Photo credit: Tony Lopes Photography www.tonylopesphotography.com Coffs Coast focus 43
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Nesting Needles Fabric & Patchwork
STEPHANIE LUCK
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Orara Valley Progress Association
ow long have you lived in the Nana Glen area? About 13 years. We initially had a property at Central Bucca, before Nana Glen, and we are now at Coramba.
help me. I love the clean, fresh water and the clean air. I love that someone always beeps and waves every time I’m putting my bin out! I love that everyone knows my kids' names and keeps a watchful eye out for them. I couldn’t possibly wish to live anywhere else.
Tell us about your community involvement. You mention you have a family as well. I’ve been involved in the Orara Valley Progress How do you juggle it all? The kids come Association for about eight years, as President along to most meetings with us, and between for about five years. We manage the Coramba my (very patient) husband, Brendon and I, we Sportsground, and work with groups within the just make it work. I think it’s important that valley that are looking to get particular projects they see us being involved in the community happening. We apply for quite a bit of grant and taking an active responsibility for what funding to get projects happens around us. They going, and have been need to know that things successful in several grants don’t "just happen"; there’s “I love that we for the Sportsground, which someone there making it haven’t lost too is fantastic, because it’s used happen! by so many families across much of the ‘small I just have to be careful the whole valley. I’m very town’ attitude. You’ll with time management, lucky that the other people and never commit without always get a smile involved in the Association checking the diary! and someone will are very dedicated, and we The kids are all heavily genuinely ask how all bounce off each other involved in sport, so the your day is going really well. juggle is certainly real! I when you go to get Being a bookkeeper, I work a lot at night, and some milk.” naturally get roped into with emails being so easily being Treasurer a lot! I am accessible on phones, I’m involved with our P&C, and generally half watching one of my favourite groups soccer training, and I am involved with is Mountain Preschool at emailing someone at the same time! Lowanna. My youngest and I head up there What plans do you have for the future? each week; he attends the preschool, and I do Nana Glen needs a playground! the accounts. I love it up there. I would love to see some limited casual What do you love most about Nana Glen camping back at Coramba to help our local and the surrounding communities? I love businesses and to bring in extra funds for more that we haven’t lost too much of the "small local projects. town" attitude. You’ll always get a smile and I do plan on saying "no" a little more often, someone will genuinely ask how your day is so that I spend more time simply enjoying going when you go to get some milk. I love the valley with the family, instead of going to having the confidence in the people around meetings! me that no matter what, someone will have Thanks Stephanie. my back; I just have to ask, and someone will 44 Coffs Coast focus
Nesting Needles Fabric and Patchwork carries a large range of fabrics, patterns, pre-cuts, bias binding, yarn, knitting, crochet and sewing accessories.
Paulien Barkmeyer teaches crochet from beginners to advanced and makes crochet easy.
We host a wide variety of classes daily from local and guest tutors, including patchwork, quilting, fashion design, embellishment, crochet.
Vivienne Crisell has over 25 years' experience in the fashion industry as a pattern-maker and designer, with companies such as Sportscraft, Saba, Network/New York, Trixy of London and Sussan.
Owner Lisa Peterson is a TAFE qualified teacher. She teaches all aspects of patchwork and quilting and has a vast knowledge of the industry. Lisa offers colour and pattern advice and has won numerous quilt awards with her attention to detail and unique pattern ideas. Chris Timmins is a long time teacher of all levels of sewing and quilting, who is excellent with children. Jeni Hudson teaches great beginners' sampler quilts, American hand piecing and has a fantastic sense of colour and mood.
Discover the joy of creating truly individual garments that fit you perfectly.
A lecturer at TAFE, she is fully qualified with a Diploma in Fashion and a Diploma in Technical Teaching. “At Nesting Needles I teach patternmaking, fashion design and embellishment. I am committed to excellence in design and finish to the highest professional standards. My aim is to pass this on to you as the student in a friendly and creative environment. My classes cater for beginners to advanced levels.” For further information, contact Vivienne on crisions@optusnet.com.au
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Chelsea
CROWE What is your relationship to Nana Glen? My family moved here when I was 7, and I went to Nana Glen Public School. Whilst my family are still on the same property, I moved interstate for a time. We then moved back with our daughters, Aria and Scarlett, as it is such a wonderful area to grow up in. We were very fortunate to secure 10 hectares out here and then built a beautiful house with Toscan Homes. Tell us about your community involvement. My daughters attend Nana Glen Public School and Country Cubs Preschool in Coramba and love being close to home. My husband, James and I are both Community First Responders for the NSW Ambulance, providing immediate pre-hospital care in the gap between someone calling for an ambulance through the 000 system and the arrival of paramedics on scene in the valley. I am the purchasing contact for our family raised Organic Angus at Black Standard Beef, and I work full-time as an Operations Manager in Nana Glen, as well as being the Secretary and playing ladies league tag for the Orara Valley Axemen. In between my commitments, I also coordinate the sales for the amazing artist, Gabrielle Pool.
