✦ Welcome to December’s edition of Brilliant-Online
It is always a special time as we prepare to wave goodbye to another year and welcome in a new chapter, as we gather with our families to celebrate the festive season and look ahead to new and exciting times.
For us at Brilliant-Online, however, this time of the year takes on even greater significance as we prepare to celebrate our birthday! January 15th will mark our second year anniversary since being founded and we are bursting with pride at the milestone. It has been a challenging two years, as it has for everyone, but we are especially proud that we have managed to flourish during that time and become established as a valued and trusted pillar of the local community that connects people and business through the medium of Brilliant stories.
All of us at Brilliant-Online would like to extend a very warm and sincere thank you to all of our readers, subscribers, customers and partners who have been with us on this journey and made the whole experience possible – it is a cliché but it is also so true to say we couldn’t have done it without you and we look forward with fervent anticipation at what is yet to come. If you can, please come and join us to celebrate on our Rhythmboat Cruise Party on January 23rd from 2-4pm.
Brilliant-Online makes people and businesses famous. It is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses pushing for a better world in the digital era. Born witty, Brilliant unveils an online magazine featuring a variety of digital interactive content that makes it similar to the magical Daily Prophet newspaper from Harry Potter.
In the meantime, however, we look forward to Christmas and all the merriment that brings with a festivethemed array of stories – we profile the ‘Spend With Us’ initiative focused on personalised Christmas gifts, learn about the origins of Christmas trees and check out a delicious range of Christmas themed treats from all around the world that may just make their way onto your table this year!
From us all at Brilliant-Online we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and all the very best of health, wealth and happiness for the New Year!
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CEO Veronica Lind, Brilliant-Online engaging the wild
Brilliant 2nd Birthday Party on Rhythmboat Editor's note
Table of contents
Port AdVenture Cruises is hosting the Biggest Elvis Show on Earth!
What a day, what a farm, what an experience at Grazed and Grown Farm!
Did You Know Your Accountant Is Just As Frustrated As You Are?
Plants are perfect gift ideas this Christmas
For Tax, Boring is Good Optus Enhances Connectivity on the Coast Wauchope Travel - Are you a Solo Lady Traveller?
Watch out, snakes about! Learning more about our scaly friends with Reptile Solutions
#Shoplocalchallenge
How Brilliant connects businesses to their communities Orpheus Minerals Ltd (ASX:ORP) and the bright future of uranium Venture Minerals Limited (ASX: VMS) discovers three Rare Earth prospects
The title is missing: OD6 Metals Limited (ASX: OD6) is showing Outstanding HighGrade Rare Earth Results
Mount Ridley Mines Limited (ASX:MRD) has a Rare Earth Story in the Esperance Region.
New World Resources Limited (ASX: NWC) has a Near Term High Grade Copper Producer Story
Are Geologists like Indiana Jones?
All about IPOs from Samso
Children at TG’s Child Care are learning lots about wellbeing and healthy choices with a friendly giraffe!
Celebrating small steps towards equality for parents with disabilities - Dr Namira Williams
66 72 76 78 79 80
Chrissy’s Christmas Goodies
It’s Christmas so why not treat yourself!
Classic boiled Christmas pudding recipe
The Origin of Christmas Trees NYE fireworks - a tradition in Port Macquarie
Personalised Christmas Gifts
The magic of LASERVISION lights up Roma Street Parkland Tails of Barrington Coast
Find out if you are made of iron as the popular triathlon returns to Port Mac
What's unique about Port Macquarie Golf Course? A sporting review of 2022
That’s right, we officially celebrate our second year anniversary next month and, looking back, what an incredible journey it has been so far. When we officially launched way back in January 2020, nobody had the slightest inkling what was on the horizon and, even if you had been afforded a sneak preview into the chaos that was set to ensure, we doubt anyone would have believed it!
very virtues that we believe we were founded on and have flourished under, namely resilience, innovation, teamwork, passion and belief.
Starting a business at any time is a challenge but starting it just before the most devastating pandemic in recent living history elevated things to an altogether level! However, in the expertly capable hands of Captain Veronica Lind and First Mate Chrissy Jones we were able to react and respond, to look inwards and call upon the
As was the case with pretty much every business out there, we were forced to adapt and be smart. This meant working remotely and separately from afar, ensuring we were all reading from the same page and following the script to stay on track. Having said that, several of our team are based overseas, in Thailand, Spain and Indonesia, and we manage to function perfectly as a dispersed, remote workforce, so we kind of had a head start in that respect! However, it also meant being there for one another, offering support and advice when and wherever needed. It often meant calling upon a sense of humour and having fun to ensure we enjoy our job, something we encourage and which we feel helps us thrive individually and collectively as a team.
Starting a business during COVID is even more challenging, we were forced to adapt and be smart
✦ The old saying “what a difference a day makes” is one we at Brilliant-Online take very seriously. It’s something we have been employing for the past 730 days to help make a difference to our readers and the local business community.
Providing brilliant stories to help connect our readers and customers while providing a platform for them to flourish was and remains our objective. During the darkest days of COVID this was even more important in that we allowed businesses and individuals to maintain a level of connection, even helping businesses survive by reminding customers they were still there, keeping their brand front and centre and allowing them to still interact with their most valued asset: their customers.
We all had to really dig deep during such uncertainty to keep our morale, and sometimes sanity, intact! As a business at the heart of the local community it was heart-warming and reassuring to see how people and businesses pulled together during times of adversity to help one another and offer hope and we like to think we played a part in that, however big or small.
We also like to think that as we ploughed on through those dark days of lockdowns and the myriad of restrictions that came with it we helped bring a little sunshine and positivity to our readers by the array of stories we continually produced. The world certainly was a pessimistic place for a significant period of time and having something to distract you, something positive and non-COVID-related, we hope, was invaluable. This was especially relevant for those who were separated from families for long periods of time, who truly felt the undermining feeling of loneliness as the world seemed to be crumbling around us –the combination of distance, disconnection and absence can be a truly dangerous one.
something
are especially proud of as we have told many during the last 24 months (reaching 700 Brilliant stories by January 2023). Whether it was focused on local
businesses such as Port AdVentures and its Rhythmboat which online advertorials rocketed 10 folds, Reptile Solutions or TG’s Child Care, Samso’s investment tips (whom Noel refers to as the Red Seagull because people actually will look at the articles) or a community-based event such as the Lasiandra and Love Local Festivals, we are confident we entertained and maybe even educated!
Likewise, it may be a story from further afield such as the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing struggle for
From the outset our primary focus has been the local community
was crucial during this time, in and out of business.
You cannot underestimate the true power of a brilliant story and the power of technology delivering these stories.
This is
we
equality in professional sports, travel tips when in Spain, a focus on men’s health or the tale of an Aussie Muay Thai fighter overcoming all the odds in Thailand - we personally invest a significant amount of time and effort researching, interviewing and compiling our stories specifically for your enjoyment.
"Personally, and I believe I speak on behalf of all my esteemed colleagues here, it has been an absolute pleasure to undertake this task every month and bring to you such a varied range of weird and wonderful tales!" - Ben Tirebuck, Editor, Brilliant-Online
Here are some examples of what our clients are achieving with interactive advertising.
• Port AdVentures and its Rhythmboat's online advertorials rocketed 10 folds with a minimum of 94 booking clicks each month
• John Clarke, Success Tax Professionals has 117 clicks to book appointments with him
• TG's Child Care has 873 actual online enrolments
Yes, the results are real and trackable with our Brilliant interactive advertorials.
70% of our readers and subscribers are business executives as it reaffirms our objective of being positioned as a pillar within the community by providing an invaluable resource to local businesses and professionals. We like to believe the differential value add we provide is instrumental to this by offering multi-channel platform engagement which truly allows our readers to become part of the story. Likewise, it allows our customers to showcase their business and their stories in a unique and intimately engaging way.
So, two years down but it’s really just the start of things! We are excited by the future and know we are equipped to handle whatever life throws at us – after all, being born only a matter of months pre-COVID then navigating our first two years during such trying circumstances, we feel that we are able to take on anything!
"I thing it's the best article I have ever read about a dentist.
You have done wonderful work."
Testimonial from : Dr. Raj Singh Ocean Dental Surgary
Our readership grew to over 35,000 readers during this two-year period, as did our customer base, and for that we would like to extend a very warm and sincere thank you as it makes all our hard work worthwhile to know we cater for such a wonderful collective of people.
It is also reassuring to learn that over
We very much look forward to having you onboard as part of this journey as WE grow together. Because ultimately that’s what it’s all about and what we are all about: community, partnership, togetherness. We genuinely love sharing stories and those of the businesses in our community and hope that you love reading them – here’s to another.
✦ There are about 30,000 Elvis impersonators but this father-and-son performance is a double treat!
Elvis runs in the family!
Paul Fenech and his son Anthony are coming together to give you the Elvis performance of a lifetime sponsored by Port AdVenture Cruises.
The largest group of performers that Elvis the King ever shared a stage with was 47 musicians and singers. Port AdVenture Cruises
is bringing you a show in Sydney featuring over 100 musicians and singers on stage, more than double the KING ever worked with! Imagine what a blast the King would have!
Tickets are now open for sale.
Sat 12 Aug 2023 8:00PM
Darling Harbour Theatre at ICC Sydney, Sydney, NSW
Paul is a two-time award winner of the international Ultimate Elvis contest, and his powerful vocals and energetic performances have wowed audiences all over from New Zealand to Memphis. He captivates with his stage presence and vocal likeness of the King and even his off stage nature continues on the lines of the King with his appreciation and generosity to his fans and audience. Experience Paul's ultimate performance yourself, and you'd believe the King is right here with you on stage.
Since entering the scene in 2017, Anthony has been rising in his Elvis career, earning multiple accolades and awards. He was named a headline act for the first inaugural Melbourne Elvis Festival in January 2020. He brings the electric, raw energy of the younger Elvis in the 1950s, which complements beautifully with his father's impersonation of a more mature Elvis.
The King continues to inspire through the decades. It's like he never left. You'll still find Elvis fans all over and their devotion remains as strong as ever. You know you've become immortal when fans become talented and skilled at impersonating you, and continue to do so years and years on. Many have caught the latest Elvis movie and fans all over the world continue to come together to celebrate this amazing artist.
✦ Veronica and Chrissy, with husbands in tow, were delighted to take Bec and Pete, from Grazed & Grown Farm, up on their invitation to meet the family, take a tour of the farm, meet the farm animals and taste some of their delicious produce recently.
We weren’t the only ones who experienced the delights of Grazed & Grown Farm on Sunday 4th December. The gates were thrown open to all 2022 customers as a thank you, to sit around, chat, learn about the farm and the family's plans for 2023 and beyond.
Bec would also like to thank those that messaged and called to send their apologies for the day, they understand it's a busy time of year, but don't worry she told us, “We would love to see those that couldn’t make it soon and we will continue to open our gates on a regular basis for our customers to come and enjoy the farm and learn more about where their produce comes from.”
Visitors were treated to some absolutely delicious produce from Grazed & Grown Farm including Rhubarb and Chilli Glazed Smoked Ham, Baked Pork Porchetta Roast, homemade Egg Noodles, Burek made from Immune Boosting Beef Mince and Devilled Eggs.
v“A BIG thank you to everyone who came to the farm over the past 12 months and particularly when we opened the gates to all our customers to come and meet us and some of the animals, enjoy the views and taste some of our delicious produce,” said Bec.
“We know that farming, producing and supplying our produce to customers is only half of our enjoyment. To be able to meet some of our customers face to face really starts to complete the passion of our journey.”
Visitors were treated to some absolutely delicious produce from Grazed & Grown Farm including Rhubarb and Chilli Glazed Smoked Ham, Baked Pork Porchetta Roast, homemade Egg Noodles, Burek made from Immune Boosting Beef Mince and Devilled Eggs.
To shop, use code BRILLIANT at checkout for a 10% discount storewide.
Accompanying was produce from supporting farms, Comboyne Orchards who supplied Certified Organic Avocados which were turned into a scrumptious guacamole, and a mixed green leaf salad from Sohip Organics & Masters of Fresh completed the buffet.
