FOUND Regional Issue 5 • Spring 2023

THE CYCLING MAVERICK

MEET JORJA CREIGHTON, THE DEVIL-MAY-CARE, WALCHA-BASED BIKEPACKER AND DISTRIBUTOR BEHIND JAMBI JAMBI.

ARMIDALE FERGUS JAMES

TAMWORTH THE RURAL RUNWAY

GLEN INNES THE MAKERS SHED

COFFS COAST FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

Showing up in style

SINCE 1988

The Powerhouse has everything you need for a sophisticated getaway, from an espresso in the morning to an espresso martini in the evening & everything in between!

The Workshop Kitchen I Coal Bunker Bar I Luxe Rooms, Suites & Apartments

Open every day until late.

248 Armidale Road, Tamworth I 6766 7000 reservations_powerhousetamworth@evt.com powerhousetamworth.com.au

TAKE ME HOME

By Nicole Blake Walcha, NSW

Nicole Blake is an intuitive contemporary artist living it up in the scenic New England High Country. With a playful and minimalist approach, she’s obsessed with crafting breathtaking botanicals, landscapes and aerial views bursting with bold textures and hues that’ll leave you speechless. Inspired by her roots in outback NSW, her travels through the Northern Territory and her treasured home on the edge of the jaw-dropping Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, Nicole’s art is a daring expression of life’s many marvels.

Experience the beauty and light of the golden sunset of Walcha in this breathtaking piece aptly named Golden Glow. The stunning artwork features a rich colour palette, from the sky’s vibrant hues to the earth’s calming shades.

nicoleblakeartist.com @nicoleblakeartist

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

Krysten Rhoades-Brown artwork@foundregional.com.au

PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR

Claudia Monique claudia@foundregional.com.au

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

Meg Miller meg@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 Yes Press

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.

COVER STORY

34 THE PATH LESS PEDALLED

Curiosity, athleticism, devil-may-care vibes and her mother’s belief led Jorja Creighton to cycle solo the world over.

So how exactly has she ended up on a cattle farm in Walcha, designing cycling routes across the New England?

30 When art meets fashion 46 IN CONVERSATION WITH James Lander

OF YOUR LIFE

Editor's Letter

My computer is currently screaming at me.

Well, it’s more like a humming. A very loud humming. I suspect it’s because in the 12 months since we launched this here magazine it’s rarely been turned off. Can’t talk, typing, that kind of thing. But humming aside, this laptop of mine has been a darn good companion in our first year. Constantly by my side, ready to take my hand/s and deliver thousands of words onto the page. So here’s to you, technology friend. One year down and we’re still going strong! As a reward, I’ll name you Larry and turn you off soon.

Here’s to you actual living beings out there, too. Thank you for reading, investing in and supporting this dream of ours. We’re thriving in this second spring issue because of you. Thank you for believing in what we’re doing, for choosing to get behind us and for being so incredibly open with sharing your stories with me. To be invited to talk with you, ask you questions and wrangle words about your world is an incredible honour and something I will never take for granted.

Before writing about you and the wondrous things you do, I was generally writing about finance, insurance and purebred dogs. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t a fan. Shocking, I know. So I leapt, alongside some other incredible humans, and together we found a way to do what we’re good at in the region we love.

It’s a story that rings true for this issue’s cover feature too. Jorja Creighton of Jambi Jambi/Jambz Distro fame has cycled solo the world over and is now one of the leading cycling gear distributors this side of the Pacific. She’s called Sydney, London, Paris, New York and now Walcha home – and with every move she keeps carving out ways to do what she loves most: cycle. Check out her story on page 34, and those of many other regional-lovin’ humans in the pages that dance around her.

Enjoy that spring air folks, along with the hopeful, energetic vibes I hope it brings. We’re lapping up every little bit of it and can’t wait to deliver more FOUND Regional goodness your way in our second year! In the meantime, Larry and I are off for a short breather (that’s a lie, we’re already writing issue six… but I will turn him off tonight).

STEPH WANLESS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

PHOTOGRAPHER Jim A. Barker

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY – TESS READING (TAMWORTH)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, learn and work, the Anaiwan people, 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.

ANTWINETTE DUNN

@wupu_muna.art

With thanks to Antwinette Dunn for sharing this beautiful artwork, A Whale Shark’s Journey . Antwinette is an emerging Indigenous artist from the Thunggutti tribe of Bellbrook. Learning to paint traditionally from her father, Antwinette has adapted her artworks to reflect her own style, alongside traditional techniques. Her favourite medium is acrylic and she enjoys using both traditional and non-traditional colours.

| ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY |

“This piece is a story about a whale shark and his journey through his different life cycles – from birth to maturing into adulthood and the travels in between.”

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

Like 16 year-old Lalwa May, who recently became the first Indigenous showjumper to compete in international competition when she was selected for the French National Championships in July this year. Or to Teri Eidson and Nicole McCallister, who made history at 42,000 feet for becoming the first mother-daughter duo to co-pilot an international flight. Yeah the girls.

Look to Adrian and Marte, two mates from Mexico who have created leather out of cactus leaves, single-handedly saving one billion animals from being killed for fashion. And to George Hulse who holds the title for the only octogenarian to finish the Ironman Asia-Pacific race in Cairns. His time? Sixteen hours, 24 minutes and 39 seconds.

Look to Noah Matthews Matofsky, the first ever actor with Down syndrome to be hired by Disney for a prominent role – you can see him strut his stuff as Slightly, the leader of the lost boys from Neverland in Peter Pan & Wendy . And to 26-year-old Holly Cooke, an Aussie expat who established London’s ‘Lonely Girls Club’ when battling loneliness in the foreign city – the fun-lovin’ community is now 40k members strong.

Look to the Djirikitj Firebirds, a team of six robotics enthusiasts from a remote primary school in East Arnhem Land who recently travelled to Dallas for the VEX Robotics World Championship. They qualified from 27,500 schools worldwide and out of 800 schools, ranked 40th in their division. Wowser.

And finally, look to 11-year-old Joe who fell in love with agriculture during the pandemic. With profits he made from selling homegrown produce on a trolley outside his house, he’s gone on to rent his own plot of land where he now cares for chickens and breeds sheep. Here’s to you, tiny ag enthusiast.

That’s a whole lot of good. Cheers to that.

BEHIND THE LENS

Tamworth, NSW

RACHEL DEANE

Many think the role of a photographer is to simply click the shutter on top of a camera. While we do press that button over 1000 times a day – that’s the easy part. To be successful in capturing that perfectly crafted moment, you need to take on a few extra roles. On a wedding day, I am your local weather woman, tracking the rain, the clouds, and the position of the sun. I’m then your personal choreographer and creative director, using that sun to bend the light around your figures in the most flattering of angles. Next, I’m your therapist, ready to wipe your tears and boost your confidence, and your comedian, ready to rally the crowds and bring out those natural smiles. And while being a photographer also requires the technical and editing skills to take that photo to the next level, possessing these extra qualities will set you apart in a world saturated by photographers.

1. LUCY FRU FRU, MACKSVILLE

Owned and operated by two sisters in Macksville, Lucy Fru Fru is a beautiful boutique you simply must visit. Stocking baby clothes and toys, women’s fashion, homewares and gifts, Lucy Fru Fru is one of our favourite places to snap up the perfect gift or dream outfit.

@lucyfrufru

2.

SETTLE PETAL DESIGN

Sophie from Settle Petal Design brings you a fun collection of jewellery inspired by nature. Made from polymer clay, resin and pressed flowers, you can take your favourite florals with you anywhere you go, any season.

settlepetaldesign.com.au @settle.petal.design

3. WILDHEART CANDLE CO, ARMIDALE

Found in Armidale, WildHeart Candle Co produce hand-poured soy candles and reed diffusers, perfect for brightening up any space or as a gift for any occasion. Stevie is passionate about creating beautifully scented products you’ll love.

wildheartcandleco.com.au @wildheartcandleco

4. SEW ANNA HANDMADE, INVERELL

You might recognise Anna’s array of goodies from Seasons of New England earlier this year – lucky for us, she lives in Inverell and regularly frequents the market scene. Crafting handmade baby clothes and soft toys with love, you can find something special to spoil your loved ones here.

sewannahandmade.ecwid.com @_sewanna.handmade

5. MEG + ME BOUTIQUE + ESPRESSO, PORT MACQUARIE

Meg + Me Boutique + Espresso in Port Macquarie is home to beautiful clothing and giftwares – and of course, coffee! Stop by the hole in the wall coffee shop next door and buy yourself a latte before heading in-store to satisfy your retail therapy needs.

megandme.com.au @megandme.com.au

6. HIGHLAND LIVING, URALLA

Located in the heart of Uralla, Highland Living offers quality homewares, bed linen and locally made gifts. Stop by and say hi to Felicity and the team – oh, and don’t forget to check out her line of beautiful linen pieces in-store – look for Letto Bello Linen.

highlandliving.com.au @highland.living

7. ATLANTIC BLUE AUSTRALIA, CLARENCE VALLEY

Based in the Clarence Valley, Atlantic Blue Australia believes that every product has a story. Offering handmade handbags, homewares and pet products with a focus on sustainability and natural fibres, you can find something different at Atlantic Blue.

atlanticblueaustralia.com @atlanticblueaustralia

8. PAPERDOLLS HOUSE, WALCHA

Located in Derby Street of Walcha, Paperdolls House is home to clothing, gifts, homewares and goodies for your garden. Pick up your next favourite fashion piece while you’re here – funky or classic, Paperdolls House does it all. @paperdollshouse

Gigs,

1. FESTIVAL OF THE SUN, PORT MACQUARIE

Thursday 23 – Monday 27 November

Described as one of the best boutique summer festivals in New South Wales, FOTSUN is gearing up for its annual return to Port Macquarie this November. Historically delivering stellar vibes and one heck of a line up every year over the past 10 years, FOTSUN is here to kick off your summer with some good ol’ fashion beachside boogying.

fotsun.com @festivalofthesun

2. COFFS COAST FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL, VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Friday 1 – Sunday 10 September

An award-winning celebration of local food, the Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival is truly an ode to the dedicated foodie. Running over 10 days, you’ll get to sample all the best nibbles from Bellingen to Woolgoolga. coffscoastfoodwine.com.au @coffscoastfoodwine

3. COFFS HARBOUR

INTERNATIONAL BUSKERS AND COMEDY FESTIVAL, COFFS HARBOUR

Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 October

A five-day event featuring street theatre, family shows and performances, the Coffs Harbour International Buskers and Comedy Festival is set to provide a wholesome and laughter-filled week for the whole family. Kid free? There’s something for you too! coffsharbourbuskers.com @john_logan_entertainment

4. DUVAL DAM BUSTER TRAIL RUN, ARMIDALE

Sunday 24 September

Ever wanted to climb Armidale’s own Mount Duval? Why not sign up for the Duval Dam Buster Trail Run? Five distances across Mount Duval and the Dumaresq Dam areas could see you running 3km, 8km, 16km, 32km or 50km trails. Register now.

duvaldambuster.com.au @duvaldambuster

5. WOOLGOOLGA CURRYFEST, WOOLGOOLGA

Saturday 23 September

Food, flavour, colour and fun is everything you can expect from the annual Curryfest held in the beautiful beachside town of Woolgoolga. Whether you’re wandering through the streets or the reserve, you’re sure to find a celebration of culture and delicious food everywhere you go.

curryfest.com.au @woolgoolgacurryfest

6. DREAM ON! ARTS AND CULTURE FESTIVAL, CORINDI

BEACH

Sunday 17 September

Come and gather on Gumbaynggirr Country to celebrate, connect, dance, sing and share culture at the annual ‘Dream On!’ arts, music and culture festival.

yarrawarra.com.au @yarrawarraculturalcentre

7. END2END FESTIVAL, HUNTER VALLEY

Saturday 16 September

Three venues, 15 wineries, live music, gourmet food and boutique beer across two days? YES PLEASE –where do we sign up? The Hunter Valley End2End Festival is back and we can’t wait to join in and celebrate three of our favourite things – food, wine and live music.

end2endfestival.com.au @end2endfestival

8. DORRIGO FOLK & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, DORRIGO

Friday 27 – Sunday 29 October

The longest running festival on the Mid North Coast, the Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival is a three-day celebration of local, national and international folk music. Get your tickets stat – this is set to be a fun weekend in the mountains.

dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au @dorrigofolkbluegrassfest

1. HIGH MEADOW, GUYRA

High Meadow produces raw, unfiltered and chemical-free honey, honeycomb and beeswax products right here in the New England. Located in Guyra, owners Michael and Alison have their bee sites spread across the Northern Tablelands, from Dorrigo to Inverell. You can find a list of stockists on their website.

highmeadow.com.au

@highmeadow_newengland

2. BANDWAGON CAFE, PORT MACQUARIE

This dog-friendly cafe located between the beautiful beaches of Port Macquarie and the central shopping precinct offers more than meets the eye. On entry to Bandwagon you’ll find a beautiful open layout – look a little harder and you’ll find nooks and crannies for reading your favourite book or working from your laptop. Catering to just about everyone, Bandwagon is the perfect place to brunch with friends and family, work, or relax with a good coffee.

bandwagoncafe.com.au @__bandwagon__

3. COLD COUNTRY ORGANICS, URALLA

Looking for delicious, fresh and seasonal local fruit and vegetables delivered to your doorstep? Look no further than Cold Country Organics, supplying the New England North West with good health and great meal options conveniently packaged in a box. Eating well has never been easier!

coldcountryorganics.com @coldcountryorganics

4. HARRISON’S,

NEWCASTLE

Take a seat inside this classic European bistro where owner Tony Harrison welcomes you with open arms. A hand-curated wine list featuring Hunter Valley and European wines paired with a share plate lunch menu puts this place high on our wish list.

harrisonsfoodandwine.com @harrisonsfoodandwine

5. THE WORKSHOP KITCHEN, TAMWORTH

An icon in the Tamworth dining scene, The Workshop Kitchen boasts a crowd-pleasing menu bursting with regional flavours. Combine local Jack's Creek beef cooked over a wood fired grill, an award-winning wine list, and carefully considered aesthetics and you have yourself a must-try, modern Australian dining experience. rydges.com @powerhousetamworth

6. THE COTTAGE BAR AND RESTAURANT, ARMIDALE

Located inside one of Armidale’s historic homes, The Cottage Bar and Restaurant is a warm and inviting venue serving a delicious and considered menu, five days a week. Providing impeccable table service and an exquisite wine list to pair with your food, The Cottage Armidale is the perfect place for your next date night or celebration.

thecottagearmidale.au @thecottagearmidale

7. TWENTY46, COFFS HARBOUR

A hop, skip and a jump away from the Coffs Harbour Jetty, Twenty46 is a coffee and brunch spot worth visiting if you’re in town. Offering table service, a delicious menu and quality coffee, you can’t go wrong at Twenty46.

twenty46.com @twenty46coffsharbour

8.

