FOUND Regional Issue 4 • Winter 2023

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MORE THAN A GYM | A COMMUNITY

VINCENT AND GEORGIA

By Peggy Zephyr Korora, NSW

Made in London, living in Australia, Peggy Zephyr is a multi-disciplinary ar tist with an obsession for colour and its endless possibilities. She aims to make deceptively simple work that fizzes on the canvas and swindles the eye; intrigues and does not tire. Vincent and Georgia, a 102cm x 92cm piece created by wool on monks cloth, is an original artwork inspired by Vincent Van Gogh and Georgia O’Keeffe. It’s exquisitely framed using handcrafted raw Tasmanian oak.

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FOUND Regional is published by The Found Media Group PTY LTD CONTACT US FOUND Regional PO Box 2016 Armidale NSW 2350 hello@foundregional.com.au foundregional.com.au EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Steph Wanless steph@foundregional.com.au ART DIRECTOR Talia Blanckenberg talia@moxicrew.com MARKETING DIRECTOR Claudia Monique claudia@foundregional.com.au SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER

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Meg Miller meg@foundregional.com.au ADVERTISING DESIGN

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Krysten Rhoades-Brown artwork@foundregional.com.au HEAD STYLIST Jen Drew hello@jenniferdrew.com.au PROOFREADERS Carole Hollebrandse and Elora Wilson MANAGING DIRECTOR Martin Wanless martin@foundregional.com.au ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Claudia Monique claudia@foundregional.com.au 0439 700 280 PRINTING COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Jim A. Barker @thejimclasshero © Copyright The FOUND Media Group PTY LTD 2023 All rights reserved. All material published in FOUND Regional is copyright. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher.

DISCLAIMER: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this magazine is correct. The Found Media Group makes no representations regarding the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of any product or service advertised in this magazine, or any editorial material published in this magazine, and takes no responsibility for any errors or omissions herein.

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CONTENTS

Yes Press

COVER STORY 28 BEING BEN JACKSON ‘Farmer Benjamin’ says he’s had his time in the spotlight – and that, in part, is true. But consider this the well-deserved next chapter, one told openly, honestly, and in celebration of a good man doing extraordinary things just 30km west of Guyra.

FEATURES 40 IN CONVERSATION WITH Cameron Burns 48 TIME OF YOUR LIFE Peggy Zephyr 52 A bold move to Byeni 82 Humans of Regional Australia – RAB

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All Stories 4

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

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Bright sparks

Peggy Zephyr

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ROAD TRIP

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Letter from the editor

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Acknowledgement of Country

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Good news

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BEHIND THE LENS Glenn Porter

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FOUND X FOUND

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IN PICTURES

The pub tour 64 67 71 75

Sera J Wright 26

Changing the world from regional NSW

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DREAM SANDWICH The Kanelbullar

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MY SMALL BIZ & ME The Rural Women’s Physio

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BEZZIE

GOING PUBLIC

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Think differently

OneMob Radio

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UNPLUGGED

MY DIGS

With Reader’s Companion

Sixty Three Moree

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Sprucing up for spring

GREEN STREET

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Friends of FOUND

Bonza

ON STAGE

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Hold on to your hats

Kailey Pallas

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Get Framed Armidale

Our directory 106

Tales from the bar The Whitebull Hotel

WINTER 2023 | 7

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Editor's Letter I’ll tell you straight, this publishing gig isn’t always a walk in the park – but there are great big chunks of time that are so damn fun it feels criminal to call it ‘work’.

Enter this issue’s cover feature, Ben Jackson – he’ll be the first to tell you he’s had his time in the spotlight. But that’s not the story I wanted to tell.

Instead, FOUND Regional is thrilled to shine a light on all the other strings to his bow – and believe me, there are many. Ben, thank you for trusting us with this incredible next chapter, for the good chats, great coffee and the best, most hilarious, photoshoot – ever.

Issue four is bursting with so many other regional legends, too. Check out Lachlan Skinner who founded OneMob Radio to celebrate Gumbaynggirr culture, connection to Country and encourage mental health awareness.

Then there’s Jess Walker, who launched The Rural Women’s Physio and the Postpartum Recovery Program to help women prioritise their postpartum recovery and offer professional, guided support no matter where they live.

We also meet Jim A. Barker and his wife JamieLee Garner, who are living proof that bold moves lead to big rewards. They left Sydney life behind with two key criteria in mind: to have a view of the horizon and to not be able to see their neighbours.

Check out how they’ve achieved those goals, and so much more.

Speaking of city folks gone country, our artist in residence for this issue is the exceptionally talented Peggy Zephyr – made in London, living in Australia (Korora Bay, to be specific). Peggy’s work, which ‘fizzes on the canvas and swindles the eye; intrigues and does not tire’, has seen her snap up multiple awards – read her story to learn where it all began.

And for a moment of quiet, winter wonderland joy, look no further than Sera J Wright’s In Pictures feature. They are truly the stuff dreams are made of.

STEPH WANLESS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY – TESS READING (TAMWORTH)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY |

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we live, learn and work, the Anaiwan people,A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T O F C O U N T R Y A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T O F C Oon U Nwhich T R Y and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend our respect to the Yaegl people to the north and the Gumbaynggirr people to the south, and all the Aboriginal people of this beautiful land we’re lucky enough to call home.

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TESS READING @art_giyal_dhalibaa

With thanks to Tess Reading for sharing this divine artwork, Gunimaa III. Tess is a Gomeroi woman, proud mother of three children, artist, graphic designer and photographer. She has studied and worked in the media / graphic design industry for 12 years, completing a range of works across the mediums of acrylic, digital, print, video and photography – all of which can be viewed throughout the Tamworth area. Tess loves using her art to tell stories and often incorporates new ways to share knowledge from acrylic painting to animations – a move that sees her work explore how technology and art can stand hand in hand.

“This artwork is named Gunimaa III (Mother Earth III) – Gunimaa provides us with an abundance of gifts. These gifts are used in ceremony, medicines for healing, during celebration and cultural connection. She is our provider, our protector, our mother. She blesses us each and every day with a landscape rich with vibrant colours of yuluwirri (rainbow).”

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Look for the good, the helpers, the folks who are here to make the world that little bit better.

Like the state of Victoria, where all single-use plastic straws, plates, cutlery, polystyrene food and drink containers, drink stirrers and cotton buds were banned from sale and supply from February onwards. Or to Anthony Albanese for becoming the first sitting Australian prime minister to march in Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Look to birdsnest – an online retailer based in Cooma, a town of just 6500 residents, who took out the Top Customer Experience Award at the 2023 Power Retailer All Stars Bash when up against retail giants like Myer and The Iconic, and to the students who raised a whopping $300,000 to buy a disability-friendly playground for their Minnesota-based school.

Look to the NSW Government initiative offering free menstrual hygiene products to regional public school students, with more than 4600 dispensers installed across the state to help young women overcome barriers in accessing period and sanitary products. Or to the good humans who reunited refugee Freshta Siddiqui with her dog Lucky after she fled Afghanistan in 2022 when the Taliban took over.

Look to the 61 companies who took part in the world’s largest four-day working week trial, with incredible results in the form of reduced stress and illness, and to the Warhammer enthusiasts recycling unwanted Citadel plastic miniatures to create garden planters, rubbish bins, playground equipment and even table tennis tables.

Look to the European Commission’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite, which discovered a new penguin colony – completely by accident – from satellite photos taken of Antarctica from space, and to the Argentinian mum who had to take her newborn twins to the police station to fingerprint them because she forgot which baby was which.

That’s a whole lot of good.

Cheers to that.

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COMING SOON TO

Delivered by Tamworth Regional Council Presented by Quest Tamworth

Presented by CH Boutique Hotel

SUPPORT ACTS:

DUnCAn TOOmbS

Wed 21 June | 7:30pm CAPITOL THEATRE

Friday 30 June | 8:00pm CAPITOL THEATRE Presented by WIN Network

& LOREn RYAn

Friday 7 July | 7:30pm TAMWORTH TOWN HALL Presented by Tamworth Dramatic Society

SILENCE Sunday 9 July | 6:00pm TAMWORTH TOWN HALL

THE

Thursday 20 July | 7:30pm CAPITOL THEATRE

Fri 4 Aug - Sat 12 Aug CAPITOL THEATRE

WAIFS

Presented by WIN Network

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

Tues 8 August | 7:30pm CAPITOL THEATRE

TRAVIS COLLINS

Tues 29 August | 8:00pm TAMWORTH TOWN HALL

Sat 26 August | 7:30pm CAPITOL THEATRE

To Book Ph 6767 5200 | Online entertainmentvenues.com.au Capitol Theatre Box Office

TAMWORTH WAR MEMORIAL TOWN HALL

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FIND OUT MORE!

BEHIND THE LENS Armidale, NSW

GLENN PORTER “I originally studied photography during a time where we exclusively used film-based technology. As a photography student, I remember a Kodak representative from the US showing the class Kodak’s first digital camera prototype years before we saw digital cameras in the marketplace. As a photographer, I transitioned from film to digital imaging technology. However, since 2022, I have returned to using film after a 20-year-plus hiatus. My creative practice today almost exclusively uses film.

The visual feel of the work and the presence of film grain adds to the organic aesthetic unique to film photography – shooting film also makes me feel more engaged with photography as a creative practice. Photography is a powerful medium that can expose issues that can affect society. My objective today, with my current project work, involves using photography to make a difference in humanity, reinforce kindness and compassion, or bring attention to areas of humanitarian concern.” @glennporterphotographer glennporterphotographer.com

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FOUND X FOUND Latest ProductS 1.

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1. ART BY ALEX

Creating beautiful, colourful and textured art pieces from her closet turned art studio, Alex Mason turned to art in her downtime to help with anxiety. Alex enjoys painting flowers because there is no pressure for them to look a certain way, finding that completely freeing.

Discover Alex’s bright art pieces on her website. artbyalexmason.com @artbyalexmason

2. CHANDLER + CO CANDLES

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Teonie Kalinowski, owner of Chandler + Co Candles, specialises in soy candles, soy melts, reed diffusers, car diffusers, room sprays, roll-on perfumes and much more. Hand-poured with love and with over 50 different scents to choose from, you can find these babies at your local markets or online, with delivery all over Australia. chandlerco.com.au @chandler_co_candles

3. CASSANDRA KEMPSTER-ROBERTS

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Creating florals that feel a little untamed, Cassandra KempsterRoberts helps you celebrate the important moments in life with a range of romantic and rambling botanicals. Serving the New England and Northern Tablelands, Sydney and the Mid North Coast, Cassandra’s designs are made to fit with the colour palette and theme that feels most like you. cassandra-kempster-roberts.com @cassandra_the_florist

4. E.L.SART

5. BOTANICA HOME AND TEAROOM, MOREE

At Botanica Home, you’ll find an elegant and inspiring range of soft furnishings and a carefully chosen range of timeless furniture.

A small female-owned Australian business, Botanica Home and Tearoom is located on Balo Street in Moree, in beautiful country New South Wales, stocking a variety of gorgeous products that cannot be found in the city. botanicahome.com.au @botanica.home

6. CLOVER & CO., INVERELL Sisters-in-law Casey and Bec are co-owners of Clover & Co. in Inverell, a boutique store born from a shared love of Aussie brands and quality hand-made and artisan goods. Stocking home and giftware and baby and women’s apparel, Clover & Co. is your go-to shop for all things cute and glam. cloverandco.com.au cloverandco_official

7. THE MUDROOM, COFFS HARBOUR

A boutique floral and style studio based in the Coffs Coast hinterland, The Mudroom specialises in floral arrangements, artisan-made gifts and thoughtfully curated homewares. Inspired by their surroundings, product choices include ethical and sustainable, Australian-made goodies – meet your friends, pick up some flowers, and take in the view with a coffee and pastry from their coffee cart in hand. @themudroom.shop

Using her iPad like a piece of paper, Emma Stanley has been creating beautiful digital artworks since 2019. Swapping the paint brush for an Apple Pencil after becoming a mum, Emma found a way to continue creating beautiful pieces for others to enjoy while navigating the new found busyness of day-today life. With designs you can hang on your wall, write in, save a page with, or decorate your nursery with, E.L.Sart has something for you.

8. MICHAEL HULL PHOTOGRAPHS, URALLA

elsart.store @e.l.sart

@michaelhull.photographs

Uralla local Michael Hull loves to capture the natural world surrounding the New England.

Specialising in long exposure and astrophotography, Michael is drawn to the night sky and has an uncanny ability to bring the mesmerising beauty of the Milky Way to life. Find Michael’s photos for purchase at the Alternate Root Cafe, Era Espresso and via his Instagram page.

FOUND X FOUND Gigs, plays and events 1.

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1. ANDREW SWIFT 8 June Royal Hotel, Dungog 9 June Let’s Wing It Festival, Scone 10 June Flow Bar, Old Bar Off the high of his win at the recent Golden Guitar Awards for Male Artist of the Year, Andrew Swift announces his third studio album release, Lightning Strikes And Neon Nights, produced by Matt Fell. The album features the hits Young Lovers, The Good Old Days and the new single, You and Me And a Bottle Of Whiskey. andrewswift.com.au @andrewswiftmusic

2. PADDOCK TO PLATE LONG LUNCH, VALERY

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Saturday 24 June Terra Firma Dining are experts in cooking over fire and are coming to Levenvale Farm to create an amazing feast where guests will be entertained by musicians while experiencing the farm’s stunning regeneratively managed and organic produce. levenvalefarm.com.au @levenvalefarm

3. BASKET CASES, CORINDI BEACH

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First Sunday of every month For $30 per session, Gumbaynggirr weaver and artist, Lilly Clegg, teaches a different style of weaving each month, providing all the fibres and decorations needed to create beautiful designs. Come sit under the trees at Yarrawarra and learn the various traditional weaving techniques of the Gumbaynggirr People. Free for Gumbaynggirr men and women. yarrawarra.com.au @yarrawarraculturalcentre

4. MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL ROADSHOW, TAMWORTH Wednesday 21 June Australia’s biggest and best comedy festival puts the HA! in ‘have to be there’. Laugh all night long at Capitol Theatre Tamworth with the brightest of the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. entertainmentvenues.com.au @melbcomedyfestival

5. WINTER WHISKY FESTIVAL, DUBBO Friday 16 and Saturday 17 June Live music, street food and the chance to try and buy limitededition spirits, the Dubbo Winter Whisky Festival has you covered for all things whisky and craft spirits.

Don’t miss your chance to snap up your tickets – this year’s event is expected to be bigger and better than their 2022 festival! dwwf.com.au @dubbowinterwhisky

6. LET’S WING IT FESTIVAL, SCONE Friday 9, Saturday 10, Sunday 11 June Country music, food trucks, and good ol’ fashion country hospitality, Let’s Wing It Festival in Scone is all about the music. Showcasing some of Australia’s best country artists, the line-up includes Fanny Lumsden & The Prawnstars, Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley, The Bushwackers, Andrew Swift and much more! Limited camping available on site. letswingitfestival.info @letswingitfestival

7. SIP AND SAVOUR, PORT MACQUARIE Friday 9, Saturday 10, Sunday 11 June Celebrating food, drink and arts, Sip and Savour hits Westport Park in Port Macquarie for three whole days of fun times and good vibes. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, a foodie at heart or simply keen for a great day out, this is the festival for you.

Featuring headline acts 19-Twenty, The Rubens and Thelma Plum, this unique regional festival has your long weekend sorted. port-macquarie.sipandsavour.com.au @sipandsavouraus

8. ANT HILL POTTERY WORKSHOP, INVERELL Saturday 24 June Learn to make pinch pots, dip bowls, spoons, platters and more at this four-hour beginner’s pottery workshop with Ant Hill’s very own Trina McRae. Light refreshments and materials are provided – what a way to spend your Saturday afternoon!

Bookings essential. @ant_hill_pottery

FOUND X FOUND Foodie finds

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1. PEACHES PATISSERIE, DORRIGO

Head along Waterfall Way to Dorrigo on the weekend and you’ll find Peaches Patisserie on 53 Hickory Street. Tantalise your tastebuds with buttermilk croissants and pastries, doughnuts, slices of pie and a rotating seasonal menu of sweet (and the occasional savoury) treats, served with delicious specialty tea!

Open Saturday from 9:30am and Sundays from 10:00am. @peachespatisserie

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Inspired by road trips, independent roasters, and a love of a good brew, Camp Grounds Specialty Coffee Shop has been supplying great coffee and good vibes on Dowe Street since 2019. Owners Matt and Mon have created a thriving and colourful community you absolutely need to be a part of. campgroundscoffee.com.au @campgroundstamworth

6. ELEMENTA, NEWCASTLE

Made with love in Armidale, Sun Chai is a premium masala chai made in small batches with 100 per cent certified organic ingredients.

There’s no skimping on spices in this brew – even the most seasoned chainoisseur will nod their head in flavour-savouring satisfaction after their very first sip.

