients listed have a focus on wellness is essential for their and a philosophy peace of mind. I try to of improving and use natural and simple enhancing daily lives. ingredients whenever possible as that is what This involved teaching is important to me. I students how to progress don’t believe in complex recipes and most from an idea or concept to a finished item. of the ingredients are found in your average This included drawings, pattern making, pantry. Many of my products have a focus on testing, problem solving, market research, wellness and a philosophy of improving and development and sewing skills before the final enhancing daily lives. item came to fruition. I was also a trainer, You are obviously a creative person with mentor and judge of World Skills. This is a a background in fashion and design. Can prestigious trades and skills competition that you tell us about your previous work focuses on young people under the age of 21 and how you feel it has influenced this demonstrating hundreds of skills, including business? fashion technology. This competition I spent many years of my working life in encourages an entrepreneurial spirit and belief Vocational Education (TAFE) in the creative that those skills drive the future of young industries of fashion, furnishing and design. people. Naturally, there are lots of parallels

with my previous career and my new passion as the fundamental ideas are the same. You are never too old to follow a dream.

What does the future look like for Into the Woodlands?

We will continue to experiment and perfect our products. We also toy with the idea of an online store however the face-to-face personal contact is so very important to us.

You do some local markets. Where can people find you or get in touch?

I try to do two local markets a month which include the Foreshore Market at Westport Park and the Local Market (formally known as the Artist Market) located at the Maritime Museum. If time permits, I will also attend the Laurieton Riverwalk Markets and the pop-ups. As we all know, the weather has been very temperamental and many of the recent markets have been postponed due to rain. Hoping our luck has finally changed – we are looking forward to less rain on market days and participating in the 2022 ArtWalk Market in the Port CBD on Friday 10th June from 5.00pm until 9.00pm. Other ways to contact us are through our Facebook and Instagram social media pages. We are happy to post and deliver our products – sending gifts to your loved ones who live away isn’t a problem.

Come and sample our beautiful products – we guarantee that you will love them!

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The Ride the Wave Festival established in 2021 has become an annual fundraising event for Make A Difference PMQ (M.A.D.) that showcases our region to the wider community whilst advocating for those who are disadvantaged and marginalised.

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own beach will come alive this June for Ride the Wave, with a festival atmosphere where there’s something on offer for everyone, whether you come to compete or explore your hometown. Founder and director of M.A.D. Erin Denham has been busy behind the scenes preparing the festivities for all to enjoy.

We are excited to team with Surfing NSW and Port Macquarie Hastings Council to bring the Ride the Wave Festival to Port Macquarie once again.

In 2022 the festival will include competitions for short and long board surfing and a skate and scooter comp. In addition, a Battle of the Bands style competition will also take place.

This will culminate in a ticketed music festival titled Ride the Sound Wave, that includes free market stalls, food vendors and family activities in the skate park precinct. Ride the Sound Wave is an all age event with children 5 and under free. A special addition to this festival is the over 18s “Barrel Room” beer garden provided within the ticketed Ride the Sound Wave area.

100% of entry fees are being donated to the “Make a Difference Mobile Food

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Van Service”. How does this service support our most vulnerable community members?

Make a Difference PMQ is a not-for-profit charity organisation based in Port Macquarie.

Driven by values of love, respect, hope and compassion we advocate for the disadvantagedand marginalised in our Mid North Coast community. Make a Difference PMQ provide emergency assistance in times of need and we connect with social services to restore dignity, pride and hope in the most vulnerable members of our community #locals supporting locals.

Each year Make a Difference PMQ sets fundraising goals that include maintenance of our M.A.D. Van. This van is used to achieve our mission and operates not only as a mode of transport but as a food and coffee van.

Funds raised from our major events and sales of coffee from our van are directed to our fundraising goals.

In 2020 our mobile food van assisted in delivering a food service to our friends living rough on the streets of Port Macquarie and early in the year we assisted with bushfire relief in Willawarrin. In 2021 the goal is to focus on coffee machine fit-out and maintenance of the van. In 2022 we will turn our attention

to those suffering from issues relating to domestic violence in our community, whilst maintaining our commitment to those living rough and providing additional emergency assistance if needed.

NEW THIS YEAR: BAREFOOT BOWLS @ PORT CITY Get your family and friends together in teams of 4 to enter. $100 per team includes entry fee, drink on arrival, sausage sandwich and a facilitator-run competition. The greens will be lit up and the tunes will be pumping, it’s gearing up to be a rolling good time! Kids welcome, but all minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Thanks to our major event sponsors: Regional NSW, Port City Bowling Club, Eire Civil Infrastructure Solved, Coastline, Her Wave, Innervision, Men and Women at Work, HEM, MBC, Surfing NSW, OPTUS, Gem Socials, Triple M, FOCUS, Coastbeat, Webstudio, Are Creative, Snap Printing, Destination NSW, Coast2Coast, FK Surf, LIIVE, Hire Port, INphase Productions, Coastal Hire, CSU. Follow our social media pages and keep an eye on web page updates for information regarding the RIDE THE WAVE FESTIVAL 2022, June 18th-19th & 24th26th.

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Wauchope local Craig Williams describes photography as being about people and the world around us. “Capturing people and places as moments in time and then being able to reflect on those memories is what it’s all about for me.”

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i Craig. Thank you for taking the time to speak with FOCUS. Your eye with a camera is extraordinary.

You are passionate about creating memories and

bringing those moments to life in print, canvas and digital media. What is it that inspires you photographically?

My inspiration comes from just getting out and being active with my camera, experiencing what nature has to offer, being outside. There is always something different, even when photographing the same location. I enjoy observing how light interacts with the landscape, 38 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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how simple basic locations and scenes can come alive with the change in lighting, during what photographers know as the blue and golden hours, before and after sunrise and sunset. These are such amazing times to be outside seeing how nature and our world put on a show twice every day.

I also enjoy observing how people interact with nature and how they work and move within urban environments. You don’t see much of my Urban/Street Photography; however, it is an active part of what I do, and I am working on some longer term projects in this genre and you’ll see some of this work in the future.

When did you first pick up a camera and

what is it you love about the craft?

My parents took us to many locations around Australia during the regular school holidays, as such I was fortunate to travel to many parts of Australia over a number of years as I grew up.

On one of these trips, I had my 10th birthday and received a Hanimex 110mm pocket camera.

I remember taking a huge number of photos on that trip to the Northern Territory and then many more during a Christmas holiday trip along the Murray River.

My love for photography continued from this point, although I didn’t really get serious until the last 4 to 5 years. I was very fortunate to have been trained and mentored by an amazing

shot can put you right there in that landscape, even if you’ve never been to that location – in fact it can even drive your desire to go to locations that you’ve never been to before.

Capturing places and moments in time and being able to reflect on these moments now and into the future, both individually and amongst family and friends, is incredible in my opinion.

What’s more awesome than checking out a great photo for the first time, Photography is and the emotions that this just so amazing creates in you? in my opinion, it can What type of

stir emotions,

equipment do you predominantly use?

My main camera body is a Nikon D850, it’s an awesome camera, although as any photographer will tell you, good “glass” (lenses) are also vitally important. My go to lenses are a Nikor 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, 20mm f1.8 and a Tamron 17-35 f4. Although I have other lenses, these are the primary lenses I use for most landscape shots you’ll see. I do use a couple of smaller crop sensor cameras for street photography as they suit this genre of shooting. For commercial photo shoots I often use a range of prime or fixed focal length lenses, especially for low light inside shoots. As any photographer will also tell you, there’s always another lens to purchase. I have a few on the radar!

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local Photographer happiness, good John Armytage, he times, reminiscing, really helped me to take friendships, love, my photography to laughter, all these the next level. I highly emotions and more recommend your readers can be seen in just look up John’s work one simple photo. on his website, and Facebook.

Photography is just so amazing in my opinion, it can stir emotions, happiness, good times, reminiscing, friendships, love, laughter, all these emotions and more can be seen in just one simple photo. A simple yet amazing landscape GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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Looking at your Facebook, you love getting out and about locally with a camera. Where have been some of the most beautiful spots you have photographed?

I believe there is beauty in just about every place you choose to shoot. Although some places are just special. The South Coast is amazing in its diversity, beautiful coastal scenes, and an amazing hinterland, with a myriad of great waterfalls. Port Kembla offers great opportunities for shooting black and white industrial scenes. It’s also just a short trip up to the amazing Southern Highlands.

The Blue Mountains is incredible, especially in autumn and winter, the number of waterfalls, amazing valleys, forest and mountainous terrain, everywhere you look is a scene worth shooting. The autumn colours in the Mount Wilson area of the Blue Mountains is also a favourite place to shoot. I also love the Newcastle area for its diverse urban coastal scenes, its industrial zone and its CBD is an ideal location for street photography.

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The Blue Mountains is incredible, especially in autumn and winter, the number of waterfalls, amazing valleys, forest and mountainous terrain, everywhere you look is a scene worth shooting.

amazing location to shoot sunrise and I can’t forget the Hastings Valley, it’s not only an amazing place to live, it’s such a great location to photograph. The Port Macquarie beaches are amazing, we have so many of them in such close proximity, each with its own special atmosphere and they offer different times of day to get ideal light and as such different shots.

West of the railway line is also amazing, it’s where some say the real Hastings Valley starts, I know myself as I head over the railway line, the type of photography shifts from coastal to Rural, “Aussie Bush” and my whole attitude changes, it’s less busy, my thinking slows down to match the more relaxed feel and this can be seen in some of my shots when comparing location shoots in Port Macquarie and Wauchope. One of my next ventures is to shoot the New England area in winter and

something I am really looking forward to.

Can you describe a little about yourself behind the lens?

My family moved to the Hastings Valley in 1982 and I grew up on a cattle property west of Wauchope. After this I studied Agriculture and then a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Although I spent several years away in both Canberra and Sydney for work, I have always called the Hastings Valley home and was happy to move back to the area almost 20 years ago now. I’m a father of two beautiful children who mean the world to me, funny though, they keep telling me to stop taking so many photos of them, ha-ha.

Close to home, the Mid North Coast region offers an array of natural landscapes to capture, and you seem to have a propensity for photographing bridges.

What is it you love about living in

Wauchope? locations in the Hastings Hinterland to shoot In my opinion the Hastings Valley is the and have put it out there for suggestions on ideal location along the NSW coastline to live. upper Hastings Valley Properties, with quite Port Macquarie is a large regional town which a few people already responding, so keep an offers all facilities and eye out for a variety of services, the beaches new shoot locations, in and around Port are showcasing the local I have some the best. The hinterland area. exciting news is so accessible and What is on the horizon regarding the scenery in general for you for the year photography training is second to none. ahead? if anyone is interested Being so close to in furthering their both the coastline skills and knowledge and the rainforests in photography, this and mountains of the will be announced Hastings, Wauchope is once I launch the an ideal location to call website. home.

The Wauchope Railway Bridge is a local iconic location that many expat Wauchoperesidents tell me signifies home to them. In all honesty though, the bridge is so close, that at times when you fall out of bed too late, it’s the only real choice of a close subject to shoot, Well, apart from Bago Bluff as well. I am though on the search for new

I have a new website which I have been working on for a while now. The website will showcase my favourite images and people will be able to purchase prints in various sizes and formats such as Prints, Framed Prints and Canvas. I have some exciting news regarding photography training if anyone is interested in furthering their skills and knowledge in photography, this will be announced once I launch the website.

For people wanting to find out more about your work and see what you’re up to, how can they best connect with you?

Some may not know that apart from selling Hi Res Prints and Framed Prints, I also provide commercial/business photography solutions and anyone wishing to contact me can reach out to me via the following: email: craig@ craigmwilliams.com mobile: 0407 899 479 or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ craigmwilliamsphotos Thanks Craig. Interview: Sarah Baker

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DINING GUIDE

COVER DISH Hot smoked salmon, Beetroot gel, Avocado puree, Horseradish, Hand rolled grissini PANTHERS TAPP BAR

from

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Your local Club

P O RT C I T Y B O W L I N G C LU B

$ 2 2 W E E K LY SPECIALS CLASSIC ROAST SUNDAY STEAK MONDAY CHICKEN SCHNITZEL TUESDAY AROUND THE WORLD THURSDAY *INCLUDES A FREE BEVERAGE | CONDITIONS APPLY

LUNCH 11.3OAM - 2PM DINNER FROM 5.30PM

Bookings Essential

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

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what’s

ON

GET INSPIRED TO COOK AT HOME Nourishing home made dinners are what winter is all about.

There is definitely a chill in the air and the change of weather has begun. Warm sunny days and cooler nights lets us enjoy using those versatile vegetables in soups, casseroles, stir-fries and slow cooks. Don’t forget

our Munster Street neighbours, including the number 1 butcher in Port Macquarie. Make sure you pop in next door and say hi to Dave and his boys. Ordering is easy and we can even deliver your fresh veggies along with your meat! Remember to shop local and support your community.

Membership Renewals Now Open!

New Intermediate Membership for 18 to 35 yrs ONLY $650!

Deluxe Roast lunch Sundays from 12pm

Trivia

7pm Wednesday nights

Putt for Dough raffle 5pm Thursday nights

Live music

6pm Friday nights

FREE courtesy bus Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights

Port Macquarie Golf Club 698 Ocean Drive | Port Macquarie NSW 2444 E: reception@portmacquariegolf.com.au | T: (02) 6582 0409 Restaurant opening hours: Lunch 12pm - 2pm | Tuesday - Sunday

Dinner 5.30pm - 8pm | Wednesday - Saturday. For bookings: (02) 6582 0409

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C

an you introduce yourself to our readers and your role at Panthers?

I’m Andy, and I have recently taken over as Head Chef at Panthers Port

Macquarie.

Where did your love and passion for cookery come from?

Hospitality was always going to be the path I was going to go follow. Initially I was unsure about which direction I should take, but a particular work placement during high school really resonated with me. It made me PA N T H E R S P O R T M A C Q U A R I E realise that working in a kitchen environment HEAD CHEF would allow me to pursue the creative avenue I wanted to explore.

Tell us about your previous experiences in the industry?

I’ve been fortunate enough over the last 20 A LOT OF years of being a Chef, to BLOOD, SWEAT have worked in such a AND TEARS GOES diverse range of venues.

INTO DEVELOPING Hotels (International and A MENU. FROM THE Boutique), Restaurants A little bit different! carry flavours in such a versatile way. Cooked both in Australia & the INITIAL CONCEPTS, All our existing customer or raw, thin or thick, savoury or sweet, pureed UK, Cafes, Resorts, Pubs THROUGH TO favourites will remain or crushed. They are such an integral part of & Clubs. They have SUPPLY OF on our Winter Menu, what we do as Chefs but, more often than given me a broader INGREDIENTS but I have added a few not, are a secondary thought! depth of experience that new dishes that offer What do customers say about the meals I draw from daily. some variety in terms and what are the most popular ones?

When creating the of ingredients, flavours and the way we use Hopefully everyone loves them! We have KOVE Menu what do you take into them.

The TAPP will also have an exciting new quite a varying menu at the moment, but consideration?

Menu coming out, it’s a great little playground it seems hard to pass over our Roasts. And A lot of blood, sweat and tears goes into that we can utilise for new ideas. everyone always loves a Schnitzel! We developing a Menu. From the initial concepts, What are your favourite ingredients to do continually request feedback from our through to supply of ingredients (preferably cook with and why?

Members and Guests to ensure that we are local), the seasonality of produce, the #1 Chocolate: it’s different... as it delivering consistent food that meets their preferences and skills of the Kitchen Team, encompasses complex flavour profiles and has expectations. and most importantly the needs and wants of the ability to carry flavours and not just as a Describe KOVE in one sentence. our customers. sweet element.

Dynamically engaging...

We are approaching a new season, what #2 Vegetables: again, for their ability to Thanks Andrew. does the KOVE Winter Menu look like?

ANDREW CHANDLER

46 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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RECIPE BY ANDREW CHANDLER

Pan fried Murray Cod

CAULIFLOWER PUREE (This will make more than you will need, but is a great addition to any meal, even as a sauce for pasta) Using a small paring knife, remove the florets from the stem of the cauliflower. Place 3-4 aside for the carpaccio.

