New England Focus i102 by Focus

NEW ENGLAND

November 2015 // Issue 102

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor C A T H O L I C

C O L L E G E

Celebrating 40 Years

Feature Story

Armidale Waldorf School

2 new england focus.

focus team.

Welcome to the November edition of New England FOCUS. Welcome to the November edition of New England FOCUS.

n this month’s front

studies at Screenwise Acting School

EAM NOTE INSIDE THIS ISSUE cover is Barbara Albury, - Australia’s leading film and TV school November’s here, and the Another school celebrates a landmark who stars in A Streetcar for actors. weather is beautiful. Spring is birthday in November - The Armidale Named Desire, showing at We also speak to the wonderful Adein the air, the trees and flowers Waldorf School. Thirty years on and with TAS Hoskins centre from the 21st of laide author Sue Panagaris, who has are blooming. It’s this time of year that reputation for Steiner education, November to December 6th. This eventa solid just released her third book for Mills New England puts its best foot forward. Waldorf School is looking to has a “stella” cast and will be sure to the & Boon titled Falling for Drforward December, The team at FOCUS are bringing you the with future. impress. the story set in the New England another great edition for your reading INSIDE THIS ISSUE (taking placelive in music, both Armidale If you like your we haveand a pleasure, so get comfy, relax, and find Practicing local accountant for 40 Uralla). We at FOCUS were very If excited great interview for you this month. out allyears, aboutBob the Locke great attractions that tells us how advanc- youto have a chat with Sue and also haven’t heard of them, you needhappy are happening around have the area. es in technology had a very big to - that Newmiss England meetshe’s the showcased Syncopaths!the Don’t ON THE COVER impact on the way business is done area to the world. their show, which is full of fun, lots of This month’s cover is dedicated to these days. We also travelled the Uralla Bowling instruments and greattomusic. We talk Lachie Sewell about why he O’Connor HightoSchool, who are celebratclub, where Lyn Ferguson has recently Doug Jackson is a well known fella chose toyear, stay in Armidale; he tells us taken over the dining room as head ing their 40th their strong standing but what you may there giving are many opportunities here around chef,town, producing satisfying andnot moreish education, the job adults of tomorrow know is that Doug built a boat. big forhead the younger generation. meals for the whole family toAenjoy. a better start in life. It began in Wehas caught with to see if We catch up with born and bred comeup back to Doug the New England 1975 with the amalgamation of two ofArmi- one!Lyn it fl oats. dale lady Monique Howe,schools who shares region because she loves the mounArmidale’s longest established her ambitions become an actress and fresh air. Another big change We tains love to hear about people coming to St Ursula’s and De LatoSalle Colleges. Take tellsgreat us about theinside exciting is the name the restaurant the a lookand at our feature ... motown to help theofcommunity, andinRobert ments from her career so far. Monique

contacts.

Looking to advertise in FOCUS? Looking advertise in FOCUS? Contact us forto more information.

ADDRESS: 5/164 Beardy Street, Armidale ADDRESS: 5/164 Beardy Street, PHONE: 02 6771 5551 FAX: 02 6772Armidale 5551 PHONE: 02 6771 5551 FAX: 02 6772 5551 WEB: www.focusmag.com.au WEB: www.focusmag.com.au FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ne.focus FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ne.focus TV: www.focustv.com.au TV: www.focustv.com.au

St Brasserie. And finally, read how a local golfing rector of NERAM, he tells us about some community has come together to save ofthe theUralla exciting Golfplans Club.for the future. WELCOME TO JAMES BROOKS The use of technology today must be in New England FOCUS is very proud to line with the goal of educating our chilwelcome James “Jimmy” to dren academically, culturallyBrooks and socially. our team. James has joined the team Teacher David Moffitt tells us about his as an advertising consultant as well as role as ICT integrator at PLC. helping us out with photography, so FINAL pleaseSAY give James a call if you have any enquiries. “Choose a job you love, and you will FINAL SAY never have to work a day in your life” “You can’t depend on your eyes, Confucius. when your imagination is out of focus”- Mark Twain.

Heather is doing just that. As the new Di-

Uralla Bowling Club, now titled the Hill EDITION CO-ORDINATOR GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGNER: Michael Marchment ADVERTISING MANAGER: TracyTracy Le Messurier GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGNER: Michael Marchment ADVERTISING MANAGER: Le Messurier michael@focusmag.com.au michael@focusmag.com.au tracy@focusmag.com.au tracy@focusmag.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jeff Cowan jeff@focusmag.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Annalise Montgomery ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Lynda Lynch ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Lynda Lynch annalise@focusmag.com.au lynda@focusmag.com.au lynda@focusmag.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Kyle Rathbone GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jeff Cowan ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: James Brooks kyle@focusmag.com.au ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: James Brooks jeff@focusmag.com.au james@focusmag.com.au james@focusmag.com.au ACCOUNT MANAGER: Louise Beaumont louise@focusmag.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Kyle Rathbone ART DIRECTOR: Jay Beaumont ART DIRECTOR: Jay Beaumont kyle@focusmag.com.au jay@focusmag.com.au jay@focusmag.com.au SUB EDITOR: Jo Atkins ACCOUNT MANAGER: Louise Beaumont SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Dylan Gaul jo@focusmag.com.au SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Dylan Gaul louise@focusmag.com.au dylan@focusmag.com.au dylan@focusmag.com.au PHOTOGRAPHER: David Elkins SUB EDITOR: Jo Atkins GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Dable davidelkinsphotography.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Dable jo@focusmag.com.au joey@focusmag.com.au joey@focusmag.com.au

FOCUS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE GREAT COMMUNITY FOCUS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE GREAT COMMUNITYEVENTS EVENTSAND ANDPROGRAMS. PROGRAMS.

... inspired

“Wouldn’t it

RESCUE

HELICOPTER

if...”

Comments and opinions of our contributors do notdo necessarily reflectrefl the or view of the Publishers or Editor. Comments and opinions of our contributors not necessarily ectopinion the opinion or view of the Publishers or Editor.

All reasonable efforts have beenhave made to trace holders.Information appearing in Focus believed to be to correct at theattime of going to press however nono liability will bebeheld orsupplied suppliedbybyadvertisers advertisers All reasonable efforts been madecopyright to trace copyright holders.Information appearing in is Focus is believed be correct the time of going to press however liability will heldfor forinaccurate inaccurateinformation information approved approved or oror contributors. While all care is taken recommended that readers rmconfi dates, any other material including advice withwith individual businesses and industry professionals. producedand andpublished publishedbybyCreative Creative contributors. While all careit isis taken it is recommended that confi readers rmtimes, dates, prices times, and prices and any other material including advice individual businesses and industry professionals.New NewEngland England Focus Focus is produced House Publications Pty62128786005. Ltd ABN: 62128786005. in New England is Copyright © Creative Publications Pty2012 Ltd 2012 be reproduced whole part,ininany anyform, form,without without permission permission of House Publications Pty Ltd ABN: Material Material in New England Focus isFocus Copyright © Creative HouseHouse Publications Pty Ltd and and maymay notnot be reproduced whole oror ininpart, of the thePublisher. Publisher.All Allrights rightsreserved. reserved.

newnew england focus 3 england focus.

inside this

Issue 102 - November 2015

17.

Doug Jackson. Doug Jackson is a well know gent around town; however, what you may not know is that he built a boat in his backyard shed ... Lucky for Doug, his boat did float! He tells FOCUS all about it.

Glen on Wheels. Whether a motoring fanatic or just an interested spectator, this exciting new event, “Glen On Wheels” weekend, offers a range of great activities for all the family. We hear there’s something special happening in Glen Innes in November.

19.

36.

The Syncopaths. This month The Syncopaths play their musical stylings at The Armidale Club. FOCUS talks with the entire band, Georgie Chorley, Ruth Strutt, Steve Thorneycroft, Dave Van Tongeren and Benn Tracy. Warning: may contain traces of hilariousness!

usual suspects.

the

16. what’s on for November 30. star guide with Terri

No matter where you are in the world, read Focus for free online every month @

www.focusmag.com.au follow us on

www.facebook.com/ne.focus www.twitter.com/focusmag www.focusmag.com.au/eat

4 new england focus.

new england focus.

focusinterview.

T H E

A R M I D A L E SCHOOL

THE ARMIDALE WALDORF SCHOOL CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN NOVEMBER. PRINCIPAL JOHN DAVIDSON TELLS FOCUS ABOUT THE SCHOOL'S JOURNEY SO FAR.

hen and why did the Waldorf School open in Armidale? Why start a school in a city that already has many good schools with solid reputations? In the late 1970s and early 1980s, some parents, trying to see what their children needed, realised that it was the nature of education itself that needed revision. It wasn’t a question of how "good" an existing school was, or how well the students did in examinations, but one of what the children needed to find their place in the world. Does my child require more than what is on offer - or how it is offered? These parents began to see where some of these answers could come from in the work of philosopher and educational visionary, Rudolf Steiner. Their developing interest led to generous local benefactor, Kit Wyndham, helping with the purchase of the land so that a school incorporating these ideas could be established, and it opened as Boongaiai, the name that our Preschool is now known by, in 1985. How has the school grown and evolved over the years? From these pioneering days, student wellbeing and a strong sense of aesthetics and ecological awareness have been focal points; today, teachers and researchers around the world support many of these approaches. With this in mind, what started 30 years ago as a small kindergarten in a refurbished art gallery is now a well established school with architect-designed classrooms, a library and a built environment that sits harmoniously with the natural one. Since then, the number 6 new england focus.

of students has also grown, and next year a depth of self-knowledge and maturity that will see children beginning a foundation in prepares them well for wherever their further learning that starts from playtime groups with schooling takes them. Our young people have parents present and progressing to a level gone on to be student leaders, to excel in of independent and self-motivated higher education and to establish learning in Class Eight. a variety of interesting and What are the benefits of rewarding careers. a Steiner Education? This is because, while We live in a time complying with the ts of "educational syllabus prescribed Our achievemen n are the childre measurement" and by the NSW Board how every year students of Studies, our themselves and ay into they find their w the across the country curriculum is arranged to adult life and in .” are measured by how closely on the basis ity wider commun well they have done of what children need, in NAPLAN. This goes and how this can be beyond the question of delivered at the best time "Can they read, can they for them. For the little ones write, can they do maths?" It in Kindergarten, this begins as a has become, "Can we answer the place to explore and play, but Steiner test questions", and the data is used to schooling goes on to help children do a comparative study from most of the cultivate a sense of wonder as they pass countries of the world, rather than to help through cultural history with rich and artistic the particular child. learning experiences. This has been part of By contrast, the students at our school the Steiner school movement since it began in are encouraged to grow, to learn and to 1919, and over the years encourages natural develop in ways that come out of the creative curiosity, aids in the development of will, and presentations of their teachers that help make provides the literacy, problem-solving, physical learning fun and engaging. Many parents and social skills that give children confidence therefore resist benchmark testing for their and insight into their own personal gifts. child. Instead, our teachers work very hard to What are some of the school’s proudest find what each child needs and to aim their achievements? lessons at their classes, the individuals that Not for us a cabinet of cups or a shelf of make up that class, and the specific age level shields: our best achievements are not found and what is important for children at that when we compete with other schools for stage. trophies. Our achievements are the children Previous years have shown that students themselves and how they find their way into departing the school after completing the adult life and into the wider community. Since studies we offer have taken with them a love coming to Armidale, it has been interesting of learning, a breadth of academic skills and how many people know about our school and

“

what they have found in their meetings with students who have been through the school. I am hearing stories of extraordinary prowess, an attitude of love for learning, exemplary connections with their later schooling and education, excellence in music, in drama, in leadership, and "people with whom you can have a conversation". This you will hear from universities, schools and employers, but also from families whose life journey also often changes as parents see the benefits their choice for their child has brought for them. Plans for the future? The school has currently implemented plans for classes to go from Preschool through Kindergarten to Year Eight. We are focusing on professionalism in our teaching and on continuing to build the reputation of our academic standards, as well as music and drama. In recent years, for example, we have connected with NECOM and NERAM to share in the life of our local community and to develop new ways of building student ability and self-confidence. My dream is that after a few years of gathering stability we could explore the possibility of offering a full Steiner/Waldorf school that would go through to Year Twelve (K-12). When discussing this recently, I was challenged to consider a K to 20 plan, that would see the connecting of the older students in Years Eleven and Twelve with university courses. Just as the Waldorf schools started with a re-envisioning of education in 1919, now maybe as this movement approaches its centenary it is time to look creatively at the juxtaposition of secondary and tertiary. What are our children asking of us? Thanks John.

focus_business

Small Biz Matters in the New England DIGITAL LITERACY IN THE NEW ENGLAND NORTHWEST

RECENTLY THE BEC NENW STARTED ITS 3-YEAR INNOVATIVE DIGITAL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PROGRAMME WITH A SMALL BUSINESS DIGITAL LITERACY SURVEY. ITS PURPOSE WAS TO IDENTIFY THE BASELINE SKILLS OF SMALL BUSINESS IN THE NEW ENGLAND NORTH WEST AND TO TAILOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF PROGRAMMES TO SUIT.

hirty six percent of respondents were in well established businesses of more than five years old, with a smaller proportion of intending business owners (8%) and those less than 12 months old (20%). Sole traders made up over half of respondents (53.4%). Eighty five percent of business owners considered the use of digital technology quite important to the success of their business, with most using a mix of desktops, laptops, smartphones and tablets. While most business owners were confident in their use of email and search applications, their confidence levels in using digital technologies for maximum business benefit were surprisingly low. The time needed to stay abreast of technology solutions and assess their suitability for application in their individual business was a significant factor that impeded the take up of digital solutions in our region. While most businesses either already had, or saw the need for a website and Facebook presence, most did not indicate that these were being used effectively for marketing benefit. While the majority of respondents saw digital marketing and in particular social media as a significant marketing opportunity, over a third did not know how to use social networks such as Facebook to support their business needs. While 32% indicated they had an online shop, most conducted less than 5% of their business online. Only 5% of business owners are conducting most or all of their business online. Thirty percent were not sure how to use online information in legal, secure, and effective ways. Areas of particular need include: • How to use social networks to support small business needs • Support in presenting their business in a positive way using digital tools • Accessing online information in legal, secure and effective ways • Developing or improving existing website presence for business benefit

• Skills to develop online sales models Finding time to keep up-to-date with information that will help small business improve their services and products was the most significant challenge for small business in our region. The BEC will focus on offering strategies and solutions to simplify and improve digital use and has begun the process of tailoring its advisory, services, educational calendar and advisory capacity to meet the needs identified in the survey. In addition to individual small business mentoring and face-to-face group workshops, the BEC has begun trialling free webinars to help small business develop their skills. Webinar topics are being expanded under the Innovative Digital Business Solutions programme to address the need for advice and skills development across the full spectrum of small business needs, and premium services are being provided at highly-subsidised rates. The programme provides timely, relevant support and training in: funding avenues and financial analysis; building and marketing your business; making the most of your talent and team; management capabilities; and digital engagement including e-commerce. The project is funded by the Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) programme, an Australian Government initiative, and provides additional services to the BEC’s existing programme of high-quality small business advice.

the plug! To keep up-to-date with our programme of small business advisory services, workshops and webinars, like us on Facebook or sign up to our ASBAS email newsletter. 1300 BEC ARM mybusiness@bec.com.au www.bec.com.au/asbas

new england focus.

focusinterview.

ARCHiBALD

IN ARMIDALE

THE ARCHIBALD PRIZE 2015 REGIONAL TOUR IS COMING TO NERAM THIS NOVEMBER, AND THE GALLERY IS EXPECTING MANY PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE REGION AND FURTHER AFIELD TO COME AND SEE IT. BUT WHAT IS THE ARCHIBALD PRIZE, AND WHY IS IT SO POPULAR - AND EVEN CONTENTIOUS?

he Archibald Prize is one of the great events in the Australian art world,” said Robert Heather, Director of the New England Regional Art Museum. “Every year there is a huge media circus around the prize announcement, thousands of people flock to see the exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, while artists and critics loudly proclaim how they either love it or loathe it. “This year the regional tour exhibition is coming to Armidale, and our visitors will be able to judge for themselves from a selection of paintings by leading artists of people ‘distinguished in the arts, letters, sciences or politics’. “What this translates into is large paintings of instantly recognisable figures such as musicians Paul Kelly and Daniel Johns, actors

Michael Caton and John Jarratt, fashion designer Jenny Kee, politicians Bob Katter and Cory Bernardi, as well as a diverse variety of artists, poets, writers, collectors and gallerists. It is a vibrant and eclectic mix of painting styles and subjects that has something for everyone, which is probably why it is so popular.” The Archibald Prize is named after the bequest of Jules Francois Archibald, founding editor of The Bulletin magazine and a passionate supporter of a distinctly Australian style of nationalism, journalism and the arts. The prize is actually the oldest and most prestigious art award in Australia and has been given to an artist almost every year since 1921 (it wasn’t awarded in 1964, 1968 and 1980, as no entries were considered worthy enough). The Archibald Prize has been the subject

Artist (left) Jason Benjamin I sat by a river. I waited by the road - Paul Kelly. Oil on linen, 183 x 183 cm “The great canon of work he’s produced, and the work he continues to make, made this portrait a very daunting prospect to say the least.” Jason Benjamin.

of court cases and challenges, including the famous case in 1943 when William Dobell’s portrait of Joshua Smith was described as a “caricature” not portraiture, and in 2004 when Craig Ruddy’s portrait of the actor David Gulpilil was challenged on the basis of being a charcoal sketch rather than a painting. The Archibald Prize is an open competition, and anyone who has been a resident in Australia or New Zealand in the previous 12 months can enter to win the $100,000 prize money. The prize is awarded by the Trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW, and in 2015 there were 832 entries sent to the art gallery for the judging, of which 47 were selected for the final exhibition, almost half of which had never entered the prize before. The 2015 winner was the painting Judo house pt6 (the white bird) by Newcastle artist Nigel Milsom. The portrait of Sydney

ARCHIBALD PRIZE NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL ART MUSEUM 20 NOVEMBER 2015 – 10 JANUARY 2016 Carla Fletcher, Jenny Kee © the artist

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. ANZ’s colour blue is a trade mark of ANZ. Item No. 92502 10.2015 W477622

8 new england focus.

Artist (right) Julian Meagher Daniel Johns. Oil on linen 122 x 91 cm “He introduced me to grunge as a teenager, when he was still a teenager himself. Over a 20 year career, he’s divulged his ups and downs honestly. He’s like that in person too.” Julian Meagher.

barrister Charles Waterstreet (the inspiration of the ABC TV series Rake) came about after he represented the artist in court on armed robbery charges. “My portrait is an attempt to depict him as a giant: part-man, part-mythical creature with hands that appear otherworldly, as though the anatomy of his hands has been designed to grasp unnatural disasters, natural,” writes the artist in the exhibition catalogue. Local students will be invited to submit their own portraits through the Young Archie competition sponsored by ANZ bank, to enter visit the NERAM website and download an entry form or visit the exhibition. The Archibald Prize 2015 Regional Tour will be on show at the New England Regional Art Museum from 20 November 2015 until 10 January 2016. For further information, visit neram.com.au

focusinterview.