We even had some homemade ice cream that Bec and Pete’s daughter’s Miah and Skye make which is only available at the Farm Shop. Very yummy.
A relaxing afternoon, taking in the magnificent views of the Comboyne Plateau and chatting whilst sitting around the fire pit or under the shade of the fig tree was had by all. A visit to the farm is definitely one that we would encourage all to put on the to do list over the festive season and holiday period ahead.
Watch for details for Farm Tours during the School Holidays on Grazed and Grown Farm Facebook page. Bring the family up to meet the animals and show your kids where
their food comes from. Have a picnic after the tour and enjoy breathtaking views over Bago Bluff. Grazed & Grown Farm offers a range of healthy lunch options, some fresh farm produce and homemade ice-cream.
✦ “If your relationship with your accountant feels a little adversarial at times – even downright confrontational – you’re not alone.” says Liz Jarvis from Better Business Decisions.
The management of business finances has become hugely complicated in recent years. The result: a lot of friction between business owners and their financial support people in their joint efforts to navigate a complex system of compliance.
As someone who has sat on both sides of the table – as an accountant caught between the ATO and the
client, as well as a frustrated business owner desperate for clarity – I’m uniquely positioned to remind you: you’re on the same side.
When empathising with the confusion my clients feel, I’m always careful not to paint the accountants and bookkeepers we work with as ‘the
bad guys’. (It’s more like one of those ‘don’t hate the player, hate the game’ kinda deals).
We tend to rail against that which we don’t understand. And since we can’t all march up to the front desk of the ATO and demand to speak to the manager (ah, in a perfect world) we tend to take our frustrations out on our accountants as our next port of call.
So instead, I thought I would give you an insight into how the accounting industry has changed over the past few decades. Many such changes are the reasons why I left. My hope here is that you can see the vast common ground we as entrepreneurs share with the financial support services we work with.
Once you can see that we’re in this together, you can begin to re-establish the sense of collaboration that used to form the foundations of an industry I loved.
And so, here begins our story. *clears throat for dramatic effect*
golfing buddy who was always ready to talk shop over a game.
If you’re reading this, I’m almost certain that your business’ main purpose was to create a better life for yourself and your family. As such, the business advice we need to achieve this must encompass a broad spectrum of factors, personal and industrial.
Prior to the birth of a legislative framework to police the financial planning industry, accountants would provide holistic advice around finances knowing how integrated businesses were in the lives of their owners. This guidance would cover superannuation, investments, tax planning, exit strategies - if money was required to make it happen, you could count on your accountant for help!
With the advent of the Financial Planners Association in 1992, as well as the introduction of the AFS licencing, your accountant now may only give you financial advice on investments if he/she holds an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence, or is an authorised representative of an AFS licence holder. (Source).
Going into business? Years ago this was the first piece of advice you were given, and with good reason. When I first joined the accounting world (1984), accountants were a significant cog in the machine of any welloiled business. They were there as advisors, sounding boards, a reliable
This is now a completely separate qualification with its own regulatory standards, legislation and industry standards. It’s essentially been extracted from accounting.
‘Get Yourself a Good Accountant.’
✦ The big rush to the holiday season is on. People have begun running around looking for those perfect gift ideas to give to the special people in their lives. Personally, being a mid-forties male, I will of course be leaving it until the last couple of days before the big day because I am an idiot.
In all seriousness please do remember to enjoy this time of year with your friends and family and look outside the box for gift ideas. If you can shop local and natural, please do. Also, do consider buying plants for gifts as they keep giving long after the holiday period is over.
If you have the desire to bring in wonderful insects to the garden such as bees and butterflies as well as adding an unbelievable colour display to the garden, then you need to plant some of the Buddlejas. This particular one, ‘Velvet’, is part of the Buddleja BUZZ range. The BUZZ range is a large complement of dwarf shrubs that remain compact to about 2 metres. They will flower for months and months in both garden beds and pots.
The ‘Velvet’ variety produces large flower spikes that have a deep rich magenta colour complemented with a deliciously sweet perfume that brings in bees and butterflies throughout the flowering season. The plants do best when given flowering fertilisers regularly (every 3-4 weeks). If they are trimmed after flowering, not only will it increase the flowering capacity over the season, it will also help to keep the plant nice and compact and eliminate any possibility of the plant growing to sparse. Get into the nursery and see the full range of these Buddlejas that will add amazing colour to your garden.
There are a whole host of different Thyme varieties these days. One which has certainly caught the eye of many a garden enthusiast is the Variegated Lemon Thyme. The oil content of
this variety is extremely high, hence making the smell and flavour of this plant deliciously strong. The variegated foliage is a real contrast amongst many other of the standard herb varieties that are in our gardens. The gold-edged leaves really look great alongside the deeper green plants such as oregano and rosemary.
Another bonus feature to appear on the plant from time to time (pardon the pun) are delicate, small, mauvepink flowers. They provide another
colour contrast and are edible so can be used to add flavour and colour to your meals. The plant thrives in full sun and will adapt well to part shade. The plant does like the soil to be regularly moist, so keep an eye on the watering. Great used as a low border plant or even between stepping pavers. When used like this between the pavers the garden will be flooded with the intoxicating aromas of lemon whenever the plant is bruised by people walking by.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don’t give figs much of a mention when it comes to growing them in their yard. I am always one to ask why they don’t enjoy figs; the common answer is usually something like ‘I bought a couple of dozen at the supermarket, and they were dry and tasteless’. Until you have eaten a fully ripe fig fresh off the tree you have not experienced one of nature’s most wonderful culinary gifts. So please give one of these wonderful plants a go…The plant itself is a medium
sized deciduous tree up to 5 metres. They do best when they are pruned throughout the winter to keep them no bigger than 3 metres both in height and in span.
By pruning to keep the plant this size it will make it easier to protect and harvest the fruit. The plant grows best in nice open sunny positions. It will thrive in rich fertile soils which are full of composted manure. They require moderate amounts of water but being a Ficus variety, they will drink up any excess water that is around. One issue can be if the plant is getting too much water the fruit can actually burst when ripening, so plant your edible figs on the slope or high side to stop this occurrence.
vA little bit of trivia is that the fig ‘fruit’ is actually an inverted flower. When you open the fig up this becomes quite obvious as the flower structure is very visible. Feeding the plant with nitrogen fertilisers coming out of the winter and then applying potassium when the fruit begins to form is the ideal way to encourage the edible fruit to form. Most figs produce their main crop in the late summer/early Autumn period. In warmer zones it is even possible to get an early crop late spring!
On behalf of Greenbourne nursery and The Plant Hub we wish you all the best over the holiday season. Please do your best to not get too busy and find time to enjoy the company of your family and friends. We will be here for you leading up to the big day and we can’t wait to bring in the new year with you all. So please drop into the nursery for some great advice or just a friendly chat.
✦ Be boring and potentially have the Tax Office subsidise the use of a boat*
Has Clarkie flipped his lid? Is this the result of tax returns and bookkeeping?
A selection of examples I have come across recently in various forums include:
a. A company with 8 years of Business Activity Statements and Tax Returns outstanding used 3 accounting systems, did no bank reconciliations, ATO chasing lodgements. A very successful business, but management time now preoccupied with finding and getting the paperwork together.
b. A company which has paid its employees superannuation, but the company’s balance sheet is showing a very large outstanding liability which has built up over several years because the payments to the super funds have been incorrectly allocated. Accountant is not willing to do the 2022 tax return until this is sorted out.
c. A company which has its tax return overdue, but needs financial information produced urgently to a licensing authority in Queensland to be able to maintain its building licences. In all these cases the businesses are successful, but they have let their administration slip.
a. Non lodgement – ATO can issue directors’ penalty notices making the directors personally liable for tax debts and for non payment of superannuation
b. In the third case, the company might have to cease trading until its financials can get prepare
c. In all cases stress, anxiety, management time that would otherwise have been focussed on growing the business
If you’re an adrenalin seeker, bungee jumping is much safer than putting your business at risk by avoiding the boring tasks that need to be done.
* Company Directors (including directors of trustee companies of Self Managed Superannuation Funds) – make sure you have a Director’s ID. Email me john. clarke@stptax.com if you need to know the process.
* Am I paying my superannuation obligations on time?
* Am I lodging and paying the PAYG and BAS?
* Do I have adequate insurance?
Your accountant or bookkeeper can help you stay on track or get back onto track if you’ve become overwhelmed.
Make 2023 the year to get on top of your business. A 1% improvement each day means your business will be 37 times better after 12 months.
Why wait until the beginning of 2023. Starting 14 days earlier will give you a 43 times improvement by the end of 2023.
What are the issues holding you back?
Is it being able to pay your bills when they are due for payment? Has the amount of money owing to you increased?
* Depending on your business structure your extra profits might let your use of a boat be subsidised by the Taxation Office.
✦ Optus invests in mobile network and customer service to enhance connectivity for locals
Optus is committed to providing enhanced mobile connectivity and choice to the Mid North Coast of NSW.
As part of Optus’ ongoing commitment to improving its mobile network and customer service in regional Australia, the telco has built an additional 52 new mobile sites since 2015 across the Cowper and Lyne Federal Electorates.
Optus’ involvement in the Australian Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program affirms the dedication to network investment in key metropolitan, regional and holiday destinations across Australia.
This program builds upon Optus’ significant network expansion programs to give greater mobile reception in the Coffs Harbour, Great Lakes, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Taree regions.
Optus’ Territory General Manager for Northern NSW, Chris Simon, said Optus has continued to invest across the Mid North Coast to raise the bar on value and service in the region.
“Our network underpins everything we do, and our aim is for our customers to have reliable mobile reception and fast internet, wherever they live. The Mid North Coast is a priority for Optus, with millions being invested into improving our network and service across the region.
“We are dedicated to strengthening our coverage across the coast, offering our world class network to locals that allows them to stay connected whether they’re travelling, working, streaming, learning, or on the go.
“Enhancing our network across the region also benefits the business community who can take advantage of the choice and competition available to them. This level of competition is of significant value and definitely critical in the consideration process, especially for any small business.”
On the Mid North Coast, Optus has coordinated programs for schoolaged children focusing on how to navigate safely online through its Digital Thumbprint program, tutored hundreds of senior Australians through one-on-one sessions to gain
more confidence with technology, and sponsored many sporting clubs, teams, and events.
Some of the most impactful community initiatives have been coordinating a toy drive with the Hope Shop, to provide toys for those children who were affected by the March 2021 floods and donating over 300 prepaid mobile phones with credit, 100 prepaid mobile broadband devices and 250 mobile battery banks through evacuation centres during the 2019 bushfires and 2021 floods.
Optus is also committed to providing valuable opportunities for
regional communities, enabling them to remain competitive with access to the same resources as the rest of Australia.
Optus has retail stores located in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Forster and Taree. The team welcomes anyone looking for a new mobile phone plan or an awesome value broadband internet, home phone or TV entertainment package to pop in for a chat.
“We are proud to be bringing more choice and local jobs to the region to support customers in getting the most from our stores and help them stay connected. Locals have welcomed Optus’ network rollout and growing retail presence in the region, with value for money and quality customer service being influential factors in driving those to join the network,” Mr. Simon said.
“It is easy to switch to the Optus network. You can keep your current number when switching to Optus, or simply choose a new one. At Optus, we are confident in our mobile network and now you can be too with the Optus Coverage Commitment.
vIf you are experiencing coverage issues on our mobile network, let us know, and we'll gladly cover any cancellation fee and remaining device charges when you return the device to us in good working order. Plus, we'll credit your current month's plan access fee and device charges (less any device credits Optus covers). Please visit our website to learn more about the Optus Coverage Commitment.”
Contact OPTUS : optus.com.au 133937
✦ For a variety of reasons snakes tend to get a bad rap. They’re often portrayed and perceived as dangerous, vindictive and unpredictable, frequently associated with the traits of being untrustworthy and deceitful.
There’s no denying that they certainly can be dangerous and unpredictable but general perceptions of our scaly friends are usually way wide of the mark, unfair and completely unjustified.