Thinly slice the stem and put into a saucepan with the remaining florets. Add all of the cream and the thyme.

Bring to the boil and then simmer until just cooked.

Strain off all of the cream & place the hot cauliflower into a blender. Blend until silky smooth.

Season with a few drops of lemon juice, white truffle oil, salt and white pepper.

Set aside and keep warm.

CAULIFLOWER CARPACCIO Slice the remaining cauliflower florets using a Japanese mandolin or a very sharp knife.

The idea is to have wafer thin slices.

Place into a bowl with the extra virgin olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice and some salt.

COD AND PLATING Heat the clarified butter in a heavy based frying pan. Season the skin of the Murray Cod. Once the butter is hot, place the fish skin side down in the pan. Turn the heat down to a medium heat, and place another small pan or sauce pan on top of the fish. This makes sure that that the skin stays in contact with the pan while cooking for a great crispy result.

After a few minutes, and depending on the thickness of the cod, take the weight off, and gently turn the fish over to finish cooking.

INGREDIENTS 1x 150g Aquna Murray Cod 1x large Cauliflower 500ml Cream 2-3 sprigs of fresh Thyme

White Truffle Oil 1x Lemon 50ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil 50g clarified Butter or Ghee

Spoon as much of the cauliflower puree as you like onto your plate, top with the crispy Murray Cod and the cauliflower carpaccio. *Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is an environmentally low impact, sustainable aquaculture farm in the Riverina region of NSW.

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plice s i r o d i m 30ml Midori 30ml Malibu 90ml Pineapple Juice Coconut Cream Pineapple Edible Flowers

Midori, Malibu, Pineapple Juice - Build over ice in a tall glass Float the Coconut Cream Garnish with pineapple and edible flowers Enjoy!

TA P P B A R PANTHERS PORT MACQUARIE

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GRILLED SALMON FILLET WITH ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES & ROMESCO SAUCE Try our entry into the ClubsNSW PERFECT PLATE COMPETITION and receive a $5 KOVE Kitchen Voucher when you complete a VOTING ENTRY FORM. PLUS…you can also WIN $100 in daily Dining Vouchers and Foodie Getaways for 2 valued at $3,000 (Courtesy of ClubsNSW).

Conditions Apply. See www.perfectplate.com.au for further details. Maximum of 1 vote per restaurant. Voting ends on 19th June 2022. Image for illustrative purposes.

1 BAY STREET, PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444 | 1300 PANTHERS

panthersportmacquarie@panthers.com.au 50 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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focus_contributor.

Wine

TIME with ALEX C A S S EG R A I N

SENIOR WINEMAKER CASSEGRAIN WINES

THIS YEAR WE ARE IN FOR A REAL TREAT, WITH THE CASSEGRAIN 2022 FROMENTEAU RESERVE CHARDONNAY BENEFITING FROM EXCEPTIONAL FRUIT QUALITY.

A

After a few years of cellaring, I expect this year’s vintage will be one of our best-ever Reserve Chardonnays.

have been less than usual, primarily red grapes such as Shiraz and Pinot Noir.

At the time of writing, we have a few ferments nearing completion which we’ll be pressing off into the barrel soon for maturation.

Due to the cooler growing season All in all there are some fantastic new this year, we releases available didn’t get into to taste at the the full swing Cassegrain Wines Due to the cooler of harvest until Cellar Door. With growing season March which the cooler season this year, we didn’t get is generally coming into play into the full swing of when we would now you’ll find harvest until March be well into yourself reaching which is generally processing for medium to full our overall bodied reds such as when we would be fruit intake.

Shiraz and Cabernet well into processing Every vintage Sauvignon. The our overall fruit is different and newly released 2019 intake. while 2022 Edition Noir Shiraz has had its Viognier was recently challenges, the overall quality of fruit awarded 93 Points by Winestate this year has been fantastic.

Magazine and is perfect for any evening with some winter cuisine.

There are a few varieties where yields

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presents

your nd keep

receipt

Plate a t c e f r e e E our P QR Cod 1 TAST r u o Foodie a i d v n a s u y l ai for chers d 0 u 2 VOTE o v g n ni 00 $100 di d at $3, e u l a v 3 WIN ys for 2 Getawa

SOVEREIGN BRAISED LAMB SHOULDER

#PerfectPlateAwards Conditions apply, see www.perfectplate.com.au. Eligible Clubs: Open to NSW clubs with acurrent membership with ClubsNSW. Max 1 entry per eatery/restaurant.

Patrons/Voters: Open to AU res 18+. Starts: 6/5/22. Ends: 5PM AEST on 19/6/22. Retain receipt/s. Max 1 vote per eatery/restaurant.

52 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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

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focus_contributor.

Palate PLEASURES with LOU PERRI

FROM THE STUNNED MULLET

ELECTION SELECTION

W

ith the sense of expectation of the Federal election now behind us (almost – as this article is being written, the political destiny of Cowper is still hanging somewhat in the balance), it is now time to get back into the groove of hmmm… did someone say end of financial year?

Regardless of whether or not the result, in your opinion, is a favourable one or not, an election offers us an opportunity to reflect regarding capacity for change, our priorities and aspirations moving forward, and most importantly allowing for a period of introspection in terms of what’s most important – not just for us personally, but for our community, our region and our entire nation.

It feels as if finally we’re able to take a deep, collective breath after the tumultuous, rollercoaster of flood, fire and pestilence we’ve endured over the past 3 years.

Although by no stretch of the imagination is all well in the world in the here and now, with war raging in Ukraine and Covid still stealthily wreaking global havoc… there’s at least some level of calm amongst chaos here

in this place.

Coming out of survival mode is slightly disorienting… where even were we before everything hit the proverbial fan, so to speak?

IT FEELS AS IF FINALLY WE’RE ABLE TO TAKE A DEEP, COLLECTIVE BREATH AFTER THE TUMULTUOUS, ROLLER-COASTER OF FLOOD, FIRE AND PESTILENCE WE’VE ENDURED OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS.

Certainly one thing that’s clear is that priorities have changed as a result of the events of the last few years.

As an example – the workforce is in a state of flux, where the enforced contemplation of lockdowns has led to many of us forging new and bold career choices, keeping work from home as a permanent choice, or even leaving work altogether.

Our region itself has indeed changed – even further away than ever now from its incarnation as sleepy, coastal retirement haven and becoming a bigger and busier regional centre, more diverse and cosmopolitan every day with swarms of city dwellers still amassing after lockdown inspired ‘escape the city’ mantras.

After finally being able to host Ironman again this year, the pre and post influx of visitors in the town was phenomenal

and such a boost for our town in not just terms of the competition itself but for showcasing our region for future visits, even sea changes...

What does all this exposure mean for us now and in the future? Clearly there’s more growth on the horizon… building, infrastructure, amenities and then some.

Exciting times, yet also unnerving as we tip over the precipice into a new frontier.

Certainly change is in the air right here, but so it is all over the place…

Best to keep calm and carry on as usual, making the most of the relative quiet that winter on the Mid North Coast brings.

As always, there’s so many things to cherish – right here and right now.

Whatever the future holds, whichever political persuasion you gravitate towards, we’re in a pretty good place to start with here in the Hastings. Now, to get this relentless rain to stop for a bit!

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DUDLEY MILLARD SELFLESS COMMUNITY LEGEND

in theF RO N T

BAR with

ALISTAIR F L O W E R

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FLOWER HOTELS

I

’ve worked in pubs all my life. Inner city pubs, country pubs, nightclubs, gastro bars – you name it I’ve probably done it and run it! This allows me to meet a lot of different people from all walks of life. I met people I’d happily never meet again but thankfully I’ve met far more good people in my travels and, for me, Dudley Millard has been one of the best.

When Focus Mag asked me to do a community related column each month, the whole foundation of what I wanted to write about was to recognise wonderful humans who contribute to our community but don’t necessarily look for or get the publicity they deserve. When I picture the type of person I wanted to promote, Dudley is who I thought of and he became my first interview more than 2 years ago.

Dudley grew up in the Camden Haven but his wife Kerry and 3 boys Shane, Leslie and Geoff all moved to Port Macquarie about 30 years ago. Dudley worked for Country Energy as a linesman and Kerry was a hairdresser who became an occasional wedding celebrant. His whole life centred around his beautiful family and the boys. Shane and Geoff both loved their footy and Leslie the middle son was an amazing ballet dancer and at one stage was known as the best ballet dancer in the world, winning the international Genee award 2 years in a row. He was proud as punch of all 3 of his boys.

Dudley’s passion outside of his family was rugby league and he was an integral part of

In the 30 years of the Port City Breakers Club, Dudley never saw the team play a single minute of a game, even though his sons may have been playing. Dudley was instead the guy in the canteen, working hard selling the soft drinks or cooking the BBQ so others could enjoy game day. Absolutely selfless.

the launch of the local group 3 club, the Port City Breakers, who were originally known as the Port Cavaliers. Dudley was part of every aspect of the Breakers club, from rallying the players to training, driving the bus to games, looking after sponsors, recruiting players, to cooking the BBQ on games day.

Whatever was required, Dudley would do it and it was often the jobs that others didn’t want to or simply wouldn’t do. Dudley (and Kerry) would be there to do it and ultimately create the success of the club that they still enjoy today.

I tell this story often when I describe the selfless nature of Dudley; that in the 30 years of the Port City Breakers Club, Dudley never saw the team play a single minute of a game, even though his sons may have been playing. Dudley was instead the guy in the canteen, working hard selling the soft drinks or cooking the BBQ so others could enjoy game day. Absolutely selfless.

I met Dudley on the first day I took over Settlers Inn just over 6 years ago. He wanted to make sure that I was aware that if there was anything he could do to assist me and my young family in settling in, he was here to help. He’s been a great support for me. Dudley actually showed

me where the light switches were in the pub!

He did the weekly raffles, he’d pick up schooners in the beer garden, he’d cook the BBQ at happy hour, he drove the courtesy bus. He even volunteered to be Santa at our first family Xmas party. Nothing was ever too much trouble. He had the wonderful attribute of being selfless and enjoyed seeing others succeed.

Like many in our community, I’m going to miss Dudley. I enjoyed having a beer with him at the pub and the many stories he’d tell. Usually the same stories about his sons or his beloved Breakers.

Those in my front bar at Settlers will remember that it wasn’t IF you were going to buy a raffle ticket in the meat tray but instead how many do you want – $5, $10 or $20 bucks’ worth!

He also had a great calmness about him. “It is what it is”, he’d say. “Let’s just get on with it.”

And testament to Dudley and his family, there were well over 400 back here at Settlers for his wake last month raising a glass and tipping their hats to a selfless community legend.

The Friday raffles at Settlers just wont be the same. Til we meet again Dudley old mate RIP. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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On the first Saturday in July, picturesque First Avenue in Sawtell is transformed into a carnival of all things hot and spicy. Attracting over 13,000 people on the day, the Chilli Festival features over 70 chilli related and market stalls. We chatted to Sherry Price from Another Tasty Event to find out more...

S

herry, tell us all about the Chilli Festival and what people can expect to enjoy?

Sawtell will be turning up the heat this July when the Sawtell Chilli Festival returns for the first time in 3 years on July 2nd.

Attracting over 10,000 people back in 2019, this year we are anticipating record crowds. More than 60 stalls will line the street offering a variety of foods and flavours from some of Australia’s leading chilli manufacturers and producers, as well as local restaurants and cafes showcasing their famous cuisine.

They say it’s food with fire! Tell us about this year’s celebrity chef and what he will be up to at The Chilli Festival?

Chillifest is excited to welcome renowned

Matt will be hosting cooking demonstrations throughout the day on the main stage, and with our designated dining area, you will be able to sit back and watch as you enjoy the tastes of the festival.

Chef and Television personality Matt Golinksi to this year’s event. A highly regarded, professional chef with a passion for creating cuisine using fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Well known as one of the original team members of the popular ‘Ready Steady Cook’ TV series, Matt has worked at some of Queensland’s leading restaurants over his 30-year career.

He said, “Chillies play a big part in the cuisine of so many different cultures in the world, and for my demos I’ll be taking a look at how they are used in different dishes from South America to Thailand to Africa.

“I’m in love with all things spicy and I can’t wait to get down to Sawtell in July to immerse myself in this celebration of heat.”

Matt will be hosting cooking demonstrations throughout the day on the main stage, and with our designated dining area, you will be able to sit back and watch as you enjoy the tastes of the festival.

How can people stay updated and find out more?

For more information visit sawtellchillifestival.com plus you can visit us on Facebook.

Warm up your taste buds and see you in July!!!

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LEAP

Taking the dance world by storm.

LEAP is an explosive new, multifaceted dance show created by Amy Campbell, one of Australia’s most exciting creatives. LEAP breaks the rules of traditional dance shows! It is muscular, bold and daring – combining multiple dance styles fused together into an athletic celebration of movement and music.

Featuring ten of Australia’s foremost dancers and four extraordinary live musicians, LEAP immerses the audience in a visually unique world, all set to a modern soundtrack of re-imagined classical work, fully realised on piano, cello, beats and violin. From Beethoven to Bach, Vivaldi to Debussy, the dynamic soundtrack of LEAP honours

beloved and familiar musical themes.

Be transported into the minds of ten multi-talented personalities.

Do you stay where you are… or will you take the leap? Catch LEAP on its premiere Australian tour before it takes the world by storm! The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie, June 10.

NEIL GOODING PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

CREATED AND DIRECTED BY AMY CAMPBELL

GLASSHOUSE PORT MACQUARIE 10 JUNE BOOKINGS glasshouse.org.au I 02 6581 8888 58 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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ARTWALK PROGRAM LIFTOUT

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PROGRAM SCHEDULE ..........................................................................

5:00pm

01

02

FISHERMAN’S WHARF

CLARENCE & SHORT STREET

Blessing Ngarrgan Mirriiyn Choir

03

LADY NELSON WHARF

04

05

06

07

TOWN SQUARE

TOWN GREEN EAST

LITTLE SHACK

BANDSTAND

LIVE MUSIC:

LIVE MUSIC:

5:10pm 5:20pm

Sis Boom Bang and Superbeans

5:30pm 5:40pm 5:50pm

6:00pm

Jasmine O’Brien

MacKillop Saxaphone Ensemble

SCAS Year 9 Dance/Music

Cheryl & Pete St Joseph’s Concert Band

Rock’in with Dave Ngarrgan Mirriiyn Choir

St Joseph’s Concert Band

Subvertigo

6:30pm 6:40pm 6:50pm

Port Macquarie Hastings Pipes and Drums Band

Mosaic Choir

7:00pm 5:10pm 7:10pm 7:20pm

Vena Klimo Kyle Moore

7:30pm

Port Macquarie Performing Arts Contemporary Dance

Brock Colley

A4 Art Room

Musical Theatre

Iknograffix Live Street Art

6:20pm

Ruby Blunt

8:00pm

Port Macquarie Hastings Municipal Band Port Macquarie Hastings Municipal Band

Port Macquarie Hastings Municipal Band

7:40pm 7:50pm

Live Music/Art Demonstrations/Silent Disco

6:10pm

Finn Hoy

Port Macquarie Hastings Municipal Band

8:10pm

SAPSS Drumline

8:20pm

8:40pm

Pam Hata

Group Therapy Band

8:30pm

Does Your Mother Know

8:50pm

9:00pm

DON’T MISS ALL THE GREAT SATELLITE EVENTS RUNNING OVER THE LONG WEEKEND, INCLUDING: 60 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

Tortuga A daring new arts event for the Mid North Coast!

Tortuga will bring an exceptional program in a beautiful, art-deco Spiegeltent.

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Belle Property Our Media Partners will showcase their favourite local artists on their front balcony Friday night.