ROBERT

HEATHER DIRECTOR • NERAM

WE SPEAK WITH ROBERT HEATHER, NERAM’S NEW DIRECTOR, ABOUT HIS INSTANT LOVE FOR ARMIDALE AND A GREAT FUTURE FOR THE GALLERY. You can expect exhi bitions and ch programmes whi story hi t, ar l explore loca as well e, ur ct and archite rmidale as bringing to A artists some of the best the in ns and collectio country. ”

“ here are you originally from, and what brought you to Armidale? I grew up on the Gold Coast, but spent the last decade in Melbourne, where I was working at the State Library of Victoria and responsible for its exhibitions, publishing and fellowships programmes. The State Library is a beautiful building and one of the oldest cultural institutions in Australia, with an enormous collection that literally has millions of items including photographs, rare books, maps, paintings and sculptures, plus some unusual objects from Victorian history such as Ned Kelly’s armour, which is on permanent display. It was a great place to work, but after nine years at the Library, it was time to move on and do something new. NERAM has a fabulous reputation and although I had never been to Armidale before, I knew it was a “university town” and a beautiful location. When I visited for the first time during the recruitment process and they showed me the fabulous Howard Hinton Collection, I knew that this was the place where I wanted to be, as there are very few collections of this quality anywhere in Australia. When did you first get involved with art, and what has your journey been so far? It’s been a long journey. I think my high school art teacher would fall off his chair if he knew that I am now directing one of the leading art galleries in Australia, as I wasn’t a star pupil. When I grew up, the Gold Coast didn’t even have a regional gallery and was a bit of a cultural desert, so art wasn’t on my radar. It was while I was supposed to be studying at the University of Queensland I discovered that my real aptitude was in working with creative people

to make interesting things happen - at the student union running the Activities Department and then as editor of the student newspaper. After university I got a very junior job working in the marketing team at the Queensland Art Gallery, and it was there that everything came together. I love working in galleries and museums because of the opportunities to deal with great art and collections, as well as the chance to work with leading artists, curators, writers and a whole range of specialist professional people on fascinating projects and exhibitions. For over twenty years I have worked across Australia, including stints at the Cairns Regional Gallery, as the Executive Director of the Regional Galleries Association of Queensland, as the inaugural Director of Artspace Mackay and then at the State Library of Victoria. In that time I have worked with leading artists, scholars, writers and curators from around Australia and overseas. Art galleries are one of my great passions, and I think that there are few jobs in the arts which are as satisfying as working in a regional gallery like NERAM. Tell us about your family ... How are you enjoying Armidale so far? I met my partner, Edwina, in Melbourne, although we crossed paths previously in Brisbane where she worked in the arts. She is a practising artist when she can find the time, but has mainly been working in marketing for creative industries in Melbourne. We have two gorgeous little kids - our daughter, Audrey, and our new son, Thomas. They are keeping her very busy at the moment, but she will be looking at what opportunities are available in the future. Living in a community like Armidale has been

a big change from Melbourne, and we are loving the spring here. The flowers, birds, trees, parks, gardens and even the light is spectacular everywhere we look, and the old buildings are gorgeous. Every weekend we have been going on excursions to check out neighbouring towns as well as everything from the local school fetes to the markets. What events can we look forward to coming up at NERAM? The big event in the near future is the Archibald Prize 2015 regional tour, which opens in November as our big summer show. Every year the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney is one of the great events in the Australian art calendar. The exhibition includes portraits of iconic Australians “distinguished in art, letters, science or politics”. We also have a fantastic exhibition by leading picture book artist and author Shaun Tan planned for May 2016 about his book, The Lost Thing and the Oscar winning animated short film based upon it. It is also a great exhibition for kids, and I hope families will take the opportunity to come in to this exhibition and take part in the programmes and activities that we hold. How can locals get more involved with the gallery? There are so many ways that locals can get involved with the gallery, but the best way is by walking through the doors and looking at what is on show. We want to have an ongoing conversation with the people of New England about art. Sometimes you may love the exhibition on show and other times you may hate it, but I ask everyone to keep on coming

back so we can surprise or delight you next time. Of course, you can also buy a gift in our shop, register for an art class or have a meal at our new Studio 52 café while you are here. To get more involved, you can sign up for our e-newsletter so we can keep in touch, “like” our Facebook page, join as a Friend of NERAM or even become a volunteer. The support which our various groups of supporters provide is incredibly important. It is the work of our volunteers and Board, the events put on by the Friends of NERAM, Foundation members and Packsaddle artists as well as the generosity of our donors and sponsors that help keep our doors open, the exhibitions on display and our events engaging for our local community. So we would like you all to get involved and it can be so easy - even a small group of friends can chip in together to make a donation to help conserve a painting through our Adopt an Artwork programme. Plans for the future? I intend to put in place a programme which will bring together artists and artworks from around Australia, creates opportunities for people to get involved and ensures that NERAM is a place which is close to the hearts of the wider community. You can expect exhibitions and programmes which explore local art, history and architecture, as well as bringing to Armidale some of the best artists and collections in the country. I also want to tell more people the story of Howard Hinton’s and Chandler Coventry’s generosity and philanthropy in donating all of those works of art and make it better known here and around Australia. It is a unique opportunity to put Armidale on the map as an arts destination, and one which will be very rewarding to the whole community. Thanks Robert. new england focus. 9

focusinterview.

DAVID MOFFITT ICT INTEGRATOR AT PLC

The use of technology today must by in line with the main goal of educating our children academically, culturally and personally. Teacher Mr David Moffitt tells us about his role as ICT Integrator at PLC Armidale.

hat is your role at PLC Armidale? I lead a team of teachers who have an interest and a passion for exploring new ways of solving old problems. In thinking about information and communication technology (ICT), we are focused on how our 21st Century context, rich with information and digital connection, is best harnessed in the teaching of children and young adults. My role as ICT Integration Coordinator is to develop strategies around this technology and support their implementation by my colleagues and all students from Pre-Kinder to our graduating Year 12 girls. How are computers and other technologies used at PLC Armidale? Our junior year groups, up to Year 4, have the share of a bank of class iPads that are allocated to each classroom. From Year 6 upwards, students are bringing their own technology (BYOT), which was a decision taken to give parents choice and control over the type of device and the timing of repairs or upgrades to the device. We are supported by a full time ICT Administrator, in Ross Gailer and his assistant, James Taylor. As well as this, our partnership with PLC Sydney provides us with great people with which to bounce ideas around and problem-solve. What are some of the opportunities that 10 new england focus.

you see with computing in schools? Information was once difficult to come by. I remember mum dropping me off at the library in the afternoon, with a pocket full of 5c pieces, hoping to find the right book to borrow or copy. Now our students can directly access answers to most questions instantly, on any one of their mobile devices. The opportunities are to be found in how we guide students’ thinking, how they learn to process, filter and use the information at their finger-tips. If information is power, it is exciting to be teaching young people how to use that power to understand, interpret and even change their world. I want students to feel that they can participate in their world, with knowledge as well as wisdom and have a sense of their place within that world. What does that look like at PLC Armidale? In the Junior school, Michele Kennedy and Claire Robertson have mapped a range of experiences that familiarise and develop skills around technology. Our Pre-Kinder class became globally connected to other schools through Cyber-Teddy, a very cute and well-travelled bear with his own travel Blog. It Year 12 Chemistry, students took an excursion to the Australian National Maritime Museum using video conferencing, where they viewed real artefacts from the 1857 Dumbar wreck in Sydney harbour. They asked questions directly of the museum curator and participated in chemical experiments to simulate restoration of valuable relics.

Our Librarian and English teacher Kate Clynch has lead Year 8 and 10 teams in the debating of schools from around Australia using the NBN connection, while I have had students driving robots on a simulated Martian landscape at the Powerhouse Museum and discussing wildlife and world affairs with a community college in New Jersey, USA What do you see as the major challenges around ICT in schools? Just as important as accessing great online resources is the development of skills, values and attitudes around use of this information. If we simply provide access to technology without structure and guidance, students quickly become side-tracked, misled and can engage in dangerous and anti-social behaviours. At PLC, we are stepping students through a Digital Citizenship programme that addresses how they think about privacy, cyberbullying, self-image and even copyright. Our motto is: “Educating successful women of tomorrow in a Christian environment”. In this digital age, to be successful includes the creative, considered and careful use of technology to learn, collaborate and communicate with others. I believe that students who can be capable yet wise in the way they use the Internet and digital devices are better prepared for their future. The use of technology must by in line with the main goal of seeing our girls flourish at

PLC; academically, culturally and personally. We have recently introduced the robotics, both at Early Stage 1 (Pre-K and Kinder) using their iPads and Stage 3 (Year 5-6) with the Lego League Challenge. Watching students’ confidence grow as they assemble and program these robots has been wonderful, and I hope to see this build into an area of expertise within the school. We have a high rate of participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related courses and this comes from our girls seeing the relevance of these subjects to the solving of big problems, as well as them being so engaging along the way. Where to next? Technology in schools is a huge consideration, including managing budgets, distractions, online safety and of course good teaching and learning practices. Getting the best out of ICT is a whole school challenge and we are looking to review and develop strategies around technology to better serve the needs of our girls, their families and our staff as we use this important tool at PLC Armidale. Ultimately, good teaching is about having a positive learning environment and opportunities for and expectations of success. As we up-skill our teachers and students in their use of technology, I know we will not lose sight of our compassion towards others and the love of learning. Thanks David.

focusinterview.

MICHAEL’s

CAFÉ & CATERING FRANCES AND MICHAEL WELBOURN

rances and Michael Welbourn have recently moved their popular café just a few doors down in Uralla, offering the same great food and service but now with the option to dine indoors in the restored old Bank, or in the large tranquil gardens outside. You have recently moved Michael's Café into the old bank of NSW (98 Bridge Street next door to FoodWorks) in Uralla. Tell us about the building and the café? My wife and I decided four months ago to make the move to what we all called the old bank. So with the help of very special friends and many long days in the garden, we now have a place for people to come and enjoy a meal or a coffee in the tranquillity of the garden amongst the birds and the noise of the frogs in the pond that has a Monet style bridge over it. Describe your menu ... The menu from Monday to Friday has gourmet sandwiches and a range of café style meals plus specials. Weekends, the menu

changes to a brunch style, which is changed regularly so customers often have different options to choose from each time they visit. We also specialise in a coffee of the month. This gives our customers an opportunity to try something new and exciting. October’s drink was the Borgia, which consists of a double shot of espresso, hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and cinnamon dust. Michael still does his gourmet pies and vegan pies. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available. What are your trading hours, and do you cater for functions? Our trading hours are 6:30am ‘til 4pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. 7:30am ‘til 1pm Saturdays and 7:30am ‘til 3pm Sundays. We are closed Thursdays. All types of functions are available in and out of our regular trading times. We have many functions we are catering for, even booked in up until September 2016 so far. We will cater for any type of celebration, day or night. We’re hoping to cater for small

do? weddings and cater for d an ife w Well, I am enjoying special celebrations in My I decided the front of house a the garden area - even o to four months ag lot; although I do the out in the middle of to e ov make the m cooking for the café, I a paddock, which we d what we all calle take time to greet or say have just done for 116 the old bank .” hello to the majority of the children. We thoroughly customers, as I was taught enjoyed this. Where do you source that greeting your customers your fresh produce? with a good morning or a good We try to purchase from as many afternoon or saying when they leave local and New England regional suppliers to have a great day is important. My where possible. We currently stock Glen wife and I like to make the customers feel Olives, New England Larder produce, Why welcome and enjoy their time in our café. Plans for the future ... Worry Winery Verjuice and Antilles Coffee. Tell us about your team ... We are in the process of applying for a The team is a bit of a family affair, with liquor licence; however, we are currently a myself, my wife, Frances, and our beautiful BYO café (available at FoodWorks). granddaughter, Shania, who can make a We are looking forward to your continued mean coffee and has excellent customer support. service skills. We also have Jean, Bec and Thanks Michael. Darron who have excellent barista and Please feel free to contact Michael if you customer service skills. have any futher questions; his contact What do you love most about what you number is 0421 418 454.

“

new england focus.

12 new england focus.

CASH THE CONCERT On September 1, 1954 an unknown young man walked into the recording studio in the Memphis Recording Service building at 706 Union Ave, Memphis, Tennessee and walked out having cut a record that would define its own genre of music. That single, Hey Porter, was released on the Sun Records label on June 21, 1955 and a legend, Johnny Cash, was born. At his passing in 2003 at the age of 71, he left behind an unparalleled body of work, having written and recorded over 800 songs and having recorded more than 1,500 songs in total. He is the only artist in history to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll, Country Music and Songwriters’ Halls of Fame and to add further to this unprecedented honour, he is also a member of the Rockabilly and Gospel Halls of Fame. Since 2009, award-winning singer Daniel Thompson and Australian guitar master Stuie French have been wowing Australian audiences with Johnny Cash The Concert. The boys’ brand new show, Cash 60 - 60 Years of Johnny Cash, marks 60 years since the world first heard from the powerhouse that was Johnny Cash. Backed by The Tennessee Studs, Cash 60 promises to be Johnny Cash The Concert’s best show yet.

Presents

Celebrating 60 years of Johnny Cash magic

FEATURING DANIEL THOMPSON

Australia’s Own Man in Black

STUIE FRENCH The Tennessee Studs

Saturday November 28

CAPITOL THEATRE - TAMWORTH www.entertainmentvenues.com.au / 02 6767 5300

new england focus.

14 new england focus.

new england focus.

AROUND THE REGION //NOVEMBER 2015

First Saturday chats Our next First Saturday chats will be hosted by Jane Pfister (Solicitor) from 10am to 1pm at our offices on Saturday 7 November 2015. As this is a popular programme, bookings are essential on (02) 6788 1100.

DRUMBEAT - Pathfinders Would you like to try playing the Djembe, a West African hand drum and also have the opportunity to connect with yourself and others? Pathfinders have just the thing with DRUMBEAT, held every Thursday 2pm - 3pm at the Guyra RSL Hall. DRUMBEAT is an acronym for Discovering Relationships Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes, and Thoughts. For centuries, ancient cultures have used hand drumming to bring people together.

The Greater Armidale Fun Run

Wae Jae Tan from Pathfinders’ programme Ability Links will be delivering DRUMBEAT, and it is available to all ages and is free.

A community initiative managed and developed by Athletics’ NSW Greater RunNSW Series. The Run is a collaborative effort involving Armidale Dumaresq Council, Armidale Athletics Club and all sponsors, with the support and services of Athletics NSW. Now in its third year, the Greater Armidale Fun Run continues to grow, and projections for the 2015 event are up to 500 runners.

When Every Thursday, 2pm - 3pm Where: Guyra RSL Hall. Entry Free! Contact Wae Jae Tan, 0409 137 993.

When November 1st. More info www.runnsw.com.au www.armidalefunrun.com.au

16 new england focus.

Urban Rivercare Tree Planting Day A successful planting day was held on Sunday 11 October with 30 participants planting 480 trees. The day was in support of Sustainable Living Armidale’s focus on Road to Paris. Richelle Roberts SLA presented the case for planting trees, and Angus Adair AURG thanked SLA for their support. The next AURG planting day will be: When Sunday 8 November, 8:30am. Where Southern side of Dumaresq Creek between Niagara and Donnelly Streets, access via Claude Street. Contact Bryan Johnston M: 0429 721 424 E: bryan.johnston@bigpond.com

focusinterview. focusinterview.

DOUG JACKSON IS A WELL KNOW GENT AROUND TOWN; HOWEVER, WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW IS THAT HE BUILT A BOAT IN HIS BACKYARD SHED ... LUCKY FOR DOUG, HIS BOAT DID FLOAT! HE TELLS FOCUS ALL ABOUT IT. rom the first idea to completion, how long has it taken you to build this masterpiece? We bought the mould in Toronto on 4 November 1993 for the current boat. We estimated it would take about six years, and here we are 22 years later just finished. Where did you build this project? I built it at our home at Arding. A purpose built shed was built to house it in, and I also had the woodworking machinery here to carry out the work. What made you want to build? After many years sailing, we had ideas on how we would like the design of the boat to be. I also wanted a wood interior, which is rare these days. We gather the parts aren’t available locally. Where did you get all the fittings and bits and pieces? Sourcing all the many parts was a job in itself. You would find a product you thought was good and sort out the reliable ones who supplied the right article at the right price. I now have a large list of suppliers. So, you started with a mould. Explain the process after this starting point ... I engaged a professional fibreglasser to lay up the inside of the mould, making it ready for the deck to be built. The deck was layered up with 3 x 2 hardwood forming the frame, and then three layers of 6 mm ply laminated together with epoxy resin. All this

took considerable time, as the ply had to be staggered and fitted to the hull as, too, the hardwood. The interior bulkheads were quite a challenge. These were 18 mm hardwood ply from Grafton. They consisted of four sheets of ply tongue and grooved, cut and fitted to the shape of the hull. Once these were in, I could then fit the stringers for the sole. Once again, similar to the deck, the hardwood and ply were cut and fitted to the hull. About this time the fuel tanks, water tanks, plumbing and electrical were added, and then began the interior fit out. This This will involve a was probably the slowest escort , e lic po of all the jobs, as some two pilots and a woodworking jobs could at special trailer th take up to two days to e th in up s en op fit a small piece of timber. middle to allow .” Pattern making is really the I have never the keel to fit in shipwright’s art; the many added it up - maybe intricate shapes and angles can better not to! take considerable time. So making So the next exciting a pattern of the shape eliminates thing is getting it into the the waste of material and, if done correctly, water. What is involved in should fit the first time. I was lucky to have getting it there? a retiring shipwright show me the tricks, This will involve a police escort, two pilots which I am grateful for. The interior of the and a special trailer that opens up in the boat is built out of Sally Wattle, Tasmanian middle to allow the keel to fit in. We will also Blackwood and Teak. I also had some marble need two cranes to lift it on and off. We had table tops that came out of the old IXL café to obtain a special permit for the trip. which I fitted into the showers and bar. You can’t just throw an anchor anywhere. So there is a lot of work that goes into Do you need to park it in a parking spot? a build. What would you estimate you No, I have a government mooring in the have spent? Clarence River. This took some considerable

“

time to organise as moorings are quite scarce. Do you have to carry out a testing period? Yes, it takes about six months of testing the motor, stern gland, skin fittings, rigging and sails. Also, the boat structure has to be tested to handle strong seas. There are always adjustments that need to be made. Can it travel internationally? Yes. Finally, where do you think you will go first? I would like to sail New Guinea, especially on the northern side. There are some beautiful islands there. Then, who knows. Thanks Doug. new england focus.

focusinterview.

ed hly acclaim ig h is h g in Bring Do shares h n A , h t r o mw s, show to Ta tory of tear s is h S U C ... with FO of laughter s d a lo d n a triumphs

ake us back to your earliest memories. What do you remember about your childhood - you were only two and a half when you arrived in Australia, is that

correct? I had a great childhood. You know, sometimes you don’t realise that you were poor until you grow up, because you know nothing different. But I’ll tell you what - we were poor, but my mum didn’t want us to feel poor, so she’d do certain things. I remember saying, “Hey Mum, with my birthday party can I get helium balloons, the ones that float up to the ceiling that Jonno had?” And my mum said, “They’re quite expensive, Anh, but I’ll see what I can do”. So when my birthday come around, my mum buys normal balloons and she sticky tapes them to the ceiling, so it has the effect of the helium balloons ... until the kids go home and they yank the balloons off the ceiling and rip half the paint off! But you know, it was an interesting childhood. My father and my uncle fought alongside Aussie soldiers in the Vietnam War; many of my uncles were put into concentration camps and after they escaped, the whole family plus 30 something others - so basically 40 people in total - got on a nine metre fishing boat, and we had this treacherous journey at sea for five days. We were attacked by pirates at one stage, and I’m not talking about Johnny Depp, you know - these are real deal guys and there were nine men armed with weapons who got onto our boat and they basically robbed us of everything. At one point one of them dangled a kid over the side of the 18 new england focus.

boat, and threatened to throw the baby into the thing a go. He forgot to mention you might be ocean, and my father screamed out, “We have on stage four hours a week, but then there’s the to save the kid!” The pirate decided to let the kid 60 hours of writing! live, ... and that’s a good thing, because that kid What has been the biggest highlight of your is my little brother, who’s gone on to win Young comedy career to date? Australian of the Year for his charity work. Dancing with the Stars was fun. I actually lost Since then you’ve had a few paths you 13 kilos doing that show, so none of my clothes could go down … tropical fish breeding to fit anymore; I’m turning up to the film studios, studying law and business at university. and the only thing that won’t fall off me is my How on Earth did you end up as a Year 10 school pants. I dusted them comedian? off, and they fit! Yeah so, I’m at the end of It seems as though these is ow my law degree, and all my days it’s easy to put on sh e Th e childhood, you know, we weight but so hard to basically my lif turned ok bo y m were poor ... My father lose it… y, or st , and ended up drinking a lot, Isn’t it ridiculously into a stage show me people write to so he left the family, and hard? I tell you what they afterwards and my mum raised three kids though, I wrote cted tell me they expe a on sweatshop wages of a book called The it’s to laugh ‘cause $6.80 an hour. We moved Happiest Refugee, and ey th t comedy show, bu s. ” around a lot, because we I got this phone call, ar te also shed a few couldn’t pay the rent - so all right? This voice said to my childhood I wanted to buy me, “Hello Anh; it’s Russell Mum a house one day. Crowe”. And I was thinking I asked around and someone told it was my mate, Jonno, pulling a me lawyers make a lot of money, so I studied prank ... and lucky I didn’t say, “Nick off, law for five years, and then at the end of my Jonno”, ‘cause it was Russell Crowe, and he degree I’m in this interview and the lawyer said he wanted to turn my book into a film! guy says, “Congratulations Anh; you’ve got the So, we’re working on the screenplay at the job. By the way - you’re coming in at quite a moment; we’re going to audition for a little high level; you’ll be doing about 65 - 70 hours a funny looking three year old Vietnamese kid with week”. I said, “No worries, Sir; I love hard work” a wonky head to play me, but I’m actually going - but in my head I thought, “Jeez, that’s a lot!” to play the lead role, which is my father ... The At the time I was doing stand up as a hobby, only thing is, my father weighed about 50 kilos and I asked an older comic, “How many hours a when he was on that boat and I weigh about 85, week do you work?” And he said, “Four.” So, I so I need to try and drop 35 kilos. No more Krispy went four versus 70 - I’m gonna give this comedy Kremes for Anh!

