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PRO

Newcastle•Lake Macquarie•Hunter Valley•Port Stephens

LLY OW N E D &

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ISSUE #69 // SEPTEMBER 2021

School

HOLIDA Y

GUIDE

pg. 3 5

A Commitment To TAILORED EDUCATION And LEARNING Plus... It’s Time to RECONNECT IN PORT STEPHENS ALONE AT HOME? Introverts Unite!

TERM FOUR COURSE GUIDE

PULL OUT & KEEP

LIVE YOUR LIST! Unplugged in Cambodia

Lifestyle // Entertainment // Dining // Community // Travel // Family // Health // Home // Property

GROUP FITNESS CLASSES AT PLANET FITNESS GET MOVING WITH A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY TODAY

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Escape and get back to

nature!

portstephenskoalasanctuary.com.au

Discover a

Blue Water Paradise! Book Now! 4988 0990

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From the

EDITORS... As we go to print, the word that most plays on my mind is limbo. Whilst it’s a more pleasant word than that other “L” word - it’s still a word that I had hoped to remove from my vocabulary a good 12 months ago. Yet here we are in limbo – once again. Being at the mercy of loopholes that allow visitors to our region from ‘LGAs of concern’ (that’s a new one for the vocab), or politicians who have their own (often conflicting) agendas, vaccine availability and let’s face it – morons – doesn’t sit well with a self-confessed controlfreak. Telling me to go with the flow or take each day at a time, which the logical side of my brain finds it difficult to argue with, makes the rest of me feel (to put it kindly)… angry. Limbo-angry. Of course, there are a few personal up-sides. My house is (almost) spotless, I’ve spent a lot of time talking to my ageing furry friends that I would never have been able to do otherwise, the household laundry is up to date, I have a fortnightly meal-plan, and I've switched to zero-alcohol wine. All significant achievements for a working Mum! I’ve also had pause to stop and think about all the skills I’d like to be better at (or have at all). Things I’d like to learn about. If, like me, you’ve given no thought to your ongoing education over the years, then you will be as delighted as I am to have the new Atwea Semester 4 Course Guide included as a lift-out in this issue (see page 15). With everything from photography to psychic development (if I’d had that, I might have seen this coming!), business to beauty, aged-care to Auslan and everything in between, it could take a while to decide on a course. But that is something I currently have plenty of! Maybe limbo isn’t so bad after all! Whilst I’m confident we all love our kids, I’m probably correct in saying that they are currently as sick of us as we are of them! It’s a good thing School Holidays arrive to save the day this month – and as always, we’ve got you covered with our Spring School Holidays Guide on page 35. Whether it’s a weekend away at one of our beautiful Port Stephens Beachside Holiday Parks, a spot of Soccer-Golf, a spin around the ice, a peaceful horse ride – or even one of the numerous online activities that are available, you'll find it all in the Spring School Holidays Guide.

Contents

ISSUE #69 | SEPTEMBER 2021 10

Music Scene: Let Me Entertain You!

It's Spring Mania at Port Stephens Beachside Holiday Parks!

A Commitment to Tailored Education and Learning

Atwea College Course Guide – Term 4 Pullout

On Tour with the Kid – Introverts Unite! Alone at Home

Live Your List – Unplugged in Cambodia

Breaking Down the Fear of Gyms

Cracked Teeth – Preventing Catastrophe

Mask Up! How to Avoid and Treat MASKNE!

The Hamptons Style – A Timeless Style for Everyone

Spring School Holiday Guide

What's On?

Horoscopes

Family & Community

Health & Wellbeing

Home & Lifestyle

Atwea College

COURSE GUIDE For Term 4

On the Cover

In this issue, we speak with the Executive Director of Atwea College, Rowan Cox, about how Atwea College came to be and what a valuable resource the college is to our local community. Read more on page 12.

REGULARS 6

Enjoy!

Publisher & Editors Two Tribes Media Phone (02) 4943 0888 Address 297 Brunker Road, Adamstown, NSW 2289 Web www.intouchmagazine.com.au Email getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au Advertising Sales (02) 4943 0888

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CONTRIBUTORS

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Alex Huszti Chloe O'Sullivan Di von Essen Gjenae Rosekelly Jess Codrington

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Kim-Cherie Davidson Liane Morris Melinda Murray Quentin von Essen Tanya Obreza

/INTOUCHMAGAZINES © Copyright 2021 Two Tribes Media. Published monthly by Two Tribes Media. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpt granted by written request only. While every attempt has been made, Two Tribes Media cannot guarantee the legality, completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accepts no warranty or responsibility for such.

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WHAT'S On in SPRING? Live & Cookin’

WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO BE CORRECT, HOWEVER EVENTS DO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL EVENTS ONLINE BEFORE PLANNING.

SEPTEMBER

Support Local While we have had a number of affected and postponed shows, we are striving to keep the Lizotte’s food and music experience going. We hope to keep safely offering live music, food and trivia for as long as we can! You can keep up to date via our website and by subscribing to our email newsletter.

Everybody loves sweet music, good food and good company! One of the best gifts you can give is a great night out, and the Lizotte’s Gift Voucher makes it so easy. Just nominate a value and let your gift receiver pick a show of their choice!

Coming Up this Spring!

October FRI

AUSTRALIAN BURLESQUE FESTIVAL

SAT

THE RADIATORS

SUN

MY LEONARD COHEN

SUN

AUSTRALIAN DANCE AND TALENT CENTRE LIVE

WED

LIVE N LOCAL

SUN

GLORY BOX A EUPHORIC 90’S EXPERIENCE FT AMY VEE

SAT

THE MUSIC OF ERIC CLAPTON

SUN

A LAZY LUNCH WITH THE INCREDIBLE KARISE EDEN

3 3 6 3 9

Subscribe via Our Website to Keep Up to Date. 31 Morehead Street, Lambton Doors open from 6pm FULLY LICENSED LIVE SHOWS starting from $65

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Wednesday’s

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WEDNESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER Sculpture in the Vineyards The 19th annual exhibition of Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival will now be an ONLINE event, showcasing 150 indoor and outdoor sculptures via an online catalogue from September 1. To see them visit www.sculptureinthevineyards.com.au Artspace@Home For Ages 3 to 8 Lake Mac have created some online art projects so you and your young ones can engage with art and be inspired to make art using simple household items. Visit mac.lakemac.com.au/learn/onlineactivities MakerSpace@Home Creativity and sustainability is key for Lake Mac online art projects (ages 8+) to engage and be inspired to make art. Visit mac.lakemac.com.au/learn/ online-activities Library Online Activities Lake Mac Libraries has a wide range of free digital resources available for both adults and children alike. Visit library.lakemac.com.au/learn/onlineresources Family History at Home Family history is a fascinating and rewarding pastime and there’s never been a better time to start tracing your family tree. Lake Mac Libraries has plenty of resources and guides to help you research genealogy at home. Visit library.lakemac.com.au/connect/latest-news/ genealogy-at-home

MARKET GUIDE SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER Newcastle City Farmers Market at Newcastle Showground EVERY Sunday, 7am–1pm. SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER Lake Macquarie City Farmers Market at Speers Point Park, 7am–1pm. SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER Lake Macquarie City Farmers Market at Speers Point Park, 7am–1pm. PLEASE NOTE – FARMERS MARKETS: Face masks must be worn at all indoor AND outdoor areas of the market. If you can't due to health reasons, you must carry proof.

SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER Alba Whisky - Father's Day Virtual Tasting Stuck with ideas for Dad this Father's Day? Babylon has collaborated with Alba Whisky to create an enticing Lockdown Special that defies the traditional concept of a Whisky Tasting. To book visit www.babylonnewcastle.com.au/events MONDAY 6 SEPTEMBER UoN Open Days Online UoN invite you to join them for Open Days Online. The day will feature live webinars, virtual campus tours, live chat with students and academics and plenty of giveaways. Register for free to receive Open Days Online updates and information, and tune in from 5pm– 7:30pm each night to check out their live sessions. To register visit www.newcastle.edu.au/open-day WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER ySafe Parent Cyber Safety Education Webinar Session If you've ever struggled in getting your kids off their devices and into bed, or worried about the content or connections they have online, then this free webinar is for you. Register now via Newcastle Libraries. TUESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER You're Kidding Me: Family Law and Support Services Get to know more about family law issues with specific focus on your rights in parenting arrangements, legal and non-legal pathways and referrals in an interactive presentation from the Hunter Community Legal Centre. This free online event runs from 10am–11.20am, to register visit www.eventbrite.com.au SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER Wallsend Festival From Fashions on the Footpath to a Movie Night, don't miss Wallsend Festival 18–25 September. Drag Queen Bingo with Timberlina at Toronto Diggers, visit www.timberproductions.com.au Jimeoin Turn it Up! At Civic Theatre.

WINE, CHEESE & CHOCOLATE AT MCGUIGAN Immerse yourself in the flavours of the Hunter in this exquisite Wine, Cheese & Chocolate tasting. Relax in a private tasting area with a dedicated wine expert who will help you explore the exceptional wines that have made McGuigan one of the most awarded wineries in the world. You will enjoy a selection of the best seasonal, hand-crafted cheeses from the artisans at Hunter Valley Cheese Factory, plus carefully selected hand made chocolates by artisan chocolatier Maître Pâtissier complementing a range of premium McGuigan dessert and fortified wines.

Cost – $25pp pre-paid reservations for parties of 1 to 6 people. Visit www.mcguiganwines.com.au and click on Visit Us to book.

SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER Blackmores Virtual Sydney Running Festival Between 19 Sept–Sun 17 Oct take on your favourite event distance in your neighbourhood (observing any local Government restrictions) in the Blackmores Virtual Run! Visit www.sydneyrunningfestival.com.au for more information. MONDAY 20 SEPTEMBER Screening of ‘Tiddas in Muloobinba’ A heart warming documentary sharing and discovering sisterhood, creativity and song. Free screening at The Playhouse, however you must RSVP - www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au TUESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER Teeny Tiny Stevies at Newcastle City Hall. Morning Melodies by Angamus Music Morning Melodies is a new musical program presented by Civic Theatre and the Angamus duo. Set in the intimate Civic Theatre Bar this monthly season promises to refresh and inspire your week. Attend in person, or you can livestream online. THURSDAY 23 SEPTEMBER Oliver Presented by Hunter Drama at Civic Theatre, 23–25 September. SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER Hunter Events Wedding Fair An amazing line-up of the best wedding vendors to help bring together your special day! Vendors will include photographers, cake artists, hair and makeup specialists, just to name a few. At Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, Pokolbin. Tickets: tickets.oztix.com.au

OCTOBER FRIDAY 1 OCTOBER Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Bringing the crème de la crème of the 2020 Festival to Newcastle's Civic Theatre. TUESDAY 5 OCTOBER Online event with US Writer Jonathan Frazer Celebrating the release of his highly anticipated new novel, Crossroads. Visit www.newcastlewritersfestival.com.au WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER Priscilla Queen of the Desert Rescheduled from August. Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they had ever dreamed. 6–10 October, Civic Theatre Newcastle. FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER Raw Comedy Some of the nation’s finest funny-makers have cannonballed into comedy acclaim through RAW Comedy – see more up-and-comers at The Playhouse, Newcastle.

30 YEARS OF FLICKERFEST UNTIL 31 DECEMBER 2021

Flickerfest has been showcasing the best of Australian films for what feels like forever. To celebrate their 30 year milestone, the team are celebrating by partnering with

There’s never been a better time to visit us online THURSDAY 14 OCTOBER The Resilience Project Adults, parents, professionals, teenagers; this talk is for you. Really, it’s for anyone who wants to share a laugh and pick up some wellbeing tips along the way with Hugh van Cuylenburg, at City Hall. There are 2 shows: Thurs 14 October + Wed 24 Nov. For tickets visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER Kate Miller-Heidke - Child in Reverse Tour at City Hall. SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER Omega Ensemble: Brahms, Bruch & Smalley at Newcastle Art Gallery.

Download the Lake Mac Libraries app Made for mobile browsing. Get the world at your fingertips.

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NOVEMBER FRIDAY 5 NOVEMBER Adam Thompson: Bohemian Rhapsody Soundtrack Live in Concert at City Hall. Tickets via Civic Theatre Newcastle. SUNDAY 7 NOVEMBER Hunter Events Health, Wealth & Wellbeing A jam-packed Health, Wealth & Wellbeing event, where you can get all the best advice, tips and tricks from all the industry professionals. Interactive demonstrations, guest speakers, kids fun and so much more. www.huntereventshww.com.au SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER Newcastle Lapidary Club Gem and Jewellery Fair As well as demonstrations and displays of lapidary and jewellerymaking, there will be stalls selling a variety of tools, jewellery, gemstones and lapidary material and related craft. At Newcastle Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC), Broadmeadow. THURSDAY 18 NOVEMBER Bohemian Symphony the music of Queen Orchestrated A 24 Piece Symphony Orchestra Conducted by internationallyrenowned George Ellis will perform Queen’s Greatest Hits at Civic Theatre Newcastle.

