Coffs Harbour Airport Magazine Issue 22 by Inflight Publishing

Issue 22 • www.inflightmagazine.com.au

Handing over the keys A change of pace for Tom and Therese Murray-Prior

AIRPORT MAGAZINE

Meet The Commando The Biggest Loser is back

Travel Bug Bites

Take a trip to Vanuatu this summer

I’M FREE

TAKE ME WITH YOU

contents on the cover 8

COMMANDO STEVE

Drop and give me 20! The hard core

Biggest Loser trainer is back and

alongside Shannon and Michelle, will

be stripping the fat off Ararat.

TAKE A BREAK IN VANUATU

Sun, sand and serenity. Could you use

some time out in Vanuatu?

HANDING OVER THE KEYS

After 14 years of managing their

security car park business at Coffs

Harbour Airport, owners Tom and

Therese Murray-Prior are handing

over the keys and taking a well-

deserved break.

features

page 8

page 23

CALLED TO SERVE

In northern New South Wales a small

band of people, passionate about

their community and their surrounding

natural environment have signed-up

and become Coffs Ambassadors.

FAMILY MATTERS

Advice on how to make your marriage

work and how to better understand

child support for when things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go

as planned.

TASTINGS ON HASTINGS

Port Macquarie shines as a regional

foodie destination with something for

the whole family.

EASTERN BREAKWALL

Take a stroll along The Great Eastern

Breakwall of Coffs Harbour.

regulars 3 Welcome Aboard 8 Chit Chat 11 Family Matters 18 Travel Bug Bites 26 Money Matters

page 18

page 30

COVER IMAGE: Coffs Harbour Airport Manager Dennis Martin with Tom and Therese Murray-Prior. Copyright Rob Cleary Seen Australia.

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PUBLISHER Patrick McElligott patrick@inflightmagazine.com.au

EDITOR Lahnee Pavlovich

WELCOME TO COFFS HARBOUR AIRPORT

lahnee@inflightmagazine.com.au

DESIGN Lawrence Borchers lawrence@inflightmagazine.com.au

ADVERTISING & ENQUIRIES WESTERN EDITION [WA] Aly Eveille aly@inflightmagazine.com.au MINING LIFE & LIVING [NATIONAL] Robyn Crouch robyn@inflightmagazine.com.au PNG MINING LIFE & LIVING Keryn Haynes keryn@inflightmagazine.com.au THE LINK Patrick McElligott patrick@inflightmagazine.com.au PRINTING www.platypusgraphics.com Airport Magazine is published bi-monthly by Inflight Publishing Pty. Ltd. Views expressed in Airport magazine are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. No responsibility is accepted by the publisher or the printer for the accuracy of information contained in the text or advertisements. Advertisements must comply with the relevant Trade Practices Act 1979. Responsibility for compliance with the act rests with the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisement. Neither the publisher nor the editor accepts responsibility for advertisements.

P U B L I S H I N G

Ph (07) 3891 7793 • Fax (07) 3891 7702 PO Box 6133, Buranda, Qld 4102

www.inflightmagazine.com.au TRADE SHOW ORGANISERS

t has been a busy and successful year for Coffs Harbour Regional Airport. Much has been achieved over the past twelve months in concert with our airline partners, aviation regulatory authorities, tenants and dedicated staff. To all, my heartfelt and sincere thanks. Through your collective efforts we accomplished many major projects this year including:-

• • • • • • • • •

Welcoming Tigerair as the third mainline carrier to service Coffs Coast. First for three days per week but as of 6 December, daily between Coffs and Sydney. Resurfacing, grooving and painting the main runway, without any interruptions to flight schedules. Extending the terminal apron to enable five aircraft to be parked at the one time. Reconfiguring the terminal building into separate arrivals and departures halls and relocating the security check-in to improve passenger convenience and airline operating efficiency. Undertaking simulated emergency exercises with Police, RFS Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance and the SES to refine our communications, search and rescue skills. Preparing a building site for the Bureau of Meterology’s imminent relocation to the inside perimeter of the airport. Formulating plans and preparing site works for hosting specialist airport-based aviation fire and rescue personnel and equipment. Assisting Eagle Copters Australasia relocate to Coffs Harbour, and Acquiring ownerships and operational responsibilities for the general and security car parks.

While this year has been busy and rewarding I am certain next year will be equally busy if not more so as we continue to improve services and facilities for all users of the Coffs Harbour Regional Airport. As the year ends so too does a special partnership with one of our long time tenants, Tom and Therese Murray-Prior. Their association with the airport goes back 14 years when they first opened Coffs Airport Security Car Park. They too have been dedicated to serving their customers, providing a quality product that is the envy of many other airports around the country. Their story is our feature story this issue so turn to page 27 for the history of this relationship. My sincere and personal thanks to both Tom and Therese. It has been a pleasure to work with you both over the last 14 years in my various roles at this airport. Please accept our sincere thanks for your contribution to Coffs Harbour Regional Airport and best wishes for a long and happy retirement. And to all, may you enjoy a safe and peaceful Christmas as you celebrate with family, friends and loved ones. Dennis Martin Airport Manager

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Eagle Copters Australasia MD Grant Boyter.

A PLACE TO CALL HOME. W

hen the new rotary wing company Eagle Copters Australasia was searching for a new base, Coffs Harbour was not initially on their radar. According to managing director Grant Boyter and chief engineer Rohan Schallmeiner the helicopter industry is currently expanding at around 12 percent per annum so it makes sense to base the business close to its clients. Locations such as Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast and Newcastle were considered primary candidates being near mining, military and oil industries as well as government regulatory and emergency services sectors. And with strong business opportunities arising in SE Asia, a more northerly location was considered to be an advantage. However, when researching their options Grant, Rohan and business partner Eagle Copters Ltd, headquartered in Calgary, Canada also took into account a range of additional factors. Well

establish infrastructure and services such as; housing, hospitals, schools and tertiary education institutions, recreation facilities, retail and regular air services to major cities were considered equally important. And, an airport at which to base the workshop and office. Another factor taken into consideration when choosing a location is the stability, practicality and can do attitude of potential employees. From their combined 60 years of experience in the industry, Grant and Rohan have learned that people from rural and farming backgrounds tend to be mechanically minded with an aptitude for aircraft maintenance engineering. Still not satisfied that their search for a home base was complete, Grant and Rohan went back to their map of east coast Australia. This was when they reconsidered Coffs Harbour, contacted Coffs Harbour Airport and discovered the airport, city and surrounds has all of the above. And the rest is history. Grant, Rohan and

two other employees relocated from the Gold Coast to Coffs Harbour to set up operations. In the next two years, it is envisaged the company will employ over 30 people and take on 3 to 4 trainees per year. Within five years, based on current industry growth, Grant estimates that the company is likely to have fifty full-time positions. And depending on projects, additional specialist engineers and helicopter technicians could be contracted bringing further economic fillip to Coffs Coast. In case you were wondering exactly what they do, their primary focus is; buying, selling and leasing aircraft, undertaking specialist fit-outs to meet client requirements and the refurbishment and maintenance of helicopters particularly from eastern Australia and SE Asia. With two hangars in the General Aviation precinct of Coffs Harbour Airport, Eagle Copters Australasia is now open for business at their new home base, Coffs Harbour Regional Airport. n