The Coramba Hotel Coramba General Store & Providore The father/daughter team, Paul and Claryce Phillips, took over and renovated the Coramba General Store just over a year ago. The café boasts a relaxed, rustic style with country comfort, award winning coffee, tasty homemade pies, mouth-watering burgers (including the beetroot, lentil and goat cheese vego option), friendly service and prices to match. There is a great range of locally grown and handmade produce for you to take home too! They will be heating up this winter with wood fire pizza nights, so keep an eye on the Facebook page! This family owned, country style café is located in the beautiful town of Coramba, just 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour. Come in and experience for yourself - tantalising food and coffee, relaxed atmosphere with great customer service ... You just can't go wrong!
Do you ever dream of escaping the hustle and bustle, but don’t want to drive for hours to do so? Then I have the answer for you! Enjoy the short but scenic drive to one of the Coffs Coast’s best kept secrets, Coramba Hotel. Brett and Sandy have recently taken over the hotel and with plenty of experience under their belt, they’re ready to get this historic gem back to what it once was. With live music to entertain you, trivia night to keep you on your toes, amazing food and the best rural outlook in Coffs Harbour, the Coramba pub is guaranteed to keep you coming back for more ... and don’t forget the kids! They’ll love the park and wide open spaces. The Broadaxe Bistro is open seven days a week, with lunch from noon to 2pm daily; dinner from 5:30pm to 8:30pm daily. - $12 lunch specials Monday through to Friday. - $15 lunch AND dinner specials on weekends. With friendly, helpful staff to assist your needs everyone is welcome at the Coramba Hotel and if you’re brave, challenge the publican in the pool comp ... but beware! I hear he’s pretty good.
What do you most love about Nana Glen and the surrounding communities? I love when visitors come and say how clean the air is, how beautiful the water tastes, and how lush the land is. We really are very lucky here in the valley to have such friendly members of the community and a variety of social spaces; with two cafés, a swimming pool, and the winery just in Nana Glen alone. It is always lovely to go with friends for a bush walk to Scouts Falls in Glenreagh or for a swim in the river at Coramba. It is a lovely place to grow up in and to raise a family. Tell us about some of your most notable achievements. One must be being extremely organised and to be able to juggle all of our commitments and be a super mum! I had a blast working with Gabrielle Pool on showing her Halcyon Exhibition at Two Tails Wines, which was something I hadn’t been a part of before. Not many people know, but I also have a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology and Marine Biology - still yet to put that to good use! What plans do you have for the future? To go on more holidays with my family, explore the world, read every day and to embrace what each new day brings. Thanks Chelsea. Coffs Coast focus 45
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Chris French HWH STABLES
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i Chris. What was it about the Coffs Coast that inspired you to move here? It was actually an easy decision choosing the Coffs Coast; it is where my parents had settled to retire, having lived in Sydney for most of their lives. The decision to be near my parents was based on my ideas of what was best for my family. I was planning for the future, as my wife is diagnosed with Huntingtons Disease and knowing her condition would deteriorate as the symptoms took hold, and I would increasingly require assistance from my mum to help me with Nicolle, my wife, and our two young children. Could you tell us a bit about HWH Stables, the riding school and the trail rides you run? HWH Stables prides itself on offering its guests and students highly unique experiences, with safety and education our highest priority at all times. Our guests are often living out an experience that is on their bucket-list, like swimming your horse in rivers, waterholes, ocean surf and lagoons … cantering along a beach … running free through rugged ranges, or simply learning to ride with confidence, athleticism and strength via our clinics and lessons. As owner and instructor of HWH Stables, I personally conduct all lessons and clinics providing students of all ages with relevant theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will cover both horsemanship and riding techniques that can be applied in a variety of equine disciplines for leisure, sport and work. Our friendly horses are clever and brave and operate very well together as a cute
