COAST magazine NSW Australia by Coast Publishing

AUTUMN 2022

DISCOVER THE ROCKPOOLS OF THE CENTRAL COAST ECO SHOPPING GUIDE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY ESCAPES 24 HOURS IN … PALM BEACH AND PATONGA

Copacobana Beach

PEARL FARM TOURS

PEARLS & JEWELLERY

PEARL MEAT & OYSTERS

www.pearlsofaustralia.com.au | 12 Kowan Road, Mooney Mooney | 0488 361 042

CONTENTS WELCOME

DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST Map Rockpools of the Central Coast

8 9

Loving LOCAL

MY COAST Max Burt

Eco Shopping Guide: Purchase with a purpose

Home Style & HOLIDAY LIVING A house that goes with the flow Loving Local: Living the dream Beautiful country escapes

28 34 35

PEOPLE ON THE COAST Paula Wallace: What happens to research animals at the end of their careers?

Eat and DRINK

Gosford’s revival Franziska Prosser: A pastry chef who became a health chef

COASTING ALONG And they call it puppy love. 24 HOURS IN … Palm Beach

50 52 54

Coast VIBES

Words on the Waves: Angela Bennetts Embracing the mess: Illustrator, Sara Acton Books on the Waves HAPPENINGS ON THE COAST

60 62 64 66

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Map Bumble Hill Trail

72 73

HOW WE MET Ashley and Jae Holbrook Nicole and Pete Dominello

76 80

GARDENS OF THE COAST A beach-side chic garden

Driving ESCAPES

Newcastle’s burgeoning small bar scene

Families ON THE COAST Say goodbye to the ‘hangries’ Fun for Kids

94 96

OZ DESIGN FURNITURE GOSFORD & TUGGERAH

A U S T R A L I A N O W N E D & O P E R AT E D

COAST PUBLISHER Catharine Retter editorial@coastpublishing.com.au SUB EDITOR Carla Grossetti ART DIRECTOR Jude Rowe, Agave Creative Group

Killcare Beach

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHERS Central Coast Drones • Jennifer Ennion • Lisa Haymes • Kevin Morgan, Magic Light Photography PRINCIPAL WRITERS Megan Arkinstall • Jennifer Ennion • Libby Greig • Suzy Jarratt • Catharine Retter • Sheriden Rhodes • Katie Stokes • Sarah Tolmie • Paul Urquhart ILLUSTRATORS Maps: Guy Holt • Lauren Merrick ADVERTISING Anissa Vineburg 0408 692 129 Lyndal Keyzer 0432 800 150 advertising@coastpublishing.com.au SOCIAL MEDIA Haley Sing, Vine PR admin@coastpublishing.com.au

e all know the Coast is famous for its beaches, but in this issue we explore some of the Coast’s best rock pools – both beachside and hidden away in our national parks. Whether you want a quietly meditative spot, somewhere for the kids to splash around, or a sheltered pool at the bottom of a waterfall, you’re likely to find that next favourite place when you dip into our pages. Gosford’s revival has been a long time coming and if you’re a long-time resident of the Coast you’d be forgiven for being just that little bit cynical that Gossie will ever live up to its potential. But take heart, its revival has slowly been taking place – not only evidenced by the deep holes that have sprouted scaffolding and cranes reaching to the skyline, but also in the interesting cafes, bars and restaurants

that are quietly luring us to Gosford’s foreshore and streets. More and more of us are opening our homes and our hearts to rescue puppies and kittens but have you ever considered what happens to research animals at the end of their ‘careers’? Paula Wallace did, and it changed her life. Read her heartwarming story in this issue. The attendances at the Words on the Waves Writers’ Festival last year (on again in June) showed how popular books and reading are on the Coast. And as a result of reader requests that we could no longer ignore, we have a review of books beginning in this issue. We’ll be featuring some of the very talented local writers, interesting authors visiting the Coast, and books that wormed their way into our reviewers’ hearts. Enjoy! c

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ENTRIES IN OUR READER COMPETITION You make our task very difficult in picking a winner! The lucky winners of the two nights in Port Stephens are Jo Climpson and her partner. Not only are they a deserving couple, but it brought out the romantic in us too!

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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 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 Receive COAST online, free, in your inbox each month by subscribing at coastmagazine.com.au We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Awabakal and Darkinjung peoples and their Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. ON THE COVER Brisbane Water National Park rockpool photo by Mark Fitzsummons ©.

Relax and Unwind

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CENTRAL COAST

Villages & Beaches

DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

ROCK POOLS

of the CENTRAL COAST

When you love the ocean, the joy of exploring rock pools defies age. Spying tiny crabs dart under rocks and discovering a galaxy of sea stars elicits squeals from beachcombers of every generation. Some of us have childhood memories of dipping into the cool water of The Entrance Ocean Baths, now renamed, while others recall cooling off in pools at the end of forest trails. This autumn, rediscover your favourites or try somewhere new with our guide to the Central Coast’s best rock pools, ocean baths and swimming holes.

WORDS JENNIFER ENNION

DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

Emerald Pool

WOY WOY WATERFALL POOL

EMERALD POOL

One of the region’s best-kept secrets, Woy Woy Waterfall Pool is out of the bag. Influencers have revealed this spectacular pool clinging to a wall partway down a waterfall. They’ve nicknamed it Infinity Pool because it’s like a hotel pool, but this one’s harder to reach. The walk there is around 6km (return), with the final leg not for the fainthearted. ‘The first three-quarters of the track is really easy,’ says photographer Mark Fitzsummons, ‘but the last bit is a goat track and can be quite dangerous.’ According to local author Peter Fisher (Tales from the Rainforest, 2021), the pool was a reservoir that supplied freshwater to Woy Woy railway tunnel workers in the 1880s. In the mid-1920s, the water was used to service steam trains to the Basalt Quarries, while it was also briefly a source for F C Nichols Abattoirs. Now, people seek the pool out to bathe in, but Fitzsummons says it’s narrow and there is a sharp drop-off to boulders. It’s best to leave this one to the adventurers.

If you love a forest swim, it’s also worth checking out Emerald Pool in Popran National Park. Named for its colour, this swimming spot is reached via Hominy Creek walking track (5 km return; about 3 hours). It’s a Grade 4 bushwalk because it’s rough, with steps and steep hills but you’ll be rewarded.

You’ll find it… on Google Maps at the end of a fire trail in Brisbane Water National Park. Local’s tip: Avoid visiting after rain as the rocks are slippery.

COAST

You’ll find it… at Mangrove Mountain. Leave your car at Ironbark picnic area. Local’s tip: Keep an eye out for the green and golden bell frog.

AVOCA ROCK POOL One of the best natural rock pools is the large one at Avoca Beach. The water is always sparkling, and not only do kids love climbing the boulders leading to the walkway, but it’s a fab spot from which to watch the surf. You’ll find it… in front of the surf club. Local’s tip: Pack a picnic and make a morning of it.

DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

Avoca Rock Pool

DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

MACMASTERS BEACH OCEAN POOL

COPACABANA ROCK POOL

Central Coast Drones’ owner Reed Plummer says this Macmasters pool is his favourite. ‘It’s an awesome place to visit when the surf is a bit bigger and you can watch the waves safely from the rock pool. On the calmer days, the surrounding rocks at low tide make a great opportunity to find interesting sea creatures such as starfish and octopus ...’ This humble pool blends into the surrounding rocks and national park backdrop.

Copa’s reputation for a serious ocean swell can see it overlooked by non-surfers, but the rock pool at the northern end of the beach makes for a fun, family swim. The waves can get in there at high tide, so time your visit for mid or low tide when you can snorkel around the rocky edge. You’ll also often find driftwood on the shore for teepee building.

You’ll find it… near Macs surf club. Local’s tip: Go mid-week so you have it to yourself.

You’ll find it… near the northern headland. Local’s tip: ‘Take a snorkel or goggles; the underwater world is something that continues to amaze me,’ says Reed Plummer, of Central Coast Drones.

TERRIGAL OCEAN BATHS Professional photographer Kevin Morgan has captured countless images of the Coast’s top waterholes but one stands out. ‘Spoon Bay would be my favourite for a swim and it is also a favourite photographic subject,’ Morgan says. Locals are fans of the bay not only for swimming and spearfishing, but also for the several rock pools you can swim in. You’ll find it… between Wamberal and Forresters beaches. Local’s tip: Go mid tide, so there is plenty of water in the pools.

This has to be one of the smallest ocean baths in the state, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in location. It’s a stroll from Terrigal Surf Club, next to the new boardwalk and opposite Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific, making it an ideal spot to cool down on a warm autumn day. The swell can jump the ledge, so keep a close eye on young kids. You’ll find it… at the Terrigal end of the boardwalk. Local’s tip: There is no space to sprawl, so take minimal gear.

Terrigal Ocean Baths

COAST

SPOON BAY ROCK POOLS

Macmasters Beach Ocean Pool

Spoon Bay Rock Pools

COAST

DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

ELVIS, THE SALTWATER CROCODILE is a solo king after trying to eat three queens

Beilsy tFUN

s if having a name like ‘Elvis’ isn’t enough, the big saltwater crocodile at Australian Reptile Park is also known as the George Clooney of crocodiles. They’re almost the same age (Elvis is the younger, at 56 years), both are handsome devils with Elvis never having lost a limb or a tooth in a croc fight in his previous home in the waters of the Northern Territory. It was while cruising around Darwin Harbour terrorising fishing boats that Elvis was captured and taken to a crocodile farm where he was match-mated with three potential queens. Sadly, he regarded each of them as tasty morsels rather than the future mother of his children, and is now destined for a lifetime of bachelorhood. In 2007, he came to the Australian Reptile Park where he later gained international notoriety as ‘Australia’s Crankiest Crocodile’ after commandeering his keeper’s lawnmower one lunchtime and taking it for a swim. Elvis continues to be very territorial and likes a game of croc and mouse with his keepers when they try to feed him, keeping them on high alert. There’s no such thing as training for a saltwater crocodile, just safety procedures. Feeding time is his favourite part of the day – as it is for keepers and visitors – particularly so each year on Elvis’s birthday when his present is a quarter of a cow carcass. He greedily grabs his treat, performs the famous death roll, rolling over between 10 and 15 times to rip off a big bite-sized chunk. Through it all, a love/hate relationship has developed between Elvis, the keepers and visitors: they love him, he hates them!

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DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

GRANT MCBRIDE BATHS Still often called The Entrance Ocean Baths, this is a busy spot with tourists over summer. However, in autumn there is more room for a leisurely dip. There are three pools – one for toddlers, another for free swimmers and a larger one for laps. There is also seating, toilets and showers, shade, and a lifeguard. If you’re keen to photograph the baths or other swimming spots, Reed Plummer recommends going at sunrise. ‘This gives you the best chance of capturing the natural colours and textures of the pools from above, whereas at sunset most pools on the Coast are shaded by cliffs…’ You’ll find it… down a cul-de-sac at the southern end of The Entrance Beach. Don’t drive all the way to the baths, though. Instead, park along Ocean Parade and follow the signposted lane. Local’s tip: The water is often chilly so wear a light wetsuit.

Sandwiched between a boat ramp and Norah Head Lighthouse, the rock pool at Cabbage Tree Bay manages to fly under the radar. You’ll still find families there, but it’s not as crowded as other tourist spots. There are toilets and showers, and, if you have time, a lovely beach walk to Norah Head Lighthouse. You’ll find it… around the corner from Norah Head Boat Ramp. Local’s tip: If you have a keen snorkeller in the family, visit mid tide.

Cabbage Tree Bay Rock Pool

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Grant McBride Baths

CABBAGE TREE BAY ROCK POOL

Find your perfect place!

H O L I D A Y R E N TA L S + F U R N I S H E D S H O R T T E R M R E N TA L S Accom Holidays have been the Central Coast’s leading holiday management company for over 25 years. We proudly manage over 400 premium holiday homes across the Central Coast and offer exclusive opportunities to holiday at some of the Central Coast’s most premier properties. Please call your local office to see why we are the most trusted name in Accommodation Management.