This Program was correct at the time of printing. Updates can be found at artwalkpmq.com.au

08

PMQ Ballroom Dancing School

10

MURRAY STREET

CLARENCE HOUSE HOURLY SCREENINGS ON LOOP Screening 1: - Film by the Breakwall: 1 - Mic Rees - Wakulda Stories: 1&2 - Heavy Mental Artist - HER.ART and Steven Donovan Collaboration - Vivianne Hazenveld

LIVE MUSIC:

U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration Nickolina River

Andy Blackmore

SCAS Drama U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration SCAS Drama U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration SCAS Drama

Mat Brooker

U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration

Elyse Quartet U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration

PORT MACQUARIE MUSEUM To The Lighthouse Teresa Bell

HISTORIC COURTHOUSE

13

14

HAY STREET FORECOURT

GLASSHOUSE

GALLERY

SCREENINGS (HALF HR)

Glasshouse Lightshow

Connecting the Dots

SCAS Choir Solo U3A Circle and Line Dancers

Wakulda To The Lighthouse Teresa Bell

SCAS Choir Solo SCAS Choir small group

Connecting the Dots

Screening 2: - Film by the Breakwall: 2 - Mic Rees - Wakulda Stories: 3&4 - Heavy Mental Artist - HER.ART and Steven Donovan Collaboration - Vivianne Hazenveld

Wakulda To The Lighthouse Teresa Bell

U3A Circle and Line Dancers

Phil Matthews

U3A Circle and Line Dancers Glasshouse Lightshow

Connecting the Dots

Wakulda Screening 3: - Film by the Breakwall: 3 - Mic Rees - Wakulda Stories: 5&6 - Heavy Mental Artist - HER.ART and Steven Donovan Collaboration - Vivianne Hazenveld

Connecting the Dots To The Lighthouse Teresa Bell Wakulda

Connecting the Dots

Elyse Quartet U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration

12

Glasshouse Lightshow

Live Art and Artist Demonstrations

PMQ Ballroom Dancing School U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration North Coast Writers Centre Poets U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration North Coast Writers Centre Poets U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration North Coast Writers Centre Poets U3A Exhibition and Artist demonstration

11

Northern Exposure Exhibition

MURRAY STREET CARPARK

09

Screening 4: - Film by the Breakwall: 4 - Mic Rees - Wakulda Stories: 1&2 - Heavy Mental Artist - HER.ART and Steven Donovan Collaboration - Vivianne Hazenveld

Elyse Quartet

To The Lighthouse Teresa Bell Wakulda

Port Macquarie Performing Arts Chicago Excerpts

Connecting the Dots To The Lighthouse Teresa Bell Wakulda Glasshouse Lightshow

Paste-up Gallery An exciting new temporary exhibition space at the Port Macquarie Coach Terminal.

Creative Wauchope Showcasing local artists and their vast range of works. Exhibitions, workshops and more!

Check out all the ArtWalk Satellite events running, for you to explore!

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EVENT MAP 06

03

PORT MACQUARIE

08 12

M 02

14

Clarence St

11

13

Murray St

04

MAP KEY

Sunset Pde

Hay St

C

05

L

07

A

09

10

01

Activation sites - see program

M

Artists Markets

L

Lantern Sculptures

C

Chalk Art and Kid’s Create Zone

A

Artist Demos Carpark* Public Toilet

Murray St

Horton St

Short St

01

William St

St

There are a bunch of talented locals exhibiting in local shops and businesses this weekend. Check out artwalkpmq.com.au for all the info Hayward St

SITE PARTNERS

El Paso Motor Inn, Glasshouse Port Macquarie, Laing + Simmons Port Macquarie, Little Shack EVENT PARTNERS

Marketplace Events, Wauchope Community Arts Council, Wauchope Regional Arts Project MEDIA PARTNERS

Belle Property 62 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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Murray St

Hay St

Keena Ln

Short St

Hayward St

DON’T MISS ARTISTS IN BUSINESSES!!

Road Closures

Why not leave the car at home and jump on a Port Bus direct to ArtWalk. Pick-ups starting from 4:30pm. Book online or call Port Bus on 6583 3330.

Hay St

William

First Aid

Accessibility: Further information on services available for those who have a disability or require assistance with access friendly locations here.

*Port Central shops will close at 5.30pm and the centre will close at 8.00pm - carpark access via pedestrian ramp on Murray Street.

CAMDEN

Ghost Road

H A V E N

F E S T I V A L – J U LY 3 , 2 0 2 2

The Camden Haven Festival celebrates the heroes of our community through a Music and Arts festival with fun and fireworks.

A

full program of exciting live music is the focus with a Concert Stage situated in Club Reserve North Haven, on the river.

Headlining our musical program is the incredible funky blues rock band “Ghost Road”. Feast on delicacies from an array of visiting Food Trucks serving culinary delights.

Local cafes, restaurants and Club North Haven are also prepping ‘festival menus’.

At noon, the music kicks off with the Camden Haven Concert Band led by Iain Pole. Popular duo “Goody 2 Shoes” follows with a slapping acoustic double bass, groovy guitar and harmonising vocals. Take a trip down memory lane with eight-piece Dixie band “Dinner With Milton” who offer toe-tapping tunes.

Followed by the romance of the “Swing” era with local Big Band, Blu Hyp. With swinging saxes, tremendous trombones and trumpets and jazzy vocals. And between sets, rockin’ DJ Sir Rocko will keep the vibe going for non-stop music all afternoon. Kids corner will feature Face Painting and Jumping Castles.

Don’t forget to be dazzled by the Fireworks at 5.15pm!

The Festival will feature a unique Pottery Throw Down run by local artist and potter,

Heather Humphreys. And live art and painting displays with artists creating in front of your eyes!

As the sun goes down, find a riverside vantage point and watch the night sky light up with a fabulous fireworks display against the backdrop of North Brother Mountain.

For further information visit the Camden Haven Chamber Facebook Page @CamdenHavenChamberOfCommerce or email info@camdenhavenchamber.org

&ARTS

MUSIC FEST

CAMDEN HAVEN FESTIVAL GHOST ROADOES

GOODY 2 SH BLU HYPLTON MI DINNER WITH LAURIETON BAND ITY UN COMM DJ SIR ROCKO

SUNDAY 3 JULY CLUB RESERVE NORTH HAVEN

LIVE BANDS | DJ | LIVE ART POTTERY | FOOD TRUCKS JUMPING CASTLE | KIDS CORNER NOON START FIREWORKS 5.15pm Visit our Facebook Page @camdenhavenchamberofcommerce

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R-

T MACQUA POR RI

E

GRE AT E

GIG GUIDE

J

U N E

2

2

PURE ACOUSTIC

2 0

K AILEY PALLAS DAN HOPKINS

WEDNESDAY, 1ST 6.30pm Botanic Wine Garden Lucy Mills

THURSDAY, 2ND 6.30pm Club North Haven Brody Ireland

7.00pm Wave Bowl Terrace Simon Gudgeon

7.30pm Port City BC Brock Colley

7.30pm Port City BC Super Cell

8.30pm Laurieton Hotel Pure Acoustic Duo

8.00pm Bonny Hills Hotel Cheryl Hall & The Wisemen

SUNDAY, 5TH 12.00pm Royal Hotel Kew Andy Abra

FRIDAY, 3RD 5.00pm Wicked Elf Beer Subvertigo 6.00pm Port Mac Golf Club Lucy Mills 7.00pm Wave Bowl Terrace Finn Hoy 7.00pm Little Fish Café Angie Lee & The Little Fish Band 7.30pm Port City BC Dusty Soul 8.00pm Bonny Hills Hotel Dan Hopkins

SATURDAY, 4TH 11.00am Douglas Vale Vineyard Damon Winter 11.00am Sovereign Place Nikki Rudge 2.00pm Brew Haven Brody Ireland 4.00pm Wicked Elf Beer Lucy Mills 6.30pm Little Turkey Goody 2 Shoes 7.00pm Bago Tavern Gotcha Covered 64 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

7.00pm Wave Bowl The Southern Hold

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SATURDAY, 11TH

1.30pm Wauchope Country Club Besty

10.00am Foreshore Markets Busking Stage

2.30pm Laurieton Hotel Goody 2 Shoes

11.00am Douglas Vale Vineyard Damon Winter

3.00pm The Beach House Reggie D 4.00pm Bonny Hills Hotel Nikki Rudge

WEDNESDAY, 8TH 6.30pm Botanic Wine Garden Finn Hoy

THURSDAY, 9TH 6.30pm Club North Haven Besty 7.00pm Wave Bowl Open Mic

FRIDAY, 10TH

11.00am Sovereign Place Mat Brooker 12.30pm Bonny Hills Hotel Taylor Latimore 2.00pm Brew Haven Brenden Jensen 4.00pm Wicked Elf Beer Young Floyd 5.00pm Black Duck Brewery Death By Carrot 6.30pm Little Turkey Brock Colley 7.00pm Bago Tavern Lockout 7.00pm Wauchope Country Club Cheryl Hall & The Wisemen

ARTWALK - see page 59 for details

7.00pm Wave Bowl Terrace Leigh I’Anson

5.00pm Black Duck Brewery The Coppertones

7.30pm Port City BC Jackson James

5.00pm Wicked Elf Beer Mark Bergin

8.00pm Finnians Irish Tavern Aftershock

6.00pm Port Mac Golf Club Craig Stewart

8.30pm Laurieton Hotel Dirty Coverz

BRODY IRELAND

THE SOUTHERN HOLD

DUST Y SOUL SUNDAY, 12TH 1.30pm Wauchope Country Club Pure Acoustic Duo 2.30pm Laurieton Hotel Besty 3.00pm The Beach House Simon Gudgeon 4.00pm Bonny Hills Hotel Steve Taylor

MONDAY, 13TH 4.00pm Bonny Hills Hotel Dan Hopkins

WEDNESDAY, 15TH 6.30pm Botanic Wine Garden Pure Acoustic

THURSDAY, 16TH 6.30pm Club North Haven Reggie Sinclair

FRIDAY, 17TH 5.00pm Wicked Elf Beer Finn Hoy 6.00pm Port Mac Golf Club Damon Winter 7.00pm Wave Bowl Pure Acoustic Duo 7.30pm Port City BC Brody Ireland 8.00pm Finnians Irish Tavern Leigh I’Anson

SATURDAY, 18TH 11.00am Sovereign Place Nikki Rudge 11.00am Douglas Vale Damon Winter

2.00pm Brew Haven Beau Bennett 4.00pm Wicked Elf Beer Bill Roberts 6.30pm Little Turkey Leigh I’Anson 7.00pm Bago Tavern Young Floyd 7.30pm Port City BC Gotcha Covered 8.00pm Finnians Irish Tavern Lockout 8.30pm Laurieton Hotel Goody 2 Shoes

SUNDAY, 19TH 1.30pm Wauchope Country Club Pure Acoustic Duo 2.30pm Laurieton Hotel Brody Ireland 3.00pm The Beach House Kailey Pallas 4.00pm Bonny Hills Hotel Nickolina River

WEDNESDAY, 22ND 6.30pm Botanic Wine Garden Damon Winter

THURSDAY, 23RD 6.30pm Club North Haven Roger Pryor

FRIDAY, 24TH 5.00pm Wicked Elf Beer Ann Woodland 6.00pm Port Mac Golf Club Leigh I’Anson 7.00pm Wave Bowl Live Music 7.30pm Port City BC Heath Lancaster

SATURDAY, 25TH 11.00am Douglas Vale Vineyard Damon Winter 2.00pm Brew Haven Akoostik Chillz 4.00pm Wicked Elf Beer Brock Colley 6.30pm Comboyne Services Club Hannah Lee 6.30pm Little Turkey Chris Rose 7.00pm Bago Tavern Cheryl Hall & The Wisemen 7.00pm Wave Bowl Lo Monaco 7.30pm Port City BC Finn Hoy 8.00pm Finnians Irish Tavern Dirty Coverz 8.30pm Laurieton Hotel Gotcha Covered

SUNDAY, 26TH 1.30pm Wauchope Country Club Nikki Rudge 2.30pm Laurieton Hotel Simon Gudgeon 3.00pm The Beach House Bill Roberts 4.00pm Bonny Hills Hotel Besty

WEDNESDAY, 29TH 6.30pm Botanic Wine Garden PepperJack

THURSDAY, 30TH 6.30pm Club North Haven Leigh I’Anson GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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A DARING NEW ARTS F E S T I VA L

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DAVE THORNTON TORTUGA ARTS FEST

Renowned stand-up comedian Dave Thornton will be headlining Port Macquarie’s upcoming TORTUGA arts & culture special event on the June long weekend. Focus catches up with Dave to chat about all things comedy.

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i Dave. Thanks so much for speaking with Focus.

How’s your day going?

I just mowed the lawns and topped up the oil in my car so to be honest I’m livin’ the Hollywood lifestyle! Yeah I’m in my 40’s – why do you ask?

You have already had a very busy start to the year opening for the 2022 Comedy Allstars Super Show and the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Coming through lockdown, how has it been for you to be able to perform again in front of a live audience?

It is honestly such a treat to perform in front of real humans again who are not the pixelated, buffering faces of a Zoom call as you’re wondering if your audience is wearing pants or not. I mean I did an online gig during lockdown where I performed 20 minutes of stand-up comedy in which I could only see myself and no one else on the call. After ostensibly talking to myself on my computer I went for a long walk and called my manager.

She asked ‘how are you?’ and simply replied ‘I just need someone to talk to’ which is one the saddest sentences ever spoken.

Port Macquarie is so excited to see you as part of the inaugural TORTUGA arts

I remember I had a moment on The Project where I was sitting directly next to our then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. I couldn’t believe I was meeting the PM! An idiot like me!

festival in June. Tell us a little about what we can expect to see?

An actual live person!

So in tech speak it’ll be a High Res, 3D performance with no ad breaks and zero buffering. Ok maybe some buffering but that’s just because I’ve got 2 young kids at home so any pauses will be due to sleep deprivation.

Oh and there’ll be punchlines. I tell you what – if you don’t laugh at least once I’ll give your money back.* *Actual money cannot legally be reimbursed, but still I feel the sentiment holds weight.

Looking back at your career to date across radio, television and stand-up, I know there have been many highlights. What are some that stand out to you?

I remember I had a moment on The Project where I was sitting directly next to our then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. I couldn’t believe I was meeting the PM! An idiot like me! I mean Waleed asked all the hard-hitting questions, of course, while I enquired after he took the tram to the TV station did he tap on his travel card or do a runner? Political correspondent I am not. Still he’s no longer

a PM yet I’ve still got my job so who wins?

Actually looking at Malcolm’s bank account probably him.

What is on the horizon for your year ahead?

I live in Melbourne so on the horizon during winter it’s usually dark clouds followed by some kind of cold weather and/or rain.

Away from the comedy scene, where would we catch you spending your down time?

This is where I should answer with something really interesting to make me sound like I’m a well-rounded person. OK if I’m not doing charity work I’m either training for an Ironman competition or writing music and playing it on the numerous instruments I’ve mastered. In reality I’m usually mowing the lawns or checking the oil in my car #rockstarLyfe Thanks Dave. Interview: Sarah Baker.

Catch Dave in the HaHa Comedy Show at Tortuga Festival, 7pm Saturday 11th June. Tickets $40 + booking fee available at tortugafestival.com GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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Amy Shark is heading to a huge list of regional venues on her current See You

Somewhere national tour, and will be performing at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie on Thursday 30th June! So we

had a chat with her ahead of the show to get all the details.

H

i Amy. Your See You There is no process for me really, just pick Somewhere tour is up the guitar and play. The main thing is to a huge one covering be fearless and let words come out even if many regional areas, they hurt you or scare you. what do you enjoy Where do you tend to draw a lot of about getting out into inspiration from? these parts of the country?

I draw inspo from many things in my I haven’t been to many of these places own life, memories from the past, certain before, so to be able to travel all around real-life characters, and current drama that Australia while playing music to so many I’m experiencing. different towns is a dream.

Adam Newling will be supporting you You’ve just finished a national arena here in NSW, can you tell us a bit about tour, what made you decide to cover him and some of the other supporting lots of smaller venues this time? artists on this tour?

I actually enjoy being on tour. It’s a lot I never invite someone to support me more structured than my days at home and if I don’t love their music, so everyone I tend to write more who is jumping on music while being support spots for this on the road. Also, I tour I am loving right I love writing spent years playing now. I am excited to songs so I’m to nobody so small see Cult Romance always strumming venues don’t scare perform. He’s a fellow away and I FIND IT me. I actually think Gold Coaster and so WAY MORE FUN they’re more fun! insanely talented!