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little herd or out by themselves, assisting and guiding our guests through some of Australia’s iconic scenery, while almost always enjoying the added highlight of spotting dolphins, whales and other native wildlife and flora. Orara Valley rainforest and river trails in addition to our popular Boambee Beach and lagoon rides are available all year round, and suitable to all levels of riders, from absolute beginners to the more experienced. Minimum age for trail rides is 7 years old, and maximum weight is 100 kg, group size is from one to six riders for all trail rides. If you have a larger group, we can discuss this upon application. For children younger than 7 years old, we highly recommend applying for lessons at our riding school, or a led beach ride with a guide walking your child while the family rides unassisted is also suitable. Lessons for young children start from 4 years old. We will always do our utmost to accommodate our guests in a fun, safe and practical manner that creates memories to cherish forever. On this, HWH Stables is renowned for providing quality photography of your ride to our guests as a complimentary service. We have caught you as you are about to head off to do the 2018 Eidsvold Charity Cattle Drive in support of the Flying Doctor Service. Is this something you have taken part in before? And what inspired you get involved? This is my first time. I am accompanying one of my clients, who has become a good friend. I always say everybody has a story to tell; her story is one of survival and bravery and passion to live life to the fullest. So I’m going there for her, as well as for my wife
and kids, who will join us - and of course for myself, as I love pushing cattle around and working from a saddle. When did you start riding? Is it something you’ve always had a passion for? I started riding horses properly as a young child and more seriously as a teenager. I bought my own horse by myself from a sale yard in Windsor, Western Sydney, NSW when I was just 16. My nonhorsey parents had no idea what I was up to - I thought it was terrific winning the auction and paying $500 that I had saved from my three casual jobs. The horse I bid for and won was an enormous 16’2hh Anglo Arabian grey gelding that I called Sire. Sire was a great first horse. It was soon after that, once completing tertiary education, that I decided I wanted a job that somehow included horses. It sounds like you have a lot of experience in the industry. Could you tell us a bit about some of the properties you’ve worked on and some of the roles you’ve had? As mentioned, I relocated my family from the Kimberley of WA, where I was managing a 3.5 million acre cattle station which incorporated pastoral-based tourism activities, including scenic rides, overnight packsaddle rides, cattle musters and five-night cattle drives, as well as an on-site training facility for Indigenous trainees. I have also held positions as an instructor and tour guide with various horse riding establishments over the years, including Moore Park Stables in Sydney. Where can people find out more about HWH Stables? Go to www.hwhstables. com.au or visit our Facebook page www. facebook.com/HWHSTABLES or call us!
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PETE SPINKS PRESIDENT O R A R A VA L L E Y AXEMEN RLFC
Kafe Kookaburra Debbie Worldon The Orara Valley Axeman have a proud history dating back over 30 years, with multiple premierships, a strong emphasis on family entertainment and a focus on building their club from the ground up through the Tomahawks junior rugby league club. The 2018 season brings an exciting time, as we build on our strengths developed throughout 2017. FOCUS had a chat to Pete Spinks to find out more.
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hat plans does the club have for 2018? To increase our club’s profile in the community. We want to provide greater exposure for our sponsors and supporters by regular updates of our games or photos on our Facebook page. I guess we are giving everyone a window into our club for those who either are unable to make a game or live outside the area. We also have plans to provide some new experiences when attending games through corporate boxes or “tradies” boxes.
preparation both physically and mentally, and a positive attitude being instilled across the club, to ensure success on and off the field. We want players to be drawn to our club because of the family and community-minded culture of the club, and I think we have achieved that.
Micheal and I have come to know what this beautiful little town needs. Being a mother of many and a grandmother to many more, I know myself how important it is to be able to go somewhere to eat or have coffee and feel secure that your kids are safe and they have things to do to keep them entertained. Our aim is to put in a play area under our big shady trees, for the kids. We also have a small play area for littlies. Micheal has been in the food industry for 15 years, so it’s important for him to make good food and coffee. We would like to be somewhere you can get great food to eat here or
take home, whether that’s from our takeaway menu or our café menu. We aim to see our little piece of paradise become a sanction to relax, eat, drink and be happy. We have a Melbourne tram that we have plans to transform into a holistic healing centre. We are looking for massage therapists, psychic readers or any other alternative practitioners who would like to rent some of the space. We will be open for breaky from 6am until 7pm for dinner in the winter months and 8:30 in the summer months. We also plan to introduce a delivery service in the summer on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5pm to 7:30pm.