Terrigal office: 02 4385 9564 • Avoca Beach office: 02 4385 3860 Ettalong Beach office: 02 4344 6152 Follow us on instagram & facebook: @accomholidays

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Loving

LOCAL

ECO SHOPPING GUIDE

Purchase with a purpose Eco-friendly, sustainably made, zero waste, environmentally conscious, plastic-free … whew. It may feel like doing your bit for the environment is getting more and more complicated but, in reality, we can make a big impact with small gestures. At home, replacing plastic items such as cling wrap for beeswax wraps, or standard toothbrushes for the bamboo kind, which are biodegradable, are great first steps. Or swap your harmful cleaning products for all-natural alternatives that are kinder to the environment. You’ll find some excellent stores below that sell these products and more. Instead of buying a keep cup, coffee lovers can sign up to the Green Caffeen program (see opposite) and say goodbye to single-use coffee cups. And rather than contributing to fast-fashion and mass consumption (we’re looking at you, mega-store lovers), consider shopping at second-hand stores or opt for locally handmade products. We’re betting you can pick up something unique that usually lasts longer and is made with less impact on the environment. Here, some of our favourite stores to start your eco-friendly journey. WORDS MEGAN ARKINSTALL

COAST

LOVING LOCAL

PURE BULK FOODS A healthy and waste-free lifestyle is the mission for Pure Bulk Foods, a beautiful store in Ettalong that offers bulk shopping of wholesome and nourishing foods. Mostly sourced from Australian growers, the products here are organic where possible, high quality and affordable, meaning you can stock up on your pantry essentials without the supermarket crowds and support local business at the same time – win, win, win. These quality foods are packed in recyclable jars or you can fill your own containers from home, minimising unnecessary waste. And while you’re there, browse other sustainable goods, including re-useable cooking and baking utensils, all-natural cleaning products, and body products such as shampoo bars and organic toothpaste, to up your ecofriendly game at home. Shop 7, 46–48 Picnic Parade, Ettalong Beach purebulkfoods.com.au

SORRY GRANDMA, LONG JETTY What’s more sustainable than a pre-loved item? We have many a second-hand store on the Central Coast, but if you have a penchant for nostalgia, make a beeline for Sorry Grandma at Long Jetty. This retro cavern is lovingly filled with vintage bric-a-brac including kitchenware, cane furniture, wallpaper, art and a ‘kitsch cupboard’ full of fun oddities. You can peruse handmade products by owner Skye Hicks herself, crafted from recycled materials, including cushions made from vintage tea towels, quality children’s clothing in bright retro fabrics, and coats fashioned from wool blankets. sorrygrandmashop.com.au

GREEN CAFFEEN KeepCups are a great idea, unless you have the memory of a fish. That’s where this free ‘swap-and- go’ coffee cup program is brilliant. Scan the app at a participating cafe and you’ll get your coffee in a reusable Green Caffeen cup, which you swap for every coffee you purchase. If you forget your cup – no dramas – simply grab another and you’ll be reminded on the app to return your cups within 30 days (or you’ll pay a $12.99 fee). About 30 local Coast cafes are taking part in the scheme to reduce coffee cup waste, including Duck Duck Moose in Wyong, ParkLife Coffee in Terrigal, Kincumber Post Cafe, and Hardwick’s on Blackwall cafe in Woy Woy. Find out more below: lovecentralcoast.com/news/green-coastal-cafe-crawl

» 21

ECO SHOPPING GUIDE

HAPPY GREEN PLANET This local online collection of eco-friendly products will have you kissing goodbye to some common plastic household products for good. Do your pocket and the planet a favour by replacing plastic pegs with longer-lasting stainless steel ones, single-use plastic wrap for reusable beeswax food wraps, plastic toothbrushes for the sustainably produced bamboo kind, and more. happygreenplanet.com.au

KEAPSAKE Forget mass production and fast consumption. With the planet and its people in mind, these exotic homewares and accessories are sustainably handmade by artisans from around the world. Curated by Avoca Beach local Sophia Willcocks, you’ll find hand-woven storage baskets from Indonesia; beaded jewellery created by young people in Cambodia, and brass bowls hand-beaten in India, among other exquisite items. Each purchase helps to fund a sustainable income for the artisan and in turn helps to preserve the traditional skills and heritage of these local communities. keapsake.com

TAKE 3 FOR THE SEA From small beginnings on the Central Coast, Take 3 for the Sea is now a global initiative cleaning up the oceans three pieces of rubbish at a time. And besides ridding our local beaches of rubbish, you can also help by purchasing merchandise. From reusable coffee cups to organic Indian cotton T-shirts to cleanup kits featuring a hessian bag and gloves, every purchase will help to fund education programs that teach about the importance of keeping our beaches and oceans plastic-free. shop.take3.org

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ERINA FAIR COFFEE CUP RECYCLING There are 6 collection points at Erina Fair to recycle your takeaway cups under the Simply Cups program. Recycle your cup to reduce the 20.3 million cups that go into landfill!

UMINA BEACH FLOWERS AND GIFTS For stylish homewares, gifts and freshest flowers in Umina Beach in a relaxed and friendly environment, Umina Beach Flowers and Gifts has exactly what you’re looking for. Check out our wide selection of flower arrangements by qualified design florist and sourced from local growers to make your next occasion memorable. Supporting locals and Umina businesses for over 30 years. 281 West St, Umina Beach uminabeachflowersandgifts.com.au/

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LOCAL UMINA BEACH

JASMINE GREENS KIOSK

PRO FLOORING

LOIS JONES REAL ESTATE

We’re eco-friendly with our take-away kiosk open 7 days a week from 7am to 4pm, serving delicious Mecca coffee, fresh juices, fresh muffins baked daily and lots more fresh and healthy food. Your pet is welcome too!

Come visit our showroom! From first contact, we make choosing the right flooring for your project simple and convenient. We provide flooring options for residential, rental and business spaces.

Totally professional and most trusted real estate agent, since 1967. For informed, uncompromising and effective results delivered in your favour, you can always turn to Lois Jones Real Estate.

256 West St, Umina Beach. 02 4342 6666 proflooring.com.au/

226 West St, Umina Beach (Ph) 4339 7644 (M) 0439 739 324 lois@loisjonesrealestate.com

Sydney Ave, Umina Beach

TRIBE LIVING

THE BEACH KIOSK

WORK COLLECTIVE

At Tribe Living we strive to use natural fibres, fair trade suppliers and ethically made products in clothing, giftware and jewellery – made here, there and everywhere. We pride ourselves on friendly staff who ‘tell it like it is’. Coupled with an exciting range, it makes the Tribe shopping experience exceptional and unique.

Family friendly and located at the Ocean Beach Caravan Park, you’ll find crowd-pleasing, all fresh and hand-made produce, gourmet options, all the essentials, and deli.

Beautifully designed, natural light workspaces for those who want to work closer to home, but not at home. With soundproofed phone booths perfect for Zoom calls. Super-fast internet. Second screens to plug into. Sit/stand desks. Complimentary tea and coffee, fresh fruit, snacks and sparkling water.

352 West St, Umina Beach. Ph 4344 5111

90 Sydney Ave, Umina Beach

3/322 West St, Umina Beach (M) 0403 738 737 workcollective.com.au/

MY COAST

My Coast MAX BURT

Creative, easily bored, determined, entrepreneur, founder of WheelEasy app.

COAST

MY COAST

ALL OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED (AND GRUMBLED ABOUT) NOT BEING ABLE TO GO PLACES BECAUSE OF VARYING DEGREES OF LOCKDOWNS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. BUT IMAGINE THAT BEING YOUR LIFE FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS. THAT’S BEEN MAX BURT’S EXPERIENCE – AND FAR LONGER FOR SOME OTHERS WITH MOBILITY NEEDS – SINCE A LONDON FIRE ENGINE PLOUGHED INTO HIS CAR IN 2000. MAX WENT FROM BEING THE YOUNGEST DIRECTOR OF THE BIGGEST AD AGENCY IN LONDON TO HAVING HEAD INJURIES THAT MEANT HE COULDN’T BALANCE OR WALK OR TALK AS BEFORE, AND IS DEPENDENT ON HIS WHEELCHAIR TO GET AROUND.

As Max learnt to cope with his own injuries, he became aware of just how much they affect everyone who spends time with him – family, friends, work colleagues. ‘I had to rebuild my life after it fell apart,’ Max says. This determined over-achiever went from winning the UK’s most prestigious advertising award to winning UK Disabled Entrepreneur award just seven years after his accident. ‘A major part of rebuilding my life was meeting my wife, Justine. But my lack of access to venues inevitably affects her life, too.’ Lack of mobility can affect so many people – elderly people, and those with elderly parents, or new mums and dads struggling with prams. As Max says, ‘That’s at least 8 million Australians. Access, to live our lives, is something we all expect. But to a greater or lesser extent, those people are excluded from participating fully in society and in life. They get stuck, they give up, and they stay in.’ It’s not only the physical lack of wheelchair or pram access, it’s also lack of access to information. ‘Guess how long it took us to discover that one of our local beaches had a beach wheelchair when we moved here from the UK? Three years!’ he says. ‘Incredible.’ Max’s determination to find where he and his wheelchair could go led to him creating the WheelEasy Access Information web app, a ‘TripAdvisor’ with information and reviews for access to everything from beaches to cinemas, cafes and more, all in one place. ‘It’s designed with mobiles in mind so people can see what’s nearby and be spontaneous for the first time. And there’s an emphasis on sharing photos so you can see if it suits your particular level of mobility.’ ‘We have areas of Sydney quite well covered and my priority is now doing the same on the Coast. When we’ve done that, we intend to cover all of Australia!’

Max sits on disability advisory panels at the City of Sydney and Central Coast Councils and dedicates his life to improving attitudes towards disabled people and enhancing their life experience. Meanwhile, he’s also enjoying exploring more and more of his own neighbourhoods and being able to share them with so many others. For access information, contributing information to the app, or volunteering, go to wheeleasy.org SOME OF MAX BURT’S FAVOURITE PLACES Cycle path from Woy Woy Ferry Wharf, alongside the water, all the way to Gosford Avoca Beach (beach matting, two beach wheelchairs, rock pool, shoreline path) Avoca Beach Picture Theatre Tuggerah Lake picnic areas and extensive pathway, The Entrance The Grand Pavilion restaurant, Ettalong Beach Pearls on the Beach restaurant, Pearl Beach

Home Style &

HOLIDAY LIVING

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Experience Chef Dan’s creative new seasonal menu, enjoy a High Tea or take in the rural views while you sip on a refreshing beverage.

Enjoy lawn games such as Boche and giant chess with the children. The Springs welcomes the whole family.

The 72 par, 18-hole golf course with our new fleet of GPS golf carts. Bring your friend and join us for half price Wednesdays.

OPEN FOR LUNCH 11-3PM BOOKINGS (02) 4373 1522 thespringscentralcoast

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Your home is your haven. Home, gifts and lifestyle store.

490 Central Coast Hwy, Erina Heights NSW (02) 4365 4618

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HOME STYLE

A HOUSE THAT GOES WITH THE FLOW WHEN YOU DECIDE TO DOWNSIZE FROM A TWO-HECTARE (FIVE-ACRE) PROPERTY AT ERINA HEIGHTS THAT YOU’VE PUT 41 YEARS OF YOUR LIFE INTO, WHAT WOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN YOUR NEW HOME? FOR BRIAN AND MARGY FOSTER, THEY KNEW THEY DIDN’T WANT TO BE BOXED IN. THEY STILL WANTED TO ENJOY THE SOUND OF BIRDS, AND THE VIEW OF DISTANT GREEN HILLS … AND HAVE VERY LITTLE MAINTENANCE! SO WHEN THEY CAME ACROSS BUILDERS JSH PROJECT’S MAJOR RENOVATION IN WAMBERAL, THEY KNEW THEY’D COME HOME.

