What do you think landlords appreciate the most Elly?
A simple phone call makes all the difference. Property management communication has changed rapidly and it’s hard for some to keep up, one phone call could cover a thread of emails. Landlords appreciate that sort of communication .
What does property management mean to you?
Property management, for me, is about building genuine relationships with trades, landlords and tenants, creating peace of mind and managing your investment like its my own.
Rod started off the new financial year with an amazing listing located at 5 ordon Street, offering development opportunities for future housing and holiday escapes. Selling prior to auction.
ith more than 20 years of experience in the Port Mac uarie property market, Rod has built a reputation for his local knowledge, trusted advice and genuine commitment to achieving outstanding results. His in-depth understanding of the area’s ever-changing market, combined with a personalised and stress-free approach, ensures every client feels supported throughout the entire sales process.
Every property is someone’s investment or someone’s home, so I believe it’s important to treat each one with the same level of care, respect and attention to detail .
What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone looking for a property manager?
The cheapest management fee doesn’t mean the best service. You pay for the service you receive. Your investment deserves uality, expert management. Shopping around and finding a property manager you can trust and rely on will save you money in the long run
management. Shopping around and
ELLYRA SQUIRES
02 6584 0544
Interview with Ellyra Squires
Grab a cuppa, find a spot in the winter sun and get ready to enjoy our August edition of FOCUS. Filled to the brim with amazing stories, business editorials and some great insights into what’s happening now from our regular columnists. Milestones are all around our region this year and another business celebrating a big one is Sundial Dental. Peter has been a part of FOCUS magazine since day one, opening his first practice around the same time as we launched our PMQ magazine. Peter hasn’t missed an edition with us adveristing his dentistry and for that we are very grateful.
Bravehearts has been leading the charge for child protection across Australia for 29 years, which is an incredible milestone. We caught up with Jenny who is the local chairperson along with Gary Jueblin who will be a guest speaker at the Breakfast event to be held on Friday 1 th August. Tickets to this are available online or via think link events.humanitix.com/ breakfast-for-bravehearts. You can read all about ravehearts on page 0 and our interview with Gary Jubelin starting on 36. Built and run on blood, sweat and tears family owned and operated businesses are an essential and special part of our community and this month we feature a
ADVERTISING SALES Sarah Baker sarahmay@focusmag.com.au
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES info@focusmag.com.au
Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information. Welcome to the AUGUST 2026 ISSUE of Greater Port Macquarie focus.
ART DIRECTOR Dylan Gaul dylan@focusmag.com.au
Daniel and Doreen from Designer Jewellers. Orignally starting out in Dubbo in 1919, Daniel, (5th generation jeweller) and his wife Doreen opened the Port Macqauarie store in 201 . rowers Market has been family owned and operated for over 50 years. Mid Coast Glass Fencing run by not just husband and wife, but their sons as well, and of course Port Bus, Trish and Dan have built this business up to what it is today. We say congratulations to all of these family owned businesses and encourage you, our readers to support them wherever and whenever possible.
CIRCULATIONS COORDINATOR Steve Foye steve@focusmag.com.au
COPY EDITOR Bev Mulcahy info@focusmag.com.au
INTERVIEWS
For some, photography is about chasing the perfect light. For Lake Cathie-based photographer Krista Wilson, it is about chasing adventure, connection, and the raw beauty of the world around us.
Few names in Australian policing carry the weight of Gary Jubelin’s. Over a 34-year career in the NSW Police Force (25 in Homicide) he’s now a best-selling author, advocate, and host of the top-charting podcast I Catch Killers
Local 36-year-old James Marshall has conquered the brutal, high-attrition World Championship Obstacle Racing Course at Ivory Rock, winning his age group by eight minutes and placing fourth overall.
CONTRIBUTOR OFTHE MONTH
Every month you'll find the latest news, reviews and interviews from these locals.
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
45. Lou Perri - Palate Pleasures
49. Bryan Hanks - What’s in Season
55. Alistair Flower - Front Bar
63. Dr Kristy - The Beauty of Ageing
69. Grayce Gerke - Women’s Health
73. Ben Cudmore - Men’s Health
86. Nick Lawton - Legal Light
87. Bec Farnsworth - Money Matters
89. Ursula Boorman - Need2Know
92. Kate Wood-Foye - Illuminate
94. Anthony Beringen - Home Styling
GARY JUBELIN
KRISTA WILSON JAMES MARSHALL
NICK LAWTON
Your local bullion & coin dealer Got scrap gold or silver?
Simply bring your items, identification and bank details in and we can test, weigh and provide a no obligation offer on gold and silver jewellery using our state of the art technology.
Our shop opening hours are:
Tues - 9am - 4pm
Wed - 9am - 4pm
Thurs - 9am - 4pm
Fri - 9am - 3pm
Sat - 9am - 12pm
Shop 7, Colonial Arcade, 25 - 27 Hay Street, Port Macquarie
PORT BUS TRAVEL MEETING .
You're Invited! Join us for our next Travel Meeting, a fun and friendly gathering where you can discover new adventures, catch up with fellow travellers, and enjoy a cuppa and morning tea on us!
Where Laurieton United Service Club When Wednesday 5th August, 09:30am, Return @ 12:30pm More info Visit portbus.com.au
DYING TO KNOW DAY -
NOBODY KNOWS
. Two local grief educators, Kellie Hartnell White and Rod Cole, plan to host a series of events in the region. A free 90-minute event including afternoon tea, will look at the dying process. When 8th August Where Port Macquarie Library from 2.30pm to 4pm. Email mncgrief@gmail.com
RETRO FEST.
3 Days of Non-Stop Rock & Roll
Dancing Where Port Panthers Auditorium! When Friday 21st August 2026 5.30pm10:30pm
Saturday 22nd August 2026 9am - 3:15pm
Sunday 23rd August 2026 9am - 3:30pm
More info available on our website retrofest-port.com.au
Online Ticket Sales Close 19th August 2026 @ 6PM
MID NORTH COAST OUTDOOR SHOW.
Packed with everything you need for your next outdoor adventure, this actionfilled event brings together caravanning, camping, Ding, fishing, boating and outdoor living all in one place. Grab your tickets now and don’t miss this massive outdoor event!
When August 7, 8 & 9 9am – 4pm daily Where Wauchope Showground
ALL ABILITIES DISCO - PJ
PARTY. Our next All Abilities Disco theme is P Party Throw on your comfiest P s, slippers, robes, or oodies and join DJ Mel for a fun night on the dance oor When 14th August from 6-9pm Where The Bowl Port Macquarie Tickets available before or on the night
MY KIDS MARKET.
My Kids Market is your local market to buy, sell and recycle pre-loved and new baby and kids goods! A place where families, small businesses and local services can come together in a fun and friendly community atmosphere. When Saturday 29th August Shopper Entry: $5 and kids are FREE! Where Port Macquarie Indoor Sports Stadium
SUNDIAL DENTAL
DR. PETER ELFAR
CELEBRATING 20-YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
Con reaching the milestone of 20 years in business Peter, what was your vision in the beginning, and how does the usiness e ect th t
When I look back now, I think the vision was always to keep moving forward, even before I fully knew what that meant.
hen I first purchased Dr ispi Davar s practices in Port Macquarie and Wauchope, dentistry was still very analogue. Patient records were paper-based, -rays were film, and sharing information between locations was clunky. We brought in computers, digital X-rays and electronic notes early so patients could be properly cared for across both practices.
That sounds normal now, but at the time it was a big change. I still remember organising computer and software training for the team, and one of the receptionists, Kathy, brought her husband along and had him sit in the lunchroom just in case it all became too much. The same thing happened when we introduced CEREC same-day crowns. Some health fund staff were rejecting claims because they did not believe root canal treatment and a crown could be completed on the same day. I eventually went into the local HCF office with a slideshow explaining the process. By the end
of it, they accepted that dentistry was changing.
Dental over the last advanced dentistry to region arch implant rehabilitation.
patient
That has really been the pattern of Sundial Dental over the last 20 years: bringing advanced dentistry to our region early, from digital dentistry and same-day crowns to LANAP laser gum treatment, All-on-4 and fullarch implant rehabilitation.
there, but it has grown. It is about using skill and technology to improve the patient experience and give people function, confidence and dignity back.
You see that most clearly in patients who
The original vision is still there, but it has grown. It is about using skill and technology to improve the patient experience and give people function, confidence and dignity back. You see that most clearly in patients who have struggled for years with failing teeth or dentures. When they can smile, eat and feel like themselves again, you remember that dentistry is not just mechanical - it is deeply human.
None of this has happened because of me Dr
2000, and he entrusted me with his practices built wonderful, well-loved practices, and I
None of this has happened because of me alone. I was blessed to meet Dr ispi Davar in 2000, and he entrusted me with his practices and the patients who had trusted him before. Later, Dr Huxley Pohlman entrusted us with his Laurieton patients and practice, and he stayed on to work with us for three years. Both men built wonderful, well-loved practices, and I have always felt a responsibility to honour that.
And above all, I point upward. Everything
everything Sundial has become is because God has looked after me
than I could ever take credit for.
You took over the Wauchope and Port Macquarie locations from Dr Vispi Davar,
whom you speak fondly of, and later you purchased the Laurieton rooms from Dr Huxley Pohlman how did those two doctors shape your vision?
Dental school teaches you how to be a dentist, but it does not teach you how to run
a dental practice.
great
him. I quickly learnt that the strength of a picture, Sundial grew from two practices standard of care.
Taking over Dr Davar s practices gave me a strong foundation, because he had built a loyal patient base and a great team around him. I quickly learnt that the strength of a practice is not just the dentist in the room, but the people, systems, culture and trust that sit around the patient.
When Laurieton and Taree came into the picture, Sundial grew from two practices to four in a short period of time. That was the point where the vision became bigger. If people were going to trust us across different towns and communities, we had to keep investing in the team, the technology and the
Continued over...
And above all, I point upward. Everything and guided me far more
PORT MACQUARIE
at balance between new technology and old-fashioned clinical judgement is where good dentistry lives.
DR. PETER ELFAR
Sundial Dental has been incredibly supportive of the community over the last 20 years, what contributions are you most proud of?
We have always believed that if a community supports you, you should support it back.
Over the years, Sundial has been proud to appear on the jerseys of many local sporting teams across football, soccer, netball, rugby and league tag. We have had an almost 20-year relationship with the Wauchope Blues, sponsoring the under-18s, reserves and first grade sides. e have also supported the Wauchope Soccer Club and Wauchope Rugby.
One of the most memorable community connections was with the Comboyne Agricultural Society, specifically the Comboyne Goat Races. We were major sponsors for about seven years, and the Sundial team got fully involved. We did not just put our name on a sign and stand back. We were there, riding untamed goats on improvised chariots. There were a few Ben-Hur moments, a few bruises and a lot of laughter.
What experiences or adventures have
evolved from the relationships you have formed?
Dentistry has taken me all over the world, but some of the best experiences started with relationships close to home. I was encouraged to learn to y by some of my patients, and I spent years ying over the Hastings region. That gave me a completely different appreciation for the area we live and work in.
Professionally, I have built friendships with dentists overseas, particularly in the United States. A group I met in Miami invited me on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where we helped provide dental care to local communities. I did that for a couple of years, and it was a powerful experience.
I also have a close group of dentists in the United States who are doing very advanced full-arch implant surgery. I visit them regularly to keep learning, observing and improving. Last year, we took some of our team to Colorado for training and sightseeing, and I am planning to take more so they can see how those high-level surgical teams work. That is a big part of what we are building at Sundial. It is not just about me learning. It is
about bringing the team along, because the patient experience depends on the whole team. After involved procedures, patients often say they were amazed by how well everyone worked together. It can look like a silent dance - everyone knowing their role, anticipating the next step and staying calm.
Over two decades, there have been major advancements in technology and education, how have you embraced and adopted those changes?
I was lucky early in my career to spend time in the UK, where I was exposed to advanced European and American dentists before many of those ideas became common in Australia. That gave me an appetite for staying close to the front edge.
Immediate implants and same-day crowns were very uncommon in general dentistry when I first became interested in them. hen we introduced CEREC technology, we were one of the early practices on the Mid North Coast offering that level of digital dentistry. One of the biggest changes for us now is the development of our in-house laboratory. We are building the ability to design and mill zirconia full-arch teeth, metal bars and
supporting components ourselves.
That gives us more control over quality, timing and cost. It was a large capital investment, but it allows us to deliver advanced treatment locally and make it more accessible for patients in our region. That idea came from watching leading full-arch practices overseas, where in-house labs are often part of how they control the final outcome.
What is changing in dentistry today?
Dentistry is becoming more digital, more precise and more connected.
I also know I must be getting older, because I recently heard a patient say they wanted to see 'the old dentist'. I looked around for Vispi or Huxley, then realised they meant me.
One of the things I enjoy most now is working with younger dentists. They are incredibly intelligent and have access to technology that simply did not exist when I started. Part of my role is helping them develop wisdom as well as skill. That balance between new technology and old-fashioned clinical judgement is where good dentistry lives.
Where do you think the direction of
dentistry is going?
Artificial intelligence is going to play a massive role in dentistry. It will help with diagnosis, treatment planning, digital design, work ow, patient communication and business systems. For someone like me, that is exciting. I have always enjoyed the next wave of technology, and I hope to keep riding that wave for many more years. But the heart of dentistry will remain the same: patients still want to be cared for by people they trust.
Sundial is still built around people - the patients who trust us, the team who show up every day, and the community that has supported us for two decades.
We know your team has been instrumental in your success. Can you highlight some of their recent achievements and contributions to Sundial Dental?
My team is everything. If I was down on one knee pointing upward in gratitude to God, the next person I would point to is my wife, Melissa.
Without her love, support and strength, Sundial would not be what it is today. She
has been central to the business, helping look after the practices, the teams, the social events, the HR and so much of what allows the group to function. Her support has allowed me to keep learning and keep pushing forward.
But beyond Melissa, Sundial has been built by many people - dentists, nurses, receptionists, managers and long-serving team members who have cared deeply about our patients and our practices.
A dental practice is never one person. It is a team effort and when the team works well, patients feel it.
That is probably what I am most proud of after 20 years. Yes, we have grown. Yes, we have adopted technology and expanded into more locations, but underneath all of that, Sundial is still built around people - the patients who trust us, the team who show up every day, and the community that has supported us for two decades.
Thank you, Peter.
PORT MACQUARIE CUP
FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER th
FIRST RELEASE
3RD AUG
SECOND RELEASE 10TH AUG FINAL RELEASE 17TH AUG
KRISTA WILSON
For some, photography is about chasing the perfect light. For Lake Cathie-based photographer Krista Wilson, it is about chasing adventure, connection, and the raw beauty of the world around us. Armed with a Master’s degree in Geology and a camera, Krista brings a uniquely grounded perspective to her cra . Her journey has taken her from the rugged landscapes of the United States to the stunning shores of Australia's Mid North Coast, a transition that has deeply enriched her artistic vision.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Hi Krista. Your path to photography is quite unique as you actually hold a Master’s degree in Geology. How does your background in studying the th in uence the ou oo through the lens and capture nature? In photography there's always a subject and for me it started with the Earth, both academically and creatively. Studying geology taught me to slow down and really read a landscape, to imagine the subsurface, to understand why a
the way it does, how
the land has been weathered and sculpted over time, and to notice natural patterns and why certain textures exist at all. When I'm out shooting, I'm not just looking for a pretty shot, I'm seeing the story behind it and the history that made the landscape the way it is. It's also made me a pretty patient shooter. I don't mind sitting with a spot for a while, waiting for the light or the tide to do what I want it to do, because I already know there's a reason it looks the way it does and I want to catch it right. This patience also gives a sense of presence and connection that I hope comes across in the finished image. You’ve travelled from the US to Australia. How has moving between these two distinct parts of the world shaped your creative perspective and the stories you want to tell?
That same patience and curiosity followed me across the world. Moving between the US and Australia has given me two very different playgrounds and landscapes to pull from. I live on the coast now, but my heart will always be in the mountains. The scale, the rock formations, the micro climates, there's something that just makes me feel like I'm part of the landscape, not just passing through. The National Parks there are some of my absolute favourite places, Yosemite, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone. They'll always be home base for my landscape work, there's a rawness and scale that shaped how I see light and drama in
a scene.
I don't mind si ing with a spot for a while, waiting for the light or the tide to do what I want it to do, because I already know there's a reason it looks the way it does...
Moving to Australia's Mid North Coast added a whole new palette: brighter night skies, vibrant colours, different textures, and a completely different relationship with the vastness of the ocean. I feel fortunate to be able to draw on both, not just for the experience, but because it's made my style richer and gave me a lot more to say photographically. Living and working around the beautiful Mid North Coast, like Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills, must be incredibly inspiring.
o oes this s ecific co st n sc e impact your daily work?
The opportunities for beautiful spots here are endless, we're so lucky to call the Mid North Coast home. These days photography isn't my day job, it's become my passion, I've closed my bookings and now share my work purely through socials and my website. But living this close to the coast means inspiration is never far away. Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills have given me more sunrise walks and quiet, unplanned shoots than I can count, and that's really what fuels the print and personal project side of things now. I don't need a booking or a client to go chase good light, I just need to step outside. Continued over...
You describe yourself as a lifestyle, portrait, and nature photographer. How do you balance these different genres, and do ou fin th t ou o ch to n tu e hotog h in uences ho ou shoot family portrait?
That same instinct to chase good light on my own time carried into how I worked with people too. The photos that end up being the favourites are the relaxed, unscripted ones, these aren't typically the overly-posed shots. Living in such a beautiful place, the genres blended effortlessly, capturing life as it was unfolding, with a family session simply being part of that moment. For family sessions, some creative direction was given, but how the session played out was fed by the energy of the family. I'd much rather let the kids run around and just be kids, that's when you get the real smiles and the parents forget the camera is even there. With nature and orals, I lean into shadows and drama to bring out the texture and feeling in a scene. Whether I'm photographing a family or a forest, I'm chasing the same thing: presence, not performance.
You have stated that you love it when a creative idea gets a little "crazy" because
those often turn out to be the best ones. What is one of the wildest or most adventurous concepts you’ve brought to life so far?
With nature and florals, I lean into shadows and drama to bring out the texture and feeling in a scene. Whether I'm photographing a family or a forest, I'm chasing the same thing.
Some of my favourite results have come from just going for it rather than overthinking a concept. That's meant last-minute trips chasing a weather window, waking up at am to be in position before first light, or staying out well past dark in freezing conditions because the shot needed the stars, not the sunset. There's a particular kind of "crazy" in standing on a cold, exposed ridge with wolves howling nearby at 2am telling yourself it'll be worth it, and it usually is. The same instinct shows up on the smaller scale too, a beach session going from quiet and calm on the sand to running and jumping into the waves, capturing that energy and the joy of just letting go. Either way, the "crazy" ideas are usually the ones where I let go of the plan
and just react to what's in front of me, letting the environment guide the shoot.