How do you prepare I love Yorke, she WRITING WHILE yourself for these supported me not I’M ON THE ROAD. long tours? that long ago and she For some reason Well to be honest I sounded incredible. the exciting chaos don’t really do much I obviously fell in of touring inspires ‘preparing’ I just try love with Adam’s me. to stay as healthy as song Blackbird and I possible, I restock on thought wow I’d love hair spray and black to hear him sing that jeans and then I’m ready to roll. live for a few nights!

You are a songwriter as well, are What can people expect from this you always working on new songs show? or do you prefer to separate time to They can expect to never see another write and create new music from time show like this one in their hometown EVER performing and touring? again! I promise you that.

I love writing songs so I’m always Thanks Amy. strumming away and I find it way more fun writing while I’m on the road. For some reason the exciting chaos of touring inspires me.

What is your process like for creating music?

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Boots For Days

autumn F A S H I O N

colour explosion

Dress To Impress

winter White On White

autumn winter F A S H I O N

f o r t h e w h o l e f a m i ly

HEIDI BEAU

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Dental

IMPLANTS A R E T H E Y R I G H T F O R YO U?

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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issing or broken secured on top to finish your dental implant. teeth can be a Are dental implants the best option for large burden on me? one’s quality of life.

While dental implants are exceptional These gaps can substitutes to your natural teeth in most make it difficult to cases, there are some pre-requisites to eat certain foods, speak properly, bite and consider before undergoing this treatment: even affect your confidence and ability to Good gum health – while implants do not smile. While dentures and bridges are good undergo decay like normal teeth, they are options for replacing missing teeth, in some still susceptible to gum cases they can lead disease and can fail in to soft tissue trauma, patients that have poor be harder to adapt to Dental implants periodontal stability. and cause damage to are a great Good systemic health adjacent teeth. “fixed option” to – implant placement is a What are dental restoring missing or surgical procedure and implants? heavily broken teeth. requires cutting the gum Dental implants are a Not only are they and drilling the fixture great “fixed option” aesthetic they are a into the bone. For this for restoring missing or long lasting and reason, any patients heavily broken teeth. functional solution. that have certain Not only are they medical conditions or aesthetic they are a long medications that affect lasting and functional the normal wound healing response are not solution. The implant procedure involves the advised to undergo this procedure. Some of surgical placement of a titanium fixture into these condition are cardiovascular disease, the jawbone, underneath the gum where the history of head/neck radiation, uncontrolled tooth is missing. This acts as a foundation, diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis and/or similar to a tooth root; a restoration in the other bone disorders. form of a crown, bridge or dentures can be Good bone quality – the success of implant

placement is dictated by the amount and quality of the bone available. With tooth loss the bone level often drops away; this will need 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 are considering Dental Implants there are a few questions you should ask yourself: • Do you suffer from broken teeth or missing teeth?

• Are you committed to your long-term dental health?

• Are you ready to make changes in your lifestyle or choices to support the healing process?

If you or a loved one is suffering from missing or broken teeth, why not call and book for a dental implant consultation and a 3D x-ray with Dr Peter Elfar today and get on top of your dental health. To call our caring team at Laurieton ring 6559 9276 or Port Macquarie ring 6583 3533 or visit us at www.sundialdental.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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Mark

MATHEWS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

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i Mark. What made you first get into big wave surfing?

In 2001 I went to Tasmania for a Tracks magazine photoshoot.

We ended up surfing 15+ Shipsterns Bluff, the first time it had been shot for a surf magazine. I was absolutely terrified, but I managed to muster enough courage to paddle into a big one. The vision of what it looked like inside that barrel and what it felt like is tough to describe, and from that point on I was hooked. I wanted that feeling more than anything else in my life at that time, and I didn’t care how many wipeouts I had to go through to get it. On top of that, the photos from that shoot ended up in magazines and newspapers all over the world and that publicity got me my first big sponsorship, 76 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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which meant I could quit my bar job and chase big waves full time.

You’ve made a career out of both big wave surfing and motivational public speaking, two things that would induce extreme fear in most people! What motivates you to put yourself out there and face those fears head on?

Initially my motivation to do keynote speaking was just financial, something I could do when I retired.

But I started getting this really nice heartfelt feedback from people who watched me talk, now that’s as motivating as the money: “I was a struggling single mum living in Tweed Heads and working three jobs to get by. I was clouded by an overwhelming feeling of never belonging or never being good enough.

Mark Mathews is one of the world’s best big wave surfers, and his other great love is sharing his experiences with audiences to help people understand the connections between overcoming fear and building resilience. He will be the keynote speaker at Ride The Wave Festival here in Port, which will be raising funds for Make A Difference to help support disadvantaged and marginalised people living in our Mid North Coast community.

I like supporting well-run charitable initiatives, often the people who run them are touched personally by the problem they are trying to help with, this makes them more motivated to get real results.

Lots of action packed stories and visuals that explain how I went from a ten-year-old boy who was terrified of the ocean to one of the world’s best big wave surfers. And what that taught me about fear, resilience and courage.

“I now lead a large, diverse team at one of the biggest tech companies in the world and have my own startup project.

“Thanks to you, I’m a happy, introvertedextrovert who can breeze through feelings of imposter syndrome and social anxiety.

“Your keynote speeches, literally, change lives.”

You will be the keynote speaker at the launch event for the upcoming Ride The Wave festival here in Port, what can people expect from your speech?

Lots of action packed stories and visuals that explain how I went from a ten-year-old boy who was terrified of the ocean to one of the world’s best big wave surfers. And what that taught me about fear, resilience and courage.

Can you tell us a bit about the Ride The

Wave festival and what it supports?

It’s a fun festival showcasing the beauty of Port, and all the money raised is used to support Make A Difference.

Why is this event something that you wanted to get involved in?

I like supporting

well-run charitable initiatives, often the people who run them are touched personally by the problem they are trying to help with, and this makes them more motivated to get real results. This is often more effective than what local councils or governments will do.

What sort of work do Make A Difference do and how can people get involved in supporting them?

Check them out at https://madpmq.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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PORT MEDICAL AESTHETICS CLINIC (PMAC) IS PORTS LARGEST AND ORIGINAL DOCTORS COSMETIC CLINIC.

Offering the only permanent on site doctors injecting service on the Mid North Coast.

Founded in 2018, PMAC is proud to be offering new patient consultations after years of closed books.

PMAC welcomes Dr Erin Cunynghame to the team to join Dr Kristy Kostalas and Dr Claudia Long. Dr Erin has a background in anaesthetics and general practice and will be introducing an ultrasound guided

Dr Erin, Dr Kristy, Dr Claudia

dissolving and filler service in the coming future; the first of its kind on the east coast of NSW. The doctors team of PMAC pride themselves on natural results. Patient plans are individualised after one on one consultations and aim to support a subtle ageing process. No one will ever know you’ve been to see us unless you tell them!

PMAC offers a full range of skin and injectables services; including fillers, threads, toxin, laser, dermapen, tattoo removal, carbon facials, mole removal, biostimulators, chemical peels and more.

Everyday people. Extraordinary results.

MEDICAL AESTHETICS CLINIC

5/12 Highfields Cct, Port Macquarie 0421 253 025 | portmedicalaestheticsclinic@gmail.com

PMAC is proud to support our local community by being the gold sponsors of the Cancer Council Stars of Hastings ‘22.

PORT MACQUARIE

TEAMS C H A L L E N G E

The Port Macquarie Teams Challenge is the only event of its kind in the world! Bodyboarding clubs from all around Australia pit the best 10 riders from their club against each other to claim the title of ‘best club in the nation’.

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his unique event is steeped in history with the first event being run way back in 1988!

The Teams event soon became one of the premier events in Australia with clubs from all over the nation taking part and rivalries between teams started to follow.

Up to 10 teams competing in this event will see 100 bodyboarders, plus supporters, converge on Port Macquarie’s beaches over the three days of the June long weekend.

Competition Format: The team you enter must have 10 riders that consist of: 1 x Drop Knee 1 x U/18 Bodyboarder prone 8 x prone bodyboarders ranked from 1 to 8 (this is to ensure the riders of the same or similar ability surf against each other) Riders cannot compete in both dropknee and prone.

Riders cannot be changed in the heat draw once it has been finalised.

There will be 24 heats per day and heats start at 7:00 am sharp!

There will be four-man heats – 20 minutes for each heat for prone.

There will be five-man heats for dropknee and U/18 riders.

U/18 competitors will compete over 4 x five-man heats against each other.

Other important things to note: Team check-in will be held at Settlers Inn Friday 10th (time TBA).

The Presentation will be held once again at our major sponsor Settlers Inn Hotel on Sunday afternoon from 5pm so come in for a feed and beer to get the celebrations started.

Luke Ottaway will do the Final day Heat Call from around 6pm.

Follow PMBA.com.au to stay up to date with all the latest info.

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ROBYN DONNA

150KM WALK FOR CANCER

Robyn Gilmour and Donna Dobson are two local sisters, born and raised in Wauchope. They both married and raised their own children here, and their family has recently been rocked by a brain cancer diagnosis. They are taking on a huge 150km walking challenge to raise funds and awareness for the Mark Hughes Foundation this month and we want to share their inspiring story.

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i ladies. You will walk together for three days to raise awareness and funds for brain cancer.

Tell us about where and how far you will walk?

We will be joining the Big Three Trek,

walking 150km from NRL Headquarters (Moore Park, Sydney) to MacDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle over two and a half days, on Wednesday 29th June to Friday 1st July. This is to raise awareness and funds for the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Why did you choose to raise money for

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this particular cause?

This cause chose us. Local Wauchope soccer star Rhali Dobson (retired) is Donna’s daughter and Robyn’s niece – and her fiancé, Matt Stonham, is battling brain cancer. They are young people with their lives ahead of them, but this cancer is threatening the time they have together. So we joined the MHF Big Three Trek to help raise awareness of this disease, and show support for Rhali and Matt. They are not alone in this battle, no one should be. The MHF is going a long way to support many people and to show that no one has to battle alone.

What made you decide to take on a walking challenge?

Robyn: I was slightly conned, as when this idea was first floated, Rhali was participating in the Beanie for Brain Cancer Launch which was a little stroll of 5km from NRL Headquarters to the Opera House. I should have known better… Rhali loves a challenge as much as I do and had decided to do the full 150km. So of course, I was in because as an aunty I have always been there to share the high and lows – and this was no different, Matt is part of the package deal.

Donna: I enjoy walking, I wanted to show

don’t share the same enthusiasm for walking long distances… which we are okay about).

Donna: I enjoy being outdoors and walking, it gives me a sense of freedom and grounds me. I particularly enjoy walking with my sister, because she can keep up with my pace, and ignores my complaining when we tackle hills, stairs and sand. Distance is not an issue, you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and appreciate the world around you.

What kind of training have you been doing to prepare yourselves?

We are so lucky to be able to train in the beautiful Hastings Valley, along the coast, the beaches, the bush and towns.

Robyn: A bit slow out of the gate, but I have faith in the body remembering. Currently Donna and I meet up after work for a quick 10km walk, and a longer one over the weekend. Donna is a bit of a methodical, listwriting, safety conscious WE HOPE OUR machine… quite the GESTURE opposite of me. With the hockey season starting WILL ENCOURAGE – shout out to Camden PEOPLE TO Haven Hockey Club – this DONATE TO OUR is a sure-fire way for me to CAUSE, AND LOCAL gain fitness quickly.

BUSINESSES TO Donna: You must be COME ON BOARD selfish to fit in the training, AND SPONSOR which conflicts with family TWO LOCAL and work. Most of the LADIES WALKING year, I can fit my walking FOR THOSE IN around my daily life, but NEED. to tackle the 150km across a short space of time, I my support for Rhali know walking must come and Matt, so I knew it first for about 10 weeks prior to the Trek. My was something I had to do (and I couldn’t let training involves walking at 5am, after work, my sister, Robyn, do something without me). nights and weekends, often with my sister Have either of you walked this kind of (trying) to keep pace with me. (Harsh, she distance before? says). I try to walk about 80km a week.

Yes, we were fortunate in 2021 to be part What do you feel is going to be most of the inaugural Big Three Trek for the MHF. challenging about this?

We both have a passion for walking.

Feet – it’s all about the feet. Conditioning, Robyn: I have a passion for hiking, and comfortable shoes, socks. have been fortunate to complete quite a few Robyn: Treat your feet like your lover… long distances, and if our walking passion become intuitive to their needs, and act on it continues, we will endeavour to explore many immediately. parts of the world on foot (our husbands Donna: I have Princess Toes, precious feet

(LOL – it’s what my family says). For the record, Robyn and I were blister-free on the inaugural walk due to our preparations.

What are you hoping your gesture will achieve for those dealing with brain cancer?

We hope our gesture will encourage people to donate to our cause and local businesses to come on board and sponsor two local ladies walking for those in need.

Robyn: I found it quite confronting that brain cancer kills more children than any other disease. And I just want to bring awareness that Port Macquarie is lucky enough to have a Brain Cancer Nurse who is funded by the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Donna: It’s tough knowing your daughter has given her heart to someone who has brain cancer – you feel their pain, watch the battle with the effects of radiation and chemotherapy, and yet hope that Rhali and Matt’s future is bright and long-lasting.

Over the past year, people have shared their personal experiences with this disease, and I just want to support these people, their families and the MHF. Where can people learn more about your fundraiser and contribute?

Firstly, people can go to the link below to donate. https://challenge. markhughesfoundation.com.au/page/ SoleSistersRobynGilmourDonnaDobs As part of our fundraising, we would like to take your dear ones who have been affected

by Brain Cancer, with us on our 150km walk from Sydney to Newcastle with The Big Three Trek.

For every donation made to our fundraising page ‘Sole Sisters’, share a name and we will place their name on a ribbon attached to our backpack. Your special person will be with us every step of this journey, and we will share photos of our journey with our be-ribboned backpacks on social media.

Instagram – follow @thebigthreetrek and read how it all started and view the line-up of participants.

Watch the story behind our endeavour https://www.abc.net.au/austory/a-goodmatch/13362380 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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focus_contributor.

FITNESS

UPDATE with RACHEL LEMAN

F R O M M I S S M O T I V AT O R

B

KEEP ACTIVE this

winter

As winter approaches, the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter it is easy to choose your warm bed or the couch over heading out to exercise.

efore you decide to ditch your workout for the day ask yourself this question, is this action truly helping you towards your health and fitness goals? In most cases the answer is likely no.

Winter is a time when our healthy habits can slowly go downhill with the introduction of warm comfort foods and more time spent indoors due to inclement weather.

The best way to approach the cooler months is to have a plan for how you will keep true to yourself when the comfort of the warm bed or couch are calling you to keep them company!

Here are my top tips to keep active during the cooler months: Set a clear goal to move you through these cooler months. A goal doesn’t always have to be specifically fitness related, for example running a marathon or achieving a certain dress size etc. Especially during the winter months, it might be as simple as committing to a regular exercise routine that you do all the way through winter. Once you have your goal, I encourage you to write it down and pop it in a prominent place (on your mirror, desk, fridge etc). This will help to solidify this for you. By placing it somewhere you will see it regularly, it will also help as a little reminder and keep you on track.

It’s also helpful to ask yourself “why” you want

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to set and then achieve this goal. Is it to help your mental health, heart health, bone density, build lean muscles or regulate blood sugar or hormones? Your “why” is critical in helping you stay on track.

brisk walk even if the weather is fresh is always invigorating. Wear a few layers to start with if this makes it easier to get out the door.

and fitness perspective either. Your health and longevity need you to save time in your busy schedule for you. Your future self will thank you.

Stay true to you… When the going gets tough, life gets busy or the bed too cosy, keep reminding yourself of all of the reasons that you set out to exercise throughout winter.