Who are some of the major sponsors this year? When mentioning sponsors, it’s difficult not to name them all, as every single one of them is valued by the club immensely, but our Major Sponsors this year include Two Tails Winery, Coffs Hotel, Coramba Hardwoods, “We also have Coramba Hotel, Chris Beslic plans to provide Excavations, Country Cubs some new Child Care Centre, and Blue Water Mechanical. experiences when
A special mention must also attending games Tell us about the growth go to IGP as another longof both your junior and through corporate time sponsor of the club, who senior programmes? boxes or ‘tradies’ probably doesn’t get noticed The junior club is separate boxes.” as much as some of the to the seniors club in its others, but they are always administration, and that there supporting us. committee is doing great Tell us about your senior things to boost team and men’s and women’s line-up for 2018. I’m really player numbers in the junior ranks. In saying that, proud that our men’s First Grade currently boasts we do work closely with them to support where at least seven former Orara Valley Juniors in the we can, but also to look at how we are creating team. We have also recruited quality players who pathways for the juniors to move up into the complement the team’s push for playing finals senior ranks when the time comes for that. footy this year. The senior programme focuses on a couple of areas. The inclusion of the women’s league tag into the senior competition is reasonably new, with this being the second year of that locally, and we have the desire to ensure this is an ongoing growth area in our sport. On the men’s side of things, we are looking to continually improve the “professionalism” of the team, for want of a better word. This starts with knowledgeable and capable coaches in all grades, and we have that in place, good preseason
Our women’s team is also shaping up well for this year. We have been very fortunate to have a number girls come along who have brought some great experience and skills to share. I expect that we will see a big improvement in our standings come the end of this season. Four of our first grade team and three girls have been named in the Group 2 representative squads in 2018, and I would say that’s a great achievement for our small club. Coffs Coast focus 47
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Two Tails Wines RIKKI CETINICH O P E R A T I O N S
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C O - O R D I N A T O R
rikki N A N A GL E N ’ S FAVO U R I T E SW E E T H E A RT R I K K I C E T I N I C H H A S TA K E N OV E R T H E R O L E A S O P E R AT I O N S A N D E V E N T S C O - O R D I N AT O R AT T WO TA I L S W I N E S . F O C U S H A D A C H AT W I T H R I K K I, T O F I N D O U T M O R E .
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hat is your connection to Nana Glen? I’ve lived in the area all my life, having grown up here alongside my sister and amazing parents. My mother was on the committee to raise the funds for the pre-school to be built, and I was in the first intake of children. Growing up, I worked in the local pub and cafés, and my husband Stevan and I have recently built a beautiful new home in the village. The ladies at the café know my coffee order off by heart, the gents from the general store keep me updated on people’s comments about our beautiful gardens, and my 5th grade teacher from the local school still smiles and waves as he passes by.
country atmosphere, the sunrises looking over the valley on our morning runs, the sunsets on my mum’s verandah, knowing everyone on a first name basis, the rivers, creeks and green fields. Most of all, I love the fact that we are far enough from town that people won’t spontaneously knock on your door … They just walk in!
Tell us about your community involvement. I have my fingers in many pies! I am the Treasurer at Orara Valley Axemen Rugby League Club, and I’m also a member of the Orara Valley Progress Association. I love working with passionate locals who have the same vision to build a safe and providing community for our children to grow up in.
You have recently taken on a new role at Two Tails Wines. Tell us about that. I’ve recently taken on a really exciting role as Operations and Events Co-ordinator here at Two Tails Wines. I jumped at the idea of being closer to home and getting back to my grass roots in event management. I manage the front of house, but a significant part of my role is to co-ordinate the functions and events held at the winery.
What do you love most about Nana Glen and the surrounding communities? Being able to raise my young family where I was brought up and experience the same local environment is very important to me. I love the 48 Coffs Coast focus
Tell us about some of your most notable achievements. Whilst I’ve achieved some great things in my professional life, undoubtedly my greatest achievement is our beautiful 2 year old son, Tariq.
a workplace dinner, hen’s party, high tea, degustation night or community event. Two Tails Wines is the perfect place for a vintage vineyard wedding. We have just completed our new wedding packages, and I’m looking forward to working with brides and grooms to help them create their special day. We have also expanded our menu to soon include breakfast on the weekends and opening some Friday working with nights for dinners.
“I love passionate locals who have the same vision to build a safe and providing community for our children to grow up in.”