Your work spans across stunning wall prints, branding photography, and intimate family milestones. What is the common thread or feeling you want people to experience across all these formats? Presence. Whether someone's looking at a landscape print of a beach sunrise on their wall or a portrait of their kids from a session years ago, I want it to hold weight the way a good rock formation does, you can look at it a thousand times and it still tells you something. To imagine they're at that beach having a morning walk, or that they're re-living that moment with their kids in that session, taking them back to that moment in time. Regardless of the format, knowing why I'm taking a shot
KRISTA WILSON
and where it's going to live makes all the difference.
Your online gallery makes it seamless for people to bring your adventures into their homes as wall prints. What elements
do you think make a photograph translate successfully from a digital image to a physical piece of art on someone’s wall?
Which is really the question at the heart of my photography now. It comes down to the fundamentals, symmetry, balance and light. Anyone with a phone can take a decent photo these days, but not every image earns its place on a wall. The ones that do tend to be the elemental ones, the shots you can imagine yourself standing inside of, the kind you keep noticing something new in every time you walk past them.
Beyond the technical side, it's really about presence. My style is evolving and reflects what I love, it's unique to me, and I think that's true for anyone choosing art for their home.
Beyond the technical side, it's really about presence. My style is evolving and re ects what I love, it's unique to me, and I think that's true for anyone choosing art for their home. What I find to be my favourite in most cases won t be yours, and that's exactly how it should be. When you're looking for a piece to add to your
walls, I'd say imagine the story you want it to tell, and what it might say about you in return.
With a creative mind that is always running with new ideas, what kind of project or landscape are you manifesting next for Krista Wilson Photography?
After several years focused on family and commercial sessions here, I've closed my bookings and shifted my energy into prints and personal, passion projects. I have thousands of images sitting on hard drives that deserve to actually be seen rather than forgotten, so pulling those into a proper portfolio is high on the list. There's also a project I've been quietly developing that I'm genuinely excited about, it just needs the time and travel to bring it fully to life.
Thanks Krista. Interview: Sarah Baker.
‘With a cast of compelling characters and a chain of delicious mysteries, Susannah Glenn has proven she is a writer to watch. This is a crime novel that soars!’
- Hayley Scrivenor
‘Compulsive, sinister and tense, this book made me forget my responsibilities as I raced to the breath-taking end.”
- Mercedes Mercier
‘Without a Trace will keep you reading far into the night. Meticulously researched and plotted, and just so much fun!’
- Kelli Hawkins
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
11am-1pm (High Tea)
Official Book Launch
Gladstone Heritage Hotel
Join Susannah In-Conversation with fellow Mid North Coast crime writer, Kelli Hawkins
MC: Alicia Smith
Tickets available through the Gladstone Hotel website
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
10am-11.30am Kempsey Library Free Event!
Author Talk - join Susannah In-Conversation with Louise Miln
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 4.30pm
Port Macquarie Hastings Library Free Event!
Author Talk - join Susannah InConversation with Leanne Wright
Bake With Brooki
BOOK REVIEWS
BOOK REVIEWS AUGUST
BOOK REVIEWS
FEBRUARY
By Brooke Bellamy RRP: $49.99
SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN!
in the bookshop.
Bake With Brooki
100
Bake With Brooki
By Brooke Bellamy
RRP: $49.99
By Brooke Bellamy RRP:
Rules for Living to 100
$49.99
By Dick van Dyke
RRP: $34.99
Step into the kitchen with wildly popular baker Brooke Bellamy, owner of Brooki Bakehouse, and discover how to create the most delectable, sweet treats for every craving and occasion. Bake With Brooki has everything - those chunky cookies that have gained a cult following, plus brownies, cupcakes, traybakes, macarons, cheesecakes, cakes and more. These are the triedand-true recipes behind the bakes that have made Brooki Bakehouse famous, plus the brand-new personal favourites that Brooke loves to make at home for friends and family.
Step into the kitchen with wildly popular baker Brooke Bellamy, owner of Brooki Bakehouse, and discover how to create the most delectable, sweet treats for every craving and occasion. Bake With Brooki has everything - those chunky cookies that have gained a cult following, plus brownies, cupcakes, traybakes, macarons, cheesecakes, cakes and more. These are the triedand-true recipes behind the bakes that have made Brooki Bakehouse famous, plus the brand-new personal favourites that Brooke loves to make at home for friends and family.
Step into the kitchen with wildly popular baker Brooke Bellamy, owner of Brooki Bakehouse, and discover how to create the most delectable, sweet treats for every craving and occasion. Bake With Brooki has everything - those chunky cookies that have gained a cult following, plus brownies, cupcakes, traybakes, macarons, cheesecakes, cakes and more. These are the triedand-true recipes behind the bakes that have made Brooki Bakehouse famous, plus the brand-new personal favourites that Brooke loves to make at home for friends and family. Lose yourself in a good book and let your mind wander...
RRP: $36.99
SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN!
Collins Booksellers is celebrating our third Christmas here in Port Macquarie. The local community has been very supportive, both in the retail bookshop as well as schools from Taree to Nambucca Heads. We have been privileged to be able to sponsor many local community events, including the Inspired Readers Festival, St Agnes Primary School Golf Day fund-raising event for the school. In addition, we sponsored the Wauchope Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards, The Tacking Point Nippers annual fund-raiser and the St Columba Adventist School Foundation fund raiser. Thank you to everyone for supporting your locally-owned bookshop.
Dick van Dyke danced his way into our hearts with iconic roles in Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the Dick van Dyke Show with Mary Tyler Moore. In this book, he reveals his secrets for maintaining your joie de vivre and making the most out of the life you’ve been given. His indefatigable spirit and positive attitude will inspire readers to count their own blessings, persevere through hardship and appreciate the beauty of life.
Tested
Santa had his elves drop o his letter box this week, ready for the kids to write their letters and pop them in the mailbox. Santa will write back to everyone who posts their letter in the bookshop.
Hide and Seek
By Chris Carter
RRP: $34.99
Strap yourself in before you open the first page. This thriller keeps delivering, surprise a er surprise, all the while keeping you on the edge of your seat. No blood, no murders, nothing like your usual crime story. A true game of cat and mouse, but who’s the cat and who’s the mouse. No more clues. Read it for yourself!
Lose yourself in a good book and let your mind wander...
Lose yourself in a good book, and let your mind wander, and thank you for supporting Port Macquarie’s only locally-owned bookshop.
Collins Booksellers 64 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie 2444
Inspiring, revealing and deeply personal, Tested is an exploration of the remarkable place where challenge, crisis and opportunity meet, and how it’s only in the moments when we are tested that we discover what we are made of.
Inspiring, revealing and deeply personal, Tested is an exploration of the remarkable place where challenge, crisis and opportunity meet, and how it’s only in the moments when we are tested that we discover what we are made of.
Flying runs in Charlotte’s blood. The daughter of a charted flying business she has spent her life soaring over the skies. Things take a sudden turn when her boyfriend’s plane goes missing. Was it suicide, was it an accident? When she thinks she’s being followed, her paranoia gets a grip on her as she discovers secrets about those love most.
This lovely journal will help you keep track of what you’re thinking as you’re reading, so you’ll be ready to share with your fellow bookies. Don’t miss a beat in your next book club discussion. And if you’re just starting a book club, you’ll find reading lists, discussion questions and lots of helpful information to get you going.
Collins Booksellers is celebrating our third Christmas here in Port Macquarie. The local community has been very supportive, both in the retail bookshop as well as schools from Taree to Nambucca Heads. We have been privileged to be able to sponsor many local community events, including the Inspired Readers Festival, St Agnes Primary School Golf Day fund-raising event for the school. In addition, we sponsored the Wauchope Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards, The Tacking Point Nippers annual fund-raiser and the St Columba Adventist School Foundation fund raiser.
Lunch
is a book of insight and
earned wisdom about how the power of resolve to make decisions is at the heart of all our stories.
From a charity leader to Australia’s first female Prime Minister, a Test cricket great to a ground-breaking scientist, an Indigenous leader to a bestselling author and podcaster, Pat interviews eleven extraordinary people whose own stories of
From a charity leader to Australia’s first female Prime Minister, a Test cricket great to a ground-breaking scientist, an Indigenous leader to a bestselling author and podcaster, Pat interviews eleven extraordinary people whose own stories of
challenge, adversity, perseverance and resilience have inspired him. Tested is a book of insight and hardearned wisdom about how the power of resolve to make decisions is at the heart of all our stories.
By R.A.
challenge, adversity, perseverance and resilience have inspired him. Tested is a book of insight and hardearned wisdom about how the power of resolve to make decisions is at the heart of all our stories.
the kids busy over the summer holidays. And a bit of nostalgia for the grown-ups.
By Pat Cummins
RRP: $34.99
By Petronella McGovern
Thank you to everyone for supporting your locally-owned bookshop.
RRP: $34.99
When careers counsellor Suze and her family are evacuated from their home during a bushfire emergency, she suddenly realises they are being kidnapped. Then the van crashes. She wakes up two weeks back in time.. or does she? Then it happens again. Not quite time travelling but trying to unravel why it’s happening, and who is behind the kidnapping. A twisty page-turner about how far we’ll go to protect what matters.
Lose yourself in a good book and let your mind wander...
By Julia Tellidis and Lauren Skora
RRP: $50.00
Lose yourself in a good book, and let your mind wander, and thank you for supporting Port Macquarie’s only locally-owned bookshop.
Collins Booksellers 64 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie 2444
A recipe book that has 75 nutritionist-approved recipes, and a visual library or 75 complete lunch boxes so you’ll never run out of ideas. The rise of ultra-processed foods reshaped the way we pack for children. However, in this book, you’ll find simple, balanced recipes and lunch box ideas helping kids stay energised throughout the day. Recipes include nut-free, allergen friendly and nutritionist approved recipes.
Collins Booksellers 64 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie 2444
Collins Booksellers 64 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie 2444
Inspiring, revealing deeply personal, exploration of the place where challenge, and opportunity how it’s only in the when we are tested discover what we From a charity leader first female Prime cricket great to a scientist, an Indigenous bestselling author Pat interviews eleven people whose own
just starting you’ll find discussion lots of to get you
Claudia Karvan, Steph Tisdell, Nazeem Hussain and Melissa Leong take a road trip around Australia, from the rugged and remote wild west coast of Tasmania, the iconic beaches of Sydney and delve into the cultural history that make the Red Centre a must-see for all travelers. The group uncover hidden gems, meet locals and
Santa had his elves drop o his letter box this week, ready for the kids to write their letters and pop them in the mailbox. Santa will write back to everyone who posts their letter
100 Living
By Dick RRP:
Dick van way into iconic Chitty the Dick Mary Tyler book, he for maintaining vivre and out of the given. and positive inspire own blessings,
The Journal
RRP:
reading,
bookies.
discussion.
SUSANNAH GLENN
Following the staggering success of her 2024 debut novel, Between Husbands and Wives, Mid North Coast local Susannah Glenn has o cially cemented her place in Australian crime fiction with her gripping second domestic thriller, Without a Trace. Susannah opens up about her transition from print journalism to fiction, the kneebuckling moment she landed her publishing deal, navigating the pressure of “second-book syndrome,” and her best advice for aspiring regional writers.
Susannah, congratulations on the recent release of Without a Trace. You have a fascinating background as a print journalist, editor, and media manager, how did your years in busy newsrooms shape ou t nsition into fiction n i it he you master the tight pacing required for a gripping thriller?
Thank you! I was always the kid in the library. I made little books from scraps of paper and filled them with stories before I began kindergarten. ut, as a teenager growing up in empsey, I wasn’t too exposed to the literary world. All I knew was I loved reading, writing and studying English. In Year 12, I attended a career market at Port Macquarie and discovered I could study journalism at university. My dream to write a novel didn’t disappear, but I loved the pulse of a newsroom and … I also needed to pay the rent! Newspapers fed my curiosity and taught me to write clean and tight the who, what, where, when and why of a news story is similar to
fiction in that it re uires a certain structure and format to connect with the reader. I also learned in news that stories hide everywhere you just need to know where to look. Your path to publication is the ultimate dream for many writers. Can you take us back to the moment you got that life-changing phone call?
I received an email from Pantera Press early one morning in February 202 . I’d sent my manuscript to five publishing houses three months earlier and my first thought was ‘oh god, here it is, my first rejection letter’. ut then, as I read, I collapsed on the oor, shrieking, crying and laughing all at the same time. I read the words over and over, my phone shaking in my hand the
publisher loved my manuscript and wanted to ‘take it further’.
Your 2024 debut novel, Between Husbands and Wives, was an absolute phenomenon, appearing absolutely everywhere, how did it feel to watch ou e fi st oo t e off in such a massive way?
They’re real to me, so when I read criticism of them, their lives and experiences, that hurts. Thankfully, I had many wonderful, positive reviews too, which was a huge relief.
Laughs You know those dreams where you’re naked? One hundred per cent that. A novel is fiction, but it’s still a deeply personal piece of work that you sit with, one on one, for a very long time. I felt, and still feel, protective of my characters. They’re real to me, so when I read criticism of them, their lives and experiences, that hurts. Thankfully, I had many wonderful, positive reviews too, which was a huge relief. There can be a lot of commercial expectation attached to a debut; publishers hope this will
Even in a small town ...
be the book that breaks though to become a best-seller. As an author, you do feel that pressure, for sure.
Your second thriller, Without a Trace is out now, tell us what inspired this story and can you give us a little insight to what the story is about?
The novel is preoccupied with two central themeswho in your life can you truly trust, and how can we learn to better trust our gut instincts? When a person or a situation doesn’t feel right, that’s our survival instinct screaming to be heard. Without A Trace is a fast-paced domestic thriller set between Sydney and the NSW Mid North Coast. It explores one fundamental question –who in your life do you trust when the people
... it’s hard to know who to trust.
you love most are gone?
They say writing a second novel can bring a unique set of pressures, especially when following up a debut that did far better than you ever dreamt possible. Did you feel the weight of expectation when penning Without a Trace, and how did your writing process evolve this time around?
I was on a tight contract deadline for Without A Trace, but my journalism career taught me to be pragmatic; to not waste time panicking. Adrenalin can also induce creativity.
Second-book syndrome is a real thing, but every book has its challenges. I was on a tight contract deadline for Without A Trace, but my journalism career taught me to be pragmatic; to not waste time panicking. Adrenalin can also induce creativity. By my second book, I’d firmly established my writing routine and I don’t shut my computer until I’ve hit my daily word target.
You have a major Mid North Coast launch
event coming up on August 9th, alongside a busy line-up of promotions, what can readers expect from the launch, and how meaningful is it for you to celebrate this milestone surrounded by your local community?
Writing is a solo activity, but many people inspire and support me; a published book really does take a village. I think it’s important to celebrate success with everyone involved, especially my family, friends and readers. One of my guests at the August 9 launch will be my Kempsey High English teacher; she still encourages me. Another is the graphic artist who designed the book’s cover. And I’ll be ‘InConversation’ with crime thriller author Kelli Hawkins, whose books inspire me. The event format is a High Tea for local book-lovers, both readers and writers, who love an opportunity to discuss books and ask lots of questions.
As a small town author who successfully broke through the slush pile to build a thriving literary career, what is your number one piece of advice for aspiring regional writers?
You don’t need to live in a city to become a published author. There are many online resources, like The Writer’s Studio and the Australian Writer’s Centre; the Australian Society of Authors also offers terrific support. Having said that, I do visit the city as often as I can now, to support and celebrate fellow authors at their events. Networking is so valuable; I love connecting and learning. Finally, can you give us a tiny hint about what thrills you might be working on next?
I am currently deep in my third novel. I have a love-hate relationship with first drafts, and this one is proving more troublesome than usual. But ‘not knowing’ is all part of the process and the challenge – I just have to remember to trust my instincts and continue writing until the story reveals itself.
Thanks Susannah.
Flying runs in Charlotte Clarke’s blood. As the daughter of a scenic flight company owner, her life is spent soaring over Sydney’s glittering harbour – until a series of devastating tragedies sends her crashing to earth. First, the deaths of her beloved grandmother and father, then her boyfriend Connor’s seaplane vanishes without a trace.
Haunted by his mysterious disappearance and convinced she’s being watched, Charlotte flees to a quiet coastal town and hits rock bottom, saved from a storm by a mysterious fisherman. But the calm is an illusion. Her paranoia peaks when she spots a man she believes is Connor, only to be told she’s mistaken … As Charlotte uncovers shocking secrets about those she holds closest, she realises
Once,
‘With a cast of compelling characters and a chain of delicious mysteries, Susannah Glenn has proven she is a writer to watch. This is a crime novel that soars!’ Hayley Scrivenor, internationally bestselling author of Dirt Town and Girl Falling
‘Twisty, tight and impossible to put down. A great read.’ Kelli Hawkins, author of Other People’s Houses and The Miller Women
‘Compulsive, sinister and tense.’ Mercedes Mercier, author of White Noise and The Couples Retreat
‘An atmospheric and gripping mystery about the complexity of human relationships.’ Whitney Fitzsimmons, author of The Rising
Hannah King
ARTIST of the MONTH
Hannah shares how a childhood dream of fashion design evolved into a passion for sustainable paper making, the unpredictable beauty of working with raw recycled fibres, and how the local community has warmly embraced her eco-friendly cra .
There was something incredibly rewarding about slowing down and creating with my hands. In such a digital world, I think people are craving more meaningful and authentic experiences.
Hannah, to kick things off, can you tell us a bit about your c g oun e you always had a c e ti e st e o i the o o tis n e ing fin you unexpectedly?
I’ve always been a creative person with a lifelong love of art, craft and textiles. I think that creative side comes from my grandmother, who was a talented seamstress and painter. As a child, I was always making something, and throughout high school I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. That creative spark in me has always been part of who I am, even though I didn't set out to become an artisan paper maker. In many ways, paper making found me unexpectedly, but it felt like a natural extension of my love
for working with my hands, exploring texture, and creating something beautiful from raw materials.
What was the catalyst for unching ns c e ti e n n age where almost e e thing is digitalised, what drew you so strongly to the incredibly tactile, physical art of handmade paper and notebooks?
What started as a curiosity about handmade paper quickly became a passion. I was fascinated by the process of transforming recycled materials into something both beautiful and functional. There was something incredibly rewarding about slowing down and creating with my hands. In such a digital world, I think people are craving more meaningful and authentic experiences. Handmade paper has character that machinemade products simply can't replicate. Every sheet is unique, and that sense of craftsmanship is what inspired me to create notebooks and paper goods that encourage people to slow down, write, sketch and reconnect with the physical act of creating.
Paper making can be incredibly un e ict e h t e so e o the ost ch enging n con e se the most rewarding aspects of working with recycled and hand-pressed materials?
Every piece begins with recycled paper fibres, which are blended into a pulp. I then form each sheet by hand using a mould and deckle before it's pressed and left to dry naturally. Once dry, the paper is trimmed and, if it's becoming a notebook, hand-bound into a recycled book cover. It's a slow, hands-on process. ontinue o e
Port Macquarie is a constant source of inspiration. The ocean, bushland and native botanicals influence the colours, textures and natural impressions in my paper.