Joel, Rina and the team at Elementa are well versed in hospitality, with some previously playing a part in Newcastle’s hatted restaurant, Flotilla. Set on the Throsby Foreshore in a relaxed yet elegant neighbourhood venue, these folk pair the right amount of charm and charisma with one killer menu! Open for brunch, snacks and dinner. You won’t want to miss this!

sun-chai.com @sun_chai_

theelementa.com.au @elementa.newcastle

2. SUN CHAI, ARMIDALE

3. WYLDE OAK CAFE, SAPPHIRE BEACH

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5. CAMP GROUNDS, TAMWORTH

Located at Sapphire Beach, Wylde Oak Cafe is quickly becoming a destination cafe and favourite among the locals. Featuring a relaxed outdoor setting wrapped with a koi pond and overlooking the luscious greenery of Coffs Garden World nursery, Wylde Oak plates up contemporary Australian cuisine with a focus on honest, seasonal and local dishes. @wyldeoakcafe

4. BELLINGEN PASTA, BELLINGEN

7. KINSHIP KITCHEN CAFE, ARMIDALE

Catherine Armstrong brings her years of expertise to Armidale’s palate with Kinship Kitchen Cafe, open six days per week and offering a menu rich with seasonal produce.

Don’t miss the last Friday of every month at this venue either – a funky evening of live music, delicious food and alcoholic beverages is in store. @kinshipkitchencafe

8. GREENWAY WINES, BROKE

Bellingen Pasta, owned by Leonid Pantani and Emanuele Cereda, create hand-made authentic Italian pasta and more in their production factory located in the beautiful rolling hills of Dorrigo. Catering for all events from Yamba to Taree, they also have a regular pop-up restaurant dinner at The Never Never Mind in Dorrigo.

A luscious vineyard surrounded by the Broken Back Range, Greenway Wines is a family-run boutique winery producing handcrafted, small batch wines. Offering tastings, antipasto platters, luxury vineyard picnics and private functions and events, Greenway Wines has the whole kit and kaboodle. As they say, in a place like this, bookings are wise.

bellingenpasta.org @bellingenpasta

greenwaywines.com.au @greenway_wines

IN PICTURES WINTER WONDERLAND WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY Sera J Wright serajwright.com @serajwright

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FAIRY TALE I woke up early one morning and looked out over the paddocks to the most wonderful scene, like something out of a fairy tale. It was a cold winter’s day, with frost settled thick on the ground. The colours on the horizon were layers of pastels, adorned with a thin layer of fog and up rose a hot air balloon, greeting the first rays of light.

MOONRISE I was driving home from town on a wintery afternoon, just as the sun was setting and the moon was rising. I pulled over at one of my favourite spots along the way and captured this image across the old farmhouse ruins.

SNOWY LOO We’re lucky enough to receive a dusting of snow on the higher elevations at least once or twice during winter.

This particular season we had a bitter cold spell and, with snow on the forecast, I headed up to Mount Mackenzie in Tenterfield. When I arrived, the first flurries were beginning to fall, covering the loo in a fine dusting of snowflakes. Introducing the coldest toilet in Tenterfield. ››

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PASTEL DAWN This was taken from our back paddock, looking across the fields. This is my view most mornings in winter – pastel-coloured sunrises with fog and frost, like something out of a winter wonderland.

WINDSCREEN FROST Most winter mornings on the farm see us waking up to below zero temperatures. When you jump into your car first thing, your windows and windscreen are often covered in frost and ice. This particular morning, as I sat in the front seat waiting for the windows to defrost, the light of day illuminated the beautiful shapes created by the frost on the windows. Nature is a beautiful thing.

GOLDEN SHEDS It’s hard to beat that golden light on a misty Tenterfield morning. Frost is a common occurrence during the winter months and, with an array of old buildings and farmyards, these mornings make for some pretty beautiful photographs. *

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Made to live. Built to last.

They are for baking cakes and dancing, Sunday roasts and midnight snacks. They are for cups of tea with grandma, gathering with friends and time alone for self-expression. They are for making memories – and are incomparably the heart of the home.

Kitchens. We live + breathe them.

KITCHENS ARE FOR LIVING... killenfurniture.com.au @killenfurnitureandkitchens

PHOTOGRAPHY OZEYEVIEW

Welcome to the stage

TIME IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH MUSICIANS, PERFORMERS AND ACTORS FROM STAGE AND SCREEN.

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| O N S TA G E | O N S TA G E | O N S TA G E | O N S TA G E | O N S TA G E | O N S TA G E | O N S TA G E | O N S TA G E | O N S TA G E | O N S TA G E |

KAILEY PALLAS At six years old, Novocastrian muso Kailey Pallas knew she was born to be on stage. Now 22, she’s a full-time rockstar, chasing her dreams of becoming a household name, creating music that is known (and loved) world wide.

WORDS As told to Meg Miller PHOTOGRAPHY Ben Adams

Let’s start at the beginning – where did you grow up and what do you treasure most about your upbringing?

I grew up in Newcastle and my most treasured memory is with my dad – he used to take me to all my gigs. He’d also take me busking every weekend at the Newcastle Farmers Markets. Those moments were magical, especially because that’s where I started performing.

When did you start playing music and singing? I started learning when I was about five. My dad plays piano so I tried to learn from him, then I picked up guitar because that was something I really wanted to tackle by myself.

And I’m so glad I did. These days you’ll find me still busting out a tune on my guitar, playing the piano and singing – but singing is probably my favourite.

When did you decide to form Kailey Pallas music? I started Kailey Pallas music when I was six years old.

I did my first gig with Carter Edwards. He was a really good drummer and became a singer and radio show host later on in life. From that moment onwards, I played wherever I could. I’ve done a lot of support gigs and have opened for bands like Daryl Braithwaite, Baby Animals and John Stephens.

You also have a band called Fyrebirds Music, can you tell us more? My partner and I recently started Fyrebirds, we’ve been playing together for about a year now. Funnily enough, Benny booked me for a gig about four years ago, then we just kept running into each other – it tends to happen in the music scene. Fast forward to now and we’ve played big events side by side, including the Sounds of Rock Festival with Ian Moss and Daryl Braithwaite. We’re also working on original music with Nick DiDia in Byron – he’s worked with artists like Powderfinger and Bruce Springsteen, so we’re stoked.

We’re now recording our first EP and hope to release it later this year.

Who and what inspires your music? Growing up around a musician. My dad had a massive influence on the type of music I listened to – he was always playing different songs on the piano. I was raised listening to a lot of rock music, like Bon Jovi and Guns N’ Roses, so I’ve been influenced by those artists. I also took jazz lessons, so I

still listen to Nina Simone and some old school stuff like Amy Winehouse. I’ve got a bit of a mix and I think that’s reflected in my music.

Out of all the gigs you’ve performed, what was your favourite and why? I recently played at WIN Stadium for the Dragons – that was fun. It was a massive crowd and they had these fire pyro machines which made it feel really sick – it made it feel like a real concert.

Where to from here for Kailey Pallas Music? When I played at the Sounds of Rock Festival, I sang I love Rock ’n’ Roll and 1000 people got up and clapped in time. I really want to make it in this industry, so people know my music like that. Ultimately I want to get more songs on the radio, perform more across the country and do bigger and better shows – I want to move people with my music. *

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SEE KAILEY PALLAS LIVE… 2 June – Clockwork Hotel, Grafton 17 June – Dark Ar ts Bar, Coffs Harbour 24 June – Moonee Beach Hotel, Moonee 30 June – Element Bar, Coffs Harbour 21 July – CEX, Coffs Harbour 23 July – The Beach House, Por t Macquarie Fyrebirds Music 9 June – Radiators Suppor t, Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club 10 June – Radiators Suppor t, Maclean Bowling Club 11 June – Radiators Support, South West Rocks Country Club 9 July – Clocktower Hotel, Grafton 25 August – Clocktower Hotel, Grafton @kaileypallas

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BEING BEN JACKSON

‘Farmer Benjamin’ says he’s had his time in the spotlight – and that, in part, is true. But consider this the well-deserved next chapter, one told openly, honestly, and in celebration of a good man doing extraordinary things just 30km west of Guyra.

WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Jim A. Barker

N

either of us slept the night before. One lay fixated on what they were going to ask, the other on what they were going to say. Fuelled by caffeine, intrigue and pure adrenaline, my keys hit the ignition at 6.27am and moments later I’m on the road to Brushy Creek.

The first thing you notice is the light, the way those rays cross the road with wild, early morning abandon. But they’re steadfast, too, as all good things with country roots tend to be, guiding me through Black Mountain, Guyra, and beyond.

Keep driving. We’re not there yet – but a chorus of cows is a clue we’re getting close. Other cars are stirring now too. Wheels roll, dirt flies, heads nod, sheep bleat. Good morning country air, it’s good to be here – although I could do with another coffee.

Thankfully, my 8am interview is a self-confessed coffee snob. One more right turn, then left, and he’s there – waving the car in from the top of the driveway, all arms, hair and beard in that same wild abandon as those bold morning rays.

I’m acutely aware that this, our first meeting, is a touch unbalanced. He’s spoken to me on the phone, he knows my old man (who umpires him at cricket), and he’s read my magazine – but that’s his lot. I, on the other hand, have just binged back-to-back episodes of Farmer Wants A Wife that show snippets of this man’s whole world – including moments of joy, heartache, love and loss.

I’ll say here and now, before I park in that driveway, I’m not here to talk to him about his time on that program. I’m not here for a behind-the-scenes scoop, to ask what happened when he left or if he ultimately found love.

I’m here for the real deal – the stuff beneath the surface that drives this man to get out of bed in the morning to nurture this land, honour his ancestors, nourish sheep wearing fine wool jackets, play electronica in paddocks and create heartfelt artworks with the help of carefully placed grain, obedient dogs and one hell of a creative mind.

So, if you’re keen to meet the real Ben Jackson – read on. ››

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BUT FIRST, COFFEE “My forebears, who were all Glaswegian, have been poking around these parts for decades,” says Ben, who’s already put the coffee machine on and is relieved to hear I don’t butcher a good cuppa by adding milk.

“The Jacksons snapped up a piece of Ollera, one of the oldest settlements in the country, when plots were put up for sale. That’s how we ended up right here at Brushy Creek – and then there’s a French Shepherd called Ducat who used to run his flock around the top of the hill and bring them down for water. Now we’ve completely bastardised his name with our accents, but that’s where Ducat’s Hill comes from. To stand on that land and look out over views and vistas you know four generations before you have looked out over, it’s a cool feeling; it’s something I hold very near and dear.

“That aside, I’m not saying it’s the reason I’m here. I can’t hear my ancestors yelling at me from the grave telling me this is something I have to do. Ask me if I want to be here, if this is something I want to do, and my answer is yes – unequivocally, yes.”

Ben’s childhood in 1990s Brushy Creek, Guyra and the New England beyond is another thing he clearly holds near and dear. The highlight reel? Hide and seek with his sister Kate, family adventures following cow tracks in search of pots of gold, wide, open spaces where his imagination roamed wild and free and two incredibly loving, devoted parents who drove him to cricket training and matches, music lessons, theatre performances and drama rehearsals.

“Mum and dad identified early on that I wasn’t exactly scientifically minded,” says Ben. “They understood I wasn’t going to be a neuroscientist. So from a young age they nurtured my creative side and gave me every opportunity to explore theatre groups, music, all that good stuff and more.”

WHEN THE BIG SMOKE BECKONS That good stuff led Ben to Brisbane where he completed a three-year drama degree at Queensland University of Technology. It was a long-held dream, to perfect the art of acting, sink his teeth into roles on stage and screen and forge a career beyond the countryside.

“I couldn’t think about doing anything else, but…”

Pause. Breathe. This next bit seems to hurt.

“It is what it is,” Ben continues. “The thing about acting is that it’s incredibly invigorating, beautiful and exhilarating in the moment. It’s everything that gets the adrenaline pumping – but the peripherals suck.” ›› He goes on to describe days spent pulling beers and pouring coffees to keep the roof over his head, tempered with hours in audition rooms where the realisation you’re competing for gigs against your mates hits hard.

“Everyone will tell you, being in the creative industries, you’ve got to have a thick skin because ‘no’ is a pretty common word.

But when I found myself regularly competing for work against people I’d studied with, people I’d grown close to, and feeling like I was trying to tread over them to get that next TV gig or stage play – that did not sit well with me.” ››

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There’s a glimmer right there, a direct line of sight into Ben Jackson’s soul. Deep thinker, talented, loyal. I can hear his voice on the stage – strong and nuanced. The fact this man doesn’t at least have a podcast is criminal. We compare notes on how we left home as soon as we could, dove into creative pursuits then, ultimately, came back. Neither of us expected the cards to fall that way, but both are unimaginably happy they did.

“I never thought I’d be back,” he says. “Up until the age of 27, I thought I was destined for the stage, for travel, for doing this and making that. I’m almost ashamed to say it, but I couldn’t wait to see the big wide world, to see what I could make happen. But our story about coming home doesn’t make us Robinson Crusoe – it is, however, a story that perpetuates itself wholeheartedly and always comes back to community.”

What was intended to be a two-week stint back home, helping his dad with lamb marking, turned into the rest of his life. From acting classes and pulling beers to jumping in a pen, picking up lambs and knocking their tails off – Ben will be the first to say you couldn’t think of anything more different. But by the end of day one back on the farm, he felt as though the blinkers had been completely removed and Ben knew. This is where he was meant to be.

“I’m going to quote my neighbour here, and it’s a beautiful quote – ‘the best thing about agriculture is quantifiable rewards’. And by quantifiable rewards I don’t necessarily mean the moolah. I mean you spend a hard day out on the farm doing a fantastic job with some lambs and you see them grow; you see them run through a gate, happy and healthy.

“It’s those tiny moments in the big wide open world of agriculture, without external pressures, that are absolutely magic. While you do get them in acting when you’re discovering a new character, you can also work yourself into the ground and never get the feeling you do when you watch those lambs jump.”

If I was writing a stage show, I’d probably ‘end scene’ here.

Our protagonist is happy, he’s found his feet and the curtains draw closed on him looking out over the countryside and lambs that leap. But there’s more to this story… and it’s not what you’d expect to find 30km west of Guyra.

ENTER THE ELECTRIC POSTMAN It’s intermission. A fresh cup of coffee is poured and I can tell something’s bubbling beneath the surface. Curtains draw open. The second half begins with a question.

“Did you feel a sense of calm coming home?”

“No, not to begin with,” says Ben. “Initially, the creative brain in me was starved. I had all these ideas and needed to direct that energy somewhere, but I didn’t know where or how.”

It’s at this point I should tell you Ben has another string to his already beautiful bow. While in Brisbane, he and four mates established their own record label – look up ‘Um, Yep’ for an electronica treat to the senses. So between pulling beers, pouring coffees and battling for acting gigs, he was also recording a plethora of music.

His DJ name? Electric Postman.

He mixes sounds, makes memories and boy, does he move. ››

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“I’m a bit of a festival fiend actually. I like going out and listening to other DJs and producers from around the world, seeing what they’re doing and discovering the sounds they’re creating. And while you can draw a certain amount of inspiration from your favourite artists, like Daft Punk and Justice, it’s not my thing to try and copy.”

He calls it sheep art.

Instead, Ben’s creative process starts with an idea, a rhythm, a beat – and from that moment onwards a nucleus is formed from which everything else flows.

“That juxtaposition between agriculture and electronica is fantastic,” he says. “I think it opens up worlds and shifts long-held perceptions about the kind of people who work the land.

“I literally try to paint a song around it, rather than write an intro, a bridge, a verse, a chorus – I follow that core feeling and ask myself, ‘what if I did that, or how about I do this?’ That freedom goes back and forth and before you know it, there’s six minutes of banging electronic music in the pipelines.”

Neither the music nor the man fit into any mould. If you’ve been lucky enough to see Ben DJ live, or caught a snippet online, you’ll come face to face with a musician who feels every – single – beat. He lets his body go with the music, so much so if gravity bowed out for a moment I’m fairly certain he’d float away. There’s something about him that’s not of this earth, and yet he’s also one of the most grounded humans I’ve ever met.

Then there’s the lyrics.

“I know if I’ve spent a great deal of time by myself, running around yelling at disobedient dogs and trying to talk to inanimate objects, eventually the brain starts going a bit loopy,” says Ben. “But next minute, you’re coming up with lyrics that are so far off the wall they work. Having the freedom to be able to let the mind go into those places is a beautiful thing.

“Nothing’s off the table, and that’s a really exciting place to be. As a crew with Um, Yep, we know that we can experiment, go completely ham and not be driven by fiscal rewards but by creative output. It’s magic when you see people not be hemmed in by ideas, to just go for it and make it happen. To be sat here, 30km west of Guyra, putting our work on Spotify and iTunes and collaborating with various artists, it’s incredible. But finding that balance, uncovering a way to weave that into my world here, took time.”

Truth be told, it took Ben a good 12 months to find himself after returning home. He’d been gone nine years and came home a different person – with that came the need to discover who he was as a farmer, an artist and a musician in this new, but old, land.

SHEEP ART IS BORN While returning home to a country community, throwing himself into the bushfire brigade, the local cricket team and “a heap of lamb and spud stuff ” settled his soul – there was a part of Ben left wanting. Magnified by drought and COVID-19, that part ultimately found its place in a paddock – when Ben combined carefully placed grain with sheep, drone skills and some of his favourite tunes.