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HOME STYLE

he renovation of a previously a one-level 1980s red brick bungalow was still half finished. The new roof was on, the floors were down, but there was no front door. The architectural computer images of the rooms that JSH presented showed the quality of finishes, with the fittings all specified in the contract, so Brian and Margy knew exactly what they were buying into. ‘We sold our Erina Heights place and lived in our caravan for four months at Bateau Bay,’ says Brian. ‘We were excited to watch the progress. And we’d come every day and watch from afar to see what had changed. When we got to know our nextdoor neighbours we could peer over the fence too. And very soon it was, “Oh, the double showerheads have gone in!” or “The tiles look amazing!”’ The biggest challenge for JSH Projects was excavating a new storey under the house with very little manoeuvre room. ‘It was all clay and sandstone,’ says JSH Projects founder, Justin Hill. ‘And I brought in a small 1-ton excavator, and a tipper to get rid of the soil and rock, and did it myself. It was worth the effort; it’s opened up the house to a third bedroom and bathroom, media room, laundry and a glass-fronted wine cellar.’ Brian, an avid rock collector, uses the cellar as his ‘rock room’ to showcase his spectacular million-year-old thunder eggs. ‘We had a Moroccan thunder-egg splitting ceremony with the children in which I guaranteed them they’d be the first people in the entire world to see the million-year-old crystals inside the egg. It’s a big rock, all white, and the crystals inside are white too. It was certainly a very exciting reveal!’

COAST

THE OUTDOOR HEART OF YOUR HOME

WEBER OUTDOOR KITCHENS full display in store soon

As your locally owned Weber Specialist Dealer, Kincumber Mitre 10 is excited to let everyone know we can now design, supply and organise the kitchens to be built with our long standing premium BBQ partner Weber and are backed by Weber’s renowned warranty and customer service. A Weber Outdoor Kitchen is the perfect solution for your backyard entertaining area available right here on the coast at Kincumber Mitre 10. Open 7 days a week.

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CUSTOM, QUALITY SHUTTERS, BLINDS & AWNINGS For an honest, professional discussion about your dream and vision, contact us for a free measure & quote.

0405 979 261 jesse@conceptshade.com.au www.conceptshade.com.au

Sydney I Central Coast I Newcastle

HOME STYLE ‘I was used to taking three hours to mow the grass previously, but here it took only three minutes,’ he says with an almost sheepish grin. ‘I soon got rid of the ride-on, and now I mow it by hand, and it still only takes me 15 minutes.’ It’s also the reason the front garden has no defined path to the front door. ‘It means I can just mow across the width of the front lawn without worrying about whipper-snippering path edges.’ ‘It all means we have time to enjoy life here,’ says Margy. ‘We swim in the pool every day, and the sunsets are spectacular from the deck. The birds serenade us from the palm trees, and we sit and watch clouds of bats in their hundreds fly over to the Wambina Nature Reserve each evening. We won’t be moving again!’

The feature that Justin’s most proud of is the solution to the ceiling lines in the main living area which separate the open plan rooms but still maintain the flow between them. Brian and Margy love the stonework features in the house. ‘We watched the stonemason cutting and placing the stone, meticulously fitting the pieces together with no grouting.’ The house is a long way from its red brick origins now. It has clean white lines, inside and out. Surprisingly, for a couple who moved from leafy acreage to a house with a coastal/Hamptons exterior that progresses to a contemporary coastal feel inside, their white loungeroom furniture looks custom-made for its new environment. The house’s street facade is in keeping with the streetscape but, Tardis-like, the interior opens up into a spacious kitchen-diningliving area that flows to a large deck, garden and infinity pool and cabana. The limewashed oak stairs lead to a similar finish for the floors throughout the interior, adding a warmth that’s echoed in the sculptured look of the dining table Brian and Margy discovered in Freedom Furniture. A guest bedroom and bathroom, and master suite lead off the main living area. The master suite has walk-in robes, and a bathroom with a deep, free-standing bath, basins and doubleshower that are completely open to the bedroom. The absence of a dividing wall between the bedroom and bathroom is a design feature that Justin says is becoming increasingly popular and gives a more expansive feel to master suites. For a suburban block, it has quite extensive lawns (something Brian loves) so he brought his ride-on mower to the new property.

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Builders, project managers

JSH Projects

Architects

FBC Design

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First Choice Electrical

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All Coastal Plumbing

Kitchen

CGG Kitchens

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SHM Roofing

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Milan Painting Contractors

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Finnigan Concrete Constructions

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MCQ Rendering

Garage doors

Greg James Garage Doors

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Central Coast Stairs

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Central Coast Wardrobes

Stonework

Power Stonework; Aussie Texture Stone

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Paul Gregory Carpets

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Coastal Steel; JR Fabrications

Windows

Great Lakes Windows

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Skillion Pool Plumbing; Nova Pool Interiors; Coastcrete Pools

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Pro Flooring

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Impact Plants; Yarramalong Turf; Kincumber Sand and Soil

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Loving

LOCAL LIVING THE DREAM

On 2.5 north-facing and sunny acres, this bespoke design, built by Lindsay Frew, has been meticulously planned and executed to the highest level. With a functional floorplan internally, multiple living spaces, fire pit, a resortlike playground outdoors and children’s play equipment and swimming pool. It is arguably one of the best properties that has become available in Holgate and the surrounding areas. 267 Wattle Tree Rd, Holgate PRICE ON REQUEST Gittoes, Leaders in Property 02 4323 3811 gittoes.com.au

An expansive home on 35 prime acres (approx. 20 cleared, 15 forested bushland) it has spacious open plan interiors and plenty of natural light. The spring-fed dam provides the property’s water, processed and filtered by a high-tech UV system. The cleared areas are fenced into four paddocks. Original warehouse, and two substantial sheds. 890 Dog Trap Rd, Ourimbah SOLD FOR $3.725 MILLION Gittoes, Leaders in Property 02 4323 3811 gittoes.com.au

Set on a 2.5 park-like lifestyle estate with a full-sized tennis court, swimming pool and outstanding entertaining areas. It sold in Nov. 2020 for $2.35 million, and more recently sold for $3.5 million – an indication of how much the local acreage market has grown. 424 Wattle Tree Rd, Holgate SOLD FOR $3.5 MILLION Gittoes, Leaders in Property 02 4323 3811 gittoes.com.au

Set on 1,157sqm of land and approx. 100sqm of water frontage with its own private little beach and shared jetty. This is one of the most private waterfront blocks on 'The Point'. The architecturally designed and master-built home has impressive features throughout, making the most of all available space. It was the first property in Point Frederick to sell for over $1 million, and Stephen Gittoes has had the pleasure of selling it three times. 1 Harrison St, Point Frederick SOLD FOR $4.365 MILLION Gittoes, Leaders in Property 02 4323 3811 gittoes.com.au

On 5 north-facing acres, this stunning master built home is like private-resort living with all the home comforts, including nature walks on the property, and self-contained pool house. The home flows from one large space to another, inside to outside with an emphasis on entertaining. Detached shed is also a practical addition. 20 Dorit Close, Mount Elliot SOLD FOR $3 MILLION Gittoes, Leaders in Property 02 4323 3811 gittoes.com.au

Positioned on 3.27 private acres, this well-built family home has a splendid northerly aspect and a picturesque garden setting overlooking a lake-like dam. It has a self-contained apartment opening onto its own private deck, well-maintained gardens, inground swimming pool, and 7.5x10m Colorbond shed. It was sold on the AuctionNow platform as a timed auction with the result surpassing all expectations. 86 Picketts Valley Rd, Picketts Valley SOLD FOR $3.26 MILLION Gittoes, Leaders in Property 02 4323 3811 gittoes.com.au

COUNTRY ESCAPES

l BeautifuCOUNTRY ESCAPES

WORDS SHERIDEN RHODES

THE GROWERS COTTAGE, Lower Mangrove Leave the city behind and wake to ivy-covered windows and nothing but the sound of birdsong and frogs croaking at this lovingly restored farmers’ cottage neighbouring Dharug National Park. Set on lush farmland, the intimate one-bedroom Growers Cottage is surrounded by a grower’s garden bursting with fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs just waiting to be picked and added to a favourite dish or drink. There’s also an indoor fireplace, outdoor fire pit and wood-fired pizza oven. The star attraction, however, is the romantic oversized al fresco stone bath between two old magnolia trees complete with handy wooden ledge for a glass of wine or book. Take a soak in the early morning when mist clings to the mountain or bathe under starry skies. The only issue guests have will be leaving this little slice of heaven just 1.5 hours’ drive from Sydney’s CBD. airbnb.com.au/rooms/31500259

COUNTRY ESCAPES

THE RIVER HAUS, Morpeth, Lower Hunter This luxe picture-perfect country cottage lies behind a white picket fence at the heart of Morpeth, a historic river port town in the Lower Hunter. A stone’s throw from the mighty Hunter River and overlooking historic St James Anglican Church, guests can stroll to Morpeth’s heritage-listed main street, picnic on the riverbank and dine at lauded Boydell’s Cellar Door & Restaurant a mere 50 metres from the back gate. On offer is a fully equipped farmhouse kitchen with butler’s sink, ducted air conditioning, Nectre woodfire and two identical guestrooms featuring cast-iron beds and quality linen. A herringbone tiled bathroom with freestanding tub invites long, lingering soaks while blackbutt floors and crisp white walls provide a clean backdrop for the River Haus’s many treasures: a French market basket, Bentwood chairs, vintage kitchen cannisters and weighing scales. Meanwhile, framed steamship prints, a rustic lantern, ship’s rope, coffee table fashioned from a steamship trunk, and old oars are a nod to Morpeth’s past as a bustling river hub. riverhaus.com.au

MIO MONTE, Broke Located on what was the Pooles Rock Vineyard, now lovingly restored, Winmark Wines is far more than a producer of awardwinning chardonnays. Set against the beauty of Yellow Rock escarpment, visitors can extend their stay beyond the cellar door by exploring the sprawling single vineyard’s collection of sculptures, visiting the on-site art gallery or booking one of four accommodation options – each of which expresses owner Karin Adcock’s passion for interiors, art and travel. Mio Monte, Italian for ‘my mountain’ and overlooking the vine-filled valley to Mt Broke, is a seven-bedroom, three-bathroom home sleeping up to 14, and showcasing local artists and modern Australian architecture with a Tuscan twist. Soaring ceilings framed by full-length windows and sliding doors opening onto a long verandah feature in the open-plan living space overlooking a private tennis court and rows of neatly tended vines frequented by kangaroos. A stone fireplace, library and sitting room along with barbecue area and pool offer inviting spaces to kick back with a glass of chardonnay and soak up those bucolic views. winmarkwines.com.au

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PEOPLE OF THE COAST

Paula Wallace and Banjo

What happens to research animals at the end of their ‘careers’? Paula Wallace found an answer. WORDS SUZY JARRATT

llie is a very special dog, a cross between a French bulldog and beagle. She’s only eight, and has spent half of her life in a research facility. Perhaps just as special is Paula Wallace, the human founder of the Liberty Foundation that is behind Ellie’s new-found freedom, and hundreds more animals that the foundation has found homes for after their years in research. Paula, a journalist, worked for many years writing about corporate sustainability. ‘In 2017 I was at a stage in my life where I needed to be of service and apply my skills and experience to a cause that needed attention,’ she says from her home in East Gosford.

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‘When I was a teenager I’d seen vivisection taking place at a university so was aware of animals’ use in scientific studies.’ she explains. ‘I believed there was a more sustainable way for research establishments to manage animals in their care. ‘I’d always wanted to work in the area of advocacy for these animals as they’re often forgotten in the mainstream animal welfare movement.’ And so began the Liberty Foundation. Its values are compassion, inclusion, joy, hope and love. And to date it has rehomed more than 400 creatures – rabbits, rats, mice (four of whom live with Paula in a beautifully appointed naturalistic

PEOPLE OF THE COAST

Mikey, James and Joey

enclosure), guinea pigs, dogs, cats and, the most unusual so far, a group of zebrafish. Zebrafish are used widely in research as they possess many characteristics that make them valuable models for studying human genetics and diseases. Paula emphasises that rehoming is not a simple, one-step exercise of removing an animal from a facility and relocating it elsewhere. Many factors must be considered. ‘I collect the animals from the research establishments, but I’ve usually met with them many times beforehand so I understand where they’re housed and the kind of life to which they’re accustomed. We work with progressive establishments that are, in many cases, as passionate about rehoming as we are. They generally understand their animals very well and can assist us in matching them to compatible owners and living situations when they leave. ‘We take on any animal that can become a pet, a companion, or be retired to a farm animal sanctuary,’ says Paula. She’s found that many of the animals that are being rehomed have ‘special characters’ that have arisen from spending all their lives in an institutional environment. Dogs, for example, may at first find freedom overwhelming and are baffled by people wanting to bond with them. ‘We have a Foster and Adoption Guide that helps carers to support the dogs as they adjust,’ she explained. ‘Also, our guinea pigs and rabbits may at first be a little timid or skittish, but they can overcome this with gentle handling and a loving owner who understands their needs. ‘Over the past four years, since beginning this work, we’ve discovered that once they’re through the initial transition, the animals become very devoted to their human companions and really appreciate the opportunity to have one-on-one attention, a selection of foods, freedom of movement and more choices. Generally, I’d even say our animals are more affectionate than their unconfined counterparts.’ Just like Ellie the French bulldog beagle cross, who is enjoying every new day being a dog, walking in the park, rolling on the grass and wading in puddles. It’s a new life interspersed with naps and snacks, and lots of pats and cuddles. She is loved and very happy.