As with most things in life, education is key. It is therefore encouraging and enlightening to meet the team at Reptile Solutions who are resident experts in the field of snakes and their reptilian brothers and sisters and who
Brilliant-Online’s very own Chrissy Jones caught up with at the recent Love Local Festival.
Reptile Solutions started as a private consultancy focused on capture and relocation but have evolved and now provide a more holistic service encompassing education and raising awareness on conservation efforts – their registered mobile zoo service which caters to Mid North Coast is one example of this, as was the meet-andgreet at the recent Love Local Festival.
This was where Chrissy met with Stu from Reptile Solutions who explained what the company does and gave her some invaluable tips on what to do in the unfortunate event of being bitten by a snake.
To start off with, however, Stu introduced Chrissy to Dora, a Stimson's Python the team have affectionately nicknamed their ‘Little Explorer’! Despite admitting to a fear of snakes and never having touched one previously, Chrissy was
immediately pleasantly surprised by little Dora’s appearance, demeanour and touch, confessing she was "amazing"!
Dora is non-venomous, as are all pythons, although Stu explains people often mistake them for more dangerous species due to similar colourings and markings. It is such misconceptions that underline the value and importance of the education drive they promote which can help people learn and see a side to snakes that they may not have previously.
“Many people have strong fears and phobias with snakes but if we can help them lessen that, even if just slightly, then that is a big positive as far as we’re concerned,” Stu explained.
Whereas Dora and her species are non-venomous, many snakes in Australia are – after all, the country is home to 21 of the 25 most toxic snakes in the world. Snake bites are common and, whereas they say being bitten by a snake is the result of either really bad luck or flat-out stupidity, knowing what to do in the situation is critical.
“The best thing to do initially is just to remain calm and still,” Stu tells us. “We don’t want to be moving around much at all. The recommended first aid treatment for snake bite today, and since the 1980s, is pressure immobilisation by application of a bandage. Those found in most standard first-aid kits can be used although they are often not long enough which is why the customised snake bite bandages work well as they can stretch up to 10.5 metres in length.”
There are different approaches to applying the bandage and Chrissy asks what Stu would recommend should you receive a bite on the hand or arm.
v“Some people will bandage from the top down and others will bandage from the tip up,” he explains. “I find that if you’re by yourself it’s easier to go from the tips of the fingers because you can get that first wrap around then work your way up the entire arm. This is crucial, that you wrap the complete arm and not just the area where the bite occurred. It is also important to apply it firmly, as you would for a sprain,” Stu adds. “This is where the snake bite specific bandages work better too as they have markings as a guide on how far to stretch the bandage when applying it.”
There are a couple of big no-nos that Stu highlights which people might perceive to be best-practice approaches that have been falsely depicted via the movies. The first is cutting the wound open and sucking the venom out, the second is jamming a syringe of anti-venom into the leg before jumping up and running off.
“In the real world this just doesn’t happen,” he explains. “In Australia if you’re bitten by a snake and have received the anti-venom you won’t be doing much for 12-24 hours other than being consigned to a hospital bed.”
This also underlines the importance of remaining as still and calm as possible after the bite and once the bandage has been applied correctly. “Don’t walk anywhere or get in your car and attempt to drive yourself to hospital,” Stu tells us. “There have been numerous incidents where people have decided to drive themselves only for the venom to spread and cause paralysis which has led to car crashes. Have someone else drive you or better still apply the bandage, remain calm and call the medical experts to deal with it. Moving around increases our blood pressure which heightens our circulation and that can work the venom through the body, even if we’ve got the bandage in place.”
Stu also recalls examples of people who have been bitten and panicked themselves into a frenzy only to find out the snake wasn’t venomous after all, illustrating the importance of education and being aware of snake species. “The mind can often be our worst enemy,” he says.
Having the right first-aid kit to hand is important and means a preventable medicine approach can be employed, says Stu. Reptile Solutions has a variety of offerings to treat bites from the likes of snakes, spiders and blueringed octopus, with their top of the line Premium Regulator kit containing everything you need, including pipe bandages, splints, ice packs and heat packs.
Better still, this offering is currently available with a 20% discount through the Brilliant Online tile promo offer.
Snakes play a crucial role in the ecosystem by catching unwanted mice and rats and as such need to be protected and respected. If you do come across one, best to just leave it be and let it go on its way, says Stu, as it will be generally harmless unless threatened or startled. If you do find an unwanted visitor in the backyard,
however, call or message Reptile Solutions directly on 0450430480 and they will attend to it immediately, or else transfer the case to another reptile catcher. You can access all their details via their website and social media platforms.
“If possible to safely take a picture of the snake then this is ideal,” comments Stu. “Misidentification is very, very common where people think that they might have a brown snake but it ends up being a tree snake or something equally harmless
and we can guide people over the phone in these situations. Not all snake sightings result in calls to snake catchers and we prefer to leave certain harmless species such as the Diamond python or green tree snakes where they are in their natural habitat.”
Ultimately it is about awareness and respect, something Chrissy had certainly enhanced by the end of her chat with Stu, as her affectionate stroking of Dora perfectly epitomised!
Address: Level 6, 100 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000
orpheusminerals.com.au
✦ The following investment articles are sponsored content.
ASX companies engage Samso and Brilliant-Online to share their commentary on the progress of their companies and projects. The author, owners of Samso and Brilliant-Online and associated entities may or may not hold shares of these companies.
The information or opinions provided herein do not constitute investment advice, an offer or solicitation to subscribe for, purchase or sell the investment product(s) mentioned herein. It does not take into consideration, nor have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation, risk profile, tax position and particular, or unique needs and constraints.
✦ A great uranium lesson for new investors to take note of. This is useful information from Simon Mitchell where you can learn about the roll-front and unconformity style uranium deposits.
Uranium has lost its shine since 2006 but now with the wave of global acceptance to build more nuclear reactors, the market sentiment for uranium is looking bright.
Simon Mitchell, Managing Director of Orpheus Minerals Limited (ASX: ORP) has extensive experience in the uranium sector and he gives a great summary of why Orpheus is on a path that is now just getting some attention.
During the interview, Simon breaks down the Orpheus projects, the market sentiment for uranium and the two major styles of uranium geology.
The future for uranium is going strong. Orpheus has selected projects in two Australian states that have good uranium mining policies. The company has several strong points which include a good project, an even better management, and a management team with a great wealth of experience in the uranium space, which is rarely seen. There are not many uranium exploration companies that have a staple of uranium experience like Orpheus Minerals Limited.
Orpheus Minerals Limited was established to explore and discover greenfield uranium deposits in South Australia and the Northern Territory at economic grade and scale. The focus is on sandstone/sediment hosted (paleochannel roll front or structurally controlled) and unconformity (hard rock) uranium deposit types as these are typically higher grade or more simply extracted.
Orpheus’s exploration focus is on the Australian jurisdictions that presently include approved and operating (or recently operating) uranium mines – South Australia and the Northern Territory. These are also the jurisdictions considered to have high prospectivity for economic uranium deposits and have the regulatory systems at both state and federal level supportive of the development of new uranium mines.
Orpheus Minerals is an Australian unlisted public company, incorporated on 21 August 2020 by its current parent company, Argonaut Resources NL (ASX:ARE) (Argonaut).
Following a strategic review by Argonaut of its assets, Argonaut decided to demerge its uranium exploration projects via the Offer, which is considered to be a partial, non-standard spin-out. Argonaut shareholder approval for the demerger for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 11.4 was received on 30 September, 2022.
Contact: Orpheus Minerals Limited (ASX:ORP) orpheusminerals.com.au
Address: Level 6, 100 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000
✦ Andrew Radonjic, Managing Director of Venture Minerals Limited (ASX:VMS) with market capital of $44m talks about the discoveries of Rare Earths on their Golden Grove North and Mount Lindsay projects.
It's ironical that Rare Earths are not that rare at all. There have been mass discoveries of Rare Earth Elements (REE) recently.
Many retail investors focus on the strategy of "selling dreams". Yes it has made a lot of investors' money. I prefer to focus on the facts and look at the viability of projects. A friend and mentor of mine, Geoffrey Donohue taught me this - don't just blindly go with the market. Do Your Own Research (DYOR) instead.
Check out Venture Minerals Limited's REE discoveries here:
vGreat investors are into real solid facts and picking out great management.
One needs to be patient and wait from discovery to production. None of the great projects we know about happened overnight. So when I hear negative narratives about Venture Minerals, I think it's important to pull back the lens and look at the wider timescale. The tin and tungsten strategy is still there. And with recent changing geopolitical positions, REE is set to resurface.
Tin, tungsten and REE are key players in the critical and essential sectors, so this is going to impact Venture immensely. With all these three in place, I think it's worth taking note of Venture and listening to their story.
With the recognition of Tin as a fundamental metal to the battery revolution and Tungsten being a critical mineral, Venture has commenced an Underground Feasibility Study on Mount Lindsay that will leverage off the previously completed open-pit feasibility work.
Let's look at Venture Minerals for example. Their recent announcements got me thinking. Could this be the catalyst that their Mount Lindsay project needs to get revved up?
We cannot forget about tin and tungsten as well. What remains to be seen is how much REE will contribute. Venture will be adding the REEs to an existing mining schedule which will likely create credits to any spreadsheet.
Tune in to what Andrew Radonjic, Managing Director of Venture Minerals has to say about the latest discoveries of REE in their projects.
Venture Minerals Ltd (ASX: VMS) has refocused its approach to developing the Mount Lindsay Tin-Tungsten Project in northwest Tasmania, already one of the world's largest undeveloped Tin-Tungsten deposits.
At the neighbouring Riley Iron Ore Mine, the mine is prepared for a quick restart should the market conditions become favourable. In Western Australia, Chalice Mining (ASX: CHN) recently committed to the second stage of the JV which requires a further $2.5 million of expenditure over the next two years to earn a further 19% interest (for a total of 70%) in Venture’s South West Project.
At the Company’s Golden Grove North Project, downhole EM has delineated a large conductor under High Grade Zinc-Copper-Gold drill intersections within the 5km long Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Target Zone, along strike to the world class Golden Grove Zinc-Copper-Gold Mine.
Venture has a significant NickelCopper-PGE landholding at Kulin with two highly prospective 20-kilometre long Ni-Cu-PGE targets within the Kulin Project.
✦ Brett Hazelden, Managing Director and CEO of OD6 Metals Limited (ASX: OD6) brings proof of the pudding.
The REE Story is not an easy one for investors to get their heads around, so having Mr. Hazelden explain what Rare Earth Elements is all about is helping investors get a head start on how to gain some perspective on this sector.
The recent results are showing the market that OD6 Metals has the asset to make the company a future REE producer.
OD6 Metals Limited's recent announcement on 10 November 2022 entitled "Outstanding High-Grade Clay Rare Earths with Extensive Areas Confirmed at Splinter Rock" needs a bit of analysis and Mr. Hazelden breaks down the story and explains what all the numbers mean.
Investors who are keen on this sector and who are looking for a literally rock solid message that is not about 'selling dreams', this is a good conversation to tune in to.
"These initial rare earth assay results are outstanding and represent some of the highest grades and thickest clay-hosted rare earth intersections seen in Australia. The extent and consistency of these shallow, highgrade clays have resulted in four significant prospects being identified that are between four and seven kilometers in width which are open in length, on our 2,579km2 Splinter Rock project."
"More importantly, these drill results validate historic assays, plus they extend the discovery of clay-hosted rare earths across a new drill line
perpendicular to the original line. This bodes well for future drilling, which we anticipate will significantly grow the known mineralised area."
"The Splinter Rock Project, with its proximity to port and renewable energy generation potential, now has the very real potential to be a globally significant, world class group of mineral systems that could be a multigenerational asset as the world transitions to the decarbonised economy."
"The scale of these clays is hard to comprehend when you start talking multiple kilometers in one direction
at a thickness of between 10 to 30m. The potential is massive."
Comments by Brett Hazelden 10th November 2022.