“

What can we expect from your new stand up show? The show is basically my life story, my book turned into a stage show, and people write to me afterwards and they tell me they expected to laugh ‘cause it’s a comedy show, but they also shed a few tears. They really loved the emotional roller coaster ride that the show is; it’s a lot deeper and richer than what my comedy used to be, which is just telling jokes - it’s a real story, you know. I’ve got videos of my family and photos; it’s almost a theatre show, in a way. I’m really excited about it; life’s just going really well. You know, the other day I was just walking along in the street, and this mother comes up to me and says, “Oh, it’s you! You are my son’s favourite person in the world; can he have your autograph?” So I’m signing this autograph for this little kid and the mum goes, “You were by far the best Wiggle”. She thinks I’m Jeff ... Jeff’s like 58! I didn’t want to let him down, so I ripped off the Anh Do bit that I’d signed and I wrote Jeff Wiggle and gave it to him. So he’s walking around with a fraudulent Jeff autograph. Words to live by? If you’ve enjoyed this interview, my name’s Anh Do ... If not, my name’s Jeff Wiggle. Thanks Anh.

the plug! Catch Anh Do’s The Happiest Refugee show, 14 November, at Tamworth Town Hall. www.tamworthtownhall.com.au

focusinterview. PHOTOS: GLEN INNES EXAMINER

WHETHER A MOTORING FANATIC OR JUST AN INTERESTED SPECTATOR, THIS EXCITING NEW EVENT, “GLEN ON WHEELS” WEEKEND, OFFERS A RANGE OF GREAT ACTIVITIES FOR ALL THE FAMILY. WE HEAR THERE’S SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENING IN GLEN INNES IN NOVEMBER

he weekend of 14 and 15 November custom cars and street machines, Ford v Holden, Tug 2015 will see the staging of a new of War and radio control cars, along with market and event for motor enthusiasts in the trade stalls and plenty of activities to keep the family New England High Country and entertained. beyond, to be held in Glen Innes. With no official parade this year, all the participants Who has organised this event? are making a drive down Grey Street at 1pm and will “Glen on Wheels” is a result of a collaboration of return to King George Oval to continue the fun. events hosted by the Glen Innes Motor Sports Club, the What about the motorbikes? Ulysses Club - Glen Innes Branch “Celtic Cruisers” and Around 200 to 250 Ulysses Club motor bike riders are a few others. converging on Glen Innes for a weekend of How did this come about? celebration and rides for the Glen Innes Historically, these groups have held Celtic Cruisers’ 10th Anniversary. The annual events in November over Ulyssians do lots of great charitable n many years, and 2015 will be the work in lots of communities, and Sunday, the mai commencement of a combined this group of mature people will event, will be to be effort to showcase motoring enjoy their get together and the Drag Races Innes and motoring activities with rides based in the Glen Innes held at the Glen cing to enthusiasts from throughout the Showgrounds. Airport , with ra am . commence at 10 region, as well as provide an all What other things on wheels y. ” Entry fees appl important opportunity for social can we see? activities and to drive our Visitor Fledging local group Glen Innes Economy. Radio Control Off Road Car Club will Most importantly, it is an opportunity be showing off their expensive little to engage the general public in the world radio control cars. This fast growing sport of motoring. will create plenty of interest for all ages. Call So, tell us a bit more about it? Chris Archibald for further details: 0458 732 560. Activities commence Saturday 14 November from Another activity to be held includes the Northern 8:30am in King George Oval, Wentworth Street, with New England Titles of Tug of War. That’s not on a monster “show ‘n’ shine”, which will include vintage wheels, is it? and current custom bikes and trikes, hot rod and Well no, but they just seem to be the right fit for

“

Glen on Wheels - they had to drive to get here ... Teams include Nifiana and Bull Dogs from Brisbane, Woolgoolga, Maitland, Bonshaw and Tenterfield and of course, the famous Glen Innes Jelly Beans team. Entry is free and novices welcome. What’s happening on Sunday 15 November? Sunday, the main event will be the Drag Races, to be held at the Glen Innes Airport with racing to commence at 10am. Entry fees apply. Also, the Glen Gallop Community Fun Run and Walk will be held from King George Oval on Sunday, November 15. Registrations from 8am and start 9:30am; $5 entry or $20/family. You can bring your dog on its leash - just so we don’t forget that fitness is important when you are wheeling about. The Glen Gallop is for everyone. Did someone mention Billy Carts too? Yes, the Billy Cart Derby will be great. The organisers are getting it all sorted as we speak, and we will have all the information for interested participants and spectators at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre as it comes to hand. Whether a motoring fanatic or just an interested spectator, this exciting new event, “Glen On Wheels” weekend, offers a range of great activities for all family. See you in Glen Innes in November. More information for “Glen on Wheels” weekend, please contact Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre 6730 2400 or check out the EVENTS calendar on gleninnestourism.com.au new england focus.

focusinterview.

THERE IS NO WAY OF MEASURING HOW GREAT MUSIC MAKES YOU FEEL. WHETHER LISTENING OR PLAYING, WE ALL AGREE IT ADDS VALUE TO OUR LIVES.

ost people who are yet to play guitar have heard of Fender! One doesn’t have to have driven a tractor to know the name Massey Ferguson. You may not have pulled a trigger to recall the name Smith & Wesson. “Make my Day!” Fender fine musical instruments will make your day! Leo Fender’s greatest triumph came in 1954 with the release of the Fender Stratocaster (the world’s most popular electric guitar). The shape, sound versatility, comfort and playability, are yet to be surpassed by any other electric guitar on the planet. Some of the original unrestored factory finished Fender Stratocaster and Fender Telecasters from the 1950s and 1960s are fetching tens of thousands of dollars, as tribute to Fender’s ongoing quality, longevity and desirability. There is a myriad of famous players to choose Fender for their inspiration and extension of their personality… Stratocaster: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hank Marvin, John Mayer, Eric Johnson, Richie Blackmore, Dick Dale, David Gilmour, George Harrison. Telecaster: Roy Buchanan, James Burton, Merl Hagard, Albert Collins, Steve Cropper, Danny Gatton, John 5, Brad Paisley, Keith Richards, Andy Summers, Keith Urban. Jazzmaster: Thurston Moore/Lee Ranaldo - Sonic Youth. J Mascis - Dinosaur Jr. Elvis Costello. Jaguar: The Beach Boys' Carl Wilson, Scott Hill, John Squire, Kurt Cobain. There are also other benefits with playing a musical instrument … Quoting from an article by Stephanie Pappas (Live Science Contributor): “Making music proves to be powerful antidepressant”

20 new england focus.

... Your brain on music”: main line stockist of their fabulous products. “Music is known to have a strong effect The Electric Guitar and Amp starter packs on the human psyche. Learning to play an are equally joined in popularity by the Fender instrument boosts the brain's auditory ability Acoustic pack, Banjo Pack and Fender and even makes it easier to learn foreign Bass Pack. Besides the Starter Packs, the languages, studies show. Music individual guitars creating the most can also trigger memories impact are the Fender Sonoran by activating the medial acoustic guitars, the Fender prefrontal cortex, Stratocaster, Telecaster, inal Some of the orig which sits in the Jaguar, Jazzmaster y or unrestored fact er st ca to brain just behind electric guitars and ra St finished Fender sters from ca the forehead. the Precision Bass, le Te and Fender s are 60 19 d an This region is Jazz Bass and Jaguar s 50 the 19 thousands of of ns te ng one of the last Bass guitars. hi tc fe e to Fender ’s dollars , as tribut ngevity areas of the Fender Amps like , lo on going quality brain to atrophy the Fender Mustangs, ” and desirability. during Alzheimer's, Fender Champions, explaining why many Fender Frontman are Alzheimer's patients extremely popular. Fender can recall songs from the has the most incredible rage of distant past”. accessories … strings, straps, leads, The Eleven Best Reasons to Take Up tuners, capos, pickups, pick-guards, cases the Guitar - at Any Age: and gig bags. 1. Stress Relief; Black Dot Music has over seventy new 2. Enhances Coordination; Fender Guitars and Fender Amps in stock 3. Encourages Cognitive Development; and on the floor. Please pop in and take a 4. Improves Mathematical Ability; look; we would love to be of service! 5. Improves Reading and Comprehension Black Dot Music has been servicing the Skills ; New England and northwest area for over 6. Sharpens Concentration; 30 years. Our aim is to provide quality, 7. Creates a Sense of Achievement; great value instruments to anyone looking 8. Boosts Listening Skills; to enhance their lives through music. 9. Teaches Self-Discipline and Perseverance; We believe the process of selecting your 10. Fosters Creativity and Self-Expression; instrument should be informative and fun. 11. It’s fun. Black Dot Music are always willing These can be read in more detail at … to share ideas, techniques and our own GuitarTricks.com experiences to help demystify the learning Armidale and the greater New England process. Black Dot Music owners Tony and have embraced the arrival of Black Dot Carol Elder have been a part of the musical Music’s huge range of Fender Musical landscape in Armidale for decades. Carol is Instruments, with over forty new Fender a member of popular acts The Al Heeney Guitars and amplifiers finding homes in just Rhythm & Blues Experience, The BopCatz & on three months. Black Dot’s commitment Stevo & Cazza. Tony is currently singing in to Fender is a massive outlay in becoming a The Ash Hall Trio.

“

ARMIDALE’S ARMIDALE’S NEWEST NEWEST NEWEST RETIREMENT RETIREMENT RETIREMENT ARMIDALE’S ARMIDALE’S NEWEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CONTINUES CONTINUES CONTINUES TO TO TO GROW GROW GROW COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW

Being part of the community and remaining on schedule is important as the demand for residential villas within the village is high. Once complete the village will consist of 86 villas and will be a gated community for residents peace of mind.

“We are delighted to provide the recreation facilities in the early stage of development. It provides confidence to our incoming residents and the wider community that we are committed to delivering our promise and supports our core values”, Melissa Luck Regional Manager said.

Oak Tree Group specialise in creating regional communities with a particular emphasis on smaller villages with integrated care options and activities. They have developed a strong reputation in the retirement sector with 31 villages under their banner and are maintaining their focus in regional towns with expansion across the New England including Tamworth and Gunnedah as well as Armidale.

Our Village Manager Kate will be happy to show you around the village and answer any questions you may have on retirement living, Monday to Friday between 10am and 2pm. Call 1300 367 155.

89 89MARTIN MARTIN MARTINSTREET, STREET, STREET,ARMIDALE ARMIDALE ARMIDALE 89 89 MARTIN STREET, ARMIDALE

he western end of Beardy Street continues to be a hive of activity as construction continues in preparation to reveal the Village Centre and recreation facilities along with an additional four brand new homes in December.

The completion of the facilities is perfectly timed to welcome the warmer weather and the start of the ‘Silly Season’ with the upcoming Christmas festivities.

89 MARTIN STREET, ARMIDALE

$235,000

INTRODUCING INTRODUCINGNEW NEW NEW1 11 1BEDROOM BEDROOM BEDROOMDESIGNS DESIGNS DESIGNS INTRODUCING INTRODUCING NEW BEDROOM DESIGNS

SELLING SELLING SELLING SELLING NOW NOW FROM FROM FROM NOW NOW FROM

INTRODUCING NEW 1 BEDROOM DESIGNS

$235,000

SELLING NOW FROM

focus. 21 www.oaktreearmidale.com.au

new england

1300 367 155

The recreation centre has been designed to encourage functions and events, its open plan design with sliding doors opening onto the bowling green and under roof seating for spectators to sit and enjoy, creates a wonderful environment to come together.

Being Beingpart partofofthe thecommunity communityand and The Therecreation recreationcentre centrehas hasbeen been he hewestern westernend endofof Being Beingpart parton ofon ofthe the community community and and The Therecreation recreation centre centrehas has been been and he hewestern western end end ofof remaining remaining schedule schedule isisimportant important designed designed totoencourage encourage functions functions and Beardy Beardy Street Street continues continues remaining remainingon onschedule scheduleisisimportant important designed designedtotoencourage encouragefunctions functionsand and Beardy BeardyStreet Streetcontinues continues as as the the demand demand for for residential residential villas villas events, events, its its open open plan plan design design with with sliding sliding to to be be a a hive hive of of activity activity as asthe thedemand demand for for villas villas events, events, its itsopen open plan plan design design with with sliding sliding within totobe beaahive hiveofofactivity activity within the thevillage village isresidential isresidential high. high.Once Once doors doors opening opening onto onto the the bowling bowling green green as asconstruction constructioncontinues continuesinin withinthe thevillage villageisishigh. high.Once Once 86 doors doorsopening openingonto ontothe thebowling bowlinggreen green within complete complete the the village village will will consist consist of of 86 and and under under roof roof seating seating for for spectators spectators as asconstruction constructioncontinues continuesinin preparation preparationtotoreveal revealthe theVillage Village and complete completethe thevillage villagewill willconsist consist ofof86 86 andunder underroof roofseating seatingfor forspectators spectators villas villas and and will will be be a a gated gated community community and enjoy, enjoy, creates creates a a wonderful wonderful preparation preparationtotoreveal revealthe theVillage Village totositsitand villas villasand andwill willbe beaagated gatedmind. community community andenjoy, enjoy,creates createsaawonderful wonderful Centre Centreand andrecreation recreationfacilities facilities totositsitand for for residents residents peace peace of of mind. environment environment to to come come together. together. Centre Centreand andrecreation recreationfacilities facilities environment for forresidents residentspeace peaceofofmind. mind. environmenttotocome cometogether. together. along alongwith withan anadditional additionalfour four Oak OakTree TreeGroup Groupspecialise specialiseinin “We “Weare aredelighted delightedtotoprovide providethe the along alongwith withan anadditional additionalfour four Oak OakTree TreeGroup Groupspecialise specialiseinin with brand brandnew newhomes homesininDecember. December. “We “Weare aredelighted delightedtotoprovide providethe the creating creating regional regional communities communities with recreation recreation facilities facilities in in the the early early brand brandnew newhomes homesininDecember. December. recreation creating creating regional regional communities communities with with recreation facilities facilitiesininthe early early a a particular particular emphasis emphasis on onsmaller smaller stage stage ofofdevelopment. development. Itthe Itprovides provides The Thecompletion completionofofthe thefacilities facilitiesisis aaparticular particularemphasis emphasison onsmaller smaller stage stageofofdevelopment. development.ItItprovides provides villages villages with with integrated integrated care care options options confidence confidence to to our our incoming incoming residents residents The Thecompletion completionofofthe thefacilities facilitiesisis villages villages with withintegrated integrated care care options options confidence confidence totoour our incoming incoming residents residents perfectly perfectlytimed timedtotowelcome welcomethe the and activities. activities. They Theyhave have developed developed and and the thewider wider community community that that we weare are and perfectly perfectlytimed timedtotowelcome welcomethe the andactivities. activities.They Theyhave havedeveloped developed and andthe thewider widercommunity communitythat thatwe weare are and warmer warmerweather weatherand andthe thestart startofof a a strong strong reputation reputation in in the the retirement retirement committed committed to to delivering delivering our our promise promise warmer warmerweather weatherand andthe thestart startofof aastrong strongreputation reputationininthe the retirement retirement committed committedtotodelivering deliveringour ourpromise promise the the‘Silly ‘SillySeason’ Season’with withthe theupcoming upcoming and sector sector with with 31 31 villages villages under under and supports supports our our core core values”, values”, the the‘Silly ‘SillySeason’ Season’with withthe theupcoming upcoming and sector sector with with31 31 villages villages under under andsupports supports our ourcore coreManager values”, values”,said. their banner banner and and are aremaintaining maintaining Melissa Melissa Luck LuckRegional Regional Manager said. their Christmas Christmasfestivities. festivities. their theirbanner bannerand andare aremaintaining maintaining Melissa MelissaLuck LuckRegional RegionalManager Managersaid. said. their Christmas Christmasfestivities. festivities. their focus focus in in regional regional towns towns with with their theirfocus focusacross in inregional regional towns towns with with expansion expansion across the theNew New England England expansion expansionacross acrossthe theNew NewEngland England as including including Tamworth Tamworth and and Gunnedah Gunnedah as including including Tamworth Tamworthand andGunnedah Gunnedahas as well well as asArmidale. Armidale. well wellas asArmidale. Armidale. Our OurVillage VillageManager ManagerKate Katewill willbe be Our OurVillage Village Manager Manager Kate Katewill will be be happy happy totoshow show you youaround around the thevillage village happy happy totoshow show you you around aroundthe the village and and answer answer any any questions questions you youvillage may may and andanswer answerany anyquestions questionsyou youmay may have have on on retirement retirement living, living, Monday Monday toto have haveon onretirement retirementliving, living,Monday Monday toto Friday Friday between between 10am 10am and and 2pm. 2pm. Call Call Friday Fridaybetween between 10amand and2pm. 2pm.Call Call 1300 1300 367 367 155. 155. 10am 1300 1300367 367155. 155.

ARMIDALE’S NEWEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW

focuseditorial.

