Port Macquarie Focus i97

Feature Story GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

Billabong Zoo

December 2013 // issue 97

fotsun • December • 2013

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focusinterview.

Billabongu r •

• a personal to

with Chrissy Jones Very few people can say they have fed a meerkat, or snow leopard ... let alone a red panda! Chrissy Jones can ... after being given a personally guided tour of Billabong Zoo by owner Mark Stone. We find out her insights into zoo life ... hat a fantastic way to spend a Sunday morning, given the VIP treatment by Mark and his very knowledgeable staff; my husband, David, and I got to meet some of the new residents of the zoo, up close and personal.

Meerkats Bido and Pongo, Red Pandas Rato and Tito, and Snow Leopards Kamala and Sabu, are just a few of our new friends' names. Our behind the scenes tour gave us a unique insight into the daily lives of the zoo residents.

Our day started with breakfast for the animals from 8.30am. The koalas were first, fed freshly sourced bunches of eucalyptus leaves; they are adorable and active at this time of day, eagerly snacking on their brekky. Then it was onto the newly completed meerkat enclosure, passing by and saying hello to the spider monkeys, Shrek the saltwater crocodile, the dingoes and resident jabiru, and Tyreece, one of the wombats, on the way. It is evident that all the animals and keepers have a great rapport; Mark simply talks to or mimics the animals, and they come rushing over to say hello.

The all new meerkat enclosure is modelled on their natural habitat. Belonging to the mongoose family, meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and south western Angola and in South Africa. Male Bido and female Pongo were born at Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria before being transferred to Symbio Zoo at Helensburgh, where they have lived for the past few years. They made the journey to Billabong last month and have been enjoying their custom-built enclosure, getting to know their new keepers and meeting the visitors to the zoo.

I feel privileged to have been given access to Bido and Pongo's enclosure and to be one of the first, other than their keepers, to hand feed 4

greater port macquarie focus.

them and have a Billabong Meerkat M Experience!

It was absolutely fantastic; the ey are adorable, they so cute and friendly – I didn't want to leave.

You could easily sit and watch them for hours!

They take turns at being 'sentry' (perched atop a log or rock, keeping watch for any potential danger), foraging for food and insects, digging through the sand in the enclosure and into rotten logs; they are very active. ey made Sitting on my lap, Bido and Pongo snacked on mealworms, and Pongo was also given a special treat of a hard boiled egg, which she snuck away and ate in private. Apart from mealworms, the meerkats also like to eat wood roaches, mice and a mixture of diced fruit and vegetables.

Th the journey to onth and bo Billa ng last m ng their yi jo have been en closure, custom-built en their new getting to know ting the ee keepers and m ” o. zo e visitors to th

“

The new exhibit is a real credit to the dedication and eye for perfection that Mark and his staff clearly have at the zoo. Not only is there an open air enclosure with a desert look and feel, in which Bido and Pongo love to do nothing more than have a nice sun bake during the day, they also have night quarters, where they can snuggle up together inside their nest box on a thick bed of straw. Heat lamps ensure they stay nice and warm on cooler nights.

At 9 years of age, the pair are most likely past breeding age and are retirees to the beautiful Port Macquarie region to enjoy their twilight years in the luxury of Billabong Zoo. Typically in captivity, meerkats will live to 12-14 years, and in the wild their lifespan would be half of this.

Next it was around to the snow leopard enclosure. We were taken into a secure purpose built facility that is Kamala and Sabu's home. This private, behind-the-scenes tour was truly amaz-

ing, with the highlight being able to tong feed these beautiful big cats.

Not as scary as I thought it would be; the cats were quite relaxed and basically licked the food off the tongs.

It felt like you could reach out and pat them, but common sense prevailed, and I kept my hands on the opposite side of the mesh cage.

They are the most endangered big cat on the planet, so this state of the art facility is very, very important for the continuation of the species. A beautiful big cat, they have thick fur and long fluffy tails, wide paws and grey/green eyes. Their base colour varies from smokey grey to a yellowish tan with whitish underparts and they have dark grey to black open rosettes on their bodies, with smaller spots of the same colour on their heads and larger spots on their legs and tails – a magnificent looking animal.

Then I met sisters 'Rato' (the name meaning 'red') and 'Tito' (the name is a type of bamboo), two beautiful red pandas. Rato and Tito are 4 years old and were born at Mogo Zoo near Bateman's Bay. Their enclosure at Billabong is designed to reflect the Chinese mountainside, with a Chinese gazebo providing shelter for visitors and little purpose built huts providing

a comfortable bed for the pandas. Keeper Blake took me inside the enclosure to feed the pandas their breakfast: a selection of dried figs, fresh fruit, vegetables and a specially formulated panda pellet that is shipped all the way from Western Australia.

Another fantastic experience – one that I will remember for a lifetime and thoroughly recommend to visitors to the zoo. I had Rato feeding out of my hand and sitting on my shoulder in no time, whilst Tito was quite content to stay perched high up in the trees and came down for her breakfast later after I left; obviously she is a little shyer than her sister.

Rato was so sweet and gentle, her fur so soft; she totally won me over. The penguin exhibit was next on the tour. Head Keeper Christy gave a very informative talk and feeding demonstration. It was wonderful to see these cute little 'happy feet' feed and frolic in their custom-built enclosure. A special encounter can be had where you enjoy 15 minutes of penguin time and help Christy train, feed and interact with the penguins. A must do on your visit.

Thank you to Mark, Danena and all the staff at Billabong Zoo for an experience that I will never forget. To be able to get up so close to the members of your amazing zoo family was very, very special.

editor's note.

editor.

from the

jay beaumont.

Welcome to the December issue of Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS. t seems that summer is being dangled like a carrot in front of us; the sun comes out, but then is quickly covered with the dark clouds followed by dramatic afternoon storms.

Most of us who work in the CBD are still unsure whether we should put the cars in for hail repair now, or wait a bit longer?

Nonetheless, we are still struggling to grasp that this is our last edition for 2013! The year has flown by for us here at FOCUS, and we are certainly looking forward to a few weeks off before 2014 begins.

CAROLS FOCUS is proud to get behind our local carols event, Carols in the Park, which is under new management by Grace and Honour Church.

It's a great night out, and you can get a copy of the all the song lyrics for the night on our centre pages 62 and 63.

Home grown local, and now 60 Minutes journalist Allison Langdon will emcee the evening; we caught up with her about some of her amazing journeys and the stories she has covered, on pages 10 and 11.

I

contacts.

Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information.

ADDRESS: 4/74 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444 PHONE: 02 6584 7433 FAX: 02 6584 6733 WEB: www.focusmag.com.au TV: www.focustv.com.au Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers or Editor. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders. Information appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at the time of going to press however no liability will be held for inaccurate information approved or supplied by advertisers or contributors.

While all care is taken it is recommended that readers confirm dates, times, prices and any other material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. Greater Port Macquarie Focus is produced and published by Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 62128786005 Material in Focus is Copyright Š Creative House Publications PTY LTD 2009-2013 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

100 EDITIONS! Very soon, Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS will mark the 100th edition.

To celebrate, we have a very special event planned that could see you, YES, YOU, on the front cover of an upcoming FOCUS. Stay tuned ... we'll be releasing the details via Facebook soon.

READ ONLINE Over the holiday period, don't forget that you can take FOCUS with you. Simply download our iPad App (if you have one) or read it online at issuu.com.au/focus.mag FINAL QUOTE "How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn.

How did it get so late so soon?"

Dr. Seuss.

Jay Beaumont – Editor jay@focusmag.com.au

EDITOR: Jay Beaumont jay@focusmag.com.au

ART DIRECTOR: Dylan Gaul dylan@focusmag.com.au

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Marchment

2007 Business of the Year 2009 Winner Professional Services 2010 Winner Professional Services 2010 Winner Business to Business Choice Award 2011 Winner Creative, IT & Communications 2012 Winner Creative, IT & Communications 2012 Finalist Excellence in Business 2013 HALL OF FAME

michael@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Annalise Montgomery annalise@focusmag.com.au

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FOCUS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE GREAT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS.

of the ancing Dwith hastings Stars P R E S E N T E D

B Y

focus

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focusinterview.

THE

f o t s u n

D e c e m b e r

2 0 1 3

John Meyer is one of the 8 members of The Good Ship – a Folk/Rock band who’ll be dropping in at FOTSUN in December. John plays guitar and sings, but as you’ll see … there’s a wealth of musical talent in this group, which play instruments you don’t often get to see at a music festival! ohn, thanks for your time this morning. I know you guys are about to start touring around, so I’m guessing you’re a bit flat-chat at the moment! Yeah, we’re putting the final touches to our new album … and just getting geared up for the tour.

mandola, which is a big mandolin. He also plays the lagerphone, which is, for those who don’t know, a stick with bottle-caps on it. He has got the world’s best lagerphone; I reckon he could hold a masterclass for instruction of lagerphones. It’s amazing. And James Lees is our drummer.

Tell us a little bit about the new album …

The album is our first studio album. It’s called The Seven Seas. We released our second album last year, and at the same time we were writing this theatre show which was ten songs that tell a story. We had some visuals, a narrator and a director on board for that. It was a different sort of challenge for the band. And it developed into this full-blown show. And now we’ve recorded those songs, and that’s our third album, which we launched at the Powerhouse at Brisbane on November 15, then we’re doing a tour and finishing up with Festival of the Sun.

Your sound is certainly very unique.

How difficult was it for you guys to combine all of these different instruments to come up with a sound that's as distinct as what you've produced?

It is a huge challenge.

The difficulty of being Usually someone in a large band will come to the ngg and on is finding space band with a so t in the ut ou it for everyone to sh we’ ll ba trumpet and accordion m , everyone express themselves rehearsal room nt will go together and re ffe di of – to play their will play lots t bi at form a counter-melody th h, “O , go parts and instrument how to each other … The .” od go sounds they want to play it. show has been on our When we work some mind for a couple of years. of the songs, it’s often It was a process of maybe six a process of ‘just throw months of intensive workshopping, everything in a bucket and not only the songs, but the narration, then you start taking things out’. Then the narrative, the story to come together, so we what’s left in the bucket at the end of the day is could present it in a theatre. something that makes sense. Usually someone How different would you say The Seven will come to the band with a song and we’ll Seas is to your first two releases? bash it out in the rehearsal room, everyone will Quite different. It’s a concept album, in a way; play lots of different parts and go, “Oh, that it’s telling a single story. So we wanted all the bit sounds good”. People can set up and let instruments, pace, and the vibe to be cohesive – that musician have a go for that section. Some not too many extra elements. When you record of our songs tend to be a bit all-in, everything a studio album, you can bring in a fiddle player playing at once, and then sometimes we try or whatever; you can have any instrument you to whittle that down, and get a little bit more want. We wanted to keep it pretty much how open. we would perform it. So, that’s a lot of acoustic Mentioning that process, how long has instruments: guitars, mandolin, piano. We did it actually taken for you to put this new bring in a few extra instruments, but it’s pretty album together? This album has come much just complementing the sound. It has a together pretty quickly, in terms of once we’d very simple, natural, Folky, acoustic kind of vibe, started to do it. We’re so used to this process, whereas some of our previous stuff has had songs come together really quickly. We all kind electric guitars and pounding drums. of instinctively know what instruments are

Tell us a little bit about the band, The Good Ship. How did you actually get together, and who are the individual band members?

It’s an eight-piece Folk/Rock band. It started in 2009 when myself and the other major songwriter in the band; we just started [it] as a side-project. We had other bands at the time, and we were a bit frustrated with them. We started the band as something of an outlet for a bit of fun. We started to gather some friends around us, to play various instruments. It was really organic … Over the years, a few people have left, a few have joined. It’s sort of solidified now; it was very much an organic kind of growth for the band. We didn’t set out to do all the things that we’ve done necessarily, but it’s been an amazing ride.

Myself (John Meyer), I play guitar and am one of the main songwriters. Daz Gray is guitar and vocals. Brett Harris, also writes some great songs for us; he plays banjo and piano. Kat Cooke is actually taking lead vocals on the new single for the first time that’s an amazing growth for her; she’s our trumpet player.

Kat Ogilvie who plays accordion. Janey Mac, plays the bass. Geoff Wilson plays the fool a lot of the time; he plays mandolin and also 6 greater port macquarie focus.

“

going to sound good, what parts are going to sound good complementing each other. Often

Do you have a YouTube channel? Yes: http:// www.youtube.com/user/TheGoodShipCrew

With this tour that you’ll be undertaking, you’re playing a lot of different venues.

What's the attraction of festivals particularly? The best thing about festivals is you’re playing to people who wouldn’t normally see you. We’re all about trying to spread our music to as many people as possible. We love playing live. Playing festivals is an opportunity to play to usually quite large numbers of people who may have heard of the band, but may not have had the chance to see the band. When we tour, we’re restricted so much because of the size of the country. You tend to only be playing Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, those kinds of places. You don’t really get into the regional areas as much as you’d like to. Going and playing at somewhere like Port Macquarie is going to be a fantastic experience for us.

Thanks John. Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug!

The Good Ship will be playing at FOTSUN on at Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park, Port Macquarie.

13-14 December 2013.

inside this (02) 6581 8888 I glasshouse.org.au Cnr Clarence & Hay Sts, Port Macquarie

SPECIAL EVENTS

Issue 97 - December 2013

10.

EXHIBITION TOURS 11am Wednesdays & Fridays Run by our Gallery Guides, discover a little more about the Archibald and the works on display. FREE.

Allison Langdon.

ARTIST TALK 10am Saturday 14 December

Sixty Minutes reporter Allison Langdon’s travelled to many far flung corners of the world during the course of her career, but this native Wauchopian will be back in the area to emcee the very special Carols in the Park on December 7.

Listen to Archibald Finalist James Powditch talk about his arts practice and subject Ben Quilty. FREE. James Powditch, Ben Quilty, Where is my mind? (after the Pixies), mixed media.

ARCHIBALD FOR THE KIDS KIDS SPOT, 11am Saturday 11, 18 & 25 January Kids and their carers can discover more about the exhibition through fun creative activities.

FREE (ages 4-9, children must be accompanied by an adult)

Josh Tabone.

69.

KIDS HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS, 14- 24 January Are you looking for some creative fun for children this summer school holidays? Book into a Holiday Fun portrait-inspired workshop. $15 per child - bookings required.

Josh Tabone is an up and coming photographer with a passion for the ocean.

Now, Josh will be holding a Seascape Showcase on December 7.

KIDS EXHIBITION TRAIL, every day Children can explore the exhibition with this fun and informative activity trail. Ask our friendly Gallery staff for a copy. FREE

SEA OF FACES: PORTRAIT PROJECT

Sassy Q.

76.

6 December 2013 - 26 January 2014 Inspired by the Archibald Prize, Sea of Faces celebrates the creative talent of local primary school students through portraiture. FREE.

Barbershop choruses are a type of musical expression rarely seen outside the metropolitan areas, but now Port Macquarie has its own barbershop quartet called Sassy Q.

Mahali Rose, 3L Tacking Point Public School

BODYWORK 22 November 2013 - 2 February 2014 This exhibition includes the work of 42 Australian jewellers exploring jewellery from a number of viewpoints and are from the collection of the National Gallery of Australia. FREE.

6. The Good Ship 12. KwaYa 18. The Archibald Prize 26. Charlotte, Levi & Hoggle 58. Moira Maraun

Elizabeth OLAH, Sunrise and Shade, brooch, 1981, sterling silver, 18 carat gold, porcelain, opal, Crafts Board Collection donated by the Australia Council 1982.

IN THE THEATRE

theusual suspects.

SIMON GALLAHER’S ‘WORLD OF CHRISTMAS’ Monday 9 December, 11am Simon is coming to the Glasshouse to celebrate the festive season with you, singing all your favourite songs including The Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, The Merry Widow and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Tickets: $24 Adult, $20 Glasshouse Members, $22.50 Groups 6+

14. what’s on for December 28. eat featuring local restaurants 37. social scene with Kate Wood-Foye 38. palate pleasures with Lou Perri 61. starguide with Terri 72. travel with Susie Boswell 72. tourism with Janette Hyde 74. port chamber update with Hadyn Oriti 99. landcare with Estelle Gough 99. real estate with Gregg Trembath

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

www.focusmag.com.au

*Transaction fees may apply

Join the GLASSHOUSE

Friends Membership Program follow us on www.facebook.com/focus.mag www.twitter.com/focusmag www.focusmag.com.au/eat

START SAVING $$$... TODAY • 20% in the Glasshouse Shop • $$$ on theatre & gallery tickets • Enjoy a range of other savings and exclusive benefits...

The Glasshouse is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW

greater port macquarie focus 7

focusinterview.

JUAN COSGAYON Local artist JUAN COSGAYON will be exhibiting his contemporary artworks in 'Oneline' at Sunset Gallery this December.

With Belinda Rosenbaum joining Juan for the exhibition, 'Oneline' 2013 will open at 6pm on Saturday 14 December and will run for a two week period.

ow would you describe your style of art? Grungy!

A mix of graffiti art and pop art – my work is a combination of photography and spray painted images using stencils that I’ve created. My art work doesn’t easily fit into a category.

What are some of the unique materials used to create your pieces? In this exhibition I’ve used mainly old, broken and discarded skate boards that were donated to me by my friend and owner of Innervision Surf and Skate, Matt.

In many of my artworks these days, I choose to use found and discarded pieces of materials.

There is so much consumption in our society today, and the environment suffers as a consequence. So, I choose to keep buying materials for my art to a minimum. Of course, it’s not possible to produce images without materials but if I can use materials that would otherwise go to landfill and at the same time avoid buying new materials, that’s a great outcome.

I wouldn’t call myself an environmentalist, but I do care for the environment and materials that are old and deemed unusable have a certain beauty about them that appeals to me. I’d like to shift people’s perception of what waste is and what’s not.

What has been the inspiration for your latest collection of contemporary artworks?

Images come to me through out the course of producing for an exhibition. Funnily enough, religious images always seem to turn up in my work. Not because I’m religious, but maybe 8 greater port macquarie focus.

because I grew up in a religious family. I don’t want to talk about my religious views, but if you look at my work past and present you’ll probably underI w ould n’ t stand what I’m trying call myself an t, but I do to say. environmentalis

“

ronment, care for the envi are old at and materials th able us un and deemed auty have a certain be peals ap at th em th t abou to me.”

I’ve also used photographic images that I took on my trip to India last year. India, like my work, has some sort of grunginess about it that I found beauty in. I often digitally modify images I take and then use a process of photo release to display the image on a surface.

This creates an image that is far from perfect.

My work is not perfect in any way; there are no clean lines or perfect brush strokes, but that is exactly what I see as how my work will always be.

Tell us about the Oneline exhibition at Sunset Gallery this December ... Oneline is a concept that came about working at the Glasshouse Regional Gallery. I have been installing exhibitions at the gallery for a couple of years.

During this time I worked with the conventional way of hanging artworks. Through my experience in exhibition installations, I developed a growing desire to create a new concept of hanging artworks.

Oneline is about exhibiting contemporary artworks in a different, more confronting way. The works are hung side-by-side forming one line, quite unlike the traditional way of displaying arts.

It is essential to this concept that the pieces are small.

It is also a collaboration of two local artists, myself and a second artist who changes every year. Each artwork in this exhibition represents the artists’ individual creative processes, techniques and mediums.

After a hugely successful debut in 2012 – an exhibition in which I collaborated with local artist Katrina Barker – I have invited Belinda Rosenbaum to join me for Oneline 2013.

Oneline 2013 will open at 6 pm on Saturday, 14 December at Sunset Gallery in 11 Murray Street.

The exhibition will be up for a two week period.

What do you enjoy most about collaborating with other local artists? This year I’m collaborating with Belinda Rosenbaum, a Port Macquarie local, who now lives on the south coast.

It’s exciting to work with another artist who also produces contemporary, unusual pieces. It’s great to share a goal with another artist, even if you’re not working in the same space or town.

I like to be inspired by other people’s art, and inviting another artist to join me and tackle the challenge of producing a range of small artworks particularly for this exhibition allows me to share the challenges of this particular creative process.

Thanks Juan.

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Sixty Minutes reporter Allison Langdon has travelled to many far flung corners of the world during the course of her career, but this native Wauchopian will be back in the area to emcee the very special Carols in the Park on December 7. Allison shares some of the highlights of her career and lets us know what she believes is the true meaning of Christmas …

L a n g d o n llison, we can proudly claim you as a local girl … so what are some of your fondest memories from growing up and going to school in the Hastings area? Looking back, it was such a wonderful place to grow up. You do feel very privileged … and it’s sometimes not until you’ve actually left that you understand how amazing a place it was to grow up. The opportunities you have, so much space to run around … we lived on a little farm just outside of Wauchope (between Wauchope and Port Macquarie), and I think just looking back that the freedom that we had was fantastic.

I live in the city now – I’ve lived in Sydney for about 13/14 years, and still think that one day I’d like to move back to the country or move back to the area at some point and come full circle …

I’m always interested to find out what attracts journos to their occupation. You were involved with community radio when you were younger – but what actually started the spark for you? My mum remembers the first time I mentioned I wanted to be a journalist, I was about 12 – and I’ve just never wavered from it. I was always very, very clear that it was what I wanted to do; I wanted to write books and be a journalist. I was lucky enough to write a book a couple of years ago, and I’d love to write another one – it’s just finding time!

I guess I was always drawn to the English subjects going through school, and I had a brilliant English teacher at Wauchope High School called Mr Roberts, who was so inspiring. I reckon my love of writing probably came 10 greater port macquarie focus.

from him …

So, I’ve never wavered … I’ve wanted to be a journalist since I was young, and luckily I had the chance to do it.

And I’m still loving it!

I have to digress a bit here … How does it feel having the shoe on the other foot and being the interviewee today? (Laughs). I hate it! It’s really nerve wracking! When I sit down with someone to do a Sixty Minutes interview and they’re really nervous, and they say, “How do you do this all the time?” I say, “It’s really simple. I’m not sitting where you’re sitting!”

A lot of people say it’s a love of English that initially draws them into journalism, but obviously there are a lot of other skills required to be a good I wanted to touch on the research angle journalist too. What have you found you spoke about. You’ve had so many to be some of the most valuable varied experiences as a journalist things you’ve learned over the – you’ve been a newsreader, course of your career? I think hosted a telethon … in terms of it’s really quite simple – you just I’V E N EV ER research, there’s a pretty tight E have to listen. You soon learn WAV ER ED … I’V turnaround for deadlines with A that the best questions to ask WA N TE D TO BE CE the news; whereas with Sixty N SI are often the simplest … and JO U R NA LI ST D N Minutes you get to do a lot A , G N just to pay attention to what I WA S YO U E TH D more in depth research. Do A H I Y people are saying.

LU CK IL . AND IT O D you have a preference? Did TO CE N CH A As you know, you can often IN G IT !”

V LO L you thrive on the deadline IL ST I’M go into a story thinking you driven pace of the newsroom, know where it’s going to go, or do you prefer to sink your what they’re going to say, what teeth into the more intensive the angle is probably going to be research? I loved the deadlines in the – and if you listen closely, quite often newsroom. I don’t know if there’s another job (it’s happened to me numerous times, as I’m where you have those deadlines every day you’ve sure it has to you) that you get a whole different got to meet … you know, the pressure building up to perspective, the story can completely change the 6 o’clock news each night could be really intense. direction … That’s the key – just listening. And of Sometimes you wouldn’t be thrown on a story until 4 course, doing your research … especially working on o’clock. So, you’ve got that rush where you to try and Sixty Minutes. Some of the subjects we cover can be get a story finished and make sure you’ve got all your quite in depth, quite detailed. I find that before I go into facts right, but then you’ve got this amazing moment of any story, I have read pretty much everything I can find relief as soon as 6 o’clock comes and goes, that you’re on the subject. So, going in incredibly well prepared and done! willing to listen are the two keys for me.

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I can’t wait. I love coming home. Mum and Dad are still out on the farm, my brother’s up there with his family … and also all my school friends! Everyone seems to come back over Christmas, and I just can’t wait to catch up with everyone.”

L a n g d o n

the language and they don’t have any skills that will get the them by …

There are very few jobs in that sense where you have that pressure every single day, but I could also go home at 6.30 each night and relax and not have the stress of some big issue hanging over me … I did that for 10 years in news, and I really loved it. I especially loved covering the big overseas stories, where you were filing the first story for the Today show and you were doing live crosses for them, and then you were filing all day and still trying to get your package together for 6pm.

I’ve had trips where I’ve been away for five or six days, and I’ve had four or five hours’ sleep the entire trip, when you’re trying to file for everyone and there’s just so much going on. I miss that, in one sense … However (laughs) … it’s such a luxury to have the time to put into a story, to really research it, to spend a few days writing it and getting it to the point where you’re really proud of it and you’ve done the subject justice. And I think in this 24 hour news cycle we all live in at the moment, it is wonderful that there are still programs out there where we can put the time and effort into doing something really thoroughly.