SUPPLY COFFEE CO, COFFS HARBOUR

Delicious coffee, yummy food and atmosphere to boot, Supply Coffee in Coffs Harbour is the place to be, any day of the week. If your vibe is beautiful aesthetics and friendly service, then head to Supply Coffee Co – stat!

supplycoffee.co @supply.coffee

IN PICTURES THE POWER OF MUSIC

PHOTOGRAPHER James Lander jameslanderphotography.com @jameslanderphotography

“Snapping shots of musicians and capturing the magic of people immersed in music gives me a total buzz!

“Music has this magical way of bringing folks together, creating a connection that’s pure and contagious. It’s like a universal language that melts away boundaries, turns strangers into instant dance partners and transforms moments into memories that last a lifetime.” *

PS – Read James’ story on page 46.

DISCOVER NEW ENGLAND HIGH COUNTRY … BY BIKE

Whether you’re relatively new to the cycling game or a seasoned pro, Tenterfield and Walcha have some fantastic routes showcasing everything our great region has to offer. So saddle up folks, and be sure to check out our recommended caffeine and culture hits along the way.

THE BILLYRIMBA LOOKOUT

• 96-kilometre day ride

• 75 per cent unpaved gravel roads and double track

The lowdown The majority of the roads are wide with smooth surfaces, but there are some bumpy moments as you descend into the valley – nothing someone with cycling experience and a moderate level of fitness couldn’t handle. Overall a joy to ride with some great swimming holes in the second half. For a comfy day in the saddle, a hardtail mountain bike wouldn’t go amiss.

THE TENTERFIELD – HARRIGANS LANE

• 120-kilometre day ride

• 52 per cent unpaved farm and gravel roads

The lowdown While the roads are wide and smoothsurfaced, the distance and gradients make for a challenging ride. It uses 100 per cent public roads and experiences moments of infrequent traffic and some long stretches of B-road highway. Manageable for those with a reasonable level of fitness – just a heads up that the steep descents and rutted roads will pose a challenge to those new to cycling. Treat yourself to a spectacular swimming spot at kilometre 71 by the Boonoo Boonoo River.

THE WALCHA GRAVEL RIDE

• 76-kilometre day ride

• 83 per cent gravel

The lowdown Boasting an impressive 83 per cent gravel, this ride is sure to cure those paved road mile blues. Straight off the bat – the detour through Walcha is purposeful, enabling you to avoid the Oxley Highway for as long as possible, while also giving you the chance to check out the old stockyards built in the 1950s. More highlights include hitting the Macdonald River (perhaps a good day for a dip?) and reaching the top for an incredible view of the vast Moonbi Ranges.

THE WALCHA OVERNIGHTER

• 165-kilometre overnight ride

• 63 per cent gravel

The lowdown While this one’s an overnighter, rest assured it’s suitable for most abilities. Kick off in central Walcha, then head west and pass by Woolbrook – the only town you’ll see on this journey. You’ll also weave beside, over and through the 169-kilometre-long Macdonald River, which flows mostly northwest, providing plenty of opportunities for a swim. On day two you’ll use quiet local roads to travel through rolling farmland and meet up with Thunderbolts Way. Catch views of the Barrington Tops and Mummel Gulf National Park on this breathtakingly beautiful ride.

Enjoy the diverse and picturesque landscapes of New England High Country.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

These cycling routes are part of a collection of day and multi-day routes created by Jorja Creighton (our cover star!) aka @jambi_jambi for Walcha and Tenterfield Tourism.

If you would like to know more about the beautiful townships of Walcha and Tenterfield, and their great cycling routes, visit: walchansw.com.au visittenterfield.com.au

TIME TO EXPLORE TENTERFIELD?

While in town, why not steal a moment to check out some of the local haunts? We’d recommend Bad Manners (on Manners Street, LOL) for its great coffee, gluten-free donuts and super accessible courtyard for folks who might still be travelling by bike. From there, have a wander down to Rouse Street (the main drag) and check out The Artisan’s Altitude, a relatively new venue bursting with phenomenal products local to Tenterfield, the New England and Granite Belt. We’re talking cheeses and jams, olives and oils, to name just a few! When evening comes, head to Stonefruit, where you can expect a cellar full of hand-selected wines, and a small bar menu that honours local growers and seasonal produce.

TIME TO EXPLORE WALCHA?

For a Saturday morning pick-me-up, grab a coffee from Cafe Graze before popping next door for a culture hit at the Walcha Gallery of Art. Energy levels restored, don’t leave town before experiencing Walcha’s renowned Open Air Gallery. Currently made up of 58 sculptures and artworks, the local highlight runs from the main street along the riverbank, which happens to have paved cycle paths on either side, perfect for hopping back on your bike for an art tour with a difference. No bike? No worries. Loan-a-bikes are available from the Visitor Information Centre, open seven days a week. Grab a brochure and map from the Walcha Tourism website or visitor information centre to keep track of your discoveries. Keen to ramp things up a notch? Introducing the Walcha Sculpture Soundtrail – a highly original sound walk that guides you through a selection of the sculptures while also sharing Indigenous and historical stories along the way. Round off the day with a regional bevvy (or two!) at the Walcha Taphouse. *

Bell Tower by renowned Czech artist Vaclav Fiala, is just one of 58 works that make up Walcha’s Open Air Gallery.

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b l o o m s f r e s h f r o m t h e f a r m ,

p e r f e c t f o r y o u r s p e c i a l d a y eveflowers com au @eveflowerfarm

toWelcome the stagetoWelcome the stage

PAT HARRIS

From humble beginnings in his hometown of Armidale NSW, to touring nationally and internationally, Pat Harris tells us how he followed his lifetime passion for playing the bass guitar right around the globe – eventually finding his way back home with a fresh perspective and young family in tow.

WORDS As told to Meg Miller PHOTOGRAPHY Clara Adolphs

Let’s start at the beginning – where did you grow up and what do you treasure most about your upbringing? I was born in Armidale, NSW and grew up in my childhood home on Taylor Street, leaving for the big city right out of high school. Looking back, I’m grateful for the feeling of a close-knit community that growing up in Armidale gave me. There’s a subtle fabric of familiarity with everybody – you see people down the street whose faces you’ve known your whole life and you don’t even know their names. It makes you feel like you are a part of a place – like you belong.

When did you start playing music? My dad started teaching me the drums when I was 10 and for my 12th birthday my parents bought me a bass guitar – I got hooked and have been playing ever since. I’m fairly Darwinian about music; I believe that if you want to do it then you will do it – and if you do it, you will get good at it. Throughout my teenage years, playing music was a constant – I spent a lot of time in my room obsessively learning the Jamiroquai and Red Hot

The Tambourine Girls are Pat Harris, Simon Relf and Carlos Andres Adura.

TIME

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

Chili Peppers songs I loved, note for note. After moving to Sydney, I joined as many bands as I could, eventually touring overseas with the Colombian/Australian band Watussi. We went to Japan, South America, Malaysia and New Zealand and I got to hoon around and do that whole thing. Since then, I’ve done a fair bit of touring within Australia with different acts like Dustin Tebbutt, Hermitude and Wes Carr. I also filled in for Sampa the Great once which was really fun.

How much touring do you do these days? Once our second child came along, I started to think about what sort of living there was to be made touring and decided that a life on the road wasn’t a great idea. We made the move from Wollongong back to Armidale to give ourselves a break from the high-cost, high-pressure of city living. I still tour with bands up and down the east coast a couple of times a year and that’s enough to make me feel like I’m still a part of it –I can blow off a little steam and catch up with friends, then come back to the easy lifestyle that country living offers.

LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS OF THE TAMBOURINE GIRLS PRONTO

Different Streets – released March 2023

Waiting for Pleasure – released 2018

The Tambourine Girls – released 2016

@thetambourinegirls @pat_final.jpg

How do you navigate the challenges of being a musician and working in a different industry? One thing I’ve been reflecting on lately is the fact that music can really spoil you – it can become a way of following your passion while socialising with friends and making money. You start to think that if you want to hang out with someone, you should put on a gig, or if you want to express yourself through your music, then you should go and make money from it, or if you want to make money, then it has to be interesting. The challenge for me as I’ve been focusing on work outside of music over the last few years is that I’ve had to learn to separate those things and be okay with that. I’ve learned that it’s okay to have a job that doesn’t necessarily tick all of my creative boxes and it’s okay to hang out with people just because I want to hang out with them – there doesn’t have to be a creative project underpinning the interaction.

What has been your biggest lesson? Something that has pleasantly surprised me lately is that I can make music and follow my passion without having to make any money. They always say to do what you love, but I think the implication of that aphorism is that you should do what you love for money. Lately, I’ve been thinking that you should just do what you love because you want to do it. Loving it is enough, you don’t need a reason beyond that.

What are you working on now? Right now, I’m working on some new recordings with my band The Tambourine Girls who played at The Big Chill this year. We all live in different regional areas – the drummer lives in Fingal Head near Byron, the singer and guitarist live in Robertson in the Southern Highlands, and I live here in Armidale. Now that I’ve got the studio up and running, we get together here every now and again and spend the weekend eating, drinking and hanging out while we record. We’ve been doing this a bit more over the past year or so and I think it’s becoming a key part of who we are as a band. Something about the pace and surroundings in the country encourages you to slow down and enjoy what you’re doing – hopefully the new music reflects that. *

WHEN ART MEETS FASHION

This spring, Peter Bill designer Holly Goodman has teamed up with artist Whitney Spicer to create a fabric women will undoubtedly covet nationwide. She’ll launch her latest collection alongside fellow regional designers at Tamworth’s inaugural must-attend fashion event, The Rural Runway.

WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Peter Bill and Lean Timms

Holly Goodman can put an outfit together like nobody’s business. We’re talking white joggers with ruffles, baby doll collars with torn denim, stripes of gold with the perfect pearl. It’s chic. It’s elegant. It’s comfortable. And it’s unmistakably Peter Bill, Holly’s fashion label launched in October 2021.

What originally began as a small line of boys’ shirts has grown to include a children’s and women’s collection –and it doesn’t look like she’ll be stopping anytime soon. Her vision this spring? Colour, texture and a runway show that celebrates fashion labels from across the region.

Aptly named The Rural Runway, the event will herald the launch of Peter Bill’s spring collection and lounge dress collaboration with Kristy Withers of Incy Interiors, and also shine a spotlight on Iris and Wool, Barney & Jacq, Isobell & Co, Pearl and Palms, Palmaira Sandals, Allport Millinery, and Phylli Designs.

“Spring is the perfect time for all of our launches, so I thought it’s a great opportunity to get the whole community together for a fashion show,” says Holly.

“It’s so exciting to see what fellow rural designers come up with – I can’t wait. As for Peter Bill’s spring collection specifically, you can expect to see something a little different.”

True fact. While Holly has previously leaned towards neutral tones, this season she’s dipping her toe into colour, patterns and some serious shimmer.

“Think Mediterranean vibes, blues, white and prints – as well as a lot more pinks, reds and textured fabrics,” adds Holly, who still draws all her own designs by hand.

GET YOUR FASHION FIX

The Rural Runway will form part of three days of art, shopping, fashion and fun, all held at The Peter Bill Atelier – 2/152 Marius Street, Tamworth NSW.

Thursday 7 September – Whitney Spicer Art Evening 3pm onwards. A guided painting experience with Whitney, where she’ll guide you through your own fishy-themed painting. All materials supplied, as well as grazing boards and vino. Tickets $280 – purchase at peterbill.com.au

Friday 8 September – Spring Shopping Fair 10am – 3pm. Your chance to come and shop the showcased labels for one day only!

Saturday 9 September – The Rural Runway 1pm onwards. The perfect way to start spring, this is an event to celebrate rural designers and fashion. Cocktails and canapes followed by a runway showcasing the label’s spring/summer collections – live music and dancing to follow. Tickets $195 – purchase at peterbill.com.au

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

As for the Peter Bill hero piece this spring, Holly has teamed up with artist Whitney Spicer to create the kind of design women will no doubt covet regionwide.

“Collaborating with someone like Whitney is game-changing,” says Holly.

“I wasn’t planning on doing prints, but the second she approached me back in October 2022, I just knew it would be such a fun, cool, creative process.

“Our original plan was to do something with the kids’ range, but as my love for womenswear has grown, we decided to run with something for our spring/summer collection.”

The end result is a premium linen fabric boasting a print for all seasons. It’s a mix of fashion and art, the kind of piece you can wear from day to night and feel damn good in the process.

“I was thrilled to team up with Holly to create a textile design – it’s something I’ve been exploring for a while now and I just love it, I dived right in,” says Whitney.

“We worked back and forth on a few ideas, it was such a great collaborative process, and seeing the end result on fabric is so much fun. As an artist, you get so used to seeing your work as a static piece, but on fabric it has shape, it has movement and it’s incredible to see it being worn by women throughout the region.”

Whitney’s design is reminiscent of her paintings, so you can expect to see her classic lemons teamed with Mediterranean tile patterns, blended with blue and white, brown and caramel.

“It’s a real collaboration of the two brands,” says Whitney.

“And the fabric will be used on some really beautiful, versatile pieces in our spring collection,” adds Holly.

“They’re the kind of pieces I hope women will wear to special occasions or school pick-up, just add slides or joggers and you’re ready to go. Ultimately, I just want to create unique pieces that make women feel good. I love fashion, I love being creative and I just want to keep designing pieces that women the world over can wear and instantly feel cool.” *

THE PATH LESS PEDALLED

Curiosity, athleticism, devil-may-care vibes and her mother’s belief led Jorja Creighton to cycle solo the world over. So how exactly has she ended up on a cattle farm in Walcha, designing cycling routes across the New England?

WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Jim A. Barker

I can’t even imagine what it feels like to walk in Jorja Creighton’s shoes.