My goal is to put Two Tails Wines on the map for events, whether it is a birthday lunch,
You’re heavily involved in the Orara Valley Football Club. Tell us about that. I have been involved with the Axemen for some years now. I play for the ladies league tag team; I’m the events coordinator and the Treasurer. Being the Treasurer for a small community club is tough work - juggling the accounts, gathering sponsors and raising funds to keep us powering along. Recently another member of the committee and I won the club a $29,000 grant to go towards building new grandstands at our home fields, the Coramba Sportsground. Having outcomes like this makes it easy to deal with the blood, sweat and tears you put in as a volunteer!
You have a family as well. How do you juggle it all? Want to know my secret? Sometimes I don’t, and that’s OK! I have learnt you don’t have to be perfect; you just have to turn up and do your best and if you put in your heart and soul, the rest comes along naturally! I am very lucky to have a very supportive husband, family and friends who always lend a hand. They say it takes a community to raise a child, and that’s something I do believe! Tariq has a beautiful day care mum in Upper Orara and when he is not enjoying school, he comes along to training nights at football, sits in on the boring committee meetings, or has sleep overs at Nanny and Poppy’s, just so I can complete a project that I ever so eagerly put my hand up for … and then asked why! What plans do you have for the future? As much as I love routine, I often don’t plan too far ahead, unless it is for an overseas holiday. My definite plan for the future here at Two Tails is to win the fight and provide music and events in the Orara Valley for the locals to enjoy, such as our previously successful Music in the Vineyard. My personal plan is to pull my fingers out of all those pies and concentrate on my own little family, which Stevan and I want to grow. Of course, that will require a bigger house … still right here in Nana Glen. Thanks Rikki.
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Orara Valley Honey GLENN LOCKE What is your relationship to Nana Glen? The Orara Valley has been home since 2009, and I moved to Nana Glen about five years ago with my partner, Anne Webster. We couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Tell us about your community involvement. I’m fortunate to be a member of the Nana Glen Rural Fire Brigade. We have an amazing team of volunteer firefighters led by our Captain, John Lardner. In addition to local brigade activities, I also assist with training at a district level throughout the Coffs and Bellingen Districts. What do you most love about about Orara Valley and the surrounding communities? I value the friendships that I have made. When we need something done, I can always find someone to help. Anne and I have five
beautiful acres on the Orara River. Plenty of room for our horses, chooks and Alice the dog. The area is beautiful and peaceful. Tell us a little about Orara Valley Honey and how it was started. I've had bees since I was 14. The business produces local honey, which is available from retail outlets in Nana Glen, Coramba and Karangi. We also produce queens and nucleus hives. I also specialise in removing bee colonies from wall cavities. What plans do you have in the future? The Rural Fire Service has me hooked and I want to keep building on my skills and contribute as a volunteer. Hopefully in a couple of years the beekeeping business will be my full-time job.
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TAILS two tails WINES
Discover a local favourite in the heart of Nana Glen. A warm and friendly welcome awaits you, overlooking our vines with views extending out to the mountains. A wide variety of wines are available for tasting and sale at the cellar door. Enjoy lunch at our fabulous restaurant, Velvets and an overnight stay in our newly renovated selfcontained B & B. What style of wines can people enjoy when they visit? We have a large selection of wines here at Two Tails, with Villard Blanc, Chardonnay, Charvill Blanc, Sparkling White, Traminer Riesling and Moscato in our whites. Our reds are Chambourcin, Black Velvet, Blush and
Red Bubbles and our famous Lizards Blood (Vintage port), along with our fortified wine range Forte Blanc (White Port), Ginger Wine, Le Noir Liqueur, Valley Mist, as well as some being quite unique - like our Blueberries in Wine and Raspberry Fortified Wine with local berries. Open Tue - Sun, 10:30am to 4:30pm. 963 Orara Way, Nana Glen NSW 2450 T: (02) 6654 3633 Email: twotails@twotailswines.com.au www.twotailswines.com.au
Josh Allen SYNCHRONICITY FARM T H E M A N T R A " K N OW YO U R FA R M E R , K N OW YO U R F O O D " H A S B E E N GA I N I N G M O M E N T U M OV E R T H E PA ST F E W Y E A R S , A S H E A LT H Y E AT I N G A N D F O O D P R OV E N A N C E D R I V E U S T O S E E K O U T N E W F O O D R E L AT I O N S H I P S . F O C U S H A D A C H AT T O FA R M E R J O S H A L L E N T O F I N D O U T M O R E . . .