“Credit where credit’s due: I couldn’t have done it without my dogs Fluffy, Strudel, Weird Horse and Sputnik. But at the end of the day, it’s off my own bat and I’m somewhat proud of that.

“The idea that farmers are fuddy-duddy folks who love their tractors and spend all their time chasing sheep or cattle from the crack of dawn, then come in swearing about a flat tyre – those days are done. Farmers are agricultural enthusiasts, but we’re also nuanced, weird and wonderful people and it’s time others see us in all our shades of grey.”

Ben’s unique fusion of music, agriculture and showmanship delivers sheep artworks that are equal parts beautiful and bizarre, witty and wild. From spelling out favourite band names, cheering on his footy team and sending birthday wishes, it’s a mesmerising way to break the farming mould.

And it all began in the moonscaped paddocks born of drought.

Ben describes tens of thousands of dollars being poured onto the ground, trying to keep stock alive and becoming so focused on his animals, he lost himself.

“You’re not all there – I’d come home broken, buggered, I’d stopped creating music. That’s when a part of the brain gets tied up, it’s going stir crazy, this artistic side is screaming to do something but there’s no physical motivation to make it happen.”

The birth of a dear friend’s firstborn son was the impetus to see if he could write something… in sheep… then film it.

“That’s a bit of a dopamine hit, when you’re first trying to fly a drone from the top of a hill to capture a word in the dirt, formed by sheep. But it worked, and it was pretty darn cool.”

That day, ‘Angus’ appeared from the ground in swirling white wool, two weeks later, ‘Go Blues’ emerged for the State of Origin and next minute, the public’s appetite for sheep art grew.

“Out of a shit situation, I’m starting to do something that’s artistic, something meaningful. Isn’t that what artists always want to do? Create something that means something to one person or a plethora of people? I won’t say it’s the one thing that got me through the drought, but it certainly helped. It made a massive difference in terms of my drive and willingness to keep going. Instead of going out every day and getting a gut full of dust, you’re doing something that might mean something to someone.” ››

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Then came the heart. A simple symbol. Stitched together by sheep. To the tune of Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge over Troubled Water.

While it meant one thing to Ben – he could never have imagined how much it would mean to others.

“Doing the heart as a tribute to my Aunty Deb was born out of circumstance – not being able to attend her funeral due to lockdown,” he says.

“At the time, it was the only logical thing I could think of to show how much I love and miss her. And while it was a little while ago now, it has given me space to think about what it meant.

“At the time, everyone around the globe was shut in. And yet in that moment we experienced art transcending living rooms – that heart meant a lot of different things to a lot of people. It felt like, for the time it took to play that one song, everyone had their own Aunty Deb.” People the world over reached out to Ben and his family, consoling them for their loss and sharing their own tales of woe. Unimaginable connections were forged across oceans and, ultimately, that sheep art heart went viral.

He describes the acknowledgement as visceral and humbling – the kind of feeling you get when you pass someone on the street and exchange a nod, a pat on the back or a laugh about how bloody cold the weather is.

It’s that community spirit, that deep connection to place, that Ben’s found once more in Guyra – and he’s in it for keeps.

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“I’m deeply committed to this town – it’s been here for me and I want to be here for it right back.

“I’ve done a fair amount of travelling in my time. I’ve lived in the big smoke, pursued passions and chased other kinds of lives. But every time I come back out here, a sense of belonging so strong washes over me it’s impossible to ignore. People go their whole lives trying to find that feeling, that knowledge that you’re in the right spot, you’re where you’re meant to be. I’m acutely aware of how privileged and fortunate I am to have that feeling when I look out over Ducat’s Hill every morning – that’s special, I cherish it, and there’s no amount of money on the planet that can tear me away from this place.”

I get it, that feeling – it’s subtle but electric, grounded and real.

And when I leave Ben’s home for my own, I feel it for myself the second Mount Duval emerges on the horizon. I’m grateful for that, for the conversation I just had and for the opportunity to share Ben’s story in his own words, entirely unstaged and true.

If you’re still hoping for a slice of something connected to that show, you’re hard out of luck. But what I will say is this: when you spend more than five minutes in Ben Jackson’s company, you realise he’s anything but ordinary – he’s wild and free, but steadfast, too, as all good things with country roots tend to be. He’s an artist, a musician, an agriculturalist and a really good human.

He’s happy. He’s healthy.

And for the record, he didn’t say groovy once. *

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RB SELLARS

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WHAT’S IN A NAME? So how exactly did Ben’s record label score the name ‘Um, Yep’? Well, back in his Brisbane days, Ben was honing his stage craft while writing music on the side, all the while trying to get it out to record labels and distributors. Tired of the ongoing slog, Ben and his mates took matters into their own hands.

“It came about one night, after a merry amount of beers, as the four of us chatted about how the effor t and energy it took to market, promote and pitch our music was becoming entirely demoralising. It was taking up a large slice of our creative time and sucking the batteries.

“That’s when my dear friend Cameron turned to the group and said: ‘Why don’t we star t our own label?’

“And I’ll never forget it, Justin looked up, eyes glazed and simply responded with: ‘Um, Yep’.”

That was it – locked in stone. Fast forward to today and the record label is a 10-strong crew creating high-quality EPs without boundaries. Having shaken off the shackles that come with trying to create for others, Um, Yep seized the oppor tunity to go free rein. Check them out, as well as the Electric Postman himself, here. umyep.com @umyepmusic @electricpostman

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IN CONVERSATION with

CAMERON BURNS THE HOSPITALITY MANAGER ON HIS LOVE OF GIN DISTILLING, CREATING EXPERIENCES AND THE PADDOCK TO PLATE JOURNEY.

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EARP DISTILLING CO. Cameron Burns, Operations Manager at Earp Distilling Co., has spent a good portion of his career loving life in the hospitality industry. But it wasn’t until his mate’s dad floated the idea of a gin distillery that Cameron really started to think about where the products behind the bar come from.

WORDS As told to Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY David Griffen and Claudia Monique

I was born and bred right here in Newcastle. Sure, I’ve lived around the world a little and worked in some brilliant hospitality venues, but this is home. It’s such a beautiful city with breathtaking beaches, an airport 20 minutes away and country town vibes. That combination’s hard to beat.

I’ve worked in hospitality here for close to 20 years, the past five of that’s been with Earp. The name probably rings a bell – the Earp family has been in business since 1883, that’s 140 years this year.

Their story begins on board the cargo ship SS Coniston as it steamed into King George Sound, over in Western Australia.

George Frederick Earp was following doctor’s orders when he left London in search of the warmer Aussie climate. They settled in Newcastle, where George quickly established himself as an import merchant – he was originally bringing in vinegar, dried milk, pickles and matches.

The tile industry was the next big move, that’s been the main part of the business for the past 50-60 years. To this day, six generations continue to work in the family business and it’s an incredible honour to be a part of it. I came into the mix because I was good friends with Michael’s son – Michael and Richard are the directors and owners. They’ve grown Earp Bros tiles countrywide and are the only green certified tile company in Australia.

I’d been working in hospitality, bars and restaurants for the past 15 years, so for me, selling alcohol was just a product

for a customer. But Michael changed my perspective on the whole thing. He found the process of creating alcohol intriguing. He wanted to understand where it came from, how it was made and, before long, I did too.

Michael started doing some research on distilleries and saw a gap in the market for one right here in Newcastle. In the beginning, he asked me if I wanted to start something small.

Obviously I was keen, so Michael, Richard, Andy (the three Earps!) and I travelled to Tassie for a week-long distilling course. We came home with a fire in our belly and ended up buying a 5000-litre still.

Now, just so you know, that kind of still can produce over 4000 bottles of gin overnight. So we dived right in and decided we might as well kick-off with something big.

It was the right call, because Earp Distilling Co. grew dramatically in the first year. Recipe testing started in the Earp Bros boardroom – we had a small still there and would do trial runs of gin, whiskey and rum.

The whole tile team would be asking what we were making that week! Meanwhile, we were planning the design of the distillery itself, and ultimately opened doors in December 2019.

How did it feel? Fun – it was a really fun journey, learning a new trade and growing that understanding of how to make and produce alcohol. While we were learning on the fly, our number one goal hasn’t changed. ››

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FANCY A TIPPLE? EARP DISTILLING CO. IS WAITING. earpdistillingco.com The cellar door – @earpdistillingco

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We want people to come to our distillery for an experience, a great meal and walk away with the knowledge of why the spirit tastes the way it does… and a smile on their face.

We also wanted them to actually see the process too. So when you walk into the distillery, you’ll see this huge glass window showcasing our entire production process. That means you can sit at the bar, listen to some music, enjoy a gin and tonic and watch the people making that spirit right in front of your eyes. That’s always been a really important part of our vision. We don’t want our guests to feel like they’re just drinking another gin, whiskey or rum – we want to break down that wall between the creating and tasting side of the product and offer a deeper, more rounded experience.

Another way we’re doing that is through our gin school.

That’s taking it to the next level right?! We have a lab set up with smaller stills, tables and a blackboard – so it genuinely feels like a classroom experience. While there, you’re doing all the cuts, all the blending, all the marrying of the water – you’re doing exactly what a distiller would do. That’s unique, and people are genuinely blown away that within two hours they’ve enjoyed a great meal, a couple of drinks and have created their own bottle of gin to take home with them. The distilling process isn’t as complex as people think, it’s all about having a bit of fun and learning something new.

While our first idea was to create a tasting room with a bar, it’s grown into so much more than that. Food is a passion of mine, and being so close to the Hunter Valley we have great access to beautiful meats and produce. We want people to connect with their food in the same way they do with our spirits – and that means offering a real paddock to plate journey.

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We work with a lot of local producers like Binnie Beef, the best Wagyu Beef in Australia, as well as the guys out of Dawson’s Oyster Supplies – serving up delicious fresh oysters, seafood and fish. Our Head Chef, Niah Jax, then works his magic to match their fresh produce with our products. So he could bake fish in our spirits to create a cured salmon with gin, or the dried botanicals could be cooked around the fish too. He also uses our limoncello to deliver the perfect desserts to round off a meal, such as a limoncello sorbet or lemon meringue. The lemons used in that spirit also come from lemons grown on a family farm on the Central Coast – they’re handpicked, hand peeled and the final limoncello product is handmade. So in that product alone, we’ve captured that full roundabout of fresh produce from the farm, to the still, to the bottle and the plate.

That’s the stuff that excites me. It excites Niah and the bartenders too. And that’s crucial. Because if you have that excitement and passion about producing something great, you can see that on the plate.

I always tell all my staff, imagine there’s a big sign above the distillery door that says: ‘guests enter as guests, but they should feel like they’re leaving as family’. Because home is where you have the best meal – so make people feel like this is home. They’re here to have a special meal, an incredible experience and, hopefully, come back another time soon.

We want to be a world-class distillery, so you’ve got to have that love for your customers. Without them, you have nothing. Together, our team wants to give people a magical journey of food, flavour, taste and spirits – that’s our goal this year. To give everyone a great experience and have some fun while we’re doing it. *

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SANITISER THROWBACK When COVID-19 hit, the distillery swiftly shut – but the Earp team knew sanitiser was crucial to keeping their tile showrooms open. Here, Cameron shares his memory on how they pivoted from gin to sanitiser, fast.

It feels like a lifetime ago, but when it all kicked off we star ted producing sanitiser about two to three weeks before anyone else. It went crazy. We had 24-hour security guards on the front door and lines of people literally three blocks down the road queuing for sanitiser.

We’d opened doors on the distillery on 19 December 2019 – Michael’s dream was coming true, we were busy, pumping out food, drinks and good times.

Then bang, COVID-19 hits, we stopped full distilling production and turned into a 24-hour sanitiser production company almost overnight.

We supplied sanitiser to Australia Post, Woolwor ths and Aldi across the country. We also donated a lot.

It’s a family business and it’s about supporting the community, so we made a conscious choice to donate to hospitals and schools to help keep their doors open.

It was challenging and very stressful – there were some long days. But it gave us the oppor tunity to give back, keep operating and now, we’re looking forward to a few years with no interruptions!

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BRIGHT SPARKS Looking for a sophisticated regional getaway and dining experience? The Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges, alongside its own Workshop Kitchen and Coal Bunker Bar, will undoubtedly light up your life.

WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Helen Ward, Inward Outward Photography

It should come as no surprise that The Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges was built on Tamworth’s old power station (or ‘power house’) site. After all, back in 1888 that very earth housed the clever folks responsible for providing residents with electric street lighting – making Tamworth the first town in Australia and the entire southern hemisphere to light up come nightfall. Calling the same land home since 1986, The Powerhouse Hotel continues to dazzle the town and region beyond. Here, FOUND Regional chats with three of the bright sparks behind the formidable venue.

to our history as the site of the town’s power station. The lighting, textures, colour palette and materials all connect to that era, while also creating a sense of comfort and luxury more commonly associated with hotels around the world.

MONTY MAGUIRE – MANAGING DIRECTOR

I was 21 years old when I first walked through those doors and I’ve considered The Powerhouse my second home ever since. I started on the floor, literally learning from the ground up. In my time I’ve covered the bar, restaurant, functions, reception and today I’m General Manager. I’ve seized every opportunity to ask questions and involve myself in all facets of the business.

For me, the chance to work with Greg Maguire and help this prestigious, family-owned business achieve its business goals was a dream come true. Greg’s taught me so much – I live by his lessons. Some of my favourites? “If you have 30 ideas in a week and come away with one that sticks, you’ve had a good week”, “If you don’t have it, you can’t sell it”, and “Make sure things are top-notch every day”.

I studied Hospitality Management at Ecole Hôtelière in Switzerland and have since worked in the hotel and hospitality industry for over a decade – that’s included roles at The Ritz-Carlton Central Park, New York, Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa, Mauritius and at leading London restaurants The Wolseley and Rabot 1745. But there’s nowhere quite like home, right? When I returned to Australia, I was General Manager of The Powerhouse in Armidale for eight years, and recently relocated to Tamworth with my young family.

Coming to work every day is a joy for a number of reasons. My top three? To be part of the family business, to lead the team behind the only five-star hotel in the New England region and to deliver exceptional guest experiences in a space created by award-winning design team, Paul Kelly Design.

Paul drew on inspiration from around the world to introduce high-tech yet subtle lighting touches in each of the guest rooms, bar and dining spaces. Further features to the fit-out of each room include bespoke leather bedheads, marble bedside tables and bathrooms, timber details hewn from local craftsmen, and carpets and tiles designed specifically for the project.

The incredible attention to detail continues in The Workshop Kitchen and Coal Bunker Bar, where brass and timber elements, deep aqua-hued velvet soft furnishings, leather banquette joinery and bespoke marble cabinetry combine to pay homage

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Overall, the end result is undoubtedly a home away from home for our guests, as well as a celebration of Tamworth’s history as the first Australian city of light.

DAINE COOPER – GENERAL MANAGER

I fell in love with the place, the people and the possibility to create incredible guest experiences. Just one of those experiences is our extensive wine list. This has been my passion, six years in the making. I started by picking wines from all over the world – Japan, Lebanon, Slovakia, onto Napa, Sonoma and closer to home with the Barossa. We now showcase more than 270 wines and achieved a 3 Glass rating in the 2022 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. The Workshop Kitchen was the first restaurant in the region and one of only a few prestigious eateries in the nation to ever receive the rating. The Coal Bunker Bar also showcases an array of top-shelf spirits, including an entire whiskey cabinet from around the globe. We’re very proud of that – but I’ll always ask myself, what can we do next, what can we do better? Because as Greg taught me from day one, the sky’s the limit. ››

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PREPARE TO BE DAZZLED Have you experienced The Powerhouse Hotel Tamwor th by Rydges? Seize the chance to dine, drink, play and stay at this prestigious regional venue – open seven days a week.

248 Armidale Road, Tamworth NSW powerhousetamworth.com.au @powerhousetamworth (02) 6766 7000

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NADER SHAYEB – CORPORATE EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF I always wanted to be a chef. Today, I’ve been in the industry 23 years and have worked across casual to fine dining, canapé and function service in some of Sydney’s landmark restaurants. But moving to Tamworth with my family to take on the role as Head Chef at The Workshop Kitchen was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Designing the menu for a venue like this is a culmination of my entire career. Understanding the Australian environment and palate is hugely important, as is knowing what people like and don’t like. For example, dinner is vastly different to lunch – the day is for crowd pleasers, but come nightfall people want to try something new and interesting. Here we offer both – from a 200g Jack’s Creek Scotch Fillet Steak Sandwich or Pepperoni Pizza to Creole Blackened Market Fish and Wood Fired Roasted Duck.

Bringing that together comes down to a lifetime of experience, building a great team in the kitchen and sourcing exceptional local produce. For us that includes amazing seafood and oysters from Coast & Plateau in Coffs Harbour, flour from Wholegrain Milling in Gunnedah, lamb from Thomas Foods and of course Jack’s Creek beef.

All of these elements combine to create the kind of dining experience people would usually only find in the city.