SBS On Demand! Until the end of the year, you can catch up on some of the best films to come out of Flickerfest from the last 30 years via this free online streaming platform. Wrap your eyes around 49 award-winning flicks, both Australian and international. To bring you up to speed on this festival, it is an Academy Awards accredited short film festival – which means winning films at Flickerfest are eligible for consideration in the Oscars and BAFTAs. Noteworthy nominated or winning films include Butter Lamp, Timecode (both international) and The Eleven O'Clock (Australian) – all available to watch. To stream visit www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/movies/flickerfest

Online resources for all

Read, watch, listen, learn and more.

library.lakemac.com.au

Online artmaking resources

Suitable for all ages from Museum of Art & Culture, yapang.

yapang

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WHAT'S

Online?

WHAT'S ON IN

Lake Mac � LAKE MACQUARIE

Looking for activities to keep the kids entertained at home? A Lake Mac Art Pack could be just what you need. There are four low cost activities available, suitable for all ages – Go Wild Art Pack, Watercolour Landscapes Art Pack, Razzle Dazzle Art Pack and a Dobell Art Pack. Packs are $10–$12 each which includes postage to all Hunter local government areas and can be purchased using Discover Vouchers. To purchase an art pack visit lakemac.com.au/events-directory/council-events/ lake-mac-art-packs Or if you want to find ways to create art at home using simple household items, the Museum of Art and Cultural Lake Macquarie, yapang has online activities available for ages 3–8, ages 8+, students and adults. Visit mac.lakemac.com.au/learn/online-activities If you’re looking for something to read, head to Lake Mac Libraries and become a member. Members have access to thousands of digital magazines and newspapers via Pressreader. There are no limits on downloads and they’re yours to keep forever. We also have the Lake Mac Libraries app available. Our simple, easy-to-use app is free to download and offers everything you need right in the palm of your hand. To get started today visit library.lakemac.com.au/home For more information about online events and resources Lake Macquarie City Council have available please visit lakemac.com.au/events

TEDxSydney 2021 > 17 SEPTEMBER, ONLINE Join TED in 2021 as they explore the theme of POSSIBLE. Take a look into the future – explore where we go from here, what innovations are just around the corner, what stories of ingenuity and resilience can we learn from. What can we discover about our world, our work and ourselves that once may have been inconceivable, and what are some of the biggest challenges facing us today. The first lineup of six highly-acclaimed and fearless speakers and performers will be sharing their visions of what is POSSIBLE with you – including the likes of inventor George Peppou, performer Sarah Saleh, activist Grace Tame, along with scientists, poets, filmmakers, technology pioneers, performers, designers – it’s going to be one hell of a show with many powerful ideas. TEDxSydney 2021 will be held online, broadcast straight into your home from the Sydney Opera House on 17 September. They are still monitoring the health advice daily and will update our website, social channels and ticket holders should any details need to change. Join them as we explore bold and brave ideas together – claim your spot at www.tedxsydney.com/ event/tedxsydney-2021-online

REGISTER NOW FOR THE LET'S LIFT PROGRAM AND BOOST YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING > FROM MONDAY 6 SEPTEMBER Registrations are now open for the Let's Lift Lake Mac program. It's free for all Lake Macquarie residents and will start on Monday 6 September for seven weeks (18 October). Lake Mac have partnered with Avondale University to bring you this project to help boost happiness and mental health within our community during these tough times. This award-winning mental health and wellbeing program is more like an adventure designed to help you live a happier life. It brings together scientifically-proven strategies from the fields of neuroscience, positive psychology and lifestyle medicine. Participants will connect online and receive the tools, knowledge and weekly challenges to help them take charge of their own wellbeing. How amazing is that! Best of all, registration is FREE for Lake Mac residents. Newcastle residents can still sign up however there is a cost of $99. To register visit www.theliftproject.global/ letsliftlakemac

Spring into Seafood! For all your Australian, sustainably caught, fresh local seafood needs, you wouldn't go anywhere else, other than the Fishermen’s Co-Op! WICKHAM 97 Hannell Street, Ph 4965 4229 OPEN Mon–Fri 8.30am to 5pm, Sat 8.30am to 3pm, Sun 10am to 2pm SWANSEA 69 Lakeside Drive, Ph 4971 4762 OPEN Tues–Fri 8.30am to 4pm + Sat 8.30am to 1pm

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19 SEPT–17 OCT

TRY AN ONLINE ESCAPE ROOM

5 OCT

Ways to interact have come a lonnnnng way since 2020, and physical experiences have found new ways to entertain us from our living room. Enter the Escape Room – who'd have thought you could do this from afar? A few notable ones worth trying with friends are – Pirate Island or Magic School by Funlab (6–10 players); Isolation by the original Escape Room in Melbourne (2–6 players); or Experios which has you covered with different levels of difficulty and themes (2–6 players, plus corporate options of up to 2,000 players).

WATCH FOR FREE

LOG ONTO KANOPY Did you know you can access over 26,000 movies from Australia and all over the world for free with nothing more than a virtual library card on Kanopy? This great service can be enjoyed on Apple TV, Chromecast and Airplay (or your laptop) – all you will need to do is visit www.kanopy.com and use your library card. Register for free using your ID and voila, thousands of films will be available to stream direct at your fingertips. Each user can stream up to 12 movies each calendar month – once you press play on a film, you have 3 days to view it as many times as you like! New additions include the dark comedy Guns Akimbo starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma starring Anya Taylor-Joy, a host of documentaries and plenty more! Visit your local library and sign up for a virtual card to get started.

Blackmores VIRTUAL SYDNEY RUNNING FESTIVAL > SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER– SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER We may not be able to head to Sydney for the real event, but you can still put your training into practice to take on your favourite event distance in the Blackmores Virtual Sydney Running Festival! The Running Festival is FREE to enter, but you can also pay to upgrade to their premium option – where you'll unlock race day goodies. Distances include the Marathon (42.2km), Half Marathon (21.1km), 10km Bridge Run, and the Family 3.5km Fun Run. Blackmores have partnered with Race Roster and the ASICS Runkeeper™ app to record your run, so all you will need to do is register, download the app and record a run between 19 September–17 October! New features helping bring this virtual event to life are on the way, so stay tuned. To keep you motivated along the way there will be competitions, plus don’t forget to share your photos and upload your results. Find more information and register at www.sydneyrunningfestival.com.au. Make sure you observe any local Government restrictions and COVID-safety requirements while participating in this event.

A CONVERSATION WITH ACCLAIMED US WRITER JONATHAN FRANZEN > 5 OCTOBER, ONLINE EVENT Newcastle Writers Festival is excited to be co-hosting Jonathan Franzen’s first Australian event celebrating the release of his highly anticipated new novel Crossroads, on October 5. This online conversation will be held from 7.30pm, led by ABC Radio’s Sarah Kanowski. If you can't tune in on October 5, you will be able to watch the interview on demand until October 12. Franzen will be discussing family, America, and where the modern novel must go from here. Franzen’s new novel Crossroads is the first in an ambitious new trilogy, A Key to All Mythologies. It’s a family saga spanning three generations and tracing the inner life of our culture through to the present day. Crossroads, which is published by HarperCollins Australia, serves as a foundation for a sweeping investigation of human mythologies, as the Hildebrandt family navigates the political, intellectual, and social crosscurrents of the past 50 years. Franzen is the author of six novels, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the German Akademie der Kunste, and the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He is recognised as one of the best American writers of our age and has won many awards. This special event is presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne and Byron Writers Festival and funds raised from Hunter ticket sales will support Newcastle Writers Festival. Tickets are $15, or $10 concession (plus $4 booking fee). Visit www.newcastlewritersfestival.com.au

N E WC A S TLE C I T Y

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7AM–1PM | EVERY SUNDAY at BROADMEADOW SHOWGROUND

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▼ Daniel Muggleton

Horo Scope Astrologer TANYA OBREZA on what’s in the stars this month.

STAR OF THE MONTH VIRGO 23 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER This year the cosmos supercharges your energies – reawakening dormant thoughts, ideas and intuitive senses. It seems as if you’re given a second chance – a new lease on life. In a sense, you will – because through adversity, you’ve grown mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Problems that previously seemed insurmountable finally find a resolution. Take advantage of your new adventurous spirit. If you’ve been tethered, it’s time to break free of restrictive shackles. Soon after, you become better able to judge your innate strengths and vulnerabilities. Basically, you’re ready to get on with the rest of your life.

LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER With a significant other choosing a life change this month, Librans could feel uncomfortable about their lack of control. If your partner or friend is in a mood to walk, just remember – it takes two to tango, so there’s no point lingering alone on the dance floor. At work, too, upheaval seems inevitable. You may feel hopelessly dragged by the winds of fate, but how much of a victim you are is up to you. SCORPIO 23 OCTOBER – 21 NOVEMBER September whisks you out of the playground and plants you back at work, exactly where you want to be. After the 9th, you could meet all the right contacts. Use your powers of persuasion to revive a career plan. Expand your skills, and by December, you should be rewarded with a professional breakthrough and an upwardly mobile lifestyle. The downside? Your love life might go on hold. SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER September asks you to release resentments. Chances are, recent experiences have already stepped up the need for frankness. If you’re not fully committed or perhaps feeling confined – emotional battles could follow. Thankfully, a truce could be called by the 16th, when warring factions extend the peace pipe. However, it’s probably not until next month that you really feel your muchmissed mojo truly returning. CAPRICORN 22 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY It’s a time of sudden, perhaps bizarre, changes which, in turn, could incite feelings of panic. Try to enjoy the moment and don’t plan too far ahead. This month’s full moon on the 21st also brings financial change – money and status may be lost or gained. In matters of the heart, heated passions forge a whole new arrangement for loved-up Capricorns. Singles seek close encounters, while couples embrace their desires.

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AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 18 FEBRUARY Now that you’ve no room for emotional clutter, this is a good time to pare down relationships. A new moon on the 7th forces a “make or break” decision in not-tooserious love affairs, and even established partnerships are put through their paces. You might need to give others more room to move than is comfortable for you but, in doing so, you’ll gain a better perspective. Children also need extra attention. PISCES 19 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH September brings a significant turning point. Quell your usual tendency to scatter energies in too many directions, and a long-standing ambition may be realised this month. There may be one final period of upheaval around the 7th, so until then, don’t bite off more than you can chew. In romance, you’re ready to combine the thrill of romance with strong emotional commitment. Discover the delights of laid-back love. ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL Now that benevolent Jupiter has strolled back into your work sector, what seemed unattainable for so long should soon stray within your grasp. At last, long-held ambitions can be fulfilled, even if some obstacles still need a bit of determined nudging. But don’t over-correct by eagerly taking on more than you can handle. Keep your good sense about you. TAURUS 21 APRIL – 20 MAY You might feel like you’re still dragging an anchor into September, Taurus, but expect greater freedom of movement as the weeks pass. The residual delays and frustrations should finally dissolve by month’s end, as Jupiter kindly kick-starts a new achievement cycle. Goals and ambitions suddenly appear much clearer as you neatly sidestep obstacles and develop a feel for the right direction. GEMINI 21 MAY – 21 JUNE Think back on your life and remember a time when the stresses of life didn’t weigh you down. Recall the joy of just being alive. Somewhere, at some time – you’ve felt this. If you haven’t been feeling that way lately, know that you can again. Think about how you could make changes that allow you to take time out - enough time for a few days break – or perhaps even a few weeks of leave? CANCER 22 JUNE – 22 JULY Where have you been, my elusive friend? Perhaps in search of love’s rainbow. If so, you’re probably ready to click your heels and wish for home. This is where all Cancerians will be happiest this month - taking comfort in the familiar. And, yes, you could be forgiven for feeling slightly cheated in the love stakes lately. So if fresh romantic prospects soar in on September’s breeze, don’t waste a minute. You deserve a glorious time. LEO 23 JULY – 22 AUGUST This month’s cosmic activity rocks your world. Most importantly, the planets dramatically revamp your romantic life. If you’ve been muddling through a tiresome tryst that no longer feeds mind, body or spirit – it’s possibly time to make a clean break. At the same time, Venus draws new friends into your social sphere. Sexual energy fuels passion and spontaneity. Work also keeps you busy, but rest up if you’re tired.

TANYA OBREZA was born in Slovenija and emigrated to Australia with her parents as a young girl. It was during her first visit to England that Tanya was introduced to astrology, and in 1980 she gained her London Faculty of Astrological Studies qualifications. Over the years, Tanya has established an extensive and wide-ranging international following, mostly due to her reassuring, down to earth presence.

Let Me

E N T E R TA I N YO U !