RAISING

AWARENESS for Movember This month the Walcha Farmers’ Market will be hosting their Movember Market on Saturday 21st November to raise money and awareness for men’s health and wellbeing.

he Movember Foundation is a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier and longer lives. In particular, the cause focuses on research and support towards reducing the risks of poor mental health, prostate cancer, testicular cancer and physical inactivity. This market will be a tribute to our male farmers and men generally in our regional communities. The market will include a range of

activities to raise money for Movember, along with an inspirational speaker. We encourage all men to grow their moustaches, and there will be prizes for the best moustaches on the day. The committee will be selling fake moustaches for those unable to grow or manicure their own, including children. The committee will be donating all proceeds from fundraising to the Movember Foundation, and 50% of stallholder fees will also go towards the cause.

Donation boxes will be at the markets and placed in selected business around town for anyone interested in supporting the cause. The market will include gourmet food, plants, health and wellbeing stalls and will operate from 8:30 - 12:30 in McHattan Park. For more information on the upcoming Movember Market or the markets generally, please visit their website at www.walchafarmersmarket. org.au or call (02) 6777 2448.

ONE KIND OF A

Many will recognise and may indeed shop at the One of a Kind op shop or as it is quaintly called, “ shop of opportunity”.

ocal charity group One of a Kind (you may remember them as Lifeline), The Express and 2ad/100.3 have combined to recognise and reward special Acts of Kindness in our community. Each week beginning Nov 6th they will draw and announce a winner of $1,000, and with major prizes of $3,000 and $1,000 to be drawn on Wednesday 9th December at The Armidale Lions Carols by Candlelight. Adam Marshall is endeavouring to

22 new england focus.

attend the Carols to draw the winners. This will be a fun filled night of Santa, bands, music and carols, with someone luckily going home with a Christmas bonus. One of a Kind will also be presenting a cheque for $3,000 to Martin Hazell towards the Uniting Church Community Christmas Lunch. To enter, simply pick up an entry form from One of a Kind Op shop (behind Dan Murphys), The Express office or find it in the Express, the Extra or on our

Facebook Page, One of a Kind “Acts of Kindness”. Fill in the form and nominate someone, a group or organisation who have performed an Act of Kindness that you believe deserves recognition and return it to One of a Kind or the Express office. Check out One of a Kind Community Support Facebook page and website for terms and conditions. www.oneofakind.org.au www.facebook.com/oneofakindcommunitysupport

focuseditorial. Peter O’Doherty Kingscliff Bungalow 2010 Acrylic on canvas

Susan O’Doherty Earlwood Kitchen 2013 mixed media assemblage

oving House can be an artistic experience. Moving House is a collaborative exhibition between artistic couple Peter and Susan O’Doherty. They have lived and worked together for over twenty years, and the exhibition combines Susan’s mixed media constructions and Peter’s figurative paintings, reflecting their respective childhoods living in families that were perpetually on the move. Susan’s constructed wooden and painted assemblages encase found

objects such as kitchen scales, typewriters, telephones and dolls in large images that depict the various rooms of the house such as the kitchen, laundry and bathroom. Peter has painted a series of large canvases, images of suburban houses ranging from fibro bungalows, red brick homes to elevated Queenslanders, with their facades, driveways and streetscapes reflecting the distinctive suburban architecture of decades past and present as seen through a child’s eyes. The New Zealand born Peter

O’Doherty is well known for his musical talents as a member of the bands Mental as Anything and Dog Trumpet (with his brother Chris O’Doherty aka Reg Mombassa). His artistic career has mainly been as a painter of still life and suburban landscape images, while Susan mainly works with assemblage to create large scale works; both of them have shown their work in exhibitions around Australia. Moving House is on show at the New England Regional Art Museum from 20 November 2015 until 31 January 2016.

WE’RE ON YOUR SIDE AT

CLAIM TIME Dealing with your insurance company can be overwhelming. That’s where we step in, to guide you in the right direction. We co-ordinate all the communication, so that you can focus on continuing to run your business.

ne of the most We important understand We understand jobs we the fine print the fine print do as and the y and the full polic your broker is at full policy ve ha d coverage , an ps claim time. We assist coverage, hi ns tio la strong re you with completing and have .” rs re su with in forms and gathering strong the necessary documents relationships and information required to with insurers. support your claim. This allows us to We will ensure you get the best achieve good claims possible outcome at claim time. solutions for you.

“

At PCIB (Peter Cameron Insurance Broker) we have a dedicated claims officer, Alastair Ferguson. Alastair, along with Operations Manager Christene McKinnon, Account Managers, Lyn Evans, Annabelle Lenehan and Alan Hardaker and our friendly support staff manage your claims and all of your insurance matters from the beginning to end. Call our friendly, professional team on (02) 6771 3422 to discuss your insurance needs. new england focus.

focusinterview.

BOTH OFF-GRID AND ON-GRID IS PROVING TO BE A BIG SUCCESS. RAY MCNALLY DEPENDS ON SOLAR POWER FOR HIS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND SHARES HIS EXPERIENCES WITH US ...

Power O F F A ND O N- G R ID

hat’s your background, and how did you get into solar electricity? I had spent 44 years in the Electricity Supply Industry and had doubted that solar power would ever become a significant contributor to the energy supply chain … because of its high price and need for the sun to shine! This all changed when I came to the New England in 2009 and was looking at a cost of $100,000 (plus) to have the grid extended to our property. Can solar panels and batteries really meet all your energy needs? The exercise comes down to determining the most economical system to meet your reasonable requirements. The things we wanted to run on solar electricity were a large fridge/freezer, lights, TV, computer/printer, microwave, electric fry pan, toaster, jug, slow cooker, snack maker, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, iron, a ¾ sized dishwasher, fans, a hair dryer and power tools! This sounds like a formidable list, but they are all (except for the fridge), moderate energy users. An electric jug may be 2.4 kW, but it’s not on for that long etc. In an Off-Grid situation, you have to think hard about the high energy things like hot water, stove/hot plates and air conditioning. We have an instantaneous gas hot water system (or you can install a solar hot water system) and a gas oven/hotplate combination (as a cooking back-up/alternative) using bottled gas. Insulation, ceiling fans and the moderate NE 24 new england focus.

So the batteries cover or the odd bad day e ar u yo n two. Whe d ba of n ru a r in fo ed weather, you ne ur yo to manage consumption. ”

“

summers allow us to leave air conditioning off the agenda! Amazingly, our modest 3 kW solar panels and 875 Ah batteries handle all the above mentioned electrical appliances with ease. Our gas bill for a full year would be under $250, and that’s preferable to outlaying a lot of capital for a bigger solar system. In winter, a wood fire provides for our room heating. But what happens when the sun doesn’t shine for, say, three days? Our 3 kW system can generate about 15 kilowatthours (kWh) of energy on a good day but still will generate about 3 kWh on a day when the sun fails to appear! (Solar panels work on light, not heat, from the sun). All those appliances I mentioned earlier can be supplied with an average solar generation of a bit under 6 kWh per day. So, the batteries cover the odd bad day or two. When you are in for a run of bad weather, you need to manage your consumption. Having the gas stove/ hotplates means you can shrink back to these in such times, and postpone the vacuuming, washing and ironing! I do have a battery charger, as a last resort, but have never had to use it! So Off-Grid Solar systems are a real success? Absolutely! There are still rural situations where people are running off generators and others who are contemplating huge payouts for a grid connection. We meet all our needs

with solar, helped by a bit of LPG, and we don’t miss the quarterly electricity bill, nor the power outages during storms and high winds! Now you also say things are “brewing” with OnGrid systems? Yes indeed. Many lucky homeowners bought their On-Grid solar systems when the government’s Solar Bonus Scheme was in train and still collect 60c/kWh for everything they generate, quickly paying off their systems and going into profit mode! Those who missed that gravy train do save the power company’s going rate for power they use, as they generate it during the day (around 26c/kWh), but only get around 7c/ kWh for surplus energy they put into the grid. For example, whilst a 4 kW system would generate more energy per day than many of these people would use, if their usage is mainly outside daylight hours, most of their solar generation goes into the grid. Accordingly, they get peanuts for most of it and could notice little change to their electricity bills! The Solar Bonus Scheme ends on 31/12/16, so those early winners will join the others on 7c/kWh for their surplus. Sounds like doom and gloom for residential solar? Not really! Solar technology advances are surely coming to the rescue! In 1980 solar panels cost $35/watt of their rating. When I bought mine in 2010, they cost $5.60/watt. Now, a brief five years on, good

quality panels are costing less than $1/watt, despite inflation! An amazing advance! You can buy a fully installed 5 kW On-Grid system in Sydney these days for a net $5,000 (with government rebates). Amazingly, that’s $1/ watt fully installed with panels and inverter. The costs are coming down and down, so it’s a good deal, even more so if you can focus most of your electricity use into the daylight hours. But the “sleeper” is advancements in battery technology. Lithium-ion technology is providing compact battery banks that can store say 8kWh of your surplus daytime energy for use at night, allowing you to use your solar power 24/7! Such systems are already available. No doubt the ending of the 60c/kWh Bonus Scheme will prompt many to look hard at this option, to prop up the value of their systems. Indeed, electric power companies are already acknowledging the possibility of an energy crisis ahead as their customers utilise more solar technology and so use less and less grid power. If customers become disgruntled with paying the power company’s ever-increasing network connection fees (the poles and wires cost), they could adopt hybrid solar systems (with a battery supplement) and choose to disconnect from the grid. Those left connected would have to pick up the company’s lost revenue, creating what could become a “death spiral” for grid connections. Either way, it’s clear that solar power is set to blossom … it’s just a matter of time. And it’s “feel good” too! Thanks Ray.

focusinterview.

J A N E

H U T C H E O N

OnE PLUS

OnE JANE HUTCHEON PRESENTS THE INTERVIEW SHOW ONE PLUS ONE ON ABC TV AND COMES TO ARMIDALE ON 13TH NOVEMBER FOR A SPECIAL ONE PLUS ONE INTERLUDE WITH ONE OF OUR OWN MEDIA INSIDERS, FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND WRITER DR. JANENE CAREY.

hat goes into achieving a penetrating and revealing interview? Jane Hutcheon must be one our most engaging interviewers and in a one-on-one encounter, the art of the interview will be explored. Jane sits down each week with a broad range of individuals to discuss how they navigate life, and one suspects that they often reveal more than they intended due to Jane's relaxing and attentive style. She has interviewed Hollywood celebrities, chefs, actors, musicians, CEOs and a fascinating range of everyday people with extraordinary stories. Jane’s success in accessing people’s innermost thoughts can be attributed to her long experience as a journalist and foreign correspondent. She has covered wars, disasters and key international events during her postings to China (1995 - 2001); the Middle East (2003 - 2005) and Europe (2005 - 2008). The insights she has observed as to what drives the human spirit is reflected in how she engages with her guests. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Jane has been an intimate observer of China - a family tradition since her great-granduncle Phineas arrived on the China coast from Scotland in the mid 1800s. Her first book, From Rice to Riches covers her experiences in China as the ABCs foreign correspondent, and she is currently working on a second book about China’s one-child policy. Jane speaks French and is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese. Jane has been a reporter for 20 years, beginning with radio and television Hong Kong, followed by a stint with SBS television before joining the ABC in 1994. Returning from China to Australia in 2001, she presented ABC TV’s national news programme, World at Noon. On the morning of September 12, 2001 Jane presented the ABC’s live coverage of 9/11 and was in the chair during the Tampa crisis, the 2001 Federal election and the U.S. led war in Afghanistan. A fascinating and informative evening is guaranteed, when the audience will also be encouraged to engage with Jane Hutcheon and enquire into many aspects of her

experience and the people she has met. Tickets are available from Carr’s Newsagency - $12 for members of ABC Friends - $15 for non-members - or on the night - 7:30pm at Armidale Bowling Club - Friday, 13th November. Further enquiries: Phone 6771 1828. One Plus One Jane Hutcheon currently presents the interview show One Plus One on ABC TV, sitting down each week with a broad range of individuals to discuss how they navigate life. She has interviewed Hollywood celebs, chefs, actors, musicians, sports people, CEOs and a fascinating range of everyday people with extraordinary stories. Some of these people have included: • Gillian Armstrong - film director • David Gonski - philanthropist and corporate adviser • Barry Humphries • Allan Rickman - actor • Peter Carey - author • Chris Hadfield - former astronaut • Bob Brown - former Greens leader • Helen Clarke - former NZ PM • Kim Williams - former News Corp. CEO • David Sutchet - actor • Lt. General David Morrison • Alice Walker - author • Jennifer Saunders - comedian • Alain de Bottom - philosopher • A.C. Grayling - philosopher • Andrew Bolt - commentator • Jackie Collins - celeb. author • David Suzuki - environmentalist • Germaine Greer - feminist and academic • Richard Flanagan - author • Lt. Colonel Cate McGregor - transgender • Adam Hills - comedian and TV Host • Alan Trounson - stem cell scientist • William Dalrymple - historian • Baroness Susan Greenfield - scientist • Mark Tedeschi - Crown Prosecutor • Paul Kelly - singer/songwriter • Mary Robinson - UN Rights Chief and former President of Ireland • Dr. Philip Nitschke - euthanesia advocate • David Kilcullen - counter terrorism expert • Prof. Brian Schmidt - nobel prize winning astronomer • Kate Grenville - author

Celebrate Christmas IN STYLE How exciting: the countdown to Christmas has begun - just nine weeks to go! The Quality Hotel Powerhouse Armidale can help make your festive season even easier with: • A range of options for Christmas parties and end of year celebrations • A traditional Australian Christmas Day seafood buffet • Exclusive Christmas gift certiﬁcates If you’re planning an end of year get together for the office or friends, The Powerhouse has a range of venues ready for your festive celebration. You can select from canapés and cocktails to delicious lunch and dinner packages, or we can personalise a party package to suit your budget and needs. Share the magic of Christmas Day with family and friends with a sumptuous buffet

QHP0083_Xmas_Focus 156x125_v1.indd 1

lunch at The Powerhouse. Indulge for one day of the year with fresh seafood platters, Christmas favourites such as roast turkey, beef and glazed ham accompanied by delectable salads and vegetables. And don’t forget the traditional Christmas pudding with brandy custard! The only decision you will have to make for Christmas Day is which lunch menu you would like to enjoy. Are you after a desirable and exclusive gift this Christmas? A Quality Hotel Powerhouse gift certificate is the ideal present and can be used for both accommodation and dining at The Powerhouse. For further information, visit qualityhotelpowerhouse.com.au or contact The Powerhouse Events Manager on 6772 7788 or gm@qhparm.com.au

new england focus.

20/10/2015 10:47 am

26 new england focus.

DRUMBEAT AT PATHFINDERS Would you like to try playing the Djembe, a West African hand drum and also have the opportunity to connect with yourself and others? Pathfinders have just the thing with DRUMBEAT. DRUMBEAT is an acronym for Discovering Relationships Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes, and Thoughts. For centuries, ancient cultures have used hand drumming to bring people together. Holyoake has drawn on this wisdom and the latest research to create this learning programme using music, psychology and neurobiology to reconnect with ourselves and others. Pathfinders delivers DRUMBEAT to many schools across the region and uses it in many of its programmes. It encourages participants to work in a cooperative group process covering topics such as values, peer pressure, identity, social harmony and emotion expression. The programme also includes a performance element which provides recognition of

achievement and a further connection to community. Wae Jae Tan from Pathfindersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; programme Ability Links will be delivering DRUMBEAT, and it is available to all ages and is free. Ability Links is a service from Pathfinders to help people of all abilities connect together, by promoting community inclusion and participation so that everyone can have access and can participate in activities available to the general community. Feel free to turn up on the day, and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like further information about DRUMBEAT or the Ability Links programme, please contact Wae Jae on 0409 137 993 or 6711 1209. Come along for a fun hour of music, connections, and the opportunity to be involved in a unique experience. Hope to see and hear you there! DRUMBEAT is held every Thursday 2pm - 3pm at the Guyra RSL Hall. Contact Wae Jae if you are interested in bringing the programme to your school or organisation.

new england focus.

Tony Bennett Acupuncture

HWNS RESPITE A MUCH NEEDED BREAK

Now that spring is upon us, this might be a timely reminder about acupuncture as a preventative medicine. Tony Bennett understands that many people only seek acupuncture when they have a health issue and even then, only after unsuccessfully trying various other modalities. Just maybe, however, it could be worth thinking outside the square.

Caring for someone with a disability takes a lot more than just time and energy. It takes focus, emotional strength and empathy too. In 2006, Amanda’s son Alex was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. Living in a regional area, Amanda and her family struggled to find the support they needed to help better understand her son.

going, most weekends I would climb back into bed and just sleep for hours - I was so exhausted from trying to juggle so many different balls in the air. But as time went on, I gained the time and strength to focus not only on my other children, but also my husband. To be honest, now I don’t think I could survive without respite,” said Amanda.

Then they were introduced to House with No Steps children’s respite services. “When respite was suggested initially, we hesitated because he is our baby and we didn’t want to let him go. It was hard to spend so much time doing everything yourself and then hand it over to somebody else. It was hard for us to be able to trust someone else to care for our son,” said Amanda.

Alex also loves going to respite and said, “I get to have a break from my family, and my family get to have a break from me. We go to the movies and do other fun activities. Some of the things we do there, we don’t do at home.”

Spring is a time of regrowth and moving forward, and Tony has found on so many occasions that acupuncture at this time can help to clear blockages, both physical and emotional in nature, and can be a really powerful tool to help make significant life changes. Even if you are not looking to change the world, ill-health can be an insidious thing that creeps up gradually and all of a sudden

hits like a ton of bricks. This is often the case with arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and a host of other systemic conditions. Many people push their bodies too hard in their work or play until they invariably reach a point where the body says no more. The value of having acupuncture treatment before you reach crisis point is that it can help to maintain homoeostasis and rectify minor imbalances before they become major health issues. If you lead a full and busy life, if you have any health issues, or even if you feel you are perfectly healthy, why not call Tony and discuss how acupuncture may be of benefit to you. There could not be a better time to invest in your future, as Tony is now offering significant discounts to people who are willing to commit to a long term health maintenance plan.

Almost at breaking point, they decided they would give it a go. “When Alex first started

In the New England area HWNS can provide flexible children’s respite services in your home or in the community. To find out more, contact Denise Aldridge on 0424 036 182 or at daldridge@hwns.com.au.

Gentle Japanese Style

Acupuncture for pain relief and good health

Don’t let poor health prevent your next big adventure

Tony Bennett Registered Acupuncturist

 6771 3964

www.armidaleacupuncture.com

“House with No Steps has got me involved in different activities such as the advocacy group. I’m getting much better at speaking up for myself.” Jess

House with No Steps is a leading provider of quality, flexible and innovative services tailored to your needs.

Armidale Acupuncture 28 new england focus.

