COAST PUBLISHER Catharine Retter editorial@coastpublishing.com.au ART DIRECTOR Jude Rowe, Agave Creative Group PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHERS Reed Plummer, Central Coast Drones Lisa Haymes Photography Kevin Morgan, Magic Light Photography, Merrillie Redden Photography
The Central Coast is looking autumn-splendid.
Welcome S
ummer, with all its many highs and lows, is behind us. The Central Coast was more fortunate than many areas of Australia affected by the widespread bushfires, but even when the only impact on most of us was endless days of smokey skies while keeping a close eye on our FiresNearMe app, we were all touched by the plight of home and property owners, and the wildlife so devastatingly affected throughout Australia. As always, in times of disaster, Australians pulled together and the Central Coast saw an amazing response via social media as well as on-the-ground fundraisers, and people donating time, energy, clothing and food for those affected by the fires. Owners of horse floats made multiple trips to relocate horses, donkeys and even goats in pre-emptive evacuations. Matcham and Holgate, among many other areas, saw a generous influx of horses for agistment. So many holiday home-owners here opened their hearts and homes to people displaced by the fires. The Australian Reptile Park, through its Aussie Ark, announced the establishment of a Koala Sanctuary at Barrington Tops to help provide a safe haven to replenish breeding numbers of our beloved marsupial.
ILLUSTRATORS Maps: Guy Holt Lauren Merrick
In this issue, you can read about the unsung but beloved and uniquely Australian animal we don’t hear much about in those fires. You may be surprised to find out which one it is. And no acknowledgement is complete without a huge debt of gratitude to the Rural Fire Service volunteers but, that said, the less-heralded National Parks & Wildlife and NSW State Forestry’s field and office staff were also diverted for many many weeks away from their normal roles in order to fight fires. With the summer crisis followed by flooding rains, now is the time to help with the morale and economic support of those businesses directly — and many indirectly — affected by buying local, staying local, eating and drinking local. As they say, ‘Now is the time to love NSW’, so we’re doing our small part with a photo essay on our beautiful Central Coast hinterland. We’ll continue to bring you the best of the best on the Central Coast because we continue to live and work in one of the best places in this country — whether it’s along the beaches and waterways, or inland around our beautiful hills, forests and pasturelands! c
Catharine Retter, Publisher
Correction: In the Summer issue of COAST we incorrectly attributed the Somersby Falls photo on page 10. The beautiful photo was taken by Kevin Morgan of Magic Light Photography.
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COAST
PRINCIPAL WRITERS Megan Arkinstall • Kim Cole • Brooke Doherty • Libby Greig • Suzy Jarratt • Catharine Retter • Katie Stokes • Sarah Tolmie • Paul Urquhart
ADVERTISING Anissa Vineburg 0408 692 129 Diane Dunlea 0425 279 707 advertising@coastpublishing.com.au DIGITAL Jenna Nicholl jenna@coastpublishing.com.au DISTRIBUTION Alex Tkachenko admin@coastpublishing.com.au ADMINISTRATION admin@coastpublishing.com.au COAST is published by Coast Publishing ABN 11 145 976 049 PO Box 6407 Kincumber NSW 2251 For more ‘What’s On for Kids’ information contact Katie Stokes at www.playinginpuddles.com.au COPYRIGHT AND WARRANTIES The editorial content, photographic content, design and graphic art (including design of any advertisements by Coast Publishing) are all subject to copyright and must not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Coast Publishing. While we strive to ensure information contained in this magazine is correct and current at the time of printing, details may be subject to change and we recommend contacting venues or event organisers before planning your visit. The information contained in this magazine has been provided by contributors, interviewees and advertisers and their sources. No warranty is given by Coast Publishing as to the accuracy of this information nor any liability arising from any reliance upon the information contained herein. FIND US ON Facebook Instagram @coast_publishing www.coastpublishing.com.au View COAST online and subscribe (it’s free) to avoid missing future digital issues at www.coastpublishing.com.au We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Awabal Darkinjung peoples and their Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. ON THE COVER Piles Creek Crossing in Propan National Park Photo: Reed Plummer, Central Coast Drones