If you had to quickly nominate a couple of stories that touched you, what would they be? Two come to mind; they’re stories I’ve covered during my years at Sixty. One was on a tribe deep in the Amazon. There was about to be the world’s third biggest hydro-dam built there, so the entire area would be wiped out and these people, who have lived there for thousands of years and been completely self sufficient, would be moved on, moved into towns, where they don’t speak

We did an interview with the Environment Minister, and it was a key moment in the interview; he pushed us out, then his minders grabbed me and pulled me into a room so it was myself, the Environment Minister and two of his heavies, and our crew was locked outside. He was screaming at me, saying, “We’re just doing to the Indians what you did to the Aborigines” − but what he didn’t realise was my crew was still filming outside. They couldn’t see us, but I had my microphone on, so this was all recorded. It formed part of the basis to challenge the dam decision in the courts, and that decision was successful. That was a highlight, because I felt we actually made a difference.

Probably the second one was we did a story in Somalia a few years ago in the refugee camps − people who’d been forced to flee their homes because of Al-Shabaab in the south ... and just talking to some amazing, educated women in the camps who had 7 or 8 kids, whose husbands had disappeared years ago − they didn’t know if they’d run off, died, or been killed in fighting. Just listening to these women, their strength, how they survived each day and got their kids through each day; it was remarkable. It puts things in perspective, I guess.

You also mentioned earlier the book you wrote, The Child Who Never Was – the Tegan Lane Story. What was it about this particular story that inspired you to write a book? I was court reporter for Channel Nine at the time, so I covered the inquest into the disappearance of Tegan. I was just intrigued, and I’d been looking for a subject … I was really keen and I’d been thinking I was at the point where I really did want

to try my hand at writing a book … I almost became obsessed with the story and the idea that a child could be born and just disappear and no one knew anything about it. I found it extraordinary. So that’s where the idea came about … I worked on it after hours, and on my days off I just spent hours in the courthouse poring over all the transcripts.

How much are you looking forward to coming back home to emcee the Carols in the Park? I can’t wait. I love coming home. Mum and Dad are still out on the farm, my brother’s up there with his family… and also all my school friends! Everyone seems to come back over Christmas, and I just can’t wait to catch up with everyone. And also, to help out. John Parer was one of my favourite teachers. He taught me two and three unit business and economics, and when he rang and asked if there was any chance I could come back [for the carols] I jumped at the chance! I love going home; it’s a wonderful place. It’s so exciting; it will be a fun night, I think!

And finally, what does Christmas mean to you?

It means just taking a moment, slowing down, being surrounded by your family and friends and appreciating everything that we do have in life, because we are incredibly lucky. I don’t think we realise that often enough.

Thanks Allison. Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug!

Allison will emcee the Carols in the Park (Westport Park) on December 7, from 7pm.

Come and join in the festive fun, with multiple entertainers and local community groups/choirs providing an evening of joyous celebration.

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Cross-Cultural Connections Program Help Africa's most vulnerable children today, so they can help Africa tomorrow!

Two Lake Cathie families are doing just that; billeting boys and fundraising for the cause in preparation for a reciprocal visit to Africa in April with the kwaYa Cross-Cultural Connections Program. Chrissy Jones chatted with Jenny Black about the experience.

he Black and Magnus families were hosts to a group of travellers from a far land recently; tell us more. In August our family billeted two boys, Timothy (9) and Trevor (11) and their chaperone, Barnett. Tammy Magnus billeted 3 boys: Bob and Charles (both 10) and Ronnie (9) and their chaperone was Abraham. They are all members of the African Children's Choir that was touring parts of Australia.

10 helpers (the kwaYa Uganda #4) to help in schools and orphanages in the slums of Kampala.

We were really touched by the boys and their life story; they were so humble, well mannered and polite – a pleasure to have in our home.

We had rules to go by: no TV, no electronics, and the boys were to be in bed by 8.30pm each night, as they were regularly performing.

Music is their life; they walked around singing.

“

What did they think of Lake Cathie and the local area? They loved it. Where they come from they don't get to see the beach, so to be in the water and feel the sand between their toes was fantastic for them. We also took them to the Koala Hospital, Sea Acres, Lighthouse lookout and Settlement City; the boys were amazed by the things we take for granted.

Did the choir perform whilst they were here? Yes, they performed at North Haven Bowling Club, LUSC and they had a drumming, singing and dancing workshop at St Joseph's Primary School.

Yourself, 13 year old son Sam, mother-inlaw Marguerite and Tammy are raising money for the African Children's Choir.

Why are you doing this? In April 2014 we are travelling to Uganda in Africa for 2 weeks with a group of 40 Australian singers and 12 greater port macquarie focus.

We will experience 14 days of musical and cultural exchange with the choir and perform and entertain at a number of venues in Kampala.

so the children will get an opportunity to have the best education.

Tell us about kwaYa. kwaYa is a not for profit incorporated association (with charity status) founded by President Marsha Gusti. Based on the Gold Coast, it provides a unique opportunity to generate cross cultural partnerships.

KwaYa works in partnership with the Music for Life Team in Uganda.

We have received lots of donations and gifts of basic essentials and educational material that we will take with us, and we are collecting old mobile phones that are in working order to take We had rules to over if anyone has one go by: no TV, no e to donate. ectronics and th

Dedicated kwaYa volunteers, 30 - 50 singers and helpers, travel each year to Uganda; the aim is to connect el bed in be cultures through to e er w St Joseph's Primary boys night, ch ea song and music. Each pm 30 8. by School in Laurieton is regularly e er w singer is expected to ey th as where our children, g. Music is in m or rf fundraise a minimum pe Joe Black, Demi and e; they walked lif r ei th of $750, which will Flynn Magnus attend. nd singing.” ou ar be donated to the curThe ACC came to the rent project ... (building school; that's how we a classroom, saving a raingot to be a host family. The forest, providing health care school, this year, raised enough facilities or renovating a school). funds to purchase a pair of school Travellers fi nance their own trip, and singshoes for each of the 18 children who visited. ers learn 4 - 6 songs prior to travelling, which So far Sam, my son, has raised over $2,000 are sung and shared on tour in a combined himself; all monies raised go directly to the Aussie choir. choir.

Tell us about the choir ... Music for Life, The choir recruits its members from the home of the African Children’s Choir, has a misslums of a number of African nations. How sion to help Africa’s most vulnerable children do you hope to help these children? The today so they can help Africa tomorrow. The next project is to complete a new Choir Training choir is the ambassador for the millions of sufAcademy on land owned by ACC on the shores fering children in Africa, and funds raised on of Lake Victoria in Entebbe. KwaYa # 3 raised tour not only go towards the education of each $60,000 towards the building. It is hoped that touring choir child, but also to the continuing kwaYa # 4 can raise another $60,000, bringing efforts of the fundraising organisation. the project to break ground in mid 2014. The Aged between 7 and 11 years, new recruits diacademy will have state of the art equipment,

rect from the slums spend five months at Music For Life’s Choir Training Academy, before embarking on an international tour. Money raised from concerts is fed back into the communities from which choir members were selected, and choir members are educated at Music For Life’s Primary School in Kampala, where they gain the skills that will break the cycle of poverty into which they were born.

The African Children’s Choir and Music for Life programme have so far educated over 50,000 children in their 29 year history and have helped a further 100,000 children through relief and education projects.

How can readers help? We have a 100 Club.

People can ring me: 0439 84 8564 or Tammy: 0411 224 042 for tickets, or call into the Bonny Hills Tavern and purchase one. Prizes have been donated by Stoney Ski Park, Akubra Hats, Hydro Photographics and Bonny Hills Body & Beauty.

Buy ACC merchandise, ranging from stunning hand made paper beads, The African Children's Choir CDs or an exclusive Australian Tour T-Shirt. Go online: www.kwaya.org/fundraisingtravellers2014.html to donate by PayPal and credit card, or contact Jenny and Tammy for bank details. 100% of your donation goes to the projects. In 2015 the ACC will be touring again in Australia. Laurieton is lucky enough to be a host town again. Please don't miss this opportunity to see these amazing talented children!

Thank you Jenny. #4 is raising money for the new choir training academy in Entebbe. The academy will have state of the art equipment, so the children will get an opportunity to have the best education.

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High School

Reunion

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Super heroes and villains collide to bring in the New Year at their secret lair. The dark night gives way to a sumptuous feast as villains enjoy all the wicked vices of the underworld, including drinking, dancing and gambling in Poison Ivy's den..

When Tuesday 31 December.

Time 7.30pm 'til 1am.

Cost $150 per person. Includes Kryptonite cocktail on arrival, canapes, main and sumptuous dessert buffet, 4 hour beverage package (8pm - 12pm), Villainous entertainment & DJ/Gaming Bookings contact Kate Wood-Foye on 6589 2811 or email: kate_woodfoye@rydges.com

more information

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New Year's Eve at Rydges POISON IVY

Port High Class of 2003

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The Class of 2003 will come together to celebrate on December 22, 2013 at The Fig Bar in Port Macquarie. It's not every day you get to celebrate your 10 year reunion with students and staff, so make this one to celebrate! Sunday 2pm, summer holidays - come along and enjoy a social get together. It's buy your own drinks and nibbles, but free sunsets and tunes!

ALL PAST STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WELCOME When Sunday, December 22 Where The Fig Restaurant Town Green Time 2pm start RSVP Candice c-rose@live.com

Damien Leith

Multi-platinum singer/songwriter Damien Leith will take his forthcoming album, Chapter Seven, on the road and visits Port Macquarie this month.

When Friday 13 December.

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Where Playing Pier One @ Panthers, Port Macquarie Panthers, 1 Bay Street.

Contact 6580 2304

Call the Visitor sitor Information Centre on 6581 8000, or lo log on to the Port Macquarie events website: www.gpmevents.com.au

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DECEMBER

MARKETS

S U P P O RT H A N D C R A F T E D, H O M E M A D E A N D L O C A L LY G R OW N . G I V E A G I F T C R E AT E D B Y H A N D A N D M A D E W I T H L OV E .

hat does Xmas mean to you? For me, it's sharing and spending quality time with my family and friends, and a large part of that is to give a gift to those closest to me that represents who I am and what that person means to me. Where do I find inspiration? I don’t look any further than the wonderful group of stalls that make up both the Foreshore Markets and The Artist Market in The Vines. It's always a wonderful feeling to give a gift made with love and to enjoy the festive season with the most beautiful range of local produce.

Extra Market Days – the Xmas countdown is on Thursday 12th and Thursday 19th December December is overflowing with markets, so you

have every opportunity to stock up on local goodness. With so much enthusiasm shown over the last few years for the Xmas Markets in the Forecourt of the Glasshouse, we are returning this year with two all day markets, from 9am - 7pm on Thursday 12th and Thursday 19th December.

The Artist Market found a new home in 2013 2013 saw the relaunch of the original Artist Market – a much loved market that we held in the Maritime Museum, so after lots of interest in relaunching this special boutique market, we found a new home in the beautiful gardens of Cassegrain Winery. A challenging start for us with 3 months of rain, that tried very hard to dampen our spirits; we came out shining, and we now have established one of the most

beautiful markets in our region. I am a little biased, but to see so many people embrace and support what the Artist Market In The Vines is all about is truly wonderful – thank you.

The Foreshore Market will be held on Saturday 14th December, 8am - 1pm One of our busiest markets of the year, it's sure to be a another great day as we welcome the festival goers of FOTSUN to our beautiful town and look for the most special of gifts. We always have new faces at the markets and it is always changing with what produce is in season, so bring along your shopping basket for the best local regional produce, woodfired breads, local honey and cheeses and stay for a while and enjoy our extensive group of stallholders who make up the Foreshore markets; you never know what you will discover.

The Artist Market, in festive mode, Sunday 22nd December, 9am - 2pm Three days out from Xmas, the Artist Market will be the perfect place to stock up on those last minute gift ideas, but the most special are always left to last in my case. From artwork of local artists, handicrafts, woodwork, beautiful silver jewellery from Natalie Kube or glass work from Skye Petho, you are sure to be inspired and find the most treasured gifts. As always, we will have a fantastic lineup on the stage, so bring along your friends, picnic blanket, sit back and enjoy a glass of Cassegrain Wines and soak up the magic of this truly special market.

From all the stalls that make up the Foreshore Markets and The Artist Market In The Vines, we wish you and your family a very special Xmas!

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Players Theatre Announces our first production for 2014, The Wizard Of Oz.

The Wizard of Oz

It's About Time Antiques It’s About Time Antiques has been described by a regular customer as a “delightful blend of quality antiques and a museum of memories”. And we are inclined to agree!

The shop, which opened in mid-August, has attracted an avid group of collectors and lovers of fine antique furniture from all over the Hastings and beyond. Co-owner, Germaine Cartwright, has a lifelong love of history and an undeniable addiction to antiques, so it isn’t surprising that It’s About Time Antiques evolved from a passionate hobby to a flourishing business.

Many of the interesting and distinctive pieces you’ll find at It’s About Time Antiques have delightful stories attached and known provenance. The shop features fine examples of English, Australian, French and American period furniture, as well as ornately carved English and French mirrors. For first-time buyers of antique furniture, Germaine encourages they start with one 'feature' piece they absolutely love – and combine it with their contemporary décor. It creates a classic and stylish look and perhaps is the beginning of another fine collection!

It’s About Time Antiques also has select antique jewellery, china, silver, Victorian crystal, antique lamps, art nouveau pieces and unique gift ideas for the person who has EVERYTHING!

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For over 100 years this story has given faithful service to the young at heart; and time has been powerless to put its kindly philosophy out of fashion. This year, with the MGM film adaptation celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Players Theatre invites audiences to take a trip down the nostalgic yellow brick road and rediscover MGM’s The Wizard of Oz in 21st Century Technicolour. Opening on January 10 and running until February 2 2014 at Players Theatre Port Macquarie, a wonderful cast will make audiences laugh, scream and realise ‘there’s no place like home’, as they tell the story of this much loved family classic.

Dorothy, a young adult trapped 'existing' in a 21st Century black and white world, has dreams of a life to be lived in the spectrum of the rainbow. Dorothy (University of New England theatre student and local girl Jaimee Lindley), her dog, Toto (Local HSC student Michael Snow) and the audience are soon transported, via cyclone, to a world restored of colour, imagination and endless possibilities.

In this new world, called ‘Oz’, they encounter witches (of the good and bad variety), wizards, flying monkeys, ditzy scarecrows, a man made of tin, a lion without courage, a city of emeralds and so much more, as they venture down the yellow brick road. Fuelled with all the characters and songs generations have come to know and love, the cast strives to create a bold and exciting evening of live theatre, whilst still staying true to the original heart of this story.

Performances run from 10 January 'til the 2 February every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Players Theatre, on the corner of Gordon and Lord Streets. Tickets can be purchased at the Glasshouse (ph: 6581 8888) or at the Players Theatre box office one hour prior to any performance or through the theatre’s website at www.playerstheatre.org Warning: This play may contain lions and tigers and bears … oh my!

Summer Showcase Hastings Valley Fine Art Association 8th Annual Summer Showcase Exhibition The Hastings Valley Fine Art Association will hold its 8th annual Summer Showcase Exhibition and sale from 28 December 2013 until 5 January 2014 at the Laurieton United Services Club, Seymour Street, Laurieton.

The Showcase is the major event on the Association’s calendar and for the fourth year incorporates the Mid North Coast Open Art Prize of $1,000, which is open to all artists living in this area. An additional seven sections make this a varied and vibrant, must-see exhibition.

President Brian Barker said all members are making a special effort this year, as the Association is celebrating its 30th anniversary and want this to be the highlight of their celebrations. “We expect to hang over 200 original works, including paintings, drawings, covering a range of media and styles, as well as gift cards; all are for sale.” The judge is Jane Hoskins, Assistant Director Taree Regional Gallery.

A Cocktail Opening Night and Awards Presentation on Saturday 28 December from 6pm - 8pm will launch the exhibition; entry is free, drinks available at the bar and deli platter provided. RSVP December 9 to Rita: 6586 3236.

For those who can’t get enough ... visit the Hastings Fine Art Gallery in Port Macquarie or take an enjoyable drive along the Art Trail and visit our artists in their home studios, iinformation available at the exhibition or art gallery.

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focusint interview. terview.

The Glassho Glasshouse ouse Regio Regional onal Gallery will play host to o the e 2013 Archibald Prize Finalists’ ex xhibition throughout exhibition December and a January, and one nalists of these fina alists is Sydney-based artist Jamess Powditch. James will be visiting visi iting the gallery to c coincide with the openingg of the exhibition exh hibition and will also be presentingg a free talk on December 14 1 …

interview with

James Powditch ames, you grew up partially in Sydney, and partially on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

Your father, Peter, is also an artist. How much of an influence do you believe your upbringing had on your own artistic career? I grew up with my mum; Dad and Mum divorced when I was 1, so I never really lived with him.

Mum and I moved a lot … 6 different primary schools. But, I did spend nearly every holiday with my 3 sisters: Petra, my full sister, who lived with Dad and his new wife and Ellie and Beth, my half sisters in Taree at our grandparents’ house, Dad’s parents, and at Christmas Dad would also be there.

So, although there was no shared custody, I did feel he was a part of my life and as I got into my teens, I began to see more of him. I guess that upbringing meant I found it hard to make friends and if I did, we would move and they would be gone … so I developed a pretty strong internal world through books, TV, movies, drawing, Lego etc. that I could do on my own.

My mother’s father was also a very accomplished painter, and I spent a lot of time with him and was very fond of him. My mother had also gone to art school in the early ’60s so although she didn't make art back then, there was a sensibility in our lives and always paintings and drawings hanging on our walls.

Whenever we moved, they were the first things to go up to make the place feel like home.

I was interested to read that you “spent your entire youth in a beanie with Lego in

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nt of the tel le”... considering your artfront tele”... rk today use es mixed media (including work uses lptural elem ments), sculptural elements), the Lego lding obvio usly stood building obviously u in good ste ead! you stead! at kinds of movWhat ies did you like to watch as a a I need an angllee, child? Yes, lots e, lik u hook if yo of Lego and ank. get into the wor al to painted image over that other construcon rs pe a be That can again, so the work, ng hi et tion set, a bit m friendship or so I love whilst it can be read at like Meccano, they’ve done th spread visually as a flat painting, to t an w called Fisher and kinda r.” fo sm is actually heavily layered ia us Technic. I was my enth and built up. always building things in the dirt or My tools of the trade are the back yard ... building usual things a painter would little houses out of sticks use, but I also have most of the and leaves and canal systems equipment you would find in a carpenand roads, or busy drawing and maktry workshop: drop saw, bench saw, sanders, ing up board games that I’d try to get Mum to drills, air nail and staple guns. I also have a lot play. of stored 'things': big map drawers full of odd

“

I loved sci fi and horror in particular. I also loved sad, quite emotional movies, like East of Eden and Picnic and for some reason, I loved anything William Holden and Kim Novak were in. So films really infiltrated my world and were an escape from the real world. And now years later, they still exert a huge influence.

Describe the processes you use to create your pieces?

I use a lot of found materials, more recently a lot of book pages from novels and texts glued down to form a background. And then I’ll start layering other things, like rulers, strips of coloured timber, odd found objects that relate to the theme of the work. I then may put a

things, old magazines, plastic, toys, old playing cards, board games.

I also worked for many years in my 20s and 30s as a set builder and a props maker, mainly for the Sydney Theatre company and the Sydney Dance Company. So, my building skills are good and my ability to think outside the square isn’t bad either …

What are some the awards you’ve received for your work? I won The Blake Prize for religious art in 2005 (actually co-winner) and the Mosman Art Prize in 2007. I also won The Cricket Art Prize last year. I've been a finalist many prizes: The Archibald 3 times, The Wynne Prize 7 times, The Sulman 6 times, Gallipoli Art

Prize 2 times, Paddington Art Prize 3 times, Sculpture by the Sea, ABN AMBro Emerging Artists Award and many more.

The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait, as judged by trustees from the Art Gallery of NSW. How many times have you entered this competition altogether ... and what inspires you to submit your work? I’ve entered the Archibald every year since 2004, so 10 times and hung 3, and another 4 were hung in the Salon de Refuses. I do people I love or I’m inspired by.

Film people feature in the list, but also other artists, musicians and a scientist. And I need an angle, a hook if you like, to get into the work.

That can be a personal friendship or something they’ve done that I love and kinda want to spread my enthusiasm for.

Your entry this year, titled Ben Quilty, where is my mind (after the Pixies), was a finalist in the Archibald Prize. Tell us about the composition of this piece ... I had Ben over one evening in early January, had the lights set and a stool for him to sit on in front of a black background. It was a fairly simple set up: a spotlight angled down at his face to create a dramatic, highly contrasted, effectively 2 toned image. I already had a roughed out idea of what was ultimately going to be the picture:

focus fo ocu cussin interview. nterv te erv rviie iew. w

his head with the crashed cars erupting from it, but had not really figured out the expression …

I had the roughed up images for him to have a look at before we started, but I put it to him that I’d really just like free rein to go with it, so I didn't show him, in the end. He just said, “Sure, I trust you”. He didn’t need to have a 'brief', but I did show him some film posters to give him an idea of the style: a poster for David Lynch's Eraserhead and some of the insane posters the Eastern European countries like Poland had produced for American films back in the 1960s and ’70s. I also told him it would have a Terry Gilliam vibe – he of the famous Monty Python collage animations.

So, I sat him down and started taking photos; I directed, simple stuff like, “Keep your head down, but look up”. We chatted, and I just kept hitting the shutter button. About 45 minutes and a couple of hundred snaps later, the sitting was done. A few days later, I trawled through the photos, creating a short list of about 20; there were some absolute beauties in there … some real wild man stuff. Finally, I settled on three and worked them in Photoshop into two tone images, of just a pure black and a white, contrasting out all the mid tones, working on different areas to create more detail, like around the eye.

Then, there was the mock up time, placing a rough version of the crashed cars into the image ... but I had three wildly different expressions: one whimsical, one a snarling wolf man, and another with a cheeky glance … all very Ben, or an aspect of him. Over a week or so I guess I settled on the more whimsical image, because of the idea of him contemplating his past and all he was known for up to that point, versus a man entering middle age with children and commitments.

The image was then placed onto an overhead projector transparency to project for painting. I had to build the panel to paint the work on, and in this case it was a no brainer. I live a block back from the iconic Annandale Hotel in Sydney, almost opposite Ben's house. It’s a

renowned music venue, and I know the guys who owned and ran it, The Rule Brothers – mad music freaks and huge supporters of live music. They had been doing some work and I had been grabbing sheets of old masonite, old posters etc. and one of the sheets was perfect, because of Ben’s knowledge and love of music. Also, it was from his old local!

The toys were only added at the very end after I had painted the work.

Initially I wanted to keep the work very simple, focused on his face but, as always, I couldn't help but throw in the strip of found toys, referencing his youth, Star Wars … the idea of a man leaving his childish life behind.

ry Peoplee have a ve of ew vi particular utteess 'proper' nstittu co t ha w I hope to , portraiture and r idea of ei kinda expand th .” do n an ca u yo t wha

“

(N.B. A photo of the work described in this answer appears top right.)

So, who is Ben Quilty, and what’s your connection to him – I’m sure there’s an interesting story there!

I obviously know Ben Quilty, the artist, but on a personal level I only knew him to say hello to at the odd opening etc. But, I had also met him at the bi annual 'Art of Music' event last July. It’s a massive fundraiser that both he and I and other artists have been doing for a number of years, donating an artwork based on an iconic Australian song to then be auctioned.

Anyway, midway through the year I was just in the final stages of building my new studio, having just converted a big, empty warehouse shell into our home here in Annandale, when he dropped in to say hello, with his two young kids in tow.

I knew that Ben owned a house almost opposite, but had moved out of Sydney down to the Southern Highlands. There is a drawing by him scratched in the footpath outside the house.

He was up doing a bit of work on it during the school holidays, and he had remembered I was building across the road. I showed him around, chatted, and that was that. But the germ of an idea, of seeing him with his kids, stuck with me, kinda at odds with the young tearaway the media always portrayed. I have young kids too, only a little older.

So, I thought I’d ask him if he would sit for an Archibald portrait, the image that ultimately would eventuate already partially formed.

And then late in the year he was announced as a trustee of the AGNSW and therefore one of the Archibald judges! So I canned it; what would be the point? No chance of winning, possible accusation of conflicts of interest or nepotism if it got in. I pursued another subject, but it went nowhere, and with Christmas looming and then Archibald and the Quilty image still in my head, I thought, f*** it, I’ll see if he’ll do it and emailed him. To my surprise, he was totally into it and had no concern at all as to his new role with the AGNSW and how it might go down.

Macquarie on December 13 to coincide with the opening of the Archibald Prize exhibition – plus, you’ll also be presenting a talk on December 14. What topics will you be covering in your talk? Obviously talk about the Quilty, but I’m going to show slides of the other Archibald entries I have done – the successes and the failures. People have a very particular view of what constitutes 'proper' portraiture, and I hope to kinda expand their idea of what you can do. Also, the artist subject link is an interesting one, so I will explore that as well.

Where can people view other samples of your work? Web: jamespowditch.com.au or my gallery: australiangalleries.com.au Thanks James. Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug!

See an exhibition of the 2013 Archibald Prize finalists’ work at the Glasshouse Regional Gallery from December 13, 2013 to January 26, 2014.

Finalist James Powditch will be presenting a talk on December 14, at 10am.