Because I make all my paper outdoors, the drying time depends on the weather, so it can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week from pulp to a finished product. That s what makes handmade paper so special. Every sheet is uni ue, and every notebook re ects the time and care that goes into making it. How does living and working in a beautiful coastal region like Port c u ie in uence ou c e ti e ette o the oc n sc es o te tu es fin thei into ou esigns
Port Macquarie is a constant source of inspiration. The ocean, bushland and native botanicals in uence the colours, textures and natural impressions in my paper. Living so close to nature has also shaped the way I create. It reminds me to slow down, embrace the imperfect, and let each piece re ect the beauty of its surroundings.
ust in i it is c e t the he t o h t ou o o i o t nt is the conce t o eco ien ci cu c e tion to ou n i entit n ho o ou sou ce ou te i s
My aim is to give discarded materials a second life by transforming recycled paper into beautiful, functional pieces. I source paper locally wherever possible, using everything from old magazines, newspapers and paper scraps to shredded paper generously donated by members of the community. I hope my work encourages people to appreciate the value of slow, thoughtful craftsmanship and to see the beauty and potential in recycled materials.
Hannah King
Your pieces are stocked in beautiful local hubs like Kaleidoscope at Port Central, and you're a familiar face at regional ets o h s the o t c u ie n o e i o th o st co unit e ce outi ue tis n usiness i e yours?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to receive such wonderful support from the Port Macquarie and Mid North Coast community. People here genuinely value handmade, locally made products and the stories behind them. Being stocked at Kaleidoscope and meeting customers at local markets has helped me build meaningful connections with people who appreciate the time and care that goes into each piece. Local support has always been valuable and continues to inspire me to keep creating. in he e c n ou e e s fin o o n su o t ou o Readers can follow my creative journey through Instagram and TikTok, where I share behind-the-scenes glimpses of the paper making process and upcoming markets. My work is also available at both Kaleidoscope stores in Port Central and Coffs Harbour, as well as through my Etsy store, Hanscreative. Th n s nn h
Being stocked at Kaleidoscope and meeting customers at local markets has helped me build meaningful connections with people who appreciate the time and care that goes into each piece.
ARTIST of the MONTH
ARCHIBALD PRIZE
IS COMING TO YARRILA ARTS AND MUSEUM
Archibald Prize 2025 is completing its final stop on its tour from the Art Gallery of New South Wales, landing at Coffs Harbour’s Yarrila Arts and Museum this month. Known for sparking imaginations, this portrait prize brings the country together, revealing familiar faces and new faces. It’s completely free to visitors, with a range of activities for the whole family!
“Whether you’re a lifelong art lover or stepping into a gallery for the first time, the Archibald Prize is an exhibition that captures people’s imagination,” says Yarrila Arts and Museum’s Service Leader, Carrie Kibbler. “It tells the stories of contemporary Australia through some of the most compelling portraiture being created today.”
The exhibition turns into a spotting of who’s who - like Sally Ryan’s bright and cheerful painting of Australian author Kathy Lette, or the sisters Antonia and Nicole Kidman by Jaq Grantford. Hugo Weaving is transformed beyond recognition into blue and red smurf-like characters by Jason
Phu. Even Dolly Parton and a Blak Tina Turner make an appearance in Iwantja Kaylene Whiskey’s comic-like painting, from comic to canvas.
The exhibition takes over the two largest galleries at Yarrila Arts and Museum, alongside a very special show from Coffs Harbour’s young artists, Young Archie Coffs Harbour. You can also vote for your favourite artwork, Loribelle Spirovski’s expressive finger painting of William Barton won the People’s Choice 2025 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, will it be one of your favourites? Alongside the exhibition, visitors are welcome to take part in free artmaking in The Workshop and attend the official exhibition opening on Thursday 6 August at 6pm.
“It’s the kind of exhibition that inspires people of all ages and interests,” says Kibbler.
“We’re thrilled to welcome this iconic exhibition to Yarrila Arts and Museum and to give our community the opportunity to experience it right here in Coffs Harbour.”
WHEN BEREAVEMENT STRIKES, COMPASSION LEADS THE WAY
Losing someone you love brings heartache, uncertainty and responsibilities that can feel overwhelming. In those moments, having a compassionate and experienced guide can make all the difference.
Leading the dedicated team at Hastings District Funerals, Tony Green brings years of familyfocused leadership to supporting Port Macquarie families during life's most challenging times. Together with a team that has been part of the local community
since 1930, Tony helps ensure every farewell is arranged with care, attention and understanding. Our role extends beyond the practical aspects of funeral planning. When everything feels like too much, we're here to ease the burden and take care of the details, allowing you to focus on what matters most, your family, your memories and celebrating the life of someone special. You carry the love, let Tony and the Hastings District Funerals team take care of the rest.
FATHER’S
DAY
AT BAGO MAZE & WINE
Celebrate Dad with a relaxed day out featuring music, maze adventures, family fun, great food and local wine on Sunday, 6th September from 10am to 3pm at Bago Maze & Wine.
Spend the day exploring the maze, challenging Dad to a race through the Running Maze, relaxing with a wine overlooking the vines, and enjoying a laid-back afternoon with family and friends.
• DJ playing 11am - 2pm
• Maze entry included
• Dad vs Kids Running Maze Challenge
• Family Tug of War
• Daggiest Dad Hat Competition
• Wine tastings and local platters available
• Coffee, cakes and café menu available
• Picnic lawns, vineyard views and plenty of space to relax
Fun Competitions: Can Dad beat the kids through the Running Maze? Race against family members for bragging rights and a place on the leaderboard. Take part in the Family Tug of war or participate in the Daggiest Hat Competition. Dust off Dad’s favourite hat for chance to win.
Adults: $12
Children: $8
Family Pass: $40
Tickets can be booked online or purchased at the gate.
GARY JUBELIN
Few names in Australian policing carry the weight of Gary Jubelin’s. Over a decorated 34-year career in the NSW Police Force including 25 years in the Homicide Squad and now a best-selling author, advocate, and host of the top-charting podcast I Catch Killers, Jubelin continues to use his voice to fight for justice and support forgo en victims. This month will see Gary come back to the Mid North Coast as a guest speaker at this years Braveheart’s Breakfast.
Gary, you’re no stranger to our region, having spent years working closely on major investigations across the Mid North Coast, from Bowraville to Kendall. How does it feel returning to Port Macquarie in this new chapter of your life?
The Mid Coast of NSW is full of good and bad memories for me. A large part of my youth and early adulthood was spent holidaying on the coast surfing and camping with friends. When I had a young family it was my go-to place with my kids. However, sadly now those memories of the Mid North Coast are filled with murder and sadness.
The murders of Colleen Walker, Evelyn Greenup and Clinton Speedy in Bowraville changed me as a person and those poor families are still fighting for justice. I also investigated the abduction of Terry Falconer whose dismembered body was discovered in the Hastings River which became one of the largest murder investigations in the country. And of course, the abduction of illiam Tyrrell - a case which defined my career. Unfortunately, now when I return to the Port Macquarie area my head is full of the emotional cost of those investigations.
You spent 34 years in the NSW Police Force, with a quarter of a century in the Homicide Squad, looking back on that decorated policing career, what
core principles kept you grounded through some of the country’s most complex and emotionally demanding cases?
There are not many things you can do in policing more important than investigating someone's murder. To me it was a privilege that I didn't take lightly. I always tried to approach investigations in a manner I would want if I had a family member murdered. You need to be focused and support the families in an effort to find answers. It s not a nine to five job, and if you can t fully commit you should not be investigating murderers. They are complex and emotionally draining but I always got my strength from the victims’ families who displayed courage, dignity and a resilience I found inspiring.
To me it was a privilege that I didn’t take lightly. I always tried to approach investigations in a manner I would want if I had a family member murdered.
Your podcast, I Catch Killers, is a massive hit, regularly ranking near the top of Australian podcast charts. What was the biggest adjustment for you moving from homicide investigator to podcast host sitting across from cops, victims, and
former criminals?
Part of being a good detective is having an inquiring mind and an ability to communicate with people. As a homicide detective the interview room was about finding answers. Podcasting is different in that if it is done well, you are giving the guest a platform to tell their story. Some of the skills I developed as a homicide detective are transferable to podcasting. Preparation is important and I prepare for each guest as I would prepare for a police interview. The difference in podcasting is that it should inform, entertain and educate. Like police interviews I still get nervous sitting down before the podcast interviews even though I have now done hundreds but I think that is a good thing because it shows I want to do the best I can. Continued over...
Our prisons are full of inmates who have been abused as children. Something I don’t think the public and perhaps even the judiciary fully appreciate, is how many people’s lives have gone off track in the form of drug abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour because they were abused as children. I honestly believe if you reduce child abuse you will reduce crime across the board.
Why do you think the Australian public has embraced your podcast and bestselling books so strongly? What are listeners seeking when they tune in to these unfi te e con e s tions
I think the I Catch Killers Podcast takes the listeners into the world of crime in a unique way. Crime is not always black and white. It's a world I understand. I think the podcasts and books give the listeners an insight into that world from all perspectives and that is why I have opened the podcast up to guests from all sides of crime, and I know how to communicate with cops, crooks and victims.
You’re coming to Port Macquarie as a featured guest speaker for the Breakfast for ehe ts t Panthers. What was it out ehe ts mission that made you step up and su o t this e ent
Sadly I have seen the impact of child sexual abuse, and it is devastating in so many ways. Bravehearts is an organisation that has worked tirelessly to prevent and help victims of this insidious crime. As much as we have become more educated around this crime, I still think there is more work to do to stamp out this crime and we need to understand the impact this crime has; it literally destroys lives. Our children need protection and those who abuse children need to be stopped, so I have no hesitation in supporting an organisation like Bravehearts in any way I can.
I am fortunate enough to be given a platform with the podcast and in the media to do so. My resilience comes from the strength and integrity of victims of crime who I regularly speak to.
we can to protect children. I have seen the trauma up close. Our prisons are full of inmates who have been abused as children. Something I don't think the public and perhaps even the judiciary fully appreciate, is how many people's lives have gone off track in the form of drug abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour because they were abused as children. I honestly believe if you reduce child abuse you will reduce crime across the board. Money and resources need to be put into reducing this evil crime and then we will have less people in prison.
You continue to throw yourself into e n ing oc c o o icti s i ies n o g nis tions i e ehe ts o o ou otect ou own mental resilience while keeping up the fight o c uses th t tte to ou
When I left the police it was not of my own choosing. I still have the energy and commitment to fight crime. I am fortunate enough to be given a platform with the podcast and in the media to do so. My resilience comes from the strength and integrity of victims of crime who I regularly speak to.
Th oughout ou in estig ti e c ee ou e e t i ect ith c ses in o ing u ne e chi en n su i ing i ies how has seeing that trauma up close sh e ou con iction oun chi otection n oc c
Our children need to be protected. There is no mitigating circumstance surrounding child abuse. We as a society need to do whatever
ithout gi ing too uch e o e Friday, August 14, what main message do you hope the audience in Port Macquarie takes away from your talk?
I hope to inform and educate the audience by talking about the impact I have seen as a result of child sexual abuse. I will use real life examples of cases I was involved in and from people who have survived child sexual abuse. It's an uncomfortable subject but it's one we need to talk about. I will also take questions from the audience with nothing off record.
ou s ent e s efine the ge e o e ein enting ou se in the u ic e e hen ou e ect on this ne t h se of your life, what do you hope your ultimate legacy will be ten or twenty years down the road?
I don’t know how people see me now or will in the future, but I have found peace and am doing what I think is right and speaking out for people who have been forgotten or not heard. If people remember me as someone who had a go, I would be happy with that, whether they like me or not.
Thanks Gary.
Bravehearts has been leading the charge for child protection across Australia for 29 years, which is an incredible milestone. As the Mid North Coast Committee marks 13 years of its own local dedication, tell us about your role Jenny?
I joined the Committee 10 years ago and became Chair 2 years later. I lead a committee of 9 quite diverse but wonderful people who share a passion for child protection. We are committed to raising enough money every year to fully fund professional Child Protection Education in our local schools, and this year we have also started moving into Early Learning Centres. We host a variety of events/ functions in order to meet the costs.
Ditto, our loveable mascot, attends community events when invited, xmas parties for childrens groups and The Big Dig is a special favourite. This is where Ditto and Healthy Harold get up to a bit mischief!!
Building and maintaining a volunteer fundraising committee for over a decade requires massive endurance. What is it about the core Bravehearts mission that
JENNY
For nearly three decades, Bravehearts has been leading the charge for child protection across Australia. Led by Commi ee Chair Jenny Wa s, a passionate team of volunteers operates on a vital, non-negotiable principle: every dollar raised locally stays local to fund life-changing safety education in regional schools and early learning centres.
keeps your local team so intensely driven?
The sheer horror of the subject!! NO child should endure this horror and then live with the consequences (of which there are many) for the rest of their lives.
Education is all we have to empower and protect our children so we work hard to provide that.
If we can save just one child, then our efforts are worth it.
People often underestimate how prevalent these issues are in regional areas. What was the catalyst 13 years ago that made the committee realise the Mid North Coast needed its own dedicated fundraising arm?
A few people that were involved with Bravehearts in Sydney relocated to Port Macquarie and formed the committee.
A very good move as sadly our area is not a safe place for children. The local statistics are dreadful and we hope that by reinforcing this education over 5-6 years of early schooling, we can reduce the number of child sexual assaults.
And yes, underestimation is huge! Whenever I speak at a community event, people are so
surprised at the figures. It is so important that our community becomes educated as well as the kids. Your committee operates under a strict "every dollar raised here, stays here" ethos. Why is keeping funds local so crucial for the Mid North Coast, and how does that resonate with local donors?
It is vital that people and businesses know that their hard earned donations are spent here on their children, grandchildren, neighbours etc.
It is equally important they know Bravehearts HO looks after our money, they keep it separate and monitor our expenditure, thus donors can be assured their donations are used for the correct purpose.
For those who might not be familiar, what is Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure is and how does it teach children about personal safety without taking away their sense of fun and innocence?
It is such a fun live incursion in schools and centres, featuring a trained education facilitator and our very loveable mascot, Ditto. The show teaches essential personal safety skills, using age appropriate language, song and dance.
They learn “it’s okay to say No”, “the body’s warning signs” “safe and unsafe feelings”, “there is no secret that a child cannot tell someone” and “what to do if they feel unsafe or unsure”!
The kids love it and become so engaged. They run for hugs and high fives whenever our Ditto is out and about.
You have secured two incredibly respected Australian figu es o the e st on i ugust
Gary Jubelin and Shane Fitzsimmons
AO. How did this powerhouse lineup co e togethe
They have dedicated their lives to protecting Australians from all walks of life and worked towards a country where people, communities and systems all work together protect each other – particularly ones most vulnerable. to vulnerable.
Oh, I’ve been trying to get Gary for some years (since I talked with him at William Tyrell’s coronial enquiry in Taree) but couldn’t get past his management. Then I discovered one of my committee knew his Mum and Shane is a personal friend of another committee member!
We feel very privileged and grateful that these two men have so generously given their time to assist us!
Both Gary Jubelin (a veteran homicide detective) and Shane Fitzsimmons (a c isis n e e genc se ices e e e e e ts in e ing ith t u esi ience and community protection. How do their o ession c g oun s i o the co e ues n ission o ehe ts
During their extensive careers, they have seen the best and worst of what humans do to each other! They have dedicated their lives to protecting Australians from all walks of life and worked towards a country where people, communities and systems all work together to protect each other – particularly ones most vulnerable.
In my book they are both true heroes!! e on he ing o these inc e i e
s e e s h t c n tten ees e ect o the e st o ehe ts e ent
Whilst people enjoy a delicious hot breakfast with tea, coffee and juice, MC Cassie Clark will give an overview of the morning. There will be a uick raf e I will give information on our area and what we do and a bit of humour to lighten the topic. Best of all though, after their individual talks, Gary and Shane will spend 30 minutes taking questions from the audience. They will also have photos with the audience and our gorgeous Ditto will be there to meet everyone.
oc usiness o co unit e e c nnot tten the e st on ugust
h t e the est s o the to sti su o t the co ittee s un ising go s
We have started a sponsorship drive this year for Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors with varying benefits to the donor.
But honestly, we are very grateful for any donation, be that money or in kind.
We also value volunteers who can assist in setting up and taking down an event, or collecting raf e and auction prizes.
For further information please contact me at jenny.watts2@iinet.net.au
Thanks Jenny.
MID COAST GLASS FENCING
For founder Guy, working sideby-side with his sons, Cameron and Joel, is far more than just running a business, it is a daily testament to family pride. Inside the office, his partner Annette manages the administration and customer service with warm, welcoming care, while her son ack rounds out the crew out on site.
Together, they have built a business centred entirely around family, where every single project carries their shared name and personal reputation.
For this close-knit team, every pool fence, balustrade, and outdoor installation rests on three simple pillars: quality, value, and trust. Quality is about much more than a polished finished installation it shines through honest advice, clear communication, and craftsmanship they are genuinely proud to stand behind. Value means delivering premium, durable products and reliable service that stand the test of time against coastal
elements. Above all, trust is earned day by day, by doing what they say they will do and treating every customer exactly as they would want their own family treated.
hen locals choose this family-owned operation over a distant corporate chain, the difference in care is immediate. There are no corporate call centres or detached project managers. Customers deal directly with the people who own and run the business. From the very first site visit to the final installation, the family takes the time to understand each project, offering practical advice and precise attention to detail.
Living and working around Port Mac uarie, the family deeply values the local community spirit that fuels their success. uilt on word-ofmouth recommendations, repeat customers, and strong regional relationships, Mid Coast lass Fencing actively gives back to the area they call home. hether sponsoring local sporting clubs, supporting community events, or collaborating with fellow local trades, they
firmly believe that thriving local businesses build stronger communities.
Looking to the future, exciting growth is on the horizon. The family continues to invest in their team, expand their product range, and strengthen their supply chain, ensuring they keep delivering the exceptional standard locals expect. hether you are planning a new pool, building a dream home, or upgrading an outdoor living space, the team is ready to bring your vision to life. To learn more or book a free site consultation, visit www. midcoastglassfencing.com.au, follow their journey on social media, or get in touch with the family directly.
0423 551 141
sales@midcoastglassfencing.com.au
midcoastglassfencing.com.au
TRISH & DAN McGRADY
After decades of working side-by-side running a civil construction business in the Hawkesbury, Dan and I decided it was time for a sea change to the Mid North Coast. That move sparked the beginning of our journey with Port Bus. We started small with just a couple of self-drive minibuses, but over time, that humble eet h e n e to roun u e and coaches. While the Port Bus brand is ele r ting ye r in u ine thi ye r, Dan and I have proudly held the reins for eight of them.