I’m working on our winter menu – that includes a pressed lamb rib crumbed with sauce gribiche, a rich and brothy oxtail soup, as well as a slow cooked pork belly, marinated in five spice seasoning then barbecued and served with an eggplant sambal. Every opportunity I get to take cooking back to its roots, I’ll take it. It’s about fire, wood, good marinades, great meat and vegetables and combining it all to create real food and a beautiful dining experience. *

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CHOOSE GREEN The Powerhouse is committed to energy and water conservation, recycling and waste reduction. Every room, suite and apar tment features ethical Thankyou bathroom amenities and Who Gives A Crap eco-friendly toilet paper.

Thankyou is an Australian social enterprise committed to creating world-class products that exist to help end extreme pover ty.

Who Gives a Crap donates 50 per cent of profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world.

The venue is also proud to be Soap Aid Hotel Ambassadors. To date, they’ve collected over 668kgs of used hotel soaps for Soap Aid which recycles and sends the 6,680 bars of new soap to global communities facing major hygiene challenges.

Plus, stay more than one night at The Powerhouse, decline your room being serviced and you’ll receive a food and beverage credit to use in the restaurant and bar. Guests can also access two Tesla Destination Charging Stations for their vehicles.

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Time Of Your Life

PEGGY ZEPHYR

Peggy Zephyr knew she was an artist from the age of six. As the youngest of five children, privacy was rare – until she commandeered the airing cupboard. It was there she’d draw on the walls and make monster sculptures from her mum’s fabric scraps. Creativity was highly valued within those family walls, and since leaving home at 16, Peggy has pursued a life of art that pushes boundaries, reveals hidden symbolism and, above all, encourages play.

WORDS Steph Wanless PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY Jason Tozer

P

eggy is a multidisciplinary artist whose deceptively simple work ‘fizzes on the canvas and swindles the eye’. As she shifts between the practices of painting and tufting, she’s consistently obsessed with colour, inspired by Mother Nature and Willy Wonka and is serious about art not being serious. While her practice today follows in the footsteps of the Californian 1960s hard-edge painting movement and the ancient art of textile weaving, her relationship with art began in a small airing cupboard in 1970s England. Here’s how her travels from Tamworth (UK), to her home at Korora Bay, Coffs Harbour, unfolded…

1978

Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, England While Peggy will be the first to tell you she got out of Tamworth as quickly as possible, fond memories were formed in the family’s humble home. ››

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“We didn’t have a lot of money, but there were loads of us kids – so you didn’t get much privacy. I commandeered the little airing cupboard when I was six, it was a bit Harry Potter of me. I drew all over the walls in there and, because my mum sewed our clothes, there were always fabric scraps lying around. I’d gather them up, take them into the cupboard and make soft sculptures, usually monsters. Making things and drawing was how I expressed myself – in our family it was all about being different and learning how to express yourself creatively. That’s what was valued in our home.”

1989-1991

Location: Burton College, Burton upon Trent, England True to her word, Peggy flew the coop as early as she possibly could. At just 16, she moved to Burton upon Trent to study a foundation art course.

“It was the kind of course where you do a little bit of everything – ceramics and photography, textiles and design, graphics and painting. It gives you the chance to choose your favourite medium before heading off to university. I was surrounded by filmmakers and artists, photographers and designers. It was just this huge, forward-thinking, melting pot – an incredible experience.”

1992-1994

Location: Manchester Polytechnic, Manchester, England Peggy went on to choose a Fine Arts Textile course at Manchester Polytechnic. But she quickly realised it wasn’t for her.

“I wasn’t happy and it just wasn’t the city for me. The course I had chosen wasn’t free enough, it wasn’t creative enough.

Having come from Burton, where we had such creative freedom and amazing tutors, it was too restrictive and project based. I didn’t feel like I was developing there, so I dropped out and went to London.”

1994-2003

Location: The East End, London, England It was in London’s East End that Peggy found her artistic groove again – while working multiple jobs to keep her head above water.

“It was really rough around there, so you could rent somewhere cheaply. I waited tables, sold ice creams at a theme park, worked at a bar, cleaned hotel rooms – all while painting in my spare time. It was menial stuff, but it was such a fantastic place to be in my twenties. I was always surrounded by creative people and eventually got picked up by an artist agent, so some more regular work started coming in from there. That’s when I decided to visit Australia for a holiday and my art changed dramatically.”

2003-2009

Location: Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia From the moment Peggy got off the plane, she felt an instant sense of home and fell in love with Sydney immediately.

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“I used to say life in England was like living inside a ping pong ball. The skies over there are grey 80 per cent of the time, so when I arrived in Australia it was like the colour volume had been turned up. My work changed radically – because of the light, the lifestyle, being out in nature and beside the ocean.

I started using a completely different palette, shifting to very bright colours, and began exploring storytelling through portraiture. I had a couple of shows in small galleries and sold a few pieces along the way. But it wasn’t until I started illustrating for Harper’s BAZAAR that I really found my feet.”

2006-2009

Location: Melvin & Doyle and Harper’s BAZAAR, Sydney, Australia After a few years in Sydney, Peggy started working for Melvin & Doyle, a store on Paddington’s William Street that sourced high-end European vintage pieces for designers like Sass & Bide, Alice McCall and Pip Edwards of P.E Nation. It was here she met Jamie Huckbody, the first male editor of Harper’s BAZAAR. “We became great friends and still are to this day – he’s a mentor to me, too. Back then he took a leap of faith and gave me the chance to illustrate for Harper’s. He wanted to bring my vibe to the pages – something new, different and modern.

I did a couple of covers, as well as a regular internal feature, and went on to get other work from there, including a gig for Donna Hay. It was such an incredible time and one I’m hugely grateful for. The best part was it all came through word of mouth – Instagram wasn’t a thing back then!”

2009-2013

Location: London, England While she was undoubtedly having the time of her life in the land down under, Peggy was ready to return to London.

She continued working remotely for Harper’s BAZAAR and secured a role as a fashion stylist.

“The role with Harper’s was keeping my head above water – then my photographer friend Jason Tozer invited me to come and do some styling for his shoots. It went well, not only because I secured a stylist role for Sony where I worked

on some very cool music shoots and video games, but also because Jason’s now my husband. We were surrounded by so many incredibly creative, talented people and it was the first time in my life I was earning proper money. I could buy a coffee and a muffin and not have to worry about it.

Amazing, right?!”

2014-2016

Location: All over Australia, on a motorbike As incredible as those London days were, Oz was calling and Peggy knew it was time to come ‘home’. But this time, she had Jason by her side… or in front of her… on a motorbike.

“Yep, we brought our motorbike out with us and travelled around Australia for two and a half years. We’d rented out our London apartment and I sold my property in Windsor, so we were very lucky and had time on our side. I packed my pannier full of sketchbooks and we took to the road. I might have cried when I realised I had zero room for my usual library of clothes, but it was a very freeing experience. We house-sat along the way and took the time to carefully plan our next move – that’s when we came to Coffs.”

2016

Location: Korora Bay, Coffs Harbour After two and a half years on the road, Peggy wanted to start painting again and both she and Jason were drawn to the sunshine-bathed waters of Korora Bay. “We bought our house here in Korora and haven’t looked back since. I’ve converted the whole ground floor into my studio, which overlooks the ocean. I lose hours, shifting between two gears – the slower, meditative nature of painting and the more labour-intensive but forgiving practice of tufting. I don’t listen to music when I’m working, all I need is the sound of the waves and the birds. I’m still a very private person when it comes to my art, people can’t just walk in – even Jason has a train whistle he blows to let me know he’s coming downstairs. I don’t want people knowing what I’m creating until I’m ready to share it with the world. I guess you could say it’s like I’m still in that airing cupboard, my very own quiet sanctuary.” *

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THE AWARD-WINNING WORK OF PEGGY ZEPHYR Mosman Ar t Prize Finalist 2022.

Basil Sellers Ar t Prize 2022.

National Still Life Award Finalist and People’s Choice Winner 2021.

These are just some of the awards Peggy’s snapped up, as her work rubs shoulders with the likes of Ken Done and Wendy Sharpe. This year, she continues to push the creative envelope in the opening show for Coffs Harbour’s Yarrila Ar ts and Museum (YAM) called Please Walk on the Grass.

In this solo exhibition, Peggy continues to incorporate bold colours, hidden symbolism and an element of play as she invites people to engage with the ar twork in a way you’ll have to discover for yourself when viewing the show in person.

“That one’s a secret to discover within the gallery, but it encourages the element of play I’m so passionate about with my ar t,” says Peggy.

“Galleries can be such serious spaces, people tend to speak in an elitist language, whispering in front of the ar tworks you’re not allowed to touch. I’m interested in breaking through that and saying ‘this is just ar t, this should be playful’. There’s a place for serious subjects too, of course, but I want my work to feel inclusive, not intimidating, and you shouldn’t need an ar t history degree to understand what’s hanging on the wall in front of you.

It’s also disruptive and a bit cheeky, and I’m all about that.” peggyzephyr.com @peggy_zephyr

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A BOLD MOVE TO BYENI

How two humans, one poodle and a rooster named Billy Idol landed sunny side up in a mudbrick house born from the sands on which it stands 30km north of Glen Innes.

WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Jim A. Barker

When I first received an email from photographer Jim A. Barker, I jumped to multiple inaccurate conclusions. He mentioned a recent career change from publicist to photographer, a move from Sydney to Glen Innes and chatted about filling his days by taking portraits of New England artisans.

“Let’s have a coffee.”

Sure, I agreed, expecting to meet one of three people.

1.

A recent retiree who’s taken up photography after a career in the city.

2.

A man returning to his regional roots with a young family, camera on hand to capture happy new memories made.

3.

A treechanger here to work the land, but who digs photography on the side.

As it turned out, I met someone else entirely.

Fast forward to the cafe, where I was greeted by six-footsomething of the kind of cool you’re born with. You can’t learn that shit. Think double denim, jacket arms adorned in vintage patches and enamel pins, nose ring, shoulder-length hair smashing out a messy man bun like there’s no tomorrow, with a poodle called Joe by his side.

This was not the semi-retired bird watcher I’d imagined. And I had questions.

“Who are you Jim, and how and why are you here?” ››

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A NEW BEGINNING A couple of hours and several coffees later, I’d learnt that Jim, his wife Jamie-Lee Garner and their beloved pooch Joe had made the leap from city to regional on the first day of spring 2020. It was a new beginning, one like none other they’d ever known.

I met Jamie-Lee at a later date – but this time I was more prepared for the divine human before me. An exceptionally talented artist and designer draped in that same ‘bornwith-it’ coolness and tattoos so delicate I can only imagine they were painted on by pixies. Even Joe the poodle rocks a bandana like it’s going out of fashion.

The trio, who Jim affectionately refers to as Triple J, had zero connections with Glen Innes – “but we liked the fact it was cold, had a second-hand bookshop and decent coffee,” says Jamie-Lee. “As long as there’s a bookshop, there’s something for me to grasp onto, something I know.”

It was also conveniently halfway between their families in Sydney and the Sunshine Coast and offered them a chance to live the off-grid, creatively driven lifestyle they’d been slowly edging towards from city apartments the size of shoeboxes.

“We’d been property hunting for a while and had two key criteria, to have a view of the horizon and to not be able to see our neighbours – now that’s obviously not going to happen in Sydney,” laughs Jim. “So we looked further afield.”

They looked south, they looked west, they did all the things property hunters do best. But it was on an accidental detour from Broken Hill that the pair stumbled across Glen Innes – with the road south closed due to rainfall, they headed north and just kept going.

“We don’t mind the odd drive,” adds Jim, which is lucky – given their new home is the kind of distance from town where takeaway needs to be reheated by the time you reach the front door. But when you see the mudbrick property Jim and Jamie-Lee now call home, you know that’s a small sacrifice to make.

Named Byeni, which in the local tongue means ‘to continue on’, it’s the kind of space that catches you mid-breath, draws you in, twirls you around and nudges you ever so gently towards the 100 acres of timbered land beyond.

Pause. Breathe. Look up.

The sky out here is so entirely different to the one you get in the city. It’s bigger, brighter – braver.

No neighbours looking over you here.

“We knew it was special as soon as we came down the drive – a dusty dirt track bathed in a golden blanket of wattle,” says Jamie-Lee. “Then you step foot inside and you’re lost for words.”

I can see why, but I’ll give it a go.

The three-bedroom home is Hobbiton magnified. Just swap lush rolling hillsides for the great Australian bush and replace perfectly formed bricks for those made from mud, lovingly formed using sand from the property’s dam. Next, make it bigger, wider, bolder. The space is tall and sparse, tied together

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with wooden beams happily adorned with Jim’s indoor plant collection – turns out he’s quite the green thumb. In a corner sits his desk, photography equipment and computer. To the left is Jamie-Lee’s art space bursting with floor-to-ceiling canvases and a drink cart turned painter’s palette on wheels.

An eclectic mix of artworks and photographs, books, ceramics and nostalgic memorabilia line the walls. A wood fire burns bright in the heart of the room – adding warmth to this beautiful, bohemian space. Outside, a menagerie of chooks is kept in line by a rooster called Billy Idol.

Artists live here. Brave ones. The kind who have joined the Rural Fire Service to support the community and learn how to defend Byeni should fire roll through the land. The kind who have taught themselves how to make mudbricks from the dam’s sand – so the chicken coop and granny flat they’re restoring match the main house. The kind who moved here with the intention of becoming self-sufficient so installed a whole new solar system, two new water tanks and have dreams of building vegetable gardens big enough to feed an artist’s residency.

“That’s the goal, to invite fellow artists to stay in the granny flat next door, take what they want from the garden to cook their meals and enjoy the freedom out here,” says Jamie-Lee. “We want to create an artists’ retreat, not only for ourselves, but for others like us.”

ESCAPING THE CITYSCAPE It’s a far cry from the life they led in Sydney, where the extent of Jim’s gardening was a tomato plant sat beside a single sunflower on a Surry Hills balcony. Today, he tends to 230 plants on a daily basis. ››

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ART UNCOVERED You can discover even more about Jim and Jamie-Lee’s ar t, photography and background online – enjoy every second. twelvepoints.photography @thejimclasshero jamieleegarner.com @jl_gi

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But they haven’t left their city lives behind them entirely.

Both Jim and Jamie-Lee continue to work remotely part-time in their Sydney-based roles as a publicist and designer. It’s a blessing off the back of COVID-19, and one that enables them to pursue this creatively-fuelled existence.

“We’d been trying to disengage from city life for a while before the move,” says Jim. “We’d shifted out to the ‘burbs and were growing organic vegetables in a farm plot in South West Sydney. But to get there you had to drive through these new developments, my dad calls them modern slums.”

He goes on to describe gutters butting up against gutters, grass replaced by artificial turf and rows of neighbours who knew nothing about each other.

“They’re like hot bubbles where you just have to stay inside,” adds Jamie-Lee. “You might not need a lawnmower anymore, but your kids can’t play on the grass because it burns the soles of their feet and there’s no shade because you’ve cut down all the trees. All of that is what we’ve been pulling away from for a long time – not only with growing our own produce, but how we choose to spend our time, too.”

It’s true, seeing someone paint a self-portrait while the other whittles a wooden sculpture isn’t what you’d expect to find in a typical ‘burbs backyard. But despite their best efforts to push suburban boundaries, they felt hemmed in – both physically and creatively. Ironically, a growing sense of isolation crept ever closer too, even while living in a denselypopulated urban street.

“We needed to leap – I was burning out in my agency role but didn’t realise it,” says Jim. “After meeting Jamie-Lee and being exposed to her creativity, I was encouraged to do it myself. So I picked up a camera and started making photos.”

Photography quickly became Jim’s antidote to getting through the burnout. Gradually, he realised this was how he wanted to spend his time – creating art, connecting to the land and becoming less reliant on the outside world. As for Jamie-Lee, she was sold on a country move the second her city employer said: “Sure, you can work from home.”

But that’s not to say it’s been easy.

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“We took big, intentional steps to get here, and living this life isn’t without its challenges.”

“Motivation is key,” adds Jim. “You’ve got to really want it.

While we’re still supporting ourselves with our part-time city incomes, it’s given us the time and space to push ourselves in our craft every moment we get.

“You’ve also got to make the time to learn about pumps – moving to the country seems to involve a lot about water pumps. I fixed one the other day and thought to myself, ‘yes, I’ve gone full country now’.”

WILD AND FREE Motivation, the magic of technology and family support have combined to create this pair’s sweet, creative life. While nailing the data diet was a stumbling block and video calls are a no-go when it rains, what they’ve gained is the stuff artistic dreams are made of.

While the hustle still bustles beneath the surface as they forge new connections with galleries and businesses seeking a sharp photographer’s eye, dedicate time to their art and renovate their ever-evolving mudbrick space – life here is more fluid, free-flowing and fun.

“People are all too geared towards earning money and sacrifice their time – our only real commodity – in exchange for more of it. As long as we can buy paints and plants we’re in a good place,” says Jim. “Life out here is sweeter, the connections we’ve made are more fulfilling and we’re learning more about ourselves and the land around us every day.”