Watch your portions. As the weather gets cooler, out comes the slow cooker and other Make a plan for the week ahead. Take out warm comfort foods. These types of meals are your diary and work through where it is possible really convenient and warming for the soul, but to do exercise and let it can be really tempting those around you know to overeat. Try to bulk up the plan. Block out time on the nutrients contained Get out the on your lunch break (even in your meals, add lots winter woolies invite a work colleague), of delicious veggies. The before or after work, make main thing to remember is and have a back up a date to take your dog for everything in moderation plan or two in mind if a walk or meet a friend at – watch the portion size. If wet weather is going the gym. Starting a busy this is an issue for you, set to impact your plan. week with a plan can be out some extra containers really helpful. and dish these out when you are plating up the Make a date with dinner, then pack them yourself FOR yourself. We wouldn’t let the away for tomorrow’s lunch or another delicious doctor’s appointment or hair appointment pass meal for another time. us by. So don’t let yourself down from a health

Be prepared. Get out the winter woollies and have a backup plan or two in mind if wet weather is going to impact your plan. What can you do indoors, online or at home that still helps you to stay true to you? Getting out for a

If you’d like some more help to keep moving, pop in and chat with the team at Miss Motivator Women’s Health and Fitness Centre or give Rachel a call on 0438 388 552.

Self Pay Surgery - Healthe Care With COVID-19 continuing to impact local communities and healthcare services, Forster Private Hospital and Mayo Private Hospital in Taree are working to address ever-growing elective surgery waitlists with the introduction of the Australia’s first Self Pay Surgery program. With Self Pay, uninsured patients can access a range of surgeries, performed by experienced surgeons in local private hospitals, at a single affordable price.

“Our Self Pay packages include everything you need – the Surgeon’s

fee, Anaesthetist, pre-surgery testing, in hospital care, and even rehabilitation,” said Deanne Portelli, Regional Chief Executive Officer for Healthe Care on the Mid North Coast. “Without Self Pay Surgery, patients are stuck waiting on public hospital waitlists, living in pain and discomfort, or having to travel for their surgery. Self Pay now offers General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Dental, Weight Loss and Cataract Surgery locally, with a range of payment options available,” said Ms Portelli. Learn more at selfpaysurgery.com.au

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735 372 143A Horton Street, Port Macquarie Phone 6583 8425 info@portmacquarieorthodontics.com.au www.portmacquarieorthodontics.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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BRUCE DE GRAAF Bruce de Graaf has turned up to a Lifeblood Centre to donate blood over an incredible 600 times! He

started at 18 when he accepted a challenge from his aunt and over the years met some amazing people who have inspired him to continue to donate while ever he can. With National Blood Donor Week this month we decided it was a perfect time to share these stories in the hope of inspiring more of the community to get involved.

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i Bruce. You’ve been donating blood for many years and are very passionate about it, can you tell us about when you first decided to give

it a go?

In 1979 I had just turned 18. My mum has an identical twin, Mary Lems, and we’d hang out with the cousins a lot. Aunty Mary told me that she was going somewhere that I would be too scared to go to. Challenge accepted.

We went to Brookvale Oval where there was a Mobile Blood Service set up… it was easy.

I thought that was that but Aunty Mary told me that she’d done 40 donations and that I would never catch her. Challenge number 2 – Accepted. She is nearly 90 and has dementia, 84 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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but she was one of the most communityminded people I know.

How many donations have you made to date?

My next visit to Port Lifeblood Centre will clock up number 604.

Why do you feel it is such an important thing to do?

I never really considered it critically important until I heard the numbers. Out of every 100 people, 33 will require blood products at some time in their life… but only 3 people from that eligible 100 are actually providing the blood products for the 33. I am proud to be a 3 percenter.

Can you tell us about some of the people you’ve crossed paths with over the years and some of their stories?

I never really considered donating blood was critically important, it was just something I did… I was healthy, the family was always healthy and there had been no close calls or anything to speak of… we live a charmed existence. Then I met a guy called Danny who reckoned I was a legend because what I did was a really big deal. I explained to him that it was not that big a deal… I walk in, do some paperwork, sit down, give a bit of blood… do nothing, get unplugged, grab a bite to eat then leave, no big deal. Danny explained that he had a blood disorder called Thalassemia Major and every fortnight he required a full blood transfusion. I used to be able to take a break from donating, that was, until I met Danny… the bastard. I cannot stop because he is waiting for me… for him what I do is a

600 Donations

I won’t stop until they tell me I am too old to donate.

What sort of response do you usually get when you meet people on the receiving end of a blood donation?

If I can get just Deep gratitude, and one more person overwhelming thanks.

It goes deeper too. to regularly cross the Family members and threshold of the friends of people Lifeblood Centre then undergoing Cancer and there is less pressure Leukaemia treatment are on the system and also truly humbled that big deal. people like Danny and there is a quiet group of When I clocked 600 Taylor and others are people who regularly take donations recently, going to be much themselves to a Lifeblood I was introduced to better cared for.

Centre for absolutely no Taylor Bateman… now personal gain. that meeting rocked Blood Products also me. This gorgeous aid haemophiliacs, burns victims, trauma and young girl has a blood disorder and since she accident victims and, as I said, it is something was 4 she required what we, the 3 percent, that money simply can’t buy. donate. She needs plasma every 6 to 8 weeks For those who don’t know, could you and has to go to Wauchope and for around talk us through what happens when you 5 hours is plugged in so that she can receive make a donation?

Plasma, or “Life Juice” as she calls it. She My appointments are always made in is now 26 and she says that with thanks to advance. Every second Friday at 7:30am it the blood donors, who give her what money begins. They ask questions about my health cannot buy, she is married and has a gorgeous since the last donation, then there is an 1 year old boy. I just love helping Sunny’s interview where my pulse, blood pressure and mum and if it is life juice she needs, I’m there.

my iron (haemoglobin) are measured. I am escorted to a chair and the vampires do what they do. I don’t do much, I just happen to be the host, the person from whom the plasma is extracted. It sounds cold but the folks at the Lifeblood Centre keep it real and there is a good vibe with the vampires. Afterwards, a drink, a snack, and off I go to do what it is that I do, until next time.

How regularly can you safely visit Lifeblood to donate?

Whole blood donors can visit every 3 months and plasma donors every fortnight.

The percentage of the population that donates is much less than the amount of people that need the donations, what would you say to anyone considering rolling up their sleeve?

I don’t like to shame people into donating but when you consider the numbers… we 3 percenters are certainly doing the heavy lifting. The thing I do is that I tell people those statistics. They have no idea that so few eligible people roll up a sleeve which is amazing when you consider what Aussies will normally do when someone’s back is to the wall. They honestly have no idea.

I simply ask them to join me as a 3 percenter and to do our little bit for the poor buggers who cannot buy what we donate.

Lifeblood hate making urgent calls for blood donors because people become numb to it, but it is a fact that we are only ever a very short time away from being out of blood stocks.

I try not to big note myself, but a big number like 600 gets people’s attention. If I can get just one more person to regularly cross the threshold of the Lifeblood Centre then there is less pressure on the system and people like Danny and Taylor and others are going to be much better cared for.

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Showcasing our local business powerhouses as they celebrate their solid track records.

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THREE DECADES OF

MBC

Located in what many see as one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in NSW, the MBC team count themselves lucky to be working in such a picturesque environment.

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BY GLENN FARLEY, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, MACQUARIE LABOUR HIRE BC is a well-established, locally owned recruitment company with four divisions, operating throughout NSW:

MBC Recruitment manages permanent and temporary assignments, delivering outstanding staffing solutions since 1988.

Macquarie Labour Hire are experts in industrial recruitment and labour hire across various industry sectors.

Watchout Traffic Control offers fast and flexible traffic control management to various clients.

MBC Nursing supplies nursing staff and care workers for Aged Care facilities and in-home clients.

Since its inception, MBC has grown into a multiple award-winning company with several awards from the local Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce including Business of the Year in 2019. More recently, MBC has been inducted into the Chambers’ Hall of Fame.

Tell us about your local staff? I have been

a recruiter, manager, business developer and Rugby League Football Club, Port Combined mentor in the recruitment industry for over Netball Club, Port United Football Club and 25 years. My Port Macquarie team includes the Hastings Valley Mustangs, and soon the Nicole Weston, Senior Ride the Wave launch.

Recruitment Consultant Having a great community and Mackenzie Pritchard, CHAMBER AWARDS draws more attention to our Recruitment Consultant.

2016 Employer of choice region and creates positive How have you been keeping up with the demand in this sector? We employ various platforms and technologies which expedite the process to ensure speed and accuracy in a competitive market.

Professional and Business services Excellence in Business Ethics 2017 Professional and Business services Young Business Executive 2019 Professional and Business Services (and Regional Winner) Outstanding Employer of Choice (and State Finalist) Excellence in Business Business of the Year 2021 Hall of Fame

What involvement does MBC have in the local community, and why do you think it’s important to support local community events?

Towards the end of last year, we donated Christmas gifts to children in need through Mission Australia. We also support Port Pirates Rugby Union, Lake Cathie Bonny Hills Junior

outcomes for small and large businesses, creating employment opportunities.

Tell us more about the most significant changes over the past years at MBC? Since Covid we offer online registrations, job interviews and onboarding.

Less time meeting candidates (and clients) face-to-face and more time conversing online has become very efficient and allows for a quick and effective recruitment process.

Any current opportunities?

We have many available jobs for skilled workers in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, engineering, and trades.

(02) 6584 0033 w www.mbcrecruitment.com.au a

Level 1, 49 Horton St, Port Macquarie

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frontdesk@mbcrecruitment.com.au

Recruitment

Nursing

Labour Hire

Traffic

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FINANCIAL S E R V I C E S

Everyone’s on a journey with their finances – and the team at Berry Financial Services are focused on getting you to where you want to go. Using tried and tested methods, we work to make sure that your financial future is built on a solid foundation, and that you’re well prepared for whatever life throws your way. No matter where you’re at on your financial journey, we’ve got your back.

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i Lucas and Angie. Firstly congratulations on your recent win at the Port Macquarie Business awards.

Tell us what this award means to you and the team?

Winning the award is a great achievement for Berry Financial Services.

We have had an overwhelming response from our clients congratulating us on the award.

For our great team, this is a big thank you to them as without everyone working together, we would not be the smooth efficient team that we are today!!

Can you introduce your team to us?

Lucas – Financial Planner / Managing Director Lucas has been a Financial Planner for 11

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years. Lucas enjoys helping people achieve their financial goals by working with them to understand the things that are important to them and then working out how we can make their goals become reality.

Rod – Financial Planning Assistant Rod is currently studying to become a Financial Planner, he is working through his last couple of subjects! Rod has been working in the industry for 5 years learning the foundations to help provide personal advice soon.

Crystal – Administration Crystal has worked with Berry for close to 2 years, she started with Berry Financial Services as a Trainee with this being completed earlier this year. Crystal is the happy voice when you call the office and the glue that keeps the office functioning.

Angie – Office Manager Angie is the smiling face that greets you when entering the office, she is the first contact that you will have with our friendly office.

For those who aren’t familiar with Berry Financial Services can you give us an overview of what you do?

We help people invest for the future, working with our clients to invest in a way that they are comfortable, while using our years of experience to help structure investments that will meet their goals and also be tax friendly.

Protecting assets is another important part of what we do. We help people insure their most important asset, themselves, with Life, TPD, Trauma and Income Protection.

Retirement planning is another key part of what we do.

We really enjoy helping people transition into retirement. Walking with them through the process of retiring, setting up income streams to help them do the things that they enjoy.

There has been so much change over the last two years. In your industry what changes have you seen that customers may not be aware of and are important?

The last couple of years have been a challenge for everyone. We made sure that we were available for our clients. While face to face meetings were not an option, we were always still available for our clients through email, phone and video conference.

The last couple of years have seen the use of video conferencing become an everyday thing. This has given us a great opportunity to work with our clients and their families, with location not presenting a challenge. It has been great working with clients’ extended families that are living in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney!

Who is your ideal customer and what can they expect from the team at Berry Financial Services?

Our ideal clients are those that are willing to work with us to help achieve their goals. Berry Financial Services was founded on retirement planning, we have helped a lot of people retire that didn’t think that they were in a position to do so. This is a very rewarding part of what we do, educating people so they understand the road ahead and how it will all come together for them.

Of late, we have seen a shift to younger people looking for advice, this is great!!

We are helping people maximise their financial position working with them to increase

savings and help them with tax-effective ways to invest.

We have seen an increase in the amount of Self Managed Super Funds that have been established. These allow people to have full control over how their super is invested using property, shares and other investment options that are not available in average super funds.

We are about to hit a new financial year, which is a rather busy time for business owners. What are some tips you can give people as we approach this time of year?

As the end of financial year gets closer, tax planning is important for many people. With the recent hot property market and people taking advantage of the higher prices to sell investment properties. Now is a great time to consider getting some advice on ways to be

tax effective with the proceeds, to help with possible Capital Gain Tax. What do you enjoy the most about not only working but living in a place like Port Macquarie?

Port Macquarie is such a beautiful place to live, offering so much to our family. It has great schools, plenty of things to do on weekends in town or adventuring out in the hinterland looking for hidden gems. We are certainly lucky to be able to work and raise our family in such a beautiful part of the world.

Is there anything you wish to add?

We would like to congratulate the Finalists in the Financial Services category NAB – Port Macquarie, BCU and Newcastle Permanent.

Thank you.

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Hastings Co-op

We are a community-owned co-operative with 19 businesses across the Hastings and Camden Haven, employing more than 400 locals. With a proud 106-year history, we continue to grow and diversify to benefit members, customers and employees.

They are at the heart of everything we do from rewarding members who are part of the Co-op family and giving back to local groups and charities, to being one of the largest employers of youth and showcasing local producers.

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llan you are the CEO of Hastings Co-op. Tell us how long you’ve been in this role and what you enjoy the most about it.

I’ve been part of the Co-op family for more than nine years, and with such a wide range of businesses across the Hastings and Camden Haven no two days are the same.

What I value the most is the unrivalled loyalty of our customers. They make us what the Co-op is today.

We really do stand by our motto that staff and members are family, customers are friends and suppliers are our partners.

Congratulations on Hastings Co-op recently wining the NSW/ACT IGA Community Service Award and Sovereign Place IGA winning the Meat Department Award.

Thank you very much. It was a team effort and we’re very proud to be recognised amongst such prestigious company.

We also had two nominations for Wauchope IGA for the Customer Service Award and Sovereign Place IGA for Store of the Year, so four nominations and two wins is an amazing outcome.

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The backbone

Having won the and the airport closure of our business Community Service our Department Stores, is the 400 local and Meat Department service stations and people who work so awards means we now Enterprise Rent A Car hard each day to keep progress to the IGA suffered most, but the our stores open National Conference supermarkets, liquor through drought, in July, where we’ll go stores and online floods and a up against other state grocery shopping were pandemic. I take my winners for the national at capacity so we were titles. able to move staff and hat off to them.

Hastings Co-op has resources around to a proud 106-year ensure we continued to history. Tell us about the 19 business that provide essential services. make up the Hastings Co-op?

Hastings Co-op is very much communityWe have six very different divisions: Ampol driven, why is it so important for you to service stations and bulk fuel supply; IGA be involved in the community? supermarkets and liquor; hardware and rural Members and customers are at the heart of supplies; Department Stores; car and truck everything we do, and that’s a formula that hire; and condiment manufacturing. has stood the test of time.

With businesses spread from Kew and It goes beyond sponsorships, Community Comboyne to Port Macquarie and Wauchope, Chest grants, providing local jobs and the one constant we strive for is exceptional supporting local events, we want to see our customer service. area continue to thrive in every way.

The backbone of our business is the 400 Being community-driven also means local people who work so hard each day to we can be adaptable to meet community keep our stores open through drought, floods expectations. The growing demand for online and a pandemic. I take my hat off to them. grocery shopping and increasing need to During the worst of Covid-19 our diversity minimise our environmental footprint are just really worked in our favour. With lockdowns two examples.

If I had to list the top three most important factors to being in business for so long they would be exceptional customer service, being willing to listen and change to meet community demands, and staying true to our promise of giving back.

I was never more proud than during the 2021 floods, when we really had to band together with the local community and emergency services.

Our staff went above and beyond to supply food and water to the evacuation centre at Wauchope Public School in the middle of the night, deliver essentials via an SES boat to stranded residents and facilitate a grant information night for floodaffected farmers. The icing on the cake was the thank you BBQ at Wauchope IGA when the floodwaters receded so customers could share stories with neighbours and friends and join us in thanking all of the emergency services.