Running the business as a husband-andwife team means bringing our family values directly into our daily operations. Dan brings the driving skills and a nonstop supply of Dad jokes, while I focus on the organisation - dotting the i's
and crossing the t's behind the scenes. Because we are owner-operators, our enger re eive level of e i ility, care, and attention to detail that big corporate chains just can't match. e on t ntly fin our elve m ing lifelong friends along the way. As Dan always says at the end of a trip, it feels just like going away with family, and that genuine warmth is shared by our entire small team of passionate drivers. The family also acknowledges the loyal support of local schools that have continued to choose and support a local, family-owned business over the years Community spirit is at the core of everything we do on the Mid North Coast. Each year, we love giving back by supporting local charities like Liberty Family & Domestic Violence, donating tour to event li e o il n t r of Hastings. Our amazing drivers get
right behind these causes too, regularly donating their own personal time to transport guests for the cause.
Looking ahead, things are shaping up to be huge! We're about to release our roun u tr li our (commencing July 1st) as well as our Tasmania & The Wooden Boat Festival our oming u in e ru ry
To come along for the ride or plan your ne t tri , get in tou h ith u t , en n em il to min ort u com.au, or visit us online at www. portbus.com.au and on Facebook at Port Bus Charters, Tours & Rentals Pty Ltd.
portbus.com.au 02 6583 3330
COVER DIS H - 300g SCOTCH FILLET from PORT MACQUARIE PANTHERS
WHAT’S NEXT? AKA GETTING CASUAL PART 2
Last month’ s column you may recall was a re ection on the changing nature of the restaurant industry and the gravitational pull towards a less formal approach to dining out. The uestion on everyone’s lips in the industry right now is whether ‘Fine Dining ‘ as we’ve always known it is on its last legs. Is it a conse uence of a combination of this digital world that seems to leave us with a vastly shorter attention span and the plethora of socioeconomic pressures of the last few years encompassing such things as a pandemic, wars, oods and fires, that have meant that our ability to justify and commit to such extravagances has been permanently eroded? nless in the very near future the pendulum swings all the way back to where it once was, it’s doubtful that the restaurant landscape will ever look the way that it did only a little while ago.
hilst at the very top of the hierarchy, there are of course the great temples of gastronomy that still reign supreme. hen you venture into the three Michelin star territory and can keep that up, you are for the most part untouchable I would think think names like The French Laundry, Le ernadin, Osteria Francescana and
L’Arpege and sure there’s a case for endurance. ut like anything, what goes up must come down, and eventually the death of a star unfortunately means the end of the restaurant the uestion now is what will rise up in their place?
uessing that it’s not a whole lot of fine dining restaurants. Seeing that we all still love to eat out though, something will open up hat that will be is debateable. ndeniably operators now know that they need to mix things up and get exible when it comes to the type of proposition on offer. Catering to the need for choice in terms of heading more towards informality and certainly providing much more wiggle room when it comes to cost is key.
Chances are it will be more of a ‘Choose you own Adventure’ experience where the customer is able to go as little or as large as they please
Turns out it’s already happening - cue the emergence of the concept of ‘hybrid hospitality spaces’ - venues that cater to a multitude of guest re uirements allowing freedom to explore from purely what one is in the mood for whether that be a casual lunch, sampling a nice glass with a few snacks, or sitting down
Palate
for a multi course high end menu with the whole shebang.
Even further to the ability to mix in casual, high-end dining with everything in between, comes the even more functional tie in with food, in that even retail can be added to this blend in the form of what is known as a ‘ rocerant’. This is where it’s possible to stock up on small goods, pantry staples and speciality ingredients in between your main and dessert. Examples include Eataly a global Italian offering with a presence in New York, Milan, Tokyo and Sydney and Mercato Mayfair in London where it is possible to sample artisanal street food, shop at bouti ue wine stores and sip cocktails at the roof stop bar all in a one stop location.
Ex fine dining chefs are embarking on similar ventures such as Melbourne’s Cumulus Inc, now operating seamlessly across dayparts. It functions as a casual morning caf , transitions into an elevated bistro fine-dining spot for lunch and dinner and features an attached bouti ue wine and specialty food shop where guests can buy retail bottles and deli items. So fine dining not dead. ust reinvented for the modern world or perhaps simply a realignment for a new normal
FROM THE STUNNED MULLET with LOU PERRI
We're incredibly proud to share that Panthers Port Macquarie has been named the 2026 Coastline Bank Greater Port Macquarie Business Award winner for Hotels, Clubs & Bars.
This recognition is a testament to our dedicated team, whose passion, hard work and commitment to delivering
guests and community are proud to
Whether you're visiting for a meal,
there's never been a better time. Enjoy a delicious meal at Kove Kitchen overlooking the Hastings River, discover the new bar menu and drink specials in The TAPP Bar, or experience one of the many worldclass shows in our Auditorium. We invite Focus readers to come and experience our award-winning hospitality and discover everything Panthers Port Macquarie has to offer.
1 Bay St, Port Macquarie phone: 6580 2300 web: portmacquarie.panthers.com.au
Season
with BRYAN HANKS OWNER - GROWERS MARKET
There’s something about strawberries that instantly says spring is just around the corner. While winter is still hanging on, August marks the beginning of one of the most exciting berry seasons of the year, with beautiful Australian strawberries becoming more plentiful each week. If you've been waiting for that sweet, juicy strawberry avour that only comes from fruit picked at the right time of year, now is when the season really starts to come alive. At Growers Market, we always look forward to this time of year. As Queensland production ramps up and the weather begins to warm, we're seeing better quality fruit arriving daily. Not only does the avour continue to improve, but customers can also expect strawberries to become more affordable as supply increases over the coming weeks.
One of the great things about strawberries is that they're picked close to home. Unlike many imported fruits that spend weeks travelling before reaching supermarket shelves, Australian strawberries are harvested, packed and transported quickly, allowing them to arrive fresh and full of avour. That freshness makes all the difference when you bite into a perfectly ripe berry.
Many people don't realise that strawberries don't continue to ripen once they're picked. Unlike bananas, avocados or mangoes, a strawberry picked too early will never become sweeter sitting on the kitchen bench. That s
SeasonStrawberry is Here
AND IT’S LOOKING BETTER THAN EVER
why growers carefully monitor their crops and harvest only when the fruit has developed its colour and natural sweetness. Mother Nature really does know best.
When choosing strawberries, look for berries with a rich, bright red colour and fresh green leaves still attached. The berries should feel firm without being hard and should have a sweet aroma. If you can smell strawberries before you've even opened the punnet, you're usually onto a winner.
Once you get them home, it's best to keep them refrigerated and only wash them just before eating. Washing them too early introduces extra moisture, which can shorten their life and encourage mould to develop. Stored correctly, they'll stay fresher for longer and be ready whenever you're craving a healthy snack.
Strawberries are one of those rare fruits that tick almost every box. They re naturally sweet, incredibly versatile and packed with nutrition. They re an excellent source of itamin C, high in antioxidants and fibre, and surprisingly low in calories. Whether you're adding them to breakfast, blending them into smoothies, topping desserts or simply enjoying them straight from the punnet, they're one of the healthiest treats available.
For families, strawberry season is always a favourite. They re perfect for school lunch boxes, afternoon snacks and weekend picnics, and somehow they always seem to disappear uicker than expected. There aren t many fruits that both kids and adults can agree on, but
strawberries are certainly one of them. If you're feeling a little adventurous in the kitchen, strawberries pair beautifully with much more than just cream. Toss them through a fresh garden salad with spinach, feta and toasted walnuts, serve them alongside pancakes, layer them through yoghurt with crunchy granola, or blend them into milkshakes and smoothies. They re e ually at home in cheesecakes, pavlovas and homemade jams, making them one of the most versatile fruits you ll find.
As the season progresses into spring, we'll see even more fruit becoming available, which generally means even better value for customers. That s why August is such an exciting time. It's the beginning of months of delicious berries, warmer weather and an abundance of fresh Australian produce filling our stores.
At Growers Market, we're committed to sourcing the freshest strawberries available and bringing them to our customers at the best possible value.
So next time you're visiting the store, make sure you stop by our berry display and take home a punnet or two. Whether they're destined for the lunch box, the breakfast table, the dessert bowl or simply enjoyed fresh on the way home, there's no denying that strawberry season is one of the sweetest times of the year.
Here's to longer days, warmer weather and plenty of delicious Australian strawberries. We can't wait to share another fantastic berry season with you at the top end of Gordon St, Growers Market Port Macquarie.
BRYAN HANKS
DIRECTOR OF GROWERS MARKET PORT MACQUARIE
INDUSTRY: FRESH PRODUCE
How long have you lived/worked in Port Macquarie? 40+ years.
ou e fi st o Assembling bikes at Christmas time for Gordon St Cycles, back when it was down at Macquarie Park.
o to o ning co ee o te o e An almond cappuccino, for sure. Pro tip –Bue at Bandwagon has the magic touch ou ite oc s ot to un in on the ee en If I want a view, its Little Shack. If I’m chasing what I think is the best chef’s breakfast in town, it’s Abundance Café, and if I’m after old fashioned service with consistently great food, Classy Café never disappoints.
u u ou usiness hi oso h in th ee o s Quality. Value. Service.
h t o ou o e ost out o e ting usiness in this egion
Port Macquarie has a wonderful community and is one of the best places to work and live. I have to laugh, what could be better than running a fresh produce business on the Mid North Coast of Australia? We live in one of the best food producing regions in the country, surrounded by amazing growers, fantastic local businesses and a community that genuinely supports
local. I honestly can’t think of a better place to do what I do.
t the en o ong ee h t is the ost e ing t o ou o th t es the h o o th it It’s the produce and the people. I’ll admit, I’ve become a bit of a food snob since taking the reins at Growers Market! But in my defence, when you’re surrounded by the best produce every day and get to eat at some of the Mid North Coast’s incredible cafes and restaurants, it’s hard not to raise your standards. Seeing great produce end up on people’s tables and working alongside a passionate team makes all the hard work worthwhile.
e in ust h s its sec ets o isconce tions
h t is one thing
least 12 weeks ago, sometimes even a year, and have been watered, nurtured and cared for every single day. Then, the moment they’re harvested, the race begins to get them from the paddock to our shelves as quickly as possible.
The veggies you eat tonight were o en planted at least 12 weeks ago, sometimes even a year, and have been watered, nurtured and cared for every single day. Then, the moment they’re harvested, the race begins to get them from the paddock to our shelves as quickly as possible.
eo e o ten get ong out h t ou o n h t s the e it People often underestimate just how much work goes into getting the freshest produce onto our shelves. The veggies you eat tonight were often planted at
At Growers Market, our wholesale team starts as early as 2.00am, and the last staff don’t leave until well after our doors close at 6.00 pm. It’s a huge team effort all the way from paddock to plate, and there’s an incredible amount of work behind every piece of fresh produce. If you could take anyone in the world out to dinner who would it e n h Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. I’d spend the whole time asking questions. He has an incredible ability to explain complex topics in a way that anyone can understand, and I’d love to talk to him about food production, science, agriculture and where the future of farming is headed.
Th n s n
COMFORT TUESDAYS
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Every Wednesday from 5.30pm
RIBS AND GRILL NIGHT & PUTT FOR DOUGH
Every Thursday from 5.30pm
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Every Friday from 6pm
MEMBER’S BADGE DRAW
Every Friday 6.30pm & again at 8pm if not won. Commences at $1000 and jackpots $250 each week.
SUNDAY ROAST
Every Sunday from 1130am
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Schooners & House Wines | $5.50
Every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm
COURTESY BUS
CALLINAN
Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 4pm Free Courtesy Bus available from 5pm For restaurant bookings call 6582 0409
with ALISTAIR FLOWER MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FLOWER HOTELS
Hi Claudia, tell us a little about yourself. I grew up in Manly on Sydney's Northern Beaches, so my childhood was spent at the beach swimming and surfing. These days, as a skincare doctor, I sometimes wish I'd spent a little less time in the sun. My husband, our two kids and I moved to Port Macquarie in 2012 when I began my GP training and we ve absolutely loved living here ever since. The outdoor lifestyle reminds me a lot of my childhood and it s been a wonderful place to raise a family.
Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic (PMAC) seems to be going from strength to strength and has a reputation as a fantastic place to work, what's the secret?
There’s no secret, it’s Dr risty I never imagined I d end up working in aesthetics. I was happily working as a GP and originally became interested simply to better understand how cosmetic treatments could help some of my patients with confidence and self-esteem. risty has built an incredible workplace culture. So many of us came into the industry with little or no experience, but she saw potential in each of us and helped us develop our strengths. Everyone genuinely supports one another and celebrates each other s successes. I ve never worked anywhere uite like it - I actually look forward to going to work every morning.
DR CLAUDIA LONG
This year you're swapping the clinic for the nce oo s one o the t s o Hastings dancers. What inspired you to get involved, and are you nervous?
Definitely nervous ut I also feel incredibly honoured to be part of it. efore becoming a GP, I worked in oncology during a really exciting time when new targeted cancer treatments were becoming available. It was amazing to see survival rates improve almost overnight for some patients. Many of those breakthroughs only happened because people were willing to participate in clinical trials, often knowing they were helping future patients as much as themselves. I ve always admired that courage.
More recently, our Chief Instructor at umiai Ryu, Ohanshi evin lundell, sadly lost his battle with cancer. evin was so grateful for the extra years that modern treatments gave him. Years that allowed him to spend precious time with his family and meet grandchildren he may never have otherwise known. Even later in his illness, he chose to participate in clinical trials so others might benefit in the future. He was an incredible inspiration and raising money for Cancer Council research feels like a meaningful way to honour both evin and the many trial participants I've met throughout my career.
You’re kicking up your heels with fellow dancer Jesse Webber at the Hastings Hotel this month. Tell us about the event.
Jesse and I are really excited about the Hastings Hoedown at the Hastings Hotel on tu th ugust We wanted to create a fundraising event that s simply a great night out, where people can come together, have a laugh and support a fantastic cause at the same time. e ve organised plenty of fun games and some fantastic prizes, ranging from meat trays to pamper packages, so there's something for everyone. hether you want to dance the night away or just enjoy the atmosphere, we're hoping it'll be a memorable night for the community.
Finally, what do you love most about living in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region?
ithout a doubt, it s the community spirit. Time and time again I ve seen people rally together to support one another, whether it s during oods, bushfires or fundraising events like Stars of Hastings. There s a genuine willingness here to help others without expecting anything in return. It s something I've never experienced to quite the same extent anywhere else I ve lived, and it s one of the biggest reasons I'm so proud to call Port Mac uarie home.
Thanks Claudia.
Through her dedicated fair trade initiatives, Ros bridges the gap between global craft and local appreciation, bringing beautifully curated, ethically sourced items from remote communities straight to the Hub’s shelves. FOCUS spoke with Ros to talk about art, community, and how shopping with purpose can change lives both locally and across the globe.
Hi Ros. How did your creative journey lead you to both your personal creative practice
and your dedication to fair trade?
When I left school a hundred years ago, or so it seems, I was trained by the Australian Red Cross in all handcrafts to become a “Diversional Therapist”. Then I was indentured, as a Diversional Therapist, to the Red Cross to teach the skills I had learned to disabled exservicemen and their dependants. Jump forward
As a key driving force behind the vibrant Wauchope Creative Hub, Ros Jamieson helps champion a bustling collective of over 30 local makers, painters, and artisans. But her passion for conscious, handmade items extends far beyond regional borders.
CREATIVE HUB
I had been taught how to weave on a loom; I had learnt what it took to weave a basket; work with thonging and stitched leather; make silver and copper jewellery, toys, rope mats and all other types of unusual skills, by the Red Cross.
a few decades and I discovered Fair Trade Handcrafts that were made by skilful artisans that were disadvantaged, and sometimes disabled, but all trying to escape the cycle of poverty in which they were born. It was a lightbulb experience! I had been taught how to weave on a loom; I had learnt what it took to weave a basket; work with thonging and stitched leather; make silver and copper jewellery, toys, rope mats and all other types of unusual skills, by the Red Cross. Yet here I was, looking at and admiring these beautiful items made by people who really needed to sell their handcrafted goods in order to educate their children and give them hope for a better future. How could I meld the two together to make a difference? Fair Trade Down Under ~ Hands & Hearts was born in 2010. Hands & Hearts is a “party” or an event where I take a car load of Fair Trade items to someone’s home, office or church, set up and tell stories of the people who made them. The guests buy some unique gifts; I then pack up and drive home!
What inspired you to integrate Fair Trade items into your curation, and how do you
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT - ROS JAMIESON, WAUCHOPE
choose the pieces you share?
Choosing what Fair Trade Projects to support and what items to buy from them has been a process. When I realised that Fair Trade was a reaIly important thing and had a following in many countries, I had some guidance as to where to begin. I chose projects that follow the Fair Trade principles that have been set by the World Fair Trade Organisation, and make both beautiful and quality items. I choose items that I like and that I think other people would like to buy.
The Wauchope Creative Hub is a vibrant country space for local makers. How has being part of this local art collective shaped your work?
Wauchope Creative Hub has meant that I can be part of a wonderful community of like-minded people, and have Fair Trade, handcrafted gifts on the shelves for visitors and locals to purchase. Wauchope Creative Hub has been a “life saver” - helping my business to stay viable all through the year, with the volunteer team rostered on, selling not just their own “craft” but everyone else’s as well. I still do “Hands & Hearts” events where and when I am invited, but having the consistency of
Wauchope Creative Hub has been invaluable.
Your initiatives connect customers directly with handcrafted items from remote places. Can you share a story behind one of your favourite pieces currently available?
Wauchope Creative Hub has meant that I can be part of a wonderful community of likeminded people, and have Fair Trade, handcra ed gi s on the shelves for visitors and locals to purchase.
It is hard to have favourites! “Angels for the Broken” are made by a lady named Duya in Mongolia. She collects alcohol bottles from rubbish bins near her apartment in Ulaanbaatar, breaks them and cuts the pieces into the right shape. Then mixes her own ‘secret recipe’ clay, skilfully making each angel, one at a time. They take 3 days to dry. The proceeds of the sale of her angels go into alcohol rehabilitation, which is a very wide-spread problem in Ulaanbaatar. Her angels are a lovely gift for people going through grief, a hard time, or for a Christmas tree decoration.
How do your Fair Trade pieces complement the locally made gifts and art found under the roof at the Wauchope Creative Hub? The Fair Trade items are usually a bit different,
and I try to include things that no one else at Wauchope Creative Hub is making. For example, the toys are quite unique and are made in the Din Daeng area of Bangkok by a group of 160 women employed by The Fatima Self Help Centre. The jewellery from “This is Eden” is designed and put together by ex-trafficked girls in Myanmar, with each piece telling a story.
For lifestyle readers looking to shop with purpose, what is the best way they can support your Fair Trade projects and connect with the Wauchope creative community?
Come and check out all the beautifully handcrafted items at Wauchope Creative Hub. You can be assured that all purchases make a difference to the one who made it – a local artisan or one from across the globe, and whether you purchase or not, you will leave feeling uplifted and with a smile on your face. Because that’s just what visiting Wauchope Creative Hub does to you!
Thanks Ros. Interview: Sarah Baker.
DEB PUGH
NOSTALGIA, NATURE, AND THE ART OF THE DEBUT NOVEL
Hi Deb. Elands is a beautiful, serene part of the world, how does living in such a peaceful rural community in uence ou iting process compared to the bustling 1970’s Newcastle you wrote about in DECADE?