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Called to Serve T

here are people the world over who ‘sign-up’ and dedicate their lives to serving their community and country. Some choose the military, others the diplomatic corps and clergy while a good many do so for humanitarian and environmental causes. In northern New South Wales a small band of people, passionate about their community and their surrounding natural environment have signed-up and become Coffs Ambassadors. Currently there are twelve trained and accredited Ambassadors who hail from various walks of life including; a professional bush regenerator, a horticulturalist, retired teachers and restaurateurs, women with young children and other folk who still work 9-5 in a variety of professions. Their Mission: to lead tours to inform and show residents and visitors

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to Coffs Coast some of nature’s hidden treasures – in the sub-tropical rainforests, along the sea shore, in a community garden, at a private home garden and through suburban parklands. But before being commissioned, Ambassadors were given intensive training in tour guiding by the Coffs Coast Regional Co-ordinator and Discovery Rangers of the National Parks & Wildlife Service. Upon completion they began tours for which they have a particular interest, local knowledge and expertise. There’s Alison a bird lover with a Graduate Diploma in Ornithology; Greg of Aboriginal descent who is passionate about the marine environment; Adrian a retired teacher who recently developed a tour especially for children; Ian is a Koala advocate and volunteer researcher; Arlan who’s mother

set up community gardens over 20 years ago and Karla who uses her science degree in coastal management to help her with guiding sea turtle tours. To discover a little about each one of the ambassadorial team visit the Our Living Coast website where you will find a short story of their particular interests and how they come to be in the service. All Ambassadors hail from Coffs Coast which has a diversity of ecosystems ranging from coastal lakes and coral reefs to riverine estuaries, stands of tall eucalypts and subtropical rainforests. It is also home to 122 threatened wildlife species some of which you may see when on tour. Enjoying a Coffs Ambassador Tour with a volunteer guide who gives freely of his and her time, knowledge and expertise is your opportunity to enjoy, learn and appreciate

Coffs Ambassador Tours - Sea Turtles.

Coffs Ambassador Tours - Bush Tucker.

Coffs Ambassador Tour Coffs Rainforest.

Coffs Ambassador Tours Koala Tour Toormina.

the wonders of this precious natural world. Here are a few tours to tempt you. Koalas in our Backyards. The bushland reserves between the residential streets of Toormina, 10 kms south of Coffs Harbour is still home to a number of koalas who sleep, feed and forage in the tall eucalypts. It is an easy undulating stroll along paths and trails suitable for children and families. Coffs Rainforest Walk. Only fifteen minutes’ drive from Coffs city centre is Bruxner Park Flora Reserve. On this ridge that links the coast to the Great Dividing Range, you will see plants and trees that evolved from the days when Australia was part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Grow your own Sustainable Food. In the backyard garden of a Coffs Ambassador who is the local ABC

Radio’s gardening guru, you will see and learn how fruits and vegetables can be sustainably grown. If you think you need a big space, think again as this garden is compact yet very productive. Food for thought and home-grown goodness. Birds of Coffs Coast. The estuary, coastal headland, beach and off-shore islands near where Moonee Creek enters the sea of the Solitary Islands Marine Park is home for many land and sea birds. Along this 3 kms walk you pass through scrub, along the creek and onto Green Bluff Headland. In addition to the chance to see birds large and small, the coastal vistas are an added bonus. Bush Tucker at Woolgoolga Lake. Led by an Ambassador of Aboriginal heritage, you will see and taste some of the native foods that sustained Coffs Coast’s original inhabitants, the Gumbaynggirrr people. This is an easy walk beside the lake and onto the beach, where at low tide, you can see the shipwreck remains of more recent European habitation. And there are many more to choose from. All tours are for two hours and all are free. All you have to do is book. For the full list of tour options, times, dates and tour meeting place details visit; www.ourlivingcoast. com.au and click on Coffs Ambassador Tours. Coffs Ambassadors Adrian, Alison, Arlan, David, Echah, Greg, Ian, Karla, Lindy, Pauline, Sandy and Steve are at your service.

The Coffs Ambassador Tours program is an initiative of Coffs Harbour City Council funded via Council’s Environmental Levy scheme. In addition to the positive feedback received from tour participants, the program was acknowledged at the NSW 2012 Local Government Excellence in the Environment Awards. Coffs Ambassador Tours won the Communications, Education and Empowerment Award in its category (Council’s with a population over 60,000) as well as being the State-wide winner. n

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The Biggest

Loser T

he crew from Network Ten’s The Biggest Loser Australia are back and taking on the biggest challenge yet! Obesity is a huge problem in Australia, and particularly in rural and regional areas, so in season 9, the trainers are taking on one of the most overweight towns in Australia... Ararat. With a population of 11,000 residents, the picturesque town located in Victoria’s goldfields region, west of Melbourne in the foothills of the Grampian National Park, is crying out for help. More than 65% of the population in Ararat is overweight! So, get ready to glue your eyes to the TV when The Commando, Shannon and Michelle head into town to trim the fat in Ararat! Inflight Publishing Editor Lahnee Pavlovich had a bit of a chat with the show’s hardcore trainer – The Commando! YOU ARE A FORMER TEAM COMMANDER WITH THE AUSTRALIAN SPECIAL FORCES, HOW DID YOU COME TO BE A TRAINER ON THE BIGGEST LOSER? I was actually really lucky because I was presented with the opportunity to apply, a couple of guys I served with knew some of the casting agents and it all went from there. It was a fantastic decision to make. There have been some trials and tribulations as with anything in life and I’ve really had to step out of my comfort zone and take the experience head on.

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YOU ARE KNOWN AS A BIT OF A HARDCORE TRAINER; TELL ME ABOUT YOUR TRAINING METHODS AND WHY THEY WORK? My training methods are based on what I learnt in the military combined with the cross fit methodology of intensity, and it’s very much about teaching people what they should be doing, why they should be doing it and also teaching them about consistency and the choices they make toward their health and fitness. BIGGEST LOSER IS COMING INTO ITS 9TH SEASON, AND THIS TIME YOU GUYS ARE TRAINING AN ENTIRE TOWN WITH 11,000 RESIDENTS … HOW DOES THAT WORK? That’s right; we were given the challenge to remove the label of one of Australia’s most obese towns. We basically went and met the residents in Ararat, a town where over 65% of the population is overweight, and got them on-board for this challenge. They were really willing to be involved. It’s the first time ever that Biggest Loser has taken on an entire town. It’s also the first time the trainers got to choose their competitors. Those competitors then became the town champions and went to the biggest loser house. Back in the town, the residents all kept on training and often were broken into teams and did challenges where if they won, they could pass power into the house. The town champs were in this individually and also for their town and the main goal of removing that label of one of Australia’s most obese towns.