Ellie

Julius

Myrtle and Magrat

Interested in volunteering your skills or becoming a foster carer or adopter? Take a look at libertyfoundation.org.au Animals that are available to foster and adopt can be found at facebook.com/LibertyFoundationAustralia

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Eat and DRINK

EAT & DRINK

GOSFORD’S REVIVAL It’s time for a day trip WORDS JENNIFER ENNION

Dancing to Backstreet Boys at the Blue Light Disco makes up a large chunk of my Gosford memories. As does getting my stilettos stuck between the balcony decking at the long-gone Iguana Joes, and rushing to the Rewind Room at Club Troppo. In the 1990s, Gosford was for partying – and rail commuting – but not much else. When the football stadium opened in 2000 (initially for NRL but then for the A-league), it signalled a positive step forward in this forgotten ‘hub’ of the Central Coast.

The refurbished Hotel Gosford bar

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EAT & DRINK

The Bon Pavilion

But in the years that followed, other prettier postcodes, such as seaside Terrigal, reaped council’s investment dollars. Fast forward a few years and a hip backstreet cafe called Ooomph created buzz. The cafe’s chilled vibe, industrial setting and hearty burgers were enough to entice you to East Gosford. But, still, the suburb, at large, remained stagnant. A decade or so later, the fairy-floss pink patisserie Bouffant opened. Its eye-catching hue and fun puddings-and-pies menu added much-need pizzazz to the CBD. Eat Street Cafe, near the boat ramp, was an early addition, too. Now, 22 years after the stadium opened, Gosford is brimming with dining choices: At Baker Street and The Bon Pavilion restaurants; South End Social café; Lyons Den tapas bar and Bay Rd Brewing. There’s also the very cool Latin-inspired Frederico’s Bar & Eatery. It’s technically in Point Frederick but such minor details won’t stop me adding it to this list. It is, after all, the ‘cheeky younger brother’ of the always pleasing The Box on the Water in Ettalong, so you know a meal (or cocktail) here will never disappoint. I’m talking ceviche, Cuban spices, saffron rice, paella and churros. Meantime, the calibre of The Bon Pavilion – with its kingfish tails, heirloom tomatoes and salted caramel vodka – was something the suburb had never seen, until the “new” Hotel Gosford was unveiled.

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OPEN BREAKFAST & LUNCH 7 DAYS

32 MANN STREET GOSFORD (02) 43255941 WWW.SOUTHENDSOCIAL.COM.AU

61 Masons Parade Point Frederick Gosford Waterfront

Bringing the best cocktails, South American wines and a Latin American inspired menu to Gosford Waterfront e reserva@holafredericos.com p 4339 4067 www.holafredericos.com

ABOVE AND RIGHT Frederico’s Bar & Eatery. BELOW The Gosford Waterfront Park. BOTTOM Lyons Den.

EAT & DRINK

About $13 million has been poured into this 1920s pub, which reopened in November 2021. General manager Scott Miller says the reaction has been ‘awesome’. ‘Where the heck am I?’ a lot of people say when they come in and a lot of people are raising their hands to the greatness of the ceilings,’ Miller says. ‘It was an indication they had no idea what was happening here and they can’t believe what it’s turned into, which we’re pretty darn proud of.’ The pub renovations took place during the height of the 2020’21 Covid lockdowns. They were extensive, with the restaurant area rebuilt, and the gaming lounge, main bar and hotel rooms renovated. Miller describes the venue as a ‘next-level pub’ that’s true to its roots and welcoming. ‘We wanted to make a place that felt a lot more comfortable, a lot more female friendly,’ he says. ‘Plus, safer for people who are working in the CBD area to be able to come for after-work drinks or for people to be able to travel from surrounding areas such as Terrigal and Avoca …’ Other recent exciting openings include Drifters Wharf, from the crew behind Mumbo Jumbos (Terrigal) and Shady Palms (Avoca), and there’s The Good Bits Co., a coffee shop near Kibble Park. As I walk Mann Street, I can’t ignore the vacant shops, overgrown plots and graffitied buildings. They sit alongside Asian takeaways, thrift shops and discount chemists. The suburb still has a long way to go before it’s thriving, but things are certainly looking good. If you’re a long-time local with hard-to-change opinions of Gosford, I dare you to look past the empty spaces. Instead, notice the stylish South End Social decor, the cool cocktail scene at Lyons Den, the sophistication of The Bon, and the contemporary menu at Hotel Gosford (try an Argentinian hot roll). Even the sprawling Gosford Waterfront Park is a step in the right direction. The soaring towers and twisting slide is reason enough to visit, especially for families seeking a detour off the highway. It’s a space to watch, with the park’s backdrop set to become 136 new apartments that will tower above Brisbane Water (centralcoastquarter.com.au) and sit alongside the controversial but reasonably stylish ATO building.

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Ettalong Beach Waterfront Reserve

Restaurant. Bar. Beach kiosk. Fresh. Modern. Australian. e bookings@theboxonthewater.com p 4339 3369 www.theboxonthewater.com

THE SWEETEST PLACE ON THE CENTRAL COAST

Huge retail store • Cafe • House made ice cream • Kids chocolatier workshops • Factory tours Open daily 6 Jusfrute Dr West Gosford PH: 4322 3222 www.chocolatefactorygosford.com.au

EAT & DRINK

ABOVE The Gosford second-hand bookstore. LEFT Bouffant.

Let’s not forget Gosford’s old comforts, though. The swimming pool, the Regional Gallery and Gosford Sailing Club are still there, and it’s lovely to find a second-hand bookshop down an alley past The Stash House skate shop. It’s this mix of new and old that gives character to this promising postcode, and I urge you to revisit to rediscover. After all, positive change will only come about with positive patronage.

YOUR NEW GOSFORD GUIDE South End Social 1/32 Mann St; southendsocial.com.au Bouffant 38 Mann St; bouffant.com.au Lyons Den 37a Mann St; lyonsdengosford.com.au The Bon Pavilion 159 Mann St; thebonpavilion.com.au Hotel Gosford corner of Mann and Erina streets; hotelgosford.com.au Bay Rd Brewing 89 Donnison St; bayrdbrewing.com.au At Baker Street 6 Baker St, Gosford; atbakerst.com.au Drifters Wharf 12 Dane Dr; drifterswharf.com.au Frederico’s Bar & Eatery 61 Masons Pd, Point Frederick, holafredericos.com Ooomph 26a Adelaide St, East Gosford; ooomph.com

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Franziska Prosser A pastry chef who became a health chef

WHAT DOES A PASTRY CHEF WITH A MASTERS IN PÂTISSERIE AND CONFISERIE (CONFECTIONARY) WHO HAS WORKED IN FIVE-STAR INTERNATIONAL HOTELS AS WELL AS CAFES AND RESTAURANTS DO WHEN THEY REALISE THEY’RE PERSONALLY ADDING TO THE WORLD’S OBESITY AND DIGESTIVE HEALTH ISSUES? Vienna-trained pastry chef Franziska Prosser’s awakening came eight years ago when she suffered a brain aneurism and, knowing the benefits of healthy eating, changed her diet ... at least while she was recovering. Being a chef, the one requirement for her new healthy diet was that it also had to taste delicious and look appetising. Franziska studied the science of nutrition rather than relying on fads, and cut out white flour, animal fats, sugars, and ate less meat. In their place came wholegrains, seasonal vegetables, lentils and beans. Surprisingly, it also had a healthy impact on her budget. What she found was that her body felt so much better on a plant-focused diet, so that it became a no-brainer for her to decide to stay on her healthier meals. ‘Fibre is all-important in your diet,’ says Franziska. ‘Vegetables provide fibre that helps in lowering your blood cholesterol. Fibre is also a factor in keeping your weight under control. It stabilises glucose, and builds short-chain fatty acids in the gut to protect against inflammation and reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.’ Franziska, now living on the Central Coast, stopped being a pastry and dessert chef and concentrated on bringing her knowledge of nutritious and appetising foods to her work in planning menus for Brando’s restaurant in which she became a partner (where Cheeky Charlie’s is now). Franziska ran the restaurant for seven years, before heading up Sage café in Erina,

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followed by Platinum Blu in the Platinum Building in Erina where Quattro Fine Foods now resides. Franziska’s next career-changing moment came in 2017, a year in which she lost three friends to cancer. She realised it was not enough to serve healthy foods in restaurants. She wanted to help people change the way they ate at home, too. Together with Dr Michelle Reiss at the Life Medical Centre, Franziska developed classes in nutrition. Dr Reiss was able to tell her patients how to eat well but, in her Wamberal-based classes, Franziska was able to show them how to create those meals. Then came the Covid lockdown and Franziska began selling nutritional food bowls to her students (and ex-students) who became eager customers. Soon, people with busy work lives or those not overly interested in cooking for themselves were also ordering her chef-quality nutritional food bowls. Even athletes who needed to build muscle but didn’t want to do so by eating a lot of animal protein, began buying her meals. Although the meals are plant-focused, Franziska does not paint herself as a vegan. ‘Vegan diets aren’t necessarily healthy,’ she says. ‘They might still eat white flour, sugars etc. and miss out on the nutritional benefits of whole grains. I like to start a meal plan around plant-based foods – say a pumpkin salad – to which you can add chicken or egg if you so wish.’ The confiserie chef in Franziska hasn’t disappeared entirely. You’ll still find chocolate-coated strawberry treats among her ready-to-eat plant-based meals. ‘Healthy treats are an acceptable part of your diet – in moderation of course – and, after all, chocolate comes from the cocoa plant!’ For information on FoodWorx nutrition coaching and chef cooking classes foodworxcoaching.com.au

HERBIE’S INTERNATIONAL SPICERY Now open on the Central Coast

Ian “Herbie” Hemphil, one of Australia’s foremost herb and spice authorities, has now opened his spicery to the public. Visit the spicery for the widest possible range of signature herbs, spices and blends. 4/25 Arizona Rd, Charmhaven Open Mon to Fri 9am to 4pm. Sat 9:30am to 2pm.