The REE business is a fast moving one, so it warrants doing some proper research on your own so you can get some merit in putting your money into the best option. From what can be seen, OD6 appears to have great management, and their projects look bulky and substantial.
More are revealed in the video, so get curious and dig deep into the REE story with Brett Hazelden.
OD6 Metals is an Australian public company with a purpose to pursue exploration and development opportunities within the resources sector. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Splinter Rock Project and Grass Patch Project which are located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, about 30 to150km north of the major port and town of Esperance.
The projects are considered prospective for clay rare earth elements (REEs), with the Company’s aim of delineating and defining economic resources and reserves to develop into a future revenue generating operational mine. Clay REE deposits are currently economically
extracted in China who is the dominant world producer.
Rare earth elements (in particular, Nd and Pr), are becoming increasingly important in the global economy, with uses including advanced electronics, permanent magnets in electric motors and electricity generators (such as wind turbines) and consumer electronics.
• Emerging REE major new clay province in WA, potentially competitive with China’s deposits.
• Dominant land position with over 4,800 km2.
• Located close to Esperance port, sealed roads and renewable energy infrastructure.
• Extensive Clay REE in 10 to 37m thick blanket over very large areas.
• Wide intersections of TREO with excellent Nd-Pr concentrations of 20%.
• Multiple targets for potentially globally significant REE resources.
• Excellent regional metallurgy.
• Clay REEs are typically low capital intensity and high margin product.
• Significant supply shortage forecast due to rapid demand increase for renewable power, electric vehicles and electronics.
• Critical metals being prioritised by Governments around the world (need for diversity of supply away from China).
Level 1, 50 Kings Park Road, West Perth, Western Australia 6005
✦ Guy Le Page, NonExecutive Director of Mount Ridley Mines Limited (ASX: MRD) shares about the realisation of a ClayHosted Rare Earth Region.
We've dug into the Rare Earth story before with Mount Ridley Mines Limited in our Brilliant Investments. The last time Guy Le Page shared, it was about the growing importance of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) as our world becomes more and more technological.
The Rare Earth narrative continues to gain pace. There are still questions such as:
• What constitutes a workable project?
• What is a number or grade that is a cause for celebration?
• What is a good-sized resource that will make a project economical?
What is worth taking note is, Mount Ridley's REE project appears to have checked off all the boxes that make a good resource project. Its grade and length of intercept in the current drilling all look acceptable based on comparisons with peer projects.
Guy Le Page explains the path forward for REE players, and the importance of working out the chemistry of it.
Take note that the Esperance region in Western Australia could be the "Pilbara" of Rare Earths. This is a region made for industry, and everything is set for an industry to come along and take advantage of the facilities. Basically, when companies come up with a flow sheet to drive REE, the business will have a very smooth transition as the Esperance township will embrace the opportunity with open arms.
As I always say, DYOR. Doing Your Own Research is a very healthy habit for investors to adopt. Start now, right here with this interview.
Mount Ridley Mines Limited is undertaking the exploration of a significant deposit of valuable
(DMIRS) Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety 1:100,000 Interpreted Bedrock Geology
clay-hosted rare earth elements in Western Australia. The Project was initially acquired for its nickel and copper sulphides potential and is now recognised as being prospective for ionic clay REE deposits.
Currently, this style of deposit is mined and processed only in China and Myanmar.
In November 2020 Mount Ridley Mines Limited (“MRD”) commenced a review of data for its namesake Mount Ridley Project and surrounding area.
The review concluded that areas of the Biranup and Nornalup geological provinces in south-eastern Western Australia have the potential for REE mineralisation, and in particular, the style of mineralisation referred to as Ionic Adsorption Clay (IAC-REE).
Globally, deposits of IAC-REE are most significant in southern China and are
the world’s main source of heavy Rare Earth Elements.
REE mineralisation occurs as large, horizontal, near surface, sheet-like lenses up to a depth of 89 metres. REE mineralisation is interpreted to be present within the in-situ saprolite clay horizon. Patchy lower grade zones occur within transported cover which may vector towards stronger REE mineralisation deeper within the regolith.
Geological Survey of Western Australia (DMIRS) mapping [1] shows that the Mount Ridley Project REE mineralisation occurs within the weathered mantle (regolith) of the Recherche Super-suite, which is described as “granitic and mafic gneiss; may include intrusions of Esperance Super-suite”.
While the source of the REE mineralisation is currently unknown, a detailed sample and lithogeochemistry dataset from bottom of hole aircore samples has been established which includes whole-rock chemical analyses, sample pulps and some end-of-hole air core samples. These samples and data are being studied by the Company’s consultant geochemist to identify the primary rock-type and whether units are REEenriched.
Re-assay of 950 air core samples (162 pending) returned significant REE values over an apparent strike in excess of 25 km with over 20 samples returning >1,000 ppm Mineralisation remains open in all directions with a peak value so far at the Keith’s Prospect from MRAC0711 with 10,461ppm (1.05%) from 23m downhole.
Significant REE intersections have been identified and grouped into 5
prospects – Winston’s, Keith’s, The Lake, Tyrell’s and Marcellus.
Planning underway for a 25,000m aircore program to test newly acquired tenements in addition to step-out and infill holes.
✦ Mike Haynes, Managing Director and CEO of New World Resources Limited (ASX:NWC) brings exciting updates about their Antler VMS project.
In April 2021, we heard Mike Haynes speak about how the Antler Project was acquired and how it was going to add significant value to the company. Listen to the conversation here.
So it is really exciting that the Antler story has now moved through the Scoping Study stage and subsequently declared a larger resource. What is brilliant is New World Resources Limited´s story is a really convincing one when you examine the Scoping Study results with Mr. Haynes. In my research on the company (I always advocate DYOR for investors), I saw great numbers coming out of the Scoping Study. And they are only going to get better with the larger resource. Definitely lots there to get curious about and I encourage investors to ask Mr. Haynes questions.
Find out what makes the Antler Copper Project in Arizona, USA so unique in grade and resource.
It hasn't been easy finding a decent copper story. Ask investors in the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and they'll tell you it's a struggle. The last company that was not considered a major is being taken over. That is Oz Minerals Limited (ASX: OZL). There is now a big gap in the market.
There's also Sandfire Resources Limited (ASX: SFR) on the next level, and we can look at Aeris Resources Limited (ASX: AIS) which is another 'small' copper producer on this scale. And that's pretty much it. New World Resources Limited is positioned to rapidly fill that gap.
It's worth the effort to look at companies that have a long life and the potential to make their dream - to fill the imminent copper supply gap, come true. So listen to the story of New World Resources Limited.
New World Resources Limited is an Australian company focused on the exploration and development of mineral resources projects in North America.
It is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the code NWC.
On 14 January 2020 New World Resources Limited announced that it had executed an agreement that provides it with the right to acquire a
100% interest in the high-grade Antler Copper Deposit in Arizona, USA.
In October 2021, after 18 months of exceptional results, New World exercised its option and took 100% ownership of Antler.
Please refer to their presentation of 12th December 2022
Bringing one of the Highest-Grade Copper Deposits in the World Back Into Production.
Andrew Drummond is the author of two books, Rocks In Our Heads and More Rocks In Our Heads. A seasoned geologist, he has seen and done so much, he can fill more than a book with his experiences.
Geologists are a special breed, and it goes beyond picking at rocks. Think adventure, think exploration, think arduous discoveries. And they have a way of thinking and a passion that allow them to embark on such journeys of discoveries and exploration.
Mr. Drummond pays homage to geologists by bringing to light the extraordinary lengths they would go to discover a great project. His first book is a compilation of stories that showcase how geologists are willing to go (to infinity and beyond) for the love of the job.
Remember Indiana Jones? That's what geologists are like. They may not have to fight off baddies in temples of doom, but the spirit of adventure is what makes their profession so special. You'll find these people in far flung regions on the African and South American continents and even in Mongolia. It is a profession that involves adventure and only those who have the thirst to discover and explore can keep going.
These are the real unsung heroes of the industry. They are out in the heat or the cold, and trudging through dangerous areas to make a project a reality.
I remember my 100th Coffee With Samso Episode with Mark Strizek about how the founder of Tietto, Caigen Wang went about finding and developing the Abujar Gold Project. That story could have been in the two books written by Andrew Drummond. Caigan Wang, the Managing Director of Tietto Minerals Limited (ASX: TIE) has the tenacity of going into the business of Africa to get the project for the company.
geologists who have exploration fused in their DNA.
You can get these books by emailing Andrew Drummond at andrew@ajdrummond.com.au or visit morerocksinourheads.com.au
Andrew has recently retired from the mineral industry.
He had a strong and successful background in the identification and acquisition of major mineral properties and projects; promoting and raising and managing of capital for their advancement; and in listing and managing public companies.
Minemakers Ltd, for each of which he has been an executive director. He has also been a director of several other ASX-listed and public unlisted companies, and of companies listed on the Toronto or Namibian stock exchanges.
Andrew had extensive experience in exploration, feasibility and mining in Australia, New Zealand, Namibia, The Philippines, Russia, China and several other countries.
Andrew is a geologist, having graduated with B.Sc (Hons) from Adelaide University in 1973. He is a FAusIMM, MGSA, and MAIG.
He has recently collected and edited a suite of stories, by largely Australian geologists concerning their efforts trying to find, deal upon or develop mineral deposits in far flung and exotic parts of the world. The stories have been published as "Rocks In Our Heads".
To gain a thorough understanding of these non-Australian projects, what succeeded or what went south and why, read Mr. Drummond's books and go on an adventure with these
He has been a, or the, principal driver of ASX-listed Zephyr Minerals NL (now Lepidico Minerals Ltd), Westonia Mines Ltd (now Evolution Mines Ltd), Bonaparte Diamond Mines Ltd, and
The second book is called "More Rocks In Our Heads".
✦ It´s one of those acronyms you hear thrown around in the investment industry, but what exactly is an IPO and how does it work? Noel Ong, CEO of Samso sheds some light on this.
When a company transitions from a private to a public company, they go through the process of offering shares of their private corporation to the public in a new stock issuance for the first time. That's an IPO. An Initial Public Offering. It allows a company to raise equity capital from public investors. For the first time, public investors can participate and this is a big step for a company because it allows the company to grow, expand and have access to raising money. It also means transparency in the company and increased share listing credibility.
It's been a busy period for IPOs over the past two years. There must have been nearly 100 IPOs in 2021 and we're looking at 62 as of September 2022.
I myself have personally been involved with IPOs directly and indirectly. So I know from personal experience and sharing conversations with other thought leaders on our Coffee with Samso segments that an IPO is not a simple process and involves a lot of hard work. I have been involved recently in an IPO and the entire process of preparing and getting the prospectus live, sharing about the company's projects in South Australia and WA is an intense one. We are looking at a mineral system in South Australia that is unknown and could be very big. Geologists will understand the thrill of exploration and why moments like this can be very exciting indeed.
Investors who are keen to DYOR (Do Your Own Research) would find it useful to keep an eye open for IPOs and learn more about what start-up mining companies need to do to be eventually listed on the ASX. You need to know what makes a good IPO, the factors involved and how important pre-IPO investors are.
• Does the company have good projects?
1. Market Sentiment Commodity
2. Strong conceptual Exploration strategy
3. Not over priced projects
• Presence of cornerstone investor(s)
You need an investor group or an investor who believes you. The strength of the IPO usually comes out of this group of investors. The strength of the company post listing comes out of this group of investors as well.
A pre-IPO group of investors that support the story of the company is the next critical step.
•
The concept or the story of the IPO is something that is going to drive the reasons for all investors. The story will be a combination of the project, as in how good it is etc and backing the management. They are proven players, they have the incentive, and they have the skill to do it.
• Market sentiment helps.
This will be the obvious factor. While there is support for IPOs that look at upcoming trends, market sentiment or flavour also helps immensely.
✦ TG's children are learning lots about wellbeing and healthy choices with a friendly giraffe!
Healthy Harold is a friendly giraffe who is really good at helping children understand how to make safe, healthy choices. Some of you who are parents may also have known Healthy Harold the Giraffe from the time when you were a child!