That’s partly due to the fact she rarely walks, she cycles, and I can’t remember the last time I was on a bike. But it’s also because she has this inbuilt fearlessness of the world in a way I’ve never known.

She’s fearless of others’ opinions, of walking away from things that don’t serve her, of female body image, of shadows in paddocks late at night and of cycling solo across the world.

She says it’s because she’s been built up her entire life by her mum, leading her to walk in the world with an overconfidence to go and do anything, try anything and be anything, even if it’s above her skill set.

I say, well done to mum. And to Jorja… tell me more.

THE MAVERICK

“I’d describe my upbringing as fenceless – we lived on five acres of subdivided farmland in Kenthurst, northwest Sydney,” says Jorja.

“I had three older brothers, parents who knew what was best for us and a heavy duty swimming schedule. It was my whole identity as a teenager, but I suspect it was designed to keep me out of trouble more than anything. I was almost floating through it and never had dreams of being a professional.”

Regardless, she was good – one of the strongest swimmers in her age group nationwide. In 2008 she even took part in the Olympic trials, but an injury at the age of 18 led her in a different direction.

“I finished school and applied for a position at the Sydney Fashion Design Studio. You had to submit a portfolio of work and sit an interview, but I didn’t make it the first year. So I went away and focused on my sewing skills – the next year, I got in.”

I know what you’re thinking, bit of a curve ball. But Jorja says you’d often find her poolside, notepad and pencil in hand, scribbling off the wall designs on the pages within. While she adds that her sewing quality was terrible, she did score high marks for her designs due to their originality. There’s that devil-may-care vibe again.

“I’d always come up with something different, it didn’t look like everybody else’s. The teachers seemed to like that – I’m not sure they liked me very much though,” she laughs.

“Looking back now I can see there was some arrogance there, but it wasn’t backed by enough talent to really get away with it. Still, I had fun. It was hard work, but it was also the first time I really learnt how to apply myself. When I was done there, I needed to shake things up again, so I moved to London.”

She gets itchy feet this one, an attribute she puts down to the fact her family relocated every two years, “doing up shitboxes” before moving on again. Jorja thinks it’s created a restlessness in her adult life. I can see that, but I also see an adventurous soul who knows when it’s time to seek more.

So that’s what she did… by bike. ››

THE WARRIOR

“I’d always loved cycling, it came into the mix when I started doing triathlons as part of my swimming training,” says Jorja.

“So when I got to London the first thing I did was buy a bike. I used to ride through the streets with no sense of direction, no map, no real plan – I’d just decide what I wanted to try and find that day and ride in that general direction.

“Hours would go by, sometimes I’d never find what I’d set out for – I just couldn’t stop cycling.”

As luck would have it, there’s a job for people like Jorja. One fateful day, she met a bike courier on the streets of London and ended up joining the crew. She can’t find the words to tell me how much she loved that job. Even in the hardest of London winters, she’d be there, seriously lacking in suitable wet weather gear, donning a pair of hole-ridden Converse and a smile.

“I was obsessed. I’d never felt more challenged, or more fulfilled. My motivation? The fact that so few women were doing it. In moments like that I’m more than happy to work double, triple as hard as the men to prove myself,” says Jorja.

“I started taking on more jobs than them, getting paid more, working all hours and not complaining. Unlike swimming, I was putting all my energy into it. I have an inkling it has something to do with having three big brothers – I seized the chance to finally prove I wasn’t a ‘crybaby’.”

Jorja thrived on that feeling and wanted more – so she set her heart on long distance cycling in Europe.

Enter a man nicknamed ‘Bambi’, who happened to have his heart set on the same thing. The pair kicked off the original incarnation of Jorja’s beloved ‘Jambi Jambi’ website while riding across Europe. But what started as a way to communicate with their family and friends back home morphed into something so much more for Jorja.

“I was documenting every step of the way, writing blogs, photographing and filming our adventures, I just couldn’t get enough of it,” she says.

“Next we made plans to cycle around the world. But first we moved back to Sydney, picked up bike couriering jobs and saved for three years to make it happen.

“We started in Japan. Reached the border of India. Then we broke up.”

I know. It really packs a punch.

Not one to give up easily, Jorja kept going, cycling in the same direction as her now ex, but separately. She rode completely solo across Thailand, rejoined him at Myanmar for cultural reasons, before carrying on alone to India and to the border of Pakistan. She was 24 years old. Some of her accommodation along the way? Roadside camping. Her biggest challenge? Discovering the feeling of real fear.

“India in particular was really tough,” she says.

“It was the first time I experienced fear I think – blood-draining fear. I was getting harassed fairly frequently, as a solo traveller sure, but particularly as a woman. The worst place in India is the roads, and as a cyclist, that’s where you’re spending the majority of your time.

“I shaved off all my hair, wore really big clothes to try and look bigger and started carrying knives.”

Yes, she said knives.

“Because there are moments when you’re alone and you get caught by someone who has ill intentions. So I did what I needed to do to protect myself. I changed my physical appearance and avoided eye contact. I became aggressive. And in the end, I wasn’t having a good time. So I left.”

To this day, Jorja doesn’t regret her solo cycling tour. While it impacted her view of the world, she’s glad she did it.

“I’ve toured extensively alone, I prefer it in so many ways. And despite those moments, I would absolutely do it again. I still think the world is inherently good.” ››

the Warrior

THE ENTREPRENEUR

After some serious R & R in Italy, she headed to Copenhagen for the world messenger championships. Yep, turns out that’s a thing. Bike messengers from all over the world congregate, compete and wait with bated breath to see who will be named best courier in the world.

Surrounded by friends and once again doing the thing she loves most, Jorja recovered and refuelled. She started cycling long distances again and continued documenting every little part of it on Jambi Jambi.

As it turns out, her friends and family weren’t the only ones keeping an eye on her content.

“An American bike company reached out to me. They liked what I was doing and started supplying me with not only the bikes, but the motivation and inspiration to keep going. So I headed to the United States.”

Described by Jorja as “the coolest place on earth to ride your bike”, it was along the West Coast of America where she was introduced to an entire subculture of bikepacking and bike touring. She loved it – hard. And before long, her next business venture was born.

“I’d been sewing various things along the way too, just to keep me going. Then I made a new friend,” she says.

“He was unique and funny – he had really quirky ideas, so we combined those ideas with my merch to launch

the ENTREPRENEUR

ENTREPRENEUR

“People would come into my world, fall off, then i’d just keep going.”

‘Kook Exchange’. We were just two Aussies in the States, selling t-shirts and cycling spoof products, putting out video content and collaborating with other designers to make people laugh.

“Back then, there were a lot of people in bikepacking who were completely forgotten about in the industry. The focus was on speed, fast gear and the build up to your next race. But the fact of the matter is, the majority of people bike touring don’t give a fuck about that. It’s slapstick comedy chaos out there, people are just trying to make it to the end, and that’s the real beauty of it – the humour and the fun. They’re the people we were trying to cater for, and it worked, it became a really successful little merchandise business in the end.”

But there’s a theme, adds Jorja. That friendship ended too.

“It came to an end naturally if I’m honest. I was a bit hungrier than him and it burnt out. People would come into my world, fall off, then I’d just keep going.”

And she did. Kook Exchange was rolled into Jambz Distro under her existing Jambi Jambi brand and her reputation as a primary Australian distributor for US cycling products grew. Today, Jambi Jambi is the dominant down under supplier for all things bike touring and cycling. Jorja imports small brands who are making big changes in the industry to help fellow bike-riding lovers cycle with flair. But the business is so much more than a moneymaker, it’s a connection to her passion and a way to keep her restless soul moving, even since moving to Walcha, NSW. ››

“a lot of people are driven by how cool something is... I think the coolest thing is to do it ugly.”

THE PATHFINDER

It’s a story shared by people the world over – a massive life shift triggered by COVID. For Jorja, that meant returning to Australia after living her US dream. While visiting family in Armidale, she decided to head south to Walcha and catch up with her friend Henry, a fellow bike courier from Sydney days gone by.

Spoiler alert: she had the biggest crush on him. Second spoiler alert: she hasn’t left Walcha since.

“We hadn’t spoken for years, but I knew he kept an eye on the content I was creating online,” she says.

“I came to his cattle farm and never left.”

Today, Jambz Distro headquarters is run out of a manager’s quarters on a separate farm just 15 minutes from Walcha. When she’s not distributing the best cycling gear this side of the Pacific, Jorja is using her seriously refined cycling nous to design routes for local councils both in Walcha and further afield, in Tenterfield.

“I keep finding new ways to do what I love, and a big part of that is route-making for people throughout the New England – while I love bush-bashing and finding my own path,

I appreciate a lot of people would prefer to have that served up to them, so I’ve been doing that for a couple of years now. A special project has been creating the 1000km route around the New England to bring bikepackers and tourers up to see the big sky country – it’s been a slow process, but the end result will be magic.”

Along the way, she’s also redefining the way women in cycling are portrayed. And while it might not have been a deliberate act, it’s a clear message she’s thrown into the mix with grace, humour and that no fear attitude we now know and love.

“I know young girls have demons about the way they look, I’ve been there. I just can’t be bothered spending any energy on that anymore, because it gets you nowhere. It’s something I’ve worked on, I’ve redesigned my mental space around it and have made the decision that whether people are looking at me or not, I’m going to do what I want anyway.”

The enduring confidence still gets me, it’s addictive to be around. But what I love even more is how this woman knows herself. She knows what she’s done right, she knows what she’s done wrong, and she knows what she needs to do next.

“Life is morphing into something different now,” she says.

the PaTHFINDER

“I want to be here with Henry, but that also means making sacrifices and finding ways to cope with my innate restlessness. I’ve done all these things, I’ve travelled the world and I’ve been so lucky to live out some very real dreams of mine.

“But I also recognised a few years ago that I was lonely. So after my last relationship ended because I made the choice to go overseas and pursue my cycling career, I decided that next time, when the opportunity arises, I will make the opposite decision.

“That’s what I’m doing right here and now, on this farm with Henry. I don’t want this one to fall off, I want him in my world.”

So these days, adventure to Jorja is a state of mind. Every morning she wakes up and asks herself, ‘What’s something new I can do today?’. While it might not be as big and exciting as it once was, she’s making an active choice to slow down and savour the smaller moments in her own backyard, rather than feeling like the entire world is something she has to see and do.

She’s also working on her “evil plan” to bring more cyclists to the New England.

“It’s hard being a cyclist out here, I get it, there are a lot of barriers like the weather, the isolation, the lack of cycling groups,” she says.

“I just try to lead by example. My fitness goes up and down and while sometimes it can be embarrassing, since technically I called cycling my career, I’m not ashamed to do it my way. Even if one person is watching me ride my bike out on these country tracks and is encouraged to give it a go too, that’s all I want.”

Her top tip? Don’t take it too seriously.

“If you want to do it, just go. You don’t need all the gear, the perfect route or ideal weather. You can literally walk out the door, hop onto a shitbox of a bike, fall off a couple of times and there you have it, you’ve done bikepacking. You don’t need experience, just the willingness to take what comes your way and doing it anyway – that’s what creates the best stories.

“I think a lot of people are driven by how cool something is or how good they look doing it. But to me, I think the coolest thing is to do it ugly.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m off to buy a bike. *

Come up for a great escape.

Walcha; the creative hub of New England High Country, and your gateway to some of Australia’s most spectacular World-Heritage National Parks. Wander around Australia’s first and largest Open Air Gallery, and enjoy genuine country hospitality, good food and coffee, boutique shopping, historic buildings and art.

walchansw.com.au @walchansw #wildwalcha

OPEN WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY

BAR 12PM TILL LATE / LUNCH 12PM - 2:30PM / DINNER 5:30PM - 8:30PM

CONTACT US TO ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR FUNCTION SPACE AND ACCOMMODATION

(02) 6722 1611 / 81-87 BYRON STREET, INVERELL @AUSSIEHOTELINVERELL

ODE TO EVE

If you need help with your next design journey, reach out to Melissa at Ode to Eve, a design studio in Armidale NSW, today. @odetoeve

TRAVEL-INSPIRED DESIGN

Travel has always inspired my direction and intention in design. Spain, in particular, had been on my wish list for a long time and I recently had the opportunity to experience it. Believe me, that country did not disappoint.

A vast historical and geographical diversity exists in Spain, depending on the time period in which a building was built. That’s why immersion in different cultures and lifestyles is so important in understanding the design of spaces – especially when it comes to the residential design of people’s homes.

In Spain, there is a spectacular communion of the old and new; the respect for the rich heritage of the culture and its environment is both striking and endearing. My gaze was constantly captured by pattern, texture, colour and the patination of materials and surfaces. However imperfect through decades and often centuries of use, these materials remain functional and, in my eyes, entirely beautiful.

It’s concepts like these that are etched into my memory when I travel and, along with the thousands of photos I take along the way, are stored and ready to draw upon when a project calls for it. And while it may be a physical object such as a wall treatment or piece of furniture that directs design,

the way a space ‘feels’ leads the way too. That’s where travel and culture invites new elements to a space, creating ‘flow’ and ‘emotion’ thanks to the placement, arrangement or shape of spaces and furnishings. This way, individual needs are met and a space will form an authentic connection with its inhabitants.

So what can you take from travel to integrate into your home? My first suggestion is decor. Either functional, decorative or both, take home anything you fall in love with that reminds you of your experience. Design concepts, too, are important to note. Remember that gorgeous outdoor cafe you visited for lunch? The one with draped fabric awnings? Recreate this concept at home to achieve functional and aesthetic reminders of your travel experiences.

Think about your finishes – did you fall in love with colourful front doors that add charm and personality to homes? Be bold, paint your door in your favourite colour! If your chosen palette changes, you know what to do.

Your home is a space where you have the opportunity to express yourself. What better way to do this than by allowing your travel experiences and memories to find their way into your life for longer than the length of your holiday. *

JAMES LANDER

THE MID NORTH COAST PHOTOGRAPHER ON FINDING HIS CREATIVE SIDE, HIS PEOPLE AND HIS VOICE. IN CONVERSATION with

James Lander, a contemporary photographer from Nambucca Heads, shares his story on overcoming trauma, flirting with suicide and learning how to share his story for the greater good.

WORDS As told to Steph Wanless PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY Jay Black

I was six weeks old when I entered foster care. I moved around a few families in Queensland until I was seven. Throughout that time I spent a few years back with my birth mother in Bundaberg before eventually moving down to the Mid North Coast with my Aunty.