106 years in business is a huge achievement, what do you think is the most important factor in being around for so long?

The fact that we are one of the longest serving independents co-ops in Australia is a

testament to the group of local dairy farmers who saw the benefit of joining forces back in 1916.

It was all about community benefit then, and our commitment to the community is just as strong 106 years later – from rewarding customers who are part of the Co-op family and giving back to local groups and charities, to being one of the largest employers of youth and showcasing local producers in our stores.

If I had to list the top three most important factors to being in business for so long they would be exceptional customer service, being willing to listen and change to meet community demands, and staying true to our promise of giving back.

We’ve grown and diversified quite a lot in the past few years, but customers are always at the heart of everything we do.

What is the next chapter for Hastings Coop? Are there any exciting plans you can share with us?

The new financial year will see us investing in our existing businesses and looking for ways to operate more efficiently. We’re also hoping to increase our Co-op 100 member numbers and ensure we provide value for shareholders and members.

Being a Co-op 100 member is free and regardless of whether you’re filling the car up with fuel, buying groceries, farm supplies, hardware, a carton of beer or a gift from the Department Store you earn points and members receive a $15 reward voucher once they’ve accumulated 100 points.

Like all local businesses we’ve come out of a very tough couple of years. The pandemic was a mixed bag for our 19 businesses and like many others we now face volatile fuel prices and increasing rural commodity and grocery costs.

We understand the pandemic and increasing cost of living has been challenging for local families so now we’re focussed on consolidating, removing bottlenecks, being more efficient behind the scenes and finding ways to be more customer focussed.

To find out more about Hastings Co-op or become a Co-op 100 member visit www. hastingscoop.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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DIRECTION ACCOUNTING

David Ross has not only been in business himself here in Port for over 20 years, but has helped many other local businesses through accounting and business Coaching services. This year he has won Outstanding Business Leader at the Port Macquarie Chamber Business Awards and released his first book! He really is an expert in his trade and truly passionate about what he does.

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i David. Can you tell our readers a bit about your career background and what it is you do?

I’ve been a Chartered Accountant and Business Coach for 25 years, 21 of those running my own firm Direction Accounting in Port Macquarie and for the last 5 years in Newcastle. I work with business owners to help them not only look after the numbers and tax side of their business, but also achieve sustainable, controlled, consistent and rapid growth.

You have a very passionate approach to accounting and business coaching, what do you hope your clients gain from this?

Most business owners stray from what they originally set out to do when they started, and end up with three main issues. Firstly, they end up totally gassed and overwhelmed with no time to get the important things done.

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numbers in their business, ending up flying you do makes a difference. Working with blind. Lastly, they have no clarity or plan on small business owners allows me to not only where they are heading, instead stuck on impact their lives, but those of their teams the hamster wheel, the day to day. To help and the broader community. Greater business with this, I designed a 5 success helps everyone. step structure called the You have been in Vector Business Platform. business for a long Working with Over 12 months it takes time, what are some small business a business through a important lessons owners allows me to business improvement you’ve learnt along not only impact their process where we make the way? lives, but those of their sure these issues are One of the biggest teams and the broader dealt with, so clients can would be “Don’t waste community. Greater feel confidently in control your time on people business success helps and clear on the numbers who don’t value yours”. everyone. and where they are We now work with a heading in their business. select group of business What do you enjoy owners each year, often most about your work life? turning down opportunities with those that I love to see the impact that a great just aren’t a great fit. Also understanding that accountant and coach can have on a business you can’t be a Jack of All Trades. Collaborating owner’s life. One of my clients says “My win with others gets a far better result for the is your win”, which really hits home that what client than trying to do it all yourself.

You just won Outstanding Business Leader at the Port Macquarie Chamber Business Awards, congratulations.

Thanks, it’s been a The book is a guide while coming. Over the to help ambitious last 10 years we have business owners sponsored, judged and achieve consistent, continuous but very also been finalists many controlled and rapid rewarding cycle. times without getting growth, which is highly Is this your first one, so it is awesome book? Why did you achievable by to now be recognised decide to put this implementing the for my commitment and together? concepts it covers. contribution to local Yes it is, which business (plus the trophy means I have to write cabinet now looks better!). a second one now! I The award allows me to now move on to the wrote the book as a way to provide business Business NSW Regional Awards later in the owners with a no-hype approach to creating year which is exciting. not just an Awesome Business but also an You have recently written and released a Awesome Life. The book is a guide to help book, can you tell us about it? ambitious business owners achieve consistent, The book is called Awesome Business controlled and rapid growth, which is highly Awesome Life and takes my 25 years of achievable by implementing the concepts it experience working with business owners and covers. packs it into a 200 page easy to understand What was the process like from idea to guide to business success. I’m a big believer finished product? that too many business owners fail to The book took 105 days to write and about implement the ideas and actions needed 12 months to bring into existence. Being able to make real progress. This happens due to to draw on a career full of real world client not having a structured approach. The book examples was a huge benefit. Being assisted outlines a 12 month structure to follow, by a great publisher also made a massive implement, and achieve. After 12 months difference, meaning the final product looks you then reset your plans and go again. It’s a and reads professionally. In its first two weeks

of release, it reached Number 1 on Amazon in the 3 separate categories, ranking ahead of big names like Simon Sinek and Brene Brown.

We were stoked that a number of Dymocks stores picked up stocking the book recently.

You recently had a launch event for Awesome Business Awesome Life, how did you celebrate the achievement?

We held two launches, one in Newcastle and another locally at The Wicked Elf Brewery.

It was a great venue, and those that were there heard some of the origins of the work I do and the background stories of a few of the case studies in the book. I also have an online launch of the book for those outside of the local area planned for June.

Where can people find out more about your book or get in touch?

The book can be ordered directly from our website at direction.com.au/ awesomebusinessawesomelife or alternatively via all good bookstores and online book retailers. For anyone that would like to learn more about how to get great advice for their business they can contact me direct on david@direction.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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JANEAL S M I T H PORT PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS

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i I am Janeal Smith, and I am the owner/ operator of Port Property Professionals. I am married to Matthew Smith and we have a beautiful daughter, Charlotte, who is growing up fast.

How long have you worked in the Real Estate Industry? Over 30 years ago, I started in Real Estate in Sydney. I then moved to London to gain more experience in the industry, and now I call Port Macquarie home. Working in different fields of the industry have helped shape my business today.

What are your core values that you work and live by? Accountability and taking responsibility for the way I manage and grow my business. My drive comes from my family. I grew up in a strong household and that has carried me through my life, no matter what life throws at you.

You have to get up and move on and don’t look back. Empathy is another strong value that I believe in, especially in the industry that I work in.

e janeal@portpp.com.au m 0481 277 106 Warehouse 14, 18 Park Street PMQ

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It is important how you relate to people as you deal with people from all walks of life. You have to be respectful and treat everyone how you wish to be treated. I believe in random acts of kindness, especially when someone is going through a rough time. I love seeing someone smile when you do something for someone when it’s not expected.

Congratulations on your recent business award win, tell us what this award means to you. For me, it was the icing on the cake! I started Port Property Professionals during the beginning of the pandemic. My dream was to open my own Real Estate Business as I felt I could offer something different. After 30 years in the industry, I wanted to provide a more personal, positive approach to Real Estate as the owner of the business. I am a people person and wanted to really get to know both my landlords and tenants, so after three weeks of planning and mapping out a business plan, Port Property Professionals was born.

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year eleven 2023 St Joseph’s Regional College Information Night: 6:00pm, Monday 25 July, 2022

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Newman Senior Technical College Information Night and Tour: 6:00pm, Tuesday 26 July, 2022

enrolinexcellence.org.au

MacKillop College Information Night: 6:00pm, Wednesday 27 July, 2022

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BUSINESS

MINDS with EMMA WALKER AND SIMON BANK

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his month, Ride The Wave Festival hits town for two huge weekends. With its tagline of ‘sun, surf, skate and beats’, it’s pretty clear what it plans on delivering us during this epic event. Competitions, barefoot bowls, markets and even a music festival, it’s sure to give a huge boost to our region’s tourism and local businesses.

Ride The Wave Festival is the primary fundraising event of Make A Difference (M.A.D.) PMQ, a local not-for-profit charitable organisation that advocates for those in our community who are disadvantaged and marginalised. Their aim for the festival is to raise funds for the M.A.D. Mobile Food Van Service to support victims of homelessness and domestic violence, and 100% of entry fees will go directly to this cause.

should be good citizens who endeavour to studies showing that people are willing to pay more for a product or service from an balance their money-making practices with organisation that proactively promotes values operations that benefit their local, national aligned with their own and demonstrates their or even global society. Gone are the days own social commitment. of a strong bottom line being the primary indicator of a business’s success, these days Matt from Innervision Surf & Skate is a long involvement in community events is what is time supporter of M.A.D. and has jumped on likely to increase your exposure and reputation board this year (pardon the pun) to sponsor amongst potential clients and customers. The the skate and scooter competition being held demand for socially at the Port Macquarie responsible businesses Skate Park. In Matt’s continues to grow, so words, ‘what better way It leads us to it isn’t hard to see why to bring our community think about being a good business together and showcase being a good citizen in a community Port Macquarie’, and business citizen, and like Port Macquarie is so by showing his support how this leads to important. his business will be

positive outcomes for

But it isn’t just Ride The Wave that benefits from this huge collaboration of locals. It leads us to think about being a good business citizen, and how this leads to positive outcomes for the wider community and for your business.

highlighted as one of When events like Ride the wider those at the forefront The Wave happen, community and for of this innovative local they rely on socially your business. charity event. responsible local businesses to donate If you know anything or discount their time, about this incredible people, and expertise to collaborate with event, you’ll know that a lot of work and them in order to create, promote and deliver dedication goes into putting it together, by the event to its fullest potential, with the a huge number of suppliers, sponsors and ultimate goal of maximising the funds raised. stakeholders. With surf, skate and scooter In the case of Ride The Wave and M.A.D., competitions, market stalls, food, drinks, these funds go back to the community in the two-day music festival, barefoot bowls form of assistance for our most vulnerable competition, a huge launch party and festival members. merchandise, it has been a huge undertaking to pull this event together. And the work isn’t For the businesses involved in a community done yet! It’s really ramping up behind the event like this, the benefits can be significant. scenes in these last few weeks before the Collaborating with other like-minded festival kicks off. organisations expands the creative network

Business citizenship is the idea that all businesses have a social responsibility, and the extent to which they work towards achieving those responsibilities. That is, businesses

of your business, allowing you to look at expansion and new projects. It also has the power to present your business as one that aligns with customer values and beliefs, with

As a charitable endeavour, the festival relies heavily on support from the local business community to run such a huge event, and they have certainly come to the table! From conceptualising to creating and promoting, Port Macquarie’s band of creative minds and businesses have come together to deliver an incredible campaign for Ride The Wave.

Head to ridethewavefestival.com.au and follow their socials @ridethewavepmq and be a part of this incredible community initiative, run and organised by locals for locals.

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Illuminate with KATE WOOD-FOYE

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.

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hat inspired your journey and passion for physical and emotional health and to turn that into an impactful business?

I’ve always invested time and energy into sport. I grew up doing everything from soccer, dancing, competitive swimming to surf boat rowing. I’ve always been this way inclined but when I deeply think back to what originally made me prioritise my health and wellbeing, it was my brother’s childhood illness that inspired it. He was constantly in and out of emergency and hospital. My parents took him to multiple doctors, specialists and practitioners to get to the root of it – it was a TCM practitioner that finally made the most difference. As a little girl I remember watching him be so sick all the time, from this the importance of being healthy and fit became very real to me. I began focusing on being my fittest and healthiest self in the hope that I wouldn’t experience what he went through. I originally wanted to study either medicine or physiotherapy. As time went on, I realised how invested I was in fuelling my body for training and sport which led me to start studying nutritional medicine.

I then completed studies in naturopathy and functional health which in turn became a thriving business where I get to help people do the same.

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KAHLEE JOHNSTONE Kahlee Johnstone is fiercely passionate about holistic health and has honed her craft through extensive studies and practice as a Clinical Nutritionist and Naturopath. She now uses that knowledge and passion though her business KM Holistic to inspire, educate and empower real people to make true and lasting changes to their health and wellbeing from the inside out.

Your ethos and approach to health is refreshingly not focused simply on aesthetics but rather health from the inside out? Can you share why flipping the thinking on this is so important to your approach and your clients’ long term success?

So many of us drop our food intake and increase our exercise to lose weight. We enter into really restrictive eating plans that cannot be maintained for long periods of time and look at these challenges or programs as a set 8-week program to lose weight or get healthier. Our results are usually not sustained or maintained and so the dieting cycle begins again.

To flip the perspective, to actually educate people as to what’s going right and wrong in their bodies and why, to let the weight loss be a result of health rather than extreme restriction and to create a lifestyle rather than a program is how and why it becomes a longevity-based approach. Most people’s health state, scale weight and health conditions have been a product of many months or years of not making the right decisions for them. I strongly believe we need to flip the script on how we approach health and weight loss, making it more sustainable, preventative and to let the results be a product of consistency and lifestyle choices rather than hard and fast rapid weight loss programs.

Every individual is different. We process

foods differently; we each have weaknesses and strengths when it comes to our digestive capacity and our bodies’ ability to ultimately uptake nutrients into our cells. This breakdown, utilisation and transformation process inevitably leads to how much energy we have, how well or not so well we are functioning in day-to-day life. It impacts the way we feel, look and function.

The power of nutrition and the foods we choose to eat cannot be denied when we are choosing to optimise our health and wellbeing.

My approach to nutrition is based off the individual’s blood work results and their biofeedback markers. Nutrition needs to be individualised and based on what that particular person is experiencing symptom/ condition wise. I tailor nutrition protocols again from a health first approach. Nutrition is a big piece of the puzzle to optimising health and results and yet again - it is not the whole picture. There are many other areas that need attending to outside of just nutrition alone.

This is what individualistic approaches to health are all about. I continuously ask myself what does the client sitting in front of me require to begin to feel, function and look better based on their objective and subjective data.

Your Transcend 12-week program encourages clients to make long term holistic lifestyle changes. Can you share some of the journeys and successes?

I am so proud of my clients because I know

how huge some of the changes I am asking them to make are. They do it with such willingness and readiness to experience change because they are truly sick of feeling awful.

I generally attract and have success with two groups of people. The first are those who “have tried everything” when it comes to losing weight and just can’t. The second are those with more chronic health conditions such as endometriosis, Crohn’s disease, mental health issues, severe digestive issues, thyroid conditions, diagnosed inflammatory based conditions such as irritable bowel disorder, ulcerative colitis and diabetes.

The feedback I receive from our clients is that they originally undertake our programs for one or two specific goals. Along their journey they gain so much knowledge and understanding about what it means to feel healthy, well and energised, they also begin to prioritise their health markers and health state.

So it moves from a 12-week program into a lifestyle and longevity-based approach.

Other clients see us for stubborn weight loss but have also been diagnosed with PCOS, endometriosis, diabetes, hormonal conditions, hypothyroidism or severe fatigue issues which always makes it harder for them. They’re stuck and frustrated. Never knowing how to navigate through weight loss when they don’t have the energy or motivation to do so. These are some of my favorite clients to work with because most of the time we are working completely opposite to how they have been conditioned to believe they need to lose weight. I work from a health first approach to weight loss, meaning that any deficiencies or excess within their blood work, gut health issues, thyroid issues etc are the priority. If we can improve people’s health conditions, improve their energy, then they lose weight because of health improving rather than another really restrictive calorie deficit which usually makes them feel worse.

As a solo practitioner often working on virtual consults, how do you ensure client connection and keep your own passion and energy high?

Moving from a bricks-and-mortar business in Port Macquarie to completely virtual from the Covid lockdowns was both a risk and a challenge in so many ways. It proved to be absolutely beneficial, expansive and pivotal for the business. The connection we create with

our clients is nurtured through week-to-week group and individual conversations. We are very intentional about the relationships created with our clients because they need to feel safe, seen, heard and understood if we are to truly facilitate change in their lives.