WORDS MELINDA MURRAY – PSM PUBLICITY Just as we thought we might be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so that entertainers of all kinds could get back to work, we realised it was actually an oncoming train. Back to the daily press conferences, rising case numbers, dark and silent venues. An industry that was hit first and hardest by the restrictions has always found a way to rise to the occasion, and this time is no exception. I know by this stage, you all have zoom downloaded on at least one device in the house and your perfect zoom attire. Something dressy on the top and pyjama pants and ugg boots on the bottom. A look that will forever be known as mullet eveningwear! So here is a list of things that will help you pass the time until we can get back to the venues that we know and love. NEED A LAUGH? In August 2020, comedian Daniel Muggleton and TV producer Yasmin Kara were led to believe the pandemic was over, so they started a weekly comedy club out of an underground bar in Darlinghurst, figuring that people needed a laugh. And they were spot on. For a year, crowds have packed into The Running Joke to watch a line-up of Australia’s funniest and most limber comedians every Thursday and Friday night, with Daniel Muggleton as the resident host. Huge names have passed through the doors during the last year, including Dave Hughes, Becky Lucas and Aaron Chen. And they had the rare honour of being the only place Jim Jefferies performed in Australia in 2021. As Covid has returned for an encore, so The Running Joke has gone digital, playing crowds bigger than their analogue venue allowed. With line-ups from around the world to keep Sydney laughing every Friday night, this is high-quality stand-up professionally produced and streamed via Zoom into living rooms around the world.

In an effort to make it accessible to all in this difficult time, tickets start at $10 for people who are doing it tough - no questions asked. They also give free entry to any healthcare workers with proof of ID and pay performers industry standard rates. The Running Joke Digital Comedy Club is located online; Friday nights 8pm AEST Tickets can be purchased at www.therunningjoke.com.au NEED MUSIC TO SOOTHE YOUR SOUL? Lizotte’s is working on a way to bring you footage of some of the amazing artists that have graced their stage over the last 12 years. Keep an eye on Lizotte’s Facebook page for details. SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT STYLISH If you need something to put the glamour back into your life, why not try Drag Bingo? Bejazzle your heels for a night of fun, laughs and everything in between with the stunning Timberlina. This ferocious queen’s eccentric style, naughty quick wit and dazzling Diamond repertoire will have you in stitches on the floor screaming for more. Tickets for Timberlina’s Drag Bingo are just $10pp, which includes three virtual games and performances, so be sure to lock your children in another room. Tickets from www.timberproductions.com.au If you need to keep up with what's happening in the world but can’t stand to watch the nightly news, there are a couple of podcasts that have been a blessing in our household. Several of these are peppered with a fairly liberal amount of bad language, but enough laughs included that you just don’t care. It’s a lot with Abbie Chatfield– It's a Lot, I Don’t Know About That with Jim Jefferies, PEP with Chas and Dr Dave (From Planet America on the ABC) are all well worth a listen. And for a bit of light relief and the pleasure it brings you just to hear the man speak, there is Literally with the gorgeous Rob Lowe.

Hallifax Holiday Park

WALLSEND TOWN Everything You Need in One Place!

Fingal Bay

It’s ania Spring M AT P ORT STEPHENS BEACHSIDE HOLIDAY PARKS!

When COVID allows, it’s time to Reconnect Now! with a visit to a Port Stephens Beachside Holiday Park, all with locations adjacent to Australia’s Blue Water Paradise, Nelson Bay, just a 45-minute drive from Newcastle. Stay at any one of four holiday parks, including Halifax Holiday Park, surrounded by two blue calm water beaches or Shoal Bay Holiday Park, directly opposite one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast of Australia or maybe Fingal Bay Holiday Park, surrounded by picturesque National Park and directly opposite the stunning patrolled surfing beach. Further, for a unique retreat, consider staying in a deluxe glamping tent and witnessing the most amazing sunset views over the bay at Thou walla Sunset Retreat, located at the tip of Soldiers Point. As well as being located adjacent to some of the best beaches in NSW, the holiday parks have fabulous amenities and facilities onsite that make a stay even more enjoyable for family and friends. All parks have modern amenity blocks, some including shared bathrooms for families, laundries with the latest washing machines and dryers and well-equipped camp kitchens. Some of the Beachside Holiday Parks offer swimming pools, spas and children’s playgrounds, perfect to keep the littlies busy during any short break. Also, did we mention that you can now travel *all year round with your Fido when staying at Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay and Halifax Holiday Parks! Naturally, there are a few

conditions to preserve the balance for all visitors, but your Fido can now holiday with you when you are staying in your own tent or caravan at any time of the year. So why not grab a great rate when you stay a minimum of two nights and get 10% off, three nights 15% off, or 4+ nights get 25% off your total stay cost? Simply ask reservation staff for the Spring Mania promotional rate when booking at a Beachside Holiday Park. The Spring Mania promotional period is from 4 October until 20 December 2021. More importantly, during these most unprecedented times, they offer a 100% Guest Commitment when staying at a Port Stephens Beachside Holiday Park, in this COVID-19 world, that you can be confident they are 100% committed to keeping you and your family safe by: • Increased cleaning frequency • Contactless guests interactions • Increased use of personal hygiene • Adherence to social distancing instructions • Record keeping To find out more about the 100% Guest Commitment or to enquire about staying with Fido, then visit the website www.beachsideholidays.com. au or contact the Reservations Centre on 02 4988 0990 (open every day between 9am-5pm) to make a booking. *Conditions apply – see website for details.

Introducin g ...

D N E S L L WA L A V I T S FE 18–25

SEPTEMBER SATURDAY 18 SEPT Movie Night in Federal Park

WEDNESDAY 22 SEPT Market Day and Fashions on the Foot Path

SATURDAY 25 SEPT Unveiling of Mural and Celebrations Progressive Lunch in Tyrrell Street, Wallsend

Stay Tuned for Updates!

www.wallsendtown.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 11

A Commitment

TO TAILORED EDUCATION AND LEARNING WORDS LIANE MORRIS ATWEA COLLEGE (PREVIOUSLY WEA HUNTER) BEGAN MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO AS A PLACE THAT PROVIDED ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND LEARNING FOR WORKERS OF THE NEWCASTLE/HUNTER VALLEY REGION. THE WEA STOOD FOR WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION AND AT ONE STAGE OPERATED IN EVERY STATE EXCEPT WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND THE NORTHERN TERRITORY. TODAY IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF COMMUNITY-BASED ADULT LEARNING IN NSW, RUNNING MORE THAN 350 COURSES, INCLUDING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDIES FOR MARGINALISED YOUTH.

Recently, in 2019, WEA Hunter was renamed ATWEA. The new name doesn’t stand for anything in particular, except that it includes the WEA as a nod to its past. The name change was part of an organisation-wide refresh to acknowledge and promote new, forward-thinking, educational capabilities whilst still building on its reputation for community lifestyle learning. However, ATWEA is so much more than WEA. UNLOCKING POTENTIAL Atwea is committed to delivering tailored education and learning options to anyone who wants or needs them. Its 12 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

tagline is ‘Unlocking Potential’, graphically demonstrated through the use of the waterlily in its logo. Waterlilies grow to fit the size of whatever they are planted in – the larger the vessel, the more they reach their potential. The students are represented by the waterlily, the soil represents the courses, the pot is the opportunity, and the water is the community. When all of these elements work together, they enable the student to reach their full potential. This concept underpins all that Atwea strives for. The values of Atwea College are integrity, inclusion and innovation, which are demonstrated by its ability to create connections and collaborate with people from all walks of life with the aim of helping them unlock their full potential. Atwea offers skills training in the music industry, hospitality and retail, complementary health and beauty, community and aged care, business and first aid. The focus is on building work-ready skills, and to aid in facilitating this, Atwea College has partnerships with major employers and Job Active Providers to create employment pathways. The Learn for Fun courses that the college is most well-known for include business and money matters, creative arts and music, fitness and outdoors, food, languages and culture, hobbies, home and handicrafts, photography, personal development and computer and IT. Alesco Senior College is for senior secondary students and is the latest addition to the Atwea educational and training options. Executive Director of Atwea College, Rowan Cox, has made significant contributions to the development and direction of the organisation, inspired by her own adolescence and her passion for education. Rowan has worked at Atwea for 23 years in various capacities, including Manager of VET and Equity, Deputy Director, General Manager and Principal of Alesco Senior College. She has a Bachelor of Social Science (Sociology) and qualifications in

education, counselling, youth work and community welfare. As Executive Director, she is responsible for setting the organisation’s strategic direction, ensuring financial sustainability and overseeing the delivery of vocational and secondary school education. Deeply committed to the transformative powers of education, Rowan loves the organisation’s ‘why not’ attitude. If there is a need for the education and the organisation is capable of providing it, Atwea will make every effort to offer it to students. Rowan grew up estranged from her family in a small country town with no family support as a teenager. She readily admits that she was prime dropout material and didn’t expect to finish high school. Luckily for Rowan, a few teachers at her country school took a personal interest in her as a young girl, ensuring she met her educational milestones and giving her the chance to move to the next stage of her life. “All it took was people who connected with me, to give me a chance, to be more flexible in their teaching styles. Education delivered this way has the power to unlock potential, and honestly, if it worked for me, it would work for everyone,” said Rowan, who went on to co-found Alesco, the secondary school arm of Atwea based in part on these experiences. Alesco is an incredibly successful educational model, rolling out across the Hunter and Mid North Coast with seven campuses and other educational bodies wanting to replicate the methods across the whole of Australia. ALESCO SENIOR COLLEGE “The Alesco aim is to offer education to young people whose circumstances have previously prohibited them from succeeding in mainstream education. This was modelled on my experiences of high school. The well-being and welfare of our students should have equal weighting with educational outcomes. And we found that there was a niche need. We had at-risk and marginalised students who were disenfranchised from mainstream schooling repeatedly coming to Atwea to progress their education. They were coming back all the time, and I recognised and understood the problem and the opportunity that it represented. At

the capacity to pick and choose from different training packages for the explicit needs of a specific job. The system currently doesn’t allow for this because too many rules govern the courses and how they can be studied. An example of this would be someone studying Business Administration who lands a job in a vet clinic. It may well be advantageous for that person to also do some basic Animal Handling study in addition to business administration, but at present, unless you want to enrol in the entire Animal Handling course, you can’t. Being able to pick and choose components of different courses would benefit not just the student but also the employer and lead to a much more skilled and motivated workforce. Digital literacy is a critical component of the modern educational landscape, but no one knows what the future holds. Atwea has a policy of keeping tech requirements consistent and available to all, only using what’s required to deliver the expected educational outcomes. It needs to be accessible but not intimidating. Atwea provides courses that cover the full spectrum of the digital learning journey, introducing digital technologies for young people and seniors through to specialised expert training.

Alesco Senior College, we give them autonomy and respect their choices – the same way my teachers did for me all those years ago. It’s about empowerment and support. We’ve had other education providers interested in looking to copy the model all over Australia. Other than my two kids, this is probably my proudest achievement, knowing that I’ve positively influenced the lives of so many young people and given them the same chance that I was given.” Alesco Senior College is a unique blend of academic teaching with an individualised case management approach set in a community-based adult learning environment. In other words, it’s formal education, but it’s delivered within an informal or non-institutional type of setting. And whilst education is a priority, so is supporting young people to become better future citizens by developing a common set of values based on respect and responsibility for themselves and their community. THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION Rowan sees the future of education in micro-credentialing and sees Atwea as well placed to offer this style of learning. The current educational landscape is highly regulated, which impedes flexibility. Fifty years ago, education led to a future pathway; now, education is trying to keep up. Microcredentialing is about building your own qualifications, having

COVID IMPACT The engagement of students is at the very centre of the Atwea and Alesco philosophies, and the current pandemic situation has led to significant challenges. They’ve had no choice but to shift to a distance delivery model, which is particularly difficult because Atwea students attend the facility partly because they don’t want to learn online. The organisation has developed a Wellbeing & Connectivity Check for thousands of students. This has involved every single employee of Atwea and Alesco getting on the phone and calling students one by one – even the administration staff have been working the phones. Every effort has been made to provide the disadvantaged students at Alesco campuses with the same items they would receive if they were on campus, with care packs in plastic tubs being created full of food, toiletries, and basic staples that they can collect. “We’re all just waiting for it (Covid-19) to be over,” said Rowan. “I’m very concerned for our students, what it means for the HSC and study in general. How long will we have to wait?” The move to online learning has also impacted the Live Spots Emerging Artists Mentoring Program that the college offers music students and emerging practitioners. The program provides training, space and opportunities to live music performers just as they are starting out. Unfortunately, the pandemic has put this program on hold during lockdown. THE FUTURE OF ATWEA Atwea has grown 350% over the past five years. That’s an incredible trajectory, but Rowan insists that they didn’t mean for it to happen. “We don’t believe in growth for growth’s sake – we just don’t do it,” she said. “What we are, is responsive to the needs of the community. Education for the employment, growth and enjoyment of all people.” The most significant areas of growth for the organisation have been in the incredible success and demand for the unique Alesco model of senior secondary schools for marginalised and at-risk students and in traineeships. There has been a surge in employers seeking individualised training. “They don’t want cookie-cutter solutions, and unlike other training providers, Atwea can provide that flexibility.”