This friendly giraffe puppet was 'born' in 1979 with the Life Education program. Around 7 million Australian children have known and learnt from
Healthy Harold through the years.
This year, Healthy Harold is visiting TG's Child Care in Armidale and Uralla to teach the children about wellbeing. By helping children to understand how they are feeling and giving them little tools and tips, the children are empowered to not only care for themselves but also for others.
Children can experience big emotions too, and it is not always easy for them to articulate or understand them. TG's
has always been known for building and nurturing caring, respectful relationships and engagements with the children, Educators, families and even their local communities. Children build meaningful relationships with each other in their interactions that involve care, kindness and respect. TG's curriculum and activities planned by the Educators focus on the children's wellbeing through Playing is Learning for Life.
Mental health outcomes at TG's are for everyone - children, Educators, families. Children are supported to reach their fullest potential by learning what promotes their wellbeing. This involves helping them to understand their emotions and teaching them to use selfregulating skills. They gain life-coping mechanisms to create a wellbeing toolkit that they can keep using long after they have left TG's. This is Wellbeing for Life, starting at TG's.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is embedded into
the philosophy at TG’s and it is the underlying support mechanism for TG's to have mindfulness within their service. By supporting and protecting children’s rights, it contributes to their wellbeing and TG's is giving children techniques to succeed in life.
TG’s is in a trusted position to promote and provide empowered environments such as their mindfulness area to support children’s autonomy and agency.
Some of the tools TG's is providing the children include:
• Mindfulness area – where children go to reflect, self-regulate and centre themselves to be able to continue on with their days if they start feeling overwhelmed. In this area there are sensory resources, breathing cards, books, emotion cards that children can choose what most resonates with them.
• Yoga experiences daily within TG's rooms.
• Calming cultural music to support relaxation.
• Guided Mediation which includes body scanning.
• Group time mindfulness activities – breathing techniques, listening experiences, body awareness, stillness to be present in the now.
• Give the children the skills to be able to communicate their feelings to others and themselves in a positive way.
• Storytime includes mindfulness books being read to the children. Children are allowed and encouraged to recognise their emotions, feel them and validate them. "I feel frustrated!", "I feel happy!" etc. and the children learn how to respond to their emotions in a positive way.
• Fortnightly beach and bush kindy walks where sensory experiences, openness and curiosity to ask questions are encouraged. Fresh air, sunlight and open spaces help children to connect to nature and relax their minds.
vAccording to the Greek physician, Hippocrates, otherwise known as the father of medicine, “walking is man’s best medicine”.
Everything TG's does aligns to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) outcomes. With Healthy Harold's visit, the children learn the importance of relationships for wellbeing and identify and practise strategies that they can use to manage different feelings and emotions.
• Children have a strong sense of identity
• Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
• Children are connected and contribute to their world
• Children are effective communicators
TG’s Child Care is trusted by families as the stewardship of their children's future, and we'd say of the children's wellbeing too.
At TG's, the children are given the safe space to develop their wellbeing. TG's environment is a "Universe in Miniature", like a safe, kind, loving world where children are nurtured to show care and respect to create a better environment and society for tomorrow.
Children are Playing it Forward with their wellbeing strategies every day they are at TG's, and onward into their future.
Playing is Learning for Life, and Wellbeing is also for Life.
How TG’s Child Care Indigenous Program aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework
Thumbs up for wellbeing ➸
✦ Equal access in all areas of life is something we all expect in society now; where we live, how we fill our time – with work or other activities, and have friendships or more intimate relationships. Most of us now expect that we can make choices around these aspects of our lives.
However, for people with disabilities, life is not equal, and there are so many barriers to still overcome to achieve that equality. Whether it is trying to get a job, being able to take a plane trip that provides accessibility for wheelchair users or having support to make choices around having a family.
As an organisation whose vision is for ‘parents with disabilities to be equal and empowered citizens’, at disAbility
Maternity Care we are still astonished to hear comments and responses that indicate surprise that people with disabilities would want to have a family. Women with disabilities tell us that they still hear comments such as ‘if they can’t look after themselves, how can they look after a baby?’. Imagine if someone made that assumption about us, with the challenges that all of us might face in our everyday lives.
disAbility Maternity Care has had the opportunity to be represented at conferences, both as invited speakers and to also provide information.
Over this year, we have been working hard to make mothers with disabilities visibleDeaire's family with Santa ➸
• The Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Society of Australasia 9th Annual conference as an invited speaker;
• The National Health & Medical Research Council’s 2022 Research Translation Symposium Panel “An equitable start to life: getting best practice into mother, infant and family care” chaired by Professor Catherine Chamberlain (as an invited speaker)
• Our information stands at the Tresillian conference and the Australian Doula Association Annual retreat also received lots of interest.
"In October this year we celebrated our inaugural conference, the focus of which was "Collaborative Care to support parents with disabilities". Feedback indicated that this was a very successful event and we are excited to announce our 2023 conference; save the date1st September. Venue is to be announced, but pack your swimmers! We look forward once again to bringing together many wonderful champions of change to further collaborate and strengthen our combined visions."
We know that it takes a village to raise a child, and it also takes many voices to make changes. We welcome opportunities to partner with other organisations who align with our values and want to create equality for parents with disabilities. If you or your organisation is interested in becoming a champion for change with us, please contact us so we can begin working together in 2023 to achieve these goals.
by Chrissy Jones
✦ There’s nothing like the approaching festive season to inspire me to get into the kitchen and do some baking. Here are some yummy Christmas treats for you to delight your family and friends with.
Love the beard!
• 125-gram unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup (110g) caster (superfine) sugar
• 1 2/3 cup (250g) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 12 (2g) dried currants
• 12 (5g) tic tacs
• 1/2 cup (40g) shredded coconut
• red food colouring
• black writing gel
• 1 1/2 cup (240g) pure icing (confectioners') sugar approximately
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
Step 1. Have butter and egg at room temperature.
Step 2. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced). Line two oven trays with baking paper.
Step 3. Beat butter, egg and sugar in small bowl with electric mixer until combined, stir in sifted flour, in two batches. Enclose dough in plastic wrap, refrigerate 30 minutes.
Step 4. Roll dough between sheets of baking paper until 5mm (¼-inch) thick, refrigerate 15 minutes.
Step 5. Using picture as a guide, cut out six Santa shapes from dough, re-rolling scraps as necessary. Place shapes about 2.5cm (1-inch) apart on trays. Press currants onto cookies for eyes. Bake about 15 minutes. Cool on trays.
Step 6. To make royal icing. Beat egg white in small bowl with electric mixer until just broken up. Gradually beat in sifted sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat in 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice. Keep surface of icing covered and airtight with plastic wrap and a damp cloth.
Step 7. Half-fill a piping bag fitted with a small plain tube with royal icing. Using picture as a guide, pipe icing in an unbroken line to outline the white parts of the hat and pompom,
stand until icing has dried. Secure tic tacs to faces with a little royal icing to make eyebrows.
Step 8. Spread a thin layer of the icing over one cookie to make a beard, press some of the coconut onto the icing before it dries. Repeat with remaining cookies.
Step 9. Stir enough of the remaining lemon juice into icing to make it the consistency of pouring cream. Carefully spoon or pipe the icing onto the hat for white fur and pompom, stand several hours or until icing is dry.
Step 10. Colour remaining icing red, pipe or spoon onto hats, stand until dry.
Step 11. Use writing gel to make noses on the cookies.
• 60-gram butter, at room temperature
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup (55g) caster sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (150g) plain flour
• 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 24 large (150g) white and pink marshmallows
• 300 gram dark chocolate
• 150 gram white chocolate melts
• 12 red glacé cherries
• 6 green glacé cherries
Step 1. Beat butter, egg, sugar and extract in a small bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Stir in sifted flour and cocoa. Knead until dough forms. Enclose dough in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 2. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease and line two oven trays with baking paper.
Step 3. Roll dough between sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Using a 4.5cm round cutter, cut 24 rounds from dough, re-rolling scraps as necessary. Place the rounds about 2.5cm apart on trays. Bake for 10 minutes.
Step 4. Remove cookies from oven; immediately press 1 marshmallow on top of each hot cookie. Return to oven for 1 minute. Cool on trays.
Step 5. Melt the dark chocolate in a small heatproof bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water (don't let the water touch the base of the bowl). Place cookies on a wire rack over a baking paper-lined tray. Spoon the chocolate over biscuits to completely cover the marshmallows. Stand cookies at room temperature until chocolate sets.
Step 6. Melt white chocolate melts as in step 5. Cut the red cherries in half. Cut each green cherry into 8 wedges. Working with one cookie at a time, spoon a small amount of white chocolate on top of each cookie; position one red cherry half and two green cherry wedges on each cookie. Stand at room temperature until set.
· 250 gram butter, softened
· 1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar
· 1 tablespoon water
· 2 cup (300g) plain flour
· 1/2 cup (100g) rice flour
· 2 tablespoon white sugar
Step 1. Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Grease two oven trays.
Step 2. Beat butter and caster sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. In two batches, stir in water and sifted flours. Turn onto a lightly-floured surface and knead until smooth.
Step 3. Divide dough in two portions. Shape each portion, on separate trays, into 20cm rounds.
Mark each round into 12 wedges; prick with fork. Pinch edges of rounds with fingers and sprinkle with white sugar.
Step 4. Bake shortbread about 40 minutes. Stand on trays for 5 minutes. Using sharp knife, cut into wedges along marked lines. Cool on trays.
• 250 gram butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
• 1/3 cup (75g) caster (superfine) sugar
• 2 cup (300g) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) rice flour
• 1 tablespoon caster (superfine) sugar, extra
• 1/2 cup (160g) raspberry jam
Step 1. Beat butter, rind and sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Stir in sifted flours, in two batches. Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth. Wrap dough in plastic; refrigerate 30 minutes.
Step 2. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line two oven trays with baking paper.
Step 3. Roll three-quarters of the dough between sheets of baking paper until 3mm thick; cut 20 x 6.5cm rounds from dough. Place rounds 4cm apart on oven trays.
Step 4. Roll remaining dough between sheets of baking paper until 3mm thick. Using a 4cm holly cutter, cut out leaves from dough.
Step 5. Brush edge of each round of dough lightly with water; arrange leaves, overlapping slightly, around edge. Sprinkle leaves lightly with extra sugar. Spoon jam into the centre of each wreath.
Step 6. Bake about 20 minutes. Cool on trays.
• 125-gram butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (110g) firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (180g) treacle
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 1/2 cup (375g) plain flour
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• Royal icing
• 1 egg white
• 1 1/2 cup (240g) pure icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Step 1. Beat butter and sugar in a small bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Beat in the treacle and egg yolk.
Step 2. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; stir in the sifted dry ingredients. Turn the dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth. Divide the dough in half. Enclose in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 3. Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Grease and line two oven trays with baking paper.
Step 4. Roll each dough half between
sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Using a 13cm gingerbread man cutter, cut out 12 gingerbread folk, re-rolling scraps as necessary. Place shapes, about 2.5cm apart, on trays. Bake for about 10 minutes. Stand on trays for 10 minutes, before transferring to wire racks to cool.
Step 5. To make royal icing, beat egg white in a small bowl with an electric mixer until just broken up. Gradually beat in sifted icing sugar until firm peaks form; stir in the juice. Keep icing covered with plastic wrap on the surface to prevent drying out.
Step 6. Spoon icing into a small piping bag fitted with a small plain tube (or a small plastic bag with one corner snipped off). Using the picture as a guide, decorate the gingerbread folk with piped royal icing.
✦ Christmas is a time to indulge and none more so is this true than with food and a range of delicious, delectable treats
Whether you’re planning to tuck in to a traditional turkey dinner, with stuffing, cranberry sauce, brussels sprouts and all the trimmings, or opting for a lighter al fresco offering of bbq seafood and salad, food very much takes centre stage during the festive season.
Christmas lunch aside, it is also the time of year to enjoy a myriad of desserts and sweet treats such as candy canes, advent calendars festive themed cookies, family sized boxes of chocolates and rich puddings. Here we take a look at some of the yummy sweet options that are frequently served up around the world during the festive season which may find their way onto your Christmas menu and will hopefully leave you licking your lips in anticipation!