You’ll be visiting the Glasshouse in Port greater port macquarie focus 19

focusinterview.

Production has commenced on the large fibreglass koala sculptures, featuring innovative artistic designs, that will form the Official Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail across the region from September 2014 to December 2015.

ort Macquarie Hastings Council is principal sponsor of the Hello Koalas project.

Cr Mike Cusato, Chair of Council’s Tourism and Events Portfolio, believes the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail will be an important local attraction.

"Port Macquarie-Hastings has developed a positive reputation for staging major events, particularly food and wine and sporting events. This project will add a unique cultural event to the mix, and be a great visitor attraction. It links with a key message about the importance of our koalas locally as well as providing the opportunity to showcase the talent of local artists and community members. Council would love to see locals embrace the Koalas and hopes that visitors from far and wide will come and see our koalas and enjoy what our region has to offer."

Hello Koalas is an ambitious project, involving 50 sculptures, 50 Sponsors, 50 artists and 50 locations around the Port MacquarieHastings region. Hello Koalas Project Manager, Linda Hall commented that a milestone was securing an Australian manufacturer with the expertise and capacity to produce the sculptures. “Our aim was to work with a Mid North Coast manufacturer, and we would like to acknowledge Colin and Alan Steber from

Stebercraft in Taree. Unfortunately timing was not on our side to engage Stebercraft, whose expertise was invaluable in the early stages of the project. Stebercraft referred us to Craft Fibreglass Composites, a Sydney based company, with personal connections to our region.”

Craft Fibreglass Composites has over 40 years experience operating as one of the leading manufacturers of fibreglass reinforced plastic industrial products in NSW. The first two sculptures off the production line have arrived. “These sculptures are going ‘on tour’ over the summer holidays to take up residence at sponsor locations and the Koala Hospital. To date, we have the support of more than 20 Community Champions, who have sponsored a koala sculpture, and most open over the Christmas period, so our koalas will be busy! Details of ‘Hello Koalas on Tour’ will be available on our website – www. hellokoalas.com,” said Linda.

Hello Koalas Project Director, Margret Meagher was elated by the community’s surprise and pleasure when the FOCUS photo shoot took place on Town Green recently, reinforcing what she expects this project to deliver. “At its simplest level, the enjoyment and fun that comes from the hands-on experiences of cuddling a larger than life koala creates incredible delight on the faces of everyone, whatever their age. One local lady

described the project as “the quintessential event for the Port Macquarie-Hastings.”

and the other at Sails Resort. We are looking forward to revealing the personas for our new additions, with a few little quirky twists! Hello Koala combines the worlds of art and ecotourism, creating a visitor trail to promote and enhance the region and we are excited to be a part of this new project.”

Sponsors are acknowledged as Community Champions because this project will bring so much community engagement, prosperity and inclusiveness for all. Comboyne, Kendall, Bonny Hills, Lake Cathie, Laurieton, Wauchope and Port Macquarie community groups and businesses are all rallying At its simplest together to secure their level, the own sculpture. t and fun

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is keen to have their sculpture decorated with an Aboriginal motif and local artist enjoymen om the Steven Donovan has fr es m that co nces ie er p ex on submitted several sd han rger designs. of cuddling a la

“

Community Champion Ashley Roods from Emerald than life ko alaible Downs Residential Primary Health Care creates incred s of ce fa e th Estate and Golf is another Community on ht delig Course commented: Champion to come on everyone” “If the community is board recently, represented involved, the project will by local GP Dr Paul Jones, be financially and socially from the Port Macquarie Medical beneficial to the community, and this and Dental Centre on Hastings River will flow on to our business. We have Drive. been in the region for a long time now Over 80 artist submissions have been received and we wanted to give something back to to date. The Call for Artists will remain open the community; Hello Koalas is a positive way over the December 2013/January 2014 to do this.” period, with the first round of successful Kate Wood Foye from Sails Resort Port Macquarie by Rydges and Rydges Port Macquarie said, “we welcome our Koala friends into the extended Rydges family, with one being based at Zebu Bar + Grill at Rydges

artists announced shortly.

To find out more about becoming a Hello Koalas Community Champion, contact Linda Hall by email: linda@hellokoalas.com or telephone 0428 975 650.

L:R Gabriella Carroll – Arts and Health Australia, Margret Meagher – Arts and Health Australia, Cr Mike Cusato – Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Jim Mobbs – Bago Vineyards, Anthony Sarks – Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries,, Lucy, Andrew and Jemma Kowalewski – Discover Media, Brendon Roods – Emerald Downs Residential Estate and Golf Course, Trish Denny – The Observatory Hotel, Chris Slade – Forestry Corporation of NSW, Janette Hyde – Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association, Bob Sharpham – Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Chris Denny – The Observatory Hotel, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, Charles Sturt University, Dr Muyesser Durer – Charles Sturt University, Kerrie McMahon – World Par-TEA, Christina Cooper – Forestry Corporation of NSW, Michelle Randone – Panthers Port Macquarie Club, Dr Paul Jones – Primary Health Care, Helen Meers – Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Rod McMahon – World Par-TEA, Mark Stone – Billabong Zoo, Linda Hall – Arts and Health Australia, Danena Stone – Billabong Zoo (right front row), Steven Donavan – Sea Acres Rainforest Centre (Centre front row)

20 greater port macquarie focus.

focusreview.

with Julie from www.gourmetgetaways.com.au

local dr p.

The Little Brewing Company A Trio of Wicked Elf & A Mad Abbott or Two ‘tis the season to be jolly! Why not enjoy something special this Christmas with the Wicked Elf and Mad Abbott range from the Little Brewing Company. This range of thirst quenching boutique beers has something to offer everyone!

The Witbier, Pale Ale and Pilsner all have their own unique flavour and aroma profile, but each is sure to impress. The Mad Abbot range includes two very different Belgian style, bottle conditioned beer. The Dubbel is a dark, rich, luxuriously strong ale and the Tripel is a fruity, pale, but still equally strong ale.

Beer is the perfect beverage over the summer months, and these styles will go along nicely with your Christmas BBQ or picnic. The Little Brewing Company provides premium style beer that is special enough for Christmas lunch at the in laws, and a great accompaniment to seafood and sliced cold meats.

Image of the month.

About: Eli Wilson shredding Port Macquarie Town Beach.

Photo by: Noah Mayes. Shot on: Canon 600D with Canon 55 - 250 mm lens.

Taken a great photo of our local area? Like to see it published in FOCUS for the world to see? Just email editor@focusmag.com.au

with Eric from www.theotherchef.com.au om.au

GOES WITH: Seafood and cold meats

WH

COST: Wicked Elf Kolsch carton (24 x 330 ml bottles) - $83.00 Wicked Elf Pale Ale carton (24 x 330 ml bottles) - $87.00 Wicked Elf Pilsner carton (24 x 330 ml bottles) - $87.00 Wicked Elf Witbier carton (24 x 330 ml bottles) - $81.00 Cellar Release Wicked Elf Porter carton (12 x 330 ml) - $50.00 Mad Abbot Dubbel carton (12 x 330 ml bottles) - $57.00 Mad Abbot Tripel carton (12 x 330 ml bottles) - $65.00

WHITE MOULD CHEESE Those of us who love food and wine really to need to thank France – a lot. So many wonderful foods (and wines) originated in France – one of which is a cheese born out of the French Revolution in 1789. Typically made with cows milk, though it can also be made with goat or sheep milk, Camembert would have to be the most well-known member of the surface ripened cheese family.

AVAILABLE AT: At all good bottle shops. Tastings and direct sales are also available at: Unit 1, 58 Uralla Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 www.thelittlebrewingcompany.com.au

Video

AT ’ S I N

3:51

Camembert was first made in Australia in the 1890s, though it took until the 1960s and 1970s for its popularity to really grow. Today, thanks to the patient efforts of Australian cheese-makers, we can enjoy Camembert, Brie and Triple Cream cheeses – all types of white mould cheese.

OF THE

MONTH

These kinds of cheese ripen from the outside to the inside – a process that contributes to the maturation and character of the cheese. Covering the exterior of the cheese is a velvety white rind, or mould, which takes about a week to grow on the surface. The cheese is then wrapped and left in controlled conditions to further mature.

White mould cheeses are not often ‘cooked’ in recipes, as their delicate texture is not improved by melting, though it can be used to top warm roasted savoury tarts or added to a warm chicken salad.

Watch on your smartphone

Otherwise, always serve at room temperature, and accompany with quince paste or figs, guava, muscatels and nuts.

VIDEO BY: Greater Port Macquarie Tourism.

ABOUT: Check out all the excitement, local gourmet delights and locally produced beverages at the SBS Feast Tastings on Hastings.

WATCH AT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yte-kDNEAl8

WHERE

We are lucky to have some wonderful soft cheeses made locally. Try the range of Comboyne Culture cheeses, available from Gourmand Ingredient in Short Street and other selected retailers.

greater port macquarie focus 21

focusinterview.

Laura Malligan is a champion in every sense of the word. Not a person to let anything phase her, including Cerebral Palsy, Laura has recently been recognised for her stunning athletic achievements ...

Photo courtesy of Hydro Photographics

Laura Malligan

H

i Laura. It's been a big year for you! What would you say have been the highlights for you personally and why? Winning 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals at the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Championships. It was a great achievement for a lot of hard work.

Another highlight was graduating from Year 12 at Newman Senior Technical College.

You've been involved with athletics for 10 years. Where did you first start and what made you interested in it? It started back when I was 8 at St Agnes Primary School and the sports co-ordinator, Troy Baker, told me there were events for, "athletes with a disability" (AWD), that I could participate in. I decided to give it a go! I remember winning my first race where the other athletes failed to finish, as they were scared off from the noise of the starter gun.

I started to get ribbons and 1 trophy. It gave me confidence in myself, and I found I could achieve a goal once I put my mind to it. It also gave me hope that having a disability was not going to stop me.

You are involved in a number of sports; what is your favourite? How do you typically train for athletics? I now cycle on my modified bike, which was generously donated to me by the 'Live for Kids Foundation'; this has given me confidence to ride, as I stopped riding a bike when I was 5 because I couldn't ride it without training wheels and I was too embarrassed. I would train for athletics 3 times a week around the block from my street and on a footpath in the reserve not far from home. I have 22 greater port macquarie focus.

at h l e t e s wit h a d is ab il it y

participated in athletics for 10 years; it has been my determination to achieve my personal goals. I now retire with 8 trophies and 18 medals.

You recently won the prestigious Pierre de Coubertin award; tell us about that. On 9 November I graduated from Year 12 at Newman Senior Technical College. I was honoured to receive the 'Pierre de Coubertin Award' from the Australian Olympic Committee for all x Mum always told me there I then had Boto of my athletic achieveinjections for were no such words as, "I s, an ments over the last 10 the next 10 year can't do this". ing, years. It was awarded Achilles lengthen cle Your family have been us to me by my teachers' a hip rotation, m string m ha great supporters. How a s, nt la transp assistant, Roslyn Lewis, , eye rs te as pl has this helped you? I 18 e, as rele who has supported me d tion surgery an wouldn't be where I am ec rr co physically and emotionlints for I've worn leg sp today without the support ally for the past 2 years.

10 years.� and love from my mum and I also received Sportspersister. They have helped, cared, son of the Year and Lismore loved and accepted me for who Diocese 2013 Senior Girl AWD I am.

Champion.

What are you hoping for in the next In the midst of these achievements, you few years/what goals do you have? To also have Cerebral Palsy. What inspires complete my Educational Support Course at TAFE you? I was born premature at 930 grams and to become a primary school teachers' assistant. I was told at 3 that I may never walk. I was given would like to show other children with disabilities an opportunity at 4 when the Spastic Centre told that despite the odds you can achieve your goals us that they could trial us with a new treatment if you are determined. I would hope to one day called 'Botox', that was giving children with cycle at a competitive level. I am looking forward Cerebral Palsy great results and helping them to an opportunity to work as a primary school to walk. I learnt to walk on my knees then one teachers' assistant. My goal would be to inspire foot and then two feet after Botox. I then had other children with disabilities that there is hope Botox injections for the next 10 years, an Achilles and also how you gain the most inner strength lengthening, a hip rotation, muscle transplants, to succeed from the people who love and supa hamstring release, 18 plasters, eye correction port you. surgery and I've worn leg splints for 10 years.

Thanks Laura.

Sometimes when I couldn't do something, my

“

greater port macquarie focus 23

focusinterview.

by Michelle Newman from Newman Communications

The ‘Day in the Life’ series gives us a glimpse into the working lives of the people we don’t often see or think about, but who play an important role in keeping our community running.

Santa Claus was kind enough to take a moment out of his pre-Christmas schedule to share with us what it’s like to walk a day in his big black boots. ecember is the busiest month of the year for Santa, whose role includes overseeing workshop operations, managing a staff of over 1,000 mischievous elves and making celebrity appearances at shopping centres all over the world.

I spoke with Santa at Port Central Shopping Centre, where he was dusting off his red suit ready for the photo sessions he’ll have with more than 2,000 local children between November 29 and December 24.

St Nick, who travels under many aliases in true celebrity style, has been delivering gifts and glee to children across the globe for centuries and posing for pictures at Port Central for almost 20 years.

“

While the crying babies and beard-pulling can be tough, Santa said he enjoyed catching up with the kids to check if they’ve been naughty or nice and greater port macquarie focus.

“I’m often asked for the classics like Tonka Trucks and Barbies, and once I was even asked for a job by one particularly enterprising young chap!”

Santa said the advent of reverse-cycle air conditioning in the '30s had caused some concern, but wished to reassure everyone that he would certainly be visiting the homes off all children, including those without chimneys.

Without his usual entourage of d nine helpers, elves an nta Sa r, flying reindee t the opened up abou loves. job he obviouslyey His eyes, how th ples, twinkled. His dim how merry! ”

Without his usual entourage of helpers, elves and nine flying reindeer, Santa opened up about the job he obviously loves. His eyes, how they twinkled. His dimples, how merry!

24

find out what they would like for Christmas.

“Even with my big round belly, that shakes when I laugh like a bowl full of jelly, I still manage to leave gifts under the tree and enjoy some biscuits, a glass of milk, and other refreshments,” he said with a wink of his eye.

Santa said the best part of his job was bringing smiles to children everywhere and sitting down at the end of a long day to read the bags of letters that arrive at his North Pole home.

“The children of Port Macquarie can post their letters to me in Santa’s Mailbox at the Christmas Kids Corner at Port Central, and I promise to write back to each and every one.”

My Day. 7.00am Wake up and shower. Definitely don’t shave.

7.30am Put on uniform – red pants, red coat and red hat – lucky I look good in red.

8.00am Have breakfast with Mrs Claus.

Check beard for crumbs.

8.30am Open workshop, review purchase orders and send elves out for supplies.

1.00pm Return home for a healthy snack and perhaps a little lie down.

2.00pm Back to the workshop to update my naughty and nice spreadsheet.

3.00pm Head to the stable to feed the reindeer; check Rudolph’s nose-light is working.

3.30pm Take reindeer out for their daily training flight.

4.30pm Check on elves in the workshop; sort out some rostering issues.

6.00pm Home for dinner, watch Miracle on 34th Street with Mrs Claus.

8.00pm Read Christmas carols in bed until I fall asleep.

Exhibiting 1 December to 31 January.

Art Exhibition: Origins Alpitye at Port Gallery Alpitye At Port Aboriginal art gallery is the one place in Port Macquarie to purchase authentic Aboriginal central desert art.

We have a stunning collection of paintings, giftware, unique souvenirs, baskets and carvings sourced from art centres and remote communities. Our paintings range from small prestretched ready to hang on the wall to large corporate size, great for the office or foyer.

We have artworks by Ningura Napurrula, Nyarapayi Giles, Shorty Jangala Robertson, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Barbara Weir, Charmaine Pwerl, Jeannie Petyarre, Sandra Ken, Tjawina Porter, Colleen Wallace, Selina Teece, Lena Pwerl and more.

Our paintings vary in design from the bold western desert daubing style to the fine intricate dotting that is typical of the paintings done by the artists of the Utopia region, in the eastern desert.

Alpitye At Port invites you to come and see the diversity of style, use of colour and design in our range of artwork that depict the artist’s sense of country, culture and self.

You can now purchase online. Go to www.alpityeatport.com.au or visit our gallery at 1/19 Short St Port Macquarie.

Awareness of nature's evolution, ocean and water, animals and trees, life's breath ‌ ORIGINS is a 'Truly Local' art exhibition at Long Point Vineyard and Gallery on display during December and January. Artists Yvonne Kiely and Claudia Richardson wanted to convey the positive emotions and their love and respect for the natural world, encouraging others to also make this link and become aware of what goes on beneath the surface.

Artist Yvonne Kiely is a professional artist, art teacher and qualified art therapist. In short, art in all its forms is her passion. Using mostly acrylic on canvas as her medium of choice, Yvonne uses layers of colour, texture and design to convey layers of meaning. Her paintings invite you into their very core.

Artist Claudia Richardson has been creating art since childhood. Art for her is a major strength and a passion in life. She is especially inspired by the natural world and our deep connections to it. Her work is imbued with moments of being, strong connections, to the natural world in all its power, beauty and depth. She is also inspired by writers such as Virginia Woolf, Joan Didion and Hildegard of Bingen.

Don't miss out on a visit to the ORIGINS exhibition this December and January at Long Point Vineyard and Gallery.

greater port macquarie focus 25

focusinterview.

Charlotte, Levi + Hoggle Charlotte Field and Levi Sampson can often be seen walking around town with their very unique friend – an Australian Miniature Pig named Hoggle. Hoggle has been a part of the family since he was just 5 days old, but he’s special in more ways than one! Charlotte and Levi shed some light on Animals Australia and the organisation’s ‘Make it Possible’ campaign, which Hoggle is helping to raise awareness for…

i guys. Please tell us a bit about yourselves …

Levi I have been living in the Port Macquarie area most of my life and was born a few doors up from my house! Charlotte moved to the area from her home town of Uralla about 4 years ago to study and be closer to me. We’ve now been together 5 and a half years and are getting married in April.

Introduce us to Hoggle …

Charlotte Hoggle is an Australian Miniature Pig. Because of strict quarantine laws in Australia we don’t have miniature pot belly pigs like Americans do, so Aussie breeders over many decades have bred our own miniature pig breed.

Australian miniature pigs can grow to be 40 - 60cm tall and weigh 50 - 100 kg. Hoggle is now two months old and is a very loved member of our family.

What made you decide to get a miniature pig for a pet in the first place?

Charlotte I had originally thought of getting a miniature pig for my mother because I knew that she had pigs as a child and loved them; however, she decided that she wasn’t capable of caring for a pig at her age. I then fell in love with the idea of having one myself; the more I looked into it, the more I needed a pig in my life! So, Levi bought little Hoggle from a hobby farm in Armidale for me as an early birthday present; he was 5 days old and could fit into one hand.

Do you think owning a pig is any more difficult than owning a dog or a cat? Does Hoggle have any special needs you must cater for?

Charlotte Pigs are very intelligent animals and

26 greater port macquarie focus.

they can n be toilet trained just like a cat or dog to live in the house. People often don’t realise how interactive a pig can be! Hoggle even sleeps under our bed. Pigs can be trained to do tricks like a dog and make great pets!

Pigs do have a tendency to ‘root’, however, t to which involves them And if you wan ate tim ul e th e you usually get from digging up hard soil mak yo als, u people? and grass with their choice for anim e and can go meat-fre snout looking for Levi People always have imals know that no an bugs and hidden to look twice! The usual r your were harmed fo t Levi treats. Some pet pigs reaction we get from ha fo od , whi ch is w can be trained to root people is, “Oh my God, .” and I have done in a particular area, but it’s a pig! I thought it was a the only way to deter dog! Can I pat it?” We always the behaviour altogether is carry a bag of treats with us so to have a nose ring inserted by that children can give one to Hoggle, a vet; this doesn’t affect their ability and they really get a buzz out of that. We to eat and they can still dig in soft soil, mud or get lots of people taking photos, and it’s genersand. ally a very positive reaction.

“

Pigs are unable to sweat or pant, so they have no way of cooling their bodies down in warm weather. Hoggle has a kiddy pool, but most pigs wallow in mud to cool off, and this also provides them with a natural sunscreen.

What’s his personality like?

Charlotte Hoggle is very affectionate! He loves to give everyone kisses and cuddles. Hoggle likes to always be by someone’s side and makes a great pillow! He is very playful; he likes to play with dog toys and anything else he can find that looks like fun − especially plastic bags. He’ll get into everything; he’s like an adventurous two year old, so we always have to keep an eye on him. We also have a little dog, and he and Hoggle are best mates and love to chase each other around the house.

You can often be seen walking Hoggle around town. What kinds of reactions do

You’re very passionate about Animals Australia and their ‘Make it Possible’ campaign, and Hoggle helps you raise awareness for this cause. What is the campaign all about?

Charlotte The Make it Possible campaign by Animals Australia is all about shining a light on the cruel world of factory farming in our country. Factory farming is the number one cause of animal abuse in our country today.

Few Australians are aware that the vast majority of pork, chicken and egg products produced in Australia come from factory farms, where animals are subjected to severe confinement, can face surgical procedures without pain relief and are denied any quality of life whatsoever.

Australians have shown that they won’t tolerate animal cruelty, which is why factory farming has only been able to thrive through being hidden from public view. Factory farmers know that

most people would refuse to buy their products if they knew the truth.

Make it Possible is the most ambitious animal welfare campaign ever launched in Australia. Its goal is to end factory farming, and we believe this is infinitely achievable because its success lies in the hands of everyday Australians like you and me. All we have to do is make kind choices.

By refusing factory farmed products and buying only free range products, each of us can make a strong statement about how we believe animals should be treated. By choosing to eat fewer animal products, you can reduce the demand that has forced animals to be so intensively farmed.

And if you want to make the ultimate choice for animals, you can go meat-free and know that no animals were harmed for your food, which is what Levi and I have done.

We were already passionate about Make it Possible and because of the attention we got just by taking Hoggle for walks, we decided why not make the most of this and promote a good cause while we’re at it!

To find out more about Make it Possible and what you can do to help Aussie farm animals, please visit the website www.makeitpossible. com – to keep up to date with Hoggle and when we’re next campaigning, check out his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Hogglethepig Thanks Charlotte and Levi.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

HOME & GARDEN OPEN DAY .....

SAT UR DAY 7 DECEMBER 2013 11am – 1pm .....

Join us for a home and garden open day and help celebrate the launch of our brand new two and three bedroom villas and soon to be constructed community centre.

Enjoy a gourmet barbecue and live music while hearing from a range of lifestyle experts including a Landscape Gardener, Interior Designer and Home Care Consultant.

Villas for sale will be open for inspection on the day.

To register your attendance call Kim on 6581 1322 or email retirementliving@australianunity.com.au

28 JOHN OXLEY DR I V E PORT M ACQUA R IE SIENNAGR A NGE .COM . AU

greater g gre ate er port port macquarie macqu ma cquari cqu ar e fo ari focus foc uss 27 2

Greater Port Macquarie

Seared Scallops, Chilli Jam and Chorizo with a Baby Leaf, Orange and Prosciutto salad from Spinnakers at Sails Resort by Rydges.

eat. Dining Guide is available for iPhone & Android App Store. www.focusmag.com.au/eat

28 greater port macquarie focus.

eat.

Tropical sundae with vanilla and coconut ice-cream, rockmelon sorbet, passionfruit and brandy snaps.

Restaurant Synergy

Wagyu beef burger, brioche bun, beetroot relish, gruyere cheese with zebu spiced steak fries.

Synergy Restaurant & Bar, located at the Mercure Centro Hotel – where food and service works in harmony.

Enjoy an intimate dining experience, serving modern Australian Cuisine at its best.

Private dining rooms available for up to 20 guests, or for larger events, consider our spectacular ocean roof top.

Sunday special $50pp - 2 course choice menu with complimentary bottle of wine.

Zebu bar + grill

Executive Chef Nathaniel.

Cnr Hay & William Streets, Port Macquarie t 6583 0830 w www.centrohotel.com.au open 7 days, from 6.30am 'til 10am for breakfast; 5pm – late for dinner. Bookings essential.

Head to the waterfront this festive season and enjoy summer Zebu style with loads of yummy dishes on our new casual dining and bar menu. Hit the town with some naughty and nice cocktails for every day of the week. Throw in some amazing live music and you have all your festive fun sorted!

Executive Chef Adam Tait is serving up the taste of summer in the grill featuring succulent fresh seafood and prime steaks. Check out the delicious Rise buffet breakfast concept at Zebu now for visiting family and friends.

Diary Date: NYE White Party – Tuesday 31 December//Open ‘til 2am.

No cover charge//DJs and snow machine!

If you would like a relaxed dinner on the water try our NYE 3 Course Dinner in Zebu Grill $85pp – Bookings essential

Zebu Mixologist Matt Williams.

Hay Street Foreshore, Port Macquarie t 6589 2822 w www.zebu.com.au open 7 days, from 6.30am - late.

Bar open noon daily. Bookings recommended.

Scampis Seafood Bar & Grill Scampis Seafood Bar and Grill enjoys magnificent ocean views and a delicious menu, taking advantage of local fresh seafood and the expertise of an experienced head chef. Scampis is the perfect place to relax and enjoy lunch or dinner.