Elands is home to about 200 people, but believe me, in any small community, there is a lot going on. It might seem quiet to an outsider, but we are buzzing with activity. It is also an extremely creative community, and I have received a great deal of encouragement and support for my writing.
The Newcastle I grew up in was a bustling industrial city, but the Newcastle I wrote about in DECADE was viewed from a child’s perspective. My protagonist, Joy, is seven years old at the beginning of the story. Like most children, her world centres around her home, school and local neighbourhood. She lives in developing suburbia on the edge of the bush, so despite the very different settings, there is perhaps a connection between the two: both are communities with their own rhythms, characters and stories.
Living in Elands has given me the peace and space to write, but it has also made me more
observant. In a small community, you notice the details. For a writer, there is always something going on beneath the surface.
DECADE is deeply rooted in your own experiences growing up in Newcastle. What was it like emotionally to revisit your youth and translate your personal history into a debut novel?
DECADE is autobiographical fiction. It is set in the place where I grew up and in my family home, but Joy is not me. I was never as much of an outsider as she is. I think I took some of my own childhood weirdness and amplified it, making Joy more vulnerable and needy.
Emotionally, revisiting those years was great fun. I talked with an old friend and with all my siblings, especially my sisters, and those conversations brought back memories I had forgotten. We would share stories, and one memory would spark another. I would take those fragments and use them to create scenes, mixing memory with imagination.
At one point, I drove past our old family home. I hadn't been out there for years, and that was quite an experience. Music was another wonderful way of returning to the period. I listened to so much music from the 1970s while I was writing, and it immediately transported me back.
Elands-based author Deb Pugh delivers a deeply personal, autobiographical slice of fiction that captures the essence of growing up in a defining Australian era. Focus sat down with Eland’s newest published author to talk about the emotional journey of revisiting her past, the creative contrast between Newcastle and her now lifestyle in Elands, and what it means to find your artistic voice later in life.
I also had old photographs, including some of my neighbour and me, and as I tried to work out the plot, the story seemed to gather momentum. I would try out scenes on my sister or my friend, then race away to write them down. riting that first draft was incredibly exciting. Once I started, I could hardly stop, and I wrote it very quickly. Of course, the novel went through many revisions afterwards, but that first rush of rediscovering the past and turning it into fiction was exhilarating.
The 1970’s was a distinctive era for music, culture, and community. What is the one thing o s e c st e s ecific place, a feeling, or a memory that you most wanted to capture and preserve for your readers?
When I was reunited with my childhood friend many years later, I was amazed by how much he remembered. As an adult, I also came to understand his childhood in a way I never could when we were children. So much of his family history was completely unknown to me. I had never asked about it. I was just a little kid. His story had its roots in the chaos of post-war Europe and the experience of immigration to Australia. Looking back as an adult, I realised what an extraordinary story it was and how much of it had been happening
around me without my understanding. It felt like a story worth preserving.
I had always been an avid reader and had studied literature, but most of my adult writing had been reports and other professional material, although I did write some very good case studies!
More broadly, I wanted to capture the enormous social change of the 1970s. Women’s rights, contraception and changing attitudes to sex were transforming people's lives, while the music provided an incredible soundtrack to it all. It was a decade when the old rules were being challenged, and new freedoms were emerging. But perhaps what I most wanted to capture was the way children experience history. We live in the middle of our families' stories and the great social changes of our time without necessarily understanding them. Only later do we look back and realise what was happening around us.
T ing the e to se u ish ou fi st novel is a massive achievement. What did you learn about yourself as an artist during the ou ne o n ge to finishe book?
Holding the first printed copy of DECADE was
surreal. Writing a novel had been a childhood dream, and suddenly I was holding the finished book in my hands.
Writing DECADE taught me, more than anything, that I wanted to write. Creative writing was completely new to me, or at least I hadn’t done it since high school. I had always been an avid reader and had studied literature, but most of my adult writing had been reports and other professional material, although I did write some very good case studies! Writing a novel showed me that I could turn my love of stories into stories of my own.
The publishing journey also taught me resilience. I had a completed manuscript and a publisher, but then the publishing company went bankrupt, and everything stalled. A friend encouraged me to self-publish and helped me through the process. I discovered that I could do that too.
Traditional publishing is difficult to break into, and I am currently seeking representation for my next novel. But self-publishing DECADE
taught me that there is more than one path to getting a book into the world. If my next novel doesn t find a traditional home, I know I have another option. Perhaps the biggest thing I learned about myself as an artist is simply that I am a writer. DECADE gave me the confidence to keep going.
Local libraries and independent bookstores are the lifeblood of regional arts. How has the community response and the wider Mid North Coast shaped your journey as a newly published author?
The response from my local community and the wider Mid North Coast has been incredibly supportive. As a newly published author, it can be daunting to put your work out into the world, so having people genuinely interested in DECADE has meant a great deal to me. Although DECADE is more widely available on Amazon Australia, there is something very different about meeting the people who buy and read your book. Those personal connections have made the experience of becoming a published author feel real. The support I have received across the Mid North Coast has given me confidence not only in DECADE but in continuing my journey as a writer.
Thanks Deb. Interview: Sarah Baker.
What inspired you to step into the role of Chairperson for the Sunrise Hastings Sports Awards, and what drives your passion for local sport?
I’ve always believed that sport is one of the strongest threads in the fabric of a regional community. It brings people together, teaches resilience, and gives young people a sense of belonging. Stepping into the Chair role felt like a natural extension of the years I’ve spent involved in local sport - coaching, volunteering, and supporting clubs.
Our family has spent more than two decades in local sport - coaching, managing, playing, umpiring, being part of the surf lifesaving movement, serving on club committees, and doing all the small things like BBQs, trivia nights, and the weekly meat trays that keep community sport running. That long involvement, combined with being a member of Port Macquarie Sunrise Rotary, makes chairing these Awards feels like giving back to something that has given us a great deal.
The Sunrise Hastings Sports Awards are approaching 30 years of active operationthat’s a massive milestone for any regional community initiative, how have the awards evolved since those early days?
Now in their 27th year, the Awards have grown from a simple community initiative into a major
SUNRISE HASTINGS SPORTS AWARDS
STEWART DOWRICK
Ahead of the 2026 Sunrise Hastings Sports Awards Launch Breakfast on August 14th, we caught up with the Chairperson to reflect on 27 years of celebrating local champions, the launch of the new Coach of the Year category, and how regional sport continues to change lives.
annual event. We’ve broadened the categories, strengthened sponsorship, modernised the judging process, and expanded support for junior athletes. Partnerships with Sunrise Rotary and local businesses have deepened, and the professionalism of the event has grown significantly. The heart of the Awards hasn’t changed, but the scale and community reach certainly have.
Looking back over nearly three decades, are there any stand-out moments or past winners who went on to achieve national or international fame that make you particularly proud?
Looking back over nearly three decades, there have been many standout moments and past winners who have gone on to achieve remarkable success. Two of the most notable are Ryley Batt and James Magnussen, both of whom began their journeys here in the Hastings before reaching the very highest levels of international sport.
It’s incredibly hard to compare sportspeople across three decades - different sports, different eras, different pathways, but those shared characteristics are the common thread across generations of Port Macquarie Hastings athletes.
Ryley Batt, a six-time paralympian in wheelchair rugby, has won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal, an extraordinary record of achievement and resilience. James Magnussen, one of Australia’s most successful swimmers,
has earned three Olympic medals and five World Championship medals, including three gold. Their careers show just how far local athletes can go, and how proud our community is of their journeys.
In more recent years, we’ve continued to see outstanding athletes emerge. Molly Currie, our Sportsperson of the Year last year, was ranked the second fastest 10 year old in Australia over 800 metres, an extraordinary achievement for a regional athlete. Bayden Smith, our Senior Sportsperson of the Year, broke into the NSW open hockey team only weeks after receiving his award, playing against Western Australia. Iesha Apthorpe, who won Sportsperson with a Disability in 2024, has continued her rise with success at national level in paraswimming.
As a Life Member of the Port Macquarie Hockey Association, I’m proud of Bayden’s achievements, but all of these athletes re ect the qualities we’ve seen consistently over 27 years: commitment, resilience, strong support networks, and being grounded in their local community.
What do you think is the secret to keeping an initiative like this thriving and relevant in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region for almost 30 years?
Consistency, community ownership, and a genuine commitment to celebrating local sport. The Awards have always been volunteer driven, supported by Sunrise Rotary, and backed by local businesses who believe in giving young
athletes a chance. When an initiative belongs to the community, it stays relevant.
Can you walk us through the key categories this year?
• Greenmeadows Health Centre Sportsperson of the Year
• AusSport Scoreboards Junior Sportsperson of the Year (Primary School age)
• Donovan Oates Hannaford Junior Sportsperson of the Year (High School age)
• Flower Hotels Senior Sportsperson of the Year
• Patterson First National Real Estate Junior Team of the Year (18 years and under)
• Donovan Oates Hannaford Senior Team of the Year
• Laing + Simmons Port Macquarie Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
• Hastings Physio and Health Sporting Volunteer of the Year
• Regional Australia Bank – Excellence in Sporting Achievements (judges’ discretion)
• Intersport Coach of the Year (new category)
We’ve added a new category this yearCoach of the Year. It’s a way to recognise the volunteers and mentors who put in countless hours behind the scenes and play a huge role in developing athletes across the Hastings. Coaches are often the unsung heroes of local sport, and this category finally gives them the recognition they deserve Comparing athletes across completely different sports like swimming, motorcross, te s o ts o su fing ust e tough How does the judging panel evaluate nominations fairly?
We use a criteria based approach that focuses on achievement relative to opportunity. We look at the level of competition, barriers overcome, commitment, sportsmanship, and contribution to the sport. The panel is independent, and each nomination is assessed on its merits, not on the popularity of the sport.
Beyond the trophies and accolades, winners receive cash prizes and scholarship o o tunities ho signific nt is this fin nci oost o egion th etes n their families?
For regional families, these prizes can make a real difference. Travel costs, equipment, coaching, and competition fees add up quickly. These awards help remove barriers and allow athletes to pursue opportunities they might otherwise miss.
The recognition also matters. When an athlete is acknowledged through an independent regional awards program, it often encourages their clubs, coaches, and supporters to get behind them even more. It gives their achievements visibility, strengthens local backing, and helps create the network of support that regional athletes rely on.
How crucial is the ongoing partnership ith oc usiness s onso s n ot in maintaining these prize pools year after year?
Our sponsors play a crucial role in keeping these Awards strong, and many have been associated with the event for a very long time. Their ongoing commitment re ects the deep community spirit that has sustained the Awards for nearly three decades. Without local business sponsors and Rotary, the Awards simply wouldn’t exist.
For anyone reading this who knows an outstanding athlete, team, or volunteer, ho c n the su it no in tion n what makes a nomination stand out to the judges?
Nominations can be submitted through the Port
Macquarie Sunrise Rotary website. Nominations officially open on 1 August 202 , commencing with our Launch Breakfast at the Indoor Sports Stadium on Hastings River Drive starting at 7am. This event brings together past winners, nominees, sponsors, and supporters, and formally marks the beginning of the nomination period for this year’s Awards.
The link to our awards is https://sunrise-rotary. org.au sports form 202
What stands out to the judges is clear evidence of achievement, verified results, and a story that shows commitment, resilience, and contribution to the sport or community. We love seeing nominations that highlight both performance and character.
When is the award ceremony and how can people purchase tickets for this event?
After a long and valued partnership with Port Panthers, we’re doing something different this year. The 202 Awards will be held at the Performing Arts Complex at St Columba Anglican School in a later afternoon/evening format, moving away from the traditional morning event. We’re grateful for the support from St Columba in hosting this year’s ceremony.
The event will be held on 1 November 202 , with ticket information available through the Sunrise Rotary Port Macquarie website.
Th n s tu t
Dr. Kristy, there's so much misinformation about microneedling out there. What are the biggest misconceptions you see?
I hear the same myths repeatedly, and they often prevent people from trying a treatment that could genuinely help their skin. Let me address the most common ones.
Myth 1: Microneedling thins your skin.
Dr. Kostalas: This is false. Microneedling actually does the opposite. It triggers your skin's natural repair response and boosts collagen and elastin production, making your skin firmer and better supported over time. The treatment creates controlled micro-injuries that signal your body to rebuild and strengthen your skin.
Myth 2: One treatment is enough.
Dr. Kostalas: A series of treatments works best and is tailored to your individual goals. Most people achieve optimal results after a course of treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart. One treatment provides initial benefits, but a series delivers more significant results.
Myth 3: Microneedling is only for acne scars.
Dr. Kostalas: Not at all. Microneedling addresses many concerns - uneven texture, enlarged pores, skin laxity, fine lines, sun damage, pigmentation, and overall skin quality. Each plan is customised to address exactly what you want to improve.
Myth 4: All microneedling is the same.
Myth 5: Microneedling is too painful.
DR KRISTY KOSTALAS OWNER - PORT MEDICAL AESTHETICS CLINIC
Dr. Kostalas: This is an important distinction. Results depend significantly on the device quality, depth of penetration, clinician expertise, number of passes, and whether it's combined with other treatments. An at-home roller produces minimal results. Professional medicalgrade microneedling performed by a trained expert delivers transformative results. At PMAC, we customise depth and technique to your skin and often combine it with serums or other treatments to enhance effects. The difference between DIY and professional microneedling is substantial.
Dr. Kostalas: We apply a topical numbing cream before treatment. Most people describe the sensation as mild pressure or mild discomfort rather than pain. The numbing cream makes the treatment very comfortable, and if you have concerns, discuss them at your consultation.
Myth 6: The downtime is long.
Dr. Kostalas: Most people experience redness similar to mild sun exposure for 24 to 72 hours. Many return to normal activities immediately. The downtime is minimal compared to other professional treatments, which is why microneedling remains so popular. Who is a good candidate for microneedling? Everyone. Microneedling is suitable for all skin types and can be customised for different concerns and sensitivities. Whether you have oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin, we can adjust depth, technique, and
frequency to suit you. Age doesn't matter either, it works for younger patients wanting prevention and mature skin wanting correction. During your consultation, we assess your individual skin and determine the best approach for you. There's genuinely a microneedling plan for everyone.
Why choose PMAC for microneedling? Every treatment is doctor-led or nurse-administered under medical supervision. We customise depth, speed, and frequency to your individual skin. We often combine microneedling with serums or other treatments to enhance results. You'll receive proper aftercare guidance throughout your treatment course.
Final thoughts? Dr. Kostalas: Don't let myths prevent you from trying a treatment that works. Microneedling is evidence-based, safe when performed professionally, and delivers real results for texture, firmness, and overall skin quality. Choose your provider carefully, professional microneedling differs significantly from DIY alternatives. Book a consultation at PMAC to discuss whether microneedling is right for your skin.
with
As we celebrate 40 years of service, it’s fitting that we celebrate the people who made this journey possible and who continue to shape our organisation today.
In 19 , a group of passionate local community members recognised that older people and those with limited transport options were missing medical appointments, becoming socially isolated and struggling to remain connected to their communities. Rather than accepting this as reality, they chose to act. They generously gave their time, compassion and commitment to create a community transport service that would ensure no one was left behind.
From those humble beginnings, Linked Community Services was born.
Forty years later, our organisation has grown beyond anything those founding volunteers could have imagined. e now support thousands of people across the Mid North Coast and Hunter through a range of community services. Every day, we help people access medical appointments and
THE GIFT OF TIME
Why Volunteering Changes Lives
This year, Linked Community Services celebrates an incredible milestone, 40 years of caring for, and connecting our communities. What many people may not realise is that Linked was founded by volunteers.
social activities that keep them independent and engaged in their community.
hile our organisation has evolved, one thing has remained constant. olunteers continue to be at the heart of everything we do.
In a world that often feels busier than ever, choosing to give your time to someone else is one of the greatest gifts you can offer.
hen people think about volunteering, they often picture helping others.
hile that is certainly true, what surprises many people is that volunteers consistently tell us they receive just as much in return.
volunteers making a difference every single day across the communities we support. Some volunteer for just one hour each week, while others generously give five days of their time. There is no right or wrong amount of time to volunteer. Every contribution matters, and every volunteer plays an important role in helping people remain connected to their community.
Because a er all, the greatest gi you can give is not something you buy
olunteering creates connection and purpose. It builds confidence, fosters new friendships and strengthens communities, while reminding us that even the smallest act of kindness can have a lasting impact on someone s life.
Today, Linked is proud to have almost 200
Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Some are retirees looking to stay active and connected. Others are working professionals wanting to give back, university students gaining experience, or community members simply looking to make a positive difference.
They drive people to medical appointments, help reduce social isolation through our Aged Care olunteer isitors Scheme, support community events, lend a hand behind the scenes and, perhaps most importantly, offer friendship, compassion and a listening ear.
Volunteer
As Chief Executive Officer of Linked Community Services, I have the privilege of meeting many of our volunteers and hearing their stories. Time and time again, they tell me that volunteering has changed their lives just as much as the lives of the people they support. Some have found lifelong friendships. Others have rediscovered a sense of purpose after retirement or during significant life changes. Many speak about the joy that comes from helping someone remain independent, attend an important medical appointment or simply enjoy a meaningful conversation over a cup of tea.
Research continues to show that volunteering contributes to improved mental health, increased wellbeing and stronger social connections. It gives people a sense of belonging and reminds us that we all have something valuable to contribute, regardless of our age, background or experience. In a society where loneliness is becoming increasingly common, volunteers provide something that cannot be measured on a balance sheet. They provide human connection.
As we celebrate 0 years of service, one thing is abundantly clear. Linked’s story has never been written by buildings, buses or budgets. It has been written by people. It began with volunteers, and today it continues because of volunteers.
Thousands of acts of kindness, shared over four decades, have helped build the organisation Linked is today. e are incredibly grateful to our volunteers for the difference they make to our clients, our communities and our organisation.
If you have ever thought about volunteering but were not sure whether you had enough time, perhaps this is your sign.
You do not need to volunteer every day. You do not need special ualifications. You simply need a willingness to care and make a difference.
ecause after all, the greatest gift you can give is not something you buy it is your time.
- Carlie Comer
Ready to Make a Difference?
hether you have one hour a week or several days to spare, we would love to welcome you to the Linked volunteer family. There are volunteer opportunities to suit a wide range of interests and availability, including
Community Transport Drivers
Aged Care olunteer isitors
Community Events
Administration and Office Support
Special Projects and Community Initiatives
ive the ift of TimeScan the QR code below to submit an Expression of Interest. Or contact our friendly team on 6583 8644 or visit linked.org.au
Volunteer
Meet Stuart. In his own words, Stuart shares why he chose to volunteer, what volunteering has meant to him over the years, and the impact it has had not only on the people he supports, but on his own life
Stuart began volunteering as a driver with Linked Community Services (Linked) at the age of 60 during a challenging time in his life. Following a prostate cancer diagnosis, he was looking for something positive to focus on and a way to stay connected to his community.
What started as a distraction soon became a rewarding and meaningful part of his life.