There have also been two new campuses opened this year. Alesco Charlestown opened in January and now has 40 students. It’s the seventh campus since the Cooks Hill campus opened in 2002 for students from year 9 through to year 12. Other campuses include Raymond Terrace, Tomaree, Tuncurry, Cessnock and Northlakes. The other exciting new campus is the Atwea Health and Beauty Therapy School on Hunter Street in Newcastle. This great fit for purpose learning space includes make-up rooms, tutorial space, student clinics, beauty therapy spaces and all the tech to go along with it. ATWEA VS TAFE Rowan sees Atwea as complementary to the TAFE system. TAFE, which stands for Technical and Further Education, is the public vocational education arm of the NSW government, set up to educate and train adults. It’s big; Often seen as a one size fits all institution. Atwea is not. Atwea suits individuals who don’t thrive in such big institutions or employers who are seeking a more customised training program. An Atwea course of study is often a precursor to studying at TAFE. It can offer the personalised support required to get a person back into education and provide the confidence to transition to TAFE. Similarly, it can sometimes offer post TAFE qualifications in situations where the person studying requires more specific study to suit a particular job requirement. “I like to think of TAFE as the QE2 and Atwea as the Stockton Ferry,” laughed Rowan. “TAFE, like the QE2, can be hard to turn around, a big wieldy ship that can take you far, but we’re the little powerhouse of a ferry that can guide the ship into port or out of it to venture to far horizons.”

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS When WEA Hunter was opened in 1913, it wasn’t opened to women. Women were not eligible to enrol until the 1940's. The fact that it now has a woman in charge would no doubt be a shock to the founders. One imagines, however, that they would still be happy with the legacy and how long the organisation has lasted. The original intent and form of education was to teach the blue-collar workers and miners of the Hunter Region about what was going on in the world around them. At first, the education took the form of conversations before it developed into communitybased adult learning courses. Atwea is still providing this community-based education to anyone who may have a barrier to it and placing the welfare of its students firmly at the forefront of every choice it makes and everything it does. This fundamental purpose may have been modernised into a contemporary training institution, but it still exists wholly for the benefit of the students and their communities – not so very different from its humble beginnings.

CHECK OUT THE SEMESTER 4 COURSE GUIDE IN THE CENTRE OF THIS MONTH’S ISSUE – AND GET LEARNING! www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 13

14 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

PULL OUT + KEEP!

SPR I N G 2021

COURSE GUIDE

Term 4

TERM 4 course information

HIGH SCHOOL AT ALESCO MUSIC INDUSTRY HEALTH AND BEAUTY BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND AGED CARE FOOD, LANGUAGES AND CULTURE PHOTOGRAPHY FITNESS AND OUTDOORS CREATIVE ARTS

UNLO CK IN G POTENTIAL

RESILIENCE

COURSES

HOSPITALITY WORK SKILLS

SKILLS TRAINING

Individuals with engaging and dynamic people skills are highly suitable for the fast-paced environment of the hospitality sector. This skill set, which includes RSA and RCG, will have you job-ready in no time.

Hospitality and Retail

Courses are run in Newcastle, Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Maitland, Lake Macquarie

COURSE NAME

COST

DETAILS

START

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

2 days per week 8 weeks

Various dates – contact us for details.

HOSPITALITY WORK SKILLS – SITXCCS003 Interact with customers – SITHIND001 Use hygienic practices for hospitality service – SITHFAB002 Provide responsible service of alcohol• – SITHGAM001 Provide responsible gambling services• – SITXFIN001 Process financial transactions – Non-accredited: Introduction to Barista – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning

Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

RSA & RCG: Upon successful completion of the course you will be issued with the relevant Statement of Attainment and you will be able to apply for your

Liquor & Gaming approved Competency Card.

RCG (SITHGAM001)•

$150

1 day

Various dates – contact us for details.

RSA (SITHFAB002)•

$150

1 day

Various dates – contact us for details.

RSA & RCG Package (SITHGAM001 & SITHFAB002)•

$275

2 days

Various dates – contact us for details.

SIT20316 Certificate II in Hospitality

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

2 days per week 24 weeks

Various dates – contact us for details.

SIT30616 Certificate III in Hospitality

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

2 days per week 24 weeks

Various dates – contact us for details.

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

2 days per week 6 weeks

Various dates – contact us for details.

HOSPITALITY

RETAIL SKILL SET – SIRXCOM002 Work effectively in a team – SIRXIND003 Organise personal work requirements – SIRXWHS002 Contribute to workplace health and safety – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning

Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

RETAIL

• DEPENDING Atwea College

SIR20216 Certificate II in Retail Services

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

2 days per week 24 weeks

Various dates – contact us for details.

SIR30216 Certificate III in Retail

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

2 days per week 24 weeks

Various dates – contact us for details.

O N C O V I D -19 R E S T R I C T I O N S

Term 4 Spring 2021

*This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

To register call 02 4925 4200 or visit atwea.edu.au

Community and Aged Care COURSE NAME

Courses are run in Newcastle, Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Maitland, Lake Macquarie COST

DETAILS

START

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

2 days per week 6 weeks

Various dates – contact us for details.

AGED CARE/DISABILITY SKILL SET – CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services – CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people – HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems – HLTAID003 Provide first aid – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning

Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

MEDICATION SKILL SET – HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems – HLTHPS006 Assist clients with medication

$595. Expressions of interest.

Develop the skills and knowledge required to provide medication assistance and complete medication documentation. This short course is recommended for workers in aged, home, community and disability care settings.

Various dates – contact us for details.

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

2 days per week 6 weeks

Various dates – contact us for details.

COMMUNITY SERVICES SKILL SET – CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services – CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people – BSBWOR202 Organise and complete daily work activities – BSBWOR201 Manage personal stress in the workplace – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning

Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

COMMUNITY SERVICES CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Study the Diploma of Community Services over 18 months online with monthly face to face or video link workshops.

Mon 31 Jan 2022

Legal name: Workers Educational Association – Hunter. Registered business names. Atwea College I WEA Hunter I WEA Coast I Alesco Senior College I Forster Tuncurry Community College I Alesco Learning Centre I WEA Hunter Adult Education & Training. RTO code: 90020. Maximum tuition for this course is $9,990.

AGED CARE CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

2 days per week | 24 weeks 120hrs compulsory work placement. Support in securing work placement provided.

Various dates – contact us for details.

CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Study the Certificate IV in Ageing Support over 12 months. Blended delivery options. 120hrs compulsory work placement.

Various dates – contact us for details.

DISABILITY CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

2 days per week | 24 weeks 120hrs compulsory work placement. Support in securing work placement provided.

Various dates – contact us for details.

CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Study the Certificate IV in Disability over 12 months online. Blended delivery options. 120hrs compulsory work placement.

Various dates – contact us for details.

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Study to become a youth leader. This qualification is also available as a traineeship.

Various dates – contact us for details.

YOUTH WORK CHC40413 Certificate IV in Youth Work

*This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

AGED CARE/ DISABILITY SKILL SET Are you interested in a caring profession and prefer hands on work? This skill set is ideal if you’re interested in learning about providing assistance to those in aged care or disability. Students are equipped with the relevant theoretical knowledge and practices necessary to provide person-centred support.

COURSES SKILLS TRAINING

Complementary Health and Beauty COURSE NAME

Run in Newcastle COST

DETAILS

START

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

1 day per week face to face 12 weeks Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

Various dates

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

1 day per week face to face 10 weeks Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

Various dates

SHB30115 Certificate III in Beauty Services

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

2 days per week 24 weeks

Various dates

SHB50115 Diploma of Beauty Therapy

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

3 days per week 12 month course

Tue 5 Oct

SHB50115 Diploma of Beauty Therapy (Upskilling Pathway)

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

2 days per week 9 month course

Tue 5 Oct

BEAUTY INDUSTRY SKILL SET – SHBXWHS001 Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices – SHBBMUP002 Design and apply make-up – SHBXCCS001 Conduct salon financial transactions – SHBBNLS004 Apply nail art – SHBBBFAS001 Provide lash and brow services – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning NAIL TECHNOLOGY SKILL SET – SHBXWHS001 Apply safe hygiene, health and work practices – SHBBNLS003 Apply acrylic nail enhancements – SHBBNLS006 Apply advanced nail art – SHBBNLS005 Use electric file equipment for nail services – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning BEAUTY SERVICES

If you have already achieved SHB30115 Certificate III in Beauty Services come and talk to us about upskilling to the Diploma.

BEAUTY INDUSTRY SKILL SET This comprehensive skill set course covers safe hygiene, health, and work practices, make-up, nail art and lash and brow services. Students will be trained in how to communicate effectively with clients, including product consultations and financial transactions.

MAKE-UP SHB30215 Certificate III in Make-up

Term 4 Spring 2021

2 days per week 24 weeks

Various dates

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

12 month course Recognised by the Australian Natural Therapists Association and can provide you with health fund status. 200 hours of client work must be completed.

Mon 31 Jan 2022

MASSAGE

*This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

Atwea College

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

HLT52015 Diploma of Remedial Massage

To register call 02 4925 4200 or visit atwea.edu.au Business

Courses are run in Newcastle, Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Maitland, Lake Macquarie

COURSE NAME

COST

DETAILS

START

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

2 days per week 8 weeks

Various dates – contact us for details.

BUSINESS SKILL SET – BSBCMM211 Apply communication skills – BSBTWK201 Work effectively with others – BSBWHS211 Contribute to health and safety of self and others – BSBTEC202 Use digital technologies to communicate in a work environment – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning

Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

BUSINESS DIGITAL SKILL SET – BSBTEC201 Use business software applications – BSBTEC202 Use digital technologies to communicate in a work environment – BSBTEC101 Operate digital devices – Non accredited: Computer skills – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

2 days per week 6 weeks Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

Various dates – contact us for details.

BUSINESS DIGITAL INTERMEDIATE SKILL SET – BSBTEC202 Use digital technologies to communicate in a work environment – BSBTEC301 Design and produce business documents – BSBTEC302 Design and produce spreadsheets – BSBTEC303 Create electronic presentations – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

2 days per week 8 weeks Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

Various dates – contact us for details.

DIGITAL MARKETING How to Integrate Digital Platforms into Your Business

No fees apply (if eligible). This training may be subsidised by the NSW Government if your business has less than 20 employees or under $2M turnover. Contact us to check eligibility.

This course helps you and your team understand and market your business in the digital world. Includes a 1-day workshop with three worksite support visits to complete a marketing plan. This course has accredited and non-accredited components.

Dates determined by demand.

BSB20120 Certificate II in Workplace Skills

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Self-paced online delivery. Choose your hours of study.

Enrol any time.

BSB30120 Certificate III in Business

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Self-paced online delivery. Choose your hours of study.

Enrol any time.

BSB30120 Certificate III in Business (Administration)

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Self-paced online delivery. Choose your hours of study.

Enrol any time.

BSB30120 Certificate III in Business (Customer Engagement)

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Self-paced online delivery. Choose your hours of study.

Enrol any time.

BSB40120 Certificate IV in Business (Administration)

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Self-paced online delivery. Choose your hours of study.

Enrol any time.

BSB40520 Certificate IV Leadership & Management

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Self-paced online delivery. Choose your hours of study.

Enrol any time.

BSB50120 Diploma of Business

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Study the Diploma of Business over 12 months. Online delivery with monthly face-to-face workshops.

Tue 5 Oct

BUSINESS

BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

Study the Diploma of Leadership and Management over 12 months. Online delivery with monthly face-to-face workshops.

Tue 5 Oct

• DEPENDING

O N C O V I D -19 R E S T R I C T I O N S

*This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

HOW TO INTEGRATE DIGITAL PLATFORMS INTO YOUR BUSINESS This course helps you and your team understand and market your business in the digital world. Includes a 1-day workshop with three worksite support visits to complete a marketing plan.

COURSES SKILLS TRAINING

Music Industry

Run at The Creative Arts Space in Hamilton, Newcastle

COURSE NAME

COST

DETAILS

START

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

1 day per week 10 weeks

Various dates

HOME STUDIO RECORDING SKILL SET – CUAMCP303 Develop simple pieces using electronic media – CUAMLT302 Apply knowledge of style and genre to music industry practice – CUAMPF304 Make a music demo – CUAMCP302 Write song lyrics – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning

Flexible delivery options depending on numbers.

THEATRE FRONT OF HOUSE SKILL SET – CUAFOH202 Usher patrons – CUAFOH301 Provide seating and ticketing services – CUAIND201 Develop and apply creative arts industry knowledge – CUALGT201 Develop basic lighting skills and knowledge – CUASOU201 Develop basic audio skills and knowledge – CUASTA202 Assist with bump in and bump out of shows – Non-accredited: Study skills – Non-accredited: Pathway planning

No fee if eligible for subsidy.*

CUA30915 Certificate III in Music Industry

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

2 days per week 10 weeks

Various dates

Some days will be assisting with shows for the practical experience and may be in the evening or weekend

2 days per week 24 weeks

Various dates

An introduction to the music industry with a focus on industry requirements.