Arguably the dessert most synonymous with celebrating the festive season is Christmas pudding. Initially, however, it was never intended to be a sweet dish and was created as a way to preserve meat. Often referred to as plum pudding, despite no trace of plums in its recipe, it became adopted as a dessert in 1700s England and really gained popularity during Victorian times. Traditionally it is made from egg, suet, treacle, raisins (known as plums during Victorian times and hence the reference to plum pudding) and several spices for flavouring. It is typically prepared four to five weeks prior to Christmas and is usually served with a thick, creamy brandy sauce.
Christmas Cake is also hugely popular in Britain, as it is in many parts of the world, as it is often regarded as the most symbolic of festive desserts. The traditional recipe sees moist currants, sultanas and raisins soaked in spirits such as brandy, rum, whisky or sherry then covered in layers of marzipan and icing which is then decorated. It is heavy and not to everyone’s taste but many say it wouldn’t truly be Christmas without at least one serving during the festive season!
In France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and several former French colonies such as Canada, Vietnam, and Lebanon it is the yule log cake known as ‘Bûche de Noël’ that gets served up at Christmas. A sponge cake is baked in a shallow pan, frosted, rolled into a cylinder, then rolled again to give it an appropriate log looking shape. They are often served with one end cut off and set
atop the cake to resemble a chopped off branch and a bark-like texture is made by dragging a fork through the icing with powdered sugar sprinkled to resemble snow.
Germany is one of several countries to often enjoy the splendours of a white Christmas and they have several sweet treat offerings to match. The traditional Christmas dish Stollen is arguably the most famous, a fruit bread of nuts, spices, and dried or candied fruit, coated with powdered sugar or icing sugar and often containing marzipan. Variations on the recipe include Mandelstollen (almond), Mohnstollen (poppy seeds), Quarkstollen (quark), Nuss-Stollen (nuts), Butterstollen (high butter content), Dresdner Stollen and Marzipanstollen.
Another popular Christmas treat in Germany is Lebkuchen. Invented by monks in the 13th century, it is remarkably similar to gingerbread, with common ingredients such as honey, spices and nuts meaning the taste can range from sweet to spicy. Hard and soft versions of the cookie are popular and can be found at many Christmas markets around the country. Its popularity has transcended the festive season, however, as anyone who has been to Munich’s much celebrated annual Oktoberfest will attest to, where Lebkuchen hearts are frequently seen dangling from the necks of women wearing traditionalal dirndl dresses.
Cookies are popular year round all around the world but particularly so at Christmas. In Denmark butter
cookies known as Vaniljekranse, or ‘vanilla wreaths’, are an essential part of the festive season. Simple and sweet with a crisp exterior, they have become so popular that nowadays they are exported all over the world and have found their way into many people’s favourite Christmas treat list.
Norway has a very similar variation of this recipe known as Sandbakkelse, which literally translates as ‘sand tarts’ and in Iceland the deliciously chewy pepper cookies similar to gingersnaps known as Piparkokur are a popular Christmas staple. Pierniczki Świąteczne is Poland’s variation on the Christmas cookie and Pfeffernusse cookies are also extremely popular with the Danes at Christmas time, as they are in Germany and the Netherlands. Made with a mix of
molasses, anise, pepper and seasonal spices, they are a chewy cookie dusted with confectionary sugar that make for a delicious treat. In Malawai they adopt a slight twist by making the hugely popular Sweet Potato Spice Cookies, combining shredded sweet potatoes, butterscotch chips, pecans, coconut and spices.
Another Scandinavian country that has a unique offering is Finland where Sekahedelmäkeitto is all the rage in the lead up to Christmas. However, this dish is slightly different to those of their neighbours in that it is a fruit soup where a mix of fruits and spices are soaked and boiled and often mixed with canned fruit or berries to add extra flavour!
A variation on the traditional British Christmas cake that is very popular during the festive season in the Caribbean is rum cake. The recipe is almost identical to its British counterpart although this version ramps up the alcohol content and concentration a fair few notches with the fruits soaked in rum for several months before the assembly of the cake even starts. Especially popular in the likes of Jamaica, Puerto Rico and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it is a sweet dessert that sure packs a punch and has often left many that over indulge feeling rather intoxicated!
With the third largest Catholic population in the world, it is safe to say that Christmas is a big deal in
the Philippines. During the festive season revellers feast on Bibingka, a spongy rice cake made from rice flour and coconut milk that incorporates a variety of toppings to provide a sweet treat that is commonly sold outside churches in the lead up to Christmas. Over in Mexico doughnuts are the order of the day, or bunuelos to be precise. The dough is deep-fried, filled or covered with syrup then dusted with spices and sugar. While they are popular at Christmas, these sweet delights are also gobbled up in numerous Spanish-speaking countries during other holidays and festivals throughout the year such as Easter, Hannukah and Ramadan.
Turrón is another popular Christmas dessert consumed in many countries in Latin America. Originating in Spain in the 16th century and believed to have originally been derived from the Muslim recipe for turun, this nougat confection is typically served in a round or rectangular form made from sugar, honey, egg white and toasted almonds or other nuts.
In the Middle East Burbara is a popular dessert that is enjoyed on December 4th to celebrate Saint Barbara’s Day and to mark the official countdown to Christmas. A bowl of wheat grains, pomegranate seeds, raisins, anise and sugar is soaked overnight then boiled before being topped with a variety of seeds, nuts and spices. In a similar vein to Halloween, it is offered to children who go house to house dressed in traditional costumes.
Last but not least we come a lot closer to home to celebrate the pavlova, a staple in Australian and New Zealand Christmas menus. Light, chilled and easy to consume to complement the warm climate, the perfect pavlova recipe is all aout the crunchy, chewy meringue shell and the soft marshmellow centre, matched with fresh fruit toppings such as strawberries, raspberries, kiwifruit or passionfruit. Delicious!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Fröhliche Weihnachten! Joyeux Noël
圣诞节快乐Love from the Brilliant Team
✦ No Christmas is complete without a classic pudding in all its rich and boozy glory.
Nothing pronounces the festive season quite like a classic, decadent steamed pudding. Serve with your choice of brandy butter, custard or ice cream to leave everyone with joy. Leave this pudding simmering happily away while you while away the day with family, friends and children. Enjoy it just when you thought you couldn't take another bite.
Serve pudding with cream or warm brandy custard.
• 4 cup (750g) mixed dried fruit
• 1 1/3 cup (185g) seeded dried dates, chopped coarsely
• 1 1/4 cup (185g) raisins, chopped coarsely
• 1 1/2 cup (375ml) water
• 3/4 cup (165g) caster (superfine) sugar
• 1 cup (200g) firmly packed light brown sugar
• 250 gram (8 ounces) butter, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• 3 eggs, beaten lightly
• 1/4 cup (60ml) dark rum
• 3 cup (210g) firmly packed fresh white breadcrumbs
• 1 3/4 cup (260g) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 2 teaspoon mixed spice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 60 centimetre (24-inch) square of calico
• 1/3 cup (50g) plain (all-purpose) flour, extra
• Kitchen string
Step 1. Stir fruit, the water, sugars and butter in large saucepan over heat, without boiling, until sugar dissolves; bring to the boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 8 minutes. Stir in soda; cool.
Step 2. Stir egg, rum, breadcrumbs and sifted dry ingredients into fruit mixture.
Step 3. Fill a large boiler threequarters full of hot water, cover; bring to the boil. Have string and extra flour ready. Wearing thick rubber gloves, drop pudding cloth in boiling water; squeeze excess water from cloth. Spread hot cloth on bench, rub extra flour onto cloth 40cm (16 inches) in diameter, leaving flour a little thicker in centre.
Step 4. Place pudding mixture in centre of cloth. Tie cloth tightly with string as close to mixture as possible. Knot two pairs of corners together.
Step 5. Lower pudding into boiling water. Cover with tight lid; boil 6 hours, replenishing water as necessary to maintain water level.
Step 6. Lift pudding from water, place in large colander; cut string, carefully peel back cloth. Turn pudding onto a plate; carefully peel away cloth, cool. Stand 20 minutes before serving.
You'll need a 60cm (24-inch) square of unbleached calico for the pudding cloth. If the calico hasn't been used before, start with an 80cm (16-inch) square of calico, soak in cold water overnight. Next day, boil it for 20 minutes, rinse in cold water and cut to a 60cm (24-inch) square. To store pudding, it is preferred to remove the cloth rather than hanging the
pudding, as mould can form. After removing cloth, allow pudding to come to room temperature; wrap in plastic wrap and seal tightly in a freezer bag or airtight container, and refrigerate for up to two months.
The best Christmas companion. Serve lashings of the vanillainfused brandy custard over pudding, pies and cake.
• 2 cup (500ml) milk
• 300 millilitre thickened cream
• 6 egg yolks
• 1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 2 teaspoon corn flour
• 1 tablespoon brandy or brandy essence
Step 1. Combine milk and cream in a medium pan; heat until just below boiling point.
Step 2. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a medium bowl until creamy, whisk in vanilla bean paste and corn flour. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into egg mixture.
Step 3. Return milk mixture to pan, stir over a low heat, without boiling, until custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Step 4. Strain custard into a jug; stir in brandy or brandy essence.
Ingredients:
• 250 gram soft butter
• 2 cup (320g) pure icing sugar, sifted
• 1/4 cup (60ml) cream
• 1/3 cup (80ml) brandy or rum
Method:
Step 1. Beat butter and sugar in small bowl with electric mixer until as white as possible.
Step 2. Beat in cream and alcohol.
You can use brandy or rum essence in place of alcohol.
Source: Women's Weekly Food
Click below for the perfect Turkey recipe.
Read Perfect Turkey recipe
No Christmas can go without a turkey!
✦ Christmas is simply not Christmas without a tree. How did this idea come about?
The ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Hebrews believed that evergreens were symbols of eternal life. They started bringing trees and branches into their households as a way to remind themselves that the seasons are cyclical. The earth goes to sleep in winter, and life returns again in spring. It's a symbol of hope and eternal life. And even in our modern day, we know how good it feels to have a bit of green in our houses to brighten and freshen up our living spaces.
In the 16th century in Germany, trees started to become common and popular in people's homes and this was the start of what we know today as the Christmas tree. Because it is such a popular symbol and item to have, it may come as quite a shock to know that at one point in the 17th century, there was quite a hue and cry from the Puritan Americans against the Christmas tree. It was seen as a pagan symbol and they certainly wanted none of that in their lives. They were even incensed enough to fine people who insisted on celebrating this pagan holiday. What helped to put out the fire was the numerous German and Irish settlers who wanted to continue with the Christmas tradition they had known all their lives. Luckily for us, the Christmas tree stayed strong and green through the rest of history, and we are still able to have this in our homes without fear of censure.
The 19th century saw the Christmas tree's status firmly consolidated when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were seen in a family portrait with a Christmas tree. There was no Instagram or Tik Tok then, but clearly the Royal Family were powerful
influencers in those days, and a single family portrait like that was enough to help market the Christmas tree and catapult it to fame. Since then, everyone wanted a Christmas tree in December. Even the humble Christmas tree needed its fair share of marketing for it to reach its present-day status.
Christmas is a wonderfully magical time of the year, and we are so
fortunate to have these beautiful gifts from Nature to make our homes special (and smell really nice!).
✦ With no fireworks over the past few years, Business Port Macquarie, with huge support from Hello Sailor and Eire Construction, made the decision to organise them this year so we can all celebrate the end of a busy year with our local community and tourists.
Business Port Macquarie proudly presents NYE Midnight fireworks sponsored by Hello Sailor and the 9pm family fireworks sponsored by Eire Constructions together with a successful grant from Port MacquarieHastings Council under the Council Community Grants Program.
We would like to thank Hello Sailor, Eire Constructions and Port Macquarie Hastings Council for their support of both Business Port Macquarie and of our local community, we could not hold events like this without their support.