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COASTING ALONG

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COASTING ALONG

Coasting along with

LIBBY GREIG

And they call it puppy love.

have recently spent an inordinate amount of time under my sofa and other assorted pieces of furniture. Of course, I had actually planned on spending a time lazing away on top of my sofa with a good book. Well, that was until I acquired a small but adorable puppy, Mr B for short. Mr B is heavily into home furnishings. He is a Tibetan spaniel, a breed of small dogs with a long history of sitting in the folds of the robes of Tibetan monks to keep them warm in the long hours spent meditating. Mine, instead, has taken to lying within the folds of my sofa. Despite their size, ‘Tibbies’ as they are known in Australia, were also bred by the monks to guard the temples. Mr B apparently does not believe my house is worthy of temple-guarding status. Incredibly loyal and devoted to their owner, Tibbies love people and children. This is lucky as the puppies are so adorable everyone wants to cuddle them. Cute, but there are some drawbacks. Undeterred by his size this small, lethal, fluffball can decimate the legs of a cane chair in 30 minutes. Not content with that, he has now turned his attention to a large six-foot couch starting from the bottom up. So, Mr B is constantly getting caught up in the springs, all four-and-a-half kilos of him. My job is to rescue him on my hands and knees, usually whimpering as I go. As well, it is amazing how many tennis balls you can hide in a couch. Obviously he has next year’s Australian Open in his sights. I have, of course, left out telling you about all shoes, the odd carpet and other interesting household items he has tried to demolish. I am not alone in puppy-stress. A friend has acquired a gorgeous black-and-white Bordoodle (Border Collie Poodle), Hobbs, who has recently eaten her husband’s hearing aids. All jokes about her puppy’s amazing hearing are not going down that well. I had actually imagined I would spend my time taking Mr B for brisk walks. But his stated preference is for lying totally flat with

his little legs splayed out like a small fur rug that you need to take care not to step on. However, I am pleased to report that we have passed puppy pre-school with distinction. Now one of us will obey the orders – 'come', 'sit', 'beg' and 'walk', but I am not going to tell you which one. Actually, puppy pre-school was the best fun I have had in years, which may tell you a bit about my social life. There was a joyous array of lively puppies all different shapes, sizes and breeds. From an adorable Maltese about the size of a furry slipper, to a couple of shaggy sheepdogs, an energetic Dalmatian, even an adorable German shepherd puppy about the size of a small car. Matching the puppy with the owner was even more fun. Everyone behaved well and we were all very obedient, including the puppies. The saying that ‘A puppy isn’t just for Christmas; it’s for life’ is very true, but now it has a new twist. A puppy isn’t just for a pandemic. Over the last two years, the cost of puppies has risen astronomically, almost keeping up with house prices. The trouble is that puppies grow up into dogs and, while lovely to have when you’re working from home, their costs also rise. So, I really am sad to hear that record numbers of dogs are being sent back to dog shelters. It seems very unfair to lovely dogs who have been wonderful companions during such stressful times. Some of these dogs may even have to be put down if they can’t find owners. So now may be the time to adopt a rescue dog. It may not be a puppy or a particular breed but look at it this way, with an older dog you may well save your furniture as well as your sanity, and gain a wonderful friend. The joy of owning a puppy and seeing the world through the eyes of a small dog whose sense of adventure and fascination with the world is a real treat. But I would like to get up from the floor now please.

24 HOURS IN … PALM BEACH

24 hours in... PALM BEACH WORDS AND PHOTOS JENNIFER ENNION

THE BEAUTY OF PALM BEACH IS THAT IT’S ONLY A FERRY RIDE AWAY FROM THE CENTRAL COAST, MAKING IT THE PERFECT DESTINATION FOR AN OVERNIGHTER IN SYDNEY – WITHOUT THE TRAFFIC AND NOISE.

Day One 9am

As the Central Coast’s southernmost suburb, Patonga has a sleepy charm few other postcodes have retained, making it a lovely launch point for a laidback adventure. Arrive early so you can order a coffee from The Boathouse Hotel, wander the quiet beach or enjoy a dip in the bay. theboathousehotelpatonga.com.au

10.25am

Board the small Merinda II ferry from Patonga Wharf ($25 return). The old-fashioned ferry oozes nautical charm with its timber benches and blue-and-white paint. It’s also recently been acquired by Boathouse Ferry Co, so you can expect friendly service and a punctual departure.

11am

After the 30-minute crossing, we are greeted in Palm Beach by sailing boats, fishing tinnies and happy toddlers running along a beach. Across the road, Barrenjoey House sits pretty in pink frangipani, vintage lights and blue and white. I’m reminded of an old pub that’s been showered with affection. Inside to my left is a brilliantly colourful restaurant. To my right, a bar so smart I imagine an elderly yachtsman sitting there, reading a broadsheet, rum on the rocks in hand. I’m enamoured, and even more so when I push open the olive-green door to my room upstairs. The king bed is dressed in perky pillows and the bedside lampshades in a tropical print. Two picture windows have views of Pittwater, through Norfolk pines.

Noon

barrenjoeyhouse.com.au

For lunch, head over the hill to Dunes (about 15 minutes’ walk), a sophisticated yet relaxed eatery. Dishes consist of swordfish ceviche ($24), blue swimmer crab ($38) and watermelon granita ($16). There is also a kiosk with a simpler menu of paninis and seafood. dunespalmbeach.com.au

2pm

From here, it’s tempting to head down onto North Palm Beach for a swim but Barrenjoey Lighthouse is calling. Follow the grassy foreshore past the golf course and continue through the car park and onto Station Beach (on the Pittwater side of the peninsula). Signs will lead the way to Barrenjoey Lighthouse. If you’re sure-footed, take Smugglers Track, 400 metres up stone steps (about 15 minutes). It’s fun and has fab views. At the top,

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you’ll find sandstone keepers’ quarters and a squat lighthouse that marks the northern point of Sydney. The lighthouse, built in 1881, is closed, but guided tours are sometimes available. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

3pm

As you make your way back to Barrenjoey House, pop into The Boathouse Home, a large store brimming with ocean-themed furnishings, from lobster fridge magnets to fish-shaped plates. When you finally arrive at the hotel, grab a towel and join local families across the road for a swim. theboathousehome.com.au

6pm

Cap off your stay with an indulgent dinner in the hotel’s vibrant restaurant. My son orders the calamari (from the main menu) and is pleasantly surprised to be served battered octopus legs. I opt for the crispy-skin barramundi and tomato salad, and it’s the giant, flavoursome tomato paired with a delicious ball of burrata that steals the show. I recommend the banoffee pudding, too.

Day Two 9am

Before catching the ferry back to Patonga, set off along Barrenjoey Road until you reach Palm Beach Wine Co. This gourmet grocer is great for souvenirs, such as biscotti and artisan chocolate. Turn down Iluka Road and follow it until you reach a laneway that leads to a tiny public reserve. It’s a local’s secret and a good spot for more swimming, and perhaps a little dreaming, with views of the boat-access-only homes across peaceful Pittwater. palmbeachwineco.com

*Barrenjoey House has a general minimum age of 18 years, however exceptions are made. The writer travelled as a guest of The Boathouse Group

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VIBES

Kati Thanda AN ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY INTO THE LAND OF THE ARABANA PEOPLE

Photographer Glenn McKimmin set out on a four seater light aircraft from Warnervale airport to William Creek,

South Australia to photograph a one in a hundred year flood at Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. These photographs were shot entirely from a light aircraft looking directly down at the abstract patterns and textures of a Australia’s 200 million year old salt lake. Kati Thanda is the lowest point below sea level on the Australian continent. Don’t miss seeing this incredible collection of original artworks at Glenn’s beautiful Central Coast Gallery. O P E N S M A R C H 2 5 T H @ G L E N N M C K I M M I N G A L L E RY, 4 2 1 T H E E N T R A N C E R O A D L O N G J E T T Y

info@glennmckimmin.com | 02 4335 5486 | www.glennmckimmin.com

CREATORS OF THE COAST

WORDS on the WAVES WORDS JENNIFER ENNION

he peninsula will again be buzzing with creatives and lovers of literature with another Words on the Waves Writers’ Festival. The festival is returning for its second year, with a main program at Umina from June 3 to 6. Although the program is still to be revealed as we go to print, if the lead-up events are anything to go by we can expect another stellar line-up. We already know that best-selling author Heather Morris (The Tattooist of Auschwitz) will be the star guest at a literary lunch in Pearl Beach (March 5), while applauded novelist Graeme Simsion (The Rosie Project) will share his writing wisdom at a workshop (March 6) in the same suburb. A few weeks later, award-winning journalist and author Jane Caro AM (The Mother) will be at Words at Wagstaffe (March 26), in partnership with The Bouddi Society.

Words on the Waves Festival Director Anglea Bennetts

COAST VIBES

The fact that such a new festival has attracted so much clout is promising. Festival Director Angela Bennetts puts it down to a fantastic response from publishers. ‘When we say that we’re creating this space for events of that size and scale, publishers have just been so happy, so relieved that they can bring authors here and there’s the capacity to accommodate that,’ Angela says. ‘There’s such a huge population of engaged readers but, to date, there hasn’t been any ability to host authors of that kind (on the Central Coast).’ The festival was started by two publishing professionals, Jacqui Barton and Benny Agius, both of whom moved to the Central Coast and fell in love with the relaxed lifestyle. But they noticed a big hole in the region’s very young cultural calendar – there were no major literary events. That’s despite there being a healthy library community and local book groups just about everywhere you look. ‘…They kind of put their heads together and dreamt up the name and the concept and then, bit by bit, people joined the committee, and it was very organic,’ says Angela. One of the charms of Words on the Waves is its location in and around Umina, a suburb that’s seeing growth, both in population and identity.

‘Obviously, it’s not been the cultural hub to date,’ says Angela. ‘There are more facilities in Gosford and The Entrance; there are more touristy things happening in Terrigal and Avoca, and it’s been quite sleepy down on the peninsula. ‘But, it’s seeing a lot of change, so I think there was a lot of demand for something of this kind. We certainly saw that once we released the tickets.’ Angela describes locals’ reception of the festival as being ‘overwhelmingly positive’. ‘They say that every town needs a bookshop … I kind of feel that for a region of a certain size, a festival can be something like its soul or its heart.’ Give it a few more years and Words on the Waves may be exactly that. This year’s festival will be bigger and consist of author talks, book signings, workshops, a book-themed film screening, a children’s program and even a literary cruise. Festival programmers are also keen to support local writers and artists, and have invited them to be a part of a book launch program. *Tickets for the 2022 festival will be available in April. Visit wordsonthewaves.com.au for more.

CREATORS OF THE COAST

WORDS JENNIFER ENNION

Embracing the mess A local author-illustrator’s journey to success Drawing dinosaurs is dangerous territory when it comes to children, says Central Coast author-illustrator Sara Acton. The Avoca Beach artist recalls her young son correcting her as she worked on her children’s picture book Dinosaur Day Out. ‘He came into my studio and he looked at the picture and he goes ‘Mum, you do realise velociraptors don’t look like the ones in Jurassic Park?’ ‘But then, also, dinosaurs don’t eat ice-creams, which they do in my book,’ Sara laughs. The mum-of-two is inspired by her family when creating a book. Feeding ducks in New Zealand led to Ben and Duck with her son, Ben, as the main character. In her books, you may also notice a few local motifs, such as the Avoca Public School uniform.

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COAST VIBES

LEFT Sara Acton. BELOW Sara's home studio. BELOW RIGHT Illustrations for Sara Acton’s book, Jack’s Jumper about a boy’s favourite jumper.

Sara has won numerous awards, the most recent being the 2020 CBCA Notables Book of the Year (Younger Readers) for Mr Walker and the Dessert Delight. She also runs school workshops, harking back to her teaching roots. Formerly a high school art teacher in the United Kingdom, Sara moved into publishing when she relocated to the Central Coast for her husband’s work in 2009. Around this time Sara started enjoying competition success and was encouraged to stick with it. ‘It really excited me and then I started marrying the illustrations with the text and I really liked the fact that you could tell a story from an image,’ she says. Two years after arriving in Australia Ben and Duck was published. She’s been busy ever since and now has 20-odd stories to her name. Her latest, Jack’s Jumper, will be in stores in July. Although Sara had always been creative, her chosen medium was sculpture and fine arts, not illustrating. But she delved in and now mixes watercolour paint, ink, pencil and collage, with digital editing. ‘Every book is different, so it’s good to use different techniques,’ says Sara. ‘It’s fun to experiment ...’ It’s also fun, it seems, to let go. ‘At the end of a book it gets really messy and you can’t see the floor and you don’t actually realise ’til you finish because all

you’re thinking about is finishing the book and delivering it by your deadline, and then you suddenly look around and think “oh my God, I’m going to disappear into a swamp of paper under my feet”,’ she says. Sara gets so lost in her work that she’s been known to turn up to school pick-up with paint on her face and ink over her fingernails. It’s also not uncommon for her home studio wall to cop a few generous splats of colour. But that’s part of creating. So, too, is stumbling across the ideas for her books. Some are sparked by her kids’ toys, others by the Central Coast’s beautiful beaches, and sometimes she pops into Sydney to sketch scenes in her notepad. But her children inspire her the most – and they never shy away from handing out feedback, especially when it comes to dinosaurs. Learn more about Sara at saraacton.org.

COAST VIBES

BOOKS on the WAVES

Reviewed by ANGELA BENNETTS

SIGNS & WONDERS, by Delia Falconer (Spoiler alert! Delia will be joining Words on the Waves in June 2022) What do you get when a baby mammoth emerges from the permafrost, palm trees walk up sandy shores to secure more stable footing and species start to disappear one by one? While the horrors of climate change are certainly stomach-churning, Falconer cleverly imparts the innate beauty of it all in this startling sequence of essays. She also reminds us there’s more to the modern condition, dipping into TV show CSI, bird-watching, grief and much more – making this a far-ranging and important read.