I’ve never looked back.

To have someone who was my constant, my stability, was a pretty incredible feeling. Sure, my life before the move may have been traumatic, but you have to remember that was my normal. That was until Aunty Robyn took me in – she’s my absolute rock; I still call her three times a week. She also married the most wonderfully patient and kind man, Lyle. He has taught me so much simply by being there for me. But most importantly, he taught me a different side to masculinity I hadn’t really encountered; patience, reliability, kindness and zero aggression. Absolute legend – he really helped me reshape my world and ultimately gave me a sense of direction.

Despite that at-home support, it was a different story outside those four walls. Back then, mental health was not something widely talked about. The resources and events available to help start the conversation didn’t exist and it just felt like society in general wasn’t ready to go there. So I edited my life story. If it came up with mates at school, I’d do the quick three-minute rundown: ‘She’s not actually my mum, she’s my Aunty Rob, whatever’ – that was it. People just knew what they needed to know and it was done.

The finer details came to the surface much later in life.

My birth mother has schizophrenia and a couple of other things going on. But we’re still in touch, we always have been. In my view, I’ve got a mum and a mother. They both love me dearly and it was always pretty cool getting two sets of presents.

I never knew my dad. I don’t know when he committed suicide. I don’t know whether it was before I was born, or around the time I was born. I’ve actually never said that publicly before. I’ve avoided everything to do with it my whole life, things like Father’s Day especially. But not now. I’m learning to lean in –I’d love to have kids one day and as I grow older, my view of the world is shifting. Doors are opening and have allowed me to feel more comfortable about communicating with other people, about myself, my life experiences and my struggles.

It took me a while to get there though.

Straight out of school I studied Social Science for a year, that didn’t work out. I was having too much fun, playing rugby, partying, caught up with drugs and alcohol, all that sort of stuff. I was young, 15 when I started. Drugs were a thing before I’d even had a beer; it was pretty wild.

But for me, it was a beautiful escape.

Soon after leaving university, I started a chef’s apprenticeship. Hospo was good because I lost the weekends. The alcohol stepped up a bit, but the drugs faded out. I had some interesting gigs too – I worked at the resort at Uluru, spent some time cruising the Whitsundays as a personal chef on a private yacht, before heading back to Brisbane to work at The Venzin Group, Little Clive and finally The Priory.

It was great, but ultimately I wasn’t happy with who I was professionally. I wasn’t angry or anything, just frustrated with the industry. At the start I was frothing on it, loved every second. But after 18 years, I was really starting to recycle stuff creatively and it was becoming clear it was time to explore something more fulfilling.

That’s where photography comes in. It had always been there. I started out shooting street art and abandoned buildings, then doing sunrises and landscapes – it was about the alone time. It felt like a reset. And in the past few years, after moving back down to the coast, the business side of it has developed slowly and organically, spurred along by a few incredible people in my life and a really supportive creative community. I was still working as a head chef to begin with, but having that time out and a creative outlet had obvious benefits workwise, too. After time away for photography, I’d step back into the kitchen calmer, better. It gave me something to look forward to outside of work and also something to connect to people with.

I’m shy. Socially I can be a bit awkward. But the camera is like a security blanket and actually makes me engage with other people, chat with them, photograph them. I’ll never stop trying to get better at it, the more engaged I become with people, the better my photography becomes – and I’m still learning every day. Combining photography with my love of live music helps too, that’s something I know and have loved diving into. I’ve been going to music festivals since I was 16 years old and have always loved it; the feeling you get and listening to the different styles of music. But I think what I love most is seeing the freedom people experience in those moments – that emotion, that intimacy, that body movement that comes from one little drop at the peak of a song, there’s so much in that. At first, you feel like you should be focusing on the musician – but the crowd is where the emotion’s at, you can see it in their faces.

When photographing festivals, I put my earplugs in, the sound’s dialled back and I can just watch people express themselves. It’s pretty cool. It’s about trying to read people too. I will go back to study one day soon, I want to finish that degree – the way people interact with one another absolutely fascinates me.

All those things combined have helped me start to communicate more effectively and make better choices. And the more I’ve opened up, the more the people closest to me have been able to help and offer their support. Six months ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD – I actually laughed. ››

I thought I was bipolar. ‘Is that it? Sweet!’. Of course, depression’s been there too and I’m also exploring an Attachment Disorder diagnosis. I’ve always had a resistance to relationships. Looking back, I’ve had some amazing girlfriends, but as soon as it got a bit heavy, I was out of there. That is not a pattern I want to continue.

But it’s only recently I’ve started to figure out the ‘why’ behind that. It took me 37 years to reach out and start talking, but I got there. Friends have said some of my experiences weren’t normal. Sure, they’re normal for me, but as I’ve grown older they’ve led to me displaying certain behaviours – and now that I’m talking, I can get the support I need for that.

I think I’ve always flirted with the idea of suicide. My brain just tended to go there. I was punishing myself working 70-80 hours a week, getting loose and staying out till 3am and then back to work at 8am. I’d do that for weeks on end.

So yeah, I want to make it clear that I don’t view suicide as an easy option, and it’s not solely a matter of courage. Suicide is a deeply distressing act with the most irreversible of consequences. I can understand why some may perceive it as the only way out, but having witnessed the impact of suicide a number of times, and because of my dad, I just knew I would never go down that road. I know the impact of suicide. There is always an alternative route. Although I don’t have kids of my own yet, having been directly affected by it, I just know I could never inflict that pain on anyone else.

It doesn’t stop the thoughts – the idea was there because it was real and accessible to me from such a young age. There were discussions with family growing up, but it wasn’t really spoken about outside of that – it wasn’t the done thing in the 90s. But I knew what the word ‘suicide’ meant much younger than most.

Then I saw it again, through school, university and as a young adult. I just kept seeing it and thought, enough. No one really knows what the answer is, but for me it’s about leading by example when it comes to communicating. I’ve lost some mates to suicide and I’m devo that I didn’t get to have that phone call and be able to maybe make a difference. But there have been a few people who have reached out to me in those moments, literally because they knew I’ve been through it – and that’s why talking openly is so important for me right now, allowing individuals to embrace vulnerability and acknowledge their trauma. For instance, expressing words like, “I’m proud of you, mate. Thank you for opening up and sharing your story,” carries more genuine support compared to a sympathetic response like, “Oh, I’m really sorry.” And when people come to me, I’ll show the same care and support. I won’t freak out, I’ll just be there, ready to listen.

For other men who are struggling, the biggest piece of advice I’d pass on is to not be afraid to reach out. Recognise who the right supports are in your world and pick up the phone. Now’s the time to change the dialogue, right? Back when I was young, I was super sporty and –for lack of better words – didn’t want to appear ‘soft’.

Talking about how we felt just wasn’t the done thing. Now, being older and with more resources available, I am learning to be vulnerable about my experiences and finding the courage deep down to share them openly. Find your people. Talk to them. For a long time I felt as though people couldn’t see what was happening. But when I moved back, I really did need the support – I needed eyes on me.

Getting back here has slowed everything down, surrounded me with the right support network and given me the opportunity to work on my photography. That was a big switch towards self-care. If I get a winning shot, that’s awesome, but the camera is literally a tool, the people and feelings I capture with it are what’s important. It’s unlocked a different way for me to look at the world, it’s made me more curious, more willing to chat about everything – and talking is better for everyone. Talking has the power to change someone’s path, even in the darkest of times. It gives your thoughts a voice and, ultimately, is the first step towards a brighter, happier place. *

HELP IS HERE

If you or someone you know is going through a hard time right now, there are a number of services available to help.

FERGUS JAMES Time Of Your Life

Hailing from Armidale NSW, Fergus James’ story started like that of any other country town kid – playing footy, hanging out with mates and helping his dad on the farm. That was until his life catapulted in a new direction – one that most only dream of. From receiving his first guitar at 12 years old to releasing his debut single Golden Age and touring with Ed Sheeran on his Divide tour six years later, Fergus has had an exciting and fast-paced introduction to the music industry. But don’t get him wrong – having had more starts than Phar Lap in his hometown, Fergus is your typical Aussie bloke. He’s authentic, he’s friendly and he loves a beer and a good chinwag.

WORDS Meg Miller

PHOTOGRAPHY Tyson Fava

Fergus James is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Armidale NSW. From starting high school in his hometown to being accepted into Newtown’s School of Performing Arts, Fergus reached for the stars. He knew what he wanted and he went for it. But it was a chance encounter with Justin Timberlake that took his life in a whole new direction. As they say, fortune favours the bold.

1999

The family farm, Armidale

Starting his journey on the family farm in Armidale, Fergus’ family knew from a young age that he was destined to forge his own path.

“Mum and dad always knew I had some kind of artistic streak and I probably wouldn’t follow in dad’s footsteps and become a farmer – they realised from a young age that wasn’t me. They used to catch me singing all the time in front of the mirror with Bruce Springsteen blasting from the iPod dock, or I’d be out filming and making documentaries.”

2009

Christmas Day, Armidale

Fast forward to one Christmas morning in 2009 where he was given a gift he didn’t realise would change his life forever.

“I was given my first guitar as a Christmas gift when I was 10 years old. I asked for a Playstation – mum got me a guitar. It sounds bad now, but I was upset about it at the time. I wasn’t allowed to play video games or anything so I learned the guitar instead.” ››

2010 – 2013

Armidale High School, Armidale

Starting high school in 2010, Fergus began learning guitar slowly and taking lessons with local music teacher, Stephen Tafra.

“I just started high school and began listening to the music I genuinely wanted to listen to – it wasn’t just what my parents were playing on the radio anymore, and I started to learn how to play those songs on the guitar. I listened to a lot of Passenger, Chet Faker and Vance Joy and then I’d try and learn the songs I liked. That inevitably snowballed into me writing songs that sounded like them. So I started writing my own songs when I was around 12 or 13 years old.”

2014

The Armidale Eisteddfod, Armidale

The next pivotal moment in Fergus’ journey happened at the Armidale Eisteddfod. For those of you who don’t know, the Eisteddfod is a right of passage for any young person from the New England North West interested in performing arts, and has been the hallmark of many a creative career.

“When I was in Year 8, there was a singer/songwriter competition at the Eisteddfod. All the kids who entered were a lot older than me – I think there were some who were even in Year 12. But I won that competition. It was the first time I realised that maybe what I was doing wasn’t a hobby anymore. It was also around that time I saw an advertisement for the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in Sydney – I asked mum and dad and we chatted about the potential of me moving there. They eventually said yes.”

2016

Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Sydney

At 16 years old, Fergus moved to Sydney to continue his studies and was introduced to a whole new way of life. He quickly found himself smack bang in a new environment where the school quad regularly represented a scene from High School Musical –Fergus was finding his groove.

“I went to an interim school in Sydney before Newtown, but the majority of my schooling was completed at the School of Performing Arts and that’s where I finished Year 11 and 12. I was only interested in the music subjects, but I had to do dance, drama and arts as part of the curriculum, which was interesting. Being around like-minded people really helped – there weren’t many songwriters there at the time, so I kind of just went for it.”

2017

Sydney to Melbourne and back again

A single moment in Year 12 saw Fergus’ life change in one fell swoop. His hard work was beginning to pay off – and we weren’t the only ones to notice…

“In 2017, Justin Timberlake came to the school and that’s when things really kicked off. He was doing a promo tour for the Trolls film and decided to pop into the school to listen to some of the songwriters. He reacted very warmly to the song I’d written and the video went semiviral in Australia. I started getting labels, managers and publishers ringing me to ask what I was doing.

“I ended up signing a management deal while doing my HSC. I was going to Melbourne twice a month and remember being in a session finishing a song. While the producer was working on it, I was reading my chemistry textbook just trying to stay on top of everything. I signed the deal with Mushroom and started to work with producers and other songwriters to get some songs together.”

2018

Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, BOOM!

In a blinding flash, Fergus had gone from a teenager with a passion for music and songwriting to a rising star touring with Ed Sheeran.

“Once I finished Year 12, I toured with Ed Sheeran on his Divide tour. It was a really explosive start to my music career, everything happened so quickly. I had 10 songs recorded but nothing released yet. My managers sent Ed a few demos and I ended up landing the opening leg for his stadium shows in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. I’d never played a show before – the most I’d done was play at The Armidale Club a few times and I did a few small gigs in bars and cafes in Sydney. On tour, I played for 22,000 people in Brisbane. I just got up there and gave it a crack because I figured I had nothing to lose. It sounds dumb, but stadium gigs are so much easier than smaller gigs. I’m playing straight into my ears, I can’t hear anything and the crowd is so far away. Whereas with a smaller gig, the crowd is right there, 50-100 people in a cramped room. That’s far more intimate and can often be harder.”

2019

Byron Bay

In late 2019, after winning the triple j Unearthed competition, Fergus was set to open the stage for one of Australia’s best-known festivals.

“I opened for Splendour in the Grass and played on the main stage there. That same year I supported Meg Mac on her whole tour – a lot happened in those first two years. Looking back now, it was absolutely incredible, and something I’m still grateful for today.”

“I toured with ed sheeran on his divide tour. it was a really explosive start to my music career."

2020 – 2021

Back to Sydney

It was 2020 – the first year any of us had heard of COVID-19 and, unfortunately, the pandemic slammed the brakes on Fergus’ music career.

“Reflecting on it now, I realise that COVID-19 really affected me. I’ve had to stop and start a lot. There was a lot going on before the lockdown and everything just got pushed to the back – the momentum stopped. Once things came back to normal, I found it hard to find that momentum again.”

2022

Sydney to Armidale

Finding our feet after the pandemic was hard work for the best of us, and Fergus’ journey was no different. He began experimenting with different sounds which led to the release of his latest EP, A Slow Separation. Coming home was just the medicine he needed and this year Fergus found his rhythm again.

“Last year, I released music that felt authentic at the time but, in hindsight, I don’t think it was 100 per cent me. I was living in Sydney and I ended up coming back to Armidale to stop and take a bit of time to think.