The sponsors are keen to thank the community for their support over the past few years and this was a way that they could also give back to the community.
Set over the Hastings River, look to the sky on New Year’s Eve and enjoy!
✦ Make a difference this Christmas by shopping with small businesses that have been affected by bushfire, drought and COVID-19. That’s what Spend With Us is all about.
Brilliant-online spoke to Spend With Us Co-Founder Jenn Donovan, keynote speaker at the recent #LoveLocal Festival Luncheon in Wauchope, NSW, who told us more about the online platform that is giving back to those who need a helping hand.
Spend With Us, Buy from a Bush Business is an online marketplace that supports rural and regional small businesses. “The easiest way to describe it is it's like an Amazon, but it's only for rural and regional, Australian small businesses. It started back in October 2019,” Jenn told us.
Spend With Us allows small businesses in a bushfire, drought or flood affected area to easily sell their products online, even if they don’t have a web presence. Jenn said the online marketplace is allowing Australians to turn their hobbies into a business.
"What we’ve found as the platform has grown so many people had just hobbies, and then all of a sudden it turned into a business. They’ve realised that not only mum and their friends wanted to buy their products but people around Australia think that their products are amazing as well."
vJenn is a farmer herself, growing cereal crops and breeding sheep. She lives on a working farm that she says went through the most horrific drought a few years back. “We have a dry land farm, which is really ridiculous to say at the moment as it's so wet. It's not dry land at all,” she said.
Jenn also has another side hustle where she does a fair bit of travelling around the country. She found that a lot of people living in rural areas wanted to get a bit more online traction for their products. “So, as the saying goes - if farmers don’t have money, their towns don’t have money. I started a Facebook group called “Buy from a Bush Business”. Buy
from the Bush was a trending hashtag at the time, but not many people got how to use Instagram, like we're going back three years ago. We all know so much more now.”
Jenn’s business partner, Sarah Britz, was being surrounded by bushfires at the same time. Little did Jenn know though. "This was back in December, January of those very dry, hot years," she explained. "Sarah, a freelance web designer, started the online marketplace, the first iteration of Spend with Us, to help bushfire affected small businesses who had lost their trade basically, not only no foot traffic, but no tourism as well."
Both women continued on with their endeavours to help farmers
She saw a need and helpedSpend With Us Co-Founder Jenn Donovan ➸
and rural businesses in need. Then, about halfway through 2020, Jenn approached Sarah. She said to her, “Look, do you want to join forces? I've got this, you've got that, I think we'd be a match made in heaven.” So join forces they did and created what you see now.
“The online marketplace has about 1,500 small businesses involved and a little under 25,000 products on there now,” Jenn told us. “And the Facebook group, called Buy from A Bush Business, has around 369,000 people in it, I think. So it's a very big community that we work with.”
Jenn explained how amazing it is to be able to lift up the small regional and rural area businesses that have been through so much. “There was drought, bushfires, COVID, mouse plagues, floods, like, I don't know, it's just unbelievable," she said,
exasperated. "I'm basically waiting for the locusts to come. It just seems like they're just being hammered with one thing after another.”
Not only by selling products, Jenn and Sarah also support people with their technology. Jenn told us that there are a lot of business owners out there who don't have their own websites. “So they just use our website; we do the SEO, we do Facebook ads, they don't have to learn how to do that sort of thing. They can just do what they do really well,” she explained.
Check out the website as it has just about anything you could think of, from Australian made products, to
food, beautiful things for your garden, clothing and handmade items like soap, plus so much more. It’s a real mixture. There are also some service based businesses with the goal in 2023 being to build that part of the website. There’s only one stipulation: the business has to be from a rural and regional area to be included.
You could buy a gift voucher for someone special that is sitewide, meaning it can be spent on any of the 25,000 odd products, not in one shop.
So this Christmas, Shop on Spend With Us to directly support families and communities who are having a tough time. Buy from the bush!
More info: Shop Australian & Buy from the Bush. Support Rural & Regional Small Businesses Impacted by the Pandemic, Bushfires & Floods.
✦ Brisbane’s annual immersive light and sound spectacular, The Enchanted Garden 2022, showcases the Eastern Water Dragon in an all new Luna Light Journey experience.
From November 25th to the 21st of December, Roma Street Parkland becomes a breath-taking, enchanted garden, featuring:
• nearly 8,000 square metres of custom-made lighting, audio, special effects
• digital light sculptures
• high-powered lasers
• newly developed interactive projections
• hologram technology
Take a walk through a world-class digital art experience in the heart of Brisbane!
The international award-winning artists and producers at LASERVISION have created yet another powerful illuminated and immersive experience - 'Guardians of the Park'. Live the story as you walk through the park's spectacular designer gardens and walking trails. The magical lighting installations and interactive digital art displays bring the story to life and create a captivating night experience to remember.
And let's not forget Roma Street Parkland's most endearing resident - the Eastern Water Dragon! You will
also meet the Guardians who appear as giant holograms. They reveal the secrets and stories of The Enchanted Garden and unite in a spectacular Shadow Sculpture at the finale.
Creative Director, Juan Zubiaga knew they had to up the ante and deliver more for the community after the success of last year's presentation. He explains the narrative of this year's creation:
v"In partnership with the team at City Parklands Services, we made this year’s journey even more exciting with more magical holograms, hidden totems to discover and a story that inspires people with the natural beauty of the park. ‘Guardians of the Park’ celebrates the local Eastern Water Dragons that transform into their true magical selves, taking on the colours and characteristics of the park’s natural elements: water, trees, rocks and flowers."
LASERVISION has been astounding audiences with their lighting magic, and if you think you've seen the best of it last year, prepare to be astounded even more with this new performance!
“Having produced and delivered the multiple award-winning show at Roma Street Parkland in 2021, we challenged ourselves this year to create a truly unique experience and immersive offering for the community. The feedback we have received from the attendees has been truly amazing. It’s amazing to see the reactions of the crowds and the popularity of this event as it is a true testament to the success of our Luna Light Journey Shows," commented LASERVISION’s owner, Mr. Shannon Brooks.
LASERVISION’s self-guided narrative
will take guests around 1 – 1.5 hours to complete its 2km course, with entry available every 15 minutes from 6:30 pm until 9:30 pm. This tour is suitable for all ages.
Come escape into The Enchanted Garden amidst thousands of lights, and go on an unforgettable magical night journey.
• There are more than 8,000 square metres of lighting and digital art, special effects, high-powered lasers, interactive video projections and holograms.
• It features new technologies such as Interactive Projection Mapping and Hologram technologies.
• Custom programmed and interactive digital art exhibits were created specifically for performance.
The Enchanted Garden is only one of LASERVISION’s many LUNA Light Journey experiences. They have several shows popping up all over the globe. Visit laservision.com.au to check out their other incredible Luna Light Journeys.
Mark on your calendar!
LASERVISION and The Enchanted Garden will be returning to Roma Street Parkland in 2023!
The book celebrates the stories of dogs of all kinds from all around the Barrington Coast NSW with heartfelt photography and a gorgeous collector's edition coffee table book, all whilst raising much-needed funds and awareness for endangered wildlife in need.
The book launch party was a celebration for the dogs who participated along with their pawrents and friends. A great day was had by all.
The Australian-made collector's edition coffee table book is Jo's second self-published book and showcases 55 local dogs of Barrington Coast enjoying their favourite dog-friendly location or private farm along with their stories.
Jo’s Tails of Barrington Coast project has raised over $2600 with 50% of the participation fee for each dog, and 100% of the participation fee for each additional dog in the family donated to Aussie Ark in conjunction with raising awareness for endangered native Australian wildlife with a specific focus on our apex predators.
✦ As we prepare to celebrate the festive season and all the over indulgence that frequently comes with it, we are also conscious that a New Year is on the horizon and with it the chance to set new goals.
These are personal and varied although one popular pledge is to raise our fitness levels and enhance our health during the 365 days ahead of us. So, for those of an athletic and sporting persuasion that truly want to raise the bar, what better than to enter the IRONMAN triathlon, which is being held in Port Macquarie on May 7, 2023.
The occasion will be unique among IRONMAN triathlons contested throughout the world in that there will be two events of differing lengths running concurrently – IRONMAN
and IRONMAN 70.3. There will be an added cause for celebration and an extra buzz in the air as the event returns after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the range of restrictions this enforced. What better way to celebrate returning to normality than to participate or spectate at a truly great occasion that has been held every year in Port Macquarie from 2006 to 2019.
As the official IRONMAN website so perfectly describes, “The superb race offers a unique challenge set along the Port Macquarie region's spectacular coastline. This is the
home of the Oceania TriClub championship and will see you and your mates swim in the calm waters of Hastings river, ride along the Pacific Ocean, and run in the heart of Port Macquarie with the crowds cheering your name.”
To enhance the occasion furthermore, the organisers have confirmed that they have moved the finish line back to the Town Green for next year’s event.
"We are excited to announce that the finish line has been moved back to the Town Green. Moving the location to the centre of town will capture the
electric atmosphere that Port Mac has to offer for when you cross the finish line,” the organisers explain. “With the stunning backdrop and your family and friends sitting in grandstands, we are positive it’ll be a finish line you’ll never forget.”
vThe gruelling event sure isn’t for the faint-hearted. The IRONMAN 70.3 race sees a combination of a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike ride and a 21.1km run, while the IRONMAN race doubles these distances and sees a 3.8 km swim, 180km bike ride and a 42.195km run.
Starting off in the water, participants will swim in the calm and protected waters of the Hastings River from Westport Park and head North before turning back on themselves and returning to the starting point. The race start will commence in a Rolling Swim Start, allowing Age Group athletes to self-seed themselves into Start Zones prior to the race start. Each Start Zone will align to a different expected swim time with all Start Zones located prior to the swim start. There will be four different Start Zones to choose from depending on an athlete’s expected swim time. Athletes will be released in intervals across the start line and timing mat. As you cross the start, your timing chip will activate, and your individual time will start. The rolling start will continue from Zone 1 to Zone 4 until all athletes have crossed the timing mat and begun the race.
Next up is the 90km and 180km bike ride on an entirely new course for the Port Macquarie IRONMAN contest, designed to lessen the impact the event has on the local community, while also increasing enjoyment for athletes. Competitors will transit from the water to the cycle course,
which starts on Clarence street, before embarking on a few rolling hills along Ocean Drive.
Spectacular ocean views will be afforded as riders head down towards Tacking Point Lighthouse before continuing south towards the turnaround in Lake Cathie. Returning north, athletes will then tackle the infamous Matthew Flinders Drive climb for the first time before repating the entire route for a second lap.
Once the bike ride has concluded athletes will transition at Westport Park before taking on the 21.1km and 42.195km run. Heading eastwards, the IRONMAN website explains: “You can expect to hit a slight incline before heading back down to the iconic Port Mac rock walls where you will experience the cheers and support from locals, loved ones, and TriClubbers. Once you pass across the front of Westport Park, you will start to head North to the turnaround on Settlement Point Road just past the 8km mark. Then, head back the way you came to complete your first of two laps. At the end of the second lap, get ready to bring it home as you approach the red and black carpet at the Town Green.”
Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of Oceania for The IRONMAN Group, said that the new bike course was an exciting development for the popular event.
“IRONMAN Australia is the longest running IRONMAN event in the country, and we’re thrilled to be able to add to its storied history by launching this exciting bike course,” said Meyer. “The new bike course will take IRONMAN athletes onto roads they’ve never raced on before, adding a new element to an event that celebrated its 35th anniversary this year.
“A key component of the new bike course is that the only way to unlock tackling these new roads is to race the full IRONMAN event, with those taking on the 180km ride the only ones to head west on Hastings River Drive and into the rural section,” he said. “We’re excited to see what these new roads add to the event, and
how they mix up the racing next May. This event will also be unique in the way that we will have two races, IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3, taking part on two separate courses at the same time, an element that sets IRONMAN Australia apart from any other event in the world.
“As well as adding a new element to IRONMAN Australia this new bike course will also limit the impact on the Port Macquarie Hastings community,” said Meyer. “The population has grown significantly in recent years and in designing this new course we’ve been able to move it away from these population centres. We’re guests in the region and want to make sure that the community welcomes our athletes back for many more years to come.”