THE SHADOW HOUSE, by Anna Downes (Anna is moderating an in-conversation with Jane Caro at Words at Wagstaffe, 26 March 2022) Set in the Central Coast hinterland and inspired by a real eco-village, The Shadow House is an atmospheric thriller following two mothers as their worst nightmares unfold. Author Anna Downes – a Central Coast local – skilfully weaves in weighty themes of domestic violence, the dark web, and the difficulties of motherhood. But there are plenty of jump-out-of-your-skin scenes as well, such as a wizened old woman appearing in the woods, strange carvings on the trees, and an abandoned house with a raft of buried secrets. Pick this up if you prefer your thrills moody and complex, rather than gory

SONG OF THE CROCODILE, by Nardi Simpson In the mood for a heartbreaking, multi-generational Australian saga? Look no further than Song of the Crocodile by Yuwaalaraay storyteller and Stiff Gins performer Nardi Simpson. Just like you fell in love with the Pickles family in Tim Winton’s classic Cloudstreet, you will fall for the Billymil family who leap off the page with their hard-won humour and wisdom. This is an absolute classic in the making.

Reviewed by ANGELA BENNETTS, Festival Director, Words on the Waves Writers’ Festival For more information on the Words on the Waves Writers’ Festival 3-6 June, wordsonthewaves.com.au

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HAPPENINGS

HAPPENINGS ON THE COAST WORDS MEGAN ARKINSTALL

Eurythmics and Annie Lennox Tribute Show, 12 March

Irish singer, Clodagh Reid’s strong soulful voice and engaging performance delivers the Eurythmics’ epic hits, together with a stellar band and backing vocals. Glenn A Baker describes the show as a 'Cracking seven-piece band ... Clodagh has a great voice well able to do justice to Eurythmics and Annie Lennox'. Enjoy your favourites including 'Sweet Dreams' 'Who's That Girl? 'Here Comes the Rain Again', ‘The Miracle of Love’ and much more. thearthousewyong.com.au/whats-on/

Central Coast Festival of Women 5–13 March

Celebrating the achievements of women on the Central Coast, the Central Coast Festival of Women has a packed schedule starting with a launch at Ettalong Diggers featuring guest speakers and a luncheon. There will also be an art exhibition at The Entrance Gallery showcasing local female artists, and an artisan market selling locally made ceramics, jewellery, candles and the like. And on International Women’s Day (8 March) a breakfast will be held at Kooindah Waters and a lunch at Pullman Magenta Shores. cbwn.org.au

RAW CHALLENGE, Doyalson, 12 March Testing your physical and mental fitness is the aim of the game here, but it’s not a race: the goal is to complete as many obstacles are you can and – mostly – have fun! Comprising more than 60 obstacles, the eight-kilometre course changes every year – get a team together and you’ll find yourself climbing over walls, crawling through tunnels, balancing on beams, wading through water, and getting very dirty. There’s also a modified 2.5-kilometre course for the little ones. See our Fun for Kids section for more. rawchallenge.com.au

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COAST VIBES

VISSLA AND SISSTREVOLUTION CENTRAL COAST PRO, 14–19 March The surf-laden shores of the Central Coast will once again be host to the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series, with the men’s and women’s QS3000 being held at Avoca in March. Hundreds of competitors from far and wide will make their way to Avoca Beach to compete in the surfing comp alongside local surfers. The series is a pivotal platform for emerging talent to score ranking points and prize money on the WSL Qualifying Series and to gain recognition on the world stage. surfing.nsw.com.au

FLAVOURS BY THE SEA 26 March

As part of Harmony Week, Terrigal Foreshore will become a melting pot of flavours and cultures when the Flavours by the Sea returns this year for another delectable showcase. Celebrating the diversity of the Central Coast, this multicultural event will host food stalls touting tasty morsels from across the globe, as well as local music and art displays. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/whats-on

HAPPENINGS

Love Lanes Festival, 8 April This popular festival has been rescheduled to April with guided tours along the Wyong Heritage Walk, as well live music across four stages, roving entertainment, food and market stalls, a kid’s zone, circus performances, art installations and more. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/whats-on

STREET PAWS FESTIVAL, 30 April

Head to Mt Penang Parklands in Kariong with your beloved four-legged friend for the Street Paws Festival. Featuring market stalls selling pet products, food trucks for the humans, and competitions for the old timers, best rescue dog and cutest pooch, it’s a fun-packed day for the local dog-loving community. The festival will support dog rescues including Peggy’s Promise, Central Coast Bull Terrier Rescue and Greyhound Rescue. facebook.com/streetpawsfestival

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HAPPENINGS

LOVE YOUR EARTH, 6 May 2022

Eco and wellness warriors will unite for one inspirational day at Gosford Waterfront to celebrate sustainability, health and community. The Love Your Earth festival is a coming together of the Central Coast’s premier independent health providers and practitioners, eco-friendly products, sustainable local produce and more. Browse the stalls, sample fare from local providores, and learn how to love the Earth by doing your bit for a healthy, happy planet. fixxevents.com.au

Words on the Waves 3–5 June

After a successful inaugural festival last year, Words on the Waves will again bring together world-class and aspiring writers to the Central Coast in 2022. Held at Ocean Beach Surf Lifesaving Club in Umina, the inspiring festival will include an array of storytelling events, conversations and panels, book signings, writing workshops, a family fun day, cinema screening, and literary cruise. Look online for the full program to be released in April. wordsonthewaves.com.au

LOVE fresh Sydney Oysters? Love being outdoors and doing something new and different? Then Sydney Oyster Farm Tours have probably been designed just for you. You’ll get picked up by boat at Brooklyn, just near the Hawkesbury Bridge, to skim across the river to Mooney Mooney and the farm’s eco-sustainable oyster leases. You’ll get the inside story on growing and savouring oysters straight from the farm’s second or third generation family of farmers. Then comes the fun part. You don a pair of waders to be taken to your in-water tasting table where a feast of famous Broken Bay Oysters awaits! There are three different price points for the tour experience, depending on how much you want to shell out. sydneyoystertours.com/

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National Parks & State Forests

GREAT OUTDOORS

OLNEY STATE FOREST from KULNARA to YARAMALONG VILLAGE

THE GREAT NORTH WALK Starting a hike while it is still dark is tricky, but for this walk it is well worth it to watch a magnificent sunrise over the far horizon.

WORDS JAMES LUTWYCHE

Rock orchids growing in the leaf litter.

Rockpools form where the track crosses an intermittent creek.

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GREAT OUTDOORS

Accompanying me on this hike for excessive conversation and noise, are my four-year-old daughter, and my son – best mate, budding scientist and intrepid adventurer. Head torches, fresh with new batteries are installed with instructions not to look me in the eyes. ‘What Dad?’ They both look at me, and there goes my night vision. The four-year-old is hoisted up on my back into my hiking harness, and my son gets to carry the gear. In the soft beam of the headtorch we can see all the luminescent spiders and insects, their tiny little eyes looking back at us; we tread carefully. The Great North Walk is a series of day hikes that link Circular Quay in Sydney with Nobbys Head Lighthouse in Newcastle. It takes in all the splendour of the Hawkesbury and Central Coast waterways and sea cliffs, the beautiful rugged bushland, lush pastures and farms of the hinterland, and the Watagan forests. For today’s walk, we start at the trackhead at the top of Bumble Hill on Greta Road in Kulnura, and follow the trail northeast downhill to Yarramalong village. There are areas to leave the car if you don’t want to walk both ways, and if you have transport back up the hill. The first section is a loose, rocky, single-file trail that winds its way down the spur below the transmission powerlines. This is the only difficult bit with the lack of sunlight, the wet ground and slippery loose rocks. If you start your walk a little later in the morning, you’ll see plenty of wildflowers covering the ground including flannel flowers, boronias, little terrestrial orchids, and flag lillies. Just after the third transmission tower, you come to a small junction with a narrow, unmarked trail down to the left. This leads to the final transmission tower and a rocky escarpment, where we sit and wait for the sun to rise over the eastern ridgeline. We watch the pink sky give way to an amazing sunrise with the sun lighting up the low clouds, and the mist below us that covers the whole of Yarramalong in what is described by my daughter as ‘a fluffy white blanket’. We backtrack the five minutes back up the trail to re-join the track. The terrain changes and we leave the spur to follow the old bullock trail that used to link Yarramalong to Mangrove Creek and down to the Hawkesbury River. This mid-19th century trail was constructed to cart Australian red cedar, blue gum and turpentine timber by bullock teams down to the river, where it was loaded onto barges destined for Sydney. To the untrained eye, there is very little evidence that the timber-getters were ever here; the bush has reclaimed what was removed, and there are even young red cedar saplings returning to the valley – thanks to the work of both the birds who spread the seeds, and to the timber-getters who left enough remnant trees as a seed bank for the future. The trail gently snakes it way down the valley, the vegetation changing at every turn. On the southern slopes there are carpets of ferns and hanging swamps beneath towering mahogany gums. Then around the next curve we stumble across huge, buttressed Angophoras with old man Banksias, and grass trees.

GREAT OUTDOORS

Forest she-oaks carpet the ground with fine brown needles and half chewed nuts, courtesy of the black-tailed and gang gang cockatoos who are also visiting today. Don’t forget to look up. Towering cliffs hang above, and water drips from mossy, glistening rocks. Thankfully, along this section there are also some little cliffs, caves and rocky escarpments – plenty of time today to stop and let the kids have a bit of a scramble. Recent rains have created a huge landslide. It’s amazing to see giant trees plucked from the ground and hurled in a pile at the bottom of the gully, as if mother nature has had a game of pickup sticks, lost her temper rather badly, and tossed all the sticks in a corner. The bullock trail soon returns to a modern fire trail-width, and we’re back to my preferred style of hiking, side by side, with conversation able to flow. We constantly gaze around, commenting on all the birds, funny looking rocks … and planning our next adventure. Today’s trail is almost at its end. The fire trail links back to Bumble Hill Road, but it is best to follow the signposted goat track to avoid walking along the road. There is no verge and large trucks descend the hill heavy and slow, but unstoppable. It is a five-minute walk from here to Yarramalong village. A final ‘shout out’ to my mate Regan (at Regan’s Fine Foods) for one of his legendary meat pies and a bucket of his Butchers Coffee. Best way to end the morning. The 6km hike took us two hours with ample stops along the way.

A timber boardwalk in the moist forest area of the walk.

ABOVE Cliffs large and small, caves, and rocky escarpments are typical of the Bumble Hill walk.

James Lutwyche is a horticulturalist, and a local and experienced bushwalker who has led or been part of expeditions in the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, Kosciusko, Tasmania, New Zealand and Mongolia. He lives and works in Yarramalong and is married with four children. James is also the local Scout leader at Peats Ridge Scout Group and spends his time between work at Paradise Botanical Gardens and exploring and enjoying the great outdoors.

HEADING

How we met

ASHLEY AND JAE HOLBROOK Stanley Park, Fullerton Cove WORDS LAUREN HENSBY

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shley strolled into one of McDonald’s finest establishments on the hunt for something to eat. A cheeky cheeseburger, perhaps? As she approached the counter to place her order, she couldn’t help but notice the bloke in the Maccas uniform. He was as tall as the sundae machine he was leaning against. But hold on a second, there were two of him. He was a twin! Then, when he looked in her direction ... and uttered the magic words, ‘What would you like?’ she was lost. Ashley checked his nametag, ‘JAE’. She went home that day and did what any normal teenage girl would do, she stalked his socials. Feeling brave, she even sent him a friend request. To her delight, the tall stranger accepted. And that was all for the next ten years … until one balmy Friday evening, Jae wandered down the stairs of the Central Coast’s favourite night spot and found himself near the dance floor. Double parked with his trusty Vodka Red Bull, he watched the drop-dead gorgeous stranger dropping it low, as far as she could go. He asked around, ‘Who is she?’ ‘Is she single?’ And that’s how he found out her name and realised they were already friends on Facebook. He needed to say something good to get her attention, charm her through words, he thought. Jae punched out an iMessage on his phone that would change his life forever. ‘Hey, what’s doing?’ The rest, as they say, is history. Jae knew they had something special when he started splitting Ashley’s name into three syllables, ‘Ash-ah-ley’, and without a moment’s hesitation, she responded with ‘Ja-a-ae’. An identical sense of humour, but what really did it for him was not only how much fun they had together but that they were so themselves around each other. There was no hiding or pretending.