Mentors have been instrumental and essential. I keep my own passion and energy high though my mentors and the other practitioners/coaches within my mentoring groups. To intentionally place yourself in an environment of people I work from a who are high achievers, health first driven and successful approach to weight are two amazing locations ensures your way of loss, meaning that any and retreat venues, the thinking and being deficiencies or excess retreat feedback has been levels up as well. We within their blood are a product of our pivotal and life changing environment and the work, gut health for previous attendees. people we choose to issues, thyroid issues I’ve delivered spend our time and etc are the priority. workshops and seminars energy with. They in Newcastle, Byron Bay keep me inspired and and Port Macquarie moving everything educating around a health first approach to forward. I consult two days per week as a achieving results. This included work with clinical nutritionist and naturopath at the Gaia Elders Real Estate and a teenage girls program retreat in the hinterlands of Byron Bay. This is to assist in understanding and honouring their an amazing opportunity to work face to face bodies, themselves and to give them tools to with clients, to be exposed to many different navigate body image and social pressures. people and continue to being challenged If you could give one piece of advice to intellectually with treatment plans, research someone wanting to make a change to and applications.

This balance of working virtually in my own their health and happiness what would it business and two days a week at the retreat be? is my ideal blend, nurturing both my introvert Weigh up the cost versus reward of optimal and extrovert which I feel so grateful to do. health and see if you’re willing to give up some You often work with like-minded health of the things you are currently doing in order professionals and trainers. Can you to experience optimal health. tell us about some of your favourite Your cost will involve what you give up – collaborations? hours spent scrolling on your phone or Netflix, It’s so important! Collaborative projects non-stop snacking, living on caffeine or quickly are some of my favorite projects to work on grabbing easy fast food choices or processed and deliver. Another local to Port Macquarie, foods, sitting on the lounge too often and Sammy Manton, and I started running health carrying out habits that make you feel lethargic and wellbeing retreats six years ago. Covid and unintentional. obviously had a huge impact on their delivery, but they remain my favorite form of delivery by far. There is something so special about holding these retreats and holding people in a space of health, healing and connection for three days or a week on end. We have held these retreats at the Komune Resort in Bali and Mansfield Estate outside Bonny Hills. These

The reward is what you will gain – more energy to show up for who and what you love, a body that feels healthy, more confidence in yourself, mental clarity and improved cognitive performance, increased levels of happiness within yourself and your life.

We get to choose.

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CELEBRATING A DECADE OF LUMINOSITY DON’T MISS OUT ON 25 INCREDIBLE SPEAKERS, 12 MASTER CLASSES AND LIVE PERFORMANCES.

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DR KARL LUMINOSITY YOUTH SUMMIT

In 2019 the United Nations awarded Dr Karl the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularisation of Science. He has also been named a National Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia, honoured with a prestigious Ig Nobel Prize for his work on Belly Button Lint, and is delighted to have an asteroid named after him.

Dr Karl’s impressive and enthusiastic thirst for knowledge has proved a force to be reckoned with.

H

is infectious personality leaves no one better to share the wonder of science through his passion and vision, while inspiring new approaches to creative thinking. This year he returns as an ALL STAR to the Luminosity Youth Summit main stage to inspire and entertain exploring COURAGE, CREATIVITY and CONNECTION. You’re a man who doesn’t need much of an introduction as most people know who you are, but when you do introduce yourself how do you do it?

I say ‘Hi, G’day I’m Dr Karl from Triple J, anybody know me from Triple J?’ And about 5-15% of the audience do, depending.

Your career is pretty diverse – you’ve covered everything from science, medicine, engineering to media and you are an author so I wasn't sure which box to open up to talk to you about today but we’re going to go with Science, and I just wanted to know how your passion for Science began?

Basically by having a sense of curiosity. There’s an old saying – it’s not the answer that gets you the Nobel Prize it's the question. So I’ve always loved learning about the world around me and asking more questions.

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the old Scientist stereotype or was it a natural occurrence for you to be a bigger personality?

Well I was just trying to find fun stories, but I found myself reading Scientific Literature and finding these amazing stories. Like one back in the mid 1970s, there was a thing called the Greenhouse Effect which turned into Global Warming, and then Climate Change. You might have heard about it. I did stories about that and everything else – leaning more to the funny side.

Basically the intent is to have the audience laugh and learn. I like to tell a funny story but also sneak in one tiny bit of information about the outside world.

We were wondering with your radio show whether you get to hear the questions before they’re asked or whether you really do just have most of the answers?

I have most of the answers in my head and that's a cause of a combination of three factors.

The first factor is that I was lucky enough to live in a time where the Australian Government – State and Federal – saw education as a worthwhile investment in the future. And so School and University Education were both high quality and free. Now they don’t see education as a worthwhile investment in the future. So I’ve had 28 years of education for free, including 16 years at University with degrees in Physics and Mathematics and Biomedical Engineering –

which was when I designed and built a machine to pick up electrical signals off the human retina, as well as degrees in Medicine and Surgery. I’ve worked in all of those fields including being a Doctor at the Kids’ Hospital, as well as four years of non-degree study at University just for fun in Astrophysics, Electrical Engineering, Philosophy and Computer Science. Your longest journey only begins with a single step – you’ve just got to keep walking, and that goes for education.

Second part to being able to answer the questions, is that I then build upon that knowledge by reading $10,000 worth of Scientific Literature every year – which is a pile about a metre thick every month.

Third part is the most important, which is I generate about four stories every week. The human brain is uniquely wired to remember stories, so that’s what I do, I tell stories.

Generating four a week, every week for a month, and every month for a year, and every year for a decade, and then a couple of decades, after a third of a century you’ve gradually built up a repertoire of some knowledge inside your brain. But the thing is you’ve got to generate the story. And it’s not just something that you read online when you’ve only read the headline not the article and you haven’t done any further reading. In each case I spend about 5 hours to be able to give a 3 minute answer.

How do you sleep at night with all of that

stuff in your head?

I love sleeping. Sleep (if you’re a parent you know) is more important than sex. If you don’t get enough sleep your measured IQ goes down, your hormones go bad, you put on extra weight, you lose muscle tone; sleep is a very important part of life. And I’m sure that with COVID a lot of people have lost sleep – but are hopefully catching up on it now.

People have different things in different boxes in their brains. For example at our School of Physics we have one of the top Relativity Professors in the Southern Hemisphere (Einstein’s Theory of Relativity). This person is both a Professor of Relativity and a Minister of Religion!

There’s no conflict; they keep them in two separate boxes in their brain. So the part of me that wants to go to sleep and do exercise and love my family, that’s separate from the bit that wants to learn knowledge all the time.

Let’s talk about what you’re here to talk about at the Luminosity Youth Summit.

I believe it’s Courage, Creativity and Connection. Give us an overview of what you’re hoping to deliver to these I GENERATE young minds.

ABOUT FOUR First, I’ll take the audience STORIES EVERY on a random walk through WEEK. THE HUMAN Science dealing with why BRAIN IS UNIQUELY people believe crazy stuff WIRED TO – and how to fix this. For example, in the USA 2% of REMEMBER STORIES, the population think that SO THAT’S WHAT I DO, the earth is flat and also 8% I TELL STORIES. do not accept the existence of DNA (our genetic code) but on the other hand 7% year to the main stage Luminosity – how of Americans think that chocolate milk comes does it feel to be a Port Mac celebrity? from brown cows.

I am not worthy – but thank you.

So, I’ll start with a bit of Critical Thinking and Lastly, where do you get all your fabulously then go into the 4 Messages of Good Hope. loud shirts from?

1. We can fix Global Warming My wife makes them with her overlocker. It 2. The students are 9 IQ points smarter than took her years of practice and she takes 3 hours their parents. This has been going on since 1932 now to make a shirt from start to finish. since we started measuring it After several decades of wearing them I 3. That we are lucky enough to be living in the bought my wife a present which is a ‘House of most peaceful time ever in the History of the Mary’ label, so they are all custom ‘House of Human Race.

Mary’ shirts. I wear these cotton collared shirts 4. We can fix COVID everyday even when I go on radio, even though And I will be taking questions from the nobody can see me, as an act of respect for the audience. Which is always fun. audience.

You are coming back as an ALL STAR this Thanks Dr Karl!

LUMINOSITY YOUTH SUMMIT ALL STARS, PORT MACQUARIE. 27-29 JULY 2019 ***Celebrating a decade of Luminosity*** COURAGE | CREATIVITY | CONNECTION Luminosity Youth Summit is a dynamic national three day forum uplifting young people to explore dangerous ideas for success.

The event ignites creativity, excellence and entrepreneurship and fosters purpose and well-being amongst young people aged 15-25. For more information please visit luminosityyouthsummit.com.au

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CAMPUS CONVERSATIONS

with KATE WOOD-FOYE

FROM CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY

M A RK M ATHESON

I

Mark is an Academic and Physiotherapy Lecturer as part of the School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences at Charles Sturt University. He is an APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist having completed a Masters in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, and has demonstrated advanced expertise, knowledge, and experience in understanding the musculoskeletal aspect of the body and health conditions.

n your spare time you run a private practice in town called Modern Edge Physiotherapy and I understand you are also currently undertaking your PhD. What started your journey and passion into allied health and physiotherapy?

I have always had an interest in sports. Whilst growing up, I probably spent more time playing sports than studying, and was lucky enough to meet a Sports Physiotherapist. They planted the idea in my head that I should consider studying physiotherapy once I completed year 12.

What are some of the exciting community and professional projects you have worked on in your career as a physio and academic?

I consider myself to be still very new to the Port Macquarie region, but I have slowly become more involved in local projects and community events. Over the years I have been involved in providing injury management and rehabilitation for a local sporting club. This has developed, and now provides an opportunity for students to gain additional clinical skills and experience within a sporting environment.

One of the most rewarding community projects for me, it was such a huge highlight, was being a star with nine other local legends for the Stars of Hastings Dance for Cancer in 2021 and being asked to be involved again in supporting the new stars of 2022. In 2021, the group raised over $105,000 for the Cancer Council for the Port Macquarie region.

You have a committed group of passionate

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students studying the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (and Honours Program) on campus at Port Macquarie – you make it your mission to ensure that your students have real-world hands-on experiences and give back to their community. Can you share some of the volunteer projects the team have worked on?

After the disruption of COVID I was motivated to provide opportunities for students to gain valuable experience to support the community and I believe having strong community involvement makes you a better physiotherapist. One of these events has been the Port Macquarie Ironman. This year was the fourth year Physiotherapy students have been involved, but unlike other years Charles Sturt was asked to coordinate the recovery tent. The interest from the students was overwhelming, there were almost 50 physiotherapy students willing to give up their Sunday and provide recovery treatments and massage for the completing athletes. It was great to observe students from all the year groups working together, developing communication skills and their hands-on skills. It was also an awesome environment and a lot of fun for all involved on the day.

Mark, Physiotherapists are in demand now more than ever – what do you see as the most exciting opportunity for graduates about to head into the community and industry?

There is a shortage of Physiotherapists in rural communities, like the Mid North Coast, and

since the start of the Physiotherapy program at the Port Macquarie campus, many of the students have found employment within the region. I believe there are about 15 graduates from our campus that are now employed within both the public and private sectors of Port Macquarie. I think it is an exciting time to be studying Physiotherapy as the career possibilities continue to evolve, as we strive to reduce the health costs musculoskeletal conditions have on our society and promote clear pathways for Australians to access health care. It is also an exciting time, as the need for the services provided by Physiotherapists is better understood. As such, the pressure on other members of the health professions can be decreased, and those requiring treatment can have a better, clearer and more affordable pathway to seek the relevant treatment.

The Charles Sturt team continues to grow, creating a depth of skills and knowledge that has challenged the program and is progressing the requirements of the delivery to the students to enable them to make a difference in the community. The program is promoting the importance of evidence-based treatments, and is always encouraging the students to be involved in honours and further research. study.csu.edu.au/courses/allied-healthpharmacy/bachelor-physiotherapy

focus_contributor.

LEGAL

Light with ALAN PRIEST FROM PRIEST LEGAL

INTESTACY - WHAT IS IT? HOW CAN YOU CURE IT?

A

n intestacy occurs if you die without a will, or you have a will but you have not effectively disposed of all of your property.

Not having a will is easy to understand but having a will and having a partial intestacy, what is that all about? It can happen if your will makes provision for someone and they die before you do and there is no substitute clause, or if your will doesn’t have a “catch all” rest and residue clause.

If you do die partially or wholly intestate in NSW, Chapter 4 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) applies. It directs who is to receive your estate. For example, if you have a spouse (de facto or married) and a child (also known as “issue”) with the same spouse, then your spouse receives everything.

The Act even allows for you to have two spouses. If this is the case, your estate is divided between your spouses equally. If you have a spouse and “issue” or children from an earlier relationship, your estate is shared as follows: • Spouse receives all your personal effects, the statutory legacy of $350,000 (increased

by CPI) and half the remainder of your estate • Your issue (from a previous relationship

and your current relationship) share the remainder of the estate equally upon attaining the age of 18 years.

As the laws of intestacy apply if you don’t have a will, it is also possible for those who miss out to make a claim against the intestate estate provided that they fall into the category of “eligible persons”.

Who are eligible persons that can make a claim? Spouses (former and current), issue, persons who were a member of a deceased’s household and dependent on them, persons with whom the deceased was living in a close personal relationship at the time of the person’s death.

Picasso deliberately died intestate saying that the administration of his estate would be a nightmare. It took 19 lawyers and several years of litigation before the Courts established that his three surviving children were the rightful beneficiaries of his net estate (after the French Government took their share in paintings).

As the laws of intestacy apply if you don’t have a will, it is also possible for those who miss out to make a claim against the intestate estate provided that they fall into the category of “eligible persons”.

Pablo Picasso, the artist, died intestate in 1973 at the age of 91. He left behind about $90 million in bank accounts and investments in addition to his invaluable art collection and a very large tax bill to the French Government. Picasso had two wives, three children born out of wedlock, one child born in wedlock and multiple lovers.

Picasso’s estate was substantial enough that it could afford to carry the cost of litigation and still provide for his legitimate heirs.

However, for most of us, dying intestate is likely to be much costlier than the cost of a will or some sensible estate planning, and it may result in your estate not benefitting those whom you want to benefit from your hard work.

How can you cure an intestacy? Come and see the experienced practitioners at Priest Legal at 41 Hay St, Port Macquarie (Phone 6583 1777). Alan Priest and his team have been serving the Port Macquarie-Hastings area for almost 50 years.

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Craig Williams Photography

BUSINESS

VOICE with ALEX GLEN-HOLMES

PRESIDENT PORT MACQUARIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The premier social event of the year, The Coastline Credit Union Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards were held (after a couple of delays) on Friday 13th May and what a fantastic night it was! Well worth the wait. A huge thank you to all of the committee who put in many hours of work to make the night spectacular. Also thank you to our sponsors, without you this would not be possible. Our MCs, the very funny Andy Saunders and ever elegant Vanessa Lawrence from The Style Vibe Creative, did a great job on keeping us to time and ensuring that everything ran smoothly whilst also being very entertaining. A heartfelt thank you on a big job well done to Panthers and their staff for the fantastic service on the night. Congratulations to all.