It’s all about consistency across all the different facets; consistency in the mindset, in engaging and in doing the work. You have to be consistent in your nutrition, in your training and the way you look at health and fitness. As far as training goes, it’s quite an easy approach, but discipline on a daily basis is where it’s at. That’s what I teach. I'm there to offer support and motivation,

“If in doubt, squat!”

to remind them why they are doing this in the first place and to not give up on themselves. TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOUR OWN TRAINING? WHAT’S YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE EXERCISE AND WHY? If in doubt, squat! To me, training the hips is the most important aspect of any training regime.

The interesting thing about this season is that the competitors knew each other, they came from the same town and they’d have to continue to see each other after the series ended. WILL ARARAT BE JUST THE BEGINNING? I would love to see this rolled out in more rural areas around Australia and I know other towns are keen to engage. I was in Broken Hill recently and everyone kept asking “when are you coming back to do that here?”

You become leaner, faster, stronger and your fitness just gets better and better when you train your hips. When I train I always utilise the cross fit methodology. WHAT ELSE CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN 2014? I’ve actually got a number of events coming up in 2014. I'm going to be visiting a lot of smaller rural towns, running training sessions and 3 day Commando Fit camps across the country. They are great because the results, not just weight loss,

WATCHING THE SHOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE TEND TO QUIT MENTALLY BEFORE THEY DO PHYSICALLY, HOW DO YOU GET THEM TO PUSH THROUGH THOSE BARRIERS AND KEEP GOING?

but mindset changes are incredible! I’ll also be looking at bringing out a clothing line, boosting the online side of the business and keep living the dream of working with health and fitness. n

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EXPLORE NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES CQEXPO CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

INDUSTRY & RESOURCES

19th & 20th March 2014

27th & 28th March 2014

ROCKHAMPTON SHOWGROUNDS

TOWNSVILLE ENTERTAINMENT & CONVENTION CENTRE

www.cqexpo.com.au MAJOR SPONSOR

The Central Queensland Industry and Resources Expo (CQ EXPO) is now in its third year and is firmly placed as a key trade event for Rockhampton and Central Queensland. This event is designed to support the industry and resource sectors of Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Southern Bowen and Galilee Basins, with exhibits by suppliers, service providers, government agencies and manufacturers. A new Chamber of Commerce in Rockhampton, exciting developments in the mining sector in Central Queensland, the promise of a new industry supportive Federal Government and an increased demand for energy through the Port of Gladstone are all helping to set the scene for a renewed boom time in Rockhampton, and across Central Queensland. The CQ EXPO will be the meeting place for those already active across the region and for those wanting to be a part of the action. Log on to exhibit and attend at www.cqexpo.com.au.

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The inaugural North Queensland Industry and Resources Expo (NQ EXPO) is a new event and is the third leg of the essential Industry and Resources trifecta of events in Queensland. Townsville is the economic hub and powerhouse for North Queensland, with direct air and sea links to Asia and the Pacific including PNG. It has brilliant rail and road transport access with plans in place for future expansion of these facilities. This is a dedicated trade event designed to support the industry and resource sectors of North Queensland. NQ EXPO will be the showcase for this dynamic and abundant region. It will be a targeted and cost effective opportunity to network, market and generate sales, leads and industry contacts. Industry networking functions and seminars will round out a brilliant few days of business and industry interaction and information sharing. Log on to exhibit and attend at www.nqexpo.com.au.

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ENERGY & MINING EXPO 18th & 19th June 2014 TOOWOOMBA SHOWGROUNDS www.suratbasinexpo.com.au GOLD SPONSORS

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The Surat Basin Energy and Mining Expo is Southern Queenslandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier energy, mining and resources event, servicing the booming Surat Basin, unmatched in diversity and opportunity. Now in its 4th year this event continues to break all records, attracting visitors from around Australia and across the globe. The Surat Basin covers an extensive area across South West Queensland with billions of dollars in projects under way and in the pipeline. Projects include a new jet capable airport, a new intermodal hub for the western precincts, a revised schedule for the second range

EVENT PARTNERS

crossing, new industrial estates, new shopping centres, new residential sub divisions and new roads. This event provides an excellent environment for businesses and visitors to network, market and generate sales, leads and industry contacts. With over 600 exhibitor sites for suppliers, service providers, government agencies and manufacturers, the Expo showcases extraordinary opportunities to engage in this rapidly developing region. Log on to exhibit and attend at www.suratbasinexpo.com.au.

FAMILY MATTERS

Don't be a divorce statistic: make your marriage work BY ANGIE WILCOCKS, WWW.MININGFM.COM.AU

ne in three marriages ends in divorce. None of us set out to fail, and we all do our best to make our marriages happy and successful. But do you know what makes a marriage survive? American psychologist Dr John Gottman claims that he can predict (“with 94% accuracy") which couples will end up divorcing. He bases this claim on a number of studies of married couples, observed over many years. Gottman said he could tell from the way couples interacted, even early on, which ones would struggle to stay together. What he found was pretty amazing and, given the importance of relationships to our wellbeing, I wonder why we’re not taught this sort of stuff at school! Gottman has written some great books about his findings, including The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and The Relationship Cure. Here are some of the important parts. Principles for successful relationships: • Know your partner: This might sound simple, but what Gottman noticed is that happy couples know a lot about their partner. They know historical as well as current information, like their partner’s favourite food, their hobbies and interests, who their childhood friends were, who they admire, what their dreams and fears are and what their ideal holiday would be, among other many other things. • Nurture your fondness and admiration: Happy couples like one another, and hold a generally positive view of each other. They appreciate each other and can recognise each other’s strengths and qualities. • Turn toward each other: Turning toward your partner means letting them know that you are interested, and that you care, each and every day (and not just on special occasions). This is about sending an

encouraging text message when you know your wife is having a busy day at work, taking a minute to listen to your husband’s worries, or making sure you let your partner know you’re running late. • Let your partner influence you: This isn’t about letting one person be your “boss”; it’s about working as a team, respecting your partner’s point of view, making decisions together and looking for compromise and common ground. • Overcome gridlock: This refers to talking to each other in new ways about the complicated and long-standing problems and disagreements, rather than just repeating the same old patterns of arguments. • Create shared meaning: Shared meaning can come from shared goals, shared values, shared interests, family traditions, and generally building a shared life that is about the two of you, not just the kids and the chores. One way to start to create shared meaning is to talk openly with your partner about your dreams as an individual and as a family, and to be open to hearing theirs.