Why not ask about our Christmas party options, whether it be for family, friends or work colleagues, we have the venue, the atmosphere and the menu to suit your needs.

Watch our for our NEW menu arriving soon.

Spinnakers Restaurant + Bar Summer is here and so is the chance to get out and enjoy what Port Macquarie is all about - fresh air, water views and plenty of sunshine. Spinnakers is the perfect spot to enjoy lazy summer days on the deck with family and friends or a romantic night out on the marina. Chef Michael Schubert and his team have unveiled a delicious new summer menu to include succulent Asian influenced dishes featuring fresh crab, snapper, scallops, king prawns, lobsters and steaks. If relaxed live music is just your style check out our waterfront sessions with Wednesday night live acoustic and Friday Night Piano Bar with Jo Thomas on the Baby Grand from 5pm – 8pm teamed with our beverage and tasting plate specials.

DIARY DATES: Book now for CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH & DINNER $145pp - the ultimate waterfront Christmas.

NYE Seafood Buffet on the Marina - $99pp with a front row seats to the fireworks and live entertainment by Jordan Jive.

Located inside Sails Resort Port Macquarie by Rydges.

Park St, Port Macquarie at the roundabout, opposite Settlement City t 6589 5200 open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6.45am, 7 days a week.

Owners Mark and Jackie Holt.

40 William Street, Port Macquarie t 6583 7200 open 7 days for lunch and dinner.

Breakfast Saturdays and Sundays only.

greater port macquarie focus 29

eat.

Tuesday nights - buy one pasta get one for $5

Baked Eggs & Chorizo.

Café 66

Mi Casa Café & Restaurant

Café 66 is renowned around the world for their quality Italian cuisine, and the warm family style hospitality. You can enjoy an intimate meal for two, or book a group function. There is also a daily blackboard menu to select from and a function menu that caters for all tastes and budgets.

Enjoy the rustic atmosphere and Spanish vibe at Mi Casa Spanish Café, Restaurant & Tapas Bar with great views overlooking the Town Green.

Summer Specials!

• $10 tapas Monday and Tuesday nights • Paella night on Thursdays • Friday live music and $5 beers • $10 cocktails on Saturday nights.

Tuesday nights – buy one pasta get one for $5.

Wednesday and Thursday breakfast – bacon & eggs + standard coffee, all for $10.90.

Takeaway menu also availble.

Head Chef Jamie Payten

BOOK IN FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY! Reservations are filling up fast; book soon to make sure you don’t miss out!

Owners Brendan & Jennis Field.

Takeaway Coffees - All Day Tapas Menu - Live Music Fri and Sat

Like us on Facebook.

66 Clarence Street Port Macquarie t 6583 2484

3/2 Horton Street (Located on Town Green), Port Macquarie. t 6584 4559

open Closed all day Monday and Sunday nights only.

No surcharge on Sundays.

open Breakfast and lunch, Wednesday to Sunday, from 8am to 2pm. Dinner 7 days from 5.30pm.

Entree: Emu & Kangaroo Pie served on Mushy Peas with a Tomato Bush Chutney

Off the Hook

Waterfront Restaurant

Off the Hook is owned and operated by Paul and Narelle Walsh.

At the Waterfront Restaurant, our aim is to make sure that when you leave

We offer a great variety of choice: tasty old style hamburgers, snacks, salads and of course, fish and chips. We have added a larger selection of fish to our menu, including our favourite, the Flathead fillets.

our restaurant, we have satisfied every facet of the dining experience.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after 4pm are our extra special nights; pay just $9.90 for two fillets of fish and chips.

Book early for New Years Eve to secure a table on the balcony (weather

There’s nothing better than a meal by the edge of the beautiful Hastings River.

Located along Port Macquarie’s Town Green. t 6584 1146 open 7 days, from 11am - late.

EFTPOS available; phone orders welcome.

30 greater port macquarie focus

Family friendly and open for breakfast 7 days a week and dinner 6 days a week.

Bring in 2014 with a great meal, good friends and a wonderul atmosphere permitting) or by the window to make the most of our fabulous view The friendly staff.

Booking essential for special functions and dinner time.

Sunset Parade, Port Macquarie t 6583 1944 open for breakfast: Mon - Fri, 7am - 11am; weekends 8am - 11am.

Dinner: Monday - Saturday, 6pm - late.

Inside and outside dining.

focus

editorial

Coffee and Tea BUZZ

Harry&Vicki

from Café Buzz

Your local café BUZZ is filling the shelves with an even bigger range of fresh roasted coffees, loose leaf teas and locally grown and produced products for you to enjoy this festive season.

We have made several changes to our selling ‘Handybrew’, coffee cleaning products huge range of BUZZ Coffees, easily the and coffee making accessories, including biggest range you will find anywhere. coffee knockouts, chocolate shakers, The first big change was putting our coffee thermometers, milk jugs and grinders. in ‘kraft’ bags, as opposed to plastic. The As a long-time friend of local producers earth needs all the help it can get! We then Café BUZZ carries many items like jams, increased the amount of coffee chocolates, fudges, biscuits, you receive by 50 grams. relishes, oils, olives, cereals Next we looked at our and even more! All coffees and decided to delicious, as tasted by e ag make some additions BUZZ head taster, Vicki. im e In th w lo be e se with new coffees from Café BUZZ thanks u yo .A ew br dy an H Colombia, Brazil, you for helping us r is ou a r fo ft gi l rfu de on Uganda, Mexico, be open for over w ver! ” coffee and tea lo Peru and Sumatra.

10 years. We wish Our master roaster you, your family and continues to enjoy his friends all the best for a job of finding quality safe and healthy holiday coffees for you to enjoy. period. Your BUZZ will have As a special present for you, the hours and days it is open on every bag of BUZZ Coffee sold will the door, or ask at the counter. give you a free regular coffee to enjoy at All Café BUZZ outlets have their own your Café BUZZ for when you feel like having Facebook page, where you can catch up with a BUZZ. Sit down and try one of our many what is happening, and our new BUZZ Coffee coffees while you tick off your shopping lists. page is now open for you to learn and laugh The coffee lover will appreciate our range of about coffee. coffee making products, including our biggest

“

greater port macquarie focus 31

Big Plans for 2014 Wauchope & Port Macquarie Performing Arts (WPMPA) are wrapping up their most exciting year to date, with big plans already in place for 2014.

Principal Stacey Morgan has been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm shown by students and parents during the wide range of extracurricular activities that WPMPA students have participated in over the past year, from trips to Sydney for BBO Danceweek, Legally Blonde and Hot Shoe Shuffle, to master classes here with Jason Winters and the crew from Dance Academy.

From competing in a National Dance group competition at the Australian Dance Festival to the school's brand new studio opening with Jason Coleman, and who could forget the Dance Tour to America and the WPMPA students dancing in the Main Street parade at Disneyland, Stacey says she has her dedicated, talented staff and supportive

family to thank for the school's success, and that the best is yet to come!

The year culminates with the students' end of year concert and musical production of FAME at The Glasshouse Theatre on December 7 at 11am and 4pm. Tickets are available through The Glasshouse box office on 6581 8888.

Planning for 2014 is already in full swing, with the school excited to bring RAD classical ballet classes in addition to BBO classical classes into their curriculum with the experienced classical ballet coach Jeff McCormack (Mr Mac) at the helm. Timetables for 2014 are available online now, with online registration quick and easy for both new and existing families. Whether you are looking for the highest technical dance training for the experienced dancer or just a dance school that values fun, fitness and friendship, WPMPA has a class to suit you in 2014.

Enrol now at wpmpa.com

Vocal Director

Director / Choreographer

SARAH PARKER

STACEY MORGAN

PERFORMED by STUDENTS from

Saturday 7th December 2013 Tickets available at Glasshouse Box OMÄce Adults $25 Children $19.50

Conceived and Developed by

DAVID DE SILVA Book by

JOSÉ FERNANDEZ

Lyrics by

Music by

JACQUES LEVY STEVE MARGOSHES

Title Song “Fame” written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore

Photo by Steve from Fab Photos

32 greater port macquarie focus.

Fame JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Script, music and all other materials © 2010 iTheatrics Broadway Junior and MTI’s Broadway Junior Collection are trademarks of Music Theatre International. All rights reserved.

The Wauchope Jockey Club This year's Woop Woop Cup race meeting

dress up and try their luck at the Fashions on

is shaping up to be another great day. The

the Field. Bookmakers will be on course with full

annual Boxing Day event is always a favourite

tote facilities.

among the locals and is a great family day out

The races sponsors for 2013 are -

for all. Admission to the five-event race day

• High Street Living: Leading Edge Appliances

is just $10 and $5 for pensioners, with gates opening at 12pm.

• Redhead Machinary • Scott Cooper Roofing & Earthmoving

There will also be lots of undercover seating

• Wauchope Stock & Estate Agent Pty Ltd

available, whether it be rain, hail or shine.

• Wauchope Produce

The day will provide great entertainment for

• M&S Print PTY LTD

young and old, as well as those who love to

• Wauchope RSL

focusinterview.

Out to Lunch

with Susie Boswell

Matt GATES Sleep tight tonight, the force is with you: crime-fighting trio Gates, Gilby and Gov are on the lookout, on standby to detect and protect the community across the north of the State. This month, NSW Police invite Susie to meet some unique personnel.

T

he Port Macquarie region has around 150-plus police. We welcome them if our house is robbed, yet get a stern ticking off for misdemeanours on the roads. But the Police Dog Unit Awww! - it’s the soft and cuddly face of the force. Pictures of the dogs in a 2013 calendar boosted funds for Police Legacy; people bid in charity auctions for naming rights of new pups; members of the public are recruited as Puppy Raisers. The unit even has its own Facebook page, linked to the force’s official site, with lots of “ooh-aah” and tearjerker postings.

“My dogs are accredited to me; no one else works with them. The bond between dog and handler’s important: reading your dog’s body language and [their mannerisms] is something you learn over time; the relationship builds.

The dogs all have different personalities: during our training course the trainers assess us and the dogs, and pair us up with a dog we’re compatible with. I’m a fairly neutral, mellow person: the first dog they paired me with was quite frantic [in temperament]. They balanced us out so I could bring the dog down to a level where we’d get the best from the partnership.”

Dog Unit handler Senior Constable Matt Gates no doubt poses an intimidating sight when he and his dog confront offenders, along with the formidable presence of a pistol strapped to his thigh. But it’s the telltale fond crinkle at the corner of his eyes when Gates talks of the two canines in his charge, Gilby and Gov, that projects an appealing “good cop” image of policing. The dog unit (in the US, known as a K9 unit) is a niche arm of the force, part of Specialist Operations Command, and pretty much exclusive: of more than 16,000 cops of all kinds in NSW a mere 68 are dog handlers.

It gets even more particular: Gates and fellow officer Snr Const Kaine Schwartz, both based locally to cover the northern command region, are “dual” handlers: each works with two dogs, each dog trained for distinct purposes.

A handler and his dog form a permanent partnership, Gates explains:

PD Gov, a four-year-old black German Shepherd, is a “general purpose” dog, and PD Gilby, a fiveyear-old black Labrador, is a “drug detection” dog. There are also firearms and explosives detection dogs and cadaver dogs, the animals trained to respond to different odours: chemical, gunpowder, human, etc.(As well as Shepherds and Labs, the unit also has English Springer Spaniels - puppy, inset).

For the general purpose dog the majority of work is searching, tracking and subduing violent offenders. In a domestic violence encounter attended by Gates and PD Gov a man “well affected by alcohol”, as police quaintly describe it, got into an argument with his family and armed himself with a golf club – potentially and actually delivering an almighty impact. Amon other things he’d smashed up a car, assaulted victims, including his mother, in the presence

of children and fled in the night into bushland: ostensibly disappeared, still dangerous. Gates and Gov tracked him through scrub in pitch darkness, only to find when they located him lying concealed in grass that he’d doubled back in a wide circle near to the scene of the incident, still armed with the club, possibly intent on further mayhem once police and ambos left.

Our own “top dog”, local area commander Superintendent Paul Fehon, reviews the two handlers’ achievements since their arrival last year. Being here on the ground, he says, covering from Nambucca to Taree-Forster and beyond - instead of having to travel from a Sydney or Newcastle base - has meant “a more rapid response to urgent operations and public order incidents”. They’re available 24/7, regularly summoned to major crime events, he points out. What’s more, says Fehon: “Matt and Kaine are two of the best dog handlers in the State.”

For Gates, 36, it’s a dream job. Originally from the far north coast he did a carpentry apprenticeship and worked as a chippie until 24. Then: “I needed a change of scenery, to experience something different. The variety of options with the police attracted me, the type of work: a bit of excitement, action, being able to help people and get involved in your community.” He was first posted to general duties at Bondi. “You get to experience a bit about the dog unit, working alongside them in major operations. So having a chance to do that full time interested me. I’d always wanted to work with animals, growing up with dogs as pets and having that connection.”

Gates transferred to the unit around seven years ago, motivated at: “being able to work with a dog and help extend your capability, what we do in policing; to find an offender or drugs we wouldn’t have been able to find without the dog is pretty rewarding.” And after 10 years in Sydney Gates, by now a family man and married to a former officer, welcomed a return to the country, when the unit introduced regional positions.

There’s a special camaraderie, naturally, among handlers. “It’s a really different job to policing altogether. Even though we’re helping out general duties officers or detectives or whatever the job is, it’s a unique and specialised thing to train the dog, get it to operational level and work it. So we often tell stories about whose dog’s found this or that, whose dog’s done the best; there’s a friendly rivalry and everyone’s quite proud when their dog leads to arresting a person or finding a haul of drugs that mightn’t otherwise have been found.”

And then there’s that bond with the animal.

Dogs begin police work at 12 to 18 months, retiring at seven. Gates has had four dogs so far.

“Most handlers keep their retired dog or give them to a close friend or family members, so we know they’re looked after and we can keep in contact with them.” His fondness for his dogs is evident, too, when we come to do the Focus photo-shoot ... Gates is eager to see how well his workmate PD Gov’s picture turns out.

He didn’t ask about his own image.

Out To Lunch is hosted by Lou Perri at The Stunned Mullet on Town Beach.

greater port macquarie focus 33

focusinterview.

QUAY LIME CAFE + RESTAURANT

Quaylime has quickly become popular with the locals and it's not hard to understand why. We catch up with owners Nathan and Lisa and find out what is in store this December at Quaylime cafe and restaurant. uaylime has definitely been

Q

The Loft Bar is a unique space with an

the place everyone must see.

amazing view overlooking the marina and

What is it about Quaylime

beyond to town. This is where we have our

that stands out from the

live entertainment and we also use this space

other café/restaurants in Port

for functions. Sit at one of the window tables

Macquarie?

and enjoy your meal, or relax on the lounge

Thank you. We have been overwhelmed with

with a drink whilst being entertained.

how the locals have taken to the restaurant/

We have Southern Cross Poker every

wanting to have

café. We have been so lucky to be able to

Wednesday evening from 7pm, acoustic

a birthday or

provide a restaurant/café in such a unique

sessions on Thursday from 7pm, a DJ on

celebration at the

picturesque location right on the beautiful

Friday night, live music on Saturday from 7pm

restaurant, what do

Port Macquarie Marina. There is something

and an open mic jam session on Sunday 12 -

they need to do?

for everyone – whether it be a quick coffee,

3pm.

We have a dedicated

an afternoon cheese plate with wine or an

You have a lot planned for New Year's.

events coordinator. You

evening meal. Quaylime has a rustic laid back

What is on the agenda? We are going retro

can contact Yvonne at

feel with live entertainment in the Loft Bar

this New Year’s Eve with our DJ downstairs

quaylimefunctions@gmail.com

overlooking the breakwall. We strive to make

and a live band upstairs. Canapes will be

or call her 0457 066 139. We have

sure each customer has the perfect place to

supplied all night long, and there is also a 2

a variety of packages to suit all occasions, or

escape, eat, drink and indulge!

hour drink package included. We have the

we are happy to work with the customer to

The Loft Bar is now open. Tell us all about

best deck to watch the fireworks. It is going

create their special day.

the Loft Bar and what it brings to the

to be lots of fun and dancing to bring in

What is new on the menu this December?

restaurant?

2014. Tickets are $125pp, and bookings are

We have a 2 course Christmas lunch special

34 greater port macquarie focus.

essential.

If people are

tro We are going re e, Ev ’s ar Ye this New s ir ta ns w do with our DJ rs . ai st up nd ba e and a liv supplied Canapes will be there d an all night long , drink is also a 2 hour ed. We package includ ck to de st have the be ks .” or ew fir e watch th

“

with roast turkey, Christmas pudding, brandy custard and a complimentary glass of sparkling for $25pp. We also have daily fresh seafood specials.

What hours are you open over the Christmas season, and do people need to book if they are wanting to dine here? Yes, it is best to book, as we are getting very busy with Christmas parties and functions. We will be open for breakfast and lunch on Christmas Eve. We will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

greater port macquarie focus 35

36 greater port macquarie focus.

s o c i a l s c e n e Right. Shannan & Jacob Riordan on their wedding day. Photo courtesy Issac Garrard photography

with Kate Wood-Foye from Rydges Port Macquarie.

Below. Tiffany Slack-Smith & Sarah Gale @ Butlers in the Buff

Above. Kim Hodge, Bruce Hodge, Bruce Jeffery, Margaret Jeffery at the BMW launch

Above. Hayley Quirk and Shari Armano @ Butlers in the Buff

Social/scene.

Right. Rob & Peta at their engagement at Zebu

Let the dance off begin! old sweat + good rehearsal + bad rehearsal + dress rehearsal + 300 guests = mental breakdown.

Nerves have always been my demon … and this event will be no different. Currently praying to the gods of sw swagger to send even just a teeny weeny little bit my way to get me through my number on the dance floor. God knows, I am going to need it! A pre performance review was 'deer in the headlights', not overly encouraging, so really just hoping for the best at this stage and perhaps upgrading myself to a slightly stunned mullet! By the time this goes to press, I will be wallowing in self pity for going blank mid routine or insanely happy to have made it through the number alive! Either way, a ridiculous amount of money will be raised for the Cancer Council by the many locals and their AMAZINGLY dedicated dance teachers, who have given their time and talent to inspire us amateurs to get out there and shake our groove thang! Oh, and a special thank you to you Kristian Murphy for pointing out that there will be 600 eyes upon us … a really calming statement!

So much going on in Port Macquarie at this time of year: awards, galas, fundraisers, Christmas shindigs, openings and launches. Congrats to Anthony Wilson and his Saltwater Wine team for the reveal of their new flagship store in Horton St, which features an espresso bar with treats for those who want to chillax and get their retail fix. In typical style, Anthony has created a funky

space packed full of surf brands and street wear.

Over 100 guests enjoyed the opening event at TGs, complete with 'Pose It' photo booth for guests.

Shannan Stitt and Jacob Riordan were married in a beautiful riverfront ceremony in Taree recently, followed by a rustic country reception in the Lansdowne Community Hall in early November.

Over 140 guests joined the gorgeous couple, including the bride's parents, Rhonda and Geoff Stitt, groom's parents, Robyn Sharrock and Geoff Riordan, Sheena and Phil Solomon, Mark Northam and Jane Rees, Paula Berry, Paul and Jill Allan. The hall was filled with vintage touches, spring flowers, white damask linen and tea lights. Guests enjoyed sparkles on arrival followed by entrée and main by SilverSpoon Catering & Events and a dessert buffet to die for from a family friend in Taree. Guests were entertained by the amazing Matt Zarb on guitar and vocals, whilst emcee Jessica Shannon kept the crowd entertained. The bride wore a stunning ivory gown, with bridesmaids Jacqui Mumford, Jessica Arnold, Lori Geddes and Lisa Mumford in gorgeous blush gowns befitting of the vintage feel. Jacob was attended by Daniel Riordan, Matthew Gordon, Tim Jones and Mark Quillan. Guests made some magic memories, with a photo booth full of fun. The happy couple honeymooned in Thailand and will be making their home in Mascot. Congrats, Mr and Mrs Riordan!

The delightful Peta Szagmeister and her lovable

English Lad, Mr Robert Marlowe, celebrated their engagement with a cocktail party at Zebu Bar + Grill in mid November with 70 friends and family.

Special guests included Rob’s sister, Georgia Duff and best man-to-be, Andrew Turner, old mate Matt Lindeman, Kylie Wright, Nic Donahue, Justeen Single and Ed Godschalk, Jarad and Susie Mea and Peta’s daughter, Jazzy. Guests enjoyed canapés and bubbly and some cruisy tunes from Pamela Hata and Allan Morris on guitar. Rob, always the gentleman and dapper chap, made a beautiful speech for his bride to-be, leaving many of the ladies in the crowd swooning. Congrats, you two! Wishing you love and happiness always!

Congrats to Shane McGuigan and Shaun Ferguson of BMW on the launch of their new X5 and 4 Series Coupe BMW, with a private soiree at Zebu. Guests, including Councillor Mike Cusato, Marg and Gary Murcott, Cecilia and Craig Carroll and Mr and Mrs Atkinson (the proud owners of a new 4 Series) were among the 40 guests to celebrate the launch. Guests enjoyed Verve Cliquot and some delicate canapés from Exec Chef Adam Tait, including crisp pork belly on ginger and pear puree, red curry spoons of chicken and mango and duck and pork san choy bow. The rain didn’t put the crowd off from their close up with the stylish new editions that graced the entry of the hotel. Happy motoring!

Thank you to the bevy of beautiful ladies who joined me for the Butlers in the Buff charity cocktail event at the gorgeous home of Dr

Muyesser and Gunduz Durur. The venue was the perfect spot to spend an afternoon with fifty fine ladies, French Martinis, canapés with wicked desserts, including mini meringue kisses and white chocolate and raspberry cheesecakes and of course, the cherry on top, a hunkalicious butler in the buff! Thanks to Eric Wilken of EBPT for lending his biceps and six pack (or was it an eight pack?) for the cause – either way, we raised quite a few eyebrows and over two thousand dollars in one afternoon for the Cancer Council of NSW. The gals glamming it up included Tiffany Slack-Smith, Sarah Gale, Belinda Gibson, Skye Frost, Lisa Briscoe, Hayley Hyde, Kylie Malligan, Bianca Lyons, Shannon Harris, Shari Armano and Hayley Quirk, Sarah Ward, Trish Wood, Brook Wood, Gemma Clifton, Jenna Coombes, Noelene Turner and Lee Reimer-Madden, to name just a few of the glamazons giggling it up for a good cause. Mix master Isaac Gordon kept the cocktails coming, with a surprise visit from my dance partner, Jason Dubock of Spring Hill, Florida.

A fun afternoon, despite rainy skies! Once the butler arrived, the weather seemed somewhat irrelevant!

Christmas and New Year are literally here, with my hubby busily surfing the net for a superhero costume to kick off the New Year's bash at the hotel ... not sure what he will end up with … god knows, he likes a good dress up… usually of the obscure kind and often including inappropriately snug leggings! Happy holidays! 'til next month!

greater port macquarie focus 37

focuseditorial.

Looking through a glass onion

louperri.

from The Stunned Mullet

G e tti ng i t, and keeping it It can be extremely difficult to get things right. Sometimes you need to try lots of different things to hit the nail on the head. ut once you find a winning formula,

seems to work and what doesn’t, we mostly

you do your best to stick to it. This

reach a point where we achieve a basic formula

is as true of business as it is of life in

for success.

B

general.

In the restaurant game, we are

constantly trying to nail that state of just about perfect – amazingly delicious food, excellent wine and cocktails, scrumptious desserts, charismatic,

Once this state is achieved, all our energies have to pour into keeping it that way.

Unfortunately though, the uphill battle doesn’t end here …

With experience and longevity comes the

cheerful and efficient staff, great location and

dreaded peril of complacency and the danger of

fantastic atmosphere.

becoming stale and tired.

That about sums it up. From your perspective,

This is just as bad as never getting it right in

that is, the customer’s perspective, this is

the first place and something any business needs

pretty much what most of you are looking

to avoid with all their might.

for. Sometimes you hit upon that amazing

So in order to ensure ongoing wow factor,

combination of factors that make your dining

we basically need to stay on a constant learning

experience exquisitely unforgettable. Once

curve – perpetually creative/experimental, while

you find this state of culinary nirvana, it is the

retaining the tried and tested basics.

experience you aspire to whenever you dine

Which means we will never really get it right,

out. You have found your personal benchmark

because we are still invoking the old trial and

of perfection, and this is the level in which the

error to avoid becoming stale and tired.

bar has been raised to, whether you consciously realise it or not.

Owners or managers of, not just restaurants

Sigh … it’s really just like living on a boat and being slightly seasick the whole time.

And then – to add insult to injury – there’s the

but any small or larger businesses, realise the

old subjective experience theory that comes into

above. We strive to create as close to perfect

play. Even if we get it right once and then you

an experience of customer service that we can.

come back again and we still seem to get it right,

Only through years of experience and countless

it might still not be as right as the time before.

mishaps and failed experiments can we even

This can be for all sorts of extraneous factors.

come close to achieving this, and even then it’s a

Last time was a beautiful summer evening; this

fragile and delicate prize which can be lost at the

time it’s freezing and raining. Or maybe you just

expense of one tiny wrong move.

had a row with the other half, or a bad day at

It’s all about getting every part of the process right. A failure in just one factor of the experience can so very easily taint the whole

mistakes and put all our energies into creating

perhaps even a terrible coffee after a delicious

something special and memorable for you, not

entrée, main and dessert.

just today, but every time we see you.