The winners are: Accommodation- Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges, Automotive Services- Leicht’s Tyre & Auto, Childcare, Education & Training- The Posify Group, Community & Social Services- Liberty Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Services, ConstructionTV Magic Mid North Coast, Creative Services & Communications- Arthouse Industries, Financial Services- Berry Financial Services, Food Production & CateringThe Other Chef Fine Foods, Hair & Beauty Services- VANITY Medi Spa, Hotels, Clubs & Bars- Panthers Port Macquarie, Industry, Manufacturing & Engineering- SMP Fabrication Pty Ltd, Medical, Healthcare 108 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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& Fitness- Hastings Physio & Health, New Business- Coast Eco Cleaning, Professional & Business Services (5 or less employees)Dare 2 Care, Professional & Business Services (6 or more employees)- Integer IT Pty Ltd, Real Estate & Residential ServicesPort Property Professionals, Restaurants & Cafes- Round & Round Coffee Retail (5 or less employees)- Mid Coast Uniform Solutions, Retail (6 or more employees)- Harvey Norman Computers, Tourism & Attractions- Billabong Zoo Koala & Wildlife Park, People’s ChoiceChop n Chill, Woman in Business (Hastings Business Womens Network)- Jo Hollis, All Disability Plan Management, Community Impact Award - Rampage Marine & Fabrication, Excellence in Work Health & Safety- Birdon, Outstanding EmployeeAnthony D’Angelo, Eastern Air Services, Outstanding Young Business LeaderGuy Terkelsen, Hastings Physio and Health, Outstanding Business Leader- David Ross, Direction Accounting and Business Coaching, Employer of Choice- All Disability Plan Management, Excellence in InnovationBirdon, Excellence in SustainabilitySunny’s Skips, Outstanding Community Organisation- Lifeline Mid Coast, Excellence in Micro Business- DPH Handyman & Yard Maintenance, Excellence in Small BusinessHastings Physio & Health, Excellence in Business- Whalebone Wharf, 2021 Wayne Jackson Outstanding Community Service

Award- Sandra Slattery. Special mention to our Hall of Fame inductees: Bennett Steel, CS Mechanical, MBC Recruitment, Touchwood Flowers, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Cassegrain Winery and FastPlast Building Supplies.

And a huge congratulations to our Business of The Year- Whalebone Wharf.

On Tuesday 24th May we were excited to meet with Charles Sturt University and introduce the business community to Axiom.

We heard why Port Macquarie was the obvious choice for Axiom Co-Founders CEO Mike Reth and CIO Sergei Abrosimov, as they introduced their appointed Australian Executive GM Andrew Rhodes who will be based on campus running the Australian operations.

I would like to introduce our new Executive Officer, a friendly extremely efficient lady who has been our knowledge backbone in the office for the past 11 years and a familiar face and voice to many in the business community.

Please joining me in congratulating Katherine Harris on her new role.

Katherine can be contacted on the new Chamber office number 0422 562 300 on Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm.

Have a great month and remember… ”Opportunities don’t happen, you create them”- Chris Grosser.

Alex

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RTO 90003 | CRICOS 00591E | HEP PRV12049 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE focus 109

RTO 90003 | CRICOS 00591E | HEP PRV12049

Our goal is simple. Live Love Local is all about making a direct positive impact to our local community.

All too often, the importance of “local” and the impact it has on our community can be overlooked.

At Elders Lifestyle Group our sales team have a real passion and personal connection to charitable causes with a strong focus on helping to build a community that we can all be proud of. A genuine commitment to its health and wellbeing through consistently participating in and sponsoring community events and fundraising is paramount to us.

We love volunteering, listening to stories, driving conversations, giving back to the place we call home, and addressing our customer’s needs.

We understand that the people and organisations in our community are the lifeblood of our region and there’s nothing quite like that fulfilling feeling of contributing to local.

CEO of Elders Lifestyle Group David Gray is a great supporter of local community and encourages the sales team to have a broad, open-minded perspective of different walks of life and to learn patience and resilience while gaining valuable life lessons and new experiences to enhance personal growth.

If you are buying or selling a home in a specific area, engaging a local real estate agent to work with can really pay off. A local agent who has strong ties with their local community will always have valuable information at their fingertips, which makes all the difference when it comes to achieving the best possible results for clients.

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Abode GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

PROPERTY GUIDE

SOVEREIGN

HOTONDO HOMES

HILLS DISPLAY VILLAGE

SOVEREIGN

HILLS

Introducing the new Style Series from Port Macquarie’s display village builders

D ISPL AY V I L L A G E

PERRY HOMES TURNS THE MAIN LIVING ROOM INTO A RETREAT

Discover monthly home inspiration, trends and tips based on the stylish York Street designs.

F

unctional living space is an essential element in good home design. This month’s Style Series showcases innovative spaces from the Sovereign Hills Display Village with designs to suit every lifestyle and explore stylish ways to give your family 'room to grow'.

Room to grow – Open plan living Many modern homes are all about free flowing, informal spaces. Open plan living areas offer growing families flexibility and endless possibilities. Eliminating walls allows great free-flowing space between different zones, creating an open hub of activity, but it’s important to keep it feeling welcoming and cosy.

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together, continue flooring throughout the entire space to enhance the flow, use your furniture to define each area and create a focal point to help anchor the space.

PYCON HOMES & CONSTRUCTIONS SHOWCASE THE PERFECT SPACES FOR FAMILY HANGOUTS

Create a freeflowing family hub with integrated living spaces.

Room to relax – Lazy lounge areas The lounge room is often the primary space for entertaining family and friends. Turn your main living room into a retreat with textured fabrics, soft layered light, luxurious curtains and a palette of soft colours, then escape with a good book.

Add the finishing touches and style like a pro with these lounge room tips: 1. Build your

layers from the ground up by starting with your rug, then pull colours from it to set the room's tone. 2. Select window treatments to enhance light. 3. Add texture to create interest and warmth. 4. Create freshness with house plants. 5. Tie it all together with unique wall prints, vases, lamps and cushions.

SORENSEN & CALDON BUILDERS MASTER INTEGRATED INDOOR-OUTDOOR AREAS

Want to see more beautifully styled spaces in the new Sovereign Hills Style Series?

G.J. GARDNER HOMES CREATES A MAGICAL ZONE FOR KIDS TO PLAY

Room fit for a feast – Dining spaces for every taste With the rise of open plan living, carving out a designated dining space has become more important than ever. Start with making the dining table the star of the space.

Scale is the most important consideration when selecting your furniture, followed by a visual link with the rest of the room’s style direction. As recent times have shown, the dining table is the new heart of the home and hosts everything from your home office to craft projects.

Room to watch – Functional media rooms Whether you’re a champion gamer or a movie buff, everyone can enjoy escaping reality once in a while. There’s a few things worth considering: Does your media room need to be well organised with plenty of storage?

Consider where games and consoles go when not in use. Is there comfortable visual access – the television should be easy to view from any

HOTONDO HOMES STYLE A LAZY LOUNGE AREA PERFECT FOR RELAXING

Scan here and be inspired!

couch or chair in the room. And finally, is it better to go with a more modular lounge or individual movie-style recliners?

Room to play – Kids’ fun zones Kids need their own space (just like us).

Complement your home’s decor while adding creative touches to make a room just for them. Use colour and pattern, wall decals or stickers, then couple with imaginative furnishings from teepees and cubby house beds to indoor swings as a great way of creating a playful space.

Room to entertain – Alfresco areas Make the most of your outdoor space with friends and family. An element of a successful alfresco space is a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor areas. Make the most of our idyllic climate with year-round entertaining

by including some key features such as: 1. Pergola/Patio. 2. Fire pit. 3. An integrated BBQ hub.

For more stylish inspiration, check out the Sovereign Hills Display Village Style Series blog on their website or visit the display village and see the clevºer ways builders have designed and styled their homes to create modern family living solutions.

T

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Meet the

SALES TEAM

HOTONDO HOMES

DEAN THOMPSON

STEPHEN CREIGH

SALES MANAGER MID NORTH COAST

TRISH STEPHENS

T

RISH STEPHENS New Homes Sales Consultant

What do you enjoy the most about your role? I absolutely enjoy guiding, advising, collaborating, and witnessing our client’s dreams for their new home come to life.

Taking lines on pages (the plans) and bringing them up out of the ground to become the home and the vision that they imagined is so exciting as a new home sales consultant. I feel completely humbled when a client engages myself and the Hotondo team to become their trusted advisor for their new home build, the experience is unique and personal to every client.

Getting to call our beautiful display home my workplace is pretty amazing, I am enjoying all the benefits of its design features and the eco-friendly aspects of the home. Building is an industry that I love, I enjoy working here on the Mid North Coast with the fantastic Hotondo Homes team.

Why is it important to speak to professional sales teams when building a home? Building a home involves many steps along the way, I call them the “Pieces of the Puzzle.” As a professional sales team we are

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the client’s first point of contact, we will guide and educate our clients every step of the way.

The value and importance of speaking with a professional sales team will leave clients feeling well informed, trusting, and confident to ask questions no matter how big or small.

Hotondo Homes has built valued and genuine relationships with all parties involved in the build process, surveyors, drafting teams, geo technicians, suppliers, tradesmen, certifiers and many more – they form part of our Hotondo team. I am fortunate to have access to this team of experts for any questions or advice I may need to gather for a client, in turn I am always learning myself. Our sales team are encouraged by our directors to continue our own education within the industry, we are often participating in training opportunities through the Hotondo Homes head office.

STEPHEN CREIGH Sales Consultant for Taree, Manning, & Great Lakes regions.

What do you enjoy the most about your role? I love meeting people and helping them to discover options available to build their next dream home or investment property.

I’m a Licensed Agent and feel great joy when I can show people the way to realise their dreams and meet their budget. It’s wonderful to be able to talk through the choices available, to ‘build smarter’ with regard to

their aspect, the environment, and the best use of natural light and winter sun to help maintain year round comfort to inside and outside living areas. There’s no doubt we live in a wonderful part of the east coast of NSW and with quality residential estates and wideopen rural spaces we have a floorplan for every situation, and if we need to customise a plan to make it work better for the situation, we will – happily.

Why is it important to speak to professional sales teams when building a home? Building a home to cherish and be proud of takes lots of skill and attention to detail. People need to research who they are going to entrust their project with, there’s lot of information available on Product Review & Facebook for people to see which builder is the right fit for them. Our local family owned and operated franchise takes pride in every stage of the build.

Yes, the sales team has an important role to explain all the steps and find out from our clients what they really want to achieve at the end, but we do this knowing that everyone in our office, trades, suppliers and contractors are all focused on making our clients 100% Hotondo Happy! We hand over homes that we would be proud to live in for many years to come, adding value to each new street and community.

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*Terms & Conditions: The ‘$10,000 Ultimate Upgrade’ promotion and offer of your choice (one) of a selected no cost package is available to customers who pay an initial fee and sign a building contract with a Hotondo Homes builder to build a Hotondo Homes standard design (no changes with the exception of minor modifications that are required to comply with local regulatory requirements) from the Retreat, Sanctuary (inc. Sanctuary Acreage) and Oasis Range of homes with standard inclusions from the associated range. The choice of upgrade packages is available to all eligible customers who pay an initial fee between April 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022 and have confirmed ‘Titled Land’ or land that will be titled by July 31, 2022.

The building contract must be signed by July 31, 2022. These items cannot be redeemed as cash or credit.

Both‘$10,000 packagesUltimate provide over $10,000promotion of upgrades/value at no cost.

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For any unforeseen reason should a product not be available, Hotondo Homes will substitute this with a product of equal or greater value. Hotondo Homes has the right to alter this The choice of be supplied at no additional to the client. promotion at package any time will without notice. This offer cannotcost be used in conjunction with any other Hotondo Homes promotion. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and may depict items not included in is the Hotondo Homes standard inclusions or upgrade offer.

This promotion only available through participating Hotondo Homes franchisees/builders only. Please contact your local Hotondo Homes franchisee/builder to check participation.

For any unforeseen reason should a product not be available, Hotondo Homes will substitute this with a product of equal or greater value. Hotondo Homes has the right to alter this promotion at any time without notice. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other Hotondo Homes promotion. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and may depict items not included in the Hotondo Homes standard inclusions or upgrade offer.

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84 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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SARAH

OGILVIE

T

he Banksia is nearly complete. Please tell us more about the project?

The Banksia apartments are beautifully designed and feature contemporary fixtures, fittings and finishes. BESIX Watpac built the award winning Cascade apartments for Garden Village in 2018 and have delivered another exceptional development. We expect the project to be completed in July and look forward to welcoming new people to the Garden Village community.

When can people view and inspect the apartments?

We have been overwhelmed with enquiries and have sold over fifty percent of apartments. We are finalising the display apartment for depositors to inspect. We invite people to meet with us to have a tour of the community and complete an expression of interest for the apartment of their choice.

What’s it like to live in the Garden Village community?

Garden Village Retirement Living is for people looking to downsize, enjoy their independence with additional support easily available. We have a vibrant community for those who like to socialise with two cafes, a restaurant, two gyms to work off those delicious cakes, a beautiful heated hydrotherapy pool (one of two in the Hastings!), book clubs, craft groups, indoor

INTERVIEW WITH SARAH OGILVIE GARDEN VILLAGE RETIREMENT LIVING MANAGER

bowls, library, men’s shed and more. scenarios which can be viewed on the Garden Another real benefit is our wellbeing and Village website. We are happy to discuss the health guidance. A wellbeing centre opening three options to buy-in to The Banksia over a in 2022 provides allied health services, coffee and chat. massage, yoga and other therapies.

Do you have interest from people Residents have access to nursing, respite outside of Port Macquarie? and disability supports, home care, onsite As one of Australia’s favourite holiday aged care and a chapel. destinations, Port Macquarie is a wonderful What if people need to sell their current place to enjoy retirement and for family and home before moving friends to visit. We have into The Banksia? received enquiries from A wellbeing We appreciate that outside of the region, centre opening most people have a however we find locals in 2022 provides home to sell before they are keen to buy-in to allied health services, can move to Garden our community because Village. Once a deposit they know where we massage, yoga and is paid, we hold the are and appreciate our other therapies. apartment for a period long standing good Residents have of three months giving reputation. We have access to nursing, people time to sell actually been providing respite and disability their home. We will services in the Hastings supports, home care, work with everyone’s community for over 40 onsite aged care and individual circumstances years. In fact, everyone a chapel. to make the move-in who has deposited on process as smooth as the Banksia apartments possible. to date are locals!

Retirement Living Fees can be confusing If you are looking for the next step to – how do you explain them? simplify, downsize and enjoy the beautiful Absolutely, we like to keep it simple. We Port Macquarie lifestyle, it’s a great move. spend the time with people to go through Our community is warm hearted and full the fees or costs to help eliminate this of goodwill and our team goes above and confusion. We’ve created a simple video beyond to make people feel at home, in a to explain what’s involved with different safe and caring environment.

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Welcome to Regis Port Macquarie

At Regis Port Macquarie, we understand the importance of community.

With almost 30 years’ experience, we know what it takes to care for someone you love, and what a difference a bit of extra support can make.

Regis Port Macquarie 10 Sherwood Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444

Our welcoming Home has a strong sense of community that extends throughout our vibrant and varied lifestyle program, which gives residents the opportunity to come together for daily activities, regular social events, and special interest groups.

To find out more about our community in Port Macquarie, call us on 1300 998 100 or visit regis.com.au.

regis.com.au | 1300 998 100

SCAN HERE TO DISCOVER REGIS PORT MACQUARIE

Leave the outside where it belongs BETTER EFFICIENCY | MORE RELIABLE | LONGER LASTING

GET IN TOUCH TODAY AND ASK FOR AN ACTRON

0423 258 678 rammair3@gmail.com

DB0673-0422-1.2

with air conditioning designed for Australian conditions

THE ALL - NEW LEXUS NX FEEL MORE IN EVERY MOMENT WELCOME YOUR EVERY SENSE — to the all-new Lexus NX. With striking new looks and thoughtful technology, the NX has been crafted for exhilaration. Available in petrol, Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid for the ultimate flexibility and fuel efficiency of petrol and electric seamlessly working together. Inside, be immersed in a cabin that feels like an extension of you. With a digital rearview mirror for parking assistance *, 14-inch multimedia touchscreen display *, voice activation, and amazing safety features such as the intuitive e-Latch and Safe Exit Assist *, designed for the unexpected.

Book a test drive today.

LE XUS NX

UNL IM IT ED KM S WAR R A NT Y

LEXUS OF PORT MACQUARIE | 10 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie | PH 02 6583 9122 | www.lexusofportmacquarie.com.au

Overseas model shown. Australian specifications and features may vary. please contact your local Lexus Dealer for details.

Available on NX 350 Sports Luxury & F Sport + EP 2, NX 350h Sports Luxury & F Sport + EP 2 & NX 450h+ models. Driver assist feature.

Only operates under certain conditions. Check your Owner’s Manual for explanation of limitations. Please drive safely.

100 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

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