For more information or to book an appointment, call 02 5795 1887 or email daldridge@hwns.com.au www.hwns.com.au

BUSHFIRE SEASON The extreme temperatures experienced in many parts of the country already have served as a reminder of the raw power of the elements. Such heat can bring about dangerous conditions in many work environments, from the increased risk of dehydration and heat stroke for those working outdoors, to the possibility of devastating bushfires being sparked. A farm or business insurance policy can help Australian business owners manage the risks presented by extreme temperatures. One of the best ways to make sure that you won’t have to close your property’s doors for good if and when it’s damaged by wildfire is to arrange business or farm property insurance. These are just some of the insurance options that Elders Insurance can provide you with. Of course, prevention should be your first step - and there are a number of ways you can reduce the chances of losing your property to fire. • Keep your grass short • Make sure all trees and shrubs around your property are kept pruned • Store wood, ﬂammable chemicals and items (such as outdoor furniture) in a safe place, away from your property • Try to clear all gutters on your property of debris. Call Elders insurance New England for an obligation free quote on 6775 4577.

new england focus.

with Clairvoyant Terri Hall Phone. 0424 818 343

NOVEMBER 2015

with Terri

AQUARIUS. January 21 - February 19

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE 2016 All Rounder & Boarding - Apply NOW 2017 Academic, Music & Visual Arts Scholarships - Applications OPEN December 1

Some fresh goal setting is urgently required to still the frustration of not knowing what is coming. You can feel change coming into the picture, you can even sense its outcome, and this is feeding the feeling of waiting for something big. Ruby shatters negativity and aligns us with our destiny or life’s purpose.

PISCES.

February 20 - March 20 Change is being called for. A new way of looking at things will happen as your attitudes begin to alter, then you may anticipate a new set of social influences, through a group or class you may attend. You might even experience “itchy feet” for a while, until change in your environment takes place. Clear Quartz is a powerful energizer wear some.

ARIES.

March 21 - April 20 You may be tempted to run away from a situation; this is only because you’re feeling powerless. Work on yourself and rebuild your personal strength so you won’t be manipulated. This will bring back the honour and respect you are craving. Rose Quartz initiates a vibration of happiness and gratitude.

Educating successful women of tomorrow in a Christian environment

TA U R U S . April 21 - May 21

join us on facebook

02 6770 1700 www.plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au In alliance with PLC SYDNEY

30 new england focus.

You have lost touch with your positive attitude regarding abundance. Set your sight on what you want, plan it out and begin seeking it towards mid-month. Your practical way of thinking will be your strength all month, but don’t compromise any new standard recently set. Try wearing some topaz for wellbeing and prosperity.

GEMINI. May 22 - June 22

Adventure is on the horizon. Pay attention to all detail while you journey, as there will be many successful opportunities waiting. The only vulnerability comes back to your sense of self-worth. Consideration needs to be given to an unfinished project or task from the past. Turquoise is great for personal power, amplifying it.

CANCER. June 23 - July 23

A wonderful feeling of accomplishment will be a strong influence early in the month, followed by a sense of adventure and travel opportunities. Quite a busy social calendar can be anticipated, with some unexpected visitors and catching up with old friends. Carrying Moonstone helps cycles end and new ones begin.

LEO.

July 24 - August 23 You are about to tumble into an experience that you are completely unaware of. There is nothing to fear, as you are being divinely guided. You will be pursuing life with a sense of romance, and will enjoy discovering a new talent. Your confidence will surge and you can expect to feel great about yourself. Calcite assists us with spontenaity.

VIRGO.

August 24 - September 23 Relationships are going to continue being a challenge for you unless you begin to honour your needs. You prioritise everyone’s needs above your own, and then wonder why you are so frequently taken advantage of. Begin today to love yourself as much as you care for others and enjoy the difference your reality brings. Calcite assists us with spontenaity.

LIBRA.

September 24 - October 23

Your very clever mind and wisdom are likely to be drawn on by those around you, this month. You have an innate talent with problem solving and these next few weeks will prove to you how clever and important in the bigger scheme of things you actually are. Azurite is a powerful crystal for insight.

SCORPIO.

October 24 - November 22 Justice is being served at present. Your reality is likely to change soon with a balancing of outstanding debts, both physical and etheric. Look at your last cycle constructively, not critically, if you want clarity. There will be remnants of other people’s input you may need to tidy up, but don’t lose heart as this is also drawing in good karma. Azurite is a powerful crystal for insight.

S A G I T TA R I U S . November 23 - December 21

Laughter is your perfect motto for this month, as your vulnerability has been that lately you have taken life far too seriously. This leaves you feeling trapped by your circumstance rather than in charge of it and has led to possible depressing emotions. It is your life and it isn’t a rehearsal, so get on with it and use that wicked sense of humour. Carnelian is a very powerful motivator.

CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20

To achieve that feeling of having everything that you could possibly wish for, tune into your personal strength. You have such talent with perfectionism, so enjoy manifesting every bit of reward you deserve. Just know that there is no challenge too big for you to easily conquer. Smokey Quartz dispels negativity and is very grounding for your energy.

Armidale Dental Local Dentist Daniel Hetrelezis introduces himself to the New England community and tells us a bit about himself and the Armidale Dental Centre. Introduce yourself please: where did you grow up, and how did you come to call the New England home? I was born in the Yarra Valley (wine capital of Victoria) in a small country town called Healesville and completed my studies at Melbourne Uni. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to be the Senior Dentist in a busy surgery in Armidale after managing a clinic in rural Victoria. This really sparked a need for me to move back to a country area after my study. So, to come to Armidale and be employed at Armidale Dental Centre is a dream come true. Armidale has embraced me with open arms, and I have met a few of the local characters along the way. How have you enjoyed our stunning region so far? Armidale reminds me a lot of home - relaxed living and friendly, personable people. A lot different to the “big smoke”, which is where I

studied for seven years. It’s a very pretty town with lots of character. I love the fact that it’s in between Brissy and Sydney as well. What services do you offer at your Dental Clinic? Armidale Dental Centre prides itself on Family Dentistry, Holistic Dentistry and ds Armidale remin Cosmetic Dentistry. There e m ho of t lo a me is nothing we don’t laxed living and re provide here. We also able friendly, person rent are open until 8pm ffe di t I love to do. people . A lo hich ,w e’ weeknights, which is a ok sm Tell us about your to the ‘big d for real point of difference. team at Armidale is where I studie How long have you Dental Clinic. seven years. ” been practising as a The girls here are Dentist? the best girls I’ve ever This is my fourth year worked with. They are very (hopefully of many more) providing knowledgeable and have made dental services. I really love to get involved my transition so smooth. I couldn’t do in new procedures that are new and cutting what I do without them! edge. Learning new procedures is something How do you like to spend your time when

“

you’re not busy creating beautiful smiles? I like eating at nice spots around town. My favourites so far are the Red Grapevine, the Thai place across from the Whitebull and the Indian Affair. But my favourite bread and butter place to get a feed is, of course, the St Kilda! Love it there! And everyone looks after me too. I also like dogs and cats and going to watch the local footy team. Another hidden gem that I frequent is BB’s corner store. Thanks Daniel.

Helping Armidale smile

☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑

On-the-spot claiming for health fund members

DR CHRISTOPHER R COLE BDSc Uni Sydney DR DANIEL C HETRELEZIS BBiomedSc Monash, DDS Uni Melb We provide: • Family and General Dentistry • White Fillings • Children’s Dentistry • Dentures • Crowns and Bridges

• Dental Emergencies • Cosmetic Dentistry • Tooth Whitening • Smile Reconstructions • Mouth guards

Preferred provider BUPA, Medibank, CBHS and HCF Interest-free payment plans available

$1000 Child Rebates available for most children Same day service for crowns

Now you can smile a lifetime of smiles ARMIDALE DENTAL CENTRE

6772 9386

138 Marsh Street, Armidale | 8:30am-8pm weekdays and 9am-2pm on Saturdays new england focus.

focusinterview.

JAYNE DENHAM, ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST LOVED COUNTRY STARS, IS KICKING OFF ON A TOUR OF OUR GREAT LAND WITH “NED”, A CUSTOM SHOW TRUCK, PUTTING THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY AND HER MUSIC IN THE LIMELIGHT. THIS MONTH JAYNE CAUGHT UP WITH FOCUS ...

i Jayne. When and did you first discover Country music? I grew up on Country music, and then when I was in high school I decided to join a band and did Rock music for the next sort of chunk of my life. And I don’ t tend then I started to write some to write song s love songs and listen to Country about myself. I her ot t music again ... Another 10 writing abou I le op pe years later, and I was really people I le op pe d an t mee into what Modern Country .” wrote was called on want to cheer was all about and mixed the Chick Ute, which we two, I guess. That’s how I ended released nine years ago. coming up with my own style of I had no idea at the time Country Rock. how massive the ute culture You’ve really made your mark in the was back then; it went crazy, and Australian Country music scene; your album, that’s what kicked off my career. And Renegade, has been a great success. Any it was just that I observed girls driving utes plans to record a new album? and thought it was really cool. Yeah, I’d like to record a new album next year. It’s the same with the whole truck angle as I’ve actually just released a brand new EP, as a well. I just wrote a song about a girl with truck digital download. Renegade is a few years old who lives in Tamworth that I’d heard about - I now, but I decided that there were some tracks haven’t even met her, and I just thought what a I didn’t put on the record that would be fun to great idea for a song! So I wrote the song, and jump into the studio with and do a little digital then the whole trucking industry was just so rapt. EP for the fans - to give them a few more songs They liked the song and we did a video clip, and while I’m working on the new album. it put me out there as a girl who was singing So, that’s just come out; it’s digital download songs about trucks. It basically planted me to go only, and it’s five extra songs that didn’t make the in that direction; it’s been great - it’s been quite record, but also we wrote some new ones as well. a ride. It was a lot of fun to get the wheels back on the What can we expect from your vibe on track, as they say. The EP is called Renegade 2, stage? Rocking with Ned, which is the truck that features Well, I’m definitely known for my high energy on the cover. Country Rock show, and live is my favourite How do you find your inspiration when it place to be. For anyone who’s seen me live, comes to writing new music? they’ll know I don’t stand still for very long and I don’t tend to write songs about myself. I love as I’ve said, I’ve grown up doing Rock music for writing about other people - people I meet and a season of my life. I give a performance that’s people I want to cheer on. a little bit different; I don’t just stand there with When I started, one of the first songs I ever a guitar, and I’m very specific about my show. I

“

32 new england focus.

have my own band, and we’re very rehearsed. It’s an entertaining show from start to finish, and it’s going to be exciting with my new sponsor, the Ned Kelly Truck - ScuzzTrans Container Transport is bringing “Ned” the Western Star Truck, which is one of the most awarded show trucks in Australia, and it comes to all my shows! It’s going to be parked out the front, and people can win a ride in the truck. So you know, my style of show is a little bit different to everyone else. Being sponsored by that company is a privilege; it’s really fun for the fans. Not everyone is necessarily into trucks, but when people see this truck, everyone goes, “Oh wow, we didn’t realise how cool it was!” It’s kind of a nice way of showing people something different, and it literally gets invited to truck shows all over Australia. I’m privileged that I get to bring the truck, and I’m looking forward to heading out your way. Thanks Jayne.

the plug! Catch Jayne Denham and the Ned Kelly Truck at Armidale SerVies, Friday 13th November 2015. $25 Adults & $15 for Under 15 www.armidaleservies.com.au/

focusinterview.

dclutterbug

G e e k

PAMWright SIMMONDS Robertson

Semsational (adj.) Used to describe an absolute cracking Semillon! This is my word of the month thanks to Petersons 2010 Semillon from the local Armidale Vineyard.

came across this wine when bringing together the October Once Upon A Wine we held at Café Affamato. We Uralla ladywith Pam paired this wine a Simmonds was nominated in The Pride of Australia Medal King Prawn dish and based 2015 Awards. She tells FOCUS readers about her love and helping others. on experience, it was afor her local community By the time you perfect match! What the New this,Australia read ow long have you lived in Medal 2015 Awards organised by the more could you want Show gland Wine Daily Enabout Uralla, and tell us and Sunday Telegraph and Clubs New for summer! have been, and your family ... would and Blues South I was placed in theExperience”, Community a e The Semillon shows l thWales. I’ll let you know al 10 piece local band. ’s off plenty of citrus, I was born in Uralla andin nextSpirit Medal Category and was selected asFor a month results $25 per person, you’ll get probably more thanattended the Uralla Public .” Finalist in that category. I was invited to Sydney up writeyour ticket and a couple School. leaving your localOn fruit shop.school, I worked as on the 10th September to attend of snacks included, and a Telephonist on the Telephone That’s a good thing the Luncheon. youPresentation can BYO food and chair. Exchange at the and Uralla Post though … Lovely fresh I didn’t a medal, but This’ll be onget 22nd November Ofﬁce get andyou laterexcited at the right aromas

gubrettulcd

gprofessional niconsultants lfi cinortcelE • • sElectronic Aliceisand Justine local tn atlinundated usnoficling lacwith ol erclutter? a enitsuJ dna ecilA Spring in the air andare a local Are you who have h c i h w g u b r e t t u l c e d denscanning epthese o eva h ohw gservices ninopened nacsbusiness, hpadeclutterbug rgotodclutterbug hp dna dwhich roceR • • Record and photograph organising If you have ticked yes to any of questions, growing f deresource en gniwmanagement org eht sessfor erdlocal da lNew acaddresses ol rEngland, of tnemthe egisaattracting nam ecruoaneed slot er dofnfor ainterest droceR- • • Recordroand contact dclutterbug. This year dclutterbug professional services rocommunity f secivres gorganisations nisinagro lanoisseforp snoorganising itasinmany agro ypeople tinumm ocfor dna and particularly now when are spring has helped customers who are overwhelmed those who are moving, ,gnizisnw od ,gnivom era ohw esoht gniddedownsizing, rhsortnpreparing emucoD for • • Document shredding cleaning, downsizing, relocating with renovating o the gnisamount ilatorganisation iverofe“stuff” soht rothey f ro have gnitcollected avoner Christmas visits.or fornthose oitasinrevitalising agro gnilcyceor R• • rRecycling over and overflowing cupboards, decluttering apwith home, othe h ryears oon sse nisuhave band ,em oh a gnof ire ttulced Do you smeneed ti fo help laso sid dspring nabusiness gncleaning illes noor eor chome ivdA • •em Advice selling disposal items office. .ecfifo pantries, wardrobes, and even sheds. Services preparing smefor ti foChristmas gnilleser visitors? eht htiw ecnatsissA • • Assistance with the reselling of items Are you overwhelmed with the amount of include: sm eti detninclude awnu fo lasopsid dnareselling, gnigakcaP • • Packaging Services reorganising, ,gnilleserand ,gndisposal isinagroeof r eunwanted dulcni secivitems reS “stuff” youand havethe accumulated recycling rettucleaning lcsale ehtorganisation fo lavomer eht dna gnilcycer nremoval oitasinagof rover othe elawinter? sclutter egaraG • Garage •• Spring Do you have an older relative who needs help involved ,gnout izisnthe wof oservices drooms, ,esuohand gnivpolicies omwardrobes ni don evlovnand i •Check Decluttering pantries, no sin eicmoving ilop dnahouse, secivredownsizing, s eht tuo kcehC with spring cleaning or downsizing? dealing with deceased estates and offi ce e c fi f o d n a s e t a t s e d e s a e c e d h t i w g n i l a e d ua.moc.gubrettulcd.www www.dclutterbug.com.au garages Do you have a disabled familydential member who regeneration. A free confi consultation noitatlusnoc laitnedfinoc eerf A .noitareneger •For Reorganising of homeor and business offices. n o i t a t l u s n o c e e r f a r o n o i t a m r o f n i e r o m r o F more information a free consultation needs help with cleaning for andthe organising? and quote is available following gniwollof eht rof elbaliava si etouq dna ta syour u liame ro 443 or 45wardrobes 4 8840 llaccrowded ,etouq dand na quote, call 0488 454 344 or email us at •and Downsizing, relocation Are services.cupboards No job is too small! !llams ooor t sdealing i boj oNwith .secivres ua.moc.gubrettulcd@ofni info@dclutterbug.com.au deceased estates cluttered? • Decluttering rooms, pantries, offices and dna secfifo ,seirtnap ,smoor gnirettulceD • Is your home ni deor sabbusiness si dnalgoffice nE weteeming N gubrewith ttulcd Englandand is based •dclutterbug OrganisationNew of reselling recycling. garages. .sein garag papers and outdated records? secfifo dwith na se moh seciestates vres dna eladimrA and services ces •niDealing deceased setof a tsphotos e desahomes eand cedmemorabilia. hand tiw goffi nila eDin• •Armidale Organisation ,Is e•layour d impantry rA :gniadumess? lcni noiger dnalgnE weN eht the New England region including: Armidale, Downsizing g n i z i s n w o D• • Organising garage sales. Are eyou nnI selling nelGmanagement ,and llereneed vnI ,ato hcladd aW value ,allarUwith ,aryhigh uG Guyra, Uralla, Walcha, • sRemoval tnemInverell, eganamGlen lavoInnes meR • • Sourcing options for the selling of valuables or quality of your home • Offipresentation ce regeneration noitareneger ecfifO • .htror owestate? maT dna and Tamworth. antiques. Do you have items which you need to have Email: info@dclutterbug.com.au or phone valued or sold? 0488 454 344 for a free consultation. Are you moving house or downsizing?

“

a ,”ecn roF .dn teg ll’uo elpuo dna .riahc d rebm

2014 starting from a5pm. received lovely framed from the start, and throw in some Armidale exchange. I didn’t get a After another successful Oncea Upon t varietal renowned grassy goodness and certificate and silver In 1953 I married an medal , bu A Wine featuring Petersons Wines, we’re ly ve you’ve got one fresh wine. The wine has lo Orchardist and lived lapel pin which was aoff received a d taking New England Wine to an te to Brisbane and ca ifi rt good length and zingy acidity with lemon ce at Kentucky for 21 framed of the medal. It hichbe holdingreplica n wWe’ll l pi the city! the next Once Upon A and limeIncharacters, a silver lape years. 1975 we meaning it is an ideal was asomost e a ofinthJanuary Wine in Armidale, keepenjoyable an eye out summer afternoon wine. was a replic moved to Uralla. We and memorable been al . ” online for the date of this. If you haven’tday ed m Kudos to Petersons for this well made white had five children, three made me realise to one of these events and yet, my whole concept is - girls a great wine that is priced reasonably at $22/ and two boys. I have to bring together good friends, delicious food how important it is to be bottle. Available from selected bottle stores 10 grandchildren and two and guzzable wineinvolved in one place and ensure throughout Armidale and at Petersons Cellar in community groups, great grandsons. everyone has fun! We solely feature local Door on Dangarsleigh Road. Be sure to get out and it was lovely to see so many What organisations do you do wineries each event and with owner and head and see Mark, Samantha and the team and tell other people being recognised for their volunteer work for? chef Ben Maling from Café Affamato devising them the Vino Geek sent you! I am a member of Can Assist Uralla community the menu, howhelp. could you go wrong! Plenty more happening in and around the Branch, Friends of McMaughs, Driver What love most about what Aboutdo theyou Vino Geek: Sam Watson, theyou Vinodo New England on the wine front. By the time you Reviver and McCrossins Mill and Museum. My Geek, a localcommunity wino, focused on making good in theis local groups? read this, the New England Wine Show would mainbeen, volunteer work is cooking and wine moremeeting accessible fun! and Check out histhat have and I’ll let you know all theselling results I love newand people knowing raffle tickets in our street stalls. I find website (www.thevinogeek.com.au), like him in next month’s write-up. Entries for thethe show I’m helping others. community of Uralla and are very on Facebook (Facebook.com/TheVinoGeek), have been promising, it’s agenerous great timeand to see What are your plans for the future? friendly at all times. alsoregion. man the Mill every and follow him on twitter & instagram (@ what is happening in Ithe I am now 83 years old, but while I can I will Wednesday and meet lotWright of lovely people TheVinoGeek) to keep up to date with reviews, Jazz in the Vines is onaat Robertson continue volunteering news and special offers!to help the organisations all over the world. infrom Glencoe, featuring “the Al Heeney Rhythm I belong to, knowing I’m helping other people. Tell us about your latest award?