But at the end of the day, the attainment of

can go wrong with a restaurant experience – so

dining perfection and nirvana is a bit mystical and

many points at which the enjoyment factor goes

mostly unattainable. It seems to be one of those

rapidly south. And we humans are unforgiving

things that happen purely through a bizarre kind

creatures, whom in our ‘glass half empty’

of cosmic pre-destiny – a bit like a total eclipse or

natures, look to focus on what we didn’t like,

a date like 11/11/11.

Indeed, for business operators who have worked out through years of trial and error what 38 greater port macquarie focus.

FINAL SHOWS BEFORE NEW YORK

LOOKING THROUGH A GLASS ONION JOHN

LENNON In Word and Music

Essentially, it’s almost impossible to nail it

be soured by say, a mistake with the bill – or

been in the game for quite some time and have

“Rather than to impersonate, I wanted to evoke his honesty, bitter-sweet humour, self criticism and disdain for pretentiousness and pomposity,” says Waters. “The song Glass Onion was John Lennon’s postscript to The Beatles. It had such a strong image of crystal ball-gazing and peeling away the layers that it inspired the format for this show – a kaleidoscope collage of song, word, emotion and image,” agrees D’Arrietta with Waters. For the audience, this is either an emotional trip down memory lane or a wonderful introduction to the life and times of one of the most fascinating icons of our time.

headache. and then hold onto it. We can learn from our

rather than what we did.

The show is not a cut-and-paste biography of Lennon or an emulation of the original recordings. On stage, with shadows from the lighting arrangement fluttering over his face, he explores the essence of the man through song and spoken word. Waters becomes synonymous with Lennon. He shies away from imitating the

artist, but so emotive is his performance, it lulls the audience into believing anything is possible.

It’s part concert and part biography, though it doesn’t seek to tell the full story of Lennon’s life.

work, or you have a bit of a cold or perhaps a

thing. For example – a wonderful night can easily

Unfortunately, there are so many things that

In 1992, John Waters and Stewart D’Arrietta took to the small stage at the Tilbury Hotel, Woolloomooloo, Sydney with their debut production of Looking Through A Glass Onion. What was an initially a one week booking quickly sold out and extended into a six week, sell out season. Fast forward, after a massive 137date tour in 2010/2011/2012, John and Stewart are returning with their ‘up close and personal’ 2 man show in 2014, whilst gearing up towards launching the production Off Broadway in New York. “It began its life as a small venue piece with just Stewart D’Arrietta and myself on stage at the Tilbury Hotel in Sydney. I made my entrance from a kitchen and climbed over patrons’ laps to scramble onto a tiny raised platform in the corner of the room. The audience and I were inescapably intimate with each other from the very start, and I kinda like that. Not every venue we play this time around can be exactly like that, but it’s the feeling I want to create – to take the show back to its roots,” says John Waters.

SATURDAY JANUARY 4

GLASSHOUSE PORT MACQUARIE www.glasshouse.org.au 02 6581 8888

JOHN

WATERS with Stewart D’Arrietta

The most we can realistically achieve is a night where everything tastes delicious and is served with a smile, in a timely fashion.

The rest, well – it’s up to you!

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL AN INTIMATE PERFORMANCE

greater port macquarie focus 39

Miss Renee Simone Byron Bay songbird brings soulful tunes to Port Macquarie.

Looking for a great way to bring in the New Year? The Fig is very excited to present one of the rising stars of the Australian music industry, Miss Renee Simone, with her five piece band.

Likened to ‘an early Sade’ by legendary blues guitarist Eric Bibb, the Jamaican heritage, UK born Miss Renee Simone has been skyrocketing to fame since she wowed audiences and judges as lead vocalist with The Blackbirds on Australia’s Got Talent in 2010.

Miss Renee was spotted by Xavier Rudd not long after her national TV appearance and was enlisted as a backing vocalist on his Koonyum Sun album. The requests keep coming. In 2012 she was invited to record with Angus Stone, who compared her voice to “layers of tiramisu topped with smooth chocolate sauce”. She was also called on by UK soul legend Omar to sing a duet with him on his Australia tour in place of Erykah Badu.

In late 2012, Miss Renee stepped out as a solo artist and in December launched her debut album, ROAR, in honour of powerful, empowered and accomplished women.

Miss Renee’s music is largely influenced by the divas of Soul and Jazz – Josephine Baker, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday – as well as contemporary artists Neneh Cherry, Lauryn Hill, Sade, Erykah Badu, Morcheeba, Massive Attack and Portishead.

Don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with Australia’s brightest new voice in Soul Jazz.

40 greater port macquarie focus.

focusinterview.

EXECUTIVE CHEF - MERCURE SYNERGY

NATHANIEL DESTEFANO

We catch up with Executive Chef from Mercure Synergy Nathaniel Destefano, who tells us about his 9 years in the food industry and his future plans.

W

hen did your love for food and cooking begin?

I first started my apprenticeship in Yamba in a busy restaurant right on the water. After that I moved to a small town called Mudgee, were I completed my apprenticeship and started my first role as Head Chef. This is where you could say my passion began – being able to create my own à la carte menu and designing function menus to cater for up to 1,000 people. I have always been one to love a challenge. After 5 years in Mudgee, I decided to commit to a move and here I am, Executive Chef at Mercure Synergy.

source my ingredients locally where possible. In

What made you decide to pursue it as a career? From a very young age I have always loved to cook; also, my mum is in the industry and my dad was also a chef, so you could just say I had no choice – it was already in my blood.

be the Gippsland eye fillet with beetroot paint,

Tell us about your wonderful menu at Synergy?

The menu is now a lot more refined, to really target perfection. The dishes themselves are simple and fresh – nothing too overpowering – to keep the focus on the quality of the main ingredient.

Where do you source your supplies? I try to

saying that, I do like to look outside the box, so to say, in search for the best produce.

How is Synergy Restaurant different from others? Synergy is a small 40 seat restaurant, which offers a more intimate dining experience.

We also have private dining facilities with a range of menus, or we can design a menu to suit. I would also have to say the team is friendly and professional and really strive to give the best dining experience.

What is your favourite item on the menu and why? My favourite dish would have to asparagus, truffle potato and horseradish cream. I really take a lot of pride when it comes to cooking a steak. So many chefs out there cannot cook a decent steak. I can promise, if you came out and tried the steak, you will not leave disappointed.

What are the future plans for the restaurant? As the business grows, I plan to hold special events, live music plus more – so keep an eye out on upcoming events.

Thanks Nathaniel. greater port macquarie focus 41

RELAX ON THE BALCONY AND SOAK UP SOME RAYS!

Classic Donut Café

December @ Kenny's

New, fresh and in time for the Christmas rush!

This is the 'Wow!' Month. Luscious cherries from Young and Orange, sweet juicy mangoes from North Queensland to just die for! Forbes is famous for the unique flavour of their peaches. The nectarines, apricots and plums are also delicious.

Who hasn't done their shopping yet, or leaves it until the last minute and then is completely stressed out?

Quaylime Loft Bar

Well, we have the answer to a peaceful and relaxing shopping experience. After you have wrestled the crowds, or before you venture into the shopping centre, come and have a lovely cup of coffee and freshly made donuts at the new and very relaxing Classic Donut Café.

Now open in the forecourt near the Glasshouse, serving the one and only Caffe Firenze coffee, and a mouth watering array of treats. Open 7 days a week for coffee on the go,

The Quaylime Loft Bar is now OPEN from 5pm Wed –Fri and from 11am Sat – Sun. You can relax on the balcony and soak up some rays! We have entertainment every night beginning on Wednesday with poker tournament from 7pm, live acoustic music on Thursday, dine with the DJ on Friday, and live entertainment on Saturday.

afternoon snacks with the kiddies.

Plus come and check out Port’s local talent every Sunday 12 - 3pm with our live Sunday jam sessions.

Classic Donut Café will soon be everyone's favourite, with

Keep up to date with our Facebook page to see what’s on!

cold beverages such as spiders, iced chocolates, slushies to hit that summer spot or yummy sandwiches and snacks to

Happy hour – every Wednesday - Friday 5 - 7pm $5 house pour wines, $5 NZ Pure and $5

grab that quick bite to eat.

sangria!

Call in today and experience the newest café in Port

Don’t forget to book for our New Year’s Eve retro party.

Watch the fireworks on the deck and be entertained by our live DJ and band!

morning tea with friends, lunch time with the boss or

Macquarie. You'll have so much to choose from, that you'll have to come back again and again.

42 greater port macquarie focus.

It only gets better, with all the summer fruit now in full swing.

December is the month that all fruit lovers wait for each year; this is when the quality is superb.

Remember to get your Christmas orders in early so you don’t miss out. Boxes of high quality cherries and trays of mangoes are available.

Now, the vegies don’t want to feel left out, so we have a lot of local produce: quality fancy lettuce from Beechwood, beans from Red Hill, Zucchini from Wauchope Road, and those hard to get lines, pimply squash and potkin pumpkins from Lorne.

Throw in a dish of cucumbers from Wauchope and some Ricardoes Tomatoes from Blackmans Point, and your salad dish is complete.

There will be an organics day on Sunday 22 December.

Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Come in and see Ken if you wish to order any special items for the festive season. Merry Christmas! Ken & Judy & all our staff.

greater port macquarie focus 43

focusinterview.

SPINNAKERS RESTAURANT + BAR

Summer dining Sails Resort by Rydges is undergoing some significant changes at the moment, with Michael Schubert heading up the kitchen team ...

cool summer cocktails casual summer menu

$10 lunches $15 dinners

@ Glasshouse T. 6584 3677 44

greater port macquarie focus.

all day for lunch or an afternoon snack with beers or vino – perfect for that late afternoon chill session.

What are your favourite ingredients, and will we be seeing those on the new menu?

The new menu really brings out the flavours of the coast, with lots of fresh seafood teamed with some of my signature Asian staples including chilli, fish sauce, palm sugar, tamarind and lots of different spices to really add depth of flavour and character to the dishes. I have always loved Asian influences and have tried to capture this in our summer edition.

What do you love about being a chef in Port Macquarie? Port Macquarie is a great place to be based with access to the coast and all that comes with it, like fresh seafood and produce – as well as being able to enjoy a bit of R&R after a busy week in the restaurant.

Sails offers all day dining for locals and visitors; there’s plenty on offer, with a new breakfast, lunch and a lazy afternoon grazing menu to enjoy.

Selected menu options. Available for a limited time.

Level 2

i Michael, what’s in store for the restaurant this summer?

It is an exciting time to be a part of the Sails Resort team under a new banner, new owners with a new food and beverage team and a fresh menu all set to head into the summer season. We are all really excited about the direction the venue is taking and looking forward to showcasing some of the dishes created by the culinary team we have brought together for the next phase of the restaurant. The place is a hidden gem, with some of the best water views in Port Macquarie – thirty years ago this was literally the place to be, and it is going to be an exciting process to bring this iconic venue back to life.

Lunch Dinner 7 days

Why should locals take their family and friends down to Sails over the Christmas period? The resort restaurant is a great place to go when you want a little bit of holiday in your own backyard and is also a magical spot to take visiting friends and family to soak up the relaxed Port Macquarie vibe. Our new buffet breakfast is going really well, with guests getting to enjoy a good dose of sunshine as a side dish to their brekkie weekdays from 6.45am ‘til 10am and until 10.30 on Saturday and Sundays for that lazy weekend session. We have also released a relaxed casual dining menu that can be enjoyed

Sails Resort is renowned as an exceptional waterfront venue for events and functions.

What is coming up for Christmas and New Year’s Eve? We are taking bookings for Christmas Day lunch and dinner – a three course Christmas Feast for $145pp. We also have live pianist Jo Thomas over Christmas lunch playing the Christmas classics and a special visit from Santa Claus for the little ones. New Year’s we are offering a Seafood Buffet on the marina with live entertainment from Jordan Jive at $99pp. This is always a big night, with a great view of the fireworks.

Tell us about some of the weekly specials/ events at Spinnakers Restaurant + Bar. We have recently introduced some midweek sessions, taking advantage of the great weather and location with Beers on The Bay on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5pm - 8pm with $4 Tap Beer, $5 Aussie Beer, $6 Imported Beer, $10 Sliders & House Fries. Wednesday Night Acoustic from 5pm - 8pm with live guitar and vocals teamed with $4 Tap Beer, $7 Blood Orange Sunrise, $8 Strawberry & Lime Cider and a $10 Tasting Plate.

Friday night is Piano Bar with Joachim Thomas on the baby grand for an after work wind down, with $6 Craft Beers, $7 Bellisimos, $8 Queen G & T’S, $4 Willowglen Vino & a $10 Tasting Plate.

Thanks Michael ... plenty of reasons to get down to Spinnakers Restaurant + Bar t this summer.

For bookings, phone (02) 6589 5100 or visit www.sailsresort.com.au

greater port macquarie focus 45

46 greater port macquarie focus.

focusinterview.

wit h Belinda G i b s o n

Around this time of year if you ask any of our team, “What’s on at the Glasshouse?” you get a dazed, confused, and slightly panicked look. Thank goodness we publish a What’s on @ the Glasshouse guide every three months, or I would be done for.

A

lthough, my handbag would be much lighter, as I am more often than not carrying around a handful to give to anyone who asks me, “So, what’s on?”

have only been available to our Glasshouse

Each November and December we launch our programs for the year ahead and our collective brains are spinning with what’s on today, what’s on for the rest of the year, what’s on next year, and given we are often working years in advance, exactly what year are we talking about?

to find out what’s on and get priority booking

Last month over 100 primary, secondary and tertiary teachers from across our region came to get the first look at what’s on in our Education @ the Glasshouse program for 2014. Each year the Glasshouse supports the curriculum being delivered in our region's classrooms and actively contributes to a student’s educational journey. Not only of benefit to our community's youth, this program also provides professional development opportunities for our regional educators. We take full advantage of the professional artists and industry practitioners we bring to our venue and never miss an opportunity to ‘negotiate’ with them to provide workshops and master classes before they leave town.

Friends Members. If you’re not a part of this yet, you really should check it out. You get 20% off in the Glasshouse shop, discounts at the café, save money on tickets, and you are the first periods, to ensure you never miss a thing.

With sales for next year’s season already up 33% on this time last year, I can confidently say the response has been very positive, and this month these shows are on sale for everyone to enjoy. So what are the hot sellers for next year – the ones you want to book before you miss out?

For the little people, it’s the 13 Storey Treehouse.

I admit I had no idea about this ‘Treehouse’ phenomenon but in the first week it went on sale in Melbourne, it sold over 3,000 tickets!

Now we only have 1 show and 600 seats available (actually less than that, because our members have already booked for their kids).

And for those long grown out of a treehouse, the ones you want to get in quickly for include Sydney Dance Company, Oz Opera, Bell Shakespeare Company, David Hobson, Taikoz (big drums meets martial arts – awesome) and of course, the always popular Melbourne Comedy

So far, over 26,000 students have participated in a range of workshops, talks, dedicated schools performances, exhibition experiences and guided excursions at the Glasshouse. The response to our 2014 Education Program was overwhelming.

Our teachers are already seizing these opportunities for their students, and many of the shows and workshops on offer have sold out.

Festival.

We barely had time to catch our breath before a week later we launched our 2014 Theatre Season, and for the last three weeks these shows

don’t forget in the heat of summer, pop into

To find out everything that’s on, check out our website, pop in next time you’re in town, or if I look like I’m carrying a handbag full of brochures, you can always ask me!

On behalf of all the team here, have a wonderful festive season and New Year. Stay safe and the Glasshouse Gallery – it’s beautifully airconditioned and such sweet relief. greater port macquarie focus 47

focusinterview.

Dr Robert Bell AM

EXHIBITION

The celebration of the local, the regional, the private and the personal, and the value of experience and memory, is territory that many contemporary jewellery designers and makers seek to articulate and make real. Dr Robert Bell AM, Senior Curator for the National Gallery, tells us all about the exhibition and what we can expect to see. s the Senior Curator for the National Gallery, tell us about your areas of expertise ... I have been a curator for the decorative arts and design, which also includes Australian and international craft. I have been at the gallery for 13 years and I have been the curator in the area for about 30 years, so I guess I've had a long chance to look at what's happening not only in Australia, but around the world. That's where my background is, and in my job I deal with not just jewellery, but metalworks, ceramics, glass, textiles, furniture, costume, theatre, and arts.

You are the curator for the Body Work exhibition. Describe this particular project? I also handle the jewellery collection, which is one of the very interesting areas of the gallery collection that's quite intensive – particularly with Australian jewellery, as it takes us quite a long way back into the 19th Century.

But, about 3 or 4 years ago when we built a new wing on the gallery, we had a chance to develop a small jewellery gallery. It's now a permanent part of the national gallery exhibition space, so that gave us a chance to put together about 100 - 120 pieces, which we change about every six months or so.

It's had a high amount of public interest and as a result of that, I thought if there is so much interest in jewellery from people who are in the building, it would be great if we could share it around the country. We have a travelling exhibition programme, and I put a proposal to them

48 greater port macquarie focus.

suggesting we do an exh hibition based b ed mor m oree from from exhibition more this permanent exhibition n, specifically for regional exhibition, areas around Australia th hat probably would never that get this sort of thing touring.

Jewellery is quite hard to send around – you have to organise cases and security, even though it's actually quite tiny. It's not something regional galleries can afford. I have worked with them closely over the last couple of years to select the works, design the exhibition and put it together.

There are 42 Australian designers in the collection, is that correct? Yes, that's right – 42 artists in the exhibition. They are spread across 6 themes, and each theme is in its own showcase.

What are the 6 themes? The 6 themes are Romanticism, Interpreting the Vernacular, Encapsulating Nature, Technics, Social Message and Sculpture for the Body. Each of these have 5 or 6 pieces in it around these themes. It's a very broad interpretation of these themes.

For instance, with Romanticism the artists are drawing from the older, more romantic ideas with their jewellery, about love and about passion.

Some of them are interpreting this in a rather more traditional way; others are taking a very modern, 21st Century view of that.

Encapsulating Nature: it's an interesting theme, as artists right across craft media are interested in this. The influence of the natural world and in particular the Australian environment on jewellery means the artists work with jewellery that draws from the bush environment, while also making social commentary about the environment.

With the 6 different themes there would be a range of materials that have been used

wi ith thin hin th tthe he different jewellery sections. What interesting. On a practical level, becau within because the are some of the variations? Well, there are the exhibition will be travelling for almost two years, expected materials you might find in jewellery: there are some materials I would love to have gold, silver, titanium, glass, plastics, included in the show, but the problem enamel, aluminium, steel, plus with some is that we can't expose the use of precious and them to light for too long. semi precious stones Some pieces that are ite like opal, ironstone, Jewellery is qu among the most interesthard to send diamonds, ruby, so it ing pieces of Australian ve to allows the audience around - you ha jewellery we haven't be d organise cases an gh it's to understand that able to commit to for ou security, even th hing jewellery isn't just the tour. I wanted to et m tiny. It's not so about gold and dian ca make a selection that es ri regional galle monds, but it's about in a way surprised the afford.” the way the artists audience and gave them a can sometimes use very huge variety of approaches surprising material. to jewellery making. Every

“

All of the artists are highly accomplished jewellers. Some of them continue to use the more traditional materials like gold and silver, but combine them with other things. There are also some artists who don't want to use those precious materials at all; they are happier using plastics or paper. One of the more interesting pieces in the show is actually made out of the little plastic price tags; the artist has combined hundreds and hundreds of those into a bracelet.

Do you have a favourite piece or collection from the show? You're not allowed to have favourite children! It's hard for me to pick out a favourite; I suppose in some ways all of the works are favourites, as I have selected them from the hundreds and hundreds that we had. So, to select an exhibition of only 40 pieces, I guess it's about something I think people will found

piece, in a way, is a challenge to the audience.

Why would you encourage our readers to come and view this exhibition? It's a chance to see the part of a national collection that all Australians own and should have a chance to enjoy. It's very beautifully presented and beautifully lit and as I said earlier, it's a chance to experience the best work from some of the best jewellery artists in Australia.

Thanks Dr Bell.

the plug!

Bodywork Australian Jewellery 1970 2010. 22 November 2013 - 2 February 2014 Glasshouse Gallery.

1am - 4pm. FREE ENTRY.

Join the GLASSHOUSE Friends Membership Program

2014 S

SAVE $$$...

• 20% in the Glasshouse Shop • $$$ on theatre & gallery tickets • Enjoy a range of other savings and exclusive benefits...

! !

E L A S N O W O N S W O H . . . g n i d u l c In

... and more!

02 6581 8888

glasshouse.org.au

Cnr Clarence & Hay Sts, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444

W! O N K O O B The Glasshouse is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW

By Deb, Karen and Melissa.

By Glenise McLaughlin from The Natural Health Sanctum

LO L OSE THE

EXTRA Bowen for every profession

A

s I was preparing to write this article, I style can help slow the pace of accelerated ageing, was thinking how fast the years seem to so that you live a long, healthy and happy life. be flying by for me and unless we adopt It can be easy at times to fall off the wellness a healthy ageing lifestyle, the years are wagon. Having a Natural Healthcare Practitioner to going to whiz past so fast that it might be too late support you not only in time of sickness, but also in by the ‘time we get around to doing something wellness, can help to keep you ageing gracefully on about being healthy’. both the inside and outside.

A healthy ageing lifestyle is the insurance Subtle changes to your health can be identiwe need to keep us healthy and vital fied and addressed using natural options, for years to come. This requires opbefore chronic symptoms have time to Ageing can timal nutrition through a healthy manifest. lead to a diet and lifestyle supported by If you would like some more reduction in our appropriate supplementation to advice or need some help to implel ta physical and men form the foundation of good ment a healthy ageing lifestyle, d an functioning e th to health, as well as being active contact Glenise McLaughlin – e ut contrib and taking time out.

Naturopath with over 20 years’ onset of chronic disease..”

So make sure over the Christexperience at The Natural Health mas period to stay active and enjoy Sanctum on Ph: (02) 65 833 544. fun and relaxation on most days to I would like to take this opportunity balance all the overeating and dare I say – to thank all my clients and to let them know I drinking! really appreciate their support and smiles and wish Ageing can lead to a reduction in our physical everyone a great Christmas break. and mental functioning and contribute to the onset REMEMBER – ‘it is not only about how long we of chronic disease. Adopting a healthy ageing lifelive, but how well we live’.

“

Melissa Price, Karen Andrighetto and Deborah Fleith are three Bowen Therapists working in the local Port Macquarie to Laurieton area who operate under the one banner.

Many people that visit Bowen Therapists come to ease a problem caused by work. Even the least physical of jobs can cause ailments that Bowen may relieve.

Teachers: Perhaps treat yourself to some Bowen for your stress levels, back pain or RSI. Hairdressers: Many hairdressers suffer with RSI or elbow/shoulder pain and back complaints from standing all day.

Nurses: Nurses are also renowned for being on their feet all day, so could perhaps use a Bowen treatment for foot or back problems.

Police Officers: Plantar fasciitis is also a common affliction for police, as is back pain and stress.

Builders and Tradespeople: Back pain is rife among builders too, due to the job’s physicality. General joint and

muscular pain that builders endure can be treated.

Office: Working in an office is one of the less physical jobs, but can still affect you physically. Slouching over your desk or computer and prolonged sitting may create bad posture, which may cause back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches and RSI.

the plug!

Do any of the complaints sound familiar? If you are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, contact Melissa 0432 102 123 Karen 0408 864 152 or Deborah 0438 825 777 today to book your appointment.

Gunilla Haydon - BN (Honours) RN, Lecturer University of Newcastle, Port Macquarie campus

LAUGHTER

L

aughing not only improves your mood, it also improves your health.

Research has found that a good laugh boosts the cardiovascular system, could improve your immune system and can relieve pain.

Recent research in heart health found that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh compared to a group of people of the same age without heart decease. These researchers suggest that laughter improves heart health. Another study found that people who watch a funny movie can increase their blood flow as much as if they went to the gym for 15 - 30 minutes.

Laughing can also improve your body’s ability to fight infections, with an increase 50 greater port macquarie focus.

IS GOOD FOR YOU

of antibodies and other cells that fight of pain-free sleep." bacteria and viruses.

This concept has been studied ever The thought of laughter since, and it seems that people as pain relief started with who watch a funny movie Norman Cousins, an will have an increased Recent research American author who pain threshold. th in heart heal suffered from a painAlthough laughter le found that peop e ful inflammation in should not replace exas se with heart di y el lik the spine. ercise, it should be part ss le were 40% to d re pa m He wrote in his of a healthy lifestyle, co h to laug of le op pe of book Anatomy of an so why not try to get a p ou a gr ithout Illness as Perceived by really good laugh every the same age w the Patient: Reflections day. With all the positive heart decease. ” on Healing (1979) effects laughter has on "I made the joyous your body and mind, why not discovery that ten minutes of improve your health the easy way genuine belly laughter had an anaesthetic and find some funny books or movies and effect and would give me at least two hours cherish your funny friends.