“We love the landscape we’re in,” adds Jamie-Lee. “It makes us feel like a part of Australia and is a constant source of inspiration. It gives us freedom. So, in return, we work to take care of it and, one day soon, share it with others.”

Until that day, when artists and creatives alike gather among the gums for a slice of the good life, I leave Triple J to go about their day wrapped up in the trees, windswept grasses and wild freedom that comes with life at Byeni.

PS – Thanks for the email Jim, I owe you a coffee. *

Visit our website to find out more

We have the CHbest GROUP advisors to help you grow the success + value of your business.

Whether you are starting up, growing up or handing over, the professionals at Roberts + Morrow can work with you to provide the right solutions for your business. Give us a call on 6774 8400 or enquire online to find out more.

kids

coast

Planning a coastal getaway this autumn but unsure what to do with the kids?

No need to fear, we've rounded up some of the best activities for you and your kids to do in and around the Coffs area:

events ● Themed family fun days on the first Sunday of the month ● Live entertainment for adults ● Smiley Squad face painting and kids activities ● Free ice cream & drink with a meal ● Colouring in Packs ● Air conditioned TV and playstation room ● Mums and Bubs weekly ● Dog friendly ● Dog Wash

during school holidays

Activities ● Playground ● Basketball court ● Table tennis

activities ● Kids room

● Mini golf ● Air conditioned movie room

● Table tennis

● Free ice cream & drink with a meal ● Colouring in packs ● Dog friendly ● Dog wash

● Nintendo

events ● Mums and bubs ● Family fun days ● Family friendly ticketed gigs ● Live music ● Magic show ● Buskers festival

● Giant connect 4 ● Board games ● Colouring in packs ● Kids movies on TV ● Free kids ice cream & drink with a meal ● Colouring in competition for a $20 bistro voucher every week ● Live music

● Art's & crafts in the courtyard with the smiley squad

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TOORMINA.COM.AU

MOONEEBEACHHOTEL.COM.AU

sawtellhotel.COM.AU

r u o T b u P

THE NORTH COAST ROAD TRIP

s

FOUND FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FINE FEATHERED FOLKS HIT THE ROAD TO SAMPLE THE SIGHTS AND DELIGHTS OF OUR GLORIOUS REGION.

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SEABREEZE BEACH HOTEL, SOUTH WEST ROCKS

THE VENUE Serving up local pub vibes on the banks of Horseshoe Bay, the Seabreeze Beach Hotel is a must-visit for good folks from all walks of life – whether you’re with the family, chilling with mates, live around the corner or just flew in from across the sea. Keep it casual in the beer garden, relax on the terrace or keep the kids busy in the ‘hideout’ – complete with climbing wall and arcade games. You’re welcome.

THE MENU You can’t go wrong with pub classics like steaks and pizza, burgers and chips and a good old chicken parmi. Fancy a tipple? Choose from vinos and beers aplenty, as well as cocktails and mocktails to suit any mood.

THE BONUS BIT Don’t want your visit to end? No worries. Book an ocean-view room upstairs and lap up those same breathtaking bay views at sunrise the next day. seabreezebeachhotel.com.au @seabreezebeachhotel

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THE SAWTELL HOTEL, SAWTELL

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sawtellhotel.com.au @sawtell_hotel

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Two words friends: Chilli. Festival. That’s right, The Sawtell Hotel is a major sponsor of the town’s annual Chilli Festival – held on 1 July 2023 (and the first Saturday of July annually!). The venue proudly hosts a Chilli Chicken Wing Eating competition, with sauces classed as ‘mild’ all the way through to ‘grim reaper’. If you dare to throw your hat in the ring, just keep a glass of milk handy. ››

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THE BONUS BIT

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With something fresh on the menu every day of the week, you’ll be hard-pressed choosing between Curry Monday, Rump Steak Tuesday, Nachos Wednesday and Free Schnitzel Toppers Thursday. Our pick? All of the above.

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THE MENU

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THE VENUE Imagine beachside dining in an idyllic tree-lined village and you’ve just pictured The Sawtell Hotel. This right here is the stuff seaside living dreams are made of. We’re talking lazy afternoons spent snacking on housemade arancini balls, chicken wings, and daily local seafood specials – the kind you’re going to want to write home about. Throw in a stroll to the surf for good measure, lap up that seaside air and head back for an evening bevvy… or two.

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TOORMINA HOTEL, TOORMINA

THE VENUE Tucked away on the edge of the Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre, the recently refurbished Toormina Hotel is an alfresco haven complete with private cabanas and a state-of-the-art kids play area. Got a function to plan? Choose from the comfy bistro, intimate lounge bar or outdoor courtyard beneath the stars. Just let the team know what you need and they’ll put a package together for you. Party times = sorted.

THE MENU Head Chef Jacob takes great pride in his well-honed ability to smoke meat to perfection. While his long-term, dedicated smoker (which resembles a green, vintage fridge) lives out back to help him serve his signature dishes daily, on the last Sunday of every month a mobile smoker is wheeled out into the courtyard. Named Booze, Beats and Meats, the event sees Jacob showcase the cooking process and how to achieve the perfect smoked brisket.

THE BONUS BIT Don’t want to leave your best mate at home? Good news – pups are welcome to chill out with you in Toormina’s Palms Courtyard. Woof!

Grab a drink for yourself, a bowl of water for your furry friend and enjoy a dose of good times for you both. PS – if your bestie could do with a wash, a 24-hr dog wash is also on site both here and at the Moonee Beach Hotel! toorminahotel.com.au @toorminahotel

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MOONEE BEACH HOTEL, MOONEE BEACH

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mooneebeachhotel.com.au @mooneebeach.hotel

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Keen for some live music? You’re in luck. Moonee Beach Hotel is also a major live entertainment venue hosting the likes of Kingswood, Julian James & The Moonshine State, Daryl Braithwaite, Thirsty Merc and magicians for a kids’ magic show on a regular basis. What’s more, the venue hosts a weekly mums and bubs club, a weekly trivia night, and monthly family fun days. Let the good times roll! *

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THE MENU Mexican not your vibe? No problem – traditional bistro fare is also on the menu.

Pork belly and steaks, locally sourced fish and chips and pizza and pasta will ensure all taste buds are catered for. Arriba!

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This right here is the stuff family-friendly dreams are made of. Huge, undercover playground? Tick! Mini golf? Tick! Sports bar? Tick! Dog friendly? Tick! Serving up a stellar range of dining options for lunch and dinner (including La Cantina delivering a range of tacos, margs and tequilas to boot) consider the Moonee Beach Hotel your home away from home.

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THE VENUE

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CHANGING THE WORLD FROM REGIONAL NSW The UNE SMART Region Incubator (SRI) is a connected community of founders and innovators who share a deep commitment to seeing new and existing enterprises flourish in the New England. It works to support aspiring regional businesses with mentors, corporate partners, researchers, events, hot desk space and meeting facilities, and has physical locations in Armidale, Moree, Tamworth and Narrabri.

Here, we chat to two founders about how they brought their start-up to life with the SRI’s support, in a flourishing regional community.

KATE ARMSTRONG-SMITH, OTHELIA In a nutshell, what does Othelia do? Othelia is a narrative engine; in other words, a digital writing tool storytellers and creatives can use to develop future stories in a paper-free, non-linear format. Our mission is to build a place where the story lives and creatives are at the helm of new technologies.

Where did the idea come from? Not so long ago, when you went to engage with story content, that meant going to Blockbuster and hiring a video, waiting for a movie to come out at the cinema, going to a bookshop or turning on the TV and choosing from one of the four channels on offer.

But in the past 15 years there’s been a huge explosion in the way we can engage with narrative content. Extraordinarily though, the way the creator puts that story content together is still done on paper. There are writers’ rooms in Hollywood with entire storylines written in post-it notes stuck on a wall.

That’s where we saw an opportunity. My co-founder asked the question – what if story wasn’t linear? What if instead of approaching it as an idea with a beginning, middle and an end, we approached it as a system?

How does the software work? To develop the software, we thought about why there are some things humans consider dramatic enough to include in a story, and why some things aren’t. Then by thinking of story as a system, we worked out the details people will always prioritise over others. We then gathered those elements – the characters, the storylines, themes and plot twists – and fed them into an engine.

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It’s important to note, Othelia doesn’t exist to replace writers, but is rather a tool they can use to enhance their creativity, think about their story better and ultimately model it faster in a paper-free format.

Did you ever think this was possible in the country? When I lived in Sydney, I tolerated some pretty low resource, high-cost living because creative economies need to all live in the same area. So if you’d asked that question before COVID-19, my answer would have been no. Fast forward to now, it’s a completely different economic situation. The technology allows people to create communities and build connections online, and it’s only getting more powerful.

Thanks to platforms like Twitch and Discord, creatives can connect without having to physically live in the same place.

Combine that with the better cost of living and it makes building a life and business in a regional community easier than ever before.

How has the SRI helped? The SRI has given us so much – including access to community, a place my team can come, meeting facilities and all at a budget that suits our start-up needs. I’ve also had the opportunity to have conversations about how we can contribute to the community – we’re a culture technology company, so investing back is really important to us. We’re also a partly female-founded start-up, and only two per cent of start-ups are female founded – not only in Australia, but in America. However in the SRI, 50 per cent of the start-ups are female founded. What’s more, culture and climate change are represented here more so than any other ecosystem I’ve been a part of in Australia. I’m really proud to contribute to both those stories.

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GOT AN IDEA? If you’ve got an idea you’d like to share with the incredible humans at the UNE SMART Region Incubator – reach out today. unesri.com.au @unesmartri

* SAM DUNCAN, FARMLAB In a nutshell, what does FarmLab do? FarmLab maps and verifies your soil, plant and water measurements – helping farmers make better decisions and earn trusted and verified carbon offsets.

Where did the idea come from? I’d been working as a logistics officer in the Royal Australian Air Force for around 12 years, before gradually jumping into start-up land. I’d dabbled in entrepreneurship throughout that time too, including concepts around fleet and fatigue management for truck drivers and crowdsourcing designs for fashion designers. While none of it was climate-focused, those experiences helped me understand what you need to succeed in a technology start-up.

The idea for FarmLab specifically was born in 2016, but it wasn’t until 2018 when I started working on it full time – from a kitchen table in our Armidale Airbnb. I saw a huge opportunity to take software into agronomy and farming, not to replace the relationship between consultants and farmers, but to enhance it. The social side of the platform has always been a huge focus for us – we created something that not only validates all the hard work that’s happening on the farm, but adds value to the community the farmers are living in, too.

How does the platform work? This is where I like to use a blood test analogy. You wouldn’t do your own blood test – you go to a pathology lab, the sample gets sent away and results are delivered to your doctor. You then head back to your GP who interprets those results for you. It’s the same process with us. A farming consultant uses our mobile app

and sample bags to collect samples of soil, plants or water.

Those samples get sent to our environmental testing labs and returned to the consultant, who then interprets those results for the farmer. At the end of the day, we’re all about helping farmers prove and verify their sustainability credentials by collecting consistent measurements over a set period of time.

Could this be done in a city? Agriculture is the only scientifically proven way we can sequester carbon at scale to combat climate change. But it’s hard to help farmers from Sydney or Newcastle – you need to be in a regional town, close to your clients, in an incubator space. It’s that confluence of factors that got us where we are today. All our staff are regionally based in Armidale, Inverell and Tamworth, and that’s not by accident. Those people know their communities and are helping to grow them further with FarmLab. It’s important that we’re not a nameless, faceless software company. We want to have a presence, we want to have relationships with our clients and boots on the ground where we’re going to make a difference.

How has the SRI helped? For founders in the pre-investment stage, it’s crucial you have a network of other founders around to help you understand the start-up process. That’s what the SRI brings to the table, along with world-class, inspirational events, experts in residence and a rock solid community. While it’s not there to run your business for you, it certainly helps you get a few rungs up the ladder faster.

The most important conversations you have are those in passing down the hall – learning and listening to the journeys of other founders is the fuel that keeps you going; it’s that shared experience. For us, that journey was pivotal and it’s absolutely got us through to where we are today. * WINTER 2023 | 65

Are You Prepared For this End of Financial Year?

Matt Meehan Chartered Accountant and Financial Adviser providing high-level strategic advice to farming families Australia wide.

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Scan the QR code to find out how Matt and his team can help you with your financial planning and accounting needs this year.

160 Rusden Street Armidale NSW 2350 0428 104 903 Lifesolver.com.au

GOING PUBLIC

GOOD HUMANS DOING GREAT THINGS, AND HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR MISSION.

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ONEMOB RADIO WORDS As told to Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Kareena Johnson, Captured by KJ

When proud Gumbaynggirr man Lachlan Skinner was 15 years old, owning a radio station was the last thing he could imagine doing. He was shy, kept to himself in class and had no interest in public speaking – let alone recording and broadcasting his voice nationwide. That is until he had the opportunity to be part of Speaking Hour Lingo – a radio program developed to train young people in radio and presenting. From that moment onwards, Lachlan dreamt of establishing his very own First Nations radio station in Coffs Harbour. A place where he could provide professional media platforms for the Gumbaynggirr Community that promotes inclusion and awareness. A space for First Nations people to explore media, and support the growth of storytelling and information sharing for all Aboriginal communities. And ultimately, a place to promote his people’s stories, achievements and culture.

In 2020, Lachlan’s dream came true. Here he shares his story of how OneMob Radio was born.

Speaking Hour Lingo sparked the whole thing. If you’d met me before that, there’s no way you could see me doing what I do now. But that program gave me a taste of what working in radio would be like – and once I started, I didn’t want to stop.

It was hosted by CHY FM in Coffs. I loved playing my own music and talking to an audience who couldn’t talk back.

It was a weird concept, but also a really cool one and I got hooked. One of the first trips we did as part of Speaking Hour Lingo was to Sydney to visit Koori Radio in Redfern.

We got to see the radio station and learn how their program came together – that’s the moment I decided I wanted that for Coffs Harbour. It might have seemed like a crazy idea at the time, but I wanted a place where First Nations people could come to do radio interviews, share stories and play their music.

Over the next 10 years, I volunteered on and off at CHY FM and established myself as a broadcaster. I learnt a lot from them, as well as other radio stations I listened to, and got a good understanding of what worked and what didn’t. The

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good stuff stuck with me and I put a cultural lens on all of it so it was more suited to mob.

Fast forward to 2020, COVID’s hit and everyone’s freaking out. I felt the need for community more than ever. We were running Aboriginal services catch-ups, so everyone could get on the same page and support each other. But we had no way of filtering that information out to the community.

That’s when the flame to launch a radio station was relit. I wanted people to be able to tune in and get all the updates they needed, but also to listen to our music, celebrate our culture with Gumbaynggirr language segments and encourage mental health awareness with our mindful moments that encourage connecting to Country.

All these little things came together to make a radio station.

And while it started as a way to escape COVID, it’s grown into something so much more. Today we also run workshops for young people through schools and community groups.

We start by getting them to record a few things and listen to

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SUPPORT YOUR MOB

GOING PUBLIC

onemobradio.com.au onemobradio@gmail.com @onemobradio

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OneMob Radio wants to be a strong, independent First Nations media platform that aids in the cultivation and maintenance of a more closely inter twined and informed community. If you’d like to get involved, you can check them out here.

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I want to have a place of our own not only for broadcasting, but a studio where musicians can record their work and share it with us. I’d love to create a hub where mob can come and just enjoy it, mingle and maybe even come on air with us and start their own show. Because once that stuff starts happening, it gives us the ability to support social and economic development and ultimately help relieve the poverty and sickness, helplessness and suffering among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. That’s our big goal, and we’re already well on our way there. *

GOING PUBLIC

While it hasn’t come without its challenges – there’s been a lot of learning in the past two years around how to run a business, applying for funding, music licensing and Aboriginal corporation info – I’ve loved every bit of it. I’ve got an amazing support network around me, so nothing feels too big when you’ve got amazing people who are willing to help

But that’s not to say I don’t have big plans, and moving into our own building is one of them. I love where we’re located right now, at the Groundworks Youth and Family Hub – they’re super supportive. But there comes a time when you need to move out of the nest and start to grow your own empire.

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Some people have gone on to develop a radio program straight after the workshop and are hosting their first show within an hour of doing the training. Those kids are fairly confident. Others take a little bit longer, but the outcomes are incredible. You find kids who don’t talk in their classroom, kids just like me, and they’re the first ones to keep coming back and recording. That’s a really special thing.

carry the load. I’m really lucky in that sense. As for the future, I’m a very spontaneous person – it’s about putting one foot in front of the other. I think if I wasn’t like that I wouldn’t be where I am today.

GOING PUBLIC

their voices – that’s the first big icebreaker. Because what you think you sound like and what actually comes out of the radio is very different. So it’s about getting them used to that, building up their confidence, then teaching them how to structure a proper radio show, scripting it out and building the content around it.

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New

TO BRENNAN & SMITH OPTOMETRISTS

REGIONAL ABODES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES, SURE TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY, OVERNIGHT RETREAT OR RENOVATION PROJECT.

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SIXTY THREE MOREE Lucy and Dibs Cush invite you to experience their exquisitely refurbished workers’ cottage in the heart of Moree.