“Since then, I’ve been doing a lot more singer/ songwriter music and it’s much closer to what I was doing before I left Armidale. It’s still anthemic pop music but more in the acoustic guitar singer/ songwriter direction – I feel a lot clearer in what I want to produce. I’ve got a few songs in the bag so I’m going to release more, line up a tour and get things started again. My goal is to make every part of it – my music and my social media – more authentically me. I’m more interested now in making music and presenting myself exactly as I am. I shouldn’t be a shock to people when they meet me.” *

This coming August, Fergus is releasing a new single Waking Up With You and he can’t wait to share it with us. Keep your eyes (and ears) peeled on his social media and Spotify channels, because this baby is coming in hot.

fergusjamesmusic.com @fergusjamesmusic

MOONSTONES AND SILVER – A DAY IN GLEN INNES

It’s a truly special feeling, creating and wearing something you have made yourself – I was lucky enough to experience this one weekend not so long ago, when I ventured to Glen Innes to join Richard Moon’s jewellery making workshop.

WORDS Meg Miller

PHOTOGRAPHY Jim A. Barker

8:30AM

– ARMIDALE

It was a frosty Saturday morning – the Armidale sun peeked from behind the horizon, painting the sky different shades of yellow and orange. I packed my bag and petted my dog’s head goodbye – I was off on an adventure.

After making the obligatory coffee stop, I turned on my podcast and hit the road – the beautiful, wide open, New England countryside carrying me all the way to my destination.

10.00AM

– 123 GREY STREET

Arriving at 123 Grey Street, I took in sight of the Makers Shed – a humble studio with a bold red door, sitting tall and proud right on the corner of the intersection. Stepping in, I noticed three things immediately. One, it was warm – the wood-fired heater was roaring at the back of the room. Two, it was a small class, myself and three other women. Three, Richard Moon was not what I was expecting.

A tall man with a youthful presence greeted me – this was the first time I’d met Richard, it was also the first time I’d been to a jewellery making workshop.

The shop front was stocked full of products from local creators and authors. Benches lined the back walls of the studio, each with a low chair and their own workspace. Books with images of bracelets, pendants and rings were laid open on the table in the centre of the room among scattered pieces of metal rod, sheets of silver and various measuring devices. This was truly a creative space – one I was very grateful to spend the day in.

10.30AM – THE

WORKSHOP

The workshop was a six-hour introduction to sterling silver jewellery making. We were taught how to make our own piece of jewellery while learning the ropes from Richard. I can’t imagine it’s an easy feat teaching a travel writer, a doctor, a counsellor and a marketing manager simultaneously how to measure, cut, smelter and temper pieces of metal, but Richard did it seamlessly.

Some bought their own stones and opals to embed in their design. Others, (like me), brought nothing but themselves and a vague idea. I knew I wanted to make a ring and that I’d probably give it to my mum for her birthday. As for the design or anything specific, well, I had left that up to chance – Pinterest to the rescue.

I landed on an idea I thought mum would love –a simple silver ring with a heart shape on the face of it and a moonstone sitting right in the middle. ››

FEEL LIKE TRYING YOUR HAND AT JEWELLERY MAKING?

Richard hosts sterling silver jewellery making workshops seasonally. For upcoming dates and to make a booking, check out Richard’s website and social media. themakersshed.org @richardmoonwearablesilver

1.30PM –

KEBABS AND HOT CHIPS

You might not have guessed it, but let me tell you – jewellery making is a hungry business. Accompanied by a delivery of kebabs and hot chips, I could finally get around to chat to the beautiful people in my class. We spent the best part of 30 minutes learning about each other’s lives and why we had attended the workshop. Funnily enough, most of our answers were the same – to learn something new and do something that was totally immersive.

2.00PM –

BACK ON THE TOOLS

By this time I’d measured the piece of silver that would become my ring, cut and shaped the piece that would become the heart

and soldered them together. Now it was time to pop the ring on the mandrel and hammer it to size – this part was really fun!

Next step – cut and file a bezel to hold the moonstone in place. Because the moonstone was so tiny, the bezel also had to be tiny – this resulted in me losing both of them multiple times in the cracks of floorboards and under tables. Thank God for tweezers.

Once the bezel was filed down to size, Richard helped me smelter it into the centre of the ring and we set the moonstone. Finally, it was time to smooth and polish – this was my absolute favourite part because it’s when you really start to see the potential of your creation.

“From walking into the workshop with no idea what I was going to make, to walking out with a handmade piece of jewellery i had designed and crafted myself – the whole process was awesome.”

4.30PM – PURE JOY

I can’t even begin to describe the incredible feeling of wearing something I had spent the past five hours making – but I’ll try.

From walking into the workshop with no idea what I was going to make, to walking out with a handmade piece of jewellery I had designed and crafted myself – the whole process was awesome, easily one of the most enjoyable creative experiences I’ve been a part of.

The ring was wonky and it had twists and turns where maybe it shouldn’t have, but that’s what makes it unique.

There will never be another ring like it and there’s almost a feeling of pride in that.

We all made something different – three of us made rings of all different shapes, sizes and styles, and one person made a beautiful gum leaf brooch that was so striking, I would recognise it anywhere.

It’s safe to say that I will be a frequent attendee in Richard’s workshops – and you know what? I think you should be too.

PS – mum said she loved her birthday present, which was akin to her telling me she loved my paintings I used to give her as a kid – worth it. *

BE INSPIRED…

Inspiration and Iterations opens at NERAM on Friday 29 September and will continue until 4 February 2024. Come and be inspired.

neram.com.au

INSPIRATIONS AND ITERATIONS: THE HISTORY, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL ART MUSEUM

What is your favourite artwork from the collections at New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM)? With almost 6000 artworks to choose from it’s an entertaining and almost impossible question.

Are you enamoured with the iconic landscapes by Arthur Streeton, or the masterful still-lifes and flower arrangements by Nora Heysen? Do you respond to the bold use of colour of Gunter Christmann and Sally Gabori, or do you like the darkness and mystery of Peter Booth? Everyone has a favourite (or favourites) and for Inspiration and Iterations, NERAM asked 40 contemporary artists to pick theirs.

Inspiration and Iterations is part of NERAM’s 40th anniversary program, celebrating the cultural impact of NERAM’s collections that have engaged and inspired visitors to the art museum and artists for decades.

The challenge: select your favourite artwork from one of NERAM’s nationally significant art collections. Make a new artwork inspired by your selection. Deliver your artwork to NERAM in time for the exhibition. The end.

NERAM invited 40 artists, both established and local student artists, to participate in the exhibition and to display their new work alongside the NERAM collection artworks that inspired them.

The exhibition creates an intergenerational dialogue between the NERAM collections and the continuing experimentation and development of contemporary art practices, showing how today’s artists are influenced and informed by those that came before them. It celebrates NERAM’s collections, artists who have been part of the art museum’s history, as well as art students who continue to be educated and inspired by what can be seen on the walls at NERAM. *

(left) Janet Dawson, Pig at Sunset 1974, synthetic polymer paint on canvas. The Chandler Coventry Collection. (right) HA Hanke, Equestrienne 1944, oil on canvas. The Howard Hinton Collection. Sponsored by the Paddlesack Fundraising Group in 2021 for the Adopt An Artwork Program.

Pizza Tour

THE REGIONAL ROAD TRIP

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

1. 3.

Team FOUND got our pizza sesh on at 1. Armidale’s Signor Vertelli, 2. Bellingen’s Charlie’s at Church, 3. Yamba’s Drift Pizza Bar and 4. Tamworth’s Papa Luigi’s.

4. 2.

THE PIZZA SESH

It’s Friday night (or any night, let’s face it). You’re getting serious pizza vibes. But not pizza as you once knew it. We’re talking about the kind of pizza you could stumble across on the streets of Siena. It’s traditional, fresh, edgy and addictive. Why settle for deep-pan basics when chefs throughout the region are ramping things up a notch for our pizza-lovin’ pleasure? Here’s a few to get you started. You’re welcome.

SIGNOR VERTELLI

ARMIDALE

@signor.vertelli

No. 4 Cetara anchovies, chilli, olives, garlic, gorgonzola cheese. What an entrance. Simple yet sophisticated and all kinds of moreish, the No.4 pizza on Signor Vertelli’s menu is a must-try. These guys have worked hard to develop a unique and delicious pizza recipe, set apart by their slowfermented dough made using a blend of organic wholegrain flours from Wholegrain Milling in Gunnedah, topped with perfectly balanced, fresh veggies and organic free-range small goods. Just add a bottle of Nebbiolo from New England vineyard Topper’s Mountain and be sure to save room for the tiramisu.

PAPA LUIGI’S TAMWORTH

@papa_luigis_

The Gourmet Supremo This right here is the most popular pizza at Papa Luigi’s HQ – and we can see why. We’re talking salami, ham, cabanossi, onion, mushroom, anchovies –but wait, there’s more – olives, capsicum, tomato, fetta, bocconcini and mozzarella. Wowser, that’s a lot, but we’re here for it. Savour the moment with a tipple (or two) of Chianti and if by some miracle you have room afterwards, we have two words for you: Nutella. Pizza.

DRIFT PIZZA BAR YAMBA

@driftyamba

The Gigi Voted a hands-down favourite by team FOUND, this bad boy is delicious with a capital ‘D’. House-smoked bocconcini teamed with pesto, basil and… wait for it… vodka sauce. Say what?! You heard us. Pair with a glass of wine or cocktail from their curated list, you can’t go wrong. They also happen to have a pretty incredible gelato offering. Try the hazelnut – it’s to die for.

CHARLIE’S AT CHURCH BELLINGEN

@charliesatchurch

Wood smoked eggplant A regular on the specials list, this combo of wood smoked eggplant, baby zucchini, cherry tomato and pecorino is seriously dreamy. A friendly heads up, it can be tough to choose just one pizza at Charlie’s. Head Chef Simon Jones (who happens to have a Michelin star and over 25 years’ experience in some of the best restaurants around the world) likes to mix them up regularly. But no matter what you choose, all pizzas are traditionally made by hand, using exceptional local ingredients, organic Australian flour and cooked to perfection in a divine Italian Moretti oven. There are also vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available – huzzah. *

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GET YOUR FASHION FIX

Jeanette Donaldson is thrilled to take over the reins of Concepts of Armidale – after all, fashion was her first love. Today, the store is filled with fun, family and your next fashion fix.

As a child, Jeanette Donaldson would spend hours playing with her Barbie dolls. She’d dress them, style them, add accessories then mix outfits up all over again. These days, it’s a memory that makes her laugh – as the new owner of Concepts of Armidale, she spends her time doing the same thing but on a larger scale.

“I’ll be changing one of the mannequins and just start smiling to myself – it’s funny how what we enjoyed doing as kids somehow returns to our lives as adults,” she says.

A lover of fashion for as long as she can remember, Jeanette’s first job out of school was at a men’s department store in Griffith, NSW. After travelling the world, honing her skills in administration management, growing her family and working alongside husband Alistair on their small farm outside of Ebor, 2023 was the year Jeanette jumped back to her first love.

“I’d been working part-time at Concepts for four years when the opportunity to buy the store came up. When the previous owner made the decision to move on to other adventures, it felt like a very natural transition for me to purchase the business,” says Jeanette.

Since taking over the reins, you’ll see some new and exciting labels lining the walls – including Country Road, Mimco, Frankie4, State of Embrace, Jamie Kay, Milky and Animal Crackers. And when it comes to deciding what labels to bring into the store, Jeanette is all ears.

“I listen to my staff, our customers, my friends and family –having feedback from the community is invaluable,” she says.

“My 16-year-old daughter shares her suggestions for the younger generation, while my full-time team member Jane is very experienced in retail and is a great asset to the shop and our purchasing decisions. Together, we’re working to address gaps in the local market here in Armidale, particularly around good quality clothing for children. We’re thrilled to have Country Road on board not only in the men’s and women’s ranges, but for children and babies too.

SHOP

Concepts of Armidale is the mini department store you’ve all been looking for. We recommend you visit asap to indulge in their exquisite spring/summer range.

Armidale Plaza, Shop 60B 195-197 Beardy Street conceptsofarmidale.com.au @conceptsofarmidale

“We had a lovely comment from a customer a while back, who said it felt like a mini David Jones in town, because we really do cater for everyone.”

It’s true – if you haven’t had the pleasure of stepping inside Concepts, you’re missing out. From R.M. Williams to FRANKIE4, Akubra to Elm, there’s a whole range of beautiful, high-quality labels on offer. Need a pair of shoes, a bag, a necklace to go with that new outfit? Jeanette’s got you covered there too, with brands like Zag Bijoux, Estella Bartlett and Zjoosh within easy reach of the changerooms so you can design an entire outfit (or two!) on the spot. It’s fun, it’s welcoming and – without a shadow of a doubt – you’ll walk out feeling great.

“I hope people feel all those things and more when they visit us in-store,” adds Jeanette.

“Concepts has a good feeling, a great vibe and it’s a place where people can come and look around, enjoy the beautiful things and catch up with friends. It makes me so happy to see people enjoy the stock we have – it feels like an Aladdin’s cave, where they walk in and discover a unique treasure they’ll wear and love for years to come.” *

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. 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.

DANIELLE MORTON, ZONDII

In a nutshell, what does Zondii do? Zondii is a global technology company that instantly verifies and validates food and fibre using your Smartphone or handheld device. The technology picks up markers across multiple vertices – from verifying organic status and confirming authenticity to identifying wool fibre micron for on-farm wool testing.

Where did the idea come from? I’d recently moved from Sydney to Armidale and sought support from the UNE Incubator regarding a start-up I was working on with apps for photo editing. But they identified early on that it wasn’t my passion and encouraged me to pursue gut health and food as medicine. That led to me building a dual-sided marketplace to connect farmers producing healthy food with families who were struggling to find it. Before long, the farmers were asking me to authenticate their produce. So I searched for available technologies to help and discovered the inventors of this amazing technology, Dr Udo Seiffert and Dr Andrea Matros. By partnering with their company, Zondii licences this technology to help farmers authenticate their produce.

How does the platform work? Previously, if you wanted to find out information about an apple, you’d put it in an envelope, post it to a laboratory and wait a couple of weeks for the information to be sent back. It was expensive, destructive and generally reserved for large-scale businesses. Instead, the inventors took some of that technology, called spectral technology, and made it compatible with a smartphone or handheld device along with AI Machine Learning.

To use wool classing as an example, some farmers don’t use the current process for wool testing due to accessibility, cost or time-consuming mustering. So a lot of farmers don’t know their wool micron data until after the bales are sold. But with our technology, they will be able to access that data on wool classing days and make premium bales with a lower micron. This has the potential to increase the revenue for their wool bales due to their lower micron bales. We are working with wool classers across Australia who are just as keen to access the technology as the farmers.