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hat is your relationship to Nana Glen? Our family moved here 10 years ago in April 2008, with a vision to create a sustainable organic farm and grow food for the community. We were looking for a region with good weather and rainfall in a rural environment about 20 minutes to a good sized regional town. Tell us about your community involvement. We help people live longer lives by growing, sourcing and distributing organic food all over the region. We also have a not-for-profit enterprise called Giving Tree Australia, which has run over 50 workshops in agriculture, cooking and food related skills that sustain life. Families, garden clubs, schools and holiday care groups have been connecting with Synchronicity Farm to design, host and run tours and excursions that are connected to specific learning objectives. What do you most love about Nana Glen and the surrounding communities? Being here at this time is exciting, because there are so many creative, talented and passionate people moving to the area and building great businesses. There are many young families in the area, and we are among like-minded people. Tell us a little about Synchronicity Farm and how it was started. We left Sydney to reengineer our life after studying Permaculture and then Social Enterprise. This ignited a desire to create positive change in the world through our actions. Our social impact measurements include: “How many people can we divert from shopping through conventional outlets
to having a direct connection with farmers?” “How many people can we help acquire a skill that sustains their life?” “How many meaningful connections to the food cycle can we create for kids and their parents?” Can you tell us about the Raw Food Hub? One successful model growing in Australia that is meeting the need for a real Farmer to Consumer connection is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which is well known in Europe and the United States. In a CSA model, members buy a share of the annual harvest of the farm and connected farms to the hub. The new member then receives a weekly organic food box for 52 weeks of the year which contains a diverse selection of the freshest seasonal produce harvested at its prime, including fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices and specialty products selected by customers such as mushrooms, eggs and honey. This type of relationship goes way beyond what most people experience today in conventional shopping environments. When you really know your farmer, you can confidently trust the food you eat. It feels good to know each other by name and be able to walk around the farm and witness the food cycle first hand. As modern day hunters and gatherers, Raw Food Hub at Nana Glen is a new social enterprise and a recent grant recipient of the Regional Jobs and Investments Packages, that has embraced the CSA model by growing and sourcing the very best organic food and delivering boxes all over the region to new members and casual customers. See produce available at: www.rawfoodhub.com or Visit the farm at; 632 Orara Way, Nana Glen Coffs Coast focus 49
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ArtSpace on 45
MAT T BEGG IS A LOCAL ARTIST WHO CREATES THE KIND OF LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS THAT MAKE YOU WANT TO TAKE A DRIVE AND APPRECIATE THE EVER-CHANGING BEAUTY OF THE AUSTRALIAN SCENERY. HE AND HIS WIFE MEGAN HAVE A STUDIO, ARTSPACE ON 45, AT CORAMBA THAT EXHIBITS THEIR OWN AND OTHER ARTISTS’ WORK , AS WELL AS HOLDING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES F OR THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY.
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i Matt. Can you tell us about your connection to the Coffs Coast? I moved to Coramba about six years ago with my wife, Megan and our three children from Central West NSW. We had visited Coffs Harbour and really liked Coffs for its natural beauty, and we loved the quiet of Coramba.
that inspired me to paint and capture these colours.
painting, drawing, clay and craft. We like to give our students the
Do you have anyone that you would say particularly inspires or influences you and your work? I really like Jeffery Smart; his paintings have inspired a lot of my earlier works. I like to paint realism, with interesting things for the viewer to find in the small details.
opportunity to be creative and explore different techniques and
You are predominantly a landscape artist. Can you describe You are obviously very inspired by the Australian landscape. your style of work and tell us what drew you to this type What are some of your favourite places or types of landscapes of art? My paintings are a true representation of what the subject to paint? I like to paint the wide open and dry landscapes of actually is. As time goes by, I get curious about different subjects, Central West NSW and New England. I take styles and perspectives and eventually try photos from the roadside everywhere that I go. them out, and my direction in art slightly You have a gallery in Coramba, Artspace shifts. Earlier I painted and sketched many on 45. Tell us about the gallery and how “I really enjoy streetscapes and only within the last few it came about ... Artspace on 45 is a studio years moved towards landscapes. I really searching for I share with my wife, Megan, who is also enjoy searching for sceneries to paint while sceneries to paint an artist; we live here and create our art in driving through different towns and seeing while driving through this space. It is inspired by the open studios the changes that happen through the different towns and we have visited while seasons. I look for interesting features, light, seeing the changes travelling before we had shadows and depth. I look at colour and our children; we always with seasons.” cloud formations that I can capture in my dreamed of and planned paintings. to own a studio that is What sort of mediums do you most like open to the public and to use? I usually use acrylic on canvas or gives other artists the paper; I like its versatility. I can achieve many different effects with opportunity to exhibit their work. acrylic paints. Have you always loved to paint? And what do you think sparked your interest to start painting? I have been painting for nearly 20 years and have sketched for as long as I can remember. My interest in painting started while living in Mudgee. I had moved from Sydney and was living and working on farms. Mudgee has beautiful landscapes, where artists would visit to paint the colour as it changed through the seasons from oranges and reds in the autumn to purples and greens in the spring. It was this experience 50 Coffs Coast focus
We believe that as well as running exhibitions you also run art workshops and classes for both adults and kids. What kinds of activities do you offer? We run weekly classes for adults and children, and monthly themed workshops. Our adult classes include acrylic painting, pen and wash, and clay building. Our children’s classes range from
mediums during our weekly classes. The workshops are more so a step by step tutorial on a particular technique. You are also part of the Mad Hatters Markets at Coramba each month; how are you involved? Artspace on 45 and a handful of other Coramba business owners and community members collaborate to organise the market. Artspace on 45 and other local businesses host free (or low cost) arts/crafts and other activities on the market day. Artspace on 45 is responsible for promoting and advertising the market, creating advertising material ready for print, and making props to add colour and vibrance to the market. Where can people see your work? You can see my work at our studio every weekend, 10am - 4:30pm. You can also find my latest work on our website: www.artspaceon45.com.au on Facebook and Instagram.