“

In July I was nominated in The Pride of

nopU ffo er’e ot en A nopU tuo eye neeb t si tpecn doof s eru l daeh gnisiv oniV eh doog g sih t mih e ,)ke @ ,sweive

Thanks Pam. new england focus.

focusinterview.

fun music • food • art •

SO DARE WE SAY “WINTER IS OVER”? THE TREES ARE GREENING AS THE LEAVES GROW, GARDENS LOOKING SPRING-LIKE AND PEOPLE ARE OUT

ARMIDALE

AND ABOUT ONCE MORE FOLLOWING A WINTER IN HIBERNATION.

s in previous years there is a group of dedicated individuals working hard to ensure that the calendar of pre-Christmas events runs without a hitch and is enjoyed by both residents and

visitors alike. November will see two major events over consecutive weekends. The Armidale Air and Auto Spectacular is being organised by a committee representing Rotary, Australian Transport Museum, Lions and Armidale Dumaresq Council. They have pulled together an exciting programme for the day, which promises to be a feast for the senses. Check out their website www.aaas.org.au for further details and to book tickets. Saturday 21 November will see the return of a day on the green to Armidale for their fourth visit. Roundhouse promotions enjoy Armidale as a venue for many reasons, not least the welcome afforded to all their visitors. Visitors travel from far afield for the weekend, and Access All Areas was borne out of the opportunity to provide interest and entertainment for concert goers over the whole weekend. New to the calendar this year will be the Armidale Big Busk. Designed to introduce music to the CBD on Friday evening as people are heading out at the start of their evening, the plan is for people to vote on their favourite busker. Similar to The X Factor TV show, musos are

34 new england focus.

New to the ar calendar this ye e al id rm A e will be th d to Big Busk . D esigne the to ic introduce mus evening CBD on Friday ading he e ar le as peop their out at the start of evening ...”

“

playing for a major prize - in this case the chance to busk at the day on the green as concert goers arrive, and then two free tickets for them and a partner to relax and enjoy John Farnham et al in full flight! The morning after the night before is the time for a brunch, and more venues will be offering their fare this year; take note of the Armidale Golf Club and their Breakfast on the Green! The PCYC Sunday Markets will return as per previous years. Ensure that you have Thursday 3 December noted on your calendar. Like last year, it will be Christmas in the Mall, with activities and things of interest for all ages. This is a time when our multicultural city shows its true colours, with food from many corners of the world being cooked in the Mall. It is a great catch up with friends, you can enjoy live music, and don’t miss the look on the children’s faces when Santa makes an appearance. The 2014 event proved to be a huge hit, with the Mall brimming with people and atmosphere. Judging by last year’s experience, it will run from 4pm ‘til late. With Armidale summer’s being relatively short, we should all make an effort to enjoy the Monckton Aquatic Centre when the opportunity arises. “Schools Out” Pool Party will take place from

3:30pm on 18 December. Looking at the weather forecast, the mercury will be registering in the late 20s, school will have just finished for the year - let the fun begin! Live music, inflatables, free sausage sizzle, Lucky Door prizes, Armidale Toy Library Monster Raffle, not to mention the free ice block for all Year 6s as they leave primary school. It will be a great way to celebrate the end of the school year and start of the summer hols. The Christmas Pool Party is being planned for the week leading up to Christmas. If we were living on the coast, then we would likely head to the surf to cool down. Living in Armidale as we do,we head to the pool. Live music and carols, a BBQ (mmm smell prawns - yes, there will be prawns), should get you in to the Christmas spirit. Thinking back to those dedicated individuals pulling the events programme together - let’s show our support and have some fun. Thanks to all and see you there.

Sandra, Lynette, Marilyn (Supervisor) and Kara

NRMA ARMIDALE Armidale NRMA Insurance office has won the award for Outstanding Team of the Year at the annual Agency Excellence Awards held 11th September 2015. The Outstanding Team of the Year award recognises high performing teams that have collaboratively achieved great outcomes for customers, businesses and the local community. NRMA Insurance Relationship Manager Tim Winders said the award win is worthy praise for the dedicated team at the Armidale NRMA Insurance office. Marilyn Mears, the NRMA Armidale Office Supervisor celebrated their win with team members, Sandra Eichorn, Lynette Dawson and Kara Smith on her return from the Agency Excellence Awards in Sydney.

Christmas EXHIBITIONS The Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place will open three special Christmas exhibitions on Thursday, 26th November 2014 at 6pm. The local and surrounding communities are invited to attend the official opening at the Centre. The first exhibition, entitled 2015 Nothing Over $300 are works from a range of Aboriginal artists. This special annual Christmas exhibition was first held in 2013. Those who buy an artwork as a Christmas gift will be allowed to take the painting home with them. The second exhibition is a special children’s Christmas show with works by Fiona McDonald, a local doll maker. It comprises soft toys such as Aboriginal knitted dolls, dragons and large quirky-looking dolls with personalities. They are affordable soft toys made locally which are appropriate as Christmas gifts.

“The team also play an important role in supporting the local community across a number of activities, including the SES annual Bus Safety Programme. We’re very proud that they are part of the NRMA Insurance retail network,” Mr Winders said.

The third exhibition comprises black and white photography. The Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place started a black and white photography club in February. The club meets monthly, and at its meetings the members bring along a photo to share around a predetermined theme. The photos are discussed, and members can upload them to the Centre’s Facebook page. This exhibition, entitled Black, White and Many Shades of Grey is a culmination of photos of the club’s meetings.

The Armidale NRMA Insurance office is located at Shop 42, Armidale Plaza, Dangar Street, Armidale and is open from 8:30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.

A fun-filled evening with music, food and drinks is planned, and the community is invited to attend on Thursday 26th November 2015 at 6pm.

“The team at Armidale NRMA Insurance are very experienced and an extremely self motivated team dedicated to providing a high standard of service to customers.

new england focus.

focusinterview.

This month The Syncopaths play their musical stylings at The Armidale Club. FOCUS talks with the entire band: Georgie Chorley, Ruth Strutt, Steve Thorneycroft, Dave Van Tongeren and Benn Tracy. Warning: may contain traces of hilariousness!

ho are The Syncopaths? S: Who are we all, really? D: I suppose a polite way would be to say we’re a bit of a “mixed” bunch (laughs). G: We’ve got a variety of backgrounds … We’re all trained professionals! B: Makes it great fun to play in band where everyone is bringing a wealth of experience. R: In order of appearance, we are: Ruth Strutt, aka "Diva Synco"- vocals, avocado, apple, cable plugger-in-and outer-er; Georgie Chorley, aka "Grumpy Synco" - trumpet, vocals, melodica, duck call, ukulele, ALL OTHER THINGS; Steve Thorneycroft, aka "Grandpa Synco" - guitars; Benn Tracy, aka "Suzie Synco" - sousaphone, trumpet, vocals; Dave Van Tongeren, aka "El Relaxo Synco" - drums, percussion. What style of music would you say that you play? R: We have a lot of fun with the whole “style” thing. We basically start with well known and popular songs which we morph and twist into 36 new england focus.

d, It’s a finely tune d te na well coordi u e machine . If yo tiv ea cr ho w s nd ba recall the e ABC appeared on th Specks’ to show ‘Spick s & rsions ve e play alternat know ... u yo at of song s th e that . ” well, it’s a bit lik

“

styles where you'd think they don't belong. But you do afterwards! G: We’ve got Led Zeppelin, Tom Jones, Pink Floyd, Lady Gaga, Gloria Gaynor, Black Eyed Peas (S: "We do?"), Oasis, Aloe Black, Gnarles Barkley … everyone! How many have styles have you actually covered now? G: Probably easier to think about what we haven't explored ... but we indulge in Polka, Lounge Jazz, Gypsy, Tango, Celtic, Dixie... So nothing run of the mill, then? G: Absolutely! B: Funk, Bossa, and French Folk Jazz - can't forget the French Folk Jazz! D: We seriously have to try heavy metal; we haven’t done that yet … R: Oh, the best one, seriously, is the Transylvanian Gypsy Jazz (laughs)! Is that even a real thing? D: It is now! B: We also like to find songs that have the same

sounds and styles and mash them up a bit. I think we have an unofficial cap of four songs in one song, but who's counting! R: It's called a “medley”, Benn. S: Mind you, the My Sharona/Doctor Who/Smoke on the Water/Get Smart medley is beginning to get out of hand … What is The Syncopath experience? R: We’re good fun. Some people think it's a bit random, but we explore songs and styles like we’re having a good chat at a party. S: It's a finely tuned, well coordinated creative machine. If you recall the bands who appeared on the ABC show Spicks & Specks to play alternate versions of songs that you know ... well, it's a bit like that. So you never play things the same way? B: We like to explore “on the fly”. G: Steve goes off on one of his tangents, and that’s it, we’re off! That’s the “live” music experience though, isn’t it? It’s like Jazz in that way.

We get to work with musos who like to challenge themselves and the audience and have a good fun time while doing so. B: Our version of entertainment is to take everyone’s favourites, old and new, and put them into a bizarre new setting. It’s like watching a venerable aunt get dressed up like a clown and start dancing after a few glasses of sherry! Weird, but strangely exciting ... S: I don't want to know how you know that, Benn. D: Seems to work though; we’ve done pub gigs, restaurants, festivals, weddings, corporate celebrations … We're yet to meet someone who hasn’t had fun experiencing what we do! R: Always love our sessions at The Armidale Club - awesome atmosphere! B: Come hang out with us if you like to sing and dance along with songs you know, love a good laugh and quality musicianship. D: Once you’ve heard Benn’s miscellaneous Eastern Bloc accent singing I Will Survive, well, I don’t know what you’ll do. S: We don’t know what to do about him ... Any interesting anecdotes you could share

from your journey together so far? D: I have to say most of our gigs are great fun for both us and audience alike. All: Agreed. B: Watching people figure out that what we’re playing is actually their favourite song approximately halfway through and then seeing them join in dancing a Tango … Brilliant! R: Remember the spoons? G,B,S: Absolutely! R: Our first drummer, Chris, decided that amongst his various random percussion bits to use he should do a spoon solo. So there we were practicing a Mexican Mariachi version of Final Countdown (as you do) at Georgie's house, and he starts off on this mad spoon solo. It was so hilariously awesome, until Georgie finally twigged and interrupted the hilarity to ask where he got the spoons. Turns out he raided the fine china cabinet and nicked her Grandma’s family heirloom silverware to crack together. G: Wasn’t too happy about that! B: Personally, I like it when Ruth and Dave torture Georgie on the melodica in our French jazz rendition of Hotel California. She gets that main solo to play, and they keep cranking it faster and

le Watching peop at th t figure ou ing is what we’re play urite vo fa r ei th actually ely at im ox pr ap song and h halfway throug join em th then seeing o… ng Ta a g in in danc Brilliant! ”

“

faster. Bit of a workout! S: And I have to double her solo on my guitar ... G: Certainly puts the old lungs and fingers to the test! What instruments do you all play? B: What haven’t we got? D: Well, Suzie Sousaphone features pretty prominently. B: Yeah, bit hard to miss a giant white monstrosity in the middle of the band. R: And also the giant tuba on your shoulders is pretty noticeable, Benn! B: Very funny! Other than that, we’ve got Steve’s series of sweet guitars, Georgie’s got her melodica, trumpet, flugel, and ukulele, Dave hits lots of things (R: Need more cowbell, Dave?) G: Benn also dabbles on the trumpet and whatever that awful Japanese contraption was you got. What was it …? B: Otamatone. The singing plastic face that’s the modern cousin of the theremin. S: We did try theremin - should resurrect that

idea. R: There's also a stylophone. G: And we all get to play kazoos. S: Not to mention Ruth on the avocado. Avocado shaker, that is. D: Georgie’s Mum made that, didn’t she? G: Sure did. D: Awesome piece of premium equipment. B: Oh, and Georgie's duck call solo - pure art! How did you actually start? B: Well, we’re all highly trained musicians who got tired of hearing the same covers of songs over and over again. S: It's all really Georgie's fault. She basically said, "We're making a band with you and you and you ..." She knew it'd work, though, and what everyone's different personalities would bring to the band. R: We got together over a few dinners (B: and wines, whiskies and possibly more wine ...) at Georgie’s place and talked about how many songs might be "improved" by warping them

into some other style. B: And ultimately gave in to our twisted senses of humour and started experimenting. (S: With the songs, that is!) Best fun we’d had in ages. S: It basically stems from our love of all music genres and our experience, training and backgrounds in everything from music theatre through avant-garde concert repertoire, early music, orchestras, Jazz, Soul, cover bands and everything in between. G: Although we have spent a lot of time bringing Steve up to speed with who all the modern Pop artists are. For a man who’s been in a hundred bands ... D: He’s still in a hundred bands! We’re lucky to steal his time! How do people get in contact with you for bookings etc? Email: thesyncopaths@gmail.com Facebook: The Syncopaths Call The Doctor Star Trek communicator speed dial 7 Interplanetary cross dimensional access code 513846252. Thanks guys. new england focus.

focusinterview.

O’Connor C A T H O L I C

C O L L E G E

Celebrating 40 Years IT BEGAN IN 1975 WITH THE AMALGAMATION OF TWO OF ARMIDALE’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED SCHOOLS - ST URSULA’S COLLEGE (EST. 1882) AND DE LA SALLE COLLEGE (EST. 1905). THE SCHOOL OCCUPIES THE SITE OF THE FORMER DE LA SALLE COLLEGE. SO NOW IT IS TIME TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF O’CONNOR CATHOLIC COLLEGE.

ell me how O’Connor started? O’Connor Catholic College has had a strong standing in the education sector of the Armidale community since it formed from firm foundations in 1975. In 1975 the long established schools, St Ursula’s College for girls (est. 1882) and De La Salle College for boys (est. 1905) amalgamated to form O’Connor Catholic High School. The name O’Connor was chosen to recognise the early educational focus of Bishop Patrick O’Connor, the third Catholic Bishop of Armidale (1904 - 1930) who also built the Catholic Cathedral in Armidale. After amalgamation, the school came under

38 new england focus.

ung Hundreds of yo rls gi n Australia ugh St have passed thro ls to al H y ud St a’s Ursul ble work take up responsi hers , as ot m d as wives an patrons organisers and tion of rip of every desc tterment be e th r activity fo .” en of their fellow m

“

the jurisdiction of the Armidale Catholic Schools’ Office as a systemic school in the Diocese of Armidale. 2015 also marks over 200 Years of Catholic Education in Armidale. What is the history of St Ursula’s College? St Ursula's College was founded in 1882 by a group of exiled Ursuline nuns from Duderstadt in Germany, whom Bishop Elziar Torreggiani (the second Catholic Bishop of Armidale) had invited to Armidale. Operating

as a boarding and day school for girls, the College was owned and operated by the Ursuline nuns until 1975. In an extract from the "Armidale 18631938 - 75th Anniversary of the Municipality" edited by H W Oxford, it states: “The original founders of the present scholastic establishment were all highly educated, greatly gifted women, with exalted ideas and self-sacrificing charity for the ignorant, the poor and oppressed”. The extract

goes on to say: “hundreds of young Australian girls have passed through St Ursula's Study Halls to take up responsible work as wives and mothers, as organisers and patrons of every description of activity for the betterment of their fellow men”. What is the history of De La Salle College? O’Connor Catholic College is situated on the De La Salle College site that was established by the De La Salle Brothers in 1905 as their first school in Australia. In an extract from the "Armidale 1863-1938 - 75th Anniversary of the Municipality", edited by H W Oxford, it is quoted: “Today De La Salle ranks among the very best equipped educational institutions in

focusinterview.

the land”. The College’s founding “was at the express wish of the late Cardinal Moran, and under the direct patronage of the late Bishop O'Connor, that the community of Brothers arrived from Ireland in 1905, to establish in Australia a new branch of their world-wide organisation”. The grounds of the College are described in 1938 as “spacious, and its shrubberies, lawns, hedges and walks are the admiration of visitors”. The grounds and magnificent buildings remain a feature of O’Connor Catholic College today. Why did the two Colleges amalgamate in 1975, and what were the benefits? The decision to amalgamate was both a financial and a resource-sharing decision at a time when coeducation was seen as a positive move. The sharing of resources, in particular the Science laboratories between the two schools, meant bussing the St Ursula’s girls over to De LaSalle College for some practical classes. It was a logical and beneficial move to pool

resources to provide the best possible education in a new coeducational environment. Brother John Pill, the founding Principal of O’Connor, had the challenging task of combining the charisms of the Ursuline sisters and the De La Salle Brothers into a new, dynamic educational institution with its own unique character. The motto of O’Connor, “The Fruit of the Spirit is Love,” was chosen from St Paul’s letter to the Galatians and the Dove, symbolising the Holy Spirit, became embedded in the new school’s identity. What are some of the early memories of the early days at O’Connor Catholic College? Past staff member, Mr Anthony Spiller (who taught at the school from 1976 until 2006) was asked about his memories of the early days of teaching at O’Connor Catholic High School. “After amalgamation of the two campuses, the nuns, brothers and those teachers who were not of a religious order, were enthusiastic

and outward looking. This positive outlook countered any community disappointment arising from a misplaced sense of loss of the traditions of St Ursula's College and De La Salle College. There was an air of excitement in this new school, which flagged an innovative, inspirational and most progressive educational philosophy and methodology. This creative teaching/learning paradigm had been piloted by the Ursulines in Armidale and embraced by the new O'Connor administration. It required very special inspirational leadership to launch and propel a new school like O'Connor. “Such early leadership was provided by the first principal, Br John Pill and his deputy, Sr Janet Seale. As one of the very early O'Connor teachers, I can still recall Br. John's conceptual stance of school, based squarely on the Gospel and the Lasallian/Ursuline tradition. In my interview for a science teaching position in 1976, Br John asked me about my "concept of education". I explained that I believed that

education involved the formation/development of the ‘whole child’. He must have liked my response. I remember him explaining to the teachers that they needed to take account of their own feelings and motivations when teaching/working with children. “There was a radical policy shift in how the new school perceived and related to students. There was a shift from the former school prefect type structure to one of shared responsibility. This was accompanied by an emphasis on personal growth towards the mature autonomy of each pupil. As a consequence, this stance saw the adoption of a specific teaching/learning methodology/ structure. This was to promote wholesale personal responsibility of the students. The learning structure involved integrated programmes of studies. Artificial boundaries between subjects were perforated where they lent themselves to being taught holistically. Given the charism of the two religious orders,

new england focus.

focusinterview.