Beware damaging relationship behaviours • Criticism: A criticism differs from a complaint in that it involves attacking your partner’s personality or character, rather than focusing on the specific behaviour that bothers you. It is healthy to air disagreements, but it’s unhealthy to attack your partner in the process. • Contempt: Contempt often takes the form of nastiness or sarcasm and involves being intentionally hurtful and insulting to your partner. Contempt is an open sign of disrespect. • Defensiveness: This refers to how people behave in the face of conflict or disagreement. Defensiveness is a problem because it makes even simple problems hard to solve and full of conflict. • Stonewalling: Stonewalling is a step up from defensiveness. People who stonewall simply refuse to respond to their partner’s attempts to discuss concerns or problems. They shut them out, turn away and disengage. Habitual stonewalling is very damaging to relationships because it makes problems unsolvable. It also leaves one partner feeling alone, hurt, isolated and unheard. n

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CHILD SUPPORT – the ins and outs BY MINING FAMILY MATTERS

fter years working with the Australian Child Support Agency, Chris Wellman has set up My Child Support to help separated mums and dads gain a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities. Half of all enquiries he's received since creating the support service have been from mining families. Here, Chris explains how the service works, and why he thinks it appeals to miners and their partners. Q: What exactly does My Child Support do? A: Our focus at My Child Support is to ensure separated parents are aware of their child support rights and obligations. Upon the findings of an initial phone review, we get the client to sign a CSA Representative Authority Form, which allows us to act on their behalf. This allows us to extract their case files, and we work together with the client to achieve the best possible outcome. Q: What’s your background and why did you decide to create the service? A: The Australian Child Support Agency (CSA) is a complex organization which is misunderstood by many separated parents who are either paying or receiving child support payments. I know this all too well from empathising with frustrated and confused clients of the CSA as I worked there for many years. My time with the CSA helped me to better understand clients’ rights and obligations when it comes to paying child support. I then proceeded to form My Child Support Pty Ltd as I felt there should be a service which offers separated parents the guidance to recognize their choices through what is a challenging and traumatic time in their lives. Q: Why did you contact Mining Family Matters about the service? A: It would be fair to say that every second enquiry we receive is from someone employed in the mining industry. A large percentage are FIFO (fly-in, fly-out ). We also get many enquiries from the partners of FIFO workers who are receiving/paying child support. We find the service appeals to mining workers because of their work schedules, as they are away from their families for extended periods of time. My vision is to help separated parents gain clarity on their child support rights, either fiscally and/or mentally, thereby increasing efficiency/productivity in the workplace. I believe my service would be of great benefit to all separated parents as it aims to improve the welfare of mining workers and their partners who are paying or receiving child support. Q: What are the biggest issues for people who contact you? A: Child support legislation is complex - it takes considerable time even for CSA staff members to equip themselves with a thorough knowledge of the system. So it's no surprise that the biggest issues are generally a lack of understanding of the child support system and their rights. Most of the issues are debt issues and disputes with the CSA. Q: Do people pay a fee for your service and can you tell us how it works? A: We charge a fee for our service which covers one year of dealing with the CSA.

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Q: For people encountering the world of child support for the first time, what are your top bits of advice? A: When registering a child support case, there are two options for payment: one being private collection where the payments are facilitated between the parents; and the other being CSA collection where payments are made to CSA (who will then disburse the funds to the receiving parent). Ask the CSA what type of incomes are being used in the Child Support Assessment. Also make sure you confirm CSA has the correct care levels. My Child Support deals with clients nationally. For further information, email admin@mychildsupport.com.au, phone 1300 782 577 or visit www.mychildsupport.com.au n

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DIGGER: one man, one pan and a million square miles of outback

naïve Pom stops at a pub in a Goldfields ghost town. He’s equipped with a shovel, a suitcase of books and a dog with a stupid name. "I’d like to find some gold!" he announces brightly. The huge bloke behind the bar takes a pull on his cigarillo, squints through the smoke: "Yeah," he drawls quietly, "there’s a few around here who’d like to do that…"At the age of nine, Max Anderson dug holes in his parents' back garden hoping to find treasure. At 36, he

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dug another hole for himself: he quit his well-paid job to try his luck among the hard-bitten gold prospectors of the West Australian Goldfields. Funny, honest and uplifting, DIGGER is an outback classic combining a modern adventure story with one of the greatest chapters in Australian history – the opening of the desert Goldfields. When it was first published in the UK in 2005, DIGGER sold over 20,000 copies, with Reader’s Digest subsequently printing an

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abridged edition in four languages. The perfect gift for old diggers, new diggers and people who've never been near a mine site, DIGGER is a heartwarming journey that brings to light priceless characters and gleaming rewards. To read more of Max Anderson's work, including travel stories published in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sunday Times, UK, visit www.maxanderson.com.au n

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Join the Entourage

BY ALY EVEILLE

rabbing your passport and heading to departures is liberating for many. Some people spend months planning for it, while others just pack their bags and take off on a whim. But sometimes no matter how much you plan or how spontaneous you are, things can be missed or just near impossible to do at the last minute! Imagine going to some of world’s most famous

If your idea of paradise is an an intimate, beachfront resortsetting at Samoa Point idyllic tropical combining trees and tropical gardens. With only 15elegance, villas enchantment, romance, categories, the is an oasis of peace andresort unspoiled beauty, then and The villa is furnished in a tastefully modern style Havannah, Vanuatu, awaits. You’ll find ing, king sized en-suite bathroom, private thisbed, intimate, beachfront resort in an and private garden area. unrivalled location at Samoa Point, just 3 hours from Brisbane and set amidst flame treeslazy and tropical gardens. include lagoon-side afternoons, beach ng, kayaking, petanque, tennis. air-conditioned The Point There are 15 luxurious, s gourmet cuisine using the freshestcombination of local villas offering an enticing fine wines offrom Zealand style Australian, and comfort.New All villas feature Havannah does children under king not size cater beds, tofully equipped mini bars, flat screen TV and Bose sound docking systems. The Waterfront villas have infinity plunge pools, bath

music festivals like Coachella in Los Angeles, Pukkelpop in Belgium or Yacht Week in Croatia. Imagine partying in Las Vegas in VIP bungalows with bottle service. Imagine travelling around with a bunch of people who want to see the world and have a damn good time while doing it! Better yet, imagine simply handing over your cash and having every single detail planned out for you. Welcome, Entourage Tours.

tubs, and direct access to the beach while the Lagoon villas have their own private access to a magniﬁcent split level lagoon pool. The Garden villas are secluded by tropical garden and are a short walk to the beach. Daytime activities include massages at Arom’essence Spa, lazy lagoonside afternoons, picnics on secluded beaches or enjoy the resort’s activity facilities—snorkeling, kayaking, petanque or tennis. Horse riding, Snuba, scuba diving, island tours scenic ﬂights can all be organized from the Havannah.