CUA50815 Diploma of Music Industry

MUSIC INDUSTRY Whatever aspect of the music industry you are passionate about the Diploma of Music Industry has elective streams designed to help you toward your professional music goal. See above.

• DEPENDING Atwea College

12 month course

Tue 5 Oct

Elective streams: Performance, Sound Production and Business.

First Aid

Courses are run in Newcastle, Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Maitland, Lake Macquarie

COURSE NAME

COST

DETAILS

START

HLTAID011 Provide First Aid• Includes HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation

$140

9am-4pm 1 day

Various dates – contact us for details.

O N C O V I D -19 R E S T R I C T I O N S

Term 4 Spring 2021

Fees subject to eligibility and funding availability.

*This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

To register call 02 4925 4200 visit atwea.edu.au

COURSES LEARN FOR FUN

Food, Languages and Culture

TERM 4

SPANISH

COST

TIME

WKS

START DATE

ITALIAN

COST

TIME

WKS

START DATE

Spanish Beginners

$280

6-8:30pm

Mon 11 Oct

Italian Beginners

$280

2:30-5pm or 6-8:30pm

Wed 6 Oct

Spanish Intermediate

$280

6-8:30pm

Tue 5 Oct

Italian Intermediate

$280

Tues 5 Oct

Spanish Conversational

$280

6-8:30pm

Wed 6 Oct

2:30-5pm or 6-8:30pm

Italian Continuing

$280

2:30-5pm or 6-8:30pm

Mon 11 Oct

$220

6-8pm

Mon 11 Oct

Italian Parliamo

$220

10.30am12.30pm

Sat 9 Oct

Japanese Intermediate

$280

6-8:30pm

Mon 11 Oct

Japanese Beginners

$280

6-8:30pm

Tues 5 Oct

Japanese Continuing

$280

6-8:30pm

Wed 6 Oct

Chinese Mandarin Beginners GERMAN

$220

6-8pm

Tue 5 Oct

German Beginners

$280

12:30-3pm

Tue 5 Oct

German Intermediate

$280

6-8:30pm

Wed 6 Oct

AUSLAN Auslan Beginners

JAPANESE

LATIN Latin Beginners

$280

6-8:30pm

Tue 5 Oct

FRENCH French Beginners

$280

12:30-3pm or 6-8:30pm

Tue 19 Oct

French Intermediate

$280

12:30-3pm or 6-8:30pm

Wed 20 Oct

French Continuing

$200

12:30-3pm or

Thu 28 Oct

$200

6-8:30pm

Mon 25 Oct

CHINESE MANDARIN

COURSE NAME

COST

TIME

WKS

START DATE

DETAILS

Italian Arancini

$89

6-9pm

Mon 18 Oct

This hands-on cooking class shows you how to make delicious Italian Arancini.*

$89 Parmigiana Eggplant (Melanzane alla Parmigiana) with Besciamella sauce and traditional Peperonata Dish (Italian vegetarian) Schiacciata Fiorentina and Crostoli $89

6-9pm

Mon 11 Oct

Learn how to create traditional Italian Parmigiana and Peperonata from scratch to take home and enjoy!*

6-9pm

Mon 1 Nov or Mon 29 Nov

Cook authentic and traditional Italian orange cake and Crostoli biscuits from scratch to take home!*

Cannelloni with homemade pasta, bechamel and tomato sauce

$89

6-9pm

Mon 25 Oct or Mon 15 Nov

Join Elisabetta to learn how to make spinach and ricotta Cannelloni with fresh made pasta and sauces!*

ITALIAN PANETTONE

Italian Festive Season Cakes

$89

6-9pm

Mon 13 Dec

Make two festive cakes – Pandoro stars with eggnog custard and Christmas Zuccotto.

Italian Panettone

$89

6-9pm

Mon 6 Dec

Elisabetta will guide you in making this traditional Italian Christmas Sweetbread.

Conchiglioni and Cantucci biscuits

$89

6-9pm

Mon 22 Nov

Learn how to make two Christmas classics – Italian filled pasta and Tuscan biscuits.

Panettone and Ricciarelli

$89

9am-12pm

Sat 11 Dec

Fill and decorate Panettone for the festive season.

Edible Christmas Wreath

$89

9am-12pm

Sat 4 Dec

Learn to cook, pipe and bake a light and crunchy choux pastry as an edible Christmas wreath.

Panettone is a type of Italian sweet bread originally from Milan, usually prepared and enjoyed for Christmas. Learn how to make this traditional recipe from an expert as a wonderful addition to your Christmas table or for seasonal gifting.

• DEPENDING

O N C O V I D -19 R E S T R I C T I O N S

* SEE

WEBSITE FOR REQUIREMENTS

COURSES LEARN FOR FUN

Hobbies, Home & Handicrafts

TERM 4

COURSE NAME

COST

TIME

WKS

START DATE

DETAIL

Arc Welding

$80

10am-12pm

Wed 6 Oct or Wed 10 Nov

Learn the basic welding skills and techniques to weld safely and correctly on small projects.*

Soap Making Beginners

$89

5:30-8:30pm

Wed 13 Oct Create and control the products you use on your own skin! In this one session, Wed 3 Nov students will learn basic scientific principles of saponification to create a basic soap Wed 17 Nov using supermarket ingredients. Learn the basics of operating Soapcalc.* Wed 24 Nov or Wed 8 Dec

Soap Making Advanced

$89

5:30-8:30pm 1

Wed 20 Oct Wed 10 Nov Wed 1 Dec or Wed 15 Dec

Students will learn about the different colourants and fragrance/essential oils that can be used safely in soap and additives that are soothing to different skin conditions. Must have completed Soap Making Beginners.*

Soy Candles

$89

9am-12pm

Sat 30 Oct

Make your own natural soy candles. You can choose from six different fragrances and colours to make your own candle to take home.*

Basic Sewing

$280 5:30-8:30pm

Mon 11 Oct or Wed 13 Oct

Learn basic sewing skills, how to use a sewing machine, read and understand patterns, simple garment construction, repairs and alteration.*

Christmas Candles

$89

9am-12pm

Sat 13 Nov

Make natural soy candles that can add a festive theme to your home or for Christmas gifting.

Christmas ‘Quilt as you go’ Placemats or Table Runner

$89

9am-12pm

Sat 27 Nov

Learn how to cut and piece two different quilted placemats. lncludes wadding and backing. Binding techniques will be shown to finish edges.

Puppy Obedience School

$89

6-7:30pm

Wed 3 Nov

Learn how to use your hands, body and voice to teach your puppy to sit, stand, drop, heel, retrieve and come to you. For puppies 9 to 16 weeks on collar and lead, must have current vaccination paper work.*

Floristry – Foam Base Medium Arrangement Preserved/dried

$160

6-8pm

Mon 22 Nov

Create an arrangement in floral foam in a ceramic pot, using a mix of preserved and dried materials. Learn the basic techniques to a centrepiece or sideboard design. All materials are supplied. Please bring along an apron and wear enclosed shoes.

Floristry – Christmas Wreath

$145

6-8pm

Mon 6 Dec or Mon 13 Dec

Create your own Christmas wreath using beautifully textured dried and preserved flowers and foliages. Perfect to decorate your front door. Wreaths are hand made from vines, for an organic, rustic look.

Floristry – Christmas Table Styling

$160

6-9pm

Tue 14 Dec

Create a beautifully styled Christmas table design using fresh, dried and preserved flowers and foliage into a foam base. Perfect to decorate your Christmas table. Play with additional styling items (candles, vases, napery etc) to create a completely styled table using a few different design ideas. You will take away a beautiful centrepiece arrangement and a whole lot of ideas for a spectacular Christmas table.

Photography

TERM 4

COURSE NAME

COST

TIME

WKS

START DATE

DETAIL

Beginners DLSR Photography

$170

6-8:30pm

Tue 5 Oct Wed 6 Oct Tue 9 Nov or Wed 10 Nov

Learn the three basic elements of photography and learn how to confidently shoot in manual mode to create the shots you imagine!

Intermediate DSLR Photography

$170

6-8:30pm

Mon 11 Oct

Build on the skills learned in Beginners class. Night one in the classroom, followed by two nights of practical lessons out photographing in Newcastle (meet up at the classroom). Pre-requisite: Atwea College Beginners DSLR.

Night & Sunrise Photography

$170

See description for times

Tue 30 Nov

Photography theory and inspiration class in the classroom on Tue 30 Nov (6pm), a sunrise shoot on Fri 3 Dec (5:15 am) at Redhead Beach and a night shoot on Tue 7 Dec (7pm) at Merewether Beach.

CHRISTMAS CANDLES Learn how to make natural soy candles that can add a festive theme to your home or for Christmas gifting. Personalise your candles with fragrance and colours.

• DEPENDING Atwea College

O N C O V I D -19 R E S T R I C T I O N S

Term 4 Spring 2021

* SEE

WEBSITE FOR REQUIREMENTS

To register call 02 4925 4200 or visit atwea.edu.au

Personal Development

TERM 4

COURSE NAME

COST

TIME

WKS

START DATE

Public Speaking

$200

6:30-9pm

Wed 13 Oct Learn the techniques of public speaking and improve your confidence with experienced Toastmasters.

Psychic Development

$220

6:30-8:30pm 8

Mon 11 Oct

Meditation

$220

6:30-8:30pm 8

Wed 13 Oct Learn the basics of a variety of meditation styles. Learn how to build the practice, relax and understand everyone has the ability to meditate.

Psychic Development

$89

10am-4pm

Sat 6 Nov

Understand the fundamentals of how to listen to your intuition, inner guidance and what psychic means. If you have completed or previously attended any Basic Psychic Development Workshops, you can still benefit from attending this workshop.

$89

10am-4pm

Sat 30 Oct

In this interactive one day workshop, through guided and supportive low impact activities, learn the basics of how to reduce anxiety and stress and create relaxation for yourself. Be guided through learning a number of basic focus, breathing and writing techniques and activities as well as a few mini meditations to incorporate these techniques in your daily life, without needing to find hours to do them.

Introduction to Creative Writing

$69

10am-1pm

Sat 9 Oct

This workshop is all about having fun and using your imagination! This workshop will help novice writers develop the essential tools needed to be a creative writer.

Writing a Short Story

$69

10am-1pm

Sat 16 Oct

This workshop provides students with an understanding of all aspects of writing short stories in various genres. All styles and viewpoints contained within the short story form will be discussed. Through a series of Creative Writing exercises, students will explore different approaches to writing a short story.

Writing Romantic Fiction

$69

10am-1pm

Sat 23 Oct

This workshop will take you through everything you need to know to write the kind of romance novel that gets noticed. From creating a hero and heroine that sizzle, to understanding point-of-view and knowing where to go for more resources, you'll get access to insider information on making the most out of your manuscript.

Podcasting for Beginners

$350

9am-3pm

Sat 6 Nov

This course has been designed for anyone wishing to learn the skills to create a simple quality podcast. Knowledge covered includes equipment, hosting and publishing platforms, story creation, audience understanding, professional broadcast techniques, copyright issues and recording. Students will get the opportunity to brainstorm podcast ideas with a broadcast and podcast professional. For fun or to take your business message to the world this course is for you.*

Standard Mental Health First Aid

$170

6-9pm

Tue 12 Oct

The Standard Mental Health First Aid course will teach you how to provide initial support to other adults who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves, using a practical, evidence based Action Plan. This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals. NOTE: This course is NOT a therapy or support group. Please bring $30 (cash) for manual.*

O N E DAY W O R K S H O P

Relaxation Techniques O N E DAY W O R K S H O P

Fitness and Outdoors

DETAIL

Understand how to use your natural abilities and intuition to develop your own psychic senses. Begin your journey with the fundamentals of psychic connection, interpretation of messages, signs, synchronicity. Put it into practice in a safe, respectful learning environment.

TERM 4

COURSE NAME

COST

TIME

WKS

START DATE

DETAIL

Introduction to Outrigger Canoeing

$30

9am-12pm

Sat 23 Oct, Sat 20 Nov or Sat 11 Dec

Supervised practice in a six-person outrigger canoe and a rotating try out in a double outrigger canoe with a coach. Enjoy a paddle around Throsby Creek and the harbour before returning to Carrington.

Cardio Tennis

$79

6:30-7:30pm 5

Thu 14 Oct

Fun, social group tennis fitness program for people of all ages and abilities. The Cardio Tennis session provides a time efficient way to improve your fitness, lose weight and meet new friends.

Tennis – Adult Clinic for Experienced and Competition Players

$99

6pm-7:30pm 5

Tue 12 Oct

An excellent opportunity to improve your tennis game. Playing drills, match play and court craft advice from experienced professionals. A fun workout and healthy exercise. Meet new friends and develop your tennis skills.

Tennis – Ladies Clinic for Experienced and Competition Players

$99

10:30am12pm

Tue 12 Oct

As above.