“

Thyroid holding you back?

Are you wondering where your ‘get up and go’ went?

• Do you want to lose weight, but can’t?

• Do you feel sluggish all the time?

• Is your skin dry, nails brittle?

• Your hair falling out?

• Fertility problems?

• Raised cholesterol levels?

• Insulin resistance?

• Decreased appetite?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be suffering from low thyroid function.

Symptoms of low thyroid function occur slowly over time; making it difficult to notice them until they start to significantly affect the quality of your life (ie: fatigue, weight gain, higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes etc.). Therefore restoring normal thyroid function is vital to ensure your long term health.

The good news is that Mother Nature has provided us with many safe and effective herbs and nutrients to help your thyroid function at optimum levels.

So, if you would like help to regain your ‘get up and go’ and to improve the quality of your life, call Naturopath with over 20 years experience, Glenise McLaughlin, at The Natural Health Sanctum (6583 3544) for an appointment.

You’re Gonna Lose it!

Health Fund Benefits Do you have optical cover with a Health Fund?

You may not be aware that in most cases any unused annual health fund benefits will expire on December 31. So if you don’t use your annual entitlement for spectacles or contact lenses before the New Year, you will simply lose them. To avoid this, you may like to consider whether you need to improve your current vision.

An eye examination will assess whether you need any specific optical assistance. However, here is a simple and quick evaluation to help: • Do you experience eye strain or blurred vision?

• Do you have an adequate spare pair of spectacles in case your current ones break or get misplaced?

• Do you have a pair of prescription sunglasses for the summer?

• Do your current spectacles frustrate you when performing particular tasks, such as computer work, reading in bed, driving or playing golf? If so, a pair of specific use spectacles could provide benefit.

• Would you like to try contact lenses for summer activities?

If you answered yes to any of the above, your annual benefits could be used towards addressing these problems and possibly at little or no cost to you.

Eyecare Plus has an electronic claiming terminal for all funds, so we can provide instant processing for convenient on-the-spot claims.

greater port macquarie focus 51

focusinterview.

Dr James Bowden.

Dr James Bowden is the Consultant Radiologist (Port Macquarie Base Hospital) and Medical Director of Mid North Coast Diagnostic Imaging. Arriving in the area in late September this year with his young family, Dr Bowden explains what changes he’s personally experienced in the field of Radiology during the course of his career and highlights the excellent medical facilities we are fortunate enough to have in our local area …

H

ow long have you been working at Port Base Hospital, and what originally brought you to the area? I moved here permanently late September 2013, after living and working in Melbourne for the last 14 years. I have always longed to live on the NSW East Coast and fell in love with Port Macquarie whilst inspecting a job opportunity here earlier in the year. Port’s position, climate, Base Hospital and excellent schooling all appealed highly.

What’s your area of medical expertise/ speciality – and what was it about this particular field of medicine that attracted you? I am a medical specialist Radiologist who has trained and subspecialised post fellowship in Breast Imaging/Intervention, Neuroradiology and Endovascular Intervention. My qualifications are MBBS (Hons), FRANZCR, MMed. Radiology is a highly technical branch of medicine which has evolved rapidly over the last 10 - 20 years. Major developments have been made in cross sectional imaging (CT and MRI), ultrasound, interventional equipment/ techniques, digital imaging and computer archiving. Radiology has become not only the most powerful diagnostic tool in medicine, but it is also increasingly used to guide interventional procedures. As a Radiologist, I enjoy ‘leading the way’ in establishing a patient’s correct diagnosis and instituting treatment.

While previously working at Royal Melbourne Hospital, I was fortunate enough to be able to save the lives of many hundreds of people by making rapid life changing diagnoses (including early cancer detection and critical traumatic injury analysis) and arresting life threatening acute bleeding with ‘state of the art’

52 greater port macquarie focus.

endovascular embolization techniques.

In addition, I have previously lectured and mentored medical students, Residents and Registrars at both the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, whilst also assisting establishment and delivery of a biannual breast MRI course, which has educated most Radiologists reading breast MRI in Australia.

In a typical day at the hospital, how varied are some of the medical issues you treat?

A typical day working as a Radiologist at Port Macquarie Base Hospital (or my previous institution, Royal Melbourne Hospital) would involve supervising and reporting 80 - 120 diagnostic examinations (including X-rays, mammography, ultrasound, CT and MRI), performing 5 - 10 procedures (including image guided biopsies, therapeutic injections, angiography and endovascular procedures), discussing procedures/results with other medical practitioners, nurses, secretaries and patients, attending meetings, continuing medical education activities and administration tasks.

In the years you’ve been working as a doctor, what are some of the significant changes you’ve seen occur with radiology (whether it’s diagnosis methodology, treatment options, or equipment used)?

CT and MRI have evolved significantly since I began training as a Registrar in 2000. Both have undergone major hardware and software upgrades, paralleling computer development over that time, which has resulted in much faster and more detailed imaging techniques.

The evolution of digital imaging (utilising PACS), similar to the digital camera, has also been a major development which has resulted in much faster, more accurate assessment and communication. Finally, the range of Radiologic

interventional equipment and techniques has literally ‘skyrocketed’ in recent times, with many techniques (including image guided biopsy, drainage, endovascular recanalisation and embolisation) literally replacing many forms of open surgery.

functional and molecular imaging, will enhance and perhaps even replace many current forms of structural imaging. MRI will continue to improve, in terms of comfort, safety, speed, temporal and spatial resolution, possibly replacing much X-ray, CT and Nuclear Medicine Imaging performed today. I also predict most current open surgery will eventually be abandoned and replaced with image guided endovascular therapy, percutaneous biopsy and ablation techniques.

What are some of the major developments Port Base Hospital has experienced in the Radiology Department in recent years? Port Macquarie Base Hospital and its ‘satellite’ practices are rapidly What would you say is becoming a Radiologic the most rewarding In the next 3-6 see months, we will centre of excellence in thing about your job lopments Australia. In the short ... and on the other even more deve ostate pr with breast and time I have been hand, what is the sisted MRI, vacuum as and here, I have witnessed most challenging? ent biopsy equipm ular the installation of The most rewarding sc modern endova low-dose digital thing about my therapy.” breast tomosynthesis (a occupation is dealing new accurate 3D form with a highly interesting, of mammography), new clinically diverse, often interventional equipment, challenging group of patients major MRI upgrades and ‘state and assisting clinicians by providing of the art’ computer aided detection accurate imaging diagnoses, offering software. viable options for biopsy and/or treatment.

The most challenging part of the job is the In the next 3 - 6 months, we will see even sheer output in terms of number of patient more developments with breast and prostate diagnoses and interventions dealt with each MRI, vacuum assisted biopsy equipment and day, particularly whilst dealing with everyday modern endovascular therapy. interruptions, continuing medical education and There’s no doubt advances in technology administrative commitments. have made doctors’ jobs a little easier in When you’re not at work, what other many ways ... if you had to predict where interests keep you busy? I love to spend you thought emerging medical technology quality family time with my wonderful wife and will take us over the next 10 - 20 years, three young children, enjoying the outdoors, what other changes do you think could going to the beach, playing golf and tennis. happen, or would you like to see happen Thankfully, Port Macquarie satisfies all of these in the field of radiology? Radiology will interests. continue to evolve with computer development.

Thanks Dr Bowden. - Interview by Jo Atkins.

Advanced imaging techniques, including

“

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Having such a wide variety of expertise gives us the opportunity to offer a number of combined treatments to best suit our clients' needs.

What Vibrance has to offer you is: Massage Therapy ranging from Remedial, Relaxation and Sports Massage to Hot Stones, Traditional Thai and Pregnancy Massage.

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style of bodywork that calms the central nervous system and restores balance and function to the whole body using gentle touch and subtle movements to the head and body.

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greater port macquarie focus 53

The RADICAL ABDOMINOPLASTY OPERATION “ Tummy TUCK”

T

he gradual increase in girth in pregnancy and in weight gain, causes tissue-expansion and stretching.

When the above situation is reversed,ie. after delivery of a baby or weight loss, there are different types of reversal in the various tissues affected.

Muscles do best and can almost recover completely. The two large columns of muscles in the anterior abdominal wall, the right and left Rectus Abdominus muscles, which give great strength to the anterior abdominal wall as well as the back, are such examples.

The fascia covering these muscles, a strong sleeve around the muscles and fused ( attached ) in the midline, stretch up to a point before further stretch causes irreversible damage.

54 greater port macquarie focus.

When the muscle recovers, the fascia does not and this results in a weak and stretched midline.

Instead of a fused midline keeping the muscles together, the central stretched ellipse of fascia causes the muscles to be separated, weakening the anterior abdominal wall as well as the back.

This” divarication or diastasis” of the muscles is equivalent to a midline hernia and causes significant weakening of the anterior abdominal wall, and protrusion of the abdominal contents, especially in the standing position.

The correction The radical abdominoplasty procedure described by Dr. Ivor Pitanguy, the doyen of Brazilian plasticsurgery, is an excellent operation which fixes this problem very well.

The surgery results in the re-

establishment of the central fascial fusion, with the muscles back together in the midline and with recovery of strength and contour.

A bonus of this operation is the removal of a good amount of skin and fat from the anterior abdominal wall.

The surgery is major, needing general anaesthesia and hospitalisation as well as time for recovery, but the excellent resolution of the problem makes it all worthwhile.

Recurrent abdominal wall hernias.

An extension of this technique is the use in the correction of recurrent abdominal wall hernias, resulting from multiple previous operations and attempted hernia repairs.

A very significant advantage of this type of repair is the avoidance of the use of synthetic mesh grafts with its many attendant problems.

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56

greater port macquarie focus.

focusinterview.

Dr Stuart Kostalas & Nurse Clyte May With over 70,000 people Australia wide believed to have an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and this number apparently increasing, it’s comforting to know that there is a wealth of support available for local patients. Dr Stuart Kostalas and nurse Clyte May explain a new local initiative – an IBD Support Service that will provide both assistance and education for patients …

P

lease introduce yourself to our readers ...

Crohn’s and Colitis Australia, in Port Macquarie.

Why the need for an IBD support service?

Clyte Dr Stuart Kostalas Dr Kostalas The current approach to delivering graduated with first class excellence in IBD management involves a honours in Medicine in 2005. coordinated multidisciplinary team. Whilst urban He subsequently undertook centres have implemented this approach, rural his physician’s training in gastroenterology and and regional centres have lacked the resources hepatology at Prince of Wales, Gosford and Royal to implement this ideal. The Mid North Coast North Shore hospitals. Dr Kostalas is interested of NSW has an expanding population; there are and experienced in the breadth of luminal currently over 213,000 people living in the area gastroenterology, all aspects of endoscopy, the with projections of expansion to 250,000 in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory next 10 years. With the prevalence rate of IBD bowel disease and preventing bowel cancer. He is reaching up to 396/100,000, this means the Mid actively involved in clinical research and teaching.

North Coast will service up to 1,000 IBD patients.

He has won the ‘Dean’s award for excellence In order to provide the most comprehensive in teaching’ twice and was nominated for the management, I believe that an IBD nurse and ‘Brian Yeo Best Teacher Award at the University support service is necessary to provide a much of New South Wales in 2012. In the needed role. same year he won the Wiley Clyte Inflammatory Bowel Disease Blackwell Publishing Award is a term that encompasses for ‘Clinical Excellence in the conditions Ulcerative Adult Medicine’ from The service Colitis and Crohn’s will also look the Royal Australasian Disease. These complex e College of Physicians. at and arrange th conditions require nary extra precautio In 2012 he helped management of the ese investigations th ch as establish and run the enormous physiological, su patients require, s, eye IBD clinic at Prince of psychological and an bone density sc r skin Wales hospital. la gu sociological adjustments re d

“

checks an

Dr Kostalas I’m that all patients must examinations.” excited about bringing deal with. The need for the excellent endoscopy and service became evident due IBD management to the to the increasing number of calls Hastings area. For too long those from patients requiring assistance due in regional areas have lacked some of the to a worsening health status, education services offered in large centres; hopefully about their disease, and treatments. Currently, we can now bridge that gap. Clyte is an Port Macquarie has a care delivery catchment asset; her passion for IBD has been evident to me area from Taree in the south, north to Coffs since I arrived. She has recognised the need to Harbour, and west to Armidale. This area results establish an IBD service, and it is my privilege to in huge patient numbers for all specialists, which be involved in the creation of this with her. would equate to an estimated 3,000 patient presentations per Gastroenterologist per year.

Clyte I have been nursing for 30 years and Approximately, 20% of these patients suffer with have a background that includes medical/ Inflammatory bowel disease of varying severity. surgical nursing in areas including acute burns However, as the physicians have significant and trauma, midwifery, and gastroenterology numbers of patients on immune-modulators & and endoscopy. I initiated the establishment of immuno-suppressants, it is evident that there are a nurse-led IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) significant numbers of moderate to severe IBD support service 4 years ago at the Hastings Day patients under their care.

Surgery. I completed study in the ‘Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease’ through Queensland University, and I am a founding member of the NSW IBD Nurses Group. Recently I started facilitating the Patient Support Group for

How will this service work?

Clyte This region of the Mid North Coast is now lucky to have 3 Gastroenterologists. Dr Kostalas is joined by Dr Andrew Eakin and Dr Leigh

Dahlenburg in providing care to patients in our area. All patients with a diagnosis of Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis should be under the care of a Gastroenterologist. As a patient of one of our team of Gastroenterologists, access to the support service is available. The support area of a patient’s care will be very much nurse driven. As such, I will generally become involved with a patient's care, on the request of their Gastroenterologist, although some patients have contacted me independently.

The service will be very flexible. As the IBD Nurse role is part-time, I will be determining on a weekly basis what my schedule will be and where I will need to see patients, whether that is in consultations with the Gastroenterologist, or independently eg. for teaching someone how to self-inject their medications, visiting inpatients, or patients at the infusion centre. Sometimes a patient will simply need to have a coffee and a chat and emotionally vent their feelings about their disease and the impact it is having on their life. Anxiety and depression are often huge factors for people with these diseases, as they are often not able to talk about it, due to the nature of the symptoms, so the extent that they are unwell is not recognised. Crohn's and Colitis are often referred to as 'invisible diseases '.

Dr Kostalas As a gastroenterologist, part of my role is diagnoses & management of IBD and related issues. Comprehensive holistic management is the goal. I look at not just the disease process itself, but its effect on the patient, family and wider society. Part of the complete management approach utilises Clyte in her role as an IBD nurse. By involving her in patient care from the initial diagnosis, relationships are established, delays in management are avoided, and subtle issues are addressed & managed.

What types of support will be available?

Clyte The service will provide consultations with myself and the Gastroenterologist. I will visit patients who have been admitted to hospital, and those having treatment infusions. There will be regular contact with patients on a needs basis, with the aim to monitor a patient’s disease and their treatment, provide education, and detect any possible adverse effects of treatments early.

There will be referral to other members of the multidisciplinary team as needed e.g. dietician, physiotherapist, social worker, or psychologist/ counsellor. I will also monitor and co-ordinate

the application for PBS approval forr the Biologic ffected drugs we use for our more severely affected patients.

The service will also look at and arrange the extra precautionary investigations these patients require, such as bone density scans, eye checks and regular skin examinations. The paramount role is one of education. If our patients play an integral role in their own care and understand their disease and the rationale behind the tests and treatment regimes, adherence to these regimes will improve and so will patient outcomes.

What are the common symptoms of Crohn’s Disease and Colitis?

Clyte Patients who suffer an IBD live with a chronic lifelong condition. The nature of the IBD conditions is unpredictable; patients experience ‘acute flares’ and can be extremely unwell with pain, bloody diarrhoea, fever, anorexia, anaemia and weight loss. Crohn's & Colitis don't just affect the intestines; they can also affect the joints, skin, eyes and liver. Quality of life can be greatly affected, as this disease impacts daily life, relationships, schooling, travel & work life.

How many people are affected by IBS? Clyte In Australia, over 70,000 people live with an IBD; this makes the disease more prevalent than epilepsy, multiple sclerosis & rheumatoid arthritis, and is expected to rise by 23% by the year 2020. (Crohns & Colitis Aust. 2012).

How difficult can it be to manage an IBD? Clyte Without adequate knowledge and adherence to an appropriate treatment regime, their disease generally would be extremely difficult to manage and live with.

It is unfortunately not uncommon for people with Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis to not be able to do the most basic of tasks, such as grocery shopping, due to the impact of their disease; they are simply too scared to leave the house for that long. Their entire daily life is dictated by their disease, either due to the chronic diarrhoea (sometimes up to 20 times a day), pain, or extreme tiredness and fatigue.

Where can people find out more info?

Dr Kostalas Our service will be available after GP assessment and referral to us. I have also set up a website: www.theibdcentre.com.au Thanks everyone. Interview by Jo Atkins.

greater port macquarie focus 57

focusinterview.

MOIRA MARAUN Moira Maraun is a Nurse Consultant and Director of Clinical Education, and her passion lies in both educating and motivating those within the nursing profession. Moira recently created and presented a poster at the National Nursing Forum in Canberra, which she says is her own personal ‘nurses' manifesto’ – and the 400 nurse delegates at the Forum voted this poster as the best one presented on the day …

oira, please share some of you early history with us.

I am the youngest of 6 children and the only girl. Two of my siblings were twins, born a long time before me, and unfortunately didn’t survive their premature birth. My father was not a healthy man, and he passed away a few days after I turned 9.

My mother was an infant school teacher, and she had great passion for her work.

I grew up in Leichhardt in Sydney as a very young girl, and Italians were just beginning to migrate to Australia. I had an early introduction to a multicultural society, which I still embrace wholeheartedly. I’m so glad for the arrival of Italian culture in Australia. I do so love garlic!

What made you decide to study nursing?

For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a nurse. Before I went to school, and before my father died, he used to put me to bed for an afternoon nap. He promised me each day he would have a nursing cap for me when I woke up, because I would be fresh and ready for duty as a nurse. He used an old nappy, and painted a red cross on it. Sure enough, when I woke, I donned my ‘veil’ and tended to the sick and injured in my cubby house.

I found school insufficiently stimulating, so I left in Year 10 and commenced my nursing in 1972 at Prince Henry / Prince of Wales Hospital in Little Bay / Randwick. I was 17, and after 12 months I left, because I didn’t enjoy the shift work. I worked for the following year as a Girl Friday. When that year ended, I decided to go back into nursing. In 1974 I enrolled in nursing again at Concord Repatriation General Hospital.

I became a Registered Nurse in 1977, and then in 1978 I commenced Psychiatric Nurse Training, completing that in early 1980 at Cumberland Hospital.

Since those early days, I completed a Graduate 58 greater port macquarie focus.

ntal Health Nursing, a Master Certificate in Mental e, and I’m now a Master of Health Science, fied d Trainer off NLP. Practitioner and a Certifi Where do you currently work? I am currently self employed and in business with my husband, Ken. I’m a Nurse Consultant and Director of Clinical Education, and Ken is the Director of Operations. Our business is called Practice Development Solutions, and we provide a variety of services to individual nurses, groups of nurses and organisations.

I conduct workshops in Mental Health and in Aged Care. Participants who attend the workshops are valued as unique individuals who have a great deal to contribute to the group. With this inclusive style of workshop, participants apply the information in the workshop group activities, and this is a blueprint experience for participants to use the workshop information effectively in their workplace.

I also provide individual nurses and clinicians or groups of nurses with clinical supervision.

This is a system of reflection that benefits the practice development of those who participate in these activities.

Tell us about your career to date ... what steps led you to occupy the position you currently fill? I have worked in general and psychiatric hospitals and community settings.

In the latter part of my career I have primarily worked in Mental Health and in Aged Care Nursing. I have worked in senior clinical roles as a Nurse Educator and as a Clinical Nurse Consultant.

I considered developing a private consultancy in the mid ‘90s when I began postgraduate nursing studies. I was then, and still am, keen to find a way forward for nursing and health, towards more sustainable outcomes and satisfying results. The health system is overloaded with essential bureaucratic demands to ensure all health services satisfy minimum standards. These standards commence at a point of excellence, and so

much more must be done by all workers beyond that point.

I have been studying and practicing Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) since 2010.

NLP is the study of excellence and success. In the fast paced health service environment, I am now focusing on working with motivated nurses to support them in establishing a mindset that ensures they are able to easily and effortlessly move with technological and system changes, whilst continuously delivering best practices.

other unprofessionally and disrespectfully. o For many decades, nursing literature has F bemoaned ‘horizontal violence’ between b nurses and has pondered how we can deal with it. The purpose of the Nurses’ Manifesto poster is to promote a converse point of view and to inspire and stimulate resourceful mindsets in the nursing workforce.

How did you feel when you were notified of your success? The 400 nurse delegates who attended the conference voted this to be the best poster, which was an incredible honour. Receiving What do you most love the most votes at the about being involved conference said to me with the nursing that nurses relate e profession?

I believe the tim to these words and is ripe for some Nurses and nursing are comfortable in s ange is what I love motivational ch sion, with them. I feel es the nursing prof be a about the nursing incredibly inspired to d and I'm excite profession. The d an n io ut to work with nurses ol ev part of the collegiality can ul rf de on w a who want to step up of g maturin be wonderful. ” . on and be the change si es prof However, as a 40+ they want in health year veteran of the services. Since the profession, it is evident conference, people have at times how interpersonal asked to purchase the posters relationships are strained and are for their workplace and for gifts less than conducive to great team work. to nurses. I have also been asked to conduct Teamwork is essential in nursing; we need mindset workshops for nurses, and these are to work effectively with our colleagues to scheduled to be conducted in early 2014. achieve great results with our clients.

What are your plans for the next 12 What was the competition you entered months? In the next 12 months, we will recently, where you submitted a poster? deliver workshops, provide clinical supervision The Australian College of Nursing hosted the for nurses, and I will present conference National Nursing Forum in Canberra during papers. One welcome highlight coming up in October. I submitted an abstract to present 2014 is presenting a conference paper in the a poster at the conference. The poster is Greek Isles. I have also been invited to present my Nurses’ Manifesto. It is my personal a conference paper at a national conference, declaration of what I believe a nurse’s mindset and I’ll be conducting NLP Certification can be. A resourceful mindset optimises Training for nurses in Australia. possibilities to achieve successful outcomes.

I believe the time is ripe for some motivational Why did you decide to enter the comp changes in the nursing profession, and I’m – what message were you trying to get excited to be a part of the evolution and across? Historically, nursing has infamy maturing of a wonderful profession. regarding how nurses sometimes treat each Thanks Moira. Interview by Jo Atkins.

“

Lovely Locks Lovely Locks Hair & Beauty is proud to be celebrating its second birthday this December, and what another big year it has been for the team!

The girls have had some fantastic achievements this year, volunteering backstage at Hair Expo as part of the Redken session styling team, Makeup Expos for the makeup foundation in Darling Harbour, and exhibiting at Bridal Expos. Lovely Locks have also been styling numerous photo shoots and some beautiful weddings (some of which have recently been featured in North Coast Wedding Magazine).

Lovely Locks Hair & Beauty has recently been accredited as the first salon in Port Macquarie as a Silver 'Salon Select' salon, which is an exclusive accreditation for outstanding excellence in customer service and professional standard of salon presentation.

We are now working towards becoming a gold accredited salon.

Our fabulous apprentice, Alycia, has now completed her Certificate III qualification and will be continuing her learning experience with her Certificate IV studies. Alycia is eager to learn all aspects of the hairdressing trade and shows great enthusiasm and promise for the future. And her sister, Amber, is halfway through completing her Diploma of Beauty Therapy, and we eagerly anticipate her completion.

Lucy, Khym and the Lovely Locks team would like to thank all of their loyal clients for their continued support throughout 2013.

Merry Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you in 2014!

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greater port macquarie focus 59

focusinterview.

By Jane Hillsdon Principal Consultant of Dragonfly Marketing

Skye Petho Arthouse Industries

rthouse Industries specialises in unique jewellery and wearable art handmade from glass beads. Tell us a bit more about your business? Arthouse Industries operates out of a beautiful retail and studio space on Sunset Parade in Port Macquarie, where you can watch me work with hot glass to make unique jewellery, purchase something special from a range of amazing artists or attend a creative class to learn something new.

are also available online. Do you find that you are servicing a different customer for each of these distribution channels? I certainly am. Each of these avenues by themselves would not create a sustainable business for me, but together they allow me to draw an income from all over the country.

A large part of my business success comes from people wanting to have a piece of me after meeting me and seeing me work, and the studio space allows me to establish this relationship. Most of my walk-in traffic is tourists, and this means I am drawing sales from out of the area.

What was it that first inspired you to start Arthouse Industries? I have a passion for The markets provide an intense burst of hand made quality products, especially customers and are a great marketing wearable art and wanted to tool. For the cost of a market stall share this with people. It was I have the chance to engage important for me to establish st with hundreds of customers co e For th a business that allowed me t ke ar and direct them either to the m a of to pursue my passion for e th e studio or the website. av h I stall art and do something I ge ga en to ce an ch Online shopping is all about really loved every day. s of with hundredd having a place for them to What is your customers an ther shop again after that initial background, and how direct them eior the point of contact, and I find did you come to be in to the studio most of my customers online Port Macquarie? I moved website.” are repeat transactions from to Port when I was 12 and either the markets or tourists have been back and forth from who have visited the studio.