O’Connor C A T H O L I C

C O L L E G E

Celebrating 40 Years

40 new england focus.

it should have been no surprise that O'Connor was unafraid to develop revolutionary, inspirational teaching processes that promoted the vision the school held for its students. Walls between classrooms came down to open up the learning environment to allow team teaching of larger groups. This created much flexibility for learning and generated extra opportunities for a variety of content and response to individual learning styles and abilities. There was an emphasis on the development of students to become more responsible for their learning and to identify their best learning style. The more gifted students really flew high as their subsequent HSC results verified. A less able student had greater opportunity for extra assistance and a tailored program. This integrated-studies/ team-teaching approach called for great commitment and close planning from each team of teachers. It required extra learning resources for students such as a well stocked library, listening posts, videos and duplicated work booklets that contained resource material”. Garry Osborne, a current staff member who commenced in 1979, has similar memories about O’Connor’s innovation in education. He recalls that when he arrived: “It was a very different school to the one we have today. It was a strange experience, even more so for me, because I was an ex-student of De La Salle, which had closed to make way for O’Connor. At that time all junior classes where educated in an Open Classroom. One hundred students in the ONE learning space for Humanities”. What do you recall about the nuns and brothers who worked at the school? Mr Spiller recalls, “In the beginning, more than half the teaching staff consisted of nuns or brothers. It was a harmonious union of two progressive orders who shared a strong common ground breaking educational tradition and vision. They established the enlightened school ethos by living their faith as teachers and administrators. They demonstrated a wonderful rapport with the students and were

great examples of highly professional educational practitioners. They mirrored their love for learning and love for the students. O'Connor became known for its capacity to provide another chance for those students who needed one. “The nuns and brothers gently but strongly led and provided opportunities for the rest of the staff and students to grow in a faith based on the Gospel, in a Catholic tradition. For this, many are most grateful”. Mr Osborne recalls: “The nuns and brothers made up a significant number of the teaching staff of the school. In my schooling at St Mary’s Primary School, the Ursuline Nuns taught me, but in Years 4, 5 and 6 the De La Salle Brothers taught me at St Mary’s Boys’ School. The brothers taught me again in my six years at De La Salle College. So, it was an interesting experience to be again teaching with the religious orders that helped to shape me as a student. The religious saw teaching as more than a vocation; it was their life. This level of dedication certainly had a positive effect on the students and the non religious staff as well. “The legacy of the Ursulines and De La Salle religion is certainly the foundation stone of the present O’Connor Catholic College. Many of the traditions of these very old teaching orders are still part of the school today”. The De La Salle Brothers officially departed from Armidale in 1991 and the Ursuline Sisters departed in 1998 due to needs in other areas of Australia and also because of declining vocations to religious orders in Australia. It was a sad occasion to have to farewell the pioneering orders of Catholic education in Armidale. The College continues to maintain partnerships with both religious orders. How has the school evolved from its early days? O’Connor Catholic College has evolved over the years with the changing leadership and direction of past Principals Brother John Pill (1975 - 1981) Brother Pat McCarthy (1982 - 1983), Brother Gary Coyte (1984 - 1988), Sister Mary Talty (1989 - 1994),

focusinterview.

O’Connor C A T H O L I C

C O L L E G E

Celebrating 40 Years the first lay Principal, Mr Tony Dubois (1995 - 2007), and the current Principal Mr Charlie Allen (2008 - present). Major building, renovations and beautifications have occurred over this time, and these include the building of a gymnasium in 1994, a new Technology Centre in 1995 (following a fire in the old Woodwork building), the refurbishment of science laboratories in 2005 and the building of the new Trade Training Centre for Hospitality and Construction Vocational Education in 2013. Mr Spiller reflected on how he has seen the school evolve over the past forty years. He commented, “At the recent HSC final assembly at O'Connor, there was a giving of the traditional parting gift to the school by this group of graduates. It was a set of perpetual trophies. These trophies are to be awarded to students and teams that best encapsulate school spirit. I am sure that the original staff would feel very proud, as this gift encompasses a quality that is valued so highly”.

“The Parish Administrator, Fr Richard Gleeson, said recently that it is really remarkable how O'Connor has maintained its charism over the years. This can be identified in the school's church situ, its open and welcoming environment, its friendly and courteous students, its value of every member, its zeal for learning and its passion for each person to become the best they can as intended by their Creator. Dedicated teachers continue to generously offer extra for their students and go ‘beyond the call of duty’. “The school values, based on the Gospel and the two founders (St Angela Merici b.1474 and St John Baptist de La Salle b.1651), are still reverenced, even though the nuns and the brothers have long gone. Teaching methods are more traditional in many ways to those of the early days, but the students continue to enjoy school and achieve at a high standard. The College has embraced technology wonderfully, and there is a greater capacity to learn fantastic practical and trade related courses today.

O'Connor continues to live its motto as fully as ever: ‘The Fruit of the Spirit is Love’.” Mr Charlie Allen can look back proudly on the strong traditions forged over 200 years of combined Catholic education in Armidale. Many great men and women have passed through O’Connor’s doors, many great teachers have dedicated themselves to excellence in teaching, and many proud parents have witnessed their children formed in strong Gospel values and continue to send their children and grandchildren to O’Connor. Tracey Le Messurier, a parent who has been involved with three generations at O’Connor, spoke warmly of past students educated at O’Connor because, “they all take something with them for life”. Mr Allen is deeply indebted to the Ursuline Sisters and De La Salle Brothers for the college they have passed on to us. “The values and philosophy that lie behind the vision of the College allow us to continue to strive to look for the good in each and every student

and to provide opportunities for growth and excellence in all areas of endeavour, whether it be academic, artistic, spiritual or physical,” Mr Allen commented. “Our resolve is to maintain and build on these foundations for the next generation.” Mr Allen cordially invites all past students, parents, teachers and supporters to join in the 40th Birthday Celebrations and Reunion on the weekend of 14th and 15th November. The celebrations include an Open Day with tours of the school and an archive display on Saturday 10am - 2pm, a dinner “in the quad” on the Saturday night from 6pm and mass in De La Salle chapel on Sunday morning at 9am. At this stage, all six past Principals have accepted their invitation to attend, so it should prove a great celebratory weekend. Further information and an invitation can be obtained by visiting the college’s website www.oconnor.nsw.edu. au or contacting Kerry Steller at the College on 40yearsoconnorreunion@gmail.com Happy 40th birthday, O’Connor!

new england focus.

PRESENTED BY TRIPLE J, THE MUSIC, SOUTHERN CROSS TEN, FOCUS & SAND EVENTS

11-12 DEC PORT MACQUARIE

SUNDOWNER BREAKWALL TOURIST PARK

JEBED I A H

ON SA LE

NOW! THUNDAMENTA L S BR I T I S H I N D I A E S G N G AVES W S E I I K A R EEPM ARTY HOUS P A L A DELT S • SLRTHEASTAPL • TIRED LIOEN

ULU R A ES • P OLISH C LUB THE L • SK E R B T L S A EG S • Y W G A G AX • ZI S• JER TH E MY EO • W X O U O L D W L O O L CK • N WL E TWI AL S• E• NH DU C H L A A N Y T AU • THE A.D RO ST S• MOU . YB K W NTA .O. ISH OO B INS TS

M • N O R AS C E E H E T / D R A L EG E L L I G E R E N T

S B / B A D A VAND BOOTL • THE OR LE AG U ES AJ ES S• ECC

TICKETS NOW ON SALE AT WWW.FOTSUN.COM KIDS UNDER 10 FREE

ALL TICKETS INCLUDE 2 NIGHTS FREE CAMPING.

ARTS, CONFERENCE AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

44 new england focus.

HAR

T U M U X • M I E • I VA N O O Z E F T H E N I M A L E P R H A ZE A

ENT BYO EV 8+

FOR 1

focus_travel

with Vicki Kembery from Travel 195

Vicki Kembery I’m writing this in reasonably sunny London, but by the time you read it I will be well and truly back in Armidale and back at work.

’ve had a fairly action-packed visit to the UK this time and have managed to cram in a few new experiences, as well as a few old ones, in the 10 days I have been here. First up were a few days in not so sunny Jersey, which I hadn’t been to before. Despite the weather not really coming to the party, I enjoyed my time there and found the history of the place really interesting, the beaches and harbours very impressive and the food sensational - especially the mussels and the lobster. I even managed a six mile walk along one of the lovely, long beaches on the one sunnyish day we had while we were there and visited the little WWII War Museum housed in an old bunker. It was really very interesting, but I’m glad we weren’t there on a busy day, as I think it could probably only hold about 20 people at one time! I stayed in a lovely hotel in St Helier and hired a car, so we could get around the island pretty easily. If you haven’t been to Jersey and are looking for somewhere else to visit while in the UK, then give it a go for a few days you won’t be disappointed. After that it was back to the mainland and down to a little place called Snape near Felixstowe on the east coast to catch up with an old friend, before heading back to London in time for the Wales v Australia Rugby World Cup match - and boy, was that not only a fantastic game but a fantastic experience. One thing you can say about the Poms they may not know how to play rugby at the moment, but they sure do know how to organise 80,000 people visiting one stadium in the middle of London. All the streets around Twickenham Stadium were closed to traffic, so when you got off the train you could wander down the roads toward the stadium pretty easily (even with 79,999 other people!) There were bars and food stalls all along the way, and even the good folk who owned houses along the roads had set up makeshift

food and drink stalls in their front gardens. It was a bit daunting looking around at what seemed to be a sea of red jerseys, with the odd yellow one here and there, but everyone was very friendly. Once inside the stadium with the game underway, it was incredible. I’ve been to a few Rugby matches in the past at the Sydney Olympic stadium, in Brisbane and even Dublin, but the atmosphere and NOISE inside Twickenham was unbelievable - we Aussies really do need to be more vocal in our support but with the Welsh in full cry, we stood little chance of being heard off the field - but at least on the field it was a different story, with the boys in yellow doing us proud and pulling off an incredible win. The friend and young relatives I was with assured me they would support Australia, but when the chips were down and the Welsh were attacking our line, the screaming and yelling beside me definitely showed me their true colours and real allegiances! I was sitting next to an English supporter who had been at the game the previous week when we had ruined the English party by defeating the home team, and at one stage he moaned about the fact the Aussie team playing the Welsh didn’t seem to be the same team that had demolished the Poms - but by the end of the match he did admit, we had, once again, played our hearts out to win. Today I’ve had a lovely day heading into town to meet some friends at the Victoria & Albert Museum, and then I spent a few hours wandering the streets of London from Covent Garden, down The Strand to Trafalgar Square then down Whitehall past the Horse Guards and Downing Street and across Westminster Bridge before heading back to where I was staying. I’d forgotten just how easy it is to walk around London and what a great place it is for people watching. It’s been an unforgettable trip, but I am looking forward to coming home. new england focus.

“

. . . d e r i p s n i

if... ”

e’s Due to Armidal n, tio hilly posi ber there are a num ns tio ca lo e of suitabl uld co l w Bo e th where nva ad be built to take iph am l ra tu tage of a na theatre.”

“

… Armidale had a Music Bowl Idea Description: Music Bowls are a

the lookout on North Hill. This space is

crowd sizes.

valuable, popular feature in many other

currently underutilised by the community

It could be used free of charge by

communities. They provide a great

and is a prime spot to be turned into

community groups to showcase their

outdoor venue for performances such as

a facility that could be further used

talents and made available for hire

music, drama and comedy.

and enjoyed.

to commercial productions. As such,

Due to Armidale’s hilly position, there are

In addition to the stage and roof, further

it would bring both revenue and top

a number of suitable locations where the

development could involve landscaped

quality entertainment to Armidale for the

Bowl could be built to take advantage of

tiering, public amenities and facilities for

benefit of the town and enjoyment of the

a natural amphitheatre, ensuring great

stalls and vendors.

community.

views and acoustic benefits.

Community Benefits: Due to the simple,

How can you help out? Please log in

A great potential location would be

open layout, a music bowl would be

and vote for this project to show your

in Drummond Memorial Park below

suitable for a wide variety of uses and

support on heartofourcommunity.com.au

be inspired...

44 new england focus.

vote / share

be inspired...

focuseditorial.

Visit heartofourcommunity.com.au to vote for this idea and share it with your friends! Votes so far: 9 New England Mutual would like to thank FOCUS for their support of these inspiring community ideas.

focusinterview.

NORCO RURAL STORE

Create a comfortable environment for both cattle and sheep and handlers

y planning your cattle or sheep cattle or sheep reach a corner, they need to yards to promote a natural flow turn and take a new direction of travel, which of stock movement, you create a can be unpredictable in which way they go. low-stress working environment Why is important to produce calm cattle or for cattle, sheep and humans and sheep? Importance in producing calm cattle ultimately the profitability of your business. and sheep is to reduce high stress levels, when When thinking about updating your cattle in a yard environment it is very important to or sheep handling facility, there are many have a well-designed system so the work aspects to consider - safety being can be carried out quickly and to one of a high priority - and your prevent cattle and sheep from Norco Rural store can help becoming overly stressed. you build or re-design your Stressed cattle and sheep One can never yards to your specific produce adrenalin, a underestimate requirements. chemical that taints e the increase in th One can never at the meat quality and th quality of meat w lo underestimate the value. Another main comes from a g lin nd ha k increase in the quality of factor for calm cattle stress stoc meat that comes from a or sheep and very regime.” low stress stock handling important is for OH&S regime. It all comes back reasons - injury from to the key points to consider calm cattle or sheep is far when designing stock yards, less than that of highly stressed and they are: safety, labour efficiency, cattle or sheep. smooth stock flow, strength and durability. Why is it important to have good Nothing says durability like steel, which is quality traffic areas such as gateways, why so many people these days are going this forcing yards and races? way when designing or upgrading. In the design of a yard it is very important Don’t hesitate in contacting your local Norco to have good traffic areas and access gates to Rural store Armidale, who will be more than allow you to flow from pen to pen fast and happy to assist you with your upgrade or new efficiently without climbing or ducking through yards. rails, where a stressed beast can line you up Some frequently asked questions: and cause serious injury. Why do yards or races need covers? Forcing pen (Easy Force) is a must in this day A covered race will help you protect your and age of cattle handling. Cattle in a forcing investment from the weather and also make a yard are more likely to cause injury than any better environment for the worker and cattle. other area within your yard system as you push The race is a high stress area for most cattle or them into the race. The Easy Force has a heavy sheep; if you can shield them from the hot sun duty push up gate with a ratchet lock system, and falling rain, it is most beneficial to both so it does not come back on you; the worker worker and cattle. does not enter the force area to push cattle Why are rounded yards preferable into the race. Also shown is the sturdy sheep Cattle and sheep flow more easily if they handling yards. can follow a curved line with no corners; when

NORCO RURAL Armidale Team Norco Rural customers can now reap the benefits of the new Norco Rural Team’s collective experience, including individual farming expertise and local farming knowledge throughout the Armidale area. Rod Eichorn: Store Manager Rod joined Norco in April, and with his thirty years’ involvement with the family farming interests, along with the experience of owning his own business covering both real estate and stock and station industries, he is definitely well placed to assist in helping you to increase the profitability of your business. Arron O’Connell: 2IC and Agronomist Arron has over 12 years’ experience in Agriculture, including the Ag Chemical research area and fertiliser management. With the benefit of access to an independent laboratory, Arron can offer exclusive soil testing services to Norco Rural customers, which certainly makes

him the “Go to Guy” in the Armidale area. Ask Arron how he can help with your laying hens. Luci Yeomans: Rural Sales Luci grew up on the family orchard at Arding and brings a wide range of product knowledge for the New England farming area. Luci’s open, friendly manner is welcomed by her team and customers alike. Dylan Pierce: Storeman Dylan gained his broad range of farming experience throughout the Moree and Mungindi areas prior to relocating to Armidale; he is a well respected and conscientious member of the team. Norco Rural Armidale has you covered for all your rural, farming and production needs. We look forward to helping you grow your business and in doing so, you are supporting fellow Aussie farmers!

“

new england focus.

focusinterview.

focusmotoring.

HONDA HR-V

SMUG’S REVIEW

“The Smug”

Honda’s new HR-V compact cross-over is the best thing the company has produced in a while. The 2015 version is front-wheel-drive.

LATITUDE SANDRA GULLY

COLOURING IS AN ACTIVITY MANY ENJOY, REACHING BACK TO YOUTH OR SERVING DEEPER PURPOSE. IT IS NOW WIDELY RECOGNISED AS A TOOL IN DIVERSION AND WELLNESS, WHERE FOCUS AND MOVEMENT BECOME A SOOTHING PROCESS TO RELAX OR DISTRACT. LOCAL LADY SANDRA GULLY HAS JUST PUBLISHED A COLOURING BOOK HERE IN ARMIDALE.

hen and why did you get into this type of art drawing? I returned to Armidale for work and to enjoy our lovely country lifestyle (no commute, woot!) I was encouraged to begin a law degree (part-time), and for a long time I prioritised study over hobbies. Nine years and two kids later, I finished, but was feeling “blah”. I began drawing again in January, to enjoy some “me time” and have a creative “gap year” reconnecting with some old pastimes. I found I really enjoyed this exploration of line, pattern and design. What are the benefits of this type of hobby for all ages? Art and hobbies can help focus on personal wellbeing, manage stress or take time out. Creativity is therapeutic, and colouring can be meditative (for example Zentangle drawing from California). For me, “relax unwind repeat” sums this process up neatly. Anyone can be artistic - even just a little bit. Colouring doesn’t require a confident art approach, just a little time and some “tools” (even regular textas and gel pens or soft pencils). I’ll admit to giving a purple biro a lap or two on paper, just doodling in spare time. You don’t need to be Michelangelo to enjoy colouring in (or art generally). It’s a personal 46 new england focus.

process, whether using high-end materials or adding “design elements” with a biro. My books are suited to textas, gel pens, soft colouring pencils (some designs are too intricate for crayons). Whether for meditative wellbeing, to reconnect with a childhood hobby, or a few minutes downtime, I encourage you to find your starting point and begin. How did you come up with your designs? Drawing for me is fun and compulsive (shh). These designs are original and hand drawn: patterns, swirls and vignettes, landscapes and mosaics … people, animals, even microbes and robots! These are now compiled in a book Latitude, printed locally by the Ascent Group, Armidale. Drawing is so much fun that I have been tinkering with another book, “Patterns & Linear Citizens”, along with other projects perhaps a calendar and cards too. Where can we get your books? Latitude is available at Granny Fi’s Toy Shop and Reader’s Companion, or contact me directly (details below). There are free downloads to try at the Facebook page - Latitude Colouring In - plus other information online. Latitude Colouring In - download free designs or order a book. Website: hilltopgully.wix.com/ latitudecolouringin (a work in progress). Thanks Sandra.

nder the bonnet is a 1.8 litre engine that’s good for 105 kW of power and 172 Nm of torque great numbers, up to the task in

the HR-V. THE INTERIOR Quality: Honda’s interior designers have put a lot of thought into their new baby, and what they’ve come up with is a stylish interior with a satisfying, smart feeling inside. Comfort: the new Honda’s cabin is, on the whole, a comfortable place to be. The front seats are well bolstered in all the right places, and there is a little bolstering for the two outer rear-seat passengers. Equipment: LED rear combination tail lights, LED auto headlights with LED daytime running lights, Honda’s clever “magic seats” system, display audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and a seven-inch colour touch screen, a multi-angle reversing camera with three modes, smart entry with push button start, front fog lights, rain-sensing automatic wipers and roof rails. Also on the menu is blind-spot monitoring, city-brake active system, a multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, paddle shift gear control, leatherappointed seat trim, a panoramic sunroof, front-and-rear parking sensors, a rear centre arm rest, privacy glass, dual-zone climate control air conditioning and chrome exterior door handles. In the entertainment/cabin-technology department, buyers can look forward to Bluetooth connectivity for Apple and Android systems (including audio streaming), a fourspeaker AM/FM/single-disc CD, MP3/WMAcompatible audio system, an HDMI port and two USB ports. Storage: With the rear seats occupied, the HR-V is good for 437 litres of luggage space. This rises to a handy 1,032 litres when the seat backs are folded flat. The versatile “magic seats” system means the interior can be configured no fewer than 18 different ways. Other storage cubby holes include five cup-holders, map pockets behind the rear-seat backs, four door-pockets, a deep glove box,

a small bin beneath the centre arm-rest and a small under-floor tray in the boot. ON THE ROAD Driveability: The new HR-V is a well-sorted little car, that, on the whole, rewards the driver in most situations and road conditions. The dash and controls are driver-focused with the screen and steering-mounted controls angled towards the driver. It is swift enough for safe overtaking, and feels lively around city streets. When driving in the hills, the CVT keeps things pretty comfortably in the meat of the torque band. Enthusiastic drivers, however, will enjoy the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shift gear conrtols. Refinement: Honda has put a lot of work into minimising noise, vibration and harshness in the new car. There is new adaptive damper technology, new mounts and bushes and the inclusion of more sound-deadening materials. Ride and handling: steering is well-weighted and responsive, and the MacPherson-strut front-suspension set-up helps the car maintain a flat cornering stance. What they did is modify the damping characteristics to harmonise with the driving conditions, giving a very good ride. It’s clever and it works. Braking: stopping power comes from ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear, and there is also an electric park brake. SAFETY Safety features: ABS brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, traction-and-stability control, emergency brake assist, an emergency stop signal, front, side and full-length curtain airbags, a multi-angle reversing camera and a tyre-deflation warning system. VERDICT The new HR-V is a much more handsome little vehicle and one of the best cars Honda has produced. All up, the aspects and features of this HR-V makes it an appealing car, and a good one from Honda. Despite some fierce competition in this segment, the HR-V has what it takes to be right up there on your shopping list.