• DEPENDING

O N C O V I D -19 R E S T R I C T I O N S

* SEE

WEBSITE FOR REQUIREMENTS

INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING Learn the essentials tools of writing and unleash your imagination.

COURSES LEARN FOR FUN

Fitness and Outdoors COURSE NAME

COST

TERM 4

TIME

WKS

START DATE

DETAIL

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls $89 Prevention – Newcastle

1:45-3pm

Thu 21 Oct

Using Dr Lam’s easy, self-paced, step-wise teaching method. Tai Chi significantly improves pain, stiffness, mobility and general health. Supported by the Arthritis Foundation of Australia.

Tai Chi for Arthritis and $89 Falls Prevention – Raymond Terrace

11:15am12:30pm

Thu 21 Oct

As above.

Chair Yoga

$110

11:15am12:30pm

Tue 5 Oct

Chair Yoga is a wonderful way to get the many physical and mental health benefits of yoga for those who may have trouble standing for long periods or sitting on the floor.

Yoga, Breath & Movement for Longevity

$110

4-5:15pm

Mon 11 Oct

Relax, reduce stress, improve balance, flexibility and strength through the practice of yoga, movement and simple breathwork. Sara’s class is perfect for those new to Yoga or who enjoy a slower paced class.

Reiki Level 2

$89

10am-4pm

Sat 16 Oct

Take your Reiki to the next level.

Introduction to the Japanese Dojo for Ladies (Self-defence focus)

$175

9-10:30am

Sat 9 Oct

An introduction to the basics of traditional Japanese martial arts and self-defence, modelled on the syllabus of the Shikishimakan Dojo. To be empowered is very much a matter of the heart and ultimate strength never resides in the hands or feet.*

Business and Money Matters

TERM 4

COURSE NAME

TIME

WKS

START DATE

DETAIL

Understanding Investments $59

6-9pm

Mon 1 Nov

Learn how investments work and how you can use them to turn a profit.

Wealth Creation and Accumulation

$59

6-9pm

Mon 8 Nov

Learn how you can create wealth and achieve financial independence.

Stock Market Investing

$59

6-9pm

Mon 15 Nov Gain a sound understanding of the issues involved in buying and selling shares, understanding financial pages, taxation aspects including negative gearing, dividend imputation and how you can lower your personal tax.

Successful Money Management

$59

6-9pm

Mon 22 Nov Learn about various investment strategies and how they are appropriate in differing stages of life.

Planning for Retirement

$59

6-9pm

Mon 29 Nov Learn the importance of retirement planning and investment options such as cash, shares, super, property and self-managed funds.

Build an Online Store with Shopify

$159

9am-3pm

Sat 9 Oct

BUYING AND SELLING ONLINE

Computer Confidence

$280

9:30am12:45pm

Use the power of online tools to sell what you no longer need to those who want it, and make some extra cash!

Wed 13 Oct Computers for absolute beginners to learn skills and build tech confidence. Our trainer will guide you through a range of programs including internet and email. You will also be able to create, edit and save documents in Microsoft programs and be able to create and use an electronic filing system.

Connect with Facebook

$79

9am-1pm

Sat 23 Oct

Learn to make the most of your new Facebook profile. Please bring your login details or your own device with Facebook access if you wish to use your own account. You can setup a Facebook account on the day or just use the course for your own information.

Buying and Selling Online – Christmas Edition

$79

9am-1pm

Sat 30 Oct

Cut the clutter and make some money to shop for great online Christmas deals!

• DEPENDING Atwea College

O N C O V I D -19 R E S T R I C T I O N S

Term 4 Spring 2021

* SEE

COST

WEBSITE FOR REQUIREMENTS

If you’re thinking of starting an eCommerce business, you need a website to support it. Shopify is one of the best eCommerce platforms for functionality and user friendliness. This course will show you step by step how to build, design, manage and market a Shopify store that both customers, and search engines like Google, will love! This will be run as a small class with plenty of time to discuss your needs, it is very practical and hands on. Please contact us for course requirements.

To register call 02 4925 4200 or visit atwea.edu.au

Creative Arts

TERM 4

COURSE NAME

COST

TIME

WKS

START DATE

DETAIL

Traditional & Chinese Water Colour Painting

$89

10am-4pm

Sat 23 Oct

Learn graceful brush strokes using Chinese ink and watercolours. Creativity and chi will flow as we paint dragonflies, bamboo, flowers and more.*

Acrylic Maximilisation Painting

$89

10am-4pm

Sat 30 Oct

The direct opposite of minimalism. Large brightly coloured designs and patterns played against each other to make a big statement. This is quite a new form of painting style (only around 50 years). We will work on a large stretched canvas.*

Alcohol Ink

$89

10am-4pm

Sat 6 Nov

Spend the day using this versatile ink, we will cover working on yupo plastic paper, glass and more.*

Mosaic

$89

10am-4pm

Sat 13 Nov

Mosaics are perfect to place in your garden or home! In this class you will work on your chosen item, please advise (by phone to Atwea College) which wooden cut-out you want to make so it can be available on the day for purchase ready for you to mosaic and hang or stake. The class will cover all you need to know to get a finished result!*

Flip Cup – A new style of art

$89

10am-4pm

Sat 20 Nov

New to painting or just want to have fun? In this workshop you will work on 5 different paintings on stretched canvases, using acrylic paints and a medium g. Different colours are mixed in plastic cups to paint, string, flip cup and pour to make abstract, beaches, flowers and feathers in a thick flow of paint.*

Framed Vintage Jewelled $89 Christmas Tree

10am-4pm

Sat 27 Nov

Bling it on during this Christmas themed workshop. Use your old jewellery to create a treasured Christmas decoration that you won’t want to take down.*

Mature Make-Up

$59

5:30-8:30pm

Festive Season Masterclass

$59

5:30-8:30pm

Mon 8 Nov

• DEPENDING

O N C O V I D -19 R E S T R I C T I O N S

* SEE

Indulge your inner diva and learn all the tips and tricks to create a beautiful holiday makeover that is suitable for all of your Christmas parties and events. Bring your own makeup kit and/or lashes.*

WEBSITE FOR REQUIREMENTS

FRAMED VINTAGE JEWELLED CHRISTMAS TREE Bling it on during this Christmas themed workshop. Use your old jewellery to create a treasured Christmas decoration that you won’t want to take down.

UNLOCK ING POTENTIAL

Atwea College has a long and proud history as the leading provider of community-based adult learning in the Hunter and Mid North Coast Regions.

Your journey starts here

TUNCURRY START

END

Term 4 2021

Tue 5 Oct

Fri 17 Dec

Term 1 2022

Mon 31 Jan

Fri 8 Apr

Term 2 2022

Tue 26 Apr

Fri 1 Jul

Term 3 2022

Mon 18 Jul

Fri 23 Sep

Atwea College is accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Legal name: Workers Educational Association – Hunter RTO code: 90020 Atwea College gratefully acknowledges the support of the Department of Education.

TOMAREE RAYMOND TERRACE

CESSNOCK

THE CAS NEWCASTLE

Workers Educational Association – Hunter is delighted to provide VET Student Loans eligible courses for existing and new students, for all full qualifications at Diploma level and above. VET Student Loans is a Commonwealth supported loan scheme that helps eligible VET students pay their tuition fees for higher-level VET qualifications and pay the loan back when their income reaches a manageable level. For more information consult the Study Assist website. *This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

HEAD OFFICE

Disclaimer: The information in this brochure was correct at the time of printing but is subject to change without notice.

COOKS HILL NORTHLAKES NEWCASTLE WEST CHARLESTOWN

Atwea College is registered as COVIDSafe organisation with NSW Government.

It’s easy to learn with Atwea College Atwea College can offer many courses that are not listed here and can even tailor-make courses for small groups of learners. Contact us to let us know what you are interested in.

Enrol or enquire 02 4925 4200 atwea.edu.au

O N TO U R WIT H T H E KID

INTROVERTS UNITE!

Alone at Home WORDS CHLOE O'SULLIVAN - ON TOUR WITH THE KID

There are obvious (and massive) downsides to lockdown. The fact that no one in the industry I work in can make any money is undoubtedly on the top of that list. The fact that I could slot right in as typecast bogan number one thanks to the regrowth in my hair and the 7 out of 10 false fingernails and eyelash extensions hanging on for dear life run a close second place. It's a first-world problem; I grant you. With all of those things out of my control, my focus, like most people, is on the sweet little face that wakes up every morning and smiles at me. Not able to see her friends or her favourite teacher. Not able to go to playdates or her guitar lessons. During the day, it is my job to make sure she knows that we are all going to be OK, that this is only temporary, and that at least we have each other.

When it's dark, though, and those little eyes are hopefully closed, that's my time to overthink everything. Like the fact that it is changing her development in ways we may never understand. Or wondering if I'm doing enough to keep her occupied, entertained, and educated. Feeling guilty about the decision to make her an only child, which in the current circumstances means she has not seen another child for a month. All you can do is have a little cry in the darkness and wake up with a smile on your face and do it all again. I have to say there is also a little bit of guilt that the introvert in me quite likes being at home and not having to socialise. I love my friends, love socialising, but part of my DNA is the need for a quiet space to recharge. Sometimes, when I'm not in the mood and I have to see people, it takes all my energy. The kid is the only person in the world who doesn't make me feel that way and being inside our bubble is actually giving us a chance to reset after a particularly difficult year.

There are things that we have done together that have made lockdown a little bit easier. Of course, what makes you happy will be different for everyone, but this has been ours. • As what I decided was part of her "maths lesson" for the day, I taught the kid to play poker. Not with money, of course, as I don't want to encourage a love of gambling, but my great uncle taught me sitting on a bar stool as a kid. It taught me strategy, maths and the art of bluffing. All of which have served me well. He also taught me the matchstick tricks that used to be on the back of redhead match packets. I will have to look those up online and find some matches. • We went through all the family photos together and boxes of things that belonged to my grandfather. He had spent lots of time working on our family tree. It gave her a sense of how many people had to come together just for her to be here. • We read a box full of letters that were dated from 1914 to 1945 between my great grandparents. They were written when my great grandfather was working away as a firefighter. The thing that stood out most to me was that they talked about all the things we would talk about. Despite the time frame, interpersonal relationships seem to remain the same. What are you doing to keep yourself from climbing the walls?

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

The second round of funding for Orica’s 2021 Community Investment Program is now open, with grants of up to $10,000 available to eligible local community groups. The Orica Community Investment Program supports initiatives that promote education and lifelong learning, improve and protect the environment, and build strong communities.

Application forms and supporting documents are available at orica.com/kooragang Applications for this round of funding will close on 30 September with successful recipients notified in October.

www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 27

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What about a map? Or a spot of local knowledge? Luckily, we’re here to help with everything you need to navigate, plan and book your visit, leaving you time to create memories to last a lifetime. Everything you need and nothing you don’t!

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Kbal Chhay Waterfall

Live Your List UNPLUGGED IN CAMBODIA WORDS KIM-CHERIE DAVIDSON WITH HER BOYS FINISHED SCHOOL AND EMBARKING ON THEIR ADULT LIVES, THIS WHITEBRIDGE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR KNEW SHE WANTED TO LEAVE CANBERRA. HOWEVER, SHE FELT A BIT DIRECTIONLESS. HER ONLY CERTAINTY WAS SHE WANTED A SABBATICAL TO CONSIDER HER NEXT STAGE OF LIFE. While doing some internet research, one place kept coming up. So, following her gut instinct, she signed up for a twomonth yoga and meditation retreat. Leaping to explore the unknown had seen her leave Wisconsin, then Texas to relocate to Sydney.

In October 2016, Leslie Peters boarded a plane for Cambodia with some trepidation, as she had never travelled alone in Asia. Now, she was about to embark on a threemonth stay, which included the retreat at the Vagabond Temple in the coastal city of Sihanoukville. Leslie’s time at Vagabond Temple changed her perspective on life. "In hindsight, it was a true midlife crisis. I was an empty nester with the freedom to go anywhere or do anything, but what and where? I realised I didn't need too much, and what mattered were my boys, friends and family," says Leslie. One of eight people on the two-month program, Leslie described it as "confronting, super tough, and fantastic". "Here I was - in my 50s, sharing a room with a 30-something bloke and other random people. It was basic accommodation with rats and stinky toilets." Her days were structured, with a two-hour yoga session at 6.30am followed by breakfast, karma work (cleaning), lunch, free time, course work, more yoga, dinner, meditation, and finished by 8pm. For the retreat's duration, they mostly needed to stay within the Temple's confines and accommodation. Although, once every two weeks they could go out and visit the beach in their free time. With mobile reception limited, Leslie’s contact with her sons was restricted to a patchy call twice a week. "I was really unplugged, and it was wonderful to have the downtime. There was no television, only books. I hadn't realised how exhausted I was. I slept from 8.30pm until 6.30am and often had an afternoon nap. After constantly being busy - raising the kids and working - I slowed down, rested, and rejuvenated."