Entourage Tours was born by two guys from the Sunshine Coast who had a thirst for something other than another diluted tour experience. They itched to go to real music festivals and to find the world’s wildest parties. So they gave their tours a twist and became the pioneers of tours to international music festivals. Tour manager Dane Dunne says that even with time to plan, tours can be hard to put together. “We pride ourselves on an experience that no other company can offer,” he said. “Our job is to show you two weeks that you can't do on your own.” What about the coolest thing to happen on tour? “We changed one of our nights in Las Vegas at the last minute and organised getting 100 people into Surrender pool party with Diplo playing,” Dane said. “We organised a load of limousines to arrive earlier and threw in our own private bungalows with pools. This is an idea of what we do!” Entourage Tours makes it about more than just being a tourist. They don’t bother with overcrowded, over-rated attractions. They arrange to visit the most out of this world sights. Their name epitomises their nature. Your tour guide will find the hottest local haunts having unearthed each city’s finest experiences. VIP treatment is a high priority for Entourage Tours. They’ll take you to the best music festivals around the world and places that you will never ever forget. They did it first and know how to do it best. n

The Point Restaurant, with its commanding 270° views over Havannah Harbor, offers a fusion cuisine of Asian and Western inﬂuence using the freshest of local ingredients with ﬁne wines from Australian, New Zealand and French. Our local kitchen brigade has been trained to devise menus to entice you not only in the restaurant, but also on the beach or on the resort’s private jetty.

T: +678 551 8060

PO F: Box 4 Samoa Point +678 551 8062 Port Vila Vanuatu www.thehavannah.com Tel: +678 551 8060 The Havannah, Vanuatu is a romantic reservations@thehavannah.com reservations@thehavannah.com retreat exclusively for adults, as children under 16 are not catered for. www.thehavannah.com

4/03/13 9:01 AM

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Issue 1

What to do in Vanuatu!

hen it comes to Vanuatu travel, Vanuatu Luxury Holiday Homes offers villa-style accommodation, luxury holiday homes and exclusive vacation apartments in Vanuatu. More specifically, our private, accommodation is located in stunning locations in and around Port Vila on the Island of Efate. Our holiday homes and villas are self-contained, self-catered and serviced daily by the staff who will treat you like family and make you very welcome during your stay. Beachfront Resort Santo -A tropical setting on 6 acres with 150 metres of absolute waterfront lawns and gardens, for Luganville’s only true beach side resort located just 2kms from town and only 15 minutes from the international airport. Far enough out from town to avoid the noise but close enough for that early business appointment, adventure trip or scuba dive. Angelfish Cove Villas – A Vanuatu resort offering luxurious water front self-contained accommodation set on Port Vilas most exquisite coastline. Located just 10 minutes from Port Vila town centre this unique, boutique Vanuatu resort consists of 12 villas ranging from studios to 3 bedroom villas, some with private plunge pools. Imagine opening the front door of your beachfront villa and being blown away with ocean and island views across the spectacular Port Vila Harbour and Hideaway Island, or cooling off in your own private plunge pool and relaxing with a beer or a glass of wine after a swim. Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa – With an established reputation for appealing to families and couples this resort has a variety of 143 guest rooms, bungalows, over water villas, Erakor Residence, and now new private villas with individual plunge pools. Displaying South Pacific Charm the resort is situated on 75 acres of tropical gardens on the edge of the pristine Erakor Lagoon which is a 5-minute cab ride to Port Vila Township, and 15 minutes from the airport. With the choice of three restaurants, enjoy the BBQ Pool Grill, the renowned Wild Ginger for tempting Asian Fusion cuisine, or visit Lagoon Terrace for themed buffets. Enquire about their new a’la carte breakfast dining in the child-free zone of the Wild Ginger deck in the mornings. For rejuvenation, visit the Oasis Spa which has five therapy rooms providing individual treatments and special couples’ packages. Le Lagon also offers an extensive conference and events centre, a fun Kids Club and complimentary activities including non-motorised water sports, day tennis and green fees on their 12-hole resort course. For your family's Vanuatu travel vacation, romantic escape, executive retreat or holiday with friends, contact Bryan@ tmsvanuatu.com to discuss your exact requirements for your Vanuatu Holiday experience and to rent your luxury home making extraordinary tasks as easy as an everyday occurrence is our specialty. When enquiring about any of the Vanuatu Accommodation and activities options please quote MLL002.

Play: Jo Jos - The 'Galavanting Goddess Experience During your trip, indulge in an afternoon soiree for your inner Goddess. Designer fashion parade, and trend forecasts direct from Paris with fashion designer JoJo Vanuatu, the forecasts come from Paris but the garments are for real women. The heavenly foot and shoulder massage from the massage maestro will have you ready to drink down the sumptuous cocktails, while the high priestess of the high tea whips about with a never ending supply of freshly baked scones, cute little cucumber sandwiches, tropical fruits or whatever she fancies on the day. Get the girls together and be a Galavanting Goddess. n

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Waterfront self-contained accommodation poolside restaurant, wifi and 10% off watersports Direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane

Angelfish Cove Villas offers modern and beautifully appointed Self Contained Villas. The Complex comprises 5 studios & one three bedroom Villa with private plunge pools and 6 x 2 bedroom villas with a large central pool. All villas are close to the beach where you can snorkel, swim or kayak. www.angelfishcovevillas.com

Dive the largest, accessible shipwreck in the world The SS President Coolidge plus native culture and adventure

5 mins from town  www.TheBeachfrontResort.com DaveCross@TheBeachfrontResort.com  (678) 36 911

Contact Bryan on bryan@tmsvanuatu.com for more information on Angelfish Cove or other holiday rentals in Vanuatu or go to our website www.vanuatuluxuryholidayhomes.com

Tools down...Feet up! Mention‘Mining Life & Living’ when booking, and receive a free room upgrade* *conditions apply

When you next plan to visit beautiful Vanuatu why not stay at one of our self contained Villas and houses which are scattered around the main Island of Efate. Vanuatu Luxury Holiday Homes offers the full service from Booking your homes to arranging transfers, hire cars, a trip to the supermarket en-route from the airport to stock up the fridge for your short break in Paradise For More information on all of the properties offered for holiday rental contact Bryan@tmsvanuatu.com or by phone +678 5577034

Select from 143 guest rooms and villas on the edge of Erakor Lagoon. With 3 bars, 3 restaurants, a day spa and free watersports, tennis and golf, do as much or as little as you wish.

reservations.lelagon@warwickhotels.com

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Issue 1

Absolute Waterfron VILLA 25

Internationally recognised as one of the Pacific’s best island destinations, Villa 25 is an absolute waterfront boutique retreat in an exclusive gated location only minutes from Port Vila. Three spacious, beautifully appointed luxury villas, an enticing infinity pool, a gorgeous Pacific style Lowana, all overlooking a sheltered private beach. In a very short time Villa 25 has gained an international award winning reputation as being the finest boutique accommodation Vanuatu has to offer. Villa 25 has set the bar high for Vanuatu winning Vanuatu’s Leading Boutique Resort

category for 2013 in the World Travel Awards. Hailed as the ‘Oscars of the Travel Industry’ and acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade. Set on its own private beach, this is the perfect setting for a luxury villa in Vanuatu, and winning this prestigious award is the ultimate acknowledgement from the World Travel Awards brand, which is recognised globally as the supreme hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. The Grand Tour of World Travel Awards gala ceremonies are regarded as milestone events in the industry calendar, attended by the industry’s key

nt Luxury in Vanuatu

decision makers, chief figure heads and the leading trade and consumer media. Being in such prestigious company makes their win all the more remarkable for the friendly and hard-working team at Villa 25. As Megan from Adelaide in Australia testifies, “Villa 25 was like paradise, with its lush grounds, stunning infinity pool

and amazing snorkelling. A special thank you to Kris, Villa 25’s onsite manager, for her friendliness, honesty, good humour and willingness to help us with any of our queries, as well as help recommend a fantastic itinerary during our stay. Villa 25 is an amazing destination – we would highly recommend it and would love to go again.”