Could this be done in a city? In a word, no. Being regional has been absolutely instrumental in allowing us to ask farmers what they need. In the research phase, before building our technology, we were on farm asking questions and working with the sheep to understand the technology from a farmer’s perspective. Having that opportunity on our doorstep is priceless and has undoubtedly set us aside from an AgTech perspective.

How has the SRI helped? We wouldn’t be here without them. They gave me all the support, mentorship and tools I needed to take it forward. They’ve also been instrumental in helping us forge industry connections, providing a space to work, coaching and providing access to the leverage program that taught us how to build a great business from the foundation up. I’d like to say a big thank you Dr Udo Seiffert, Dr Andrea Matros, Mandy Walker and the UNE SRI, Tech Ready Women, SBE Evolve, Scale Investors and Rare Birds, the Zondii team – and our amazing investors. Combined they’re the reason we’re here today.

BILL MITCHELL, OPTIWEIGH

In a nutshell, what does Optiweigh do? Optiweigh has solved the problem of collecting real-time livestock weight information direct from the paddock. The portable units automatically report individual animal weights and rates of gain – all without the time and livestock stress associated with yarding animals. This information is delivering significant benefits to over 350 farm businesses around Australia through improved decisions across marketing, nutrition, genetics and animal health

Where did the idea come from? It started on my own farm back in 2014. I designed and built the product myself and used it for five years before I decided to try and commercialise it. In 2019, we had to de-stock during the drought and building the business proved a great distraction.

How does the platform work? Thanks to its in-built functionality, complete mobility, satellite connectivity and data portal delivering daily email updates, Optiweigh not only saves significant time and effort in bringing the cattle to the yards for weighing, but arms cattle farmers with the info they need when getting livestock ready to sell. It’s easily towed by a buggy or ute, takes less than two minutes to set up and entices cattle to weigh themselves thanks to an attractant, such as a dry-lick or molasses block. Once they’ve stepped onto the unit they have their EID recorded and front feet weighed – this information is then sent to the cloud and an algorithm applied to calculate total body weight.

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

It’s delivering real-time feedback around the decisions cattle farmers are making and creates an opportunity to improve productivity significantly as a result.

Could this be done in a city? This wouldn’t have happened if I lived outside of this region – we have seven staff, three of whom are recent graduates from the University of New England. It’s because of them that we’re able to grow the way we have. If I was in the city, I wouldn’t have access to the quality of people we have on the ground here. There are AgTech companies in the city screaming out for good staff, and I’ve got them here on my doorstep. We’re in an incredibly fortunate position here – if there’s one thing that Armidale and the New England region has, it’s this fantastic culture and tradition around agricultural innovation, education and research. I’m really keen to make sure I contribute to that in every way possible.

How has the SRI helped? I started out by myself, working from home with this idea – I knew that it worked and had great potential, but needed a hand to get going. That’s where the SRI has offered huge value. It was good to be involved with other people in AgTech start-ups, have somewhere to host a meeting and focus on your product. Because of that start we’re now in a strong position to evolve the product and are hoping to soon release a sheep weighing unit. We’re also in a trial export stage with the United Kingdom, North America, South America and New Zealand – so generating export incomes for the region has been a great thing too. The future is bright, that’s for sure. *

A LIFELONG BOND

THE ENDURING FRIENDSHIP OF SCHOOL DAYS

Over 60 years ago, this group of women met on the grounds of the Tamworth Church of England Girls School, now Calrossy Anglican School. Supported by the kind of community you can only find in a New England country town, it was there they learnt the importance of a strong work ethic, independence, authenticity and caring for others. Fast forward to today and the foundations laid in the classroom remain, ensuring their lifelong friendship is stronger than ever.

It’s not a feeling known by many – sharing your world with someone for almost 70 years. But that’s something Calrossy alumni Prue Hartigan, Helen Easterman, Jacque Fogarty, Carol Scott and Jillian Morphett have managed to achieve since they met on school grounds back in the 50s, when both the school and the New England region looked a little different.

In that time, they’ve come to consider each other as family. “There are no airs and graces”, and to be perfectly honest it’s hard to get a word in edgeways since they all tend to finish each other’s sentences. That chatter is glorious, the laughter loud and the wine flowing. This right here is friendship goals, Calrossy style. Here they reflect on some of their fondest memories shared back in the old school yard.

“I was an only child, so I loved finding these mates. I hated going home at holiday time, except when I used to go out to Walgett with Carol’s family – they were great memories.” Prue

“The first thing I remember is her name – I’d never met anyone called Prudence before. But we’ve been best friends ever since.” Helen

“Some of my best memories include the fact I actually learnt something at school. My parents had been trying to teach me correspondence and it didn’t stick – but it was lovely to have that routine at school, to do our work together and actually get things done.” Carol

“Prue and I were twins at school – we both had blonde hair and blue eyes. I’d get into trouble because they’d think I was Prue! Meanwhile, Prue was a good girl because they thought she was me.” Jillian

“Being at boarding school, you made a lot of friends and you helped each other. It’s very special to have made lifelong friends. You also had access to a lot of sports that you otherwise wouldn’t have, so that was fantastic too.” Jillian

“Time at school taught you to be very independent from a young age – and we’ve been very loyal friends. I’ve made a real effort to keep us all together because they were my family for years and years.” Prue

“It also taught us to have high expectations of ourselves, to have standards – I guess that Christian education rubbed off on us a bit at least. Let’s just say it gave us the foundation of Christianity. Whether we followed in that direct line or not, it taught us about caring and looking after people and I think we’ve all got a bit of that in us.” Jillian

“I think we’re all genuine people. Anyone we’ve kept in touch with, they’re the real deal – there’s no airs and graces about any of us.” Prue

“I think one of the things that we’ve got, is that whenever we’re together we pick up where we left off, and that’s very special. We’ve had a lot of fun keeping in touch. Even though we might not see each other for months, when we do, it’s like it was yesterday.” Jillian

“We were responsible for doing our own laundry from the age of 12. Every Saturday morning, outdoors, in a plastic wash basin, summer or winter. That will teach you to be self-reliant very quickly.” Carol

“Matron Hazel Holding was there for all our school years too – she was terrific. She was a registered nurse – she had her

favourites and I think I was probably one of them. You could go up to the sick bay and have a chat with her every night before prep. She was instrumental in getting the Bishop to see my point of view when I got expelled. One Saturday, I’d missed check off because I’d gone to the swimming pool with three other girls to meet some of the boys from Christian Brothers College. We had a lovely afternoon down there, then when we got back we saw all these mistresses at the school’s entrance – that’s when we knew something was amiss.” Carol

“I think I enjoyed playing sport more than doing anything else – it was called basketball back then, but it was netball. They were the kind of opportunities we wouldn’t have had access to if it wasn’t for the school. I cherish that, alongside our friendship.” Jacque

“Everybody needs a Prue in their class who gets everybody together for anniversaries and things like that. You just need someone who’s the key organiser and just does it.” Jacque *

Calrossy celebrates 100 years at the Brisbane Street site this year. To mark the occasion, a documentary that uncovers more of the Calrossy story and features interviews with the school’s alumni and past staff on the historic Brisbane Street Campus will be shown at The Capitol Theatre on Friday 15 September.

Calrossy will also host a 100-year anniversary Ball at Wests League Club on 14 October, and the Sydney alumni gathering will be held on 28 October. For more details and information, visit the school’s website or give them a call.

calrossy.nsw.edu.au (02) 5776 5100

Back L-R – Jillian Morphett (Brown), Prue Hartigan (Delaney). Front L-R – Jacqui Carol Scott (Daly), Helen Easterman (Campbell), Jacqui Fogarty (Abbott).

The Oxford on Otho hosts one of the most notable, forethought, period-reflective and respective designs I have experienced.

The Oxford, since my first sighting, had piqued intrigue and awe with her alluring charm. My commendation to the design, styling and hard work that has endured to create a space that is an absolute equilibrium of contemporaries amidst utilising and paying homage to historical foundation.

Top left: Rita Winiger, Drifting VIII. Oil on canvas, 51 x 61cm. Top right: Gemma King, Karlsberg, North-East Boundary in Rainbow Paddle-pop. Monoprint/U.P single plate reduction linocut on fabriano 44x60cm. Bottom right: Paula Jenkins, Apsley River near Apsley Falls. Gouache and artgraf on paper. 29 x 39cm.

In the Frame

In the Frame

A CURATED GLIMPSE INTO THE ART WORLD WITH WESWAL GALLERY, WHERE ART IS FOR EVERYONE.

MEET THE DIRECTOR

KATE HOFMAN

We chat with Weswal Gallery Director Kate Hofman on alleviating artist anxiety, honouring their work and celebrating the moment they develop their own distinct visual language.

WORDS As told to Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Claudia Monique

It’s hard to believe, looking back now, but before working in the arts, I was in real estate. I realised after a few years that it was the houses and architecture I loved, not the 24/7 pressure to sell, sell, sell. That was not my vibe.

But one element I did take from the experience was helping people during the emotional transaction of buying a home – because investing in fine art works the same way. You can walk into a gallery, see an artwork and that’s it, an emotional connection is formed and you just know it’s something you want to have in your life.

I started a traineeship at the Tamworth Regional Gallery and it was honestly the best decision I ever made. I spent four years there surrounded by some incredibly accomplished industry professionals and absorbed so much knowledge simply by being in their presence.

LIVING IN COLOUR, NEW ENGLAND AT THE WESWAL GALLERY

Exhibitions at the Weswal Gallery change every three weeks and include a diverse range of artists, ceramicists and sculptors. To never miss an exhibition, visit their calendar online or follow along on Instagram.

weswalgallery.com.au/exhibition-calendar @weswal_gallery

One you’ll certainly want to add to your diary is Living Colour, New England – an exhibition featuring New England artists Paula Jenkins, Rita Winiger and Gemma King that amplifies and exposes subtle colours of the New England landscape. Curated by Kate Hofman herself, the exhibition is running from 30 August through till 17 September, with an opening event held on Saturday 2 September from 5pm – all welcome!

After some time off to have my first child, the Regional Gallery’s previous director bought Weswal Gallery and invited me to work here on weekends.

That was seven years ago. Two years ago I purchased the gallery and took on the role as Director. I sold two artworks on my first day and it rolled on from there. The Weswal Gallery has such a strong foundation. It’s been operating since 1981 – making it the longest-running independent commercial art gallery in the New England. Stepping into such a beloved institution like this and having learnt so much from the previous Director, I knew I was in a good position to support the artists within our walls.

That support is crucial. Because no matter how long you’ve been creating, there’s a level of anxiety that every artist brings into a show. How’s it going to be received?

Are people going to like it? Am I going to sell some works? It doesn’t matter if you’re an emerging artist at your first show or an accomplished one at your 40th, that level of anxiety is always there.

You have to wear so many hats in this role – one being counsellor to your artists, to guide them through that experience and ultimately honour them by giving their work the best hang possible.

That’s something I love, the curation process. It’s like visual problem solving and it’s very instinctual, there’s nothing mathematical about it. I’ll spend the morning laying out the work and hanging it, then walk away and come back with fresh eyes. I know that’s something artists do within the process of creation too. If you can’t figure it out, if something’s not feeling right, put it down, walk away and come back later. More often than not, you’ll see what needs to be changed – the same goes for the process of hanging a collection.

It’s really done by feel. Sometimes pieces work side by side, sometimes they fight like fire and ice. It can be difficult having those conversations with artists, explaining why it’s hung in a certain order or why some works have been left out all together. But as a curator it’s your job to step in and tell them when it’s not going to work so that you can do their collection justice – in the end, I know they appreciate that.

It’s taken me a while to find that confidence, to step out of the shoes of ‘employee’ to ‘director’ – but I’m there now. I’m at a point where I’m creating my own vision within the business and it feels good. We show artists from all over the country, from emerging to more established, but the one common thread is that I see merit in their work. I can see they’re at a point where they’ve developed their own distinct visual language and they’re committed to their practice. That’s an exciting, beautiful development to witness in an artist, and I’m so t hrilled to help share that pivotal shift with everyone who sets foot inside the Weswal Gallery. *

9 September 2023 to 11 Februar y 2024

Tamworth Regional Gallery

466 Peel Street, Tamworth NSW 2340 p. 02 6767 5248 e. gallery@tamworth.nsw.gov.au

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm

tamworthregionalgallery.com.au

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

STEEPLE COUNTRY ESCAPES

Rhiannon Graham first laid eyes on the Limbri Church in a real estate office window. Today, she has breathed new life into the unique accommodation that, under its new name of Steeple Country Escapes, provides a luxurious country retreat just a hop, skip and a jump from major regional centres.

PHOTOGRAPHY Georgie Gavel @creativebygeorge

GETTING THERE

Rev your engines for this one folks – except don’t, please follow road rules and drive safely. But whatever direction you’re coming from, you’re best placed driving to Steeple Country Escapes. Found in Limbri, a quaint village in regional NSW, this unique accommodation is just a 25-minute drive from Tamworth, an hour from Walcha, a little over an hour from Armidale, three and a half hours from Bellingen and four hours from Coffs. The journey is a good one, with sealed roads taking you through rolling hillsides and along the beautiful Cockburn River. So get a playlist prepped and hit the road (once again, safely).

THE STORY

Owner Rhiannon Graham first laid eyes on the building in a real estate office window. What started as a novel discussion about how cool it would be to own a church quickly turned to a casual inspection and ultimately led to Rhiannon purchasing the Limbri Church in June 2022. These days, people far and wide are invited to experience the novelty of staying in the converted church that was originally built in 1906. Now reborn as a luxury country retreat, the space feels intimate and homely, offering the perfect place to relax, think, be creative, take time for yourself and leave with a smile.

FAST FACTS

WHO?

Rhiannon Graham – a woman with a love for the rural lifestyle and a passion for hosting.

WHAT?

Steeple Country Escapes – a 1906 church converted into a luxury retreat.

WHEN?

Book online at: steeplecountryescapes.com @steeple__

WHERE?