A scene-stealer at the wedding was Ashley and Jae's son who was an integral part of the ceremony.

Jae knew, on their first romantic date at The Lakeside restaurant at The Entrance, that he wanted Ashley to be his wife. It only took him five years to ask her. Better than ten, hey? They were married at Stanley Park, Fullerton Cove with the ceremony kicking off at 11.30am, after which the guests mingled, ate and drank until at 5pm when Ash and Jae left for an intimate dinner at Bannisters in Port Stephens. Venue Stanley Park, Fullerton Cove Celebrant Loz – Hungry Hearts co Photographer Rhys – Hungry Hearts co Videographer Volcano Sunday Florist Botanica Bird Acoustic Artist Stevie Lee Music Hair and Make-up Makeup by Bonnie-Lee Ashley’s Dress Zimmerman Ashley’s Shoes Alias Mae Jae’s Suit MJ Bale Catering Fennel and Co. Desserts Covered in Crumbs Kitchen Hire Beavis Kitchen hire Caravan Bar Boozy Suzie Car Hire Blakes classic wedding cars Lawn Games Event Masters

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- STUNNING WEDDING & EVENTS VENUE -

THE RIDGE ESTATE - PEATS RIDGE -

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nicole@theridgeestate.com.au

How we met

NICOLE AND PETE BENTLEY The Ridge Estate, Peats Ridge

WORDS SARAH TOLMIE

icole and Pete were 18 and 19 when they met, and longterm relationships were not really on their radar. ‘We met on the dance floor of the local pub,’ says Nicole. ‘It was through mutual friends, and what attracted me to Pete was that he is very outgoing, is always up for fun and has a huge circle of friends. I have never met anyone who is as good at making and keeping friends as he is. I’m the opposite. I have a fairly small circle of close friends, and I’m hopeless at returning messages.’ Pete remembers it slightly differently. ‘Nicole is very outgoing and we bonded over our shared love of hanging out with friends. I have a passion for dirt bikes so it was also a big tick that she could ride a dirt bike!’ Having met at a young age, the couple recognise they aren’t the same people they were a few years ago.

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‘To make our relationship work, we agreed to never hold the other back from their dreams,’ says Nicole. ‘We take the time to care for one another and respect that we are growing as individuals.’ After Pete proposed, creating ‘just’ a wedding was not enough. So Pete and Nicole used the dreams for their own upcoming nuptials to embark on creating a wedding venue and a new business. Their wedding became the genesis for the creation of The Ridge Estate with a two-hectare section carved out from the farm where generations of Nicole’s family had run a commercial flower farm in the Central Coast hinterland. They lovingly converted the space into a boutique venue with pavilion, gardens, party barn, paddocks and guesthouse. ‘We love to party and celebrate and we completely oriented every decision and design of the Estate based on asking ourselves,

‘What would we love to have on our wedding day?’. We wanted a space where couples could gather up all their people and bring in their own bespoke aesthetic, caterers, bands, caravans, even a horse and cart. ‘For us it also meant a huge dancefloor, garden spaces as well as open fields, a luxe yet rustic barn reception room and flowers, flowers, and more flowers. Well, it is a flower farm after all,’ says Nicole. ‘Building the venue was probably the toughest project in our relationship – money was tight and we were working 70 to 80-hour weeks. But postponing the wedding for seven months because of Covid was probably even tougher! ‘And how many couples can say they built their entire wedding venue?’ Nicole asks. ‘We have created our life and a business together based on what makes us happy and I couldn’t ask for more!’

Ceremony and reception location The Ridge Estate, Peats Ridge Photographer Susannah Johnson Photography Videographer JXSN Weddings Celebrant Peter Bray Ceremony Musician Bryce Sainty Reception Band JC Entertainment Catering Paddock to Plate Catering Co Bar The Wandering Waterhole Florist The Botanical Workshop Signage BB Collective Jewellery Meg Maskell Fine Jewellery Wedding dress Luv Bridal Suits Peter Jackson

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PLANTS

CAFÉ

Allyson Schultz I Marriage celebrant Celebrating love and creating fun, relaxed, bespoke ceremonies across the Central Coast and Hunter Valley.

Subtropical Specialists Subtropical Specialists Browse our extraordinary range of subtropical plants in the nursery, or just enjoy a tranquil, unique dining experience surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation.

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4369 1422 I 9 Poole Close Empire Bay www.impactplants.com.au

A BEACH-SIDE CHIC GARDEN Toowoon Bay

Everyone loves a beach house. But not everyone loves the challenge of gardening by the sea. This sumptuous but deceptively simple garden is the result of a marriage of two minds – that of a keen gardener who loves the tropical look and a landscape designer with an eye for design and restrained planting. WORDS PAUL URQUHART

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PHOTOS LISA HAYMES

GARDENS OF THE COAST

Outdoor spaces are an integral part of mid-century style and bold foliage plants are enhanced by the simple black-and-white-striped awning.

GARDENS OF THE COAST

The front deck is screened from the front and will be even more private once the small Brazilian cloak next to the bird bath grows.

the 50s are aligned as an informal hedge but interspersed with dracaena and frangipani to give added height. Along the drive and against the neighbour’s building, more dracaenas plus traveller’s palms almost completely cover the wall. There’s variety here as different foliage forms and species are used to unify the whole garden. To hide the rear areas, a hedge of hibiscus adds some muchloved colour, but stays within the structured nature of most of the shrub borders. The front garden is enclosed by a row of densely planted variegated schefflera. Lawn is a key element, adding voids and negative spaces. Bill’s choice of Queensland blue couch, which thrives in the coastal conditions, is the perfect foil for driveway and shrub borders.

PLANTS What we sometimes think of as forgotten or retro plants are a feature of this garden and they show that, when grown well, they can be a true highlight of a coastal garden. Some have fallen from favour, but here they show just how good they can be. •

• Fijian fire plants are a good screen in a salty coastal scene and their bold shapes and colours deserve to be more commonly grown along our coast.

Bill and Margie McLean bought an older house back in 2015, renovated it and wanted a garden to match. Both loved tropical designs, but wanted a garden that would not tie them down. The place to go for tropical plants on the coast is Impact Plants at Empire Bay and the owner, Paul Anderson, recommended Brendan Lewis, of Brendan Lewis Landscapes. Brendan’s plan is refined but simple, restricting plant variety in keeping with the best principles of mid-century modern design style. It provides some great lessons in how to develop a coastal garden.

•

WHAT IS A MID-CENTURY MODERN LANDSCAPE? After the chaos of the 1940s, people craved order and structure in their home environment. Mid-century modern came as a response to a world that was chaotic and threatening, something that we can, once again, relate to. A major element is the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, clean lines, often linear design with bold graphic shapes and clipped foliage and repeated plantings.

ANALYSING THE LOOK Brendan’s plan uses very few plants but each is selected for its form and foliage texture repeated in various ways. For instance, along the garage wall, Fijian fire plants, a popular shrub from

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•

Dwarf umbrella tree (Scheffera arboricola ‘Variegata’) from Taiwan is related to the once common native from Queensland, S. actinophylla, but much better behaved. Shrubby in form and easy to prune to shape it features beautiful orange berries in the summer, loved by lorikeets and wattle birds. Fijian fire plant (Acalypha wilkesiana) comes in a range of leaf shapes and colours. The cream and green form is most likely ‘Tahitian Gold’, but other more compact growing forms with red leaves include ‘Inferno” and ‘Firestorm’. They’re best kept shapely by regular light pruning in spring, and grow well in salty conditions. Ixora chinensis ‘Prince of Orange’ comes from tropical China. But this improved form is compact, colourful and easy to grow. Great balls of fiery orange and handsome foliage also grow in pots, too, so could be a useful plant for apartment balconies. Give it humus-rich soil and regular watering and it will flower most of the year. Traveller’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) looks like a giant strelitzia or bird of paradise and needs room. Here it’s kept to a single trunk where the huge leaves against the beige background of the neighbour’s wall show it off to perfection. Frangipani is everyone’s favourite iconic tropical tree and it thrives in sandy coastal soils. Not so slow-growing, it responds well to fertiliser, compost and water. But don’t overdo it or the branches may become heavy, brittle and waterlogged and susceptible to snapping in strong winds Pandanus or screw pine (Pandanus tectorius) is a subtropical plant that grows as far south as Port Macquarie and is considered a quintessential coastal tree. Fairly slow growing, they make a bold statement in a coastal context. For more information, contact Brendan Lewis, of Brendan Lewis Landscapes: brendalewis5@bigpond.com or 0409 122 269

GARDENS OF THE COAST

ABOVE LEFT While hiding a wall, traveller’s palms and dracaenas, hark back to the ’50s but with a contemporary twist. ABOVE Variegated schefflera makes a good screening hedge along the footpath. LEFT Ixora and traveller’s palms blend well with groundcover aptenia and succulents like crassula in the foreground. BELOW Despite being less common these days, the Fijian fire plant ‘Tahitian Gold’ links in with other foliage plants.

Driving

ESCAPES

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DRIVING ESCAPES

NEWCASTLE’S WORDS SHERIDEN RHODES

burgeoning small bar scene

Once a rough-and-tumble port awash with bootleggers, sailors and later a blue-collar town, Newcastle is undergoing a renaissance that extends to its burgeoning small bar scene. SAINTS BAR Sink into a chesterfield lounge and order an East End Ice Tea inspired by Newcastle Beach on a summer’s day. Co-owned by passionate young bartender Jackson Dunlap and Mara Zenteno, Saints offers a menu of 50-plus gins and is one of a growing wave of small bars cropping up across the city. Saints’ espresso martini is not only delicious but also as local as it comes, made from Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, Newcastle Distilling Company Vodka and an espresso martini mix by Drop Bear Coffee. 31 King St; saintsbar.com.au

BLUE KAHUNAS Dust off your loudest Hawaiian shirt and make for tiki-inspired rum bar Blue Kahunas. This tropical rum shack hidden behind unassuming doors offers mismatched furniture, fishing nets and the best of tiki culture. Byron Marzinotto and Prudence Farquhar are the bar’s partners in life and work. Farquhar says Newcastle is an incredible little city on the rise with a young creative crowd. ‘The bar scene is also growing up with new bars opening and a more diverse nightlife.’ Don’t leave without sampling the bar’s signature cocktail, Barrel O’ Nanas, and check out the couple’s latest venture Bar Mellow in Newcastle’s west end. 3/146 Hunter St; bluekahunasbar.com

COAL & CEDAR This cool prohibition-era-style speakeasy concealed behind a barbershop wall (you need a password for entry) is housed in one of Newcastle’s beautiful heritage buildings. Lauded as one of Newcastle’s best cocktail bars, patrons can get cosy in a booth or prop themselves up at the bar to watch the tattooed bartenders craft top-shelf cocktails such as Apple Hooch made from tart Granny Smith apples or an epic whisky sour. Masterclasses are held for cocktail enthusiasts. 380 Hunter St; coalandcedar.com

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DRIVING ESCAPES

THE FALCON BAR The Falcon, in Newcastle’s East End, serves Mexican beer and stellar cocktails alongside comfort food inspired by the American South. Co-owner Mike Galvin grew up near Florida and brings brisket wood-smoked for 12 hours, smoky Louisiana jambalaya and fried chicken and waffles to the Pacific St bar housed in an historic two-storey terrace. The Falcon is all about vintage rock, a laid-back vibe and affable staff – some of whom make a dash for a quick surf in their break. The millennial crowd streaming in after a day at the beach can’t get enough. 10 Pacific St; thefalconnewcastle.com.au

THE KOUTETSU Bartenders at this dimly lit, seriously sexy Japanese-inspired speakeasy craft bespoke cocktails teamed with a simple menu of gyoza and edamame. Australian gins and Japanese whiskeys dominate the cocktail list, which can be customised to suit the individual palette. Service is attentive wherever you sit, however the best seat in the house is unquestionably at the bar for frontrow seats to all that mixing and shaking. 555 Hunter St; thekoutetsu.com

THE RUM DIARY BAR Unleash your inner pirate at this dimly lit watering hole brought to Newcastle from the team behind the original Rum Diary Bar in Melbourne’s north. Patrons at the shipwreck-themed bar can explore secret passageways leading to three distinct drinking spaces or head to the upper terrace housing Newcastle’s first cigar lounge. Come for the boozy rum cocktails, stay for the Caribbean-inspired menu featuring Cuban rolls, Spanish empanadas and coconut-grilled corn. 529 Hunter St; rumdiarybar.com.au/newcastle

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Families

ON THE COAST

FAMILIES ON THE COAST

SAY GOODBYE TO THE ‘HANGRIES’ WORDS VANESSA GREEN

IT SEEMS MANY PARENTS GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS ARE NEVER HUNGRY, PROVIDING SNACKS AT THE FIRST SIGN OF THEIR BEING HUNGRY, AND TO AVOID THE ‘HANGRIES’. BY DOING THIS, ARE WE TEACHING OUR KIDS THAT CONSTANT EATING IS NORMAL? We know some people claim the healthiest way to eat is to eat small and often. There’s plenty of research that shows eating frequently throughout the day reduces your chances of becoming overweight. But there’s also plenty of research that contradicts this, too. And the French, for instance, believe that hunger between meals is a good thing. They believe it produces good eaters, teaches kids self-control, and produces discipline around eating.