VILLA 25 For further information, please go to www.villa25.vu E: relax@villa25.vu P: +678 776 4439

Come and have a taste of the opulence, glamour and excitement of M premier casino. The Grand Hotel & Casino is in the heart of town, wi ceilings and meticulous attention to detail throughout, you’ll feel like y price you can afford! Come and have a taste of the opulence, glamour and excitement of Monte Carlo right here at Vanuatu’s premier casino. The Grand Hotel & Casino is in the heart of town, with crystal chandeliers, gold leaf ceilings and meticulous attention to detail throughout, you’ll feel like you’re there, and best of all it’s at a price you can afford!

With Roulette tables starting with a minimum bet of only 100vt, as we newest game Texas Hold’em Bonus. Or just try your luck on any of ou With Roulette tables starting with a minimum bet of only 100vt, as well as Blackjack, Baccarat and our and have a chance winning one oftryour many asmachines little a newest gameof Texas Hold’em Bonus. Or just your luck on any ofjackpots our state of the for art poker and have a chance of winning one of our many jackpots for as little as 1vt.

me and have a taste of the opulence, glamour and excitement of Monte Carlo right here at Vanuatu’s emier casino. The Grand Hotel & Casino is in the heart of town, with crystal chandeliers, gold leaf lings and meticulous attention to detail throughout, you’ll feel like you’re there, and best of all it’s at a ce you can afford!

th Roulette tables starting with a minimum bet of only 100vt, as well as Blackjack, Baccarat and our west game Texas Hold’em Bonus. Or just try your luck on any of our state of the art poker machines d have a chance of winning one of our many jackpots for as little as 1vt.

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Come and have a taste of the opulence, glamour and excitement of Monte Carlo right here at Vanuatu’s premier casino. The Grand Hotel & Casino is in the heart of town, with crystal chandeliers, gold leaf ceilings and meticulous attention to detail throughout, you’ll feel like you’re there, and best of all it’s at a price you can afford! With Roulette tables starting with a minimum bet of only 100vt, as well as Blackjack, Baccarat and our newest game Texas Hold’em Bonus. Or just try your luck on any of our state of the art poker machines and have a chance of winning one of our many jackpots for as little as 1vt.

A culinar y adventure

in Por t Macquarie THE 2013 SBS FEAST TASTINGS ON HASTINGS A FESTIVAL PACKED FULL OF FLAVOUR

BY LAWRIE BORCHERS

ecently my fiancée Amanda and I visited Port Macquarie to experience the ‘SBS Feast Tastings on Hastings’, the region’s premier food and wine festival showcasing all the gourmet delights the region has to offer. But we discovered so much more than just the festival with three days in town. We set off in the early hours of the morning bound for the train station in Brisbane to depart on the XPT, NSW TrainLink’s express passenger train connecting Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. We made our way to our roomy first class seats and settled in for the journey ahead. Having caught some express trains through Europe a few years ago I was a bit concerned about the leg room, but I had room to spare this time around. The buffet car provided some breakfast and light refreshments during the trip which was really convenient. It was a different way to travel for us, and we were able to catch up on some good books and recline the seats for a well-earned nap. Around seven hours later we arrived, surprisingly fresh, at our destination - Port Macquarie. We made our way to the Mantra Quayside, our hotel situated near the centre of town and overlooking the beautiful Hastings River. The room was really comfortable, as you would expect from Mantra, with a large spa in the bathroom to boot! I made a beeline for the rooftop pool which I had seen on the website for the hotel. As soon as I hit the water I felt like a new man, exactly what I needed after a big day of travelling. After chilling out poolside we felt ready to get to know the town.

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Mantra Quayside’s rooftop pool

Patrick Friesen in the demonstration pavillion

I was surprised to learn that Port Macquarie had such an interesting historical background. In the early 1820s it was established as a penal settlement and was well known for its rather tough conditions. A decade later, in 1830, the region was first opened to settlers who quickly made use of the area’s quality timber, pastoral land and abundant fishing potential. Hard to believe such a beautiful place was once considered a terrible place to be sent. The significance of 1830 was the inspiration for our venue for dinner that evening, Eighteen Thirty Restaurant & Bar, located in the ultramodern Glasshouse building on Clarence Street. We were greeted by a very upmarket setting, akin to a fancy harbour side restaurant in Sydney. With piano playing in the background we were both feeling very much in holiday mode, sipping on our cocktails enjoying our entrée, which was duck liver pate with port jelly, sour cherries and melba toast – amazing! Shortly thereafter our mains arrived; I’d ordered the beef striploin with potato mash, baby spinach, slow roasted tomato and wine jus. Amanda’s barramundi with smoked aubergine puree, spiced daikon and peanut sambal had some very unique flavours that she thoroughly enjoyed. Dessert didn’t disappoint, what a way to

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end this dining experience! Chocolate blondie with mocha cannelloni and cacao sorbet, and lychee macaroons with coconut meringue, raspberry gel and passionfruit sorbet were our selections. Now that was a dinner! The next morning we collected our hire car from First Class Rentals and drove west for around 15 minutes to reach Cassegrain Winery. Once a month they host ‘The Artist Market in the Vines’, which we were fortunate enough to be able to attend that day, with its relaxing folky vibe beside the lake, set amongst the vineyard and jacarandas. Sipping on our goat’s milk lattes and perusing the various stalls was the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning, with plenty of breakfast options there as well. Next stop was the Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park, located about 5 minutes away, halfway between Port Macquarie and Wauchope. Nestled amongst the forest we found the Park, well-known in the area for its variety of wildlife. We headed straight for ‘Jurassic Pond – home of Shrek the Monster Croc’, and indeed a monster he was. You can head below the pond to see Shrek underwater, an experience that was truly unique. They have a theatre set up for feedings, something well worth checking out. We were surprised at the amount of birdlife they have at the Park, from