Port Macquarie Hastings Council Executive Manager Strategy,Duncan Coulton, said a new bike course would breathe fresh air into the event, and allow Port Macquarie to remain a viable location for the competition’s future.
“Following a targeted consultation process with our business community, we’re excited to be able to move forward in partnership with IRONMAN on the implementation of the new bike route,” Mr Coulton said. “Given the trends we’re seeing with the growth of the population in the Camden Haven region, this move to implement a new north-west route will enable the event to remain sustainable and to continue to grow into the future.
“We look forwarding to working with IRONMAN as planning continues to take place ahead of the 2023 event in May,” he said.
More on IRONMAN Australia can be found at ironman.com/im-australia
✦ Did you know that the Port Macquarie Golf Club has a sponsor for each hole on their course? It certainly makes a game of golf more than just a sport!
When you next take a shot at Port Macquarie Golf Club, make sure you pause at each hole and get to know each sponsor! You're sure to recognise several of these names. It feels like the entire community is there to cheer you on as you putt, putt, putt away!
Check out their Course Information to get more in-depth professional tips as you play your game.
1st Hole| Men 473 metres Par 5
Index 7 Ladies 433 metres Par 5
Index 7
Sponsor - Morgans
This is a tough driving hole with out of bounds left and tree trouble on the right. For your best chance for your birdie or 3 pointer is try to keep your ball on the same level as the flag.
2nd Hole | Men 365 metres Par 4
Index 2 Ladies 333 metres Par 4 Index
Sponsor - Entire Plumbing
You need a well hit tee shot here because there are tall trees just off the tee that will punish any bad shots headed left and a reachable penalty area on the right hand side of the fairway. A shot that turns from right to left is best off this tee.
3rd Hole | Men 338 metres Par 4
Index 9 Ladies 320 metres Par 4 Index 11
Sponsor - Lexus Port Macquarie
This is the most demanding tee shot
so far needed on this hole. Try to split the fairway so you are on your way to par or better. The fairway has a few slopes on it and your ball can quite easily run off the fairway and end up amongst the trees.
Port Macquarie
This is the shortest and the easiest hole on the course, but be careful of the 3 greenside bunkers that are quite tricky.
6th Hole | Men 311 metres Par 4 Index 16 Ladies 292 metres Index 8
Sponsor - Selwyn Peake Optometrist
Be careful of the hidden fairway bunker on the right hand side that can’t be seen easily from the tee. Bigger hitters should aim a little further right and carry the bunker leaving around 130-150 metres to the green.
5th Hole | Men 135 metres Index 18Ladies 112 metres Index 18
Sponsor - Page 5 Office National
Sponsor - Warren Plowright Toyota
Aim to hit straight at the big bush through the fairway. If you get it past the trees on the left hand side you should have a nice shot up to the narrow entrance of the elevated 6th green.
7th Hole | Men 166 metres Par 3 Index 13 Ladies 160 metres Par 3
Index 13
Sponsor - Mid Coast Gaming
Pause here longer as it's a really pretty part of the course. Leave the ball below the hole on this green as downhill putts become rather difficult. 8th Hole
Sponsor - HEM Property
The ideal shot off this tee will be right to left, eliminating the possibility of losing your tee shot in dense bush/swamp area and requiring a reload. Be wary of the false front on this green. Any
approach shots which land on the front section are at risk of running off the front edge. 9th
Sponsor - Midcoast IT
This is a challenging hole for golfers of various levels. At over 500m, a well struck tee shot is important in setting up your chances at taming this hole.
Sponsor - KFC Port Macquarie
There are elevation changes on the hole. An ideal tee shot will be played down the middle of the fairway, which will give the best opportunity to attack any pin position.
Sponsor- Lake Road Dental
An ideal tee shot will be placed up the left of the hole even into the rough as it will feed down into the fairway.
Parts of this one can be difficult even for seasoned players, so enjoy the challenge!
12th Hole | Men 506 metres Par 5
Index 8 Ladies 424 metres Par 5
Index 10
Sponsor - Meryllyn Page Conveyancing
The green is fairly flat and large with three green side bunkers waiting for any pushed or pulled approach shots. This is a good birdie opportunity.
13th Hole | Men 168 metres Par 3
Index 15 Ladies 150 metres Par 3
Index 16
Sponsor - Port Tyre World
This is a tricky one. Be careful the green has a false front which will cause balls to roll back down of the front of the green. Don't get confused by the subtle ridge which runs up the middle of the green.
14th Hole | Men 366 metres Par 4
Index 1 Ladies 360 metres Par 4
Index 2
Sponsor - Hastings Fresh Meats
This is the toughest hole on the
course. If you get past this, well done and congratulations!
15th Hole | Men 338 metres Par 4 Index 11 Ladies 312 metres Par 4 Index 9
Sponsor - Newport Village
An ideal tee shot would be a right to left shape working the ball in to the middle of the fairway. This will leave you with around 120 metres to the green.
16th Hole | Men 164 metres Par 3 Index 17Ladies 142 metres Par 3 Index 17
Sponsor - Plumbtec
The green offers numerous pin placements with back right being the most challenging. A smart play would be to find the middle of the green giving a good birdie opportunity to all pin placements.
17th Hole | Men 314 metres Par 4
Index 10 Ladies 267 metres Par 4 Index 12
Sponsor - Gem Life
The green slopes dramatically from the back to front with two greenside bunkers front left and front right.
Avoid going over the green as the chip shot will be very fast running back down the slope.
18th Hole | Men 358 metres Par
4 Index 4 Ladies 360 metres Par
5 Index 15
Sponsor - Mark G Hammond Funeral Services
There are elevation changes on the hole. Don't put the ball on the back tier with a front flag/hole location. It would be better to keep the ball underneath the hole.
Everyone's favourite hole! This is where you can finish your game and have a well-deserved treat! A refreshing cold beer, anyone?
Is this making you itch for the golf club yet? Golf enthusiasts are already packing their bags even before reading past the 3rd hole, so get started on a great game at Port Macquarie Golf Club! To book a game, contact their Pro Shop staff on 0478 818 330 for assistance.
• Member - $5
• Junior - $10 (If under 16yrs)
• Lower North Coast (LNC) Member9 Holes - $20 , 18 Holes - $35
Visitors
• 9 Holes - $30
• 18 Holes - $50
Members Guest
• 9 Holes - $25
• 18 holes - $40
Note: Guests are required to have a member present or have the member contact the Pro Shop to receive the discount.
AEST after 3pm as many holes as you can walk around and play for $25
AEDT after 4pm as many holes as you can walk around and play for $25
• Member - $20
• Visitor - $50
• Visiting Junior - $20
• Guest of a Member - $40
• LNC Member - $35 limited to only 12 games for the year and then required to pay current visitor rate per game after that.
If you are visiting Port Macquarie and wasn't planning to have a game, you can hire clubs at the Port Macquarie Golf Club. You can select from a range of top brands such as Bridgestone, Callaway, TaylorMade and Ping. All hire clubs include the cost of a pull buggy.
Club Hire:
• 9 Holes - $15 , 18 Holes - $25
Premium Club Hire:
• 9 Holes - $25 , 18 Holes - $40
• Pull Buggy Hire - $5
Golf carts must be booked when
booking a game at the Port Macquarie Golf Club as they are very popular.
• Golfing Members - $20
• Non Members - $30
• Golfing Members - $34
• Non Members - $50
If you wish to bring your own golf cart to the course, you are welcome to do so by paying a $16 fee (9 holes or 18).
Get a membership application form here.
As a member of the Port Macquarie Golf Club, you have:
• Access to 18 hole golf course for social and competition play (fees apply)
• Access to practice fairway, chipping green and putting green
• Access to a range of quality Reciprocal Golf Clubs across Australia
• Access to Clubhouse bar, lounges, gaming and restaurant
• Access to watch Sky, Fox Sports and utilise full TAB facilities during trading hours
• Members discounts on food, beverage and golf green fees
• Access to activities such as Mahjong & Pilates
• Free Members Courtesy Bus service
• Voting on Board elections
• Up to date information on Club events and promotions
Learn more about the history of the Port Macquarie Golf Club. Their members are proud to be on the green and feel so connected through the ages, and to now have the community sponsor each hole. Play golf with a difference!
Port Macquarie Golf Club is the oldest and grandest golf course in Port Macquarie's 100 years history.
✦ The past 12 months have been a tumultuous period in the age of modern professional sports with several seismic events redefining the landscape for future competition.
Things were always going to be uncharted and somewhat strange given that, at the year’s outset, much of the world was only just starting to take the tentative steps into a post COVID-19 environment, with many countries still under strenuous lockdown at that time.
Naturally, as it did with almost every facet of our everyday lives, COVID impacted sport. In the year or so previous, numerous events had fallen foul of the pandemic and been cancelled outright, including major occasions in the Australian sporting calendar such as the Formula One and Open Tennis tournament in Melbourne.
Both of these events did return to Aussie soil this year although it was COVID that dominated the latter as World Number 1 Novak Djokovic’s refusal to be vaccinated saw his visa cancelled twice by Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, meaning he was unable to participate and forced to leave the country. One man celebrating this was Salvatore Caruso, ranked 150 in the world, who took Djokovic’s place in the draw as the “lucky loser”. He was unable to make any significant impact but we are sure the experience alone was one the Italian will never forget!
Once the action got underway, it was Rafael Nadal who won the men’s singles title, the 21st of his professional career, which put him one ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer. Local Aussie hero Ashleigh Barty won the women’s singles title then immediately caused shockwaves by announcing her retirement from the sport. Serena Williams also announced her retirement in September, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 27-year professional career.
Politics and sport battled it out at several events this year and the outcome wasn’t pretty. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many sporting bodies moved to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from global events. Both country’s national and domestic football teams were banned from all competition and the prestigious UEFA Champions League Final, scheduled to take place in St Petersburg in May, was reloacted to Paris.
Wimbledon banned players from Russia and Belarus and Formula One pulled its annual race from Russian soil, prohibiting both countries’ flags and anthems; furthermore, Formula One team Haas terminated the contract of Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and its title sponsor Uralkali. Russian and Belarusian participation was outlawed at all World Athletics competition, including the Paralympics, and at everything from chess to sailing, from canoeing to archery and from surfing to triathlon.
Controversy ruled at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing with the spectre of COVID looming large meaning severe restrictions for participants and no spectators. Topics ranging from from China’s abhorrent human rights record, particularly in regards to the Uyghur ethnic community in Xinjiang, their suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong, ongoing agitation to neighbours including military threats to Taiwan and their handling of the COVID-19 situation all came under the microscope.
It was similarly controversial at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the biggest event of the year which, at time of press, has still to conclude. Held in the uncustomary time period of December in a country with no football heritage, with no stadiums or infrastructure to accommodate
an occasion of its magnitude, controversy has ruled since the decision to award the tournament to the tiny yet natural resource rich state in 2010. Investigations into the selection process has proven that bribery and corruption was rife in FIFA’s hierarchy, and Human Rights groups have campaigned for years on the conditions migrant workers operated under in building the shiny new stadiums in the middle of the desert to host a tournament for the rich, claiming up to 6,500 have perished as a result. Members of the LGBTQ+ community have not been welcomed in a country where homosexuality is illegal and the captains of several teams were threatened with sanctions if they chose to wear rainbow coloured armbands on the pitch to show their solidarity.
Still, the tournament went ahead regardless and the world champions will be determined on December 18. At time of press, Argentina have made the final and will play either France or Morocco. The romantics want the South Americans to triumph as they posit it will lay to rest arguments that their current captain Lionel Messi is the greatest player to ever play the sport. It seems likely their opponents will be defending champions France although the romantics once again yearn for the North Africans to get through. It would be especially apt for representation and a voice to be given the underdog, arguably a fitting tribute to all those who were so instrumental in creating the showpiece occasion but who were so sadly exploited and overlooked. However, ultimately sport, like life, sadly doesn’t always deliver a fair or just outcome.
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