“Linked helped me with that and I saw that a lot of other people were worse off than I was,” Stuart said.
Over the next 17 years, Stuart supported countless clients, helping them get where they needed to go while forming genuine friendships along the way. He witnessed significant changes within the organisation during
his time with Linked, from using volunteers’ own vehicles to the modern eet operating today.
One of the most rewarding parts of volunteering for Stuart was the relationships he built with clients.
“They were almost another best friend, which was lovely” he said.
Although Stuart stepped away from volunteering several months ago, he still re ects fondly on his time with Linked and the people he met along the way.
“Even giving just a little bit back, makes the world a better place.” For anyone considering volunteering with Linked, his advice is simple:
“Just do it.” - Stuart Rayner
What originally inspired you to pursue a career in podiatry, and what makes practicing in Port Macquarie so rewarding for you personally?
I’ve always been drawn to healthcare because I enjoy helping people solve problems that have a genuine impact on their daily lives. Podiatry appealed to me because it combines medical knowledge, biomechanics, handson treatment and increasingly specialised procedural and surgical care. It allows me to make a meaningful difference to people’s comfort, mobility and quality of life.
What makes practicing in Port Macquarie particularly special is that this is the community I grew up in. After completing my training and gaining experience, my wife and I made the decision to return to Port Macquarie to raise our own family. There is something rewarding about caring for people you know, seeing familiar faces around town, and building long-term relationships with local families. I’ve also had the privilege of treating multiple generations of the same family, which is something I don’t take for granted.
One aspect of my work that I find particularly rewarding is being able to offer specialised procedural and surgical podiatry services within our local community. Reaching this point has involved many years of additional education, training and clinical experience beyond general podiatry practice.
RYAN JAMES PODIATRY
Podiatry is a broad profession that encompasses everything from routine foot care through to the management of complex foot and ankle conditions. Specialist surgical podiatrists undertake training focused on the diagnosis and management of foot and ankle disorders that may require procedural or surgical treatment.
Many readers may not realise that podiatry includes recognised specialist pathways. Can you explain what specialist podiatric surgery involves and some of the services you provide locally?
Many people are familiar with general podiatry, which encompasses everything from routine foot care through to biomechanics, sports injuries, diabetic foot management and orthotic therapy. However there are also specialist pathways within the profession, including specialist podiatric surgery.
Specialist podiatric surgeons undertake many years of additional accredited postgraduate education, supervised clinical training and assessment focused on the diagnosis and management of foot and ankle disorders that may require procedural or surgical intervention.
My own practice provides a broad range of general podiatry services with my general podiatrists, Madison Wyatt and Zac Lloyd; however, a significant part of my work is now dedicated to procedural and surgical management.This includes the treatment of chronic ingrown toenails, painful corns, plantar warts and a variety of other skin, nail
and musculoskeletal disorders that can have a significant impact on comfort, mobility and day-to-day activities.
When someone has been struggling with a foot problem for months or even years, what are the most important factors you consider when deciding on the best treatment pathway?
The first step is understanding exactly what is causing the problem and how it is affecting the person's daily life. Equally important is ensuring patients have a clear understanding of their condition and the treatment options available to them.
There is often more than one way to manage a foot or ankle condition. Depending on the diagnosis, this may include conservative treatment options or surgical management. My role is to help patients understand the potential benefits, limitations and risks of each option so they can make informed decisions about their care. In some situations surgery may be the most appropriate option, while in others a non-surgical approach may be preferable. The key is ensuring that the treatment is tailored to the individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
How long have you lived/worked in Port Macquarie: I was born and raised here. I moved away for a gap year, university and work, but came back to settle once I had children. It’s always been home.
ou e fi st o Working at Bakers Delight in Port Central.
Go-to morning coffee order: A basic cappuccino. ou ite oc s ot to un in on the ee en : A run along the Breakwall.
usiness hi oso h Kindness over everything. (Kindness to yourself, kindness to your employees and kindness to clients)
h t o ou o e ost out o e ting usiness in this egion
Hands down, the people. Port Macquarie has that small-town feeling where clients become part of the community around you; you see them at the shops, at school pick-up, at the beach. There’s a real sense of trust and connection that’s harder to find in a bigger city.
t the en o ong ee h t is the ost e ing t o ou o Seeing everyone who’s come into the clinic and knowing we’ve been able to support them, improve their quality of life, and how good it is that women are putting their health first.
n ust sec ets isconce tions People often think pelvic oor physiotherapy is only for those already dealing with symptoms or problems. The truth is every woman goes through changes - pregnancy, birth, perimenopause, that can all affect the pelvic oor, whether or not there are obvious symptoms yet. It’s far better to be proactive and preventative than to wait until there’s a problem to fix.
If you could take anyone in the world out to inne ho ou it e n h Sarah Reardon. She’s a pelvic oor physical therapist in America who’s doing incredible work advocating for women’s health and breaking down the taboo around this topic. I’d love to pick her brain over dinner about how she’s built such a powerful platform for changing the conversation.
PPregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain: When Pregnancy Starts to Hurt
regnancy is a time of huge change for your body. While some discomfort is expected, ongoing pelvic pain can make everyday activities much harder than they need to be.
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, often referred to as PGP, is common during pregnancy. It can cause pain around the pelvis, lower back, hips, buttocks, groin or pubic bone. Simple things like walking, rolling over in bed, getting in and out of the car or putting on pants can become surprisingly difficult. The good news is that you don't have to put up with it.
What causes pelvic girdle pain?
As your baby grows, your centre of gravity changes, your abdominal muscles stretch and the way you move and use your body adapts. The muscles and joints around your pelvis have to respond to these changes. Sometimes, the increased physical demands of pregnancy can cause pain and sensitivity around the pelvis. There isn t one single cause of P P, previous injuries, activity levels, muscle strength, sleep, stress and the physical demands of pregnancy can all play a role.
It’s important to know that PGP is not because your pelvis is "out of alignment" or because your joints are unstable , pain is complex and there are often several factors involved.
What does pelvic girdle pain feel like?
Pain around the pubic bone
Pain on one or both sides of your lower back
Hip or groin pain
Pain that travels into your thighs
Difficulty or pain with walking
Pain when rolling over in bed
Discomfort getting in and out of the car
Pain going up or down stairs
Pain when standing on one leg, such as when getting dressed
Pain when moving your legs apart
Some women describe an ache or heaviness, while others experience sharper pain with certain movements.
What can you do about it?
A women's health physiotherapist can assess your individual symptoms and help you work out what might be aggravating your pain. Treatment may include exercise, hands-on treatment, advice about movement and practical strategies to make everyday activities more comfortable. One of the biggest things to remember is that you generally don't need to stop moving altogether.
When you're in pain, it can be tempting to avoid activity because you're worried about making things worse. However, reducing all movement
can sometimes lead to reduced strength and confidence in your body so the goal is to find the right level of activity. You may find it helpful to:
Keep moving within your comfort levels
Take regular breaks if you spend a lot of time sitting or standing
Avoid activities that seem to cause a are-up
Sit down to get dressed instead of standing on one leg
Keep your knees together when getting in and out of the car if this feels more comfortable
Use a pillow between your knees in bed
Change positions regularly
Ask for help with heavy lifting
A pelvic support belt may help, particularly during activities that aggravate it.
Do I need to stop exercising?
Not necessarily. Exercise and physical activity are important during pregnancy, but if you have pelvic girdle pain, you may need to change how you exercise. If you find walking uncomfortable, swimming may help. You may be able to continue strength training but need to modify exercises.
Your physiotherapist can also work with your P, obstetrician or midwife. The right advice, treatment and exercise can help you manage your symptoms and feel more confident moving through pregnancy.
PGP can feel different for everyone. You might experience:
CAN ASSIST
When a serious medical diagnosis forces a regional family to travel for care, the emotional toll is heavy enough, let alone the hidden, mounting expenses of travel, accommodation, and daily life away from home. When Malcolm Neale was diagnosed with cancer and required months of treatment in Sydney, his family experienced these unexpected financial strains firsthand. Out of that personal trial came a vital mission: re-establishing the Port Macquarie branch of Can Assist, a grassroots charity where 100% of locally raised funds stay local to help regional cancer patients.
Can you share the moment you and Mal decided that, despite your own recent challenges, you wanted to step up and bring Can Assist to the Port Macquarie community?
Mal and I were in Sydney navigating what the next 2 months looked like with Mal having to stay in Sydney for treatment. We were facing enormous financial costs as a result of Mal’s cancer diagnosis. My sister, who is a Palliative Care Nurse mentioned Can Assist, explaining they could help with the expenses we were facing. When we looked up Can Assist we discovered the branch for our area was not currently active. Despite this, Can Assist Head Office was able to cover many of our expenses. While reading about Can Assist we found that 100% of the money raised by local communities stays in that community with 100% of that money going directly to local cancer patients who need support to get to treatment. We had called other cancer charities whom in the past we had supported, only to find we were not able to receive financial support. For us
this raised the question as to whether we really understood where our money was going when supporting charities in the past. It was that day we decided we wanted to re-establish Can Assist Port Macquarie so we can help others who find themselves facing what we were facing travelling for cancer treatment.
Mal’s recent diagnosis is deeply personal to ou i o h s ou fi sth n experience highlighted the unexpected o hi en fin nci u ens o c nce treatment, particularly regarding travel?
It all starts from your initial GP appointment, even before the confirmed diagnosis there are so many hidden costs. Once you get the diagnosis the costs continue to rise and if you have to travel these costs are even higher. While there are some reimbursements, you often need the funds upfront. There are also costs people don’t think of, such as paying extra care costs for your children while you are away, fuel to get there and accommodation, the expenses just keep rising.
Turning personal adversity into a mission to help others takes incredible strength.
How has focusing on launching this charity helped you both navigate your own journey?
We had the support of many great friends and our adult children, but despite this the overwhelming stress had us feeling isolated and alone. Re-establishing Can Assist in Port Macquarie gives us the chance to give back and also our community the opportunity to let our local cancer patients know we are here to help and show our support at an extremely difficult time in their lives.
For those in our community who might not be familiar with the organisation, tell us out n ssist n h t s ecific t es o assistance will the Port Macquarie branch provide?
Can Assist has been operating across NSW since 1955. It is the largest cancer support network in rural, remote and regional NSW, with over 55 branches. Each branch is made up of local members and volunteers who raise funds to support locals affected by cancer. All money raised local stays local. Can Assist Port Macquarie can provide assistance including accommodation,
fuel, food, medication and other costs associated with a cancer diagnosis.
Why is travel assistance so uniquely critical for cancer patients living in regional areas like Port Macquarie compared to those living in other towns and cities?
When a family member is diagnosed with cancer the family’s focus suddenly turns to that person’s survival with no plans past the next appointment.
We have some fantastic treatment facilities in Port Macquarie however, being a regional area we unfortunately don’t always have access to treatments and facilities available in city areas. For Mal, the best treatment option meant travel and lengthy stays in Sydney. When making this decision we had to consider the life changing impacts treatment would have if we decided not to travel to Sydney, but also the costs involved. When deciding on a treatment plan the costs involved should not impact that decision.
When a family is hit with a cancer diagnosis, stress levels are already incredibly high. In what practical ways does removing the fin nci o o t e e enses ch nge the dynamic for a patient's recovery?
You don’t budget for a cancer diagnosis and it comes with no notice. Cancer patients should not have to consider their financial position and budget when navigating their treatment options. When a family member is diagnosed with cancer the family’s focus suddenly turns to that person’s survival with no plans past the next appointment. Often the focus is also on how they are going to financially cope, we want to take away that worry away to allow that family the space to focus on the treatment.
The o fici unch is set o Tues September 15th! What do you have planned o the n h t e ou ost e cite about?
Thanks to Lou from The Stunned Mullet who is hosting our launch with a canape event starting at 6pm. Essential Energy has come onboard as a sponsor for this event and to kick start the fundraising with a donation to be presented. There will be business sponsorship tiers on offer – Gold, Silver and Bronze. The night will include an opportunity to hear about how Can Assist will support our community and allow the
community the chance to share how they can contribute to the charity.
For community members who want to attend or support Can Assist PMQ, how can they do so?
Ticket sales trybooking.com/DOEZH
Email - portmacquarie@canassist.org.au
If you, your business or your workplace would like to support us in any way we would love to hear from you
What are your immediate, short-term goals for the branch heading into the end of the year?
We have a great committee established ready to get to work. This year our focus is launching our branch, on-boarding volunteers and securing ongoing sponsorship. We are keen to hold our first fundraising event early next year with planning for this event starting soon. We invite anyone in our community with ideas to please reach out.
If someone in our community is reading this n cu ent st ugg ing ith the fin nci strain of travelling for cancer treatment, what is your message to them, and how can they reach out for help once you launch?
You’re not alone, please reach out - we are here to support you through your journey.
portmacquarie@canassist.org.au
0407 900 775
Thanks Alison & Mal.
IA New Kind of DENTAL CLEAN
Why today’s clean is gentler, more comfortable, and more important than ever
f you’re an older Australian, there’s a good chance your memories of the dentist aren’t exactly pleasant. For many people, dental visits used to mean discomfort, noise, and a “just get through it” mentality.
ut here’s the truth dentistry today is a completely different experience.
Dentistry Has Changed - For the Better
The biggest shift is simple: We don’t wait for problems anymore - we prevent them.
In the past, dental care often meant fillings, extractions, and fixing issues once they had already caused pain. Today, the focus is on keeping your mouth healthy so those problems don’t happen in the first place.
The good news?
When managed early, most treatment is preventable.
A More Comfortable Clean: Guided iofi The T
One of the biggest advancements in modern dentistry is uided iofilm Therapy T , a gentle, patient-friendly way to clean your teeth.
Instead of the old scraping you may e e e T o s i e this
• A safe dye highlights exactly where bacteria is sitting
arm water, air, and a fine powder gently lift it away
• Hard instruments are used only if truly needed
Many patients, especially those who have
avoided the dentist for years, are surprised by how comfortable and calm the experience feels.
It’s not about “putting up with it” anymore. It’s about ee ing t e se hi e t ing c e of your health.
Your Mouth and Your Overall Health
What’s happening in your mouth doesn’t stay there.
We now understand strong links between gum health and broader conditions such as:
• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Alzheimer’s disease and cancer
Keeping your gums healthy helps reduce in ammation in the body and supports your general wellbeing as you age.
So a simple clean isn’t “just a clean.." It’s part of looking after your whole body!!!
ou otice The i e ence
If it’s been a while, here’s what you can expect today:
• A slower, more respectful pace you’re always in control
• Clear communication everything is explained before it happens
• o o t fi st techni ues designed to minimise sensitivity
• A supportive approach no judgement, just help moving forward
hether it’s been five years or fifty, you’ll be met with understanding.
At Sundial we have a team of experienced Oral Health Therapists; they are trained to
look after your teeth, spending time to make sure you're comfortable, tailor the treatment to your needs and emphasize PRE ENTION. Their training is also for the treatment of children to achieve the best outcomes for your family.
t s e e Too te to t t g in
Many Australians put off dental visits because of old experiences. That’s completely understandable. But the reality today is encouraging:
Modern dentistry is built around prevention, comfort, and partnership.
A simple visit can:
• Freshen your smile, help your teeth stay white and make you feel confident about your breath
• Help you keep your natural teeth longer
• Reduce the need for more complex treatments later
Support your overall health and confidence ositi e te o
Coming in for a clean today isn’t about revisiting the past - it’s about moving forward with better care, better technology, and a better experience.
You may even find yourself thinking something you never expected:
Th t s e sie th n thought
Call today to book your clean at Sundial Dental 6583 3533 and 6585 215
Alternatively stop by to visit your local rooms or visit our recently updated website to read about our services and our team sundialdental.com.au
Mate, it’s not like that at all. Working on yourself physically, mentally and emotionally is one of the most sel ess things you can do because the people around you benefit from the man you’re becoming.
Your partner benefits. Your kids benefit. Your mates benefit. Your workmates benefit. Our community benefits. hen you’re healthier, calmer, stronger and more present, everyone around you feels it.
hen was the last time you booked in with your GP? Had your bloods checked? Booked a skin check? Had that sore shoulder, ongoing pain or strange symptom looked at?
Have you’ve noticed something isn’t quite right. Maybe there’s been blood where there shouldn’t be. Possibly you’ve had headaches, fatigue or a lump you’ve been ignoring. You’ve been putting it off because you’re busy or hoping it’ll just go away.
Too many men wait until something becomes serious before they ask for help. This is your reminder. Book the appointment. Get your bloods done. Have the skin check. Ask the questions you’ve been avoiding.
Looking after yourself isn’t a weakness. It’s our responsibility. The same goes for your mental and emotional health. Last month I spoke about the weight we carry. If you’ve been holding onto stress, anger, sadness, resentment
or disappointment for too long, it doesn’t disappear. It gets heavier. Eventually, that weight finds a way out.
Through anger. Shutting people out. Drinking too much. ambling. Overworking. Or becoming someone your family hardly recognises. The problem isn’t always the behaviour. More often than not, it’s what’s sitting underneath it. That’s why men’s work matters.
It’s about having the courage to ask yourself the hard questions. What’s really making me angry? hy am I reacting like this? hat pain have I been avoiding? What needs to change?
Doing that work doesn’t just change your life. It changes the lives of the people closest to you. Your family shouldn’t have to carry the weight of the work you’re avoiding. Real strength isn’t pretending everything’s okay. Real strength is being honest enough to admit when it’s not. It’s having the courage to talk. To ask for help. To communicate instead of bottling everything up. It’s also about surrounding yourself with the right people. Take a good look at your circle. Are they helping you become a better man, or are they keeping you stuck? Find people who encourage good habits, healthy routines and accountability. People who challenge you because they care, not because they want to tear you down. Sometimes that’s a brotherhood. A group of men who remind you that you don’t have to do life alone.
As men, we’re constantly leading, whether we realise it or not. Our kids are watching how we
deal with pressure. They’re watching how we speak to people, how we treat our partners, how we handle setbacks and whether we ask for help when we need it. They don’t need a perfect father, partner or leader. They need an honest one who’s willing to keep growing. There’s one more thing I want us all to think about.
ullying doesn’t stop when we leave school. It still exists in workplaces, sporting clubs, social groups and online. Life is already bloody hard. People are carrying financial pressure, relationship struggles, grief, loneliness, health concerns and the responsibility of providing for the people they love. Many are fighting battles you’ll never see. You shouldn’t have to know that to be kind mate.
Instead of tearing people down, let’s lift them up. Instead of judging, ask how they’re going. Instead of adding to someone’s burden, be the person who helps lighten it.
Let’s spend less time criticising each other and more time encouraging each other to become healthier, stronger and kinder human beings.
The life you want begins when you’re no longer willing to accept the version of yourself that’s holding you back.
If you’d like more information, email info@unstoppablecommunity.com.au
Let’s go, Kings.