Limbri, NSW

THE STAY

Steeple Country Escapes sleeps six lucky souls across three bedrooms (two queen beds and one double) – perfect for group catch-ups or family adventures (including the dog since it’s pet-friendly!). The building boasts beautiful high ceilings, original floorboards and stained glass windows – heritage features that Rhiannon has worked wonders to highlight alongside luxuries like plush linens, built-in wardrobes, soft mattresses, a clawfoot bath, modern amenities, and a four-burner barbecue on the back deck. Suited to all seasons, Steeple invites you to sit out on the deck in the warmer months and watch the birds, fish and swim in the Cockburn River. In the cooler months, sit by the wood fire heater, or kick back under the country stars around the cosy fire pit.

THE INTERESTING BITS

While there is mobile reception and free Wi-Fi, we recommend Steeple Country Escapes as the perfect place to switch off from the world. Driving to the church can feel like you’re heading way off the beaten track – soak up that feeling – then be greeted by the breathtakingly beautiful, heritage church facade. Enjoy a wine on arrival, sit around the fire and stare up at the stars. When morning comes, Steeple’s own hens will soon arrive to take up their role supplying fresh eggs for breakfast. Feel like exploring further afield? How about by horseback? Tamworth and Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures is around the corner, ready and raring to host you on a horse trail ride. *

COMING SOON

Presented by Sydney Comedy Festival

Based on the book by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas Adapted by Eva Di Cesare and Sandra Eldridge. Directed by Sandra Eldridge

Presented by Tamworth Musical Society

by Just Irresistible

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

#RESPONSIBLELUXURY

So you’re considering a jaunt to the (semi) big smoke? You’re seeking luxury vibes, but are also environmentally conscious and keen to travel with a lighter footprint? Enter Newcastle’s first five-star hotel with the heart of an eco-warrior: the Crystalbrook Kingsley.

WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Crystalbrook Kingsley

An old soul with a fresh twist, the award-winning Crystalbrook Kingsley boasts seriously sophisticated rooms, Newie’s best rooftop bar (pour us up a G&T at Romberg’s), an epic dining experience with harbour views (pull up a chair at Roundhouse) and – most importantly – an environmentally friendly core.

Here’s how Crystalbrook Kingsley serves up sustainably considered, luxury accommodation, a restaurant and bar so you can travel with a lighter footprint. They call it: #ResponsibleLuxury

COUNTING CLIMATE CALORIES

Dining with a clear conscience just got a whole lot easier. When you sit down to breakfast, lunch or dinner with Crystalbrook Kingsley, take a minute to peruse the climate calories labels on all menu items. This stroke of genius enables you to see at a glance if the ingredients you’re about to devour are locally sourced within a three-hour drive (spoiler alert – 80 per cent of their fresh fruit and produce are), sustainably grown or caught, are culturally considered using native ingredients and working with Indigenous producers, and ultimately supplied to the restaurant in eco-friendly packaging.

“We are so lucky to be in such close proximity to the rich farmlands of the Hunter Valley and to be situated on Australia’s beautiful eastern coastline,” says Josquin Crepelliere, General Manager, Crystalbrook Kingsley. “We are proud to partner with local suppliers including

Hunter Valley Premium Meats and Pukara Estate, along with a local seafood supplier, Shane’s Seafood, who has been servicing local restaurants for 35 years.”

GUILT-FREE CAFFEINE HITS

Time for a post-meal cuppa? You spy the coffee pods and your eco-warrior alarm starts to wail. Hit pause my enviroloving friend, because Crystalbrook Kingsley has partnered with TerraCycle to offer a zero-waste approach to coffee capsules. That means all used pods are either mechanically or manually separated into metal, organics and plastics. Next, metals are melted for recycling, the organics head off to be composted, while the plastics undergo extrusion and pelletisation to be moulded into new recycled plastic products. Ahhh, a cup of jo never tasted so good.

BATHROOM AMENITIES = BIODEGRADABLE

That’s right, all bathroom amenities are biodegradable or recyclable, including a toothbrush made from sugarcane and EcoPure lining in all packaging to help fast-track the biodegradation process. Large pump bottles also proudly replace those teeny, tiny travel-sized tubes. That decision alone has saved approximately 1.9 million bottles from going into landfill every year. #respect

“We are also proud to partner with an Australian-owned company called Vanity Group, who share our passion for creating luxurious, sustainable amenities that are vegan certified and use eco-packaging,” adds Josquin.

Keen to stay? Check them out online today. But first, we’ll leave you with this final top tip. For each night you choose to have a ‘footprint-free stay’ (aka – decide not to have your room serviced and linen changed) you’ll be rewarded with a $10 food and beverage credit to spend at their restaurant and bar. Good vibes all round.

282 King Street, Newcastle crystalbrookcollection.com/kingsley @crystalbrookcollection

“we aspire to protect the environment and create sustainable experiences that enhance, rather than compromise, the guest experience.”

RECYCLE, RECYCLE, RECYCLE

Straight up, these folks know how to recycle. We’re talking about reusable glass bottles in all rooms, coat hangers made from 100 per cent recycled pressed cardboard and all straws, disposable bags and takeaway containers made from corn, sugar cane and related environmentally friendly materials.

Even the architectural concept for Crystalbrook Kingsley observes Crystalbrook Collection’s values of Responsible Luxury.

“Construction involved local suppliers where possible, who reused and retained as much of the original fabric within the building and recycled all demolished materials through local recycling facilities,” says Josquin.

“Crystalbrook Kingsley also features key furniture pieces made by a local carpenter using reclaimed timbers with natural dyes and sealers, carpets made from environmentally friendly 100 per cent undyed sheep yarns, and key decorative pieces crafted by a nearby potter.”

PAPERLESS TECH

Think you’ll catch them out with paper? Think again. Thanks to in-room iPads, these clever clogs have removed approximately 90 per cent of paper typically found in hotel rooms. The team also runs a paperless press office, paperless check-in and check-out and when paper is required, will only use recycled or Forest Stewardship Council certified paper stocks. Checkmate.

“At Crystalbrook Kingsley we aspire to protect the environment and create sustainable experiences that enhance, rather than compromise, the guest experience,” adds Josquin. “We offer our guests a luxury, culturally connected stay that we hope leaves them feeling empowered and inspired to travel with a lighter footprint.” *

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 Supplied by Regional Australia Bank

HEAR OUR HEART

DUBBO & DISTRICT SUPPORT FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CREATING A COMMUNITY THAT CARES.

In 1997, the Dubbo & District Support for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing came to life after Donna Rees, the parent of a deaf child and recently qualified teacher of the deaf, grew frustrated with the lack of support available within the community.

In the three decades that followed, the group has grown significantly, providing support for the deaf and hard of hearing – both adults and children –as well as their families.

Today, the group provides assistance for medical trips for specialist appointments, raises funds to improve the educational facilities available to the deaf and hard-of-hearing children of Dubbo, provides emotional support for the deaf and hard of hearing and their families, promotes community awareness and organises group functions, family and student camps and meetings – among an array of other services.

In 2012, the group, which is not-for-profit and run by volunteers, launched the Hear our Heart Ear Bus project – which plays a significant role in helping raise awareness and education around healthy ears, as well as early identification of ear issues, which left untreated could result in hearing loss.

“The Hear our Heart Ear Bus Project provides quality targeted hearing screening, hearing loss and otitis media awareness and prevention education, specialist referrals plus follow-up for children in all settings, including infants, preschool/early education, primary and secondary schools in Dubbo and close surrounding districts,” says Donna.

Getting the Ear Bus on the road was a significant achievement in the group’s evolution. The customised vehicle was donated by Dubbo locals Terry and Kathy Green, who at the time owned Sainsbury Automotive, while the interior fit-out, including a sound-proof booth, was completed by Alloy Welding Dubbo.

“Without the Ear Bus providing free ear health and hearing checks for our local kids, many hearing issues would go undetected and untreated, resulting in possible lifelong disadvantages,” explains Donna.

“We support local children in many ways. Diagnostic –referral, parent and teacher education to help deepen their understanding of ear health, hearing loss and the ramifications of all hearing health-related issues. The organisation is very multifaceted, but has the goal of helping the parents as first teachers navigate and get the best possible outcomes for their children.” ››

LAMB

JUMPERS

KEEPING PODDY LAMBS SAFE WHILE ENHANCING THE FARMING COMMUNITY.

Back in July 2018, regional NSW was in the grips of drought – and Marie Knight OAM began seeing more and more stories of farmers trying to save poddy (orphan) lambs, who were suffering due to the cold.

Lambs are unable to control their body temperature when they are little, and poddy lambs, without their mother’s help to keep them protected from the elements, can suffer badly.

“I’ve always put little jumpers on our poddies,” says Coonabarabran-based farmer Marie.

“At that time, we had more poddies than usual, and my mother’s knitting group had made me extra jumpers – so I offered the spares online to anyone who wanted them to keep their poddies warm, and we had 100 requests that day.”

After speaking to Sally Bryant on ABC Rural Radio to raise awareness, Marie set up a Facebook page and received 700 requests in the first week.

Fast forward five years, and Marie and her group of knitters have given more than 360,000 lamb jumpers to farmers –as well as other items including beanies, food, baby goods and donations.

“Giving to help others was all this was about,” Marie explains. “I love sheep, my life on the land and especially poddy lambs. Our knitters love to help, and the farmers love the jumpers –they really work.”

A strong sense of community has been created by Lamb Jumpers, and the group continues to play a major role in supporting and helping the farming community.

“The highlight of the whole thing is the community that has been created, and the support given to so many – hearing stories from farmers about how that parcel of jumpers, made with such love, helped them get through some very hard times.”

SCONE THOROUGHBREDS

PLAYING A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE SCONE COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

Rugby league has been a staple of regional NSW life for as long as any of us can remember – and for more than 100 years, rugby league has dominated life in Scone.

Today, the Scone Thoroughbreds are one of the most successful teams in country rugby league. The club competes in Group 21, has claimed – to date – 31 firstgrade premierships, 16 reserve grade, one seconddivision, 16 under-18s and six ladies league tag titles, after the women’s team was introduced in 2015.

With such a long history in the town, situated in the Upper Hunter Valley, it’s unsurprising the club plays a key role in the community.

A loyal band of supporters cheer on the teams home and away, while the club plays a big role for the town’s youngsters, offering coaching from an early age and a pathway into not only the Scone senior teams, but elite rugby league competitions, too.

“Our junior players are regularly our ‘ball kids’ for our senior games, and our senior coach ensures that the ‘older’ juniors are part of our early training sessions so they are more comfortable with their future transition to the senior club,” says David Casson, Secretary.

“This is all part of strengthening our club’s ‘base’ and ensuring we continue to have the younger players step up into the senior ranks.”

Community support is key

The club relies heavily on volunteers from the local community, and it’s imperative for the club to raise funds, from sponsorship as well as donations, wherever it’s possible to do so.

“We have quite significant ‘bills’ to pay at the end of the year in this regard, and the more successful your club, the higher the cost in payments tends to be, as this is based on winning games – our first grade was undefeated this year,” says David.

A lot of that sponsorship, which is so essential for the club’s continuation, comes from local businesses – and the Thoroughbreds reciprocate the goodwill, promoting and supporting sponsors whenever possible.

As with many local sporting clubs, facilities sometimes leave something to be desired, and David says Scone Park is in desperate need of a new grandstand and changing rooms – particularly with the increasing participation of female players – as well as canteen facilities.

“Ideally, we need facilities that not only meet our needs, but also reflect our success over many years. This is a multi-million dollar project, and we will be looking to gain significant government support to fund the build,” explains David. “We’ll get there, and the next 100 years look bright.” *

“Connecting the region’s employers with potential employees will also strengthen workforce development and participation in the region."

CONSTRUCTION ON COUNTRY

Rechelle Leahy’s career has spanned over 20 years in all levels of government. She recently completed a six-year term with the National Rural Women’s Coalition, is a sitting Board Member of the Local Land Services, a Board Director with the Classification Review Board, a Board Member of the Australian Gender Equality Council and a Member of the ABC Advisory Board.

Rechelle is also a global advocate for rural women and girls, having represented civil society at the United Nations – Commission on the Status of Women for the past six years. She has also established a successful business, RegionalCollab, as a platform to further build opportunity in these areas and was named one of Australian Financial Review ’s 100 Women of Influence in 2019.

Above all, her primary focus and passion revolves around gender equality, equity and policy improvements, particularly concerning rural, regional and remote women and girls in Australia. From that passion, the idea for Construction on Country was born. The program, which is being run as a grant from the NSW Government – Department of Education, will provide an introduction to trade opportunities for Indigenous women across the New England North West.

Here, Rechelle shares how Construction on Country will provide local women with a pathway to economic security, build their confidence and ultimately arm them with the tools they need to become leaders and mentors in their own communities.

WORDS As told to Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Ed Campbell

The program idea began after a number of conversations with women in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community as part of the Local Jobs Program. Many women are keen to learn and are just looking for the opportunity to participate in practical programs.

From our work in the Local Jobs Program, we know that the New England and North West region has some of the highest unemployment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women across Australia. We also know that many women, especially those from cohorts with more barriers to workforce entry, are just not aware of the job opportunities available to them.

After discussions with grant partners including Guda Birgingira, iStem Co. and Community Corporate, we developed a program that would focus on helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and refugee and migrant women into alternative trades pathways. We called it Construction on Country.

Young women, women of colour, Aboriginal women and culturally and linguistically diverse women will be encouraged to participate in a range of pre-employment sessions including pathways to a career in trades such as construction, electrical, metal fabrication, carpentry and bricklaying. ››

EMPOWERING WOMEN INTO TRADES

Construction on Country is a program providing pre-employment, mentorship, connection and opportunities for women across the New England North West to consider a trade pathway. The program will be held on the lands of the Kamilaroi, Gomeroi and Gamilaroi people (Tamworth).

To register your interest today, simply scan the QR code below.

Rechelle

Leahy:

Construction on Country Program Lead, RegionalCollab founder and global advocate for rural Australian women and girls.

Participants will also be provided with exposure to trades employment through employer site visits and information forums, as well as professional and personal development opportunities, including connected mentoring sessions both during and post-program. There’ll also be wraparound services such as resume building, interview techniques and overall confidence building.

Connecting the region’s employers with potential employees will also strengthen workforce development and participation in the region, reducing barriers to entry into trades occupations, facilitating employment opportunities and addressing ongoing skills shortages in multiple trades across the region.