Sydney over the years for work

“

and study, but always end up back home. It is such a beautiful place to work and live, and I am constantly surrounded by things that inspire me.

You currently have a bricks and mortar store, you sell your products at markets such as the Artisan Markets in Port Macquarie and the Olive Tree Markets in Newcastle, and your products 60 greater port macquarie focus.

Is there one channel that seems to have more success than the others, or are they all complementary of each other? They all complement each other, but I find I have the most success when I am able to engage with my customers in the studio, where they can see me work and appreciate the art.

You clearly have a great passion for what you

do. How important do you think it is to be passionate about what you do in business? This is the driving force behind being self employed and if I didn’t love what I was doing, it would be really hard to stay motivated and focused.

The summer holiday season and Christmas period is an extremely lively time of year, especially for retail. What are some of the biggest challenges you face at this time of year, and how to do you try and overcome them?

Stock ... because I make the majority of the work in the studio, it can be a bit stressful trying to keep up with stock levels at this time of year – it’s a good problem to have, however, and means I need to prepare for Christmas mid year.

What is it that you love most about what you do? All of it. I get to be creative in a beautiful space and meet amazing people. It’s a pretty good life!

Where do you source your creative inspiration from? The people and environment around me are a big influence.

What do you wish someone would have told you before embarking on your journey as a business owner? The best advice I received was from a close friend, who said: “Start where you want to finish” ... she just forgot to tell me that even though I would be doing something I really loved, some days I would question why I was doing it!

And finally, if you could invite any three business people to lunch, who would they be and why would you invite them? There are so many amazing creative Australian businesses I have been inspired by, that I couldn’t choose just three.

Thanks for your time, Skye, and have a merry Christmas!

DECEMBER 2013

WITH TERRI

AQUARIUS.

GEMINI.

January 21 - February 19

May 22 - June 22

LIBRA. September 24 - October 23

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. Distract yourself in a project, allowing your creative, artistic talent to flow and this is when you’ll sparkle, with that Gemini passion for living. New friend/friends and social outings can be expected as your tastes begin to change. Try wearing some topaz for wellbeing and prosperity.

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. You are being given another opportunity to re-educate those connected to you. All you have to do is what you want to do, without feeling guilty.

Turquoise is powerful self-love crystal. Carry it for a few weeks.

PISCES.

CANCER.

SCORPIO.

February 20 - March 20

June 23 - July 23 Ju

October 24 - November 22

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; all you need to do is make the commitment, then begin planning and preparing. Perhaps even try giving yourself permission to succeed. Enjoy the beautiful calm later on in the month. Smokey Quartz dispels negativity and is very grounding for your energy.

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. The trouble is, it still isn’t happening. New goal setting will start the ball rolling. You will be divinely guided towards the right opportunity and the appropriate contacts will enter the picture to validate perfect timing.

Ruby shatters negativity and aligns us with our destiny or life’s purpose.

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.

This completion represents endings of old hurts, discovering undigested emotions, letting go of the same old hurtful nagging feeling so that you can reconnect with your magnificence and like you. Celebrate the ‘new you’ with some friends. Turquoise is great for personal power, amplifying it.

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. This will benefit your self-esteem. A new intellectual pursuit could prove to be quite successful as an additive to your income. Avoid turning down any social engagements this month, as a special friend is likely to enter your reality.

Azurite is a powerful crystal for insight.

ARIES.

LEO.

SAGITTARIUS.

March 21 - April 20

July 24 - August 23

November 23 - December 21

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. A holiday may be the answer for the restlessness; however, try to capitalise on its energy to make the most of it. Become aware of your fears and then try laughing at them. Citrine balances energy.

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. Enjoy your creative flair at work and keep above daily stress by looking at the bigger picture. Your sensitivity is being amplified at present, so keep busy to avoid being pulled into everyone else’s problems. New goal setting will benefit you too. Carrying moonstone helps cycles end and new ones begin.

TAURUS.

VIRGO.

April 21 - May 21

August 24 - September 23 A

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. Instead of tingling from head to foot with gratitude for the blessings surrounding you, you are focused on what you feel is missing. This is bringing forth a negative thought pattern, which could lead to depression if not changed.

Rose Quartz initiates a vibration of happiness and gratitude.

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. New work opportunities are coming forth and are likely to be a big distraction later in the month; however, you will need to tie up some loose ends first. Calcite assists us with spontenaity.

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. Don’t walk away from your challenge taking no responsibility, as this ultimately was your creation. Just look for its hidden blessings with gratitude.

Rose Quartz initiates unconditional love.

CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20

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 and start living with a purpose.

Perhaps some fresh goal setting will help you break the habit of lower expectations. Carnelian is a very powerful motivator.

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MARY’S BOY CHILD Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day. And man will live forever more, because of Christmas Day. Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible said, Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day. Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today, And man will live forever more, because of Christmas Day. Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day. While shepherds watch their fl ocks by night, they see a bright new shining star, they hear a choir sing a song, the music seemed to come from afar.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today, And man will live forever more, because of Christmas Day. Now Joseph and his wife, Mary, came to Bethlehem that night, they found no place to bear her child, not a single room was in sight.

And then they found a little nook in a stable all forlorn, and in a manger cold and dark, Mary’s little boy was born.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today, And man will live forever more, because of Christmas Day. Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

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SILENT NIGHT

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace.

O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant, O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem, Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Silent night, holy night Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia!

Christ, the Saviour is born Christ, the Saviour is born”.

Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O sing all ye citizens from Heaven above.

Glory to God, glory in the highest.

O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Yea Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus to Thee be glory given.

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Silent night, holy night Son of God, loves pure light; Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord at Thy birth Jesus, Lord at Thy birth Away in a Manger

Away in a manger no crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing the baby awakes But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes I love Thee Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky And stay by my side till morning is night.

Be near me Lord Jesus I ask you to stay Close by me forever and love me I pray Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled” Joyful all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim “Christ is born in Bethlehem” Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King”.

Christ by highest heaven adored Christ the everlasting Lord Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a virgin’s womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with men to dwell Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King”.

Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more would die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Risen with healing in His wings Light and life to all He brings Hail the Son of Righteousness Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King”.

O little town of Bethlehem

O HOLY NIGHT

THE FIRST NOEL JOY TO THE WORLD Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing.

And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy.

Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove, The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love.

And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fi elds as they lay; In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winters night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

This star drew nigh to the northwest, O’er Bethlehem it took it rest, And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those wise men three Full reverently upon their knee, And offered there in his presence Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining; Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices; For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

Oh night divine!

Oh night when Christ was born; Oh night divine!

Oh night, oh night div ine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wisemen from Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our friend, He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger, Behold your King, before him lowly bend.

Behold your King, before him lowly bend.

Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace; Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord O praise His name forever.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

(Verse 2) For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above While mortals sleep the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And peace to men on earth (Verse 3) How silently how silently The wondrous gift is giv’n So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven No ear may hear His coming But in this world of sin Where meek souls will Receive Him still The dear Christ enters in (Verse 4) O holy child of Bethlehem Descend to us we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born in us today We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell O come to us abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel

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focusinterview.

Louella Polson PEOPLE BUILDERS Louella Polson, the Manager of People Builders Community Services, shares some great news that will have a positive impact on 100 local families this festive season! Read on, to find out how People Builders are helping to bring smiles to people’s faces …

ho (or what) are People Builders ... what are the organisation’s aims? People Builders is both a local church and a local community services organisation. The church was established more than 12 years ago, with a vision to establish a community services centre as a place where we could ‘ENCOURAGE, EQUIP & EMPOWER’ people, and respond to ‘an epidemic of loneliness’ in our community.

So we came up with our ONE HUNDRED HAMPERS Project – 100 lovely Christmas goodies hampers to distribute to people referred to us ... people who wouldn’t ordinarily be recipients of hampers through the normal emergency relief organisations, simply to put a smile on their faces and give them the message that there are people who care and understand.

During October and November, we’ve been collecting specific food items, culminating in a huge ‘Hamper Pack & Wrap’ Day down at the centre with a sausage sizzle and great live music while we packed and wrapped!

Next year will see the 10th anniversary I’m thrilled to say that we have reached of the People Builders Community our target, and we will have 100 Services (PBCS)! We are all beautifully packaged goodies about building lives and hampers to go out, thanks to all transforming communities; We’ve reached the great people who have got 0 our target of 10 as we like to say, “People behind this project. anyone Builders – it’s who we are hampers! But if that Who are some of the ily knows of a fam and what we do”. n ea m ld businesses and individuals ou a hamper w PBCS has a range of us t le se who have sponsored or ea a lot to, pl it ep services, groups, courses ke ll e’ (W supported People Builders . know ” l!) and strategies to meet tia en id with this goal?

We are thrilled nf co our aims of providing that so many local businesses, support for relief of suffering; organisations and individuals have assisting people in recovery from put their hand up to sponsor hampers! brokenness; helping bring people to I’d love to acknowledge their generosity: health and wholeness, and equipping people Mortgage Choice with ‘lifekeys’ to lead purpose filled and Panthers productive lives.

First National Real Estate PMH National Seniors Explain the 100 hampers goal People Builders Westport Tennis Club is working on at the moment ... what are the Friday Afternoon Golfers, Emerald Downs hampers for, and how many have you been able UnitingCare Burnside Hastings Family Support to get together so far? I’m sure we’d all agree that Services for so many people, Christmas is a really tough time Ella Baché − for reasons of isolation, lack of family, struggles Hastings Community Theatre with grief and loss, health battles, as well as financial Eastland Trailer Parts pressures etc.

“

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Essential Energy Network Development Social Club Specsavers Leslie Williams MP Real Property Medicare Local Rainforest Café And of course – the many generous individuals from People Builders and their friends – including all the fantastic girls from our PBCS GirlPower Group!

Describe the partnership you’ve established locally with Burnside for this project ... how are you supporting each other? We really love the great crew at Burnside Family Support Services! From time to time we find ourselves offering support to the same clients (often referred to us by Burnside), as what we do complements their service. Until last year, they’ve been able to offer their families a Christmas hamper, so when we found out that it was no longer possible for them to do this, we offered to deliver some of our Christmas goodie hampers to their families. They’re also sponsoring hampers, by the way!

How can the general public assist you with your 100 hampers goal? Well, as I mentioned, we’ve reached our target of 100 hampers! But if anyone knows of a family that a hamper would mean a lot to, please let us know. (We’ll keep it confidential!)

Where can people contact you to find out more information? People are welcome to call us on 6583 2566, or to drop in Tuesdays to Thursdays between 10am and 3.30pm. We’re next to Panthers Settlement City, where the big green and black People Builders signs are very prominent.

Thanks FOCUS for spreading the news!

Thanks Louella.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

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Swimming, Fun & Fitness this summer Hastings Aquatics – swimming, fun and fitness for the whole family this summer!

experience in early childhood education and children’s fitness.

Wow, the year flies, as Xmas is just around the corner ... the pools have been a hive of activity with swim programs, school visits and regular activities all occupying them throughout the day.

Tuesdays 9.30am - 11.30am Kendall Pool and Fridays 9.30am - 11.30am Laurieton Pool (weather permitting). Cost is just $5 per child (includes pool entry).

Xmas parties at the pools – many local clubs, sporting groups and social groups are hiring the pools for their Xmas parties. It’s a great place to host a large party, being able to have activities like the Aqua Challenge, Waterslide, BBQ facilities. You can even hire the pool after hours! Cost does vary depending on activities, time of booking and group size, but is usually around $7.50/hd including entry.

‘Aqua Splash’ play group now at Kendall Pool – Splash playgroup is a fun and active social group for parents/carers and children; everyone is welcome. Splash is led by infant/ preschool trained swim teachers with

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January Intensive Learn to Swim Programs – held at Laurieton, Kendall and Wauchope.

Aqua Tots – an introductory short and concise ‘hands on’ skills and knowledge program (5 day) for all parents of infant and toddler children. Water safety and CPR education and demonstration included.

School Age 10 Day Intensive – this program has the many advantages of seeing the children progress DAILY in achieving their swimming skills and levels in a short amount of time.

The consistent and challenging learning environment gives a great sense of achievement for both swimmer and teacher!

Follow Us on Facebook: Hastings Aquatics.

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Camden Haven Marine Camden Haven Marine have become the trusted name in marine sales and service on the Mid North Coast. With names like SUZUKI, STACER, FORMOSA, DUNBIER, EVINRUDE E-TEC, AND SEAFARER, they’re your first place to shop when quality counts.

Camden Haven Marine has earnt the respect they enjoy from family recreational boaters, recreational fishermen as well as professional users of watercraft, for new boat sales of Stacer and Formosa, Suzuki outboards or E-tec/Stacer packages, used sales, repairs and servicing.

A large range of boating and trailer accessories are kept on site. As a BLA stockist we have access to the largest range of accessories in Australia and are proud to offer leading accessories such as Humminbird, Minn Kota, Lowrance, Garmin, GME and many others.

PORT MACQUARIE SEADOO PHONE 02 6584 5135 57 Hastings River Drive Port Macquarie www.portmacquarieseadoo.com.au

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Whether you’re rebuilding or modifying an older boat, or wishing to fit out a new one, we have the quality gear you need on the water.

CAMDEN HAVEN MARINE runs a fully equipped workshop and offer servicing and repairs for most brands of outboard motors such as SUZUKI, MERCURY, YAMAHA, HONDA, EVINRUDE/JOHNSON. We can use and supply all genuine parts and are service agents for SUZUKI and EVINRUDE E-Tec, including factory recommended Motul and Evinrude branded oils, along with Sierra brand oils.

SUZUKI and EVINRUDE computer diagnosis available on site. We also offer aluminium and steel TIG and MIG welding for repairs to boats and trailers and modifications to alloy boats.

Give the team a call, or drop in for a chat.

focusinterview.

Josh Tabone is an up and coming photographer with a passion for the ocean.

Now, Josh will be holding a Seascape Showcase – an exhibition of some of his stunning pieces – on December 7 at the new Hub Centre on Bellbowrie Road.

i Josh.

Josh What’s been keeping you busy since we spoke to you last?

Well, I haven’t stopped to be honest. Photography is a never-ending learning process, and one could say that I am addicted.

I have been travelling a lot the past year or so and have been lucky enough to visit some incredible parts of the world, such as Mexico, Hawaii, Indonesia, The U.S. and most recently, The Philippines, all with my camera in hand. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to document the places I go and things I have seen − I just cannot wait to show everyone!

What’s changed (if anything) with your photography over the past couple of years ... do you use any different equipment or techniques these days? I am continuously changing my techniques and experimenting with new methods. I find myself getting restless if I’m shooting the same things over and over, so I’m forever testing the waters, and trying new things. Earlier this year, I was promoted to Senior Photographer for Riptide Magazine, which led me to upgrading my camera body. I took the opportunity with both hands and in a way, my photography changed from being just a hobby to more of a career, I guess. In more recent months, I have been drawn to shooting a lot of underwater photos, some of which will feature in my upcoming Seascape Showcase.

You’re having an exhibition of your work

on December 7. will this be held 7 Where Wh (and at what time) – and how many people are you expecting to attend on the night? Yes, I am very excited! It has only just come together over the last few months and would not have been possible without the help of the extremely talented Matthew Jorgenson; he has been kind enough to let me grace his walls if I am hoping that , is th with my ocean art. It g you’re readin d an hi is actually the Official y you will come sa my of e Opening of his brand m check out so tending new gallery, located photos. I am ex ne who yo at Studio 8/15 in this invite to an e ocean th in ed st re te ‘The Hub Centre’ on is in ...” s nd ou and its surr Bellbowrie Road, Port Macquarie.

“

It all kicks off at 5pm on Saturday 7 December and will run until 9pm. There will be plenty of finger food from Yuu Sushi Train, some beer and wine will also be provided, a bit of live music and there’s going to be a photo booth running too! It’s definitely going to be a bit of fun.

as a part of your Seascape Showcase?

I will be displaying roughly 15 of my favourite pieces, all on various styles such as canvas, acrylic panels, and some in frames, built from old fence palings, that my good friend Chase O’Leary has made for me. They look insane!

Plus, I will be launching my new limited edition ‘Port Macquarie 2014’ calendar.

I’m not too sure how many people exactly will be there on opening night … but I am hoping that if you’re reading this, you will come say hi and check out some of my photos. I am extending this invite to anyone who is interested in the ocean and its surrounds … so I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Where were the majority of these photos taken ... you mentioned you have done quite a bit of travelling? Indeed I have! Numerous hours surfing the highway and several uncomfortable plane trips ha ha. However, the majority of the works featured will be from around Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie and some from a little further south. There also will be a few from my recent adventures overseas.

How many works will you be presenting

Is there any cost to attend the exhibition

... and will your work be for sale? Entry to the showcase will be FREE, and yes, my work will be for sale on the night. There will also be a silent auction on a few pieces. All items purchased on the night will be delivered that week to your doorstep free of charge; no matter what the size, big or small, you will not have to worry.

Where can people go to view your other photographic work, or contact you to find out more about the exhibition?

Instagram: @joshuatabone Website: www.joshuatabone.tumblr.com Phone: 0418 110 980 Email: joshua_tabone@hotmail.com Thanks Josh.

Interview by Jo Atkins.

E X H I B I T I O N D E TA I L S Time: 5pm, Saturday 7 December.

Where: 8/15 ‘The Hub Centre’ Bellbowrie Road, Port Macquarie.

Everyone is welcome. greater port macquarie focus

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focusinterview.

SALTWATER Wine

A N EW-L O OK SA LT WAT E R W I N E F L AG S H I P STOR E H A S B E E N L AU NC H E D

S $9 PER MONTH SAVE SAVE $9 PER MONTH O ON YOUR PHONE ON YOUR PHONE

I N HORTON ST R E E T P ORT M ACQ UA R I E , COM B I N I NG T H E T R A DI T IONA L S U R F S T O R E , B OA R D S T O R E A N D NOW A N E S P R E S S O BA R.

$ MY PLAN $60 $60 PLAN P PER MY MONTH PER MONTH After $10 monthly A

After monthly p phone$10 credit phone credit Minimum M Total Cost over 2 24 monthsTotal $1,440 Minimum Cost over 24 C Costmonths of 1MB$1,440 included ddata is $0.0195 Cost of 1MB included data is $0.0195

Trade in your iPhone 4s 16GB for a new iPhone 5c 16GB. your to iPhone 16GBworking for a new iPhone 5cto16GB. YourTrade phoneinneeds be in 4s decent order.

Be sure back up Your phone needsand to be in decent working order. Be sure to back up delete your data beforehand. and delete your data beforehand.

THE NITTY GRITTY. My Plan: If you cancel your plan early, fees may apply and if you get a monthly phone credit, that will be forfeited. Trade in offer: Only available to non-business customers who trade in a working Apple iPhone 4s 16GB (phone condition criteria apply) and purchase an Apple iPhone 5c 16GB on a $60 My Plan. Limit one trade in phone per customer. Trade in must be processed at the same time when you sign up or recontract with us. Only available in Optus yes Shops. Offer ends 6 January 2014. You should delete all personal information from your phone prior to trade in.

STO1106_1113SS

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T

he Saltwater Wine brand is synonymous with the Port Macquarie surf lifestyle and culture, and since opening in Port in 1991 it has continued to grow and develop, adapting to changes over time.

The plans for the new look flagship store have been a work in progress over the last 18 months, with owner Anthony Wilson working closely with Sydney based Architect Jim Buda to help create the new concept for the store. Jim has worked with other surf stores and major retail spaces

epic,” he adds.

The new Saltwater Wine store combines the traditional surf and board stores and now also features an espresso bar at the Horton Street address – serving fresh Allpress espresso and a range of accompanying snacks. “For many people an espresso bar in a surf shop is a stretch, and that’s why it was really important that we have consistently outstanding coffee. Allpress is one of the top roasters in Australia and has trained our baristas the Allpress way,” explained Anthony.

T H E N EW SA LT WAT E R W I N E STOR E COM B I N E S T H E T R A DI T IONA L S U R F A N D B OA R D STOR E S A N D NOW A L S O F E AT U R E S A N E S PR E S S O BA R AT T H E HORTON ST R E E T A DDR E S S.

across Australia for brands including Sportsgirl, Lonsdale, Rip Curl and for a range global retailers including Oakley.

“The revamp and new look store is all about taking Saltwater Wine back to its roots as a core surf shop and gives a really clear difference with our Stormriders brand,” says Anthony Wilson.

“With the retail landscape changing rapidly you have to evolve and grow, and over the past few years we have re-developed our brand into two distinct stores. Saltwater Wine is our core surf store, and Stormriders encompasses the broader board sports.”

The new Saltwater Wine store is the first step of a restructure in Port Macquarie: “Early next year we will be closing Stormriders Horton St and then doing a full fitout to turn the Port Central store into the Stormriders flagship store, which will be

New brands to the Saltwater Wine flagship store include Captain Fin Co, Deus, Rhythm, Otis and Mayde turkish towels.

The Gordon St board store has been relocated to the new Horton Street store and features boards from JS, Channel Island, Chilli and Firewire. “With a couple of new brands to come, there are even more boards than the old board store,” explained Anthony. “We have added boards by Dick Van Straalen and Mark Richards retro series of twin and single fins, which are more pieces of art.

“We have a few more tricks up our sleeve that will evolve over time, and we are really looking forward to the start of the Billabong Pipeline Pro in early December. We will be streaming the event live instore, and the guys from Billabong are planning to do a live cross to the store, which should be a blast!” said Anthony.

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focustravel with Susie Boswell

focustourism.

Port Macquarie Tourism Association

T o u r is m

janette hyde.

T R AV E L D E S T I N AT I O N : HAWKS NEST - TEA GARDENS

I

’s as if we’re dining at a table floating in the water - that’s the remarkable setting of The Boatshed, where we’re enjoying the best brunch. The sun’s playing on the gentle Myall River as its spills, here, into Port Stephens, cruisers bob at anchor and a pelican glides by looking nonchalantly straight ahead – yet maintaining a sneaky watch for stray morsels from our plates. There will be none; this is the most scrumptious food anywhere in regional NSW. Pelicans are quite a presence and motif here, around Tea Gardens and twin town Hawks Nest – hamlets on each side of the river mouth at the edge of Myall Lakes National Park, two hours’ drive from home. The casual seaside vibe the birds evoke spreads to the local police station (nicely sited on the green riverbank), where a replica pelican stands atop the “POLICE” neon sign, a pair of handcuffs jauntily in its beak.

A few paces from the cop shop we had a novel experience of delicious pancakes, coffee and gelato at Tea Gardens Ice Cream Shack, a not-to-be-missed Willy Wonka-style treasure trove of fantastic colourful confections to delight kiddies, and excellent treats for adults, staffed by bubbly personalities like cheerful Kaili. And later - all of this on Marine Parade - excellent fresh fish and chips at Hook n Cook. We’re told the owner’s a fisherman.

Lest we spent the whole holiday merely gobbling food, and to burn it off, we struck out on “a walk a day”: printed guides give directions for easy, and challenging, routes around the area, each offering a new perspective on the local fauna, flora, topography and history. And we were happy to find bikes for hire at Hawks Nest, perfect for pedalling at a relaxed pace right around the level local area - or on bush forays. Then we hopped “The Wally”, a traditional locallyowned ferry (MV Wallamba) from the wharf on Marine Parade, crossing Port Stephens to 72

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The Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association held its AGM at Billabong Zoo and Wildlife Park on 11 November. Everyone really enjoyed the sneak preview of the zoo by night.

Nelson Bay. We joined Moonshadow Cruises, one of NSW’s most-awarded tourist attractions, whose tours out of Nelson Bay marina have been tuned to a fine art over the past 32 years of the family business. We took the dolphin watch and boom-net cruise, spectacular wind-in-the-hair, seasalt-inthe-throat sightseeing, romping around high, wide decks, enjoying the views and laughing with tourists from around the globe Invigorating! Moonshadow has other cruises: whale watching, 4WD sand-boarding, ocean cruising to Broughton Island, and twilight dinner and dancing afloat.

Nelson Bay hosts many boutiques whose owners are clearly clever at finding eclectic clothing, swimwear, jewellery, gift and homewares for visitors to lap up.

Back at Tea Gardens, more water-borne activity: this time more vigorous - but not overly so: no point exerting ourselves on holiday. Lazy Paddles, a kayak tours experience, is aptly named. Owner Annette exhibits that wonderful joy in sharing the art of kayaking and pleasures of nature of a true aficionado of the pastime/sport. Great touring, instruction and fun with Annette, who’s patient with children, beginners, older adventurers ... and the unfit!

After expending that energy, what else but to refuel? At Benchmark on Booner in Hawks Nest we treated ourselves to an evening at this more conventional a la carte restaurant with a tempting new menu, wine, soft music and candlelight, and attentive service by owner-manager Kowan and sidekick Jess.

Our regular watering hole turned out to be pretty, welcoming Hawks Nest Golf Club - where the bistro’s a beauty (free steaks!) with the nicest friendliest team of troops led

by GM Richard and bar manager Jason.