EXPLORE LOCAL

Support Local

Hunter Valley – A World of Wine & Food Secrets The combination of businesses required to shut down temporarily and people staying home has caused many local businesses to suffer. For some, this will be temporary; however, for others, it will be more permanent. The government may be doing what it can in terms of financial relief and other initiatives, but ultimately, it will be up to us, the local communities and customers, to support these businesses. For the wine industry, the COVID-19 pandemic came at the worst possible time for those still recovering from drought, severe weather conditions and catastrophic bushfires. For them, both production and business has been hit, with the results of the pandemic shutting down their export markets, trade distribution and cellar doors. Wine is one of those things that, for a lot of people, it’s not just about drinking the wine itself; it’s about the experience of visiting the wine region and the wineries themselves. The lockdown will not last forever, so when we can travel again (which for us in the Hunter will be soon) - support your local wine industry with a trip to the Hunter Valley, where they

are serving up the best and most memorable wine and food experiences in remarkable locations every day.

UNLOCKING THE GEMS Although Broke Fordwich is officially the only recognised sub-region, several other areas within the Lower Hunter are distinctively different regions in their own way. These include the areas known as Lovedale, Mount View, Pokolbin and Wollombi – each of which provides a wide array of cellar doors, accommodation, dining options, activities and make for a perfect short break and romantic get-away. Nestled amongst the breathtaking surrounds of the Brokenback Range, Mount View, with its winding roads and panoramic views, offers some of the most outstanding scenery available in the Hunter Valley. Here visitors have their choice of a handful of highly acclaimed boutique wineries that seem to appear out of nowhere and all providing a relaxed and idyllic wine tasting experience and superbly welcoming hospitality. At the southern gateway to the Hunter Valley Wine Country is the region’s Wollombi Valley – a small, picturesque

In slowing down, she pared back, released a lot of ego and realised she was caught up in the wrong stuff. "In Cambodia, life is simple. Three generations lived together in a tiny tin shed next door to the Temple. They had little and were happy – I found it amazing. It struck me that people can have little and be happy, kind and beautiful." Leslie and a fellow student decided to explore the local region on their days off. Her favourite was Koh Rong Sanloem Island. So captivated, they returned after the retreat. "It was amazing with the most pristine beach, only four places to stay, and two places to eat. The water was crystal clear with no junk in it, unlike so many Cambodian beaches. You could meditate on the beach, and no one would walk by or disturb you. It was so serene." Landing back in Australia on Christmas Eve, she was excited to see her sons. "It was phenomenal; I had really missed them. And it was lovely how our relationship had matured. My sons realised I had challenges and needs and was not just mum." As a child, Leslie travelled a lot with her family. Her favourites were the river rafting down the Grand Canyon, spring breaks in Florida with her grandparents and seven months in Europe. She continued to explore the world as an adult, with one memorable trip to Egypt. As for other bucket-list activities, one significant tick was studying to be a yoga teacher, which led her to live in Newcastle. She wants to continue to travel; see more of the Australian coast, Morocco and Turkey. "My sister, who lives in Utah, and I hope to travel together next year. With Nick playing rugby in France, we plan to catch up with him, then do either Morocco or Turkey."

and historic village that has always been an important base for travellers along the convict-built Great North Road. Here you can experience the blending of modern with historic, as the village retains its fine architectural heritage bolstered by a collection of quaint cafes, taverns, wineries and comfortable guesthouses. Often referred to as the 'Heart of the Hunter', Lovedale is located just east of Pokolbin and is renowned for its closeknit community, award-winning boutique wineries, familyowned cellar doors, quality boutique accommodation, fine restaurants, unique art galleries and of course, the annual Lovedale Long Lunch. Continuing your wine country travels and situated an easy 15-minute drive from Pokolbin, the Broke Fordwich Wine Region is a separate viticultural sub-region of the Hunter Valley. Here the natural beauty of the region, coupled with fine wines, eateries and restaurants, local farm produce, great places to stay and cultural significance, make Broke Fordwich well worth a visit and an excellent reason to return. The rural locality of Pokolbin is considered to be the hub of the Hunter Valley wine region and where the largest collection of wineries, distilleries, craft breweries, accommodation houses, restaurants, gourmet food providers, golf courses, retail shops and some of the best-known names in Australian wine can be found. For the adventurous, there is no end to the activities on offer, which include horse-riding, ballooning, golf, hiking, cooking schools, air adventures, wine tours, shopping villages and of course, Hunter Valley Gardens with its ten internationally themed feature gardens to explore. With so much to see, taste and do - you will leave wanting to return. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 29

Breaking Down THE FEAR OF GYMS

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How the Planet Fitness Philosophy is a New Style of Health Club WORDS GJENAE ROSEKELLY - PLANET FITNESS NEWCASTLE We sent a survey to thousands of Planet Fitness members, asking them what stopped them from joining a gym, studio or health club sooner, and the majority of answers led to one common misconception. These words may have run wild in your own mind in the past… “Not wanting to look silly for not knowing how to use the machines.” “Fear of peers and people staring at me and watching me fail.” “Insecurities.” “Wanting to know more about how you go to a gym.” “No clue what I was doing.” These answers all revealed a clear answer: that there is a fear of being judged at the gym. It is one of the most human characteristics to feel insecure when you don’t have prior knowledge of something and then a fear of doing it incorrectly. I grew up in the Fitness Industry, and I am here to let you in on a little secret. Every member who has walked through our doors with these thoughts and feelings categorises them as the majority. The doubts you have are echoed through our reception every day; the questions you are scared to ask we make sure to inform you of, and we are there to teach you, then start your fitness journey with you. Planet Fitness has been a local family business in Newcastle for 27 years and was founded on the philosophy of being Judgement Free. We are staffed during all open hours to ensure friendly service

(a smile and “welcome back” never goes astray) to answer any questions or queries you have at all times, and we offer a free orientation with a personal trainer for every new member who joins to show them how to use the equipment. We share with you how our community thrives on making everyone feel comfortable and accepted, as we are all simply here to help our physical and mental health. After being in the fitness industry for so long, we also learnt that gyms need to offer more than just equipment and classes to fit into member’s lifestyles. From here, we grew focused on wellness and wellbeing, leading to the opening of the Planet Fitness Spa. We realised recovery and de-stressing from working out is crucial, so we installed Hydro-Massage Lounges and Massage Chairs for members to use before or after exercise. We then added an Infrared Sauna and then a Spray Tan Booth so that members can have a new Health Club experience every time they come into the gym. We often have members who just come in to use the Spa facilities some days, not going near the gym floor (no judgement here!). Planet Fitness offers a free Daypass on our website for anyone who wants to trial the gym floor and Spa facilities across all 3 locations in Lambton, Charlestown and Belmont for 24 hours. You can also talk about our affordable memberships and Judgement Free philosophy with a friendly membership consultant. For more information, visit www.planetfitnessnewcastle.com.au

Cracked Teeth – Yes, this is something that I do see historically, on occasion. However, I cannot remember a time when I have seen the high number of hopelessly fractured teeth that I have seen in the last year. I’m pretty sure that my readers have a fair idea of why I suspect this is happening. Grinding and clenching of teeth. Stress. And who wouldn’t be? So, apart from mentioning the obvious, omnipresent stress input we’ve been living with over the past 18 months – my focus for this article is better aimed at some of the management around cracked teeth. If we discount stress from the cracked tooth equation (and we really cannot – because adverse loading is one of the major inputs to cracked teeth) – the next most fundamental cause is small, innocuous silver amalgam fillings. On numerous occasions, I’ve seen these small fillings – noticed the shadowing and what appears to be minor cracking around these teeth – and advised the patient that they should have the restoration replaced. The usual response from many of these patients is, “it’s only a small filling – and I’ve had it for years, and it’s never given me any problems.” True. The problem with these small amalgam fillings is they exhibit a property called creep. With repeated loading, the filling gets flatter and wider, and as it’s getting wider, it is cracking the tooth. Counter-intuitively, this cracking is most dangerous when the filling is small – it’s kind of like the thin edge of the wedge. Frequently, this ‘wedge’ is driving down through the middle of the tooth, creating cracking right in the body of the tooth. This is the anatomy of catastrophic outcomes from cracking.

acked Teeth CrPREVENTING CATASTROPHE WORDS ALEX HUSZTI - BELLEDENTAL Alex has had a career focused on low-biologic cost reconstructive cosmetic dental care – common sense teeth for life.

WE LIVE IN AN AGE WHERE WE NO LONGER USE OUR TEETH AS TOOLS; WE HAVE GENEROUS AMOUNTS OF NUTRITIOUS FOODS, AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO MAINTAIN OUR TEETH, AND ACCESS TO MODERN DENTAL CARE. YET, IN THE FACE OF ALL THESE POSITIVES, THERE IS A LOOMING CHALLENGE AROUND THE LOSS OF TEETH.

What is the solution? Ideally – catch it early and simply replace the amalgam filling. Another solution is a composite resin crown – where the biting surface of the tooth is rebuilt in a solid wafer of resin. This can often shore up the tooth and provide adequate strength as well as greater distribution of loads. But not always. Sometimes when the cracking runs below the filling close to the nerve of the tooth, the nerve in the tooth will die, and there will be a necessity for root canal therapy if the tooth is to be kept. Sometimes, due to the lack of space in the bite, even one of our composite resin crowns won’t be strong enough. The patient will still get symptoms from the tooth (usually the last tooth on the lower jaw), and we may need to transition to a crown. Unfortunately, this is an area that I’m struggling to provide effective, tooth conserving solutions. In cases of extreme loading, I’m still resorting to crowns – usually metal crowns for ultimate strength. Nightguards can help. These are like a mouthguard that has been adjusted to your bite. Wearing at night can create a ‘cushion’ between the top and bottom teeth – providing some protection from adverse loading. The most conservative solution, of course, is meditation and the development of higher consciousness with less stress. Yes: this is ideal, it is cheap, and it will benefit all areas of your life. But it does take time, it takes discipline, and it may even require courage… to believe it can help.

3 Techniques That SAVE Your Teeth 1

Belledental CRC’s (Composite Resin Crowns) CRC’s can rebuild teeth to a similar appearance, strength and functionality of conventional crowns with the added benefits of being much more conservative of tooth structure, repairable, and ONE appointment restorations that are often HALF the fee of conventional crowns.

Direct Resin Veneers (Zero cutting of tooth)

Direct Resin Build-ups – All in ONE day! What if you have suffered with erosion... you have already lost much of your tooth structure – the last thing you need is your teeth being CUT AWAY EVEN MORE for crowns. Direct Resin Build-ups are a NO CUT, one day alternative that saves the remaining tooth structure and enhances the cosmetics and function of your teeth. They often require modifications to your bite to accomodate your new smile.

Direct Resin Veneers have a multitude of uses – they can be used to improve function, enhance the colour and shape of teeth, modify tooth position as well as in this case, restore teeth that have suffered trauma. Direct Resin Veneers can do this without cutting teeth – all in one visit.

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New Patient Offer Special offer for new patients! Comprehensive exam, x-rays, photos, impressions, cleaning, and a treatment plan, all for $240. Book today!

www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 31

MASK UP! How to Avoid and Treat MASKNE! If you live in NSW, you’ll be acutely aware that we can no longer leave our homes without wearing a face mask. Of course, no one wears a mask for longer each day than our extraordinary health care workers, who have been constantly masked for months. Now they are highlighting for all of us the skin condition unfondly referred to as "Maskne" or Mask Acne. This month we spoke with Pharmacist and Founder of QED Skincare, Shoshana Eisner, about Maskne. Is it real? What is it? What can you do about it? And, ideally, what can you do to prevent it if you are going to be wearing a mask more often?