Whether you book for a weekend escape, a wintery week-long retreat or those special moments before a bride walks down the aisle, you’re sure to feel right at home in this beautiful, boutique country residence.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY Danni MacCue HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY Heidi Morris, Lens of Rosie

GETTING THERE

THE STORY

Moree is spoilt for choice when it comes to transport options to and from the beautiful region of Northern NSW. You’ll find the town proudly positioned on a major internal highway route that connects Brisbane and Melbourne, and is serviced daily via plane from Sydney on QantasLink. Translink also runs regular trains to Sydney and further afield too – that’s the trifecta folks: planes, trains and automobiles!

Purchased in the middle of the 2016 drought by mother and daughter duo, Lucy and Dibs Cush, Sixty Three Moree is a true labour of love. An homage to days gone by, with creaks and cracks synonymous with any dwelling on Moree’s rich black soil, these walls could tell a tale or two. All interiors have been curated by the pair, who have quite the eye when it comes to creating beautiful spaces.

Homewares and furniture have been sourced from local businesses, while the walls are adorned by the work of regional artists and artisans. Their personal collection of artwork is also lovingly rotated through the space, featuring artists such as Catherine Stewart, Sarah Smith, Emily Persson, Amanda Brooks, Rebecca Rath and Johnny K to name a few.

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| MY DIGS

WHERE? Moree, NSW

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WHEN? Book online at: sixtythreemoree.com.au @sixtythree.moree

MY DIGS

WHAT? Sixty Three Moree – a traditional workers’ cottage.

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WHO? Lucy and Dibs Cush – a mother and daughter duo with an eye for design and a passion for Nor thern NSW.

MY DIGS

FAST FACTS

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THE INTERESTING BITS Moree is commonly referred to as Australia’s Artesian Spa Capital. Why? Well, back in 1895, the town folk tapped into the hot springs of the Great Artesian Basin and have been promoting them as healing waters to attract people far and wide ever since. The benefits of natural artesian mineral waters were discovered thousands of years ago and it all comes back to the sulphur and magnesium. These minerals are said to nourish the organs of the body and in turn help fight illness and repair tissue damage. While many European cities are steeped in spa culture, these days you can save yourself the airfare and head to Moree instead! *

MY DIGS

THE STAY This little slice of heritage heaven boasts three divine bedrooms (which sleep six), established cottage gardens, fire pit and alfresco dining complete with festoon lights – all of which is just two blocks from Moree’s main street.

That means local cafes, boutiques, art galleries and cultural murals are just a hop, skip and a jump away when it comes time to explore. Love a market? The Jellicoe Park Markets are held on the first Sunday of the month and are a hive of activity with fresh produce, cakes and homemade gifts. How about a stroll around Moree Botanical Gardens? Lining the banks of the Mehi River, the venue offers picture perfect, ever-evolving vegetation and traditional carved trees of the Kamilaroi people.

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CHARLESWORTH BAY BEACH RESORT

CHARLESWORTH BAY

LUXURIOUS BEACHSIDE RESORT IN COFFS HARBOUR.

SPACIOUS ONE AND TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS.

THREE RESORT POOLS AND A NINE HOLE GOLF COURSE.

CHARLESWORTHBAYBEACHRESORT.COM.AU Charlesworth Bay Beach Resort, 2 Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 | 0477 779 343

ECO WARRIOR TALES FROM ACROSS THE LAND, SHOWCASING THE SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES BUSINESSES ARE BUILDING FROM THE GREEN GROUND UP.

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A DIFFERENT WAY TO FLY Responsible tourism and sustainability aren’t the only values at the heart of Australia’s newest airline – Bonza has been thinking deeply about meaningful change from day one, with the vision of creating a more accessible Australia for travellers of all kinds, all year round.

WORDS Meg Miller PHOTOGRAPHY Bonza

Taking to the sky for the very first time on 31 January this year, Bonza made its debut as the world’s very first paperless cabin. With flights starting from between $49 and $89, you can fly direct to some of Australia’s most alluring destinations, all while knowing you’re supporting local businesses and reducing your carbon footprint. Carly Povey, Chief Commercial Officer, spills the tea on how Bonza is carving the way to a more sustainable future, for the benefit of the people and the planet.

“When you have a totally blank canvas, it’s incumbent on you as a business to think about how you can weave good sustainability practices into the DNA from day one – that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

“This is an absolute obligation from our perspective because there are many businesses out there trying to solve sustainability issues retrospectively. What we really try to do at Bonza is keep ourselves honest and ask, ‘If not us, then who? If not now, then when?’”

Looking carefully at some of the biggest causes of wastage and inefficiency in airlines, the team behind Bonza turned to innovation, leveraging technology to do things differently.

“When we first announced Bonza to the world, we talked about how technology underpins our approach – we would be

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GREEN STREET

@flybonza

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Ready to fly into the future with Bonza? Download the app or pop in and see your local travel agent – make responsible tourism a part of your next adventure.

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TAKE FLIGHT

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“We then wrap all that up and look at the next phase, which is from now until 2050 and beyond. We’re working on crystallising our commitment to responsible tourism and thinking about sustainability throughout the entire customer lifecycle.” *

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“Our model is flying direct from one destination to another with low frequency, but high capacity. We use Boeing 737-8 because they’re highly technologically advanced and are the most fuel-efficient aircraft in Australia – they also have 186 seats on every flight.

This means less flying and more efficiency in how we’re operating every flight, making the most of that flight from a customer capacity perspective.

GREEN STREET

“It seems less confronting when you’re doing it together – we’ve just tried to be really human about it. We don’t have all the answers, but sustainability is really important to us, so what can we collectively do to support it?” says Carly.

Need another reason to fly with Bonza? Their choice in aircraft and the number of times they fly per week are also a part of their pioneering approach to responsible tourism.

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HOMEGROWN SUPPLIERS Not only is Bonza’s in-flight menu completely digital, everything on board is sourced in Australia, reducing the footprint of their entire product ecosystem. What’s more? Many of their suppliers were chosen for their stellar sustainability credentials – by stripping back to basics, Bonza teamed up with Aussie companies to reduce waste and their carbon footprint wherever they can.

“Fun fact,” adds Carly, “that C02e break-even point is three uses. From our very first flight, we had Turn Cups on board. We use them for all of our cold drinks and they’re working with us to innovate a hot drink solution as well.”

GREEN STREET

“This is to solve waste and inefficiency in the system from a sustainability perspective – the most obvious benefit being that the more you digitise the customer journey, the less you are printing paper, boarding passes, menus, catalogues and magazines. Not only is this beneficial from a paper wastage perspective, but the less weight you have on an aircraft, the less fuel you need, the less fuel you burn.”

“We engaged with a company called Turn Cups who have a presence in Australia. Made from 100 per cent recycled polypropylene, Turn Cups go through an incountry closed loop sanitisation process. They can be used up to 120 times, preventing thousands of cups from going into landfill.

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the first airline globally to launch with only an app for direct booking.

By this point, the team at Bonza had done their best to model their entire company on sustainable practices.

They’d ditched paper and napkins and found ways to reduce their carbon footprint, but they kept coming back to plastic cups.

GREEN STREET

“When you have a totally blank canvas, it’s incumbent on you as a business to think about how you can weave good sustainability practices into the DNA from day one.”

“Some examples of the products we have on board include eco pouches created by Sunshine & Sons, who produce gin, vodka and rum. The pouches can be recycled through various programs and they also weigh less. Secondly, our wine providers, Sirromet Wines, bottle in recycled plastic bottles – so not only are they lighter, but they’re fully recyclable as well.”

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LAW SOCIETY OF NSW ACCREDITED SPECIALIST IN FAMILY LAW

Dispute Resolution Mediation Litigation Separation Divorce Property Settlements Child Support Financial Agreements Parenting Spousal Maintenance Children’s Matters Succession Planning Wills Power of Attorney Enduring Guardian Family Provision Probate Rural & Residential Conveyancing Commercial Leases Notary Public

ARMIDALE 9/108 Dangar Street Armidale NSW 2350 02 5733 5885

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URALLA 60a Bridge Street Uralla NSW 2358

office@egfamilylaw.com.au www.egfamilylaw.com.au

HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS Lifestyle Outfitters has something to keep everyone warm and cosy this winter. Whether you’re searching for the cap, hat, ugg or jacket of your dreams, Ross Patch carefully sources the very best products for his customers.

WORDS Meg Miller

FLÉCHET ITALIAN-INSPIRED WOOL CAP

SWANNDRI NEW ZEALAND

The beautifully designed Fléchet Italian wool cap features eight unique panels of patchwork detail. Mixing contrasting patterns and colours with Merino wool in classic Peaky Blinders style, the intricate sewing and quality of the product achieve a distinctive and inspired winter look. Stand out from the crowd – you won’t find two caps the same.

Now stocking New Zealand’s most iconic brand of outerwear, Lifestyle Outfitters’ Swanndri will keep you warm and dry no matter the weather. With overcoats, sweaters, flannelette shirts and wool-based T-shirts all available in store, you’ll be equipped for any Aussie adventure.

Patchwork not your style? Don Fléchet in a solid colour and allow the delicate threads of stitching to speak for the piece, keeping you warm and stylish throughout the long winter months.

JUMBO UGG Searching for ugg boots to keep your toes toasty over the cool winter months? Look no further. Jumbo Ugg are adorning the shelves of Lifestyle Outfitters Armidale this season – the 100 per cent Australian-made brand is available in both Classic Short and Slipper varieties. Made with highend materials and versatility in mind, Jumbo Ugg are perfect for both indoor and outdoor living.

PILGRIM AND BURKE AND WILLS Stylish and comfortable, Australian-designed Pilgrim trousers, jeans and moleskins are the perfect addition to your winter wardrobe. Ideal workwear for rural contractors, find yourself a bargain with a two for $100 deal on jeans and a three for $100 deal on half-button rugged work shirts by Burke & Wills. *

Longing for a new winter wardrobe? Ross has got your back.

Shop 52 / 195 Beardy Street, Armidale Plaza @lifestyle_outfitters_armidale

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GETTING TO KNOW GET FRAMED ARMIDALE Kim Carruthers is bringing a unique combination of art and culture, printing and gifting to the streets of Armidale. Best described as a solution provider for your printing, framing and artistic needs, Get Framed Armidale and The Gallery offers both custom and ready-made frames, photography and fine art printing, as well as a gallery space to celebrate emerging and established artists right here on Anaiwan Country.

FOUND Regional recently chatted with Kim about how the four key offerings of this exciting new business come together at Get Framed Armidale.

CUSTOM AND READY-MADE FRAMING Framing art is a very personal subject matter to many people. You can choose to frame whatever when creating your own bespoke collection, there really are no hard and fast rules. That same thought process applies when it comes to the framing part, too. You can mix and match custom and ready-made frames – combine something sleek and modern with something bold and ornate. We purchase our materials for framing from multiple national suppliers and are in partnership with a small business who makes all our ready-made frames from Australian timber, which we can offer with both pre-cut and custom-mount boards.

When it comes to your choice of glass, we have a whole range available and our recommendations will be based on the type of artwork you’re framing and where it’s going to be hung. If it’s going to live in an area that gets a lot of sun, for example, we’d suggest our UV protective glass. Working together with my mother who has over 17 years’ experience in the framing industry, while also working as an established artist herself, Robyn is well-placed to help our clients on their framing solutions to suit all styles and budgets.

LARGE FORMAT, FINE ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTING This is where my extensive background in graphic design and printing comes into the mix. Once upon a time, I was responsible for Video Ezy’s promotional print materials as the brand’s NSW Northern Rivers Franchisee Marketing Manager, and also worked in packaging design in Sydney.

That experience lends itself well to my latest role, where I’m thrilled to provide a printing-to-dropship service for clients and artists throughout the region, using the latest equipment available. Our Epson wide format printer (24”) boasts amazing print quality thanks to its 11 ink, ultra-high resolution output. That, teamed with our premium archival paper, photograph paper and canvases, means we can reproduce fine art prints and photographs to the highest of standards – as well as offering reproductions of artworks and retouched photographs.

Not so long ago, people in our region would have to send away for these services, but we saw something was missing and knew our incredibly creative, local community deserved these services on the ground. With us you can print, mount and frame your beloved artworks or photographs in one go – and that’s something I’m really excited about. As a side note – we also

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offer small scale corporate and private printing. So if your local business needs conference materials, booklets or presentation slides, your visiting friends are after some printing, or you need that sewing pattern printed on a large scale, we’re here to help with that, too!

THE GALLERY BY GET FRAMED ARMIDALE This is where my passion lies – giving emerging and established artists a space to exhibit. Growing up with mum, I’ve been exposed to artistic pursuits my whole life and know how important it is to provide artists with a space to showcase their work, build their collection and, ultimately, their reputation. Our gallery will proudly host intimate, ‘Meet the Artist’ nights for each new launch, along with a limited print run of their artworks and postcards. I knew our location, which features large, street-facing windows, is also the perfect setting for a modern gallery space, too. My wonderful friend and long-term supporter, Andrea Gledhill, was our opening exhibitor and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the night and celebrating Andrea’s exhibition. We’re looking forward to hosting many more in the future, so watch this space!

KIMMIE’S CUPBOARD OF CURIOSITIES Yes, it’s literally a cupboard! And it’s bursting with beautiful products I’ve sourced from makers and creators, near and far – anything I’ve spotted on my travels that brings me joy.

Some of the brands we’re currently carrying include Polka Polly Earrings (Brisbane), Rainbow Fin earrings (Cairns), House of Jackson (Armidale), Aroma Pot candles (Hewett), Duchess of Sweet rocky road (Brisbane) and my own creative brand, TobuKimmie – handcrafted and bespoke upcycled necklaces, headwear and finger knitted scarves.

So next time you’re on the hunt for a unique gift, be sure to drop in and check out my latest discoveries. *

HERE TO HELP Need something printed or framed, a photograph retouched or a unique gift for a friend? Be sure to visit Get Framed Armidale and The Gallery today.

Shop 45, Armidale Plaza Shopping Centre Entrance on Dangar Street @getframedarmidale_gallery

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Kim Carruthers with The Gallery’s opening exhibitor Andrea Gledhill.

HUMANS OF REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

Every year, through its Community Partnership Program, Regional Australia Bank enables members to directly support the local groups that play such a vital role in our communities. FOUND Regional talks to the people behind those groups, to discover more about the work they do, and the positive impact they quietly have on the world around us.

WORDS Martin Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Regional Australia Bank

ARMIDALE TREE GROUP

THE LOCALS NURTURING OUR ENVIRONMENT The trees are a fundamental part of the New England landscape, with the changing seasons marking a seismic change in appearance – the burnt orange creating a picturesque autumnal setting, the bright, vivid greens heralding spring’s change to summer.

And for that, we’re thankful – in part, at least – to the Armidale Tree Group.

Founded back in 1983, Armidale Tree Group is driven by a mission to ‘re-leaf New England’, protecting and conserving the New England environment by raising and planting native trees and shrubs.

Today, Armidale Tree Group operates from its nursery in the city’s Mann Street. Open six days per week, the nursery offers a selection of Australian garden plants, herbs and vegetables, garden products and trees and shrubs to the community, and also conducts work in the environmental management, revegetation, weed management, and consultancy and reporting spheres.

“While we provide native plants for both the home garden and large, rural plantings, we also offer native tree planting services and can provide environmental and koala assessment reports for developments,” explains the Group’s Alicia Cooper.

There’s very much a community focus at Armidale Tree Group, with volunteers helping in the nursery, and both plants and staff time being donated to community plantings within and outside of Armidale – while an ambitious current project is the creation of habitat plantings along the Saumarez Creek.

Looking ahead, the Group is currently involved in expanding its infrastructure so it can increase the number of native plants it can propagate each year.

“We are also hoping to expand our services so we can help with the creation and management of biodiversity conservation sites,” says Alicia.

A special project, meanwhile, Every Tree Counts, aims to raise funds and build partnerships to address landscape-scale environmental issues in New England.

The Group has diligently helped protect and nurture our beautiful environment over the past four decades – and long may that continue!

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NORTHERN INLAND ACADEMY OF SPORT

CREATING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR TOMORROW’S STARS Since 1992, the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) has been helping aspiring elite athletes from across our region develop their potential, both on and off the field.

Based in Tamworth, it’s one of 11 Regional Academies of Sport in the country, and has provided thousands of talented young, regional athletes and coaches in NSW with a pathway to higher levels of representation and significant developmental opportunities.

“The NIAS is what you would describe as an ‘elevator organisation’ – we identify athletes, nurture them and assist them to progress up the ladder to higher levels of success, whether that’s at a state, national or international level, and ultimately influence them to become better humans along the journey,” says Shona Eichorn, who was the organisation’s inaugural CEO between its formation in 1992 and 1997, before volunteering on the board for many years and being reappointed as CEO in 2021.

Working with pre-elite athletes typically aged between 13 and 17, the NIAS – which was originally based in Armidale before making the move to Tamworth in 1997 – provides talent development programs, support and activities to ensure our local young athletes and sports stars of the future aren’t disadvantaged by location.

And the impact is significant, with 33 per cent of Australia’s medal tally at the most recent Olympics coming from athletes who’ve been through the NSW Regional Academies of Sports programs.