wedge-tail eagles to peacocks wandering around the pathways, and the exotic animals such as snow leopards and red panda. The kangaroo and wallaby feeding from my hand was a highlight, and I was embarrassed to admit that as an Australian, this was something I had never done. Well worth trying. Make sure you check out the red panda feeding in the afternoon, a couple of cute little characters indeed. After another relaxing swim back at the hotel we were then invited along to the ‘SBS Feast Magazine Sneak Peek Party’ in the Cooking Demonstration Pavillion for the Tastings event the following day. We were introduced to a few of the guest chefs of the festival who had made the trip up from Sydney. We knew the food the next day was going to be spectacular if the offerings that evening were anything to go by. Finally the day had arrived; it was indeed the day of the Tastings on Hastings. The weather gods were smiling on Port Macquarie as it was absolutely perfect weather. With over 100 gourmet stands set up, not to mention some jumping castles for the kids, a couple of stages with live music and even a spaghetti eating contest, you have a big day ahead of you to take it all in. I must admit I was roped into one of the aforementioned contests, and even managed to take out one of the heats! Sadly, I was destroyed in the final by one of the locals who somehow managed to ingest an entire plate of pasta in around 20 seconds. I was happy to let him take that one out! Throughout the day we were fortunate enough to learn from some guest chefs in the demonstration marquee; Craig Freudenstein of XS Food, Mitchell Orr of 121BC, David Tsirekas of Xanthi Restaurant, Patrick Friesen of Ms G’s and local favourite Eric Robinson of The Other Chef Fine Foods. They ran through their recipes and what inspires them to cook, and we were then lucky enough to sample the food at the end of each demonstration. My personal favourite was the Thai fried chicken that Friesen demonstrated. Later in the afternoon after sampling more than our fair share of delicious food, the event had come to a close. We decided to book a cruise on the Chinese Junk Boat which we noticed moored at the river. Fish and Chips on board and a local beer from Black Duck Breweries in hand we were gliding in style on the Hastings, with one of the most amazing sunsets we’d ever seen. On the way back to the dock we were fortunate enough to witness some local dolphins hitching a ride at the bow of the boat, putting on a show for everyone on board. The next morning we had a quick stroll around the beach at the other side of Port Macquarie, and sat up on the headlands overlooking the ocean. Some humpback whales decided to give us a farewell to the region, helping to make the weekend a great one. This beautiful town on the Hastings offered up a truly memorable dish. n To book accommodation and find out more about the region visit www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au

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Issue 1

What lasts longer -

marriage or credit card debt?

BY PAUL CLITHEROE

ccording to a recent news article, you and your credit card debt could be together a lot longer than many married couples... The average credit card debt among Australians is currently around $3,280, and if you stick to the card issuer’s minimum monthly repayments, at 17% interest it could take around 42 years to pay off the balance – a lot longer than many marriages will last. Hmm, it’s an unusual way of looking at things, but on a more day to day level, the big danger with credit cards is they just too easily allow us to overspend, to live beyond our means. And this in turn can put a relationship under enormous financial strain. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal that the median length of time from marriage to divorce is around 12 years. But not all relationships end this way. ABS statistics also show the crude divorce rate is 2.3 divorces per 1,000 estimated resident population. That means divorce isn’t the end outcome for the majority of marriages. And personally, I have to say I am happy to hear that. Perhaps the keys to keeping a lid on credit card debt – and making your relationship work, aren’t so different. Both involve planning, effort and commitment. But as financial stress is a welldocumented source of relationship breakdown, if you can keep on top of card debt you’re probably also giving yourself a valuable head start in the relationship stakes. n

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Handing over the keys A

fter 14 years of managing their security car park business at Coffs Harbour Airport, owners Tom and Therese Murray-Prior are taking a well-deserved break. According to Tom and Therese the journey from when they first conceived the idea to opening the facility to finally saying farewell has been a wonderful mix of fun, frustration and friendships. After a long and demanding career as an executive director of a major merchant bank

in Sydney, Tom felt the need for a change of scene and a healthier lifestyle. And Therese agreed. So together they decided to move out of Sydney. After a field trip in search of a small business opportunity they chose Coffs Harbour, relocating in the bicentennial year. As a criterion, they looked for sunrise industries that required minimal management demands compared with merchant banking. Their exploration proved successful. On 1 January 1989, when they finished

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building the complex, Tom and Therese opened Hi Tech Self Storage. As it grew, it became the largest secure self-storage facility between Newcastle and the Gold Coast. It was during the time when they initially lived on-site at the business that the idea of security car park at the airport was born. A number of people who regularly came from Armidale, Kempsey and Yamba to fly from Coffs Harbour Airport to places near and far would often use the secure, self-storage

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Rainforest Retreat Songbirds

Relax, wine and dine in the multi-award winning Songbirds Rainforest Retreat where meals are fresh, innovative and served in a beautiful environment, the ideal setting for a lazy lunch or intimate dinner. Stay overnight in one of six luxury villas set amongst the beautiful rainforest at Tamborine Mountain. The spacious villas include a king size bed, double spa bath, lounge area with gas ember fire for cooler nights and a large outdoor deck.

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facility for their cars. Tom and Therese would often drive clients to and from the airport between early morning and late at night. It was this that generated the idea of establishing a security parking facility on site at the airport. In the meantime, Therese wrote to Council seeking permission to erect advertising in the airport terminal informing travellers of their Hi-Tech Self Storage service. However, this was declined. Not to be deterred and with their onsite security car park vision now the new focus, Therese and Tom persisted with new vigour. When travelling around the country and overseas they also researched security car parking facilities. They found that the majority of so called secure car parking operations were just paid parking facilities with a boom gate entry and exit. In Townsville they discovered the secure parking was just a fenced off paddock adjacent to the airport and the fee, more than the original price set when they eventually opened their Coffs Harbour Airport facility. Armed with their research findings, they commenced discussions with Council in 1997 with the hope of building their parking facility. After some time negotiating a lease for the land and contractual terms and conditions, the first sod for the new facility was eventually turned by Cr Bill Wood on 19 October 1999. Designed by local architect Vil Brickman and built by X-Corpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gary

Charnock in just nine weeks, the Coffs Airport Security Carpark was officially opened for business by then Mayor, Cr Jenny Bonfield on 15 December 1999. According to Tom, before and after the business did open, many people were of the opinion it would not last long. And for a while, he and Therese started to have their doubts too. In the first month of operations only 6 vehicles per day used the facility. But they persisted with promoting the business. As well as advertising locally, they undertook regular sales trips to Armidale, Port Macquarie, Maclean, Yamba and Grafton selling the benefits of the high frequency flights and competitive fares available from Coffs Harbour Airport and of course their secure car parking service. Business finally started to pick up but then, another setback. Ansett Australia ceased flying causing chaos and a reduction in air travel. Fortunately they still owned Hi Tech Self Storage which countered the downturn in the car park business. But ever so slowly the tide turned and the numbers of vehicles being parked in undercover secure parking grew to a sustainable level. Then with the arrival of Virgin Blue in 2001 business was up, up and away. In 2003 Tom & Therese sold Hi Tech Self Storage to further develop the car park business. When originally opened there were only 48 secure car parking spaces available. With increasing demand for security parking more vehicle spaces were required. In 2003