Is Maskne real? Unfortunately, yes it is. And there are actually two types. Maskne A occurs in people, like our healthcare workers, who have been wearing facemasks consistently for more than 4 hours a day who are suffering stubborn pimple breakouts around their mouth and chin. Maskne B – refers to small pimples and irritation where the rim of the mask and straps touches the skin and can happen to anyone. There are actually two very different causes for what can both look like pimple breakouts. What causes the two forms of Maskne? Breathing whilst wearing a mask for a long time creates an extremely humid zone around your nose, mouth and chin, which is the leading cause of Maskne A (regular pimples around your mouth, nose and chin). Maskne B is caused by the constant rubbing of the rim of the mask and straps. It tends to be sore, sometimes itchy and may have small pimple-like blemishes. It is definitely more common in people who already have eczema, dermatitis or rosacea. Unfortunately, both are made worse the longer you wear a mask. 32 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

How to treat Maskne? Maskne A pimples are treated the same way you would treat adolescent pimples. 1. Use a spot treatment regularly on the pimples. I recommend using QED Skincare’s 5-Minute Facial Clay Mask Detox + Clarify formulated with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ingredients to heal pimples fast and make them less painful and prominent. 2. Throughout the day, use a toning spray on the lower part of your face to reduce oil flow. I recommend QED’s Balancing Mist, it smells gorgeous and refreshing, but most importantly, it slows down oil production. 3. Once you are done with masks for the day, cleanse the affected area well. If your skin is breaking out badly, I recommend using an anti-acne cleanser in that area like the Clarify Shake to Activate Cleanser, which is formulated to speed pimple healing and reduce oil production. Maskne B, caused by friction, needs a little more TLC. You need to use a soft healing barrier product around the areas of irritation. The Ultra-Sensitive Face Balm dabbed into the skin before you mask up and repeatedly throughout the day is formulated for precisely these situations. What else can I do to prevent Maskne? Change your mask frequently; • Don't reuse disposable masks; • If you're wearing a mask regularly, invest in a quality, comfortable, breathable fabric mask – buy a few and wash them often. Mimco have a great cotton mask that is easy to wash, very comfy to wear and also supports a Women's charity; • Don't stop moisturising under your mask. If you have very sensitive skin, you are more at risk of Maskne B, so increase your moisturizer; and • If it gets really bad, make an appointment with your GP Definitely wear a mask, so you are safe, but with a few steps, you can head off Maskne. For more information about QED Skincare, visit www.qedskincare.com

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THE HAMPTONS STYLE A Timeless Look for Everyone

THE CHANGE OF SEASON IS A TIME FOR REVAMPING, SPRUCING UP AND ENHANCING YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN. WINTER IS TURNING A CORNER, SO INVITING NEW PIECES AND EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT LOOKS AND STYLES IS THE THING TO DO.

The current climate of the world has definitely had an impact on the type of homes we want to create. Instead of reducing in the name of minimalism, we are now exploring spaces filled with pieces that reflect our personality, spaces that can quickly shift from work, to play and finally relaxation. With the temperatures warming and the sun staying up a little bit longer, our desire to be outdoors has never been greater. Winter saw a strong desire to introduce colour to your home, whether it was earthy browns or terracotta, to calming greens. This season we move away from that and focus on the fresh, airy palette of the Hamptons style. Casual elegance is how we would describe the Hamptons style. Elegant and calm interiors with natural, light colours and marine motifs are hallmarks of the

American coastal style. It echoes a relaxed coastal environment with generous sofa living for reclining and outdoor areas for large gatherings. Build on this with selected home decor and accent with touches of colour and texture where needed. Whether you are a beach person or not, the Hamptons style is a timeless look perfect for everyone. When choosing furnishings, generosity is key. Think beachfront luxury resorts with deep, overstuffed sofas covered in washable white or linen slipcovers or upholstered in pale neutrals with stripes. Grand sideboards with a white finish add extra depth to your Hamptons space, and OZ Design’s Sergio Buffet is the perfect addition with its mix of white timber and rattan to enhance the look of your room. Combine colours reminiscent of the seaside like beige, ivory, natural browns, and shades of blue. Play with florals, ceramics and glass to give an abundance of textures to your living space. Let homewares and décor bring the room together. Cushions and vases are essential and are a great way to add texture and colour to the space. Nautical accessories are great, but scatter them with rattan, wicker and linen pieces to avoid a distinctly sailor vibe to your home. The room should not look bare – to truly capture the essence of the Hamptons style; it must evoke a lived-in appearance. Coastal is a style to “live in.” In this case, we shouldn’t make our house look like a precious showroom. Here, comfort is most important, but it shouldn’t be compromised for looks. Instead, go for a look that combines style with comfort and be inspired by OZ Design at www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au

www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 33

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School Holiday

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SPRING INTO SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

FOR MOST, THE SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR WILL LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT. WHILE WE ARE STAYING CLOSE TO HOME, IT MIGHT SEEM IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE LITTLE MISCHIEF-MAKERS FROM GOING STIR-CRAZY. BUT, WE CAN PROMISE PLENTY IS GOING ON RIGHT HERE IN OUR BACKYARD. CHECK OUT OUR SANITY-SAVING LIST OF ALL THE HOTTEST HOLIDAY HITS HAPPENING ONLINE AND AROUND TOWN THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.

DO IT IN YOUR PJ’S! JD'S WORLD OF MAGIC - TRICKS OF THE TRADE Did you know there is magic all around your home? You can take a simple rubber band or a paperclip, for instance, and turn it into hours of entertainment for you, your friends and family. Visit the Lake Macquarie Facebook page (@lakemaccity) at 10.30am each day of the School Holidays (Mon–Fri) as Joel Howlett from JD's World of Magic reveals a new magic trick to learn and perfect!

BUSY BEE ACTIVITY BOOKLET Don’t miss out on your free Busy Bee Activity booklet that can be collected from any Lake Mac library or downloaded from their website. Learn more about bees and their role in supplying the food we eat and the clothes we wear through fun activities that will keep you a busy bee! Visit www.library.lakemac.com.au/ Whats-On/Kids/School-Holiday-Activities ►

Super-fun activities for kids (big and small) to keep busy with this School Holidays!

www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 35

HOLIDAYS AT LAKE MACQUARIE MUSEUM OF ART & CULTURE Paper People Pledge for the Planet – Be part of this year’s BIG DRAW festival and help make a community art installation at Museum of Art and Culture (MAC), Booragul. The joined ‘Paper People’ chain will go on display at MAC in October. Everyone is invited to add to the installation. Print your own paper people template, or contact MAC (email actoutreach@lakemac.nsw.gov.au), and they will mail them to you. For more info, visit mac.lakemac.com.au/Learn/OnlineActivities Storytime with the Author Chrissy McYoung – Join Author and Illustrator Chrissy McYoung as she reads her book Rusty and gives you tips and tricks on how to draw dogs. You will have the skills to make your own doggy creations at home. Rusty is a book about the power of acceptance, trauma and behaviour, based on stories from foster care and out-ofhome care. The story touches on emotions and responses. WHEN Tuesday 21 Sept, 10am–10.45am LOCATION Online AGES 7 years+ COST Free, bookings essential BOOK www.allinadogslife-meettheauthorzoom.eventbrite.com.au

HOLIDAYS AT MAITLAND

insights. Check out the see-make-do at-home activities at mrag.org.au/whats-on-mrag/ see-make-do-at-home

MAITLAND LIBRARY Even in the holidays, we know that being at home and keeping kids engaged can be difficult, so Maitland Libraries are here to help with some fun guides and online self-driven activities. There are many DIY activities like making your own adventure map, slime art, a solar system out of clay, liquid fireworks in a jar, and enjoyable kid-friendly podcasts. If you want a free subscription for movies, music, magazines, newspapers and audiobooks, become a member at www.maitlandlibrary.com.au

MAITLAND GAOL Join Snitch The Rat for some at-home Maitland Gaol inspired activities, like how to churn real butter, an online jigsaw and a word detective crossword puzzle. Find out more at www.maitlandgaol.com.au/onlineresources/snitchs-spot

HOLIDAYS AT PORT STEPHENS Port Stephens Council will operate the Thrive Kids OOSH Program at Grahamstown, Raymond Terrace, Medowie, Tomaree and Shoal Bay with a two-week program that’s bound to be popular with kids throughout the region. Here’s just a snap-shot of the program (to get the complete program – email thrivekids@portstephens.nsw.gov.au or phone 4988 0308).

MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY If you’re looking for ways to get creative and keep busy through these School Holidays, Maitland Regional Art Gallery’s website has a whole heap of entertaining and engaging content to keep the kids having fun at home. Make an animated artwork with stop motion, puppet portraits, sculptures, and much more, as well as exhibition videos and artists

Week 1 – Thursday 23 September. Amazing Science – Pin Float, Larva Water, Growing Gummys, Salty Drinks, Water Drawings, Candy Creations, Bubble Painting and Splatter Art. Week 1 – Friday 24 September. Witches and Wizards – Potion Bottles, I Spy, Pencil Wand, Pin the Scar on Harry, Wingardium

Leviosa, Fortune Fun, Erumpent Horn, Dress Up: Everything Magic. Week 2 – Monday 27 September. Coding for Kids – Spy Decoder Wheel, Finger Printing, Binary Code Necklace, Bridge Building, Coding Cards Critters, Game: Computers and Programmers, Dress Ups: Spies and Detectives.

HSC HELPERS Online HSC Help with Regional Education Support Network Online drop-in study sessions by the Regional Education Support Network (RESN) are designed to provide HSC students with a little extra support before sitting their final exams. Work in small groups to review and address areas of concern across a wide range of subjects. From English to Mathematics and everything in between, RESN tutors will work with you to help perfect your short and extended answer writing skills, help work through mathematical and scientific programs, and provide hints

See in Newcastle and online these school holidays whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au

36 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

Week 2 – Wednesday 29 September. Medieval Mayhem – Coat of Arms, Build a Knight, Glamourous Goblets, Castle Silhouettes, Dragon Eggs, Games Workshop: Medieval Tournament. ■

and tips to help you thrive during your exams. Following this, you can join the RESN team for their Aspirations and Expectations seminar.

WHEN Friday 1 October, 11am–1pm LOCATION Online AGES HSC Students COST Free BOOK onlinehsc-dropintutoring. eventbrite.com.au

17-21 JANUARY 2022

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Hunter Ice Skating

Stadium ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES Why not try ice skating this School Holidays! Enjoy top 40 music and video clips playing on the big screens, plus people can request their favourite songs to be added into the

mix. There will also be a sectioned off area for beginners with available skating frames. For the non-skating spectators – why not relax in the café while the kids skate! Rental Skate sizes range from a Kids 9 up to an Adults 14. Lockers are available for a small fee to secure your belongings. DETAILS 230 Macquarie Road, Warners Bay. Prices are $16 for 6yrs or under, $20 for 7yrs or over, $18 seniors and $65 for a family (1 adult + 3 kids OR 2 adults + 2 kids). These prices include skate hire – with your own skates you will save $4. For more details and session times please visit the website. www.hiss.com.au

Hunter Valley

Horseriding & Adventures

ALL AGES Get away from city living and go horseriding! It’s the perfect day trip – just 30 minutes up the Hunter Expressway. Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures offers trail rides for both beginners and experienced riders – even the tiny tots can ride beautiful ponies with qualified guides leading the way. We also offer full day horse riding camps for the

teens (12-16 yrs old) where they will get to groom and feed horses, learn about looking after horses, saddlery, and of course ride! Other activities on offer include ATV tours, tractor hay rides to feed the animals, pedal go karts, farm animals, BBQ facilities and mountain bike trails (byo bike). If you feel like staying a little longer, we offer great guest house and semi self contained villa accommodation, where kids stay free during School Holidays! (Villas only). Be quick to book, as we have limited spots available. DETAILS Open 7 days, 288 Talga Road, Lovedale. Bookings are required. PH Margaret on 4930 7111 or 0417 233 008, or visit www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au

Finite Gallery AGES 6 - 18 YEARS The kids are sure to be kept busy this school holidays with the fantastic range of 2-hour children's workshops at Finite Gallery. There are a wide range of workshops on offer – everything from creating in Clay to Tie Dyeing, Painting and Drawing. All materials are included! Parents/Carers are also welcome to participate, so why not make it a fun family day? Finite Gallery is a Creative Kids provider. GET AN ART PACK TO USE AT HOME. See the website for details.

DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, ONLY 2 PEOPLE PER PLAYING GROUP*

Mini Golf & Footgolf!

HOME OF MINI GOLF & FOOT GOLF With a relaxing 11 hole golf course, the only FootGolf course in the Hunter and a 18-hole Mini Golf Course, Beresfield Golf Course provides a fabulously fun day out for family and friends with something for everyone! At Beresfield Golf you can enjoy a great undercover outdoor area and a BBQ – making it the perfect and affordable 38 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

destination for your next kids party, social or work group and even that first date too. Hire charges apply. • Mini Golf open weekdays from 10am–5pm; • Footgolf open weekdays 10am–5pm and 12pm–5pm on weekends Use your Dine & Discover Vouchers here! *Unless from the same household DETAILS Open everyday from 7am–5pm, 260 Anderson Drive, Beresfield PH 4966 4665 www.beresfieldgolf.com.au

AND FOOTGOLF

www.finitegallery.com/learn LOCATED 60 Caves Beach Rd, Caves Beach E info@finitegallery.com PH 0419 471 660

a guided 5.5km off road tour through scenic hunter valley vineyards and backcountry. Awesome family experience, what are you waiting for! Minimum age 11YRS.

find us 917 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin NSW // T 4943 7223 E tours@nswsegway.com.au // nswsegway.com.au

Bookings essential!

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Check out local artist Tanya Loviz from Loviz Art Gallery’s amazing new piece “Cocktail-In-Fusion” inspired by Hunter Distillery. www.lovizarts.com.au/shop

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Come in and try our top shelf spirits through a unique test tube tasting experience! OPEN FOR TASTINGS AND SALES 7 DAYS, 10AM–5PM Bookings Essential

1686 Broke Road, Pokolbin PH (02) 4998 6737 E info@hunterdistillery.com.au

Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Hunter Valley | INTOUCH MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 21' ISSUE