Of course, like many community-based organisations, a number of funding sources are relied upon to continue offering hugely important programs and services to the community – and opportunities to aspiring athletes.

Shona says, “We have a number of tremendous supporters, including Regional Australia Bank, which provides support through the Community Partnership Program and also as a Major Partner of many NIAS initiatives.

“Its contributions and investment have been greatly valued, and provided NIAS with the opportunity to do more for our athletes and coaches. They are truly regional, and do as they promote – they have their community at the heart of all they do.” ››

DUNDALOO FOUNDATION

CREATING HAPPY PLACES

In August, the Dundaloo Foundation celebrates its 70th anniversary – meaning it’s been helping people with disabilities in its local area for an incredible seven decades.

In 1953, a group of families in the Manning Valley wanted to help their family members with a disability to live life to the full, play a meaningful role in the community and find fulfilling work.

The Foundation started life as a school operating out of a Methodist Church, and the name Dundaloo – which means ‘happy place’ – was adopted in 1956. A new school was built and a competition invited people to suggest names.

Dundaloo, of course, came out on top.

“The school and hostel were the first of their kind in this community,” explains the Foundation’s Colin Steber.

Today, Dundaloo operates in its traditional Manning Valley base, as well as Great Lakes and Gloucester, providing a range of services, including independent living in Dundaloo residential houses, community access and participation support services for people in their own homes. They also offer day programs for both over-18s and under-18s, work programs and school leaver support, coordination of support and plan management, and allied health services, including psychology, speech therapy, as well as occupational therapy.

And it’s a service that’s much needed.

Colin explains, “The area serviced by Dundaloo – the Manning, Great Lakes and Gloucester communities – has a higher percentage of people living with disabilities at 8.2 per cent, compared with the NSW regional average of 5.4 per cent.”

“Since then, it has greatly expanded in the size and variety of services it offers, supporting people of all ages, with a wide range of disabilities of all sorts, who receive funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

A new initiative within the Foundation, meanwhile, is Dundaloo Enterprises, which aims to develop business opportunities and collaborate with other businesses in the community, including providing employment opportunities to people with a disability.

“We’re committed to supporting people in all aspects of their life. We build relationships that provide just the right amount of support to allow our participants to make their own decisions to achieve their goals and dreams, participate in meaningful activities and build social relationships.”

In terms of making a genuine difference to the lives of people in our communities, Dundaloo does that in spades.

Over the past 70 years, Dundaloo’s helped thousands of local people enjoy a better life – and what better purpose is there than that?

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MOREE ON A PLATE

CELEBRATING LOCAL FOODIE GOODNESS

The festival has become a valuable event for Moree and the wider community, attracting visitors from across the region and beyond.

Ask the majority of people in regional NSW about Moree on a Plate, and they’ll have almost certainly heard of the event, if they haven’t been to experience the Moree foodie goodness itself.

And, as well as providing an immensely popular visitor attraction, Moree on a Plate has raised $30,000 for a range of community initiatives over its near-20 years.

Born almost 20 years ago – long before ‘paddock to plate’ was even a concept – Moree on a Plate has grown from humble beginnings to a calendar fixture.The event was the brainchild of two local women, Jenni Birch and Margi Kirkby – the latter is still on the committee today – and was born from the need for the two women to sell their Gwydir Grove Olive Oil.

“Everything we do as a committee has the Moree community at heart,” says Margi. “From providing emerging businesses with a platform to promote themselves, offering the community engaging and unique entertainment options, providing upskilling opportunities through cooking demonstrations, nurturing and showcasing local musical and artistic talent, to attracting tourists to our wonderful town, it’s all done to benefit the community.”

From humble beginnings as a market event showcasing local produce and giving emerging industries a platform to promote both themselves and the Moree region, the food festival has evolved into an all-encompassing celebration, featuring a wide range of entertainment.

“From celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, which have included big names such as Fast Ed and Marion Grasby, to ‘Kids’ Korner’ entertainment, which, in the past has featured national award-winning educator George the Farmer, Moree on a Plate provides a unique opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy nationally acclaimed entertainers, socialise and be proud of our region, all at a price affordable to all — a gold coin donation,” says Margi.

The 2024 event will be the 20th Moree on a Plate, and Regional Australia Bank is proud to once again be a sponsor of the event.

“The bank has provided significant financial donations over the years, but most importantly the Moree branch staff give us invaluable support.

“Every year, without fail, RAB staff volunteer their services to look after cash and run our MOP ‘bank’ at the festival.

One of the many accolades we receive from producers is the seamless handling of cash and change on the day. This is an essential service and we would struggle to run a smooth festival without it.” *

DREAM SANDWICH

A CELEBRATION OF FOOD AS A STORYTELLER, CULTURAL PECULIARITIES, NOTICING THE UNNOTICED, NOSTALGIA AND LOVE.

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| DREAM SANDWICH | DREAM SANDWICH | DREAM SANDWICH | DREAM SANDWICH | DREAM SANDWICH |

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY Jen Drew @adventuresofjen

Comfort spice. Not the forgotten sixth member of a world-famous girl group. But cinnamon – my go-to nostalgic comfort spice. My all-time favourite spice.

Cinnamon played a starring role in my childhood memories. Featuring heavily in my grandmother’s baking, the smell of cinnamon wafting through the house with apple pies cooling on the bench, and precious memories of Saturday morning cafe dates at Elly’s Coffee Lounge with my mama… and cinnamon toast.

Every week. I’m talking white toast with zero nutritional value, lashings of butter and cinnamon sugar, presented in classic 1980s fashion, atop a paper doily. Back in the days when people called cappuccinos cuppuccinos and there was not a nut milk to be found.

Then I discovered cinnamon scrolls. They were from the shopping centre doughnut guy and to be honest, now I think of it, they were nasty. But I loved them. And, as it turns out, this love of cinnamon is lifelong. Looking back on my travels, I unintentionally tried a cinnamon bun whenever I could find one. When I was in New York, despite having the flu and epic jet lag, I found myself

lining up at Cinnabon, to get me a fix. I have to say, the sticky white cream cheesy icing arrangement isn’t for my people, but I still found it incredibly familiar and comforting on a cold New York day, far from home.

Which brings me to Paris. Not known for their cinnamon bun, but it was there I discovered Swedish cinnamon buns. The Kanelbullar. I tasted these little wonders in a local cafe with a talented Swedish pastry chef – making the most incredible Kanelbullar. I. Was. Hooked. No freaky sticky icing in sight. Just delicious twists of cinnamonny goodness with a hint of cinnamon’s best mate, cardamom. Absolutely amazing.

Naturally, I chased them down in Stockholm.

Amazing. In Denmark, I found similar – the Kanelsnegle.

Amazing. The Scandinavians have it nailed.

The smell of this little hero spice will always take me back to those beautiful Saturday mornings with my mama. Comfort and love. * Want the recipe? Head to foundregional.com.au /found-online/dreamsandwich-the-kanelbullar

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DREAM SANDWICH

THE KANELBULLAR

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MY SMALL BIZ & Me

Q&A TIME WITH BUSINESS MINDS FROM A WHOLE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES. DISCOVER HOW THEY GOT THERE, DID IT, BOUGHT THE T-SHIRT.

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| MY SMALL BIZ & ME | MY SMALL BIZ & ME | MY SMALL BIZ & ME | MY SMALL BIZ & ME | MY SMALL BIZ & ME |

Jess Walker was told her postpartum injuries were part and parcel of having a child. Her response? Hell no. Since launching the Postpartum Recovery Program in November 2022, she’s determined to change the narrative.

WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Carla Yeo Photography

What led you to launch the Rural Women’s Physio and Postpartum Recovery Program? It’s a problem I’ve been trying to solve since having my eldest, Artie, who’s now 11 years old. We’d recently moved home to Glen Innes for his birth and had a great experience with our family doctor – but I ended up haemorrhaging and had a really highgrade perineal tear. It was internal, rather than external, so was missed at the time. Those two things combined led me to have a really difficult postpartum period. I was turning everywhere for support, but kept coming up against brick walls and outdated statements like ‘that’s just how it is’ and ‘these things happen’.

Ever since then, my career diverted straight into women’s health and I’ve been trying to solve the problem of how we can sustainably intervene in the postpartum recovery for our rural, regional and remote women. Fast forward to 2022 when I launched the Rural Women’s Physio and the Postpartum Recovery Program in November that same year. My goal? To help women prioritise their postpartum recovery and offer professional, guided support no matter where they live.

How can women join the program? It starts with a very simple couple of questions that you can access on the website. From your answers you will be told whether the program is suitable for you. If the answer is yes – awesome, you’ve got a pathway to recovery. If it’s a no, it means that something significant has come up in your birthing history and a more thorough assessment is recommended prior to beginning. But don’t worry, hope is not lost – this is still something I’ll be able to offer as I’m expanding into telehealth consultations. So regardless of the answer you get, I’ll be there for you.

Could you describe the online format – what exactly is involved? The program is broken down into four stages – from rest and recovery to active recovery, building functional strength and finally impact loading. It takes my clients through everything I would do face to face and includes education modules, self-assessment quizzes and self-treatment guides and workouts at each stage.

When it comes to those quizzes, they’re designed to feel

as though I’m sitting in front of you asking the questions, and all answers are reported back to me. This allows me to see your results at each stage so I can track your progress and know when I need to reach out and offer some extra support.

When it comes to the workouts, I get to step women through exactly what I want them to do, targeting the right areas for them personally, such as pelvic floor recovery and strengthening and abdominal separation rehabilitation. The program also ensures they’re getting all the additional benefits of exercise too, like those mood-boosting endorphins and regulated sleep.

The self-treatment techniques cover things like perineal scar massage, C-section scar massage and personalised pelvic floor muscle training.

What’s one thing you’d say to women considering giving the program a go? I’d really want them to know that prioritising your recovery improves not only your outcomes in terms of health and wellness, but your long-term outcome in terms of subsequent injuries and pelvic floor dysfunction. There are a lot of symptoms that, as you gradually get back to being active, can lessen.

But at the same time, if you rush your recovery, fail to target the areas in need of rehabilitation and are not guided back into appropriate activity, you are at higher risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence and back and pelvic girdle pain either immediately or in the future. We know that if you prioritise your postpartum recovery, it sets the tone for your motherhood journey. If you can find that time, it’s going to be better for you and for your family in the long run. The biggest take home advice? Just because certain symptoms are common, doesn’t mean they’re normal. So please reach out for support anytime. *

*

HEY MAMA… NEED SOME SUPPORT? Jess is here to guide you through your postpar tum recovery – so you can get back to your strong, capable and playful self. theruralwomensphysio.com @theruralwomensphysio

*

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MY SMALL BIZ & ME

THE RURAL WOMEN’S PHYSIO

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pilates . barre . reformer . cardio . yoga

BECAUSE MOVING YOUR BODY SHOULD BE A JOY 90 | WINTER 2023

Shops 5 & 6, 85 Marsh Street, Armidale . 0429 905 702 . www.njoypilates.com . @njoypilates

| BEZZIE | BEZZIE | BEZZIE | BEZZIE | BEZZIE

and COVID-19 are thrown into the mix. But we’ve also had so many highlights. We opened our Coffee Window in the first 12 months of trading and that’s been an absolute game changer for the business. We’ve grown year on year and have recently purchased our building and renovated and expanded into the tenancy next door. To see our customers coming in and thanking us for being here – that’s what makes it all worth it. I couldn’t imagine doing any of it without Ross by my side. He’s strong, loyal and funny – without a doubt my best friend and so much more. Boy am I glad I swiped right.

BEZZIE |

SOPHIE

ROSS

| BEZZIE | BEZZIE | BEZZIE | BEZZIE

We’re one of those rare Tinder success stories. Soph was in town with the family and, lucky for me, swiped right. We hit the ground running, that’s for sure. Buying The Fruit Shop was a big call, but it was the right one. The business had been a staple in the Walcha community for over 30 years and we didn’t want to see the town lose its access to fresh produce. Soph’s got a tonne of experience in building businesses from her Sydney days, so once we sat down to have a proper look at the business and talk about taking it on together, we knew we could do it. Since we’re not the type to walk away from a challenge, we’ve also taken over my family farm in the past couple of years. So these days our roles overlap across the two businesses. Luckily we have an absolute legend of a store manager who handles the dayto-day of the shop, giving Soph the chance to focus on the business. Although, nine times out of 10 you’ll also find her on the coffee machine – she’s incredibly particular about our coffee. Sure it’s been tough at times, I try not to think about the drought. We rode that wave from both a retail and an agricultural standpoint, so that was a huge challenge. Then of course came the bushfires, floods and COVID-19, and we had to pivot to survive, but we did it together as a team.

The fact that it’s become a social hotspot gives us both great joy – to see people smiling and chewing the fat with folks from all over. It makes us so happy to drive around the corner and see people packed onto the sidewalk enjoying coffee, toasties and socialising; my heart swells with pride.

Because I know it’s down to all the hard work and energy Soph puts in. She is strong, loving and incredible. I’m so lucky to be her husband, business partner and best friend. *

BEZZIE

We met in 2017 on good old Tinder. I was travelling through Walcha with my family and decided to show Mum how it worked. I swiped right on Rosco and haven’t looked back since. Within the first 12 months we moved in together, bought a business and got a dog. As cliché as it sounds, we’re best friends and make a fantastic team! The Fruit Shop had been on the market for over two years when we bought it. I’d previously owned wholefood cafes in Sydney for five years and, before that, was the business manager for a group of 24-hour gyms. So building a business, fresh produce and people were my thing. I’d been living in Walcha for just over two months when we decided to dive in and buy it. I knew that my experience, teamed with Rosco’s support and knowledge of the land, meant we could turn it into a thriving business – which we have. Since taking on Ross’ family farm, our days have gotten even busier, too. But Rosco is our muscle, fill-in fruiterer and barista when we’re short. When I’m not in the shop tackling the bookkeeping, rosters, wages, ordering and sourcing new products, you’ll find me in the paddock learning about all things sheep. I grew up on a cattle and cropping farm, so sheep are still a new thing to me, but I’m getting there. I’m incredibly grateful for our store manager Al Rossington – we certainly couldn’t keep this good thing going without her! It can be challenging at times. These days I’m up at 4am to get into the shop, start cooking and restock produce before opening at 6.30am. Rosco swings by for a quick coffee (and a kiss!) after the daycare drop-off, before heading back to the farm. I’ll stay in the shop until daycare pick-up, then home or out into the paddock. Rinse and repeat. It can be hard – especially when drought, bushfires

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PHOTOGRAPHY Em Wollen Creative

BEZZIE

Sophie and Ross Fletcher are best mates, business partners and a Tinder success story. Together they run a family farm and Walcha’s beloved Fruit Shop and Coffee Window. Here’s how their teamwork makes the dream work, from 4am daily.

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Bezzie

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THINK DIFFERENTLY Bernadette Garratt and Robert Waters are part of the next generation of Roberts + Morrow – here to arm their clients with the tools they need to succeed in business, whether they’re starting up, growing up, or handing over.

PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Terry

ROBERT WATERS There’s huge variety in my day-to-day role with Roberts + Morrow – that’s what’s kept me here for the past 17 years. It all began when I took on a cadetship with the firm during the last 12 months of my commerce degree at the University of New England. I started working in the tax team, then after a year there spent the next seven in audit. That role saw me travelling around the region working with a variety of not-forprofits, it was a great experience.

After meeting my wife and starting our family, I moved back over to business services so I wasn’t away from home as often, but that doesn’t mean the variety in my role has decreased. As an Associate, I work with a wide range of clients – from individuals establishing start-ups, to wellestablished businesses in industries like primary production, building, plumbing, retail and even bakeries. While a big part of our role is helping those people with tax compliance, it’s also about digging deeper to really understand their needs and arming them with the tools to fulfil those needs.

Historically, I suppose accounting was a lot of analysing numbers – but those numbers tell just part of the story.

My favourite subjects at school were the analytical ones, like history, geography and economics, and I can see how that passion continues to serve me with my clients today.

Combine that with current technologies and we’re in a great position to support our clients more regularly, analyse their business, see how they’re tracking and identify areas they need to focus on for a more prosperous future.

Cloud accounting has been a real game changer in enabling us to do that – now everyone’s connected, we can access data in real time and get information to our clients faster.

That’s important to be able to efficiently assist our clients with tasks like grant or loan applications. We’re here to help gather the information those businesses need to pass onto other stakeholders like banks, and support them with anything else they need in the steps that follow.

As for the team here at Roberts + Morrow, they’re a diverse group too. When I look to the future of the firm, it’s the whole range of specialised, complementary services we can bring to our client base that I find most exciting. No matter what your question, there will always be one (or multiple) people on hand to help.

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS Do you have a question for Bernadette and Robert?

You can find them, along with the rest of the stellar Roberts + Morrow team, right here. rm.net.au @roberts_and_morrow

BERNADETTE GARRATT It will be 20 years this year since I started at Roberts + Morrow – that’s a little bit more than half my life. I was young, just 19 at the time, when I started out as an administration assistant. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my world, but one of the partners back then saw something in me. His name was Mike Muldoon. He’s retired now, but he encouraged me to enrol at university and study accounting. So I did that externally through the University of New England over six years, all the while working at Roberts + Morrow.