Why do we snack? We snack to get us through to the next meal. Sometimes we just get a snack to ease the ‘hangries’. Snacking can become a habit, and we end up bingeing on quick-fix sugary foods. Or, perhaps, the meals you are eating are designed for fast satisfaction, not for longer ‘fullness’, meaning the last meal didn’t provide all it should. Drinking plenty of water helps your blood sugars from dropping. And eating healthy whole foods can eliminate your kids’ moods and tantrums. They will not only increase their nutrient intake but also their nutrient absorption. Each macronutrient – carbs, proteins, fats – is important at each meal because each has a role in healing and building our bodies. Protein builds and repairs our bodies, carbs are for energy, and fats for satiety. And all science aside, each tastes great for different reasons.

Are we saying no to snacking? Well, no. But do you want to be here to survive (to the next meal) or to thrive? You can improve your children’s nutrition by including healthy snacking. Avoiding processed or packaged foods doesn’t have to be an inconvenience to your schedule. Just add a few new twists …

Eat nutrient-dense whole foods Healthy snacks are the foods for our body as nature intended. If you purchase foods without ingredients like bananas or strawberries, eat them separately or combine them to your taste. It’s not rocket science, just plain old home science. Keep at it. You’ll get better at it, especially as your taste buds yearn for the deliciousness you’re serving up.

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So what’s enough? Let your baby and children be the guide in what they want to eat and how much is enough. When they turn away or are no longer interested, the meal is over. Seriously. Having to eat everything on your plate was probably handed down to us by our grandparents and parents’ generations who were food-deprived during wars and the Depression. It’s better to eat healthy than to eat more.

Snack ideas that can turn to meals We know that sometimes kids would rather snack than eat meals. But healthy snacks can turn into healthy meals, almost without them realising. Boiled eggs and pancakes can sound like just breakfast, but having both cooked and ready in the fridge can make for delicious snacks as meals. Boiled eggs Turkish eggs – try rolling your boiled egg in dukkah Sweet deviled eggs – cut egg in half longways. Scoop out yolk, mix with 1 tsp almond butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Scoop back into both halves and drizzle with a little maple syrup Banana pancakes Ingredients: 2 bananas, 1 carrot (or raw beets for pink pancakes!), 4 eggs, 2/3 cup cassava flour (or gf flour), butter for frying. Whiz all ingredients. Cook in frypan and flip when first tiny bubbles appear. (Cook nut flours on lower temperatures to avoid burning) Sweet pancakes – serve with maple macadamia butter Fancy pancakes – serve with a spread of yoghurt and a slice of smoked salmon BLAT pancakes – serve with lettuce, avocado, tomato and crispy bacon Nourishing our kids to safeguard them from modern-day illness is actually increasing their chance for genuine long-term health – too many conditions begin in childhood and they’re caused or made worse by nutrient deficiencies and/or toxic overload. Having all the macronutrients in our snacks mean our kids’ bodies are getting what they need, so ‘hangries’ begone. And with that comes better long-term energy. Maybe thinking about snacks for your kids might change how and what you snack on, too. Vanessa Green is a nutritional therapy practitioner and Fitness Australia registered trainer. See @fit.by.nature on Instagram.

FAMILIES ON THE COAST

FUN FOR KIDS

WORDS KATIE STOKES

Wonkaville

Chocoholics, take note: you don’t need a golden ticket to get behind these factory doors. The Chocolate Factory at West Gosford is home to renowned confectioners Bon Bon Fine Chocolate, The Sydney Marshmallow Co. and Nougat Limar, and it runs a behind-the-scenes tour of its factory floor. Spoiler alert: there are no Oompa Loompas. But there most certainly will be trays of rocky road, toasted coconut marshmallows or chocolate almonds being melted, moulded and packaged into store-ready shape. The factory also runs Junior Chocolatier Workshops for your littlest sweet tooths. In these fun classes, kids aged five to 14 will learn how to create their own treats, such as chocolate sprinkle bowls and confetti chocolate drops. The workshops run for 60 to 80 minutes with a maximum of eight choccie apprentices. And you won’t be able to resist paying a visit to the gift store to stock up on chocolate bilbies for the kids and chocolate-coated coffee beans for you. chocolatefactorygosford.com.au

RAW CHALLENGE Get muddy, get sweaty and have a lot of laughs with your child this March by signing up to Raw Challenge in Doyalson on March 12. The 2.5-kilometre Youth Wave course (designed for five-to-12-year-olds) includes 20 obstacles and far less running than the larger adult course. Participants will clamber over warped walls, slip down waterslides, crawl through mud pits, swim through ice baths and climb up rope nets. And the best part: adults can join in the youth wave, too. Go on, be the cool parent and give it a go: your kids will think you’re awesome. rawchallenge.com.au/events

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FAMILIES ON THE COAST

Easter egg hunts The Easter bunny has found two particularly stunning areas to hide its eggs this April long weekend. With its lily-filled pond, blossoming garden beds and white-picketed rotunda, Holgate’s Fires Creek Winery is a place of whimsy and Insta-envy photo opportunities. Owners Nadia and Francis are inviting people to their property to join in an Easter egg hunt over the Easter long weekend. It’s not just the kids who’ll likely leave with some treats: wine tasting (and purchasing) is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm on both days and the passionfruit and elderberry wines get our tick. On the other side of the Coast, in the Glenworth Valley wilderness, an incredible 20,000 eggs are being scattered on Easter Sunday for what’s being touted as ‘Sydney’s biggest Easter hunt’. There will be tractors and hay bales to play on, an Easter bunny to meet, and multiple egg-hunting sessions available. You don’t need to be staying at Glenworth Valley to join in the fun, but if you want to make a day of it there are lead pony rides, quad biking, horse-riding tours, glamping and more available at the outdoor adventure hub. firescreek.com.au and glenworth.com.au/easter-egg-hunt/

CRAZY PLAY that’s all inclusive Parents and grandparents, get excited, a new inclusive play centre has opened on the Central Coast. Named DS2U HQ-Crazy Play, the space includes a double-story soft-play zone, a fully fenced toddler area, a cafe and a chill zone for parents. But what makes this centre really special – and oh-so-needed – is that it’s been designed as a hub where all abilities can gather and play. As well as slides, flying foxes and balance beams, the centre includes a wheelchair-accessible basketball court, wheelchair-accessible party rooms and lots of sensory play equipment, such as bubble tubes, fairy lights, mirrors and a pod swing. Get there soon for a play. facebook.com/DS2U-Hq-Crazy-PLAY-104023775407570

FUN FOR KIDS

An outing at the CENTRAL COAST ZOO and AMAZEMENT FARM & FUN PARK is double the fun stops by the camels where you can get up close and personal to feed these always-hungry dromedaries and their bossy emu neighbours. There are a number of private animal encounters, and a big favourite is the meerkat feeding that you can book for just you, or for you and the family. Limited to up to four persons at a time, you’re taken into their enclosure and before you can say ‘Aren’t they cute?’ they’re clambering onto your lap to feed from the mealworms in the little bowl you’re holding onto very firmly. Watch out for upcoming events like zookeeper talks on animal conservation in your own backyard; gatherings for Mums and Bubs one Wednesday each month; the donkey walk-through; chances to bottle-feed baby animals (from time to time) and much more. 170 Yarramalong Rd, Wyong Creek facebook.com/Central.Coast.Zoo; amazement.com.au/

aking the family to the zoo is always a sure winner, and the Central Coast Zoo is no exception. Lions, meerkats, antelope, cassowaries, emus, wallabies … but what do the kids say when you ask them their favourite animal that day? Chances are they’ll surprise you and say, ‘Feeding and patting the baby goat’,‘Bottle-feeding the lamb’ or even ‘cuddling a duck. It seems kids (and adults) love nothing better than coupling a visit to see the big zoo attractions – such as the lions, servals and cassowaries – and the close-up interactions with the more cuddly species in the adjoining Amazement Farm & Fun Park. And animal interactions are one of the ways Central Coast Zoo aims to be different to other zoos. They’ve only been open a year, and Covid slowed some of their new exhibits down somewhat, but they’re all about conservation, education, and forming connections between visitors and the animals. A little train transports all visitors through the zoo, taking passengers past the major exhibits and through an open-range forest where you can look out for wallabies and antelope in their free-ranging habitat. The train (included in your entry price)

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Building a Better Future for the

Central Coast My commitment to the Central Coast is to fight for a future where locals have access to the economic, career, educational or other advancement opportunities they deserve. That’s why we’ve invested in the Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute. This project fulfils our community’s long-held dream of having a university in Gosford, with over 800 students studying Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Nursing programs. More degrees will also become available in the coming years and $18 million is on the table for a second campus in Gosford with the University of Newcastle. My vision for the Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute is to make Gosford known as a region of excellence. Our strengths in health, entrepreneurialism and manufacturing put our region in a unique position to take advantage of the Federal Government’s $2.2 billion investment in research to commercialisation.

For too long our region has been left behind, and with this investment, regions like ours have the opportunity to leap ahead to become economic powerhouses for our nation.

Locals also care about our environment. That’s why we’re making decisions to protect it, and ensure our waterways are pristine now and into the future. We’re rejecting the application for the PEP-11 licence, improving the water quality in Avoca Lagoon and funding Clean4Shore to continue their clean-up activities in waterways across our region. It’s because of our strong economic management that we can invest in much-needed infrastructure across the Central Coast community, whilst also reducing cost of living pressures.

Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250 (02) 4322 2400 I E: lucy.wicks.mp@aph.gov.au

www.lucywicksmp.com

Around 55,400 taxpayers in the electorate of Robertson are benefiting from tax relief of up to $2,745 this year, and around 16,600 businesses are being supported through the expanded instant asset write-off. People in my electorate are paying $128 less for a power bill than two years ago, have access to over 2,800 new medicines on the PBS and around 1,590 local families are benefiting from savings of $2,000 per year on childcare. We’re also investing in the infrastructure that our region needs with an $86.5 million package to upgrade 29 of the worst local roads across the Central Coast, improvements to the Terrigal Trojan’s Rugby Club, a redevelopment of the Umina Recreation Precinct and creating a new playground for families in Kincumber.

This is all part of our plan to invest in the Central Coast, support local jobs and make our region a better place to live, work and raise a family.

LUCY WICKS

LIBERAL FOR ROBERTSON

Authorised by Lucy Wicks MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FA S H I O N , B E AU T Y AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS Visit Erina Fair today

COAST magazine NSW Australia

Articles inside

Say goodbye to the ‘hangries’

HOW WE MET Ashley and Jae Holbrook

Bumble Hill Trail

GARDENS OF THE COAST A beach-side chic garden

HAPPENINGS ON THE COAST

Nicole and Pete Dominello

Books on the Waves

Embracing the mess: Illustrator, Sara Acton

Words on the Waves: Angela Bennetts

Rockpools of the Central Coast

Loving Local: Living the dream

Beautiful country escapes

Eco Shopping Guide: Purchase with a purpose MY COAST

Max Burt

Franziska Prosser: A pastry chef who became a health chef

WELCOME

COASTING ALONG And they call it puppy love