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Alison and Rod Johnson IDLE IN CAFE A T
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hat is your connection to Nana Glen? Touring throughout the region on our motorbikes for the last 15 years, we’d always held a special affection for Nana Glen, with its rolling green hills and valleys. In early 2012 we rode to Nana Glen to visit friends, where we discussed our dream of establishing a quiet little country café somewhere and the rest, as they say, is history. Why did you decide to move from city to country? We had moved around Australia for 20 years, while Rod was in the Army and I was an Executive Assistant. Brisbane is my home town, and we settled back there for a period, but it became too crowded and stressful, so we decided to search for a quieter lifestyle. By then I had traded my corporate life for a mobile coffee van, which I enjoyed, and the seeds were planted for a rustic country style café. How long have you owned Idle In Café? We purchased the property in early 2012. It had previously been the general store and post office and then went through a few hands as a café. The building had been sitting empty for over 12 months when we decided to breathe some life back into her. The high timber beams and warmth caught our imagination, and our aim was to bring her into this century, without losing that old world charm. After months of renovations, we opened the doors in September 2012, and the Idle In Café was born. You attract a lot of motorcycle riders. Tell us about that ... Being motorcycle riders ourselves, we wanted other riders to feel welcome, and the Orara Valley presents some of the most enjoyable winding roads for riding. We
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also recognised that this back road offers community projects, and we host the Nana a scenic alternative to the highway and a Glen Community First Responders (formerly convenient stop for “grey nomads” and Heartstart) for their monthly meetings, as other weary travellers alike. The design of well as providing storage facilities for their our logo reflects this broad welcome - a non-essential equipment. We welcome the bike rider will see a motorcycle and think Community Transport and Senior Citizen “idle in” in terms of their throttle, while a bus groups here throughout the year and traveller will see an old fashioned sidecar enjoy hosting these events. What do you love most about Nana with a dog, and the words “idle in” will Glen and surrounding communities? offer a friendly place to rest while on the We love the welcome we were extended road. Whilst we’re biker friendly, we’re not when we made the move from Brisbane. motorcycle-centric and warmly welcome Taking on an iconic property in such a families and our older customers, who feel prominent location in comfortable with the the village, we were café’s historical, rustic unsure how our arrival charm. “We’re proud of What can we expect would be perceived, our home cooked to see on your but we have been meals and baking, menu? embraced by locals, and we’ve built a We’ve taken our who were excited to strong reputation home cooked meals have their meeting and baking to the place back again with for excellent and next level and we’re such a high quality of consistent quality proud of the strong coffee and food. coffee.” reputation we’ve We’ve seen many built for excellent and young families move consistent quality into the area in the coffee. I employ a last five years and talented team of locals. Everything is made witnessed children being born and reaching fresh on the premises, from scones, lemon milestones. We love being a regular fixture meringue pies and apple and rhubarb in their lives, and our fridge is covered with crumbles, to corn fritters, honey roasted drawings and cards from the local kids. What plans do you have for the future? pumpkin salad, lamb and minted yoghurt We secured our liquor licence late open burgers and roasted vegetable tarts. last year to coincide with our fifth We offer all day breakfast, which is very anniversary and celebrated with live music popular, and cater for vegetarian and in our outdoor courtyard. It was a great gluten free. Tell us about your community atmosphere, and the locals are keen for involvement. us to create regular weekend live music We offer a central point for our small events. Mother’s Day is just around the community to meet and use the café as a corner, and our rustic charm is always very gathering point. We regularly contribute popular with families. We’ll be offering to fundraisers for the local school and our special Mother’s Day breakfast buffet preschools and have previously sponsored again this year and lunch specials, so we the local football team. A group of locals encourage guests to book in early. meet here monthly to discuss ongoing Thanks Alison. Coffs Coast focus 51