I worked my way up through the levels of accounting – junior, intermediate and senior, then got my chartered accountant qualification, too. I’m not very good at sitting still in the knowledge I’ve acquired; I’ve always wanted to learn more, do more. Even now as a partner, I’m still discovering something new every day. You might think you’ve got your day mapped out, but more often than not it doesn’t go in that direction – and you’ve got to roll with it.

I love how this job enables me to talk to so many different people, and learn more about what’s going on in their world, too. That’s where I know we can make a real impact and hopefully put some ideas in their head that will help them think differently about their business and, ultimately, their world.

While a lot of those people are often coming to us for tax compliance – we’re finding an increasing number of clients want to dive deeper into their business. They want to know why their profit is what it is, or how they can improve their cash flow. We’re here to help them better understand those numbers, how best to manage their assets and liabilities, while also discovering the key drivers in their business that can make a real difference to the bottom line. Later in life, we’re also here to help them navigate estate planning and restructuring to minimise tax and maximise outcome.

We’ve got so many different skill sets to be able to help people with all facets of their business – and that’s only going to continue to grow and evolve. When I first started, we had business and tax accounting, financial planning and an IT team of two people. We’ve since opened specialist divisions in legal, auditing, superannuation and business intel – there’s a great team of people behind our doors and I think it’s important for clients to understand that they can rely on every single one of us.

Roberts + Morrow is my family away from home. I love coming in every day, I love what I do and I love talking to new clients, discovering their needs and supporting them in their world.

I’ve been here for 20 years, and I’ll probably be here for another 20. In that time I’ll continue to nurture our client relationships, both new and old, encourage them to think differently and show them what’s possible. I also hope to see more accountants coming up the ranks, just how I did, and joining me in the next generation of Roberts + Morrow. *

WINTER 2023 | 93

THE BIG EIGHT

1

At Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, breathtaking waterfalls turn a detour into a highlight.

5

WOLLOMOMBI GORGE

2

At Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, wander by awe-inducing waterfalls and gorges.

3 4

DANGARS GORGE, ARMIDALE

THE BEST OF THE BEST. 8 SPOTS YOU SIMPLY MUST SEE.

CATHEDRAL ROCK SUMMIT SCRAMBLE At Cathedral Rock National Park, top of the world views = top of your bucket list.

SUNRISE AT POINT LOOKOUT At New England National Park, treat yourself to an unspoilt sunrise.

SEE MORE MYWATERFALLWAY.COM.AU 94 | WINTER 2023

FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM #THEWATERFALLWAY

8

EBOR FALLS At Guy Fawkes National Park, multi-step waterfalls meet spectacular scenery.

6

DANGAR FALLS, DORRIGO

7

SKYWALK LOOKOUT

Be mesmerised from afar or take a deep water dip.

Which will you choose?

At Dorrigo National Park venture to the viewing platform and see the vistas of Bellinger Valley.

THE PROMISED LAND, BELLINGEN Seen to be believed. Swim in the hidden rock pool.

With

A COLLECTION OF FINE WORDS AND EXQUISITE LYRICS, REVIEWED BY THE FINE FOLKS AT ARMIDALE’S READER’S COMPANION.

WINTER 2023 | 95

UNPLUGGED WITH READER'S COMPANION Reader’s Companion – WORDS AND SOUND 124 Beardy Street, Armidale readerscompanion.com.au @readerscompanion

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| UNPLUGGED |

COLD ENOUGH FOR SNOW

BY JESSICA AU

W I T H R E A D E R ' S C O M PA N I O N

Originally recorded in November 1974 as part of the band’s winter tour, The Dark Side Of The Moon is now available as a standalone album, with artwork featuring an original 1973 line-drawn cover by George Hardie.

It features the LP in gatefold sleeve, with two posters designed by Ian Emes and Gerald Scarfe. Cover design is

by Aubrey Powell / Hipgnosis and Peter Curzon / Storm Studios. Also in store is the vinyl re-issue of the original Dark Side Of The Moon LP, celebrating 50 years since the original release. *

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THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON: LIVE AT WEMBLEY 1974, PINK FLOYD

UNPLUGGED

My mouth was watering as I read and, to my relief and delight, the recipes are included so that we can taste them ourselves. Within 24 hours, I’d cooked Mama’s Spinach Pie and shopped the ingredients for other meals, too. This book reminded me that life can be a continuous path of growth.

Charlotte reflects that she is not the same person at 29 she was at 19 and, on reflection, this idea is very familiar to me.

An incredible line-up of guests joined them on stage, including The Black Keys, Gary Clark Jr, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen and Mick Taylor. The concert proved to be one of the most memorable shows in the band’s history.

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I picked up Heartbake and thought that I would enjoy it slowly. But I couldn’t stop reading. I rushed home from work to pick it up again and before I knew it, I was finished. I was sad that there wasn’t more. There have only been a few books that have touched me like this – I recommend it for everyone. It’s about love, loss, loneliness and nourishment in our relationships with friends, lovers and family. Charlotte’s writing lets you into her heart and her head and she manages to express so clearly many experiences familiar to me – if only I were as articulate as she. The book is beautifully designed and includes the meals that sustain her during hard times and those she cooks as celebrations.

GRRR LIVE! – THE ROLLING STONES The Rolling Stones have released GRRR LIVE!, the definitive live hits album from the band’s career. The Stones celebrated their golden anniversary in 2012 and 2013 by embarking on the ‘50 & Counting’ tour with 30 live dates across North America and Europe. On 15 December 2012, the band performed at New Jersey’s Prudential Center, Newark.

W I T H R E A D E R ' S C O M PA N I O N

HEARTBAKE

BY CHARLOTTE REE

Across 14 sun-bleached songs, written solo or with his brother Kody, Ruban draws from the rich traditions of West Coast AOR, yacht rock, weirdo pop and Hawaiian hapa-haole music. Over a laidback blend of singalong anthems and cinematic instrumentals, he evokes blue skies, afternoons spent lounging by hotel swimming pools and the alluring darkness that lurks below perfect, pristine surfaces.

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A bit of fun here – a lot of fun actually. Curtis Sittenfeld has written six novels including Prep, American Wife and Rodham. Her characters are reimagined people and their reimagined lives from our real world – such a popular genre at the moment. Romantic Comedy is the story of Sally Milz who is a comedy writer for a late night variety satire show, think Saturday Night Live. Sally has sworn off love and romance until (of course) a heartthrob pop star guest on the show turns her assumptions upside down.

Romantic comedy follows. But there’s so much more, including an examination of the hypocrisy in the world of TV, stardom and the differences between the treatment of men and women. If you’re looking for a funny, holiday read then this is the one for you.

V – UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA Created between Palm Springs, California and Hilo, Hawaii, V is the first double album from the Hawaiian-New Zealand singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Ruban Nielson’s Unknown Mortal Orchestra band.

UNPLUGGED

ROMANTIC COMEDY

BY CURTIS SITTENFELD

NEW TURNTABLES ARE IN! Audio-Technica continue to push the technology to make enjoying vinyl easier. The recently released LP3XBT combines high-end sound quality with the flexibility of Bluetooth. Featuring fully automatic operation, a builtin phono preamp, a removable universal head-shell and replaceable stylus, this Audio-Technica turntable is easy to set up and use, making it an ideal choice for beginners or those looking to level up their listening experience.

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A mother and her adult daughter visit Japan. The plot appears to be simple. While on holiday, they look at art, they eat food, they see the sights and they go home. However, the narrative is also full of memories of the daughter’s own childhood, her adult relationships and stories of the mother’s life. It’s the story of a daughter wanting to connect with her mother. This book has a sense of calm about the writing and the storytelling is peaceful, focusing on fine details. It is a novella filled with observations and tiny mysteries, beautiful and unique. It’s no wonder Jessica Au won the inaugural Novel Prize, an international prize awarded for innovative and imaginative style.

THE MUSIC

W I T H R E A D E R ' S C O M PA N I O N

THE BOOKS

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SPRUCING UP FOR SPRING with Laing + Simmons

Remember that time a global pandemic boosted demand for regional properties?

Metropolitan folks seized the opportunity to work from home and, as a result, started thinking long and hard about their office view.

Ultimately, many made the call to switch skyscrapers for gum trees and – boom – the value of our beautiful regional abodes soared.

PHOTOGRAPHY John Pearson and Studio LJ

One year on, the Domain House Price Report has revealed those lifted prices are here to stay – to a certain extent at least. With many regional council areas recording doubledigit growth, namely Glen Innes Severn Shire (jumping 30.8 per cent), Armidale Regional Council (jumping 29.6 per cent) and the Upper Hunter (jumping 22 per cent), now’s the time for sellers to get the most bang for their buck.

With that in mind, FOUND Regional spoke to Laing + Simmons’ Principal Lachie Sewell about how to prepare your house for sale as spring – the ideal season for selling – approaches.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT I’ll begin by saying first impressions count – and when it comes to houses, that means your front garden and exterior.

Keep your hedging neat, flower beds overflowing and any front fencing in good shape. It’s also important to check if any trims, gutters and fascias need a quick facelift – a coat of paint can work wonders here.

TAKE AN IMPARTIAL LOOK AT YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS The same goes for the front door – perhaps a fresh coat of paint will do, or consider replacing it entirely if damaged.

Be sure to check for cracked or broken windows too. We’re going for happy, clean, welcoming kerb appeal here and the more objections we can remove from buyers, the better sale price we’ll be able to achieve.

DECLUTTER… BUT NOT TOO MUCH! Once inside, we want houses to be as light, bright and decluttered as possible. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to remove all personal items though – that tends to be done in the city, but isn’t as important in regional locations.

After all, you’ve got to live in the house as well, and in fact,

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it can help to create a connection between the property and the potential buyer. If you’ve got kids who go to a certain school, play a particular sport, are into cars, motorbikes or horses, they’re good conversation starters between the buyer and the agent and can immediately help the buyer feel more comfortable. It helps them relate to the space and triggers those homely feelings. When people feel better in the property, they’re more likely to be emotionally engaged – and when they’re more emotionally engaged, they’re likely to pay a higher price.

CLEAN THOSE WINDOWS, MOVE THE PETS Other things that help boost that connection are keeping windows clean to highlight views and aspects, keeping any pets out of the open home (sadly not everyone’s a fan of cats and dogs!) and keeping key areas like the kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms neat and clean.

CREATE THE RIGHT MOOD On the agent side, we always take candles to open homes and have music playing – the reason being we want buyers to feel comfortable to talk without others hearing. These details also help create that good feeling throughout the open home and inspection. *

READY TO SELL? You can find Lachie and the rest of the Laing + Simmons team at 120 Dangar Street, Armidale. lsre.com.au/armidale/ @laingsimmonsarmidale

*

MARKET UPDATE We’re seeing another boom star ting in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, which means savvy investors from the metropolitan areas are coming back into our market because they can feel there’s oppor tunity here. While we’re generally four to five months behind the city market and numbers through opens and transactions have cooled a little, true believers in proper ty know it’s only a small hurdle.

We’re still selling up to 20 homes a month and know there are great buyers out there who missed out during that 2022 period.

They want to pay good prices and will be knocking on your front door once you’re ready to sell this spring.

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FRIENDS OF FOUND 29th Street Studio

Eve Flower Farm

Reader’s Companion

29th.com.au

eveflowers.com.au

readerscompanion.com.au

@twentyninthstreetstudio

@eveflowerfarm

@readerscompanion

Armidale Regional Council

F45 Armidale f45training.com.au/armidale

Regional Australia Bank

armidaleregional.nsw.gov.au @armidaleregionalcouncil

@f45_training_armidale

Barnson

Get Framed Armidale

barnson.com.au

@getframedarmidale_gallery

@barnson_pty_ltd

Killen Furniture + Kitchens

Brennan & Smith Optometrists

killenfurniture.com.au

brennanandsmith.com.au

@killenfurnitureandkitchens

@brennanandsmithoptometrists

Laing + Simmons Armidale

regionalaustraliabank.com.au @regionalaustraliabank

Roberts + Morrow rm.net.au @roberts_and_morrow

UNE SMART Region Incubator unesri.com.au @unesmartri

Brisk Trading

lsre.com.au/armidale

brisktrading.com.au

@laingsimmonsarmidale

Wests Entertainment Group, Tamworth

Lifesolver

wtlc.com.au

@brisktrading

Capitol Theatre Tamworth capitoltheatretamworth.com.au @capitol.theatre.tamworth

Cassandra Kempster-Roberts cassandra-kempster-roberts.com @cassandra_the_florist

Central Hospitality Group thechgroup.com.au

Chandler + Co chandlerco.com.au @chandler_co_candles

Charlesworth Bay Beach Resort

lifesolver.com.au @lifesolver

wshorthospitality.com.au

@lifestyle_outfitters_armidale

@w.shorthospitality

Mercure Hotel Tamworth

Zenith Roofing

wtlc.com.au/mercure-hotel-tamworth

zenithroofing.com.au

@mercuretamworth

@zenith.roofing.pty.ltd

Merry Little Elderberry merrylittleelderberry.com @merrylittleelderberry

Njoy Pilates njoypilates.com @njoypilates

@charlesworthbaybeachresort

Oxford on Otho

egfamilylaw.com.au @egfamilylaw

Elders Insurance

W. Short Hospitality

Lifestyle Outfitters

charlesworthbaybeachresort.com.au

EG Family Law

@tamworthwests

oxfordonotho.com.au @oxfordonotho

Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges

eldersinsurance.com.au

rydges.com/accommodation/regionalnsw/powerhouse-hotel-tamworth

@eldersinsurance

@powerhousetamworth

e.l.sart

RB Sellars

elsart.store

rbsellars.com.au

@e.l.sart

@rb_sellars

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A FRIEND OF FOUND? Happy days!

To adver tise in our glorious magazine, get in touch with Claudia today to hear all about our whole range of packages, including bespoke oppor tunities – and thank you from the bottom of our regional lovin’ hear ts. claudia@foundregional.com.au 0439 700 280

WINTER 2023 | 101

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Servicing Armidale and Nambucca Valley

Offering a range of metal roofing and gutter fascia services, along with storm damage repairs for both residential and commercial projects.

7 Webb Place, Armidale | admin@zenithroofing.net | 02 6772 7139

zenithroofing.com.au

From the smallest detail to the big picture Running your own business, you know every detail matters. And because your local Elders Insurance agent lives and works in your community, they know it too – and will take the time to understand what’s most important to you.

Call your local agent for a personalised quote.

13 56 22 eldersinsurance.com.au Elders Insurance (Underwriting Agency) Pty Ltd, (ABN 56 138 879 026, AFSL 340965), acting under its own AFSL, distributes Elders Insurance products on behalf of QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd (ABN 78 003 191 035, AFSL 239545), the product issuer. Visit www.eldersinsurance.com.au to consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and any applicable Target Market Determination to decide if the product is right for you.

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Florals that feel a touch wild and a little untamed Nourishing botanicals handcrafted in Tingha NSW using 100% natural ingredients and traditional methods, with a sophisticated modern touch.

Use Code 'ELDERBERRY' to receive a gift with purchase.

For events and weddings, micro to midsize, in the New England, Mid North Coast and Sydney regions

Cassandra Kempster-Roberts cassandra-kempster-roberts.com @merrylittleelderberry www.merrylittleelderberry.com

Specialising in sustainable weddings and events. Eve Flowers creates unique seasonal floral designs with organically-grown blooms fresh from the farm, perfect for your special day.

eveflowers.com.au

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@eveflowerfarm

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chandlerco.com.au

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Afterpay available. Australia wide postage. Free local delivery in Armidale and Uralla.

SMALL BIZ DISCO

Chandler + Co is a small business founded by Teonie.

She crafts and hand pours all her candles and melts in Uralla.

Specialising in soy candles, soy melts, reed diffusers, car diffusers, room sprays, roll on perfumes and much more.

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Winter is coming

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Shop 52/195 Beardy St Armidale Plaza

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TALES FROM THE BAR WITH HENRY COLDHAM

WHITEBULL HOTEL, ARMIDALE whitebull.net.au @whitebullhotel “The two funniest things I’ve seen while working at the Whitebull have actually been some of the tricks we play on the new staff.

“All the plants around the pub are fake and occasionally we’ll get the new staff to water the plants, so we’ve had three or four staff watering the fake plants across the years.

“The most hilarious would be when we told one of the new guys that the coffee machine was voice activated, so in the middle of service, he’s standing there screaming “flat white!” at the coffee machine.

“I think the reason I’ve stayed in hospo for so long is the people I work with, also the venue itself – I’m biased but it’s the most beautiful pub in Armidale – it flows well, it works well, and our patrons are amazing.” *

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S TAY 2 NIGHT S

GE T THE 3R D FREE US E CO D E FOU N DS TAY

B O O K N OW TO E X PER I EN CE LU X U R Y I N T H E I N V ER EL L CB D OX F O R D O N OT H O.CO M . AU

@ OX F O R D O N OT H O

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