focus

Gardens.

focuseditorial

Icing on the cake with Susie Dunn

Icing ON

cake Tomatoes EACH YEAR IN THE WARMER MONTHS, I HAVE THIS GRAND OBSESSION WITH GROWING TOMATOES. NOT JUST ANY OLD, ORDINARY TOMATOES, BUT THE BEST, THE TASTIEST, THE JUICIEST, AND THE MOST MOUTH-WATERING.

omatoes are by far the most popular plant grown by home gardeners and make gardeners of us all. They originated in South America and were introduced to Europe around 1523, and soon after cultivated successfully in Italy. Tomatoes are members of the solanum family, along with chillies, capsicums, eggplants and potatoes. There are as many methods in growing the best tomatoes as there are varieties to grow. Here are my tips, for what they may be worth. It is best they should not be planted where other solanum crops were grown the previous year. Positioning with some shade protection from the hot summer sun is preferable. Ideal companion plants include, alliums, parsley, basil, asparagus and for colour, marigolds and nasturtiums. Dig a hole generous in both width and depth. Throw a handful of pelletised fish and seaweed into the hole and water well. This will encourage future good root growth. Back fill the hole with a mixture of the dugout soil, combined with compost and manure, with a light dressing of potash for future flower development and calcium to prevent blossom end rot. Build a depression or saucer of soil to surround the plant to allow future deep watering. Plant the tomato about 5 cm up the stem covering two or three leaf nodes. This again will produce further root growth up the buried stem. Repeat with more fish and seaweed pellets and water well. Mulch. Think big and position three stakes in an upright triangle to surround the seedling for future support. No further fertiliser is needed until the first fruit trusses appear, and then apply a general fertiliser or liquid potash weekly. As the plant matures, more regular deep watering is essential. It is best to water at their base and not overhead to prevent diseases. Erratic watering results in the

fruit to split. For myself, I only grow small or cherry sized tomatoes. I find they are far less susceptible to splitting and very importantly, largely immune to fruit fly. I let them have their head, no pruning, allowing them to weave and wind, just offering them another stake for support. The best material for tying is grafting tape, which is practically indestructible and will not ring bark the stems. I do have a single exception to the cherry sized rule. That is the large fruiting heirloom variety, the Black Russian. It has a slightly spicy flavour with dark chocolate red flesh, and being called Russian, I decided years ago must be an ideal partner with vodka. On hot summer evenings I am rather partial to a long, tall, and icy cold Bloody Mary. There is little finer than lounging luxuriantly in the garden on a low sling back chair, when the only exercise necessary is to slowly stir the cocktail with a fresh stick of celery. I blend the Black Russians with other Bloody Mary ingredients, with the exception of the vodka, and pour them into boulder sized ice cube trays and freeze. Sublime. In addition, I annually organise a little tomato growing competition. It’s a wonderful deal. With only a small $100 entry fee, all proceeds to benefit the retired nurserymen fund, the first prize is a fully paid return trip to Kabul. The judge, my trusty dog Sly. This year I may or may not win the competition, but I will have a huge bounty of delicious tomatoes, ideal for salads, pasta, curries and of course, the greatest tasting Bloody Marys on the planet. However a word of caution, Sly confesses he is rather subjective in his judging decisions. He really doesn’t much like tomatoes, except when he cocks his leg. But he loves being involved, and who am I to deny him his little pleasures. A happy dog, a happy master.

SO MANY NEW WORDS IN OUR TECH-DRIVEN AGE…

t’s good to see the use of some important old ones. An advertisement for Griffith University’s “more than ideas: Global Integrity Summit” underlined it this month. Some recent SMH Business pages have had headlines such as “Commission wants ethics in workplace” (that’s the Productivity Commission), and “Ethical choices on rise despite lack of investor awareness” placing more responsibility on investment managers. And “Patients need support - a carer ensures the best outcome”. I don’t know about you, but I find it’s encouraging remembering the touchstones of human values. When it’s good to be wrong … perhaps I’m one of the “Worried Well”. Just when I’m exhorting more businesses to exploit the NBN, the Armidale Business Chamber gave three awards to WHITEHACK, a security business specialising in ethical hacking. Adrian Wood has an international business and said Armidale was the place to launch. James Packer seems to think that cyber security is the way to go, so Adrian seems to be pressing the right buttons. He says there are “almost daily breaches to companies” where current defence technologies are clearly not working. An enormous, vital new field opening up, and congratulations to Adrian for pointing up the new world of possibilities. UNE’s VC Annabelle Duncan recently gave a talk to the Business Chamber reminding us Armidale was the heart of UNE operations and that the fortunes of the city and the university were entwined. While conditions are so changeable now, she is nonetheless working to secure the future on a sound, realistic foundation. Annabelle reminded us that for 16 years UNE has gained five stars for overall student satisfaction and teaching quality. That means a lot. The city community has to take credit as well here, and UNE contributes 30% to our economy. We need UNE’s more visible presence integrated in the daily heart of the city. The human face of integrity and ethics is exemplified in the “entrepreneurial problem solvers” of UNE’s Enactus team, who for the second time have been invited to the Enactus World Cup - this time in South Africa - as the

Australian winners with their two main projects: the Minimbah project addressing the lack of birth certificates in the Aboriginal community and the Future Farms project focusing on better feeding the world. The bright faces of our youth. Integrity of purpose can be demonstrated in many ways. The official opening of the Heritage Rose Garden is on October 31 at Saumarez, with the garden open to the general public on Sunday, November 1, 10am - 4pm. The garden is based on the integrity of purpose of one woman, and on her lifelong love of roses and fascination with the history of the rose. Miss Catherine Maclean has poured her knowledge and above all her love into her garden, and this has been recognised as the basis for the new Heritage Rose Garden at Saumarez, destined to be yet another highlight when visiting the historic property. Members of the Northern NSW Branch of the Australian Garden History Society - captained by the indefatigable Lynn Walker and Ian Telford’s specialist skills - have been inspired to pour their labour, knowledge and love into bringing the garden into being based on some of the very rarest old roses from Miss Maclean’s garden. All have shown a special integrity. The Patron of AGHS, Sue Ebury, Countess of Wilton, will open the garden. Other devoted, tireless workers with an October 30 opening are the Packsaddlers at NERAM - volunteers who for 30 years have held what the Gallery’s Director, Robert Heather, calls “one of the most successful fundraising projects of its type in the country”, a selling sale that is a window on what’s happening in the Australian art world. What strength there is in our university city community overall. Good to see St. Alberts College advertising for a Public Relations Officer - a term I thought had become tainted by “spin-doctors”. Armidale needs more Public Relations to explain ourselves to ourselves - and then to others. Susie Dunn. Vale. We farewelled special, beautiful, smart, funny Helen Dangar. new england focus.

focusTourism.

Snakes

Tourism

The first “Visiting Friends and Relatives” or VFR marketing campaign has been launched for this region through Travel In. VFR travel accounts for 48% of all tourism visitors, and they are generally travellers who are here to visit friends and relatives and stay either in their homes or in commercial accommodation.

his campaign offers all business the opportunity to be part of a targeted campaign with over $150,000 in media value. The cost to any business that chooses to become involved is the value offer of the discount. This is a wonderful opportunity for Armidale and if you are in the hospitality, retail, tourism or service industry (beauty, massage, hairdressing etc.) please contact Katrina George on 6770 3906 or kgeorge@armidale. nsw.gov.au for further details. During September, Armidale received excellent exposure through the Channel 7 Tele Movie, Peter Allen not the Boy Next Door. To celebrate the Armidale connection with Peter Allen, Armidale Tourism produced a two part video series starring Eileen Kelly whose mother, Claire Napier, taught Peter Allen to dance. This was promoted through New England High Country social media channels and created excellent engagement with our audience. The Visitor Information Centre has a new selfguided walking tour titled “In Peter Allen’s Footsteps”. This has proven to be very popular, with many people coming in to the Centre to request further information on Peter Allen once they had seen the series on Channel 7. The Armidale Visitor Information Centre has completed an Armidale Conference and Events guide that is available as a downloadable PDF guide through www.armidaletourism.com. au/events - this will assist event organisers in choosing an appropriate venue in Armidale to hold their events. Spring is a great time for bird watching in New England High Country. Volunteers at the Visitor Information Centre have designed a new Bird Watching flyer that covers Armidale and Uralla. So if you are a bird watching enthusiast or novice, pop in and grab one of the new flyers. 48 new england focus.

The Heritage Rose Garden will be officially opened at Saumarez Homestead on the 1st November. The northern NSW branch of the Australian Garden Society has spent four years creating this amazing rose garden on the site of the old Saumarez Orchard. The grounds are open between 10am - 5pm and the tours of the homestead will occur regularly between 10am - 4pm. During September the Visitor Information Centre had 6,006 visitors through the door, which highlights the Centre’s importance in marketing Armidale and the New England High Country region. For local businesses and groups to benefit from exposure to these visitors, please ensure that we have your upcoming event listed on our website, or your brochures/flyers on display in the centre. The Visitor Information Centre can promote your business if it falls under one the following categories: restaurants, wineries, boutique shopping, accommodation, art, culture, history or things to do in Armidale. November’s Event calendar is jam packed with a huge variety of events, including; a day on the green, Armidale Air and Auto Spectacular, NERAM Packsaddle Exhibition; St Peter’s Gardens; Roberts and Morrow Armidale Fun Run; Vintage Truck, Machinery and Heavy Horse Show. For full details on these events and more, please visit www.armidaletourism. com.au/events If you would like a weekly “What’s On” emailed to you, please contact us on 6770 3888 or email us at tourism@armidale.nsw. gov.au The Armidale Visitor Information Centre is currently looking for volunteers to assist in the daily operation of the centre. If you are passionate about Armidale and are interested in assisting visitors to explore our region, please contact Katrina George on 6770 3906.

AROUND THE HOME

Snakes are coming out about now, so they will be passing through properties looking for a mate and food. If you see a snake, leave it alone.

he chances of it being venomous are almost total. Snakes are generally shy, timid animals which will avoid conflict if given the opportunity. If a bite occurs, follow the recommended first aid and remain calm. Most bites occur on the feet, lower legs, hands and forearms. The recommended first aid is very effective and simple. If it is practised immediately, the chances of a complete recovery are excellent. In the event of a bite from a venomous snake: Keep the patient calm and the bitten limb as still as possible. Apply a bandage(s) over the bitten area as soon as possible, starting from the lower portion of the limb. Apply the bandage(s) as firmly as you would for a sprain. Extend the bandage(s) as high as possible up the limb. Immobilise a bitten leg with a splint; immobilise a bitten arm with a splint to the elbow and a sling. Most snakes will only try to bite if they are cornered or unduly annoyed. Many bites occur when people go out of their way to try and kill a snake, even when, in most cases, it is not harming anyone. Never let children touch or collect snakes; if a young child says that a snake has bitten him or her, it is safer to believe them. Snakes travel in search of food, mates and somewhere safe and dry to rest. Most mate in spring and early summer, and feed on small birds, mice, rats, skinks and frogs. In turn, mice and rats are attracted by grain and food scraps. To a snake, somewhere safe can be, for instance, under a large log, sheet of tin, tree stump, woodpile, or concrete slab. The opening into their resting place can be as small as 3 cm across. Therefore, to a snake,

a hole in the floor-boards of a bungalow, or a tiny gap in a wall next to a water heater, or ducted heating, looks just as inviting as a hole under a stump in the bush. Reducing the chances of a snake entering or staying on your property is a matter of common sense: Do not leave piles of tin, garden cuttings, firewood or rubbish lying around for a snake to shelter under. On a suburban block, avoid the accumulation of thick vegetation and rubbish on the outside of a fence. If living in the country, try to keep the area immediately around the house and garage free of rubbish and thick vegetation. Avoid allowing grass to grow too long, especially near the house. If you keep hens, other animals, or have feed stations for native birds or possums, ensure that all food is kept in secure containers and that the animal’s areas are kept clean. On an average-sized block of land (0.1 ha), a paling fence 1.55 m high with horizontal supports on the inside will deter most snakes if dug into the ground by 30cm. Ensure that all perimeter doors to your home are secure and do not have gaps. Spring-loaded weather strips correctly fitted to a door will prevent a vagrant snake entering your home. Store all material, on your property and in sheds, off the ground. IF you see a snake, leave it alone. Maintain a watch on its movements from a safe distance. Remain in an open area while observing its movements and keep other people away. Then ring for your local Wildlife group for help. Northern Tablelands Wildlife Carers phone 1800 008 290. www.ntwc.org.au

g n i r p S T DEALS! for d e t r o Get s

with these

AVAILABLE ONLY AT YOUR LOCAL STORE - ARMIDALE

Water, shock & dustproof

244

367

Fujifilm FinePix XP80 Digital Camera.

Olympus Tough TG-860 Compact Camera.

16.4MP, 5x optical zoom, 28mm wide-angle lens, 2.7” LCD, optical image stabilisation. 75479

16MP, 5x optical zoom, 3” LCD, 180-degree flip-up monitor, full HD video recording, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, waterproof to 15m, shockproof up to 2.1m and dustproof. V104170OA000

Perfect For Travelling

30x OPTICAL ZOOM

447

548

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70 Digital Camera.

Sony DSC-HX90V Digital Camera.

12.1MP, 3.0” LCD, 30x optical zoom, full HD video recording, Intelligent Zoom and digital zoom functions, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. DMCTZ70GNS

18.2MP, 30x optical zoom, retractable digital view finder, 13 picture effects, 1080p video recording, built-in Wi-Fi. DSCHX90V

Interchangeable lens

Ultra ZOOM

396

896

Panasonic Lumix FZ70 Super-Zoom Digital Camera.

Sony Alpha a6000 16-50mm Lens Kit.

16.1MP, 60x optical zoom, 20mm ultra wide-angle Leica lens. This camera has an incredible lens which is equivalent to 80-1200mm.

24.3MP, 3” LCD, full HD video recording, NFC, 11 f.p.s. continuous shooting, built-in Wi-Fi. ILCE6000B

DMCFZ70GNK

MAKE CHRISTMAS

FREE PHOTO WITH SANTA EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 11AM-2PM FROM SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER UNTIL SUNDAY 20TH DECEMBER

ARMIDALE

SHOP with CONFIDENCE Ends 29/11/15. Harvey Norman® stores are operated by independent franchisees.

312290_ARM

The Harvey Norman Centre, 6 Queen Elizabeth Drive. 6771 0800

Click&Collect Shop online and pick up free from your local store harveynorman.com.au

new england focus.

Thinking Family & Estate Planning with Jane Pfister (Solicitor)

THINKING

FAMILY & ESTATE PLANNING

ith the warmer weather, many new properties are being placed on the market. Couples who intend to owner occupy as well as those who intend to invest are looking to increase their property portfolio. Couples who plan to purchase together with both names on the certificate of title will need to consider whether or not the purchase is to be made as joint tenants or as tenants in common. A purchase as tenants in common can be made in equal shares or any other percentage nominated by the couple to reflect their contribution. A purchase made as joint tenants is owned equally by both parties and automatically transfers to the surviving spouse should one spouse predecease the other. Couples who are looking to purchase property as owner occupiers for a second or subsequent marriage will need to consider the implications of property purchases and the choice of tenancy on the title when considering their estate planning. As marriage revokes any former will, it is essential, if you have recently remarried or if you are currently contemplating a second or subsequent marriage, that you instruct your solicitor to draft a new will or perhaps a will with a testamentary trust. For couples with children from previous marriages, it may be important to ensure that you are able to draft a document that has provision for your current spouse to remain in the house that you occupied together while ensuring that the children of your previous marriage will be adequately provided for as beneficiaries of your estate. Before making your will, it will be prudent to consider your changed circumstances in relation to property ownership, financial and taxation implications, and testamentary intentions. With new circumstances including blended families it will be important to define who are to be the beneficiaries and to what proportion and what needs have been created. It will also be particularly important to decide upon who would be best suited to be appointed as your

50 new england focus.

executor, executrix or trustee. As such any new property purchases and the implications of the title need to be considered and discussed with each other and your solicitor to ensure that you have the peace of mind that your testamentary intentions will be upheld after you die. For those contemplating second or subsequent marriage it is also essential for those with an industry superannuation fund to check who is the beneficiary you have nominated as the beneficiary and if a Binding Death Benefit Nomination is appropriate. This is useful to check and ensure that an ex-spouse is no longer the nominee, if this is no longer your intention. There are specific rules for superannuation policy beneficiaries and it will be important to review your policy and discuss it with your solicitor and financial planner in the event of a second or subsequent marriage. This benefit may be paid to a spouse, a child, (natural, adopted or a stepchild) or a person who had an interdependent relationship with the superannuation policy member. A nomination may also be made to your estate and determined pursuant to the content of your will. These nominations will only be binding if legally valid. Some forms of nominations may lapse and need to be renewed every three years. If either spouse has a life insurance policy it will also be important to update the details of any beneficiary. Although these policies allow the funds to pass directly to the intended beneficiaries, it is prudent to alert your solicitor to the details of the policy when drafting your will and to leave instructions for your executor relating to the policy. Estate planning is as varied as your individual circumstances, asset pool and family dynamics. With open communication, proper legal advice and clear testamentary intention your solicitor is in a position to be able to create a will or testamentary trust to best suit your beneficiaries needs and relay your testamentary intentions. Talk to us. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be inspired! Jane C Pfister Solicitor.

FOR YOUR

STYLE

Top- left: ‘Delle’ 3-Piece Leather Recliner Lounge Suite, centre: ‘Kalama’ 3-Seater Fabric Recliner Lounge with Chaise, right: ‘City’ 3-Piece Fabric Lounge Suite. Middle- left: ‘Nebraska’ 9-Piece Dining Suite, centre: ‘Saratoga’ 7-Piece Dining Suite, right: ‘Hampton’ 7-Piece Dining Suite. Bottom- left: ‘Melia’ 7-Piece Rectangular Dining Setting, centre: ‘Malta’ 6-Piece Outdoor Lounge/Dining Setting, right: ‘Vaska’ 11-Piece Double Extension Outdoor Dining Setting.

SHOP with CONFIDENCE Harvey Norman® stores are operated by independent franchisees. Accessories shown are not included.

The Harvey Norman Centre, 6 Queen Elizabeth Drive. 6771 0800 harveynorman.com.au

312242_AMI

ARMIDALE READY TO ASSEMBLE

Products on this page may require assembly. coffs coast focus.

52 new england focus.