SIMONE LYON
PLUNKETTS PHARMACY
If you have walked through the doors of Plunke s Pharmacy in Wauchope, chances are you have experienced the expert care provided by Simone Lyon. Now, her dedication to the health and wellbeing of the local community is receiving the statewide recognition it deserves. Simone has o cially been named one of the Top Five finalists for the 2027 NSW Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award. FOCUS sat down with Simone to discuss her achievement, her passion for community healthcare, and what it means to represent Plunke s Pharmacy on the state stage.
Hi Simone. Congratulations on making the Top Five in NSW! How did you feel hen ou fi st oun out ou e e fin ist I was genuinely shocked and incredibly honoured. There are so many amazing pharmacy assistants across New South Wales, so to be recognised amongst the top five is something I never expected. It s a proud moment, not just for me, but for our whole
Plunketts Pharmacy team. To receive this recognition after more than 26 years in an industry I love is very humbling - 2 of those years being with Plunketts Pharmacy. Plunketts Pharmacy has been part of the Wauchope community for many years. What do you love most about serving the locals, and how has the community sh e ou o ch to ou o
The relationships are what I love most. You get to know people beyond their prescriptions - you know their families, celebrate their
milestones and support them through difficult times. Being trusted during some of the most important moments in people s lives is a privilege. auchope has such a caring community, and it s taught me that sometimes simply listening, showing kindness and taking the time to genuinely care can make just as much of a difference as the healthcare we provide.
h t fi st e ou to eco ing pharmacy assistant, and what keeps you oti te e e
I've always enjoyed helping people and have wanted to work in a role where I could make a real difference. From a young age, I admired the pharmacy staff in my local community. They were always professional, approachable, and genuinely caring, and they inspired me to pursue a career in pharmacy.
Today we’re proud to have a team of more than 20 sta , and one of the most rewarding parts of my role is mentoring and supporting them. Watching people grow in confidence and helping create a positive workplace is something I genuinely enjoy.
hat I love most about pharmacy is that it combines healthcare with meaningful customer care. Every day brings something different, and I enjoy learning, solving problems, and finding ways to ensure people leave feeling supported, informed, and cared for. nowing that even a small interaction can brighten someone s day or positively impact their health continues to motivate me.
Behind every great achievement is a great team. How have your colleagues at Plunketts Pharmacy supported you throughout your career?
I couldn t have achieved this without my team. Plunkett s Pharmacy has always encouraged me to learn, grow and challenge myself. udy
and Ines have been incredible mentors, giving me opportunities to develop throughout my career and trusting me to help grow our Plunkett’s Terry hite Chemmart auchope Pharmacy from the very beginning.
Today we re proud to have a team of more than 20 staff, and one of the most rewarding parts of my role is mentoring and supporting them. atching people grow in confidence and helping create a positive workplace is something I genuinely enjoy. e all share the same goal of providing exceptional care for our community, and I m incredibly grateful to work alongside such dedicated people.
Being named one of the best in the state requires dedication. What personal or professional values do you believe helped you reach this level of recognition?
I believe kindness, compassion, integrity and authenticity are at the heart of everything I do. I always try to treat every customer the way I d want my own family to be treated. uilding trust and making people feel comfortable is so important in community pharmacy.
I also believe in continually learning. Pharmacy has changed enormously over the past 2 years, and I m proud to have grown alongside the profession. I enjoy embracing new services, expanding my knowledge and adapting to the changing role pharmacy plays in community healthcare. I love being a part of the Terry hite Chemmart brand and its Dedicated to Care model which aligns with the way I approach my work, putting customers first, supporting my team, and delivering excellent service every day.
For anyone looking to start a career as a pharmacy assistant or wanting to make a difference in community healthcare, what advice would you give them?
If you genuinely care about people, pharmacy is one of the most rewarding careers you can choose. Never underestimate the impact a smile, a kind word or taking an extra few minutes to help someone can have. e willing to learn, ask uestions and embrace every opportunity to grow. Pharmacy is constantly evolving, and every day brings something new. If you re passionate about helping others, you ll find it s much more than a job, it’s a career where you can make a real difference in your community every single day.
Thanks Simone. Interview: Sarah Baker.
JAMES MARSHALL
Born and raised catching waves in Port Macquarie, 36-year-old James Marshall thought his days of high-level competitive sports were comfortably behind him. at all changed in early 2025 when a casual race with mates ignited an unstoppable drive. Just over a year later, in May 2026, James conquered the brutal, high-a rition World Championship course at Ivory Rock, winning his age group by an astounding eight minutes and placing fourth overall.
Hi James, Can you introduce yourself to our readers and your connection with Port Macquarie.
My name is James Marshall, I’m 36 and was born and raised in Port u rie gre u urfing, ent to hool here, met my wife Rachel, and now we’re raising our own family in this community.
For those who don’t know and haven’t come across your sport what does OCR stand for and what type of sport it is?
“OCR” stands for obstacle course racing. The easiest way to explain it is to picture Ninja Warrior, but in race format. Events range from short 80m sprints to 55km ultras. It combines trail running, climbing, jumping, carrying heavy objects, and tackling obstacles like walls, nets, slip walls and spear throws. Australia hosts races like Tough Mudder, Spartan, True Grit and Ninja Warrior, each with its own style.
couldn’t eat, skipped a hydration pack, and the he t ehy r te me ly till fini he n in my age group, but I walked away with more questions than answers. That frustration pushed me to try again and see what I was capable of.
The World Championship race at Ivory Rock had a staggering 75% drop-out rate, yet you won your ge g ou eight inutes n finishe ou th outright. What kept you pushing forward when the course was breaking so many other athletes? e re enting u tr li lit fire in me ulling on the green and gold was something I never imagined. I relied on my training, but the mental battle was just as important. My Dad was on the sideline, reminding me who I was doing it forhim, my family, and everyone back home supporting me.
It combines trail running, climbing, jumping, carrying heavy objects, and tackling obstacles like walls, nets, slip walls and spear throws.
James, your journey moved incredibly fast! You started in February 2025 just doing a race with mates, and by May 2026, you were an age group World Champion. What was that "spark" in the Hunter Valley that made you realise you could take this to the highest level?
one tly, my fir t r e rough nervou ,
You mentioned that CrossFit 2444 has been integral to your strength and nutrition. How has training locally alongside Port Mac runners and gym communities shaped you into a world-class athlete?
Port Mac has an incredible standard of athletes - Olympians, world champions, and everyday people who are un eliev ly fit m not the f te t runner or the best CrossFitter, but OCR lets me combine all my strengths. Training around these athletes means I’m constantly learning, asking questions, and improving. Their support and openness have played a huge part in my growth.
Continued over...
If you could give a direct shout-out to the local businesses and individuals who backed you from day one, who are they and what has their belief meant to you?
Having people believe in you is a massive motivator. I’d often think, “They believe in me,” and it pushed me through tough sessions.
Hastings Valley Water Carts and Tipper Hire, Magcord Projects, John Oxley Motors, HEM Property, Mid o t it hen , utfitter and TRS Cycle Centre.
These businesses give so much back to the community, and I’m incredibly grateful for their support.
At 36, you honestly thought your competitive sporting days were behind you. What shifted in your mindset that allowed you to break through that mental barrier and embrace this new challenge?
After Hunter Valley, I signed up for the next Spartan race and committed to proper training and nutrition. I executed a strong race, won my age group, and realised, “I might actually be competitive again.” That moment changed everything.
A er Hunter Valley, I signed up for the next Spartan race and commi ed to proper training and nutrition. I executed a strong race, won my age group, and realised, “I might actually be competitive again.” at moment changed everything.
everyday locals in their 30s or 40s who might think it’s "too late" to chase a major physical goal or try a brand-new sport?
Set realistic goals and start small. If you want to run faster, run a little more each week.
Improvement comes from consistency. Gyms and sports can feel intimidating, but everyone starts somewhere. The hardest part is simply beginning.
lead in the Spartan National Series. What is your strategy to seal the championship win?
It’s a 5km sprint with technical obstacles. The spear throw carries a 30-burpee penalty, so my aim is to stay clean and avoid mistakes. A penalty-free run is the goal.
In November, you’re stepping up to the professional division for the Spartan Ultra - a mind-boggling 55km and 90 obstacles. How does your training change when transitioning from a 15km race to an ultra-endurance distance?
What is your message to other
You are heading to Melbourne on August 9 holding a massive 216-point
I’m shifting towards sport science testing, sweat rates and calorie intake to understand exactly what my body needs. Ultras are a balancing act, you must be explosive for lifting and
lim ing ut l o le n n effi ient for long i t n e running, often on n rt n oe n t rele e our e et il until ee out, o tr ining h to over everything, imil r to norm l ro it re r tion
OCR is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and is expected to debut at the 2028 Olympic Games. With you already representing Australia on home soil, is the green and gold jersey for LA 2028 on your radar?
never y never
Thanks James, congratulations and good luck with the events to come.
RYAN MARTIN
Parenting rarely goes to plan, and according to local educator, speaker and author Ryan Martin, that's perfectly okay. Drawing on 25 years in education and his own experience as a father, Ryan's new book Li le F*ckers cuts through the noise of perfect parenting to deliver honest, practical advice with plenty of humour.
Hi Ryan. After 25 years in education, what inspired you to sit down and write Little F*ckers?
Twenty-five years of watching good parents overcomplicate the job for no reason. I d sit across from mums and dads who were convinced they were failing, and nine times out of ten their kid was pretty normal. ust loud, stubborn, spirited, allergic to direction or most of the above. Meanwhile the shelves were groaning under the weight of parenting books written like everyone s raising a perfect version of a kid. The truth is they don’t exist. Nobody was telling the truth. So I wanted this book to be a fresh honest angle of parenting. The book’s title? ell, that’s a statement most parents have mumbled under their breath. The love underneath it isn t.
You've worked with thousands of children and families, but you've said becoming a parent made you realise how much you still had to learn. How did fatherhood change your perspective?
e shelves were groaning under the weight of parenting books wri en like everyone's raising a perfect version of a kid. e truth is they don’t exist. Nobody was telling the truth.
I was probably insufferable before I had kids. I had opinions. I had loads of strategies. Then I had my own little humans and discovered that every clever techni ue I d recommended over the years works beautifully right up until breakfast time, you ve had four hours sleep, and someone s melting down because you cut the toast wrong. Fatherhood made me a
more humble human. I stopped talking like I had all the answers and started talking like someone in the trenches next to other parents. ecause I am. Your book is refreshingly honest about the realities of parenting. Why do you think so many parents are craving authenticity rather than another "perfect parenting" guide?
Parents have been lied to for a decade and they re exhausted. Everywhere they look, someone s serving up a highlight reel. The craft sessions. The calm voices. The kid eating salad bowls without orld ar III. It s
unrealistic rubbish, and deep-down parents know it, but it still makes them feel like they are failing. People aren't chasing another expert. They're chasing permission to be human. They want someone to lean over the fence and say, "Yeah, mine did that too, and they turned out fine. That s the whole purpose of the book.
One of your key messages is that parents are probably doing better than they think. Why do you believe so many mums and dads carry such a heavy sense of guilt?
I think we have turned parenting into a competitive sport with no scoreboard, so everyone assumes they're losing. Add social media, where you're comparing your worst Tuesday to someone else s best filtered moment, and of course you feel like you're stuffing it up. ut here s the thing. The fact that you're worried is the evidence you're doing okay. Some of the parents that I have worked with who think they are crushing the parenting gig often have some big blind spots that come back to bite them. The guilt you're hauling around at times is proof you care. Put it away. It's not helping the kids and it's removing the fun from parenting. You've spent years working with children e e i ficu t What do you wish more parents and teachers understood about strong-willed kids?
That the trait driving you up the wall right now is the same one you'll be desperate for them to have at seventeen. The kid who argues with everything? That's a kid who won't be talked into a car by a stranger, or bullied into something dumb by a pack of mates. The intensity, the stubbornness, the questioning of every single rule. That s not a fault to be fixed. It s raw material. Our job isn't to break it. It's to help them aim it. Half the leaders and creators and
troublemakers who've improved the world were absolute nightmares as kids. Maybe we have to handle the future changemaker in your lounge room with a bit more respect. Your book encourages parents to look at themselves, not just their kids. Why is self-awareness such an important part of raising kids?
Kids don't do what we say. They do what we do - and they especially do what we do when we've lost the plot. You can't lecture a child into calm while you're yelling. You can't teach resilience if you fall apart every time life doesn't go your way. A huge chunk of parenting is just managing your own nervous system in front of a small person who's studying you like a documentary. The uncomfortable truth is that most of the behaviour we want to change in our kids starts with something we're modelling ourselves. Sort that out first and half the problems quietly disappear.
But here's the thing. e guilt you're hauling around at times is proof you care. Put it away. It's not helping the kids and it's removing the fun from parenting.
If every exhausted parent could remember just one thing after reading Little F*ckers, what would you hope it is?
Connection beats correction. Every time. When it's all going sideways and you don't know whether to be firm or gentle or just hide in the pantry with a block of chocolate and a glass of wine, reach for the relationship
first. ids don t need perfect parents. There s no such thing, and honestly, they'd be no fun to grow up around. They need present ones. Ones who stay in the room, keep showing up, and love them through the messy bits. You're not raising a project. You're raising a less than perfect person - and I’d bet you're doing better than you think.
he e c n e fin out o e o get ou hands on a copy of the book?
Little F*ckers is published by Pan Macmillan and you can get it wherever you buy your books. All the usual online spots, and your local Coffs Harbour bookstores have it in stock and Project Pony in Woolgoolga, and would love the sale. There's an audiobook too, so if you fancy being told you're doing alright by me while you fold the washing, that's now an option. Some of my mates have told me I am putting them to sleep. I am not sure if that is a compliment. On a side note: this book is honest, sweary and I hope more than anything, helpful.
Thanks Ryan.
Stars
ARIES. This month encourages you to slow your pace and focus on balance. Work opportunities may gather momentum, but don’t overlook the people who matter most. A financial decision around midmonth deserves careful thought. y the final week of August, you’ll feel energised and ready to take on a new challenge.
TAURUS. August brings stability and progress. Home and family take priority, while your practical nature helps you solve a lingering problem. Someone may seek your advice, trust your instincts. A surprise invitation or social event towards the end of the month could lead to exciting new connections.
GEMINI. Your calendar is filling up, but don’t say yes to everything. Communication is your greatest strength this month, making it an ideal time for networking, presentations or launching new ideas. Stay organised and you’ll finish August feeling accomplished and inspired.
CANCER. Confidence returns this month. A project you’ve been working towards begins to gain recognition, while your intuition helps guide important personal decisions. Prioritise your wellbeing and don’t feel guilty about taking time to recharge. The second half of August brings positive financial news.
LEO. Happy Birthday, Leo! This is your season to shine. New opportunities, fresh beginnings and well-deserved recognition are all on the horizon. Celebrate your achievements, set ambitious goals and don’t be afraid to step into the spotlight. Someone in uential may open an unexpected door.
VIRGO. As your birthday season begins, it’s time to reset and refocus. Let go of anything no longer serving you and embrace the fresh energy arriving late in the month. Your attention to detail will impress others, particularly at work. Exciting plans begin to take shape.
LIBRA. Friendships and collaboration are highlighted throughout August. Someone from your past may reconnect, while new professional relationships could create exciting opportunities. Trust your judgement when making decisions and avoid overthinking situations that are beyond your control.
SCORPIO. Your determination is paying off. Career goals move closer to reality, and others are beginning to notice your hard work. Stay focused but remember to celebrate your progress. A meaningful conversation with someone close could strengthen an important relationship.
SAGITTARIUS. Adventure is calling. Whether it’s travel, learning a new skill or taking a leap of faith, August rewards those willing to embrace change. Your optimism is contagious, making this an excellent month for collaboration, networking and personal growth.
CAPRICORN. Your disciplined approach continues to bring results. Financial planning and long-term goals are well supported this month. While work remains busy, make time for family and relaxation. Balance is the key to maintaining your momentum.
AQUARIUS. Relationships take centre stage. Honest conversations strengthen both personal and professional connections, while exibility helps you navigate unexpected changes. Keep an open mind. An opportunity that initially seems small could become something much bigger.
PISCES. Small changes will lead to significant results this month. Focus on creating healthier routines, trusting your intuition and making time for creativity. A chance encounter or unexpected conversation could inspire your next big idea.
OF PORT MACQUARIE SEPTEMBER EDITION
e next WHO’S RISING
STAR
Every successful business has someone who is making a difference. The young professional with big ideas. The apprentice who goes above and beyond. The emerging leader who inspires those around them. The business owner building something extraordinary. The employee who consistently exceeds expectations.
THIS SEPTEMBER, WE’RE CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OUR REGION.
Introducing... Rising Stars of the Port Macquarie
This special feature will showcase the next generation of local talent across every industry, recognising the people whose passion, innovation and dedication are helping our community thrive.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
✓ Young professionals
✓ Emerging business leaders
✓ Apprentices & trainees
✓ Entrepreneurs
✓ Future industry leaders
✓ Team members making a difference
Supporting People Strengthening workplaces
Helping businesses navigate workplace injuries with confidence, Shelley Jones founded Work Well Injury Solutions to provide expert injury management, return-to-work coordination and practical support that protects both employers and their people.
Can you tell us about your business?
Work Well Injury Solutions partners with businesses to help manage what can be one of the most complex and overwhelming aspects of running an organisation navigating injuries and employee recovery in the workplace.
With over 15 years’ experience in workers compensation and injury management, I founded ork ell Injury Solutions to provide employers with exible and direct access to senior expertise that helps reduce organisational risk, protects against rising claim costs and premiums, and supports safe, timely and sustainable recovery outcomes for their employees.
Throughout my career I’ve seen the detrimental costs that ineffective or passive injury management can have on a business. ust one claim can significantly impact an organisation’s workers compensation premium for years to come. Many businesses don’t have a dedicated injury coordinator, and effective results require far more than just administration. It takes strong legislative knowledge, clear communication, and the ability to proactively coordinate insurers / medical professionals / employees and internal staff to achieve desired outcomes. That’s where we come in.
We work collaboratively with our clients providing the expertise and support needed to create healthier, more resilient workplaces.
Whether that’s pre-employment risk management, Injury prevention strategies or management of both personal and workrelated injuries illnesses in the workplace.
We take the time to understand your organisation, your people and your operational needs, delivering practical, tailored support rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Through early intervention, return to work coordination, legislative guidance and workplace education, we enable employers to focus on running their business with confidence, knowing their employees and injury management needs are in experienced and capable hands.
What’s your favourite part of the work you do?
hat I find most rewarding is assisting people throughout their rehabilitation. Recovering from injury is about more than just physical healing and often comes with its own personal and logistical challenges as well. Supporting someone throughout that journey in order to achieve not only their work goals, but also their personal ambitions is something I’m incredibly passionate about. I also enjoy the strategic side of injury management and seeing the measurable improvements our work delivers. hether it’s reducing the number of workplace injuries, achieving earlier return-to-work outcomes, or helping prevent unnecessary premium cost exposure, it’s rewarding to know we’re creating positive outcomes for both employers and their employees.
ho is ou g e test in uence in business?
It’s hard to choose just one. I’m inspired by any women who has had the courage to build a business they’re passionate about. hether they’re nationally recognised or local business owners. They all bring a uni ue perspective on how they do business, and I’m always receptive to ideas that allow me to grow both personally and professionally.
h t iece o ice ou ou gi e women making their way in the business world?