Construction on Country will run for the next 12 months. We knew that to do this we would need some funding support so we decided to apply to the Connecting Women to Trades grant program from the NSW Government.

At RegionalCollab we have a strong background in working with government programs, including having been awarded Local Jobs through to 2025, so we know what it takes to write a grant or tender proposal. We have the grassroots knowledge of what we need in the region, we know the pressures that employers are under and we also know our unemployed caseload really well.

“I wanted to build a program that is a culturally safe space for our participants and that reflects their lived experience."

A strong partnership with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community was also crucial from the outset. So I ensured we worked with women who had experience in the community with specialist knowledge and cultural awareness, which has led to the partnership with Guda Birgingira from Armidale as well as iStem Co. and Community Corporate, all run by women of colour and women from diverse cultural backgrounds.

I am a strong believer in bringing together women in all their diversity. I wanted to build a program that is a culturally safe space for our participants and that reflects their lived experience. Too many programs are built without consideration of these needs and

I can’t think of a better way to build our women’s confidence but to see women like themselves succeeding in trades industries. It’s not about ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ – we focus on ‘you can be what you can see!’

Ultimately, we want the program to provide women with the opportunity to see themselves in a trade role. Many women may never have thought that they could enter a trade or may not have known where to start – we want to help them build a road map to their future. We want to help build their confidence, provide them with a pathway to economic security and help them become leaders and mentors across their own communities. *

SUPPORT THE PROGRAM

Construction on Country is looking for as many businesses as possible interested in building their workforce to include women in trades. The women will have the opportunity to complete a few units of accredited training and then be invited to a ‘meet the employers’ forum. If employers are interested in a participant, they are encouraged to offer traineeships or apprenticeships. Business owners who are interested in supporting the program can get in touch via the Local Jobs Program by emailing Rechelle at: rechelle@nenwfacilitator.com.au

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.

THE MAGIC PUDDING

Sara Winston-Smith can remember visiting the Tamworth-based gift store she now calls her own as a child. Today, The Magic Pudding (affectionately known as ‘The Pud’) not only brings a smile to Sara’s face, but to the faces of people throughout the region too.

WORDS Steph Wanless

How did your life at The Magic Pudding begin? It all started 10 years ago – 1 October 2013 was my first day in the shop. Before that I was working as an agronomist, a finance broker in agriculture. It’s a very male-dominated industry and I wasn’t being given opportunities to progress. So when my position was made redundant, I took some time off to really think about what I wanted to do. I was gardening and house-sitting for people, babysitting and doing pub work. Then I heard on the grapevine that this shop was for sale and I couldn’t believe my luck. I’d been coming here for years, ever since I was a child. Within two weeks it was mine and it just flowed from there.

In what way has becoming a small business owner changed your life? To be entirely honest, I’ve had my own mental health struggles for many years. Coming from an industry where I was completely trodden on, I needed this shop to feel good about life. It has given me the confidence to move into a zone where I’m in charge, I’m in control and I’ve taken the power back for myself. It’s incredible to be a part of the small business community on Peel Street too. It’s such a strong, supportive group and I’m proud to be part of something that supports not only the people in town, but the farmers beyond too. There’s so much fantastic stuff being made in this region, and including their products in our hampers is a great way for us to promote and celebrate what they do.

Tell me more about the food gifting side of the business… It’s come a long way in the past 10 years, and that’s fantastic to see. Locally grown food is now seen as a beautiful gift idea, an indulgence at a dinner party or simply a way to support your local community. People now see the value in the food products that come from the region, they’re more interested in taking the time to track them down and that’s a big part of what I love to do – bring these quality products to people and create a gorgeous, bespoke hamper in our seagrass baskets as a special gift. We have a whole range of other incredible things in store that can be added to the hamper to complement the food products, too.

Whether that’s a candle or a wheat bag, a piece of jewellery or a cheese knife, it’s these finishing touches that make our hampers truly unique, something you can’t find anywhere else.

You’re now celebrating your 10th year in business –how does that feel? I’m loving every minute. I’ve watched kids who were born at the start of this business venture head off to high school, and I’ve had a son of my own. I’ve also seen two years of drought, two years of COVID, fires, floods, mice plagues and interest rate hikes –it sounds like a lot, but we’ve weathered it all together as a community. I like to keep the conversation positive because speaking negatively can have a flow-on effect. That’s not what we need right now, we need to protect and cherish other businesses; I’m all about bringing more gift shops to town. It’s such a great thing, because the more things we have in Tamworth the more people are going to come to town to shop. We need to work together to offer people something different, unique and special, and we’re only ever going to do that if we band together.

What does the future look like for The Magic Pudding? For now, I just want to be happy here, watch people walk into my store and feel the energy. I want to help them find something that makes them – or someone they love –smile. As for what lies ahead, there are so many exciting new developments happening in our area, I’d love to open a second store down the track. That would be a whole new adventure, so keep your eyes peeled. But for now, I love what I do and I am who I am. I’m an open book. I enjoy making people smile and if that’s me being a goose on Instagram, packing hampers or sourcing new, unique products for those who share my joy for colour, then that’s where you’ll find me. *

VISIT ‘THE PUD’

If you’re on the hunt for something unique, colourful, quirky and cool, or need an incredible hamper made for a special gift or event, look no further than The Magic Pudding.

295 Peel Street, Tamworth themagicpudding.com.au @the_magic_pudding_tamworth

Image: Liam Benson, Dew (detail) 2022. Lace, organza, diamantés, glass seed beads, acrylic beads, faux pearls, crystal glass faceted beads, glass bugle beads, cotton, sequins. Photo by Jacquie Manning.

THE COFFS COAST FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

10 days of foodie decadence on the Coffs Coast? Don’t mind if we do!

PHOTOGRAPHY Leah Moore, Jay Black, Broken Open Productions, The Patch Organics

The Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival is the brainchild of Lindsay Russell. Held in 2022, the inaugural festival hosted 17 events around the region – no mean feat – that saw the team awarded a Bronze NSW Tourism Award in the Festivals Category.

This year, the 10-day event continues its celebration of local food, showcasing produce from Bellingen to Woolgoolga. Running 1-10 September, you’re invited to experience one-ofa-kind menus, dining experiences and collaborations with the region’s best chefs, foodie workshops and live music and art to boot!

Throughout it all, Lindsay’s goal is to ensure local food is the focus of the festival from start to finish.

“All festival applicants share those same values of supporting our local food movement,” says Lindsay. “We also do periodic quality control checks to ensure they’re all using local ingredients and consistently providing delicious dishes –probably the best part of my job!

“The Coffs Coast is ideal for growing incredible produce, and we’re lucky to have some passionate farmers in the region who place sustainability at the forefront of their farming practices,” she adds.

“However, what really makes a food bowl emerge is what is done with the produce. When local ingredients are turned into something delicious that people can enjoy, this is where the magic happens.”

Here, we chat with two of the local producers joining in the fun this year – Levenvale Farm and The Patch Organics.

LUIGI AND NIDYA, THE PATCH ORGANICS

In 2021, Levenvale Farm welcomed The Patch Organics to the property. A family-run business with Luigi Marasco and Nidya Bellido Beraun at the helm, they provide the community with biodynamic vegetables from their permaculture-designed market garden, as well as organic and pastured meat chicken. They also run educational workshops focusing on increasing community resilience.

“We moved from Brisbane to Bellingen because we were seeking a like-minded community to raise our family in –Bellingen is the perfect place for us,” says Luigi. “It feels like everyone is on the same page about food, health and making the world a better place.”

The Patch Organics not only grow the tastiest organic chicken on the Coffs Coast, but also try to operate as a closed-loop system.

“That means the excess from the market garden feeds the chickens, the excess from the chickens feeds the pastures, and both the market garden and the chickens feed guests attending the workshops on the farm,” adds Nidya.

The thing Luigi and Nidya are looking forward to most at the Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival is sharing their produce with the public.

“Food is a big part of our lives; coming from Peru and Italy, we have a very strong food culture. This is our first year being involved and it’s been so fun to work with the event founder Lindsay to brainstorm delicious ideas for collaboration and fusion!”

FIND OUT MORE

The Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival is 10 days of foodie decadence from Bellingen to Woolgoolga. Held at various locations from Friday 1 to Sunday 10 September, we recommend hitting up the below for more food-lovin’ info, pronto.

coffscoastfoodwine.com.au 0436 445 665 hello@coffscoastfoodwine.com.au @coffscoastfoodwine

SAM AND GEORGINA, LEVENVALE FARM

Owned and operated by Sam and Georgina Baker, Levenvale Farm is a certified organic beef cattle property in Bellingen, NSW. Together, the couple grow 100 per cent grass-fed and grass-finished cattle for their retail beef brand, Bello Beef.

“Our vision is to create a place where people can learn and grow together, share experiences and build community, regenerate our ecosystem and bring back localised food systems,” says Georgina.

Thanks to a repurposed barn and the addition of ecotourism facilities, Levenvale Farm now also offers a space for workshops and events aligned with their vision.

As for what they’re looking forward to most at the Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival? It’s the opportunity to collaborate.

“We feel blessed to live in such an abundant shire,” adds Georgina. “From collaboration with local producers to create better products, local growers to strengthen our food system, to local chefs and restaurants to highlight our local product on their menus. The ability to offer these collaborations back to the community through tourism and events really completes the circle and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to our farm and the community.” *

THE LOWDOWN ON OZHARVEST

Did you know that for every ticket purchased to the Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival, two meals are donated to locals in need thanks to the festival’s partnership with OzHarvest? OzHarvest Coffs Harbour has been rescuing surplus food and delivering it to charities that support people in need since 2014. With one van out on the road every day, the team rescues around 8000kg of food each month, delivering 24,000 meals to people in need in the region.

If you’d like to support OzHarvest, you can do so in three ways:

1. Become a food donor – donate good surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.

2. Become a volunteer – help your local community in a hands-on role.

3. Make a donation – every $1 donated enables the delivery of two meals to those in need in the Coffs Coast region.

If you’re searching for local food support in your area, visit: askizzy.com.au

96,000

the number of kilograms of good food OzHarvest collected from 28 donors

70

the number of charities OzHarvest delivers to across the region

the number of passionate volunteers supporting OzHarvest in Coffs Harbour THE STATS

18

KAI’S CAFE & RESTAURANT

It’s high time you checked out Armidale’s latest addition to the New England high country foodie scene.

WORDS Meg Miller

Inspired by their travels to New Zealand, Levi and Kathryn Rudge opened Armidale's newest cafe and restaurant, Kai’s, in February 2023. Named after their son Malachi and the Māori word for food, Kai’s serves beautifully presented, fresh and flavour-rich dishes, six days and three nights a week.

Offering a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere with a secure outdoor area for your little ones to play, Kai’s Cafe and Restaurant caters to everyone – they also believe that your child's meal should be just as good as your own, so they’re packed to the rafters with fresh ingredients.

Their best-kept secret? Kai’s offers restaurant-style dining three nights a week – and with a brand new menu, this is the perfect place for your next date night or that long overdue catch up with friends and family. You can enjoy night-time dining at Kai’s on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5:30pm – don’t forget to BYO and pair your meal with a yummy glass of wine or two.

Kai’s also caters to dietary requirements, offering gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian options. So what are you waiting for? Take your next brunch or dinner date to Kai’s – try something different. *

Planning a brekkie, lunch or dinner out and about? Kai's has got you covered. 140 Miller Street, Armidale NSW 2350 (02) 5713 0299 @kaisarmidale

DREAM SANDWICH

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

THE JELLY CAKE

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY Jen Drew

@adventuresofjen

If I could summarise my 80s childhood using a single baked good, it would be this one. Hands down. My mum was terrible at baking cakes. Terrible. But for some reason, she always nailed these. Her proven theory for baking? Jelly hides all baking disasters. This explains why 90 per cent of my birthday cakes were swimming pool cakes, even though I never actually requested one.

As for these bad boys – vanilla patty cakes rolled in half-set raspberry jelly, rolled in coconut, and butterflied with some whipped cream. Takes me right back to mum banging these out in the kitchen after aerobics – leotard, scrunch socks and one hell of a perm.

And if you’re feeling extra, turn them into mini layer cakes topped with edible flowers… not something my mum ever attempted, obviously.

Hello 1980s. Bright pink, high in sugar, processed food galore and so ridiculously delicious you can’t help but smile. *

FRIENDS OF FOUND

Another Tasty Event anothertastyevent.com.au @anothertastyevent

Barnson barnson.com.au @barnson_pty_ltd

Brennan & Smith Optometrists brennanandsmith.com.au @brennanandsmithoptometrists

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Calrossy Anglican School calrossy.nsw.edu.au @calrossyanglicanschool

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

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Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au @dorrigofolkbluegrassfest

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Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges rydges.com/accommodation/regionalnsw/powerhouse-hotel-tamworth @powerhousetamworth

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Regional Australia Bank regionalaustraliabank.com.au @regionalaustraliabank

Roberts + Morrow rm.net.au @roberts_and_morrow

Tamworth Regional Gallery tamworthregionalgallery.com.au @tamworthregionalgallery

The Australian Hotel @aussiehotelinverell

The Big Black Building thebigblackbuilding.com @thebigblackbuilding

The New Birds Boutique @thenewbirdsboutique

Tourist Hotel Narrabri touristhotelnarrabri.com.au @tourist_hotel_narrabri

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UNE SMART

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Walcha Coffee walchacoffee.com.au @walchacoffee

Walcha Council walcha.nsw.gov.au

Wests Entertainment Group, Tamworth wtlc.com.au @tamworthwests

Weswal Gallery weswalgallery.com.au @weswal_gallery

W. Short Hospitality wshorthospitality.com.au @w.shorthospitality

CLINICAL NUTRITIONIST

AdvDip NutMed | BComp Med

Specialising in children's health & wellbeing:

Gut health

TALES FROM THE BAR

WITH SARAH TUGWOOD

seabreezebeachhotel.com.au @seabreezebeachhotel

A few years ago, there were some fishermen out at sea fishing, but they wanted to get back to the Seabreeze for the schooner raffle. So they got the skipper to drop them in Horseshoe Bay where they jumped off the boat and swam to the beach. Safely on shore, they ran to the pub and got here just in time for the raffle. They managed to get their tickets before realising they didn’t bring any money – beside the change they had in their pockets! Regardless, they won the raffle, and kicked back with a few beers while waiting for their wives, wallets and dry clothes! *