the building was extended to accommodate an additional 24 parking bays. And the same again in 2005 and 2007 respectively. Now there is a total of 120 undercover, secure car parking bays. It seems that the initial research, commitment to building a quality product and providing first class customer service had finally paid off. Tom and Therese are like doting parents when talking about their product. They proudly highlight that; it is completely enclosed, has parking spaces wider than the set standards, has 24/7 hi-lux lighting, ceiling lining to reduce heat and UV, venting for fresh air flow, 13 security video cameras , only allows access to people with a valid ticket and is cleaned at least twice per week. They are also very complimentary of the dedicated customer service provided by the team at Biggles Coffee Lounge. Whenever there was a problem be it a technical hiccup

or a lost ticket, Eric and his staff were always on standby to assist people. They also pay tribute to the Coffs Airport Ambassadors who assisted with the introduction of fee paid parking in the general car park back in July 2010. That too was successfully expanded and operated by Tom & Therese, but that is another story for another day. They are very proud of the fact that since welcoming their first customers back in 1999 until today not one vehicle has been lost from their premises. That is secure car parking. Now, for Tom and Therese this is the end of one part of their life’s journey having sold the business to Coffs Harbour City Council. On 2 December, they handed the car park keys over to Airport Manager, Dennis Martin who with other airport team members will manage and operate both the general car park and Coffs Airport Security Carpark as an integral part of the airport business.

Thanks... A final few words from Tom and Therese. “Our sincere thanks to all who have patronised the Coffs Airport Security Carpark and General Car Park. We hope we have provided you and the Coffs Coast community with a quality product and experience, keeping safe your many and varied precious vehicles. Please continue to support these services. They are now in the safe and competent hands of Dennis and his staff who we believe operate the best regional airport in Australia. Bye for now.” n

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Issue 1

The Great Eastern Breakwall of Coffs I

n 1847 Captain John Korff and crew aboard their ship ‘Brothers’ took shelter from stormy seas in the lee of South Coffs Islet (now Corambirra Point). Back then there was no jetty, breakwall or harbour protection available for vessels to safely ride out Mother Nature’s fury. It was during the mid to late 1800’s with settlements popping up all along the east coast of Australia, that coastal shipping became the major form of transport as roads and railways were yet to be built. As Captain Korff discovered, the two islands North Coffs Island and South Coffs Islet (now Muttonbird Island and Corambirra Point) offered reasonably safe haven when seas turned nasty. But still not ideal. However it was not until about 20 years after Coffs Harbour was first settled (in the 1860’s) that construction started on a jetty considered essential for loading and offloading people, supplies and equipment. Even when the first section of the jetty was opened in 1892 it was still a hazardous operation to transfer goods between ship and shore especially when seas were rough. More needed to be done. Around 1911, a NSW Commission of Enquiry decided that a harbour, protected from heavy seas and containing a long

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jetty should be constructed to create a northern port for the transport of wool, wheat and timber. The Commission favoured Port Stephens however, the Public Works Department overruled this in favour of Coffs Harbour. It was this decision that lead to the extension of the jetty and the construction of the northern and eastern breakwalls. The first stage was bridging the relatively small gap between South Coffs Islet and the mainland. This was completed in 1912, enabling access to the stone that is now the old quarry on Corambirra Point. In 1915 a private contractor started building the northern and eastern breakwalls but burdened by financial difficulties the company handed the project back to the Public Works Department in 1917. The following year, the initial land bridge between the mainland and South Coffs Islet was substantially up-graded and work recommenced on the eastern breakwall. In November 1939, the Eastern Breakwall reached its full length but it was not until 1943 that the capping was completed. It was estimated that 263,000 tons of stone and 2,247 x 40 ton concrete blocks were used in the initial construction. For the North and Eastern Breakwalls, a total of 750,000 tons of rock and concrete were used.

However, between then and now, the combination of aging and a few raging storms have damaged the breakwall, even moving a number of blocks causing significant damage. In 1945, a wild storm apparently lifted a 40 ton block onto the Eastern Breakwall and hurled 10 ton blocks over the wall into the inner harbour. Since then, ongoing works have been carried out to ensure the integrity of the breakwalls and the safety of the fishing boats and pleasure craft that shelter in Coffs Harbour. The most recent and significant of these is the current up-grade of the Eastern Breakwall being undertaken by The JDS Group. The estimated value of assets protected by the breakwall is over $150 million, so the investment in the maintenance of the structure is crucial for the ongoing economic and recreational well-being of the Coffs Coast community. In early 2013, Crown Lands awarded a $14.2 million contract to The JDS Group to refurbish and strengthen the Eastern Breakwall. Under the direction of NSW Public Works Project Management, The JDS Group, their joint venture partners and sub-contractors have been tasked with the restoration of the breakwall and the casting

In case you are wondering if the brightly painted blocks at the end of the breakwall will be retained or removed, a community survey found that the majority of people think they should stay. And so they shall.

and placing of hanbars (concrete blocks) on the seaward side. The man in charge of the day to day operations to complete this project is Neville Foley, co-owner of Foley Contracting and joint venture partner with The JDS Group. With over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry specialising in maritime infrastructure and facilities Neville is enjoying the challenge. Some of his and the company’s past projects include:-the reventment of a 1 km rock wall at Clifton Beach, Cairns; repatriation of old spoil dumps in the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme and the up-grade of two wharfs for the Brisbane Port Authority which required 500,000 tons of rock fill. But back to Coffs Harbour. For this project, Neville, business partner Danny van der Toon and three staff have relocated from Brisbane to Coffs for the duration of the project. The large crawler crane and staff are from the Gold Coast however all other project staff are locals; driving trucks, concreting, operating cranes and working in the office. Some 25,000 tonne of rock and stone is being sourced from Valla Quarry, Valla and T G Jung Quarries in Coffs Harbour while Boral has been contracted to supply 40,000 tonnes of concrete from their

Coffs batching plant for the team from FM Glenn who mould and cure the 2,400 hanbars required for the breakwall. Each day the project team sets out at dawn, moving the 200 tonne crane into position on the breakwall to continue placement of the hanbars delivered throughout the day on low-loader vehicles, drivers in special side tipping trucks collect and deposit stone along the wall and concreters make hanbars at the Corambirra Point work site. So far around fifty percent of the 16, 22 and 28 tonne hanbars have been installed and the armour and gabion rock fill has been fully laid along the inner wall. Once all hanbars are in place, an 8 metre wide concrete road will be laid on top the breakwall. Protected by hanbars on the seaward side and feature rock on the inside this will allow people to walk along the breakwall taking in the coastal scenery from a new perspective. The official hand over date is set for 24 December next year, however, with favourable weather and the dedicated efforts of Neville and his team, it may be much sooner that Coffs Coast residents and visitors will be able to stroll along The Great Eastern Breakwall of Coffs Harbour.

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Issue 1

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