Some great advice I received from a friend is to set yourself small and ambitious goals and to celebrate along the way. It’s easy to be focused on what’s next, or what may be lacking in your business that you overlook how far you’ve come. hether it’s securing your first client, your first sale, or achieving your best month yet, make sure to take the time to celebrate. hether that’s a glass of champagne, dinner out, or that well earned massage. Re ect and be proud of your accomplishments, then keep moving towards your next goal.
o c n eo e e n o e out ou usiness
I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me on 0429 548 214 or at sjones@ o e in u so utions co u. To learn more about Work Well Injury Solutions, visit o e in u so utions co u or connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Shelley Jones - Founder & Principal Consultant
with NICK LAWTON PRIEST LEGAL
AI is not new. It has been a subtle development in the background of technology for well over 40 years, but the release of generative AI applications has really seen AI infiltrate our lives at an alarmingly rapid pace. AI tools undoubtedly make things happen quicker, but it remains to be seen whether they are more accurate or efficient than good old human work ethic and attention to detail.
You may notice that a simple Google search presents you with a summation of your search in the form of an ‘AI Overview’. Whilst an AI overview might provide a quick and direct answer to your question, it cannot possibly consider the question within the context of your specific situation, without further prompting.
As it appears that AI is going to become part of the furniture, (sometimes literally), whether we like it or not, we need to understand its limitations. AI can suffer what is known as ‘hallucinations’ which in simple terms means it can provide you with an output that is either entirely fictitious or simply the wrong answer. AI has also been shown to display tendencies of bias in certain circumstances. This can be a result of the data source AI is using and the lack of availability of a greater pool of data in which to formulate an answer. This
leads to the next issue with AI and that is the disclosure and storage of data to an unintended recipient who then uses the data to train and sculpt AI models.
All of this sounds pretty cynical of AI, but the reality is that we are living through a time that has been coined the Fourth Industrial Revolution and we should learn to understand and harness the benefits AI can provide and also be wary that it might not always get it right.
Unfortunately, the attractiveness of AI efficiency has seen lawyers realise the deficiency in their AI research, in the midst of making their argument in the court room. No better time to realise you should have proofread your work then when you are staring at the Judge! Apparently not for some lawyers who have been caught red-handed. There have been multiple examples of where lawyers have used AI to prepare case lists and those authorities have gone unchecked. The court is then tasked with finding the authorities only to exhaust resources on working out those authorities are a result of an AI hallucination and the lawyer’s failure to verify them. A pretty embarrassing outcome for the lawyer. These issues could be avoided by the intervention of actual human review and due diligence; the old school way.
But it is not just lawyers leaning on AI. Selfrepresented litigants have also fallen victim to the appeal of having AI draft their court documents and as a result they have misled the court with fabricated case lists, awed legal reasoning and incoherent affidavits. The court has, in no uncertain terms, repeated that the use of unchecked AI is damaging to litigants and only serves to waste court resources. The Supreme Court has even released a Practice Note in an attempt to rein in the negligent use of AI tools.
This probably reads like an AI dis-track. It is not. But AI, not unlike humans, cannot always do it alone - well not at the present time. Discussing your legal matter with a lawyer with years of experience and training can provide more clarity to your legal issue than you might realise. Skilled lawyers with years of experience and training know what to look for and what information, that you may not know to tell your AI assistant, might substantially alter the outcome of your case.
Priest Legal have highly experienced and skilled lawyers based in both our Port Mac uarie and auchope offices and can help you navigate your legal issues. Contact us on (02) 65831777 or email us at info@priestlegal.com.au or check out our website: priestlegal.com.au
Artificial Intelligence and its interaction with the legal system, so far..
COULD A GRANNY FLAT SOLVE TWO FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AT ONCE?
Housing affordability and retirement income are two of the biggest financial challenges facing families across the Mid North Coast. Whether it’s adult children struggling to save for a deposit in today’s property market or retirees looking for ways to stretch their savings, many families are asking the same question: could a granny at be part of the solution?
The NS overnment defines a granny at, or secondary dwelling, as a self-contained home located on the same property as an existing dwelling. They are permitted in many residential zones across NSW and have become an increasingly popular housing option (NSW Planning).
For younger families, a granny at can provide a more affordable housing alternative than renting or buying a separate property. For older Australians, it can create an opportunity to remain close to family while potentially reducing living costs. In our region, where many residents are approaching retirement and many younger families are struggling with rising housing costs, the concept of multi-generational living is gaining attention.
From a retirement perspective, the numbers can be compelling. Many retirees are asset-rich but cash- ow poor. They may own a valuable family home but have limited income outside their Age Pension and superannuation. Some choose to downsize, while others consider moving closer to family and contributing funds towards a granny
at arrangement.
This is also where a mortgage broker can play an important role. Many homeowners assume they must use savings to fund a granny at, but there may be other options available depending on their circumstances. A broker can help families understand their borrowing capacity, whether existing home equity can be used, and how different lending structures may affect repayments and long-term financial goals. They can also compare lender policies, as not all banks assess granny at projects in the same way.
However, financing is only one piece of the puzzle, and this is where financial planning becomes critical. Services Australia has specific rules around what it calls a granny at interest”. This isn’t simply about the physical building. It refers to an arrangement where a person pays for the right to live in a property for life. Depending on how the arrangement is structured, it can affect Age Pension entitlements and asset test assessments. (Services Australia). The rules are complex enough that Services Australia specifically recommends people seek advice before entering into a granny at arrangement.
For families considering this option, the biggest mistake is often focusing solely on construction costs and ignoring the legal and financial implications.
Questions that should be discussed upfront include: ho owns the granny at?
hat happens if family circumstances change?
• What rights does the older person have if the property is sold?
How will Centrelink assess the arrangement?
These conversations may feel uncomfortable, but they are far less uncomfortable than disputes later. That said, when structured correctly, granny ats can deliver benefits across generations. Parents may gain security, independence and proximity to family support. Adult children may receive help with housing costs or mortgage pressures. randchildren benefit from stronger family connections, and importantly, an additional dwelling can increase housing supply without requiring new land releases.
There is no single solution to Australia’s housing affordability challenge or the financial pressures of retirement, but on the Mid North Coast, where families are increasingly looking for practical ways to support one another, granny ats are becoming more than just a backyard building. For some families, they may represent something far more valuable: a way to improve financial security for two generations at the same time.
If you would like to discuss your current equity position or borrowing capacity to see if building a granny at on your property is an option for you then reach out at www.farnsworthfinancial. com.au and book a Discovery Appointment today. As always, before making any major financial or property decision, seek independent financial, legal and taxation advice to ensure the arrangement suits your family’s circumstances.
LEAVING YOUR SUPER TO YOUR CHILDREN? IT'S WORTH PLANNING AHEAD
You’ve worked hard, carefully growing your super, and you’re proud of what you’ve built. Your plan is simple: whatever is left will one day go to your adult children. Unfortunately, it might not reach them the way you imagine. It's one of the least understood parts of retirement planning, and one of the most important. This month, here's what we all Need2Know about what happens to your super when you're no longer here.
Your super doesn't automatically follow your will. Many people assume their super is treated like the rest of their estate. It isn't. Super sits outside your will and is paid according to the rules of your fund and the nomination you've made.
Who receives it matters too. Under tax law, your spouse and any children under 18 are treated as 'dependants', and they receive your super tax-free. Adult children who are financially independent are treated as nondependants'. That single distinction is what most people don't see coming.
Why part of it can be taxed. Your super is made up of two parts. The 'tax-free component' comes mostly from aftertax money you've put in yourself. The 'taxable component' comes from employer contributions, salary sacrifice and investment
earnings built up over the years. For most people, the taxable component is by far the larger of the two.
When super passes to a non-dependant, such as an adult child, that taxable component can be taxed at up to 17 per cent.
Consider a couple in their late 70s who have around $500,000 in super, and roughly $450,000 of that is the taxable component, which is common. If it's paid to their adult children, the tax could be in the order of $76,500. That's money leaving the family rather than passing to the next generation. This isn't a reason to panic. It's a reason to plan.
The downsizing opportunity. Many people don’t realise downsizing is not only a way to boost retirement savings, it may also create estate planning opportunities.
When you sell the family home you've lived in for years, you may be able to make what's called a 'downsizer contribution'. If you're 55 or over and have owned the home for at least 10 years, you and your partner can each put up to $300,000 from the sale into super, on top of your usual contribution limits, within 90 days of settlement.
Downsizer contributions are different than other contributions - they land in the tax-free part of your super but don't count towards the non-concessional cap. And with the right
planning, that can be one way to lift the taxfree portion of what you eventually pass on to your children.
What surprises people most is how open this rule is. You don’t need to still be working to use it, there’s no upper age limit, and even a large super balance won’t rule you out. Still, it won't suit everyone, and both your circumstances and the tight timeframes involved matter a great deal. This is a conversation to have with your adviser rather than a decision to make on your own.
Preserving wealth for the next generation
Most retirement planning focuses on the years you're living: your income, your investments, your Centrelink position. Far fewer people stop to think about what happens to their super afterwards, and whether some of it could be protected for the people they love.
For some families, that's the difference between leaving a little more to children and grandchildren, or watching a meaningful amount go to tax instead.
If you've spent a lifetime building something to pass on, it's worth ten minutes to understand how it will actually be treated. Come and talk it through with me, and we'll look at where you stand.
To find out how we can help secure your financial future, visit directadvisers.com.au or call 02 6583 7588
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Illuminate
with KATE WOOD-FOYE
THE GUTS, GRIT AND GROUNDWORK OF REMARKABLE REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURS, INNOVATORS, LEADERS AND GAME CHANGERS.
Andrew Lord has never been content with accepting “the way things have always been done.” Whether he’s inspiring future entrepreneurs, challenging the education system, writing, podcasting or investing in young people through Luminosity, Andrew has an incredible ability to see possibility where others see barriers. In this edition of Illuminate, we chat about purpose, courage and what it really means to design a life that makes a difference.
ANDREW LORD
You seem to have an uncanny ability to challenge the status quo and ask, “What if there was a better way?” ou ne uc tion
e o utions o ect ee s i e the e o i ent o th t h t s e this movement, and what change do you ho e it c e tes o the ne t gene tion
Yes, I’m definitely wired that way. Some people find that hard to take. I guess it’s human nature to want things to stay the same, but there’s just so many aspects of traditional schooling that just don’t make sense anymore. I think everyone knows it, but the system has its own inertia. It’s hard to stop - like theTitanic. Do you remember that film we screened together with the universities? ‘Most Likely To Succeed’ describes that critical point in the late 90s, when internet became mainstream. The knowledge economy has changed forever, but schools haven’t changed along with itnot really, they’re still based on an industrial model.
Now with AI on our doorstep, that model is becoming redundant. I left mainstream education in 2015 and retrained as a lifecoach. Luminosity was definitely a catalyst for that leap of faith. Since then, I’ve
designed a bunch of programs, Adventure Quest, Dangerous Minds, Project Space and Mini-heroes, all models to show that it can be done differently. I’ve designed whole school-models, and coached dozens of out-of-the-box educators to start their own businesses. Education Revolutions became a not-for-profit when I realised I couldn’t do this alone. I knew I needed to do more than produce a proof of concept. I needed to spark a movement. Can you imagine a world where young people are encouraged to explore their passions, to think critically, and where innate curiosity and a desire to do good in the world is the driving force for learning experiences? That’s my hope for the future.
ou o c st i ts o the ge e o es the is o th t o ten co es from life’s greatest challenges. Looking back on the conversations you’ve had, what’s one story or lesson that’s stayed ith ou ong te the ic o hones were turned off?
I think one of my favourite conversations was with Daniel Flynn the founder of Thank you. His book ‘Chapter One, You Have the Power to Change Stuff’ is incredible. His perspective on mentors stayed with me. He described having a conversation with a mentor as like time-travel, a way that
you can step into the future and literally learn from someone else’s mistakes. I love that, and now I always look for those opportunities. I guess that’s what the podcast is for me - my way to keep learning. Even if I don’t always fully agree with the guest, it keeps me open-minded and curious. Th ough ou ssion to ofit c sses t T ou e he ing eo e t ns o i e s into e ning u usinesses h t s the iggest in set shi t ou see eo e e e ience hen the e ise the c n ui i e oun h t the genuine o e
I think the students who show up have already had to make a mindset shift to be there. They’ve had to believe in themselves enough to take action. I have the greatest respect for these students for that reason. It’s not easy to step out of ordinary life. It takes courage to think about starting a business or anything else, and it takes courage to ask for help. When these students arrive, they’ve already won a big part of the battle. We build on that in the course. We’ve launched 190 new businesses in 7 years. I’m pretty proud of that.
ou oo Th i e esign encou ges e e s to eco e intention chitects o thei o n i es the e s one esson o iting the oo th t su ise e en ou h t ou it e n ho h s it ch nge the ou i e to
There’s a chapter early in the book called “Let’s Get One Thing Straight” and its about our intrinsic worth as humanbeings. I know I can be a bit performance orientated sometimes - I love winning. But I know I also need to remind myself, I am enough without any of that. I don’t need to achieve greatness to be accepted. I’m a child of God. Period. He loves me as I am. I don’t do what I do to ‘earn value.’ I have it and so I live accordingly.
Can you imagine a world where young people are encouraged to explore their passions, to think critically, and where innate curiosity and a desire to do good in the world is the driving force for learning experiences?
e g e t e e h s eo e ho e sh e thei ou ne ho h e een the ento s o in uences th t h e ch enge n ins i e ou the ost
Where do you start? There’s been so many on the podcast. I also read a lot. Brene Brown, Lewis Howes, Shawn Achor, Simon Sinek, Josh Waitzkin. Right now, Chris
Blackeby is an out of the box thinker who challenges preconceptions about God and spirituality. I’m enjoying his work.
This e ou gene ous g e ou ti e t ent n he t to su o t u inosit outh u it ins i ing hun e s o oung eo e to thin igge out thei utu e h is in esting in oung eo e so i o t nt to ou n h t gi es ou ho e hen ou s en ti e ith the ne t gene tion o e e s
Being honest, I just love being a part of the event. It’s inspiring for me, let alone the kids! Luminosity embodies so much of what I believe education could be, not everything, but it’s the ‘in-breath,’ the ‘in-spire’ that we all need to go and achieve our dreams. I also just love helping people to live onpurpose. It doesn’t matter how old they are. It’s something we can all aspire to, and Luminosity facilitates that.
Th n s n e
FRESH FIRST, FRAGRANCE SECOND: CREATING A COSY WINTER
HOME THAT SMELLS AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS
There’s something about winter on the Mid North Coast that invites us to lean into comfort; thicker throws, slower mornings, and homes that feel like a warm hug the moment you walk through the door. While we often focus on how a space looks, how it smells is just as powerful. In fact, scent is the quiet overachiever of interior styling. It sets the mood before anyone notices your erfe tly uffe u hion
But before we start lighting candles and simmering spices, let’s talk about the less glamorous truth: no amount of beautiful fragrance will mask a home that needs a good refresh. Think of scenting your home like skincare - you need a clean base before you layer on the good stuff.
Start with a clean scent canvas. Winter has a sneaky way of trapping odours indoors and closed windows, damp air, and heavier fabrics can all contribute to that slightly stale “winter house” smell. A few simple habits make a world of difference:
• Change your bedding regularly. Even more so in winter when we tend to spend longer tucked in bed. Fresh sheets instantly lift the feel of a room.
• Empty bins frequently. It sounds obvious, but in cooler weather we’re often less vigilant, and odours linger longer indoors.
• Swap out damp towels. Towels take much longer to dry in winter, especially in bathrooms without great ventilation. That musty smell? It travels.
• Air out your home whenever possible. Even ten minutes of open windows on a sunny winter morning can clear out stale air.
Once your home smells clean (not just covered up), you’ve created the perfect foundation for layering in beautiful fragrance.
Layering scent like a stylist
Just as you’d layer textures and tones in a room, fragrance works best when it’s built up gently rather than delivered in one overpowering hit.
Start with a subtle base. This might be a naturally clean smell from fresh laundry, or something understated like a reed diffuser in a hallway. From there, you can add richer, more seasonal notes in key spaces like the living room or bedroom.
The goal isn’t for someone to walk in and immediately say, “Wow, what’s that smell?” It’s more about creating an atmosphere they can’t quite put their finger on u t th t your home feel inviting, cosy, and well cared for.
Winter scents that actually work
Winter is the time to lean into warmth and depth. Think less “tropical breeze” and more “slow Sunday afternoon with something in the oven.”
A few favourites I always come back to:
• Woody notes like sandalwood, cedarwood, and vetiver. These bring a grounding, slightly masculine warmth that works beautifully in living areas.
• Spices such as cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Used sparingly, they create that
classic winter cosiness without veering into Christmas overload.
• Vanilla and tonka bean for softness and comfort. These are perfect in bedrooms, adding a gentle, cocooning feel.
• Citrus with a twist, orange, mandarin, or bergamot paired with spice or wood. This keeps things fresh while still feeling seasonal.
• Eucalyptus, especially here on the coast. It’s clean, familiar, and ties beautifully into our local landscape.
Simple ways to introduce fragrance
You don’t need a cupboard full of products to make your home smell beautiful. A few thoughtful choices go a long way:
Candles are the obvious favourite, and for good reason. They add both scent and that soft winter glow we all crave. I tend to keep one in the living area and one in the bedroom, choosing complementary scents rather than identical ones.
Reed diffusers are ideal for a consistent, low-maintenance fragrance. Place them in transitional spaces like hallways or entryways so the scent gently greets you as you move through the home.
I’m also a big fan of plug-in diffusers, especially in winter when we’re spending more time indoors and want that consistent, background scent working away quietly. They’re ideal for entryways, hallways, or even bathrooms; spaces where you want a gentle fragrance without the effort. My one tip? Skip the supermarket options and invest in a more refine ent from r n th t e i li e
in home fragrance. The difference is noticeable, less synthetic, more layered, and far more elegant. It’s one of those small upgrades that makes your home feel instantly more considered.
For something a little more natural (and budget-friendly), try a stovetop simmer pot. A slice of orange, a cinnamon stick, and a few cloves in a pot of water can make your entire home smell incredible. It’s old-school, but it works.
And don’t underestimate fresh elements, eucalyptus branches in the shower release a subtle scent with the steam, and a small vase of greenery can lift a room in more ways than one The finishing touch
Fragrance should feel like an extension of your home, not an afterthought. When it’s done well, it’s subtle, layered, and completely personal.
So this winter, before you reach for the nearest candle, take a moment to reset your space.
Freshen the basics, let your home breathe, and then build in scent with intention. It’s a small shift, but one that makes your home feel infinitely more inviting, whether you’re entertaining guests or just enjoying a quiet night in.
If you have any other decorating questions or problem spaces feel free to drop me a line at: zenyadesignsforlife@gmail.com or visit me in our showroom 164 Lake Road, Port Macquarie (opposite REPCO).