the western H I Nfocus T E R _tourism LAND
WITH STEPHEN SAUNDERS OF TOURISM COFFS COAST
tourism UPDATE
Mad Hatters Market Coramba On the fourth Sunday of each month, the gorgeous village of Coramba transforms as you are transported to the Mad Hatters Market. You might see Paul from the Providores in his red hat, Brett from the hotel cooking up a storm on the BBQ or a big magic chair out the front of Artspace on 45. Coramba plays host each month to the Mad Hatters Market, building on themes related to Alice’s famous Tea Party. Focusing on sections of the well-known story, such as teapots, clocks and hats, the businesses along Gale Street provide fun and creative activities for the whole family, which will lead to an end of year Tea Party planned for November 25th. Along with an opportunity to explore the charming businesses of Coramba, including Miss Libby’s Sewing Shop, Artspace on 45, Coramba Store and Providore and Nesting Needles, a number of market stalls line the footpaths on each market day. Stalls vary for
Boosting Business From Beach to Bush each market, but include a sausage sizzle (to support the local RFS), fresh plants and produce from local growers, health and beauty applications, second hand books, and live music from Cobweb Collections throughout the morning. And at the end of all of the activity, you can relax and take in the gorgeous views at the Coramba Hotel, enjoying a meal and drink while listening to the live music. Monthly activities are posted on the “Coramba - What’s Happening” Facebook page or general enquiries answered by phoning 5606 2046 or 0421 676 469 for information about becoming a stallholder.
10am - 2pm 4th sunday of every month @Corambawhatshappening 52 Coffs Coast focus
One of the great opportunities available on the Coffs Coast is the varying precincts that exist that incorporate our beach culture, our city needs and our rural landscapes. Between villages, towns and city that enable a variety of experiences, activities and services, we are spoilt for choice. Recently there have been a number of activations enabled within our broader community to grow the opportunities available to visitors and locals alike.
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ommenced in October 2017, been delivered through this program. this program initiated a new This digital activation has enabled a number approach for managing of start-up and entrepreneurial businesses to footpath activities to encourage establish and develop within the Woolgoolga more vibrancy in the Coffs City community, including a Youth Entrepreneur Centre Precinct. Through replacing rules and program in conjunction with Woolgoolga regulations for footpath use with a more High School. common-sense approach, the end goal of Coramba Place Activation making CBD footpaths more colourful, lively, A place activation opportunity was entertaining and interesting has unfolded. commenced and grown in the hinterland This vibrancy encourages people to stop, village of Coramba, west of Coffs Harbour. look and linger for longer. Place activation aims to position Coramba A wide variety of activities, including things as a must-see village on the Coffs Coast, such as live music, meditation tents and showcasing the rich natural assets of the skateboarding activities township, along with the have been delivered vibrant local community. through this program so Through small activities, “Place activation far, along with additional a large community event aims to position dining opportunities and ongoing monthly Coramba as a and pop-up shops. By markets, the small must-see village registering, an individual businesses of the town on the Coffs Coast, or business within the have been given a chance showcasing the rich CBD is included in this to grow and develop natural assets of the activation at no cost, but new opportunities for great benefit to regular township ...” their local and visiting shoppers or visitors of the customers. Coffs CBD. Working together as a Woolgoolga Digital business community, the Readiness Campaign activation has allowed the development Enabled through State Government funding of some new part-time businesses, the and in partnership with the Woolgoolga and initiation of ongoing business mentoring and Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce, a fabulous fun-filled day out for local and the Six Degrees program came alive in visiting families on the fourth Sunday of each Woolgoolga. Six Degrees involves comonth. working spaces, programs and events that As our precincts develop, grow and change, are designed to accelerate start-up success I encourage you to take in the sights, explore and support freelancers of the Coffs Coast. the opportunities and share the paradise An opportunity to prepare and ready local created here on the Coffs Coast. Northern Beaches businesses through #createyourparadise training, networking and space provision has