Yep, Hawks Nest-Tea Gardens is a first-name kind of place.

ll existing Board Members were re-elected with the exception of David Wells, who has stepped down from his role. Linda Hall was the new appointee to the Board, so we say thank you to David and welcome to Linda.

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The NBN bus is coming to Port Macquarie on 2 December and arriving at the end of Horton Street near the Town Green from 7.30am.

Tourism operators and local residents are encouraged to turn out in force to welcome a busload of single city women as they arrive in Port Macquarie looking for love.

The new Nine Network TV series When Love Comes to Town is filming in Port Macquarie from 2 - 4 December 2013. Port Macquarie is one of only 10 destinations around Australia to be used as a location. The show is similar to Farmer Wants a Wife, where they take a group of single city girls on a road trip adventure around Australia, with the bus stopping in regional towns to meet 2 local eligible bachelors and experience where they live and work. These girls are willing to relocate if they find ‘the one’. The series is hosted by celebrity Natalie Gruzlewski.

Well, the holiday season is coming and you will probably have lots of people visiting you over the Christmas/New Year period. If you haven’t picked up your copy of the Eat See and Do Guide, you need to go to the Visitors Information Centre in the Glasshouse and also the iKew Visitors Information Centre to find out all about the activities your visitors can enjoy. As well as a myriad of activities, it has places to eat, trails to enjoy, and places to visit.

It is such a great book, with over 52 activities to keep your visitors busy. You can also check out www.portmacquarie info.com for further details.

ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 2013 NSW Touch Association State Cup Friday 6 - Sunday 8 December, Port Macquarie Regional Stadium and Tuffins Lane Sporting Fields.

The NSW Touch Association will host the 37th Annual State Cup in Port Macquarie. The State Cup is the premier Touch competition for New South Wales Touch Affiliates and proves to be an excellent competition for the state's most talented players, coaches, referees and administrators.

Over 4,000 people will come to our area for this elite competition.

Carols in the Park, 7 December 7pm, Westport Park.

Don’t miss this wonderful family night featuring Allison Langdon as emcee, Mayor Peter Besseling, Carols by Matt Doeland and the St Columba Anglican School Children’s Choir.

Jazz in the Vineyards, Sunday 8 Dec 11am 3.30pm (doors open 10am).

Start the festive season with a great day out at the popular 'Jazz in the Vineyards' Bago Vineyards, Bago Rd Wauchope.

Guest Band: 'The Jordan Jive Quartet'.

Enjoy wine tasting in the Cellar Door, tasty meals from the Bago Jazz Café, plus fun for all in the Bago Maze.

Festival of the Sun 2013, Friday 13 December and Saturday 14 December, Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park.

Festival of the Sun is Port Macquarie’s flagship live music event, bringing in the summer with some great live Aussie and international bands, tasty markets and three days of camping in the sun next to beach! FOTSUN, as it’s warmly known by regulars, has been described as more of a backyard BBQ than a music festival with its unique laid back beachside vibe, BYO aspect and camping only metres from the beach and stage area.

Special Foreshore Markets, Thursday 12 and 19 December from 10am in the Glasshouse Forecourt. Pickup that last minute Christmas gift at these fantastic markets.

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focus_business.

with the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce erce

Hadyn Oriti.

MINDING YOUR

BUSINESS THE NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER KOOLOONBUNG CREEK IS NEARING COMPLETION, ADDING A STYLISH PIECE OF MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL HELP GREATLY IN REVITALISING THE FORESHORE. ts clean white lines will draw people by foot safely across the creek, increasing the numbers walking between Settlement City and the CBD. Once complete, no longer will mothers pushing prams and holding toddlers put themselves and their children at risk using the narrow footpaths of the Buller Street Bridge.

It is a welcome addition to the town.

The new bridge is a fine example of what can be done when business and Council

I

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work together. Largely funded by a Federal Government grant, the Town Centre Master Planning Committee also contributed to the project. Many people are unaware of the work of the Committee and its place in the growth of Port Macquarie. The Committee, and the fund it administers, is unique in local government.

The results it has achieved are a tribute to those who worked hard to establish it over 20 years ago.

The Chamber plays a role in the TCMP Committee, having a representative on it and will continue to support its activities and the implementation of its plan.

But the installation of the bridge and a recent presentation to the Committee got me thinking that Kooloonbung Creek and the Nature Reserve bearing its name are not being enjoyed to its potential. The creek is ignored by many and treated contemptuously by a few hooligans and louts throwing trolleys and other debris into it. Why do we treat our humble waterway in this fashion?

Part of the reason must be accessibility. The space between the creek and Short Street is a largely ignored place of car parks and rubbish bins. That needs to change, together with our attitude to the creek. Generally, areas used by large numbers of people are looked after and treasured. We need more people to know and enjoy the creek and nature reserve. So, how?

Gordon Street is a major impediment. Crossing that street is difficult and an obstacle to people moving from the CBD to the reserve. The street is stopping many of us from enjoying the park.

And this is a shame.

There are guided tours through the nature reserve, and visitors can explore the historic graves and see any number of examples of the 165 bird species inhabiting the place. However,

few locals, let alone visitors, ever step inside the reserve area.

At a recent presentation to the TCMP Committee, there were discussions of creating better links from the CBD to the reserve in the south. Walkways under the Gordon Street Bridge would be ideal, but creating them is a challenge. The Committee and the Council can see the potential for pedestrian and cycle way links to Lord Street through the reserve.

Just having a link would mean people would contemplate walking, cycling or scootering from the residential areas east of Lake Road into town. It could be done in an environmentally sensitive way to allow many more to appreciate the nature we have so close to town.

Many of the features we value in Port Macquarie now were the result of a group of visionaries who saw what could be done if all businesses got together to fund a co-ordinated plan to beautify the CBD. The town is reaping the rewards of that vision. Other communities in the local government area may wish to do something similar; think of the Wauchope CBD, the North Haven foreshore or the Laurieton CBD. The new Economic Development Strategy recognises that potential. It is time for the community to step up and seize the opportunities.

focusmotoring

‘The Smug’

b m w

This month the Smug test drives the brand new BMW X5 xDrive30d, 3.0L Turbo Diesel courtesy of McGuigan BMW Port Macquarie. here’s certainly the X factor about the brand new BMW X5. Having only slightly changed in exterior appearance since the previous generation, it’s the driveability and interior gadgets that pitch this version forward as a superstar of motoring heading into 2014.

One of the first things I noticed about starting out on my drive was that it didn’t drive like a big diesel. The lower gear acceleration and transitioning was simply seamless and punchy.

One could be forgiven for thinking you were driving a high performance sedan.

On speed capability, my trusty friends at Google suggest the X5 xDrive30d can take you from 0 to 100km/h in a very impressive 6.9 seconds.

A sharp improvement from the first generation X5, which boasted corresponding figures of over 10 seconds.

The speed and 190 kw of power comes from the TwinPower Turbo six cylinder in-line diesel engine which also only sucks through a combined 6.2 litres per 100 km. Putting it simply, high performance has just met with fuel efficiency.

The sheer handling and drive comfort of this vehicle has to be experienced to be explained.

I certainly felt like I was driving ‘first class’ all the way.

My impression of the interior is that the interior is what you would expect from a high-end vehicle in today’s competitive market, encompassing sleek design elements, ergonomic and fingertip friendly buttons, levers and command system.

Upon closer inspection though, I don’t recall any vehicle in recent times that better manages to seamlessly integrate technology and user options into an easy to navigate system as the new X5 does.

Even if the kind folks at FOCUS were to allow me three pages to write a comprehensive review on this vehicle, the list of technology options and features alone would take many more pages than that. I’ll simply extract several key elements to give you a taste of what you can expect from this offering.

Delving into the intelligent connectivity space of the new X5, there’s the mandatory Bluetooth along with a relative new-comer in AUPEO!, a free personal radio application (app) that you can download to your smartphone which allows you to customise what genre of music you would like to listen to whilst driving.

By using the ‘love’ and ‘ban’ buttons in the Control Display, you can simply blacklist (ban) anything by Billy Ray Cyrus and load up on (love) Andrea Bocelli or Phil Collins to powerballad your way around town.

The nearly-iPad-sized dash mounted Control Display provides the platform to surf the interwebs, check your inbox, pay your bills online or simply Facebook your friends to tell them all about your new vehicle purchase.

If you’re not one for reading like me, rest easy, as there’s a read-aloud function which is compatible with many of the most popular mobile devices available today.

Whilst still centred around the Control Display, there are options and/or standard provision for Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) to go with the 3D, the Satellite Navigation system

and a TV Function that allows you to receive Digital Broadcasts (DVB-T) whilst the vehicle is stationary.

wireless headphones and provision for internet connectivity, there’s no way you should have to hear the words ‘are we there yet?’ ever again.

When it comes to parking assist and multiple On the side of options for the vehicle other view cameras, BMW have raised the bar and than the technology, you’re able to choose provided a complete range of cameras and from many interior and exterior colours and multiple angles to provide a helicopter view or finishes, including up to 20 inch alloy wheels in Surround View of the vehicle’s position in relavarious styles, several steering wheel finishtion to the immediate area. The Park Asing options including an inbuilt steering sistant feature remarkably allows wheel heater and also a selection you to ‘press-button-park’, of fine wood trims to suit any with the system taking over taste.

The sheer d the functions of steering, an In the interests of finding handling this acceleration and braking a ‘what-tha’ feature of drive comfort of whilst you simply hold the new X5, it would be vehicle has to be be down a single button. experienced to the BMW Night Vision

“

I certainly

explained.

One of the most impreswith Pedestrian Recogniiving felt like I was dr sive features I have ever tion and Acute Warning e ‘first class’ all th seen in a vehicle is the feature. It’s an optional inway.” new X5’s Head-Up Display. frared camera that transmits The optional full colour images of people and animals display projects relevant informaup to 300 metres ahead of the tion from the Control Display directly car directly onto the Control Display. onto the windscreen in the form of what It’s not on this month's what-tha list becan only be described as a hologram-like cause it’s just that it is slightly unusual; rather, image delicately placed within your line it also shows the depth of thinking BMW has of sight. With this feature, information such employed to ensure the safety of the driver and as your speed, navigation directions, Check also others (including animals). Add this feature Control messages and infotainment informato the many other safety measures included in tion will automatically appear before your the vehicle, which I could not find the room to eyes – which are still looking straight ahead. cover, and you’re in very safe hands.

It’s worth test-driving the new X5 just for this There’s no hiding the fact that the BMW X5 feature alone. is a high-end large and but capable SUV but With a large and ultra-roomy interior, you and your passengers have plenty of room to stretch out and with the inclusion of the professional quality rear entertainment package which includes two 9.2 inch colour screens, DVD drive,

I would suggest that once you take it for a proper spin, you’ll be checking your financial position again to see if you can squeeze it into your budget. It’s seriously that good and certainly a game-changer.

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focusinterview.

Barbershop Barbershop choruses are a type of musical expression rarely seen outside the metropolitan areas, but now Port Macquarie has its own barbershop quartet called Sassy Q. Sylvia Scott, Bass singer with the group, explains how the group evolved and the challenges of singing this distinctive style. he band has been together for just 8 months; how did the group form? Sylvia Scott, the Bass in Sassy Q, has been singing Barbershop for over 25 years. She was a founding member of the Sydney Town Chorus, one of the first Sweet Adelines Barbershop choruses in Australia. At that time she sang the Baritone part.

She has sung in 4 other quartets and went to the International Convention in New Orleans. When she moved to Port Macquarie 7½ years ago, she had hoped there was a Sweet Adelines chorus in the region, but the Manning Valley chorus had disappointingly already disbanded.

Undeterred, she joined Quintessence, a ladies choir, under the direction of Sheriden Sommerley, who primarily sang acapella. From this group she approached 3 other ladies to help her fulfil her dream of forming a ladies barbershop quartet.

These were: Sheriden Sommerley, Baritone; Yolanda Sanders, Tenor; and Stephanie LaneJohnson, Lead. Approx. 8 months ago, Sheriden moved to Canberra and a frantic search was on for a new baritone. Sylvia heard Katherine Bright performing at a Conservatorium Mid North Coast Friday lunchtime concert at the Glasshouse and approached her to consider singing with the quartet. The rest, as they say, ‘is history’ and led to the quartet in its present format.

Please tell us more about barbershop quartets and your members ... A barbershop quartet consists of a Tenor who sings the high part above the Lead and is called ‘the icing on the cake’ and makes the Lead sound beautiful! The Lead sings the melody and is in fact ‘the lead’, as she maintains the tempo for the chosen song. The Bass sings the bottom part and is mainly responsible for keeping the quartet in pitch and key, as a lot of her notes 76 greater port macquarie focus.

are the key note of the song. The Baritone has the most difficult part. She sings a lot of semitones and fills in the notes between the chords She is known as having the notes that ‘nobody else wants’, but is in fact the glue that holds us all together.

of the Eisteddfod, which we won, and thus got the opportunity to sing at the Prize Winners concert on the main stage of the Glasshouse.

The challenges of barbershop are finding your own note to sing when a note is blown on the pitch pipe, and singing without music. Remembering the words to 8 or 9 songs at a performance requires a lot of concentration.

Yolanda Sanders, who lives in South West Rocks, is SassyQ’s Tenor and has a light, high voice which suits barbershop well.

Our Lead is Stephanie LaneAny group has its challenges, and Johnson, who lives in Port with only four members it can Macquarie. The Lead in be more so, but definitely a Barbershop Quartet ing worth it in the end.

Barbershop sing t requires a straight tone is very differen Where can we see you e of with no vibrato to to the usual styl perform? We shall be e th g, as make sure the chord acapella singin performing at the Sea en tt ri tunes correctly. Sylvia harmonies are w er Scouts Hall in Buller th ge Scott is the Bass. She very closely to h 7t e th Street on 30 November of e us and makes has a very low voice its it s ve gi at 5pm, as part of the ch hi notes, w and sings an octave ” d. un so e iv Musicians playing for ct distin below the Lead part.

Change concert.

Katherine Bright, who also On 8 December we will be lives in Port Macquarie, is our singing at the Uniting Church Baritone. at 2pm, which is a fundraiser The style in which you perform ... for next year’s Music Eisteddfod. describe what barbershop is? Barbershop We will be singing at the Conservatorium free singing is very different to the usual style lunchtime recital at the Glasshouse in the Ross of acapella singing, as the harmonies are Family studio on 20 December at 12.30pm written very closely together and makes use of the As a band, what do you hope to achieve in the 7th notes, which gives it its distinctive sound. The next 12 months? In the next 12 months, as well as other important thing is that the vowels are all refining our present repertoire and adding to it, we pronounced the same way, to give the chords their hope to get more paid engagements and become ‘lock and ring’. recognised in Port Macquarie. Maybe a CD is in What have been some of the highlights while the offing? We plan to go to the Sweet Adelines working together? What have been some of Barbershop Convention in Sydney next year, where the challenges? One of our highlights was our we can see and hear the best barbershop choruses first performance with Katherine as our Baritone, and quartets in Australia and hopefully pick up where she had learnt the whole repertoire in 6 some tips! weeks. A major feat for anyone! Another highlight Thanks Sylvia. was competing in the over 50s ensemble section

“

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SANTA PHOTO TIMES

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10AM – 4PM

WEDNESDAY

9AM – 5PM

THURSDAY

10AM – 7PM

THURSDAY

9AM – 8PM

FRIDAY

10AM – 4PM

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CHRISTMAS

FEATURE

STUDIO PORTRAITS 4X5 CYCLORAMA 3X HAIR & MAKEUP STATIONS LIGHTING THE COAST’S ONLY PROFESSIONAL, FOR HIRE, PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO.

GLASSHOUSE FLOWERS Here at Glasshouse Flowers we are finishing off the year with a bang and the store is chock full of new designer gift ideas. The simply irresistible range of soft toys from Kidooshka has just arrived and are the perfect gift for the kidlets.

The Booca Natural Soy Wax Candles Collection expands each year, with beautiful damask and chrysanthemum blossom designs and delicious fragrances like lemongrass and ginger and amber and ginger rose.

Orders are already piling up for our famous “Port Macquarie Hampers” full of local produce including tasty treats by The Other Chef, Yarras Valley Olives, Bago Vineyards, World ParTea, Barbushco, Peak Coffee, Lorne Valley Macadamias and Baba Lila Chocolates alongside our own “Port Macquarie Hampers” brand of jams and chutneys. Choose from a range of carefully thought out selections or we can custom make to suit your needs.

- GREAT GIFT IDEA THIS CHRISTMAS -

Our floral design classes are back where you can learn to create your own fresh flower masterpiece this Christmas, or spoil someone you love with a gift certificate for an experience they will be sure to remember for years to come.

So for delightful and unique gift ideas for every occasion, come and see Meredy, Sue, Michele and Lindal at Glasshouse Flowers! Visit us at Shop 2, 1 Hay St, Port Macquarie.

Or phone: (02) 6584 2242.

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FEATURE

MOJO BEACH AND DANCE

SISTER SECRETS We all enjoy Christmas for many different

and accessories, gorgeous lighting, New Age

reasons. Time with friends and family,

books, banners and CDs. Spoil yourself and

holidays, summer, getting to spoil each

your loved ones this Christmas.

other with the perfect gift or even just

We are stockists of raw light candles,

some time away to unwind and relax.

Enhance Accessories, Bella Donna Silver,

Come and take a peek at the new age

Delight Decor, Lola G and many more.

treausures and experience the tranquility of

We are located inside Workout World,

Sister Secrets. Browse our extensive range of

Shop 2/ 25 Central Rd, Port. Also open Sat,

candles, jewellery, beautiful clothes, sandals

9 - 1pm.

82 greater port macquarie focus.

Local fashion designer Justine Bridle finds her niche resort wear range enjoying success online nationally and in her Lake Cathie Boutique.

because that gorgeous piece on the rack

The 2013/2014 Spring/Summer Collection has been released and is full of cool, flowing designs in gorgeous prints along with fresh cotton fabrics to suit our lifestyle here on the Mid North Coast.

consultation with Justine. If you find your

Justine’s latest expansion to the business is the MOJO Party Plan, where you can have the current MOJO Range come to you. The beauty of the in home party is that you can try on the designs and maybe you would prefer it longer, shorter or with straps, for instance; this can be done when ordering to suit your personal requirements. There are great incentives for the hostess, and the party is a very casual no pressure display of the range.

locally handmade.

All women are built uniquely, so custom sizing is also something we specialise in. Just

FaceBook page: www.facebook.com/

doesn’t fit your shape or height, or budget, it doesn’t mean you cannot have it.

Another service offered is the free in home health or other factors stop you from getting out to the shop, Justine is happy to visit you to help you with your requirements.

MOJO prides itself on being Australian and To book your MOJO in Home Party or personal consultation, Contact Justine on 0409 661 002.

Or better still, come and visit MOJO Beach at shop 12, 1661-1665 Ocean Drive (opposite the Lake) at Lake Cathie.

Online www.mojobeachanddance.com. au – and don’t forget to check out our mojobeachanddance

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FEATURE

TANGO MOON Tango Moon Lives by the sea in the surfing village of Crescent Head. A unique clothing store with a relaxed luxeboho style, a visit to Tango Moon is a must.

Our buying team seeks out special designs to suit that individual you. Kylie Rich, our stylist, brings her extensive cosmopolitan experience to help you decide on that perfect outfit. Make use of her personalised service, or feel free to spend time browsing.

Summer has brought with it exceptional pieces from Cake, Ruby Ya Ya and our Melbourne made Mesop and Vigorella. Gems like Adrift, Sadie, Namastai and the popular Boom Shankar have outdone themselves this season, with fabulous clothes in natural fibres.

Fashion jewellery and summer scarves meld wonderfully with the latest fabric colours. Loop belts, which are lovingly created in Melbourne, have been selling well. We pre order our belts for the following season, so they are on trend.

We have many Christmas gift ideas for that someone special; receiving a gift voucher is always a thrill and an easy present to post. We gladly lay by and gift wrap. Colourful cotton nighties with beautiful matching robes can be teamed with our delicious organic creams, perfumes and candles. A sure recipe to love by the moon. Open every day from 9am - 6pm over summer at 4 East St, Crescent Head.

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greater port macquarie focus.

CAMDEN HAVEN MOTORCYCLES Jim Morris is the owner of Camden Haven Motorcycles, and has over 20 years of hands-on experience working on all types and makes of motorcycles and quad bikes.

He knows motorcycles inside out and is the number one choice for precision motorcycle repairs and performance enhancement.

Camden Haven Motorcycles stock a great range of late model second hand and new motorcycles and if you are after a specific motorbike, Jim will do his best to source it for you.

Drop in for advice about your bike. All repairs are done on site, including rego checks.

Camden Haven Motorcyles also carry tyres from brands such as Dunlop, Bridgestone, Metzeler and Maxxis and stock oil from Penrite and Motorex. This holiday season Camden Haven Motorcycles are only closed between the 25 - 29 December and the public holidays so if there is something you need for your bike, they are the ones to see.

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FEATURE

Merry Christmas Spend $120 on THOMAS SABO and receive a free charm valued at $52

or

Offer is valid at participating stockists while stocks last. Offer is valid per transaction and on your choice of one of two promotional Charms – CC462 and CC413. Promotion ends on Thursday 24th December.

90 Horton Street Port Macquarie (02) 6583 2208

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FEATURE

SEABIRD SWIMWEAR Get into summer with Seabird!

Jo and sales assistant Rhianon manufacture Seabird Swimwear on site, offering a whole new opportunity for locals and the long list of repeat customers already using the fantastic online store, selling around Australia, NZ, US & the UK. NEW SUMMER STYLES now in store! Seabird Swimwear has a fantastic range of new summer swimwear styles in store now.

With all of the existing Chlorine Resistant styles for the over 50s remaining, there are some exciting new prints and colours to choose from.

NEW RANGE! Younger styles including bikinis are now in store. Catering for all shapes and sizes, from teens through to young mums. Jo and Rhianon invite you to come in and share your ideas on the new styles and colours they should introduce.

Individualise your swimsuit! Choose the style, fabric and colour of your choice. This service is at no extra cost, and generally your swimsuit will be ready within a week of ordering.

Gift vouchers available for Christmas.

greater port macquarie focus 87

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FEATURE

sugar plum candle & plush toy

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GIUFI DTE

Glasshouse Flowers Ph Pho Phone.

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HANDMAD EMPORIUM Unique Gift Ideas

incense is always well stocked with variety.

Pottery enthusiast Robin Furner operates

Helbak Danish ceramics are a favourite, and

HandMad in Crescent Head, stocking her own

the range of beautiful Zero Japan teapots

art plus things made by other people’s hands.

with Australia’s Tea Tonic Teas are a great gift

There is also a range of Australian wares, Indian

addition.

anything and patterned homewares of other

An emporium isn’t complete without skincare

lands and Eden organic, open pollinated seed.

products, so there is the entire range of Moo

Robin is a frustrated artist, so must sell art

Goo from the Tweed.

and craft supplies and a range of collage

When you visit HandMad, don’t forget to

books and supplies. She takes a lot of care

tell us you read this article in FOCUS for a

choosing gorgeous gift ideas and funny cards,

10% discount off your next purchase during

handmade Bellicious silver jewellery, has a kid-

December.

friendly section, a range of clothes for cotton

Open 9am to 6pm; look for the wind spinners

enthusiasts, Sunseals, dream catchers, and

out the front, twirling in the sea breeze.

MAGICAL PRINTS Oz Design Port Macquarie Phone. 6584 6645

WHITE CHRISTMAS BODY PRODUCTS The Department Store Wauchope Phone. 6585 2299

WILLOW TREE FIGURINES AND ENDARS 2014 LANG CALENDARS Willow House and Baby a Bab Phone. 6 P 6584 22755

FREE COFFEE WITH YOUR PURCHASE

BUZZ LEND HOUSE BLEND Buzz Coff ffee ffee Phone. 6583 583 7979

B. Siriu Sirius & La maison glasshouse fragg Meg and Me Boutique fragrances Phone. 6583 7773

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greater port macquarie focus 89

wauchope guide easy walking distance shopping

MARCO POLO

Class-ique Fashions.

Wauchope Lasiandra Festival.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE. • Simply beautiful fashion clothing for the mature woman.

• Large stockist of Black Pepper, Marco Polo and other leading Australian brands.

• Size range 8 - 24.

• Specialising in smart casual, ‘Mother of the Bride’ and special occasion.

COUNT DOWN TO 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Calling all past Members, Princess Winners and Candidates, associated service and community groups, and festival prize winners.

Help us celebrate our 30th anniversary in March 2014!

The committee invite all to our 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner.

When: Sat 29 March Where: Wauchope RSL Club Tickets: $30 per head.

(Table of 10 persons $270.)

Join us to celebrate Wauchope's Floral Emblem and 30 Years of Community Spirit Ph: 0412 137 621

33 High Street Phone. 6586 1324

Class-ique Fashions Style

Fit

Service

Wauchope Removals & Truck Hire

Hilberts Hardware ardware PTY LTD.

General & Industrial Hardware — Call into the store to see the entire range.

• Garden Fittings & Tools • Water & Poly Fittings • Door Fittings • Bolts, Nuts, Rivets, Screws, • Hand Rails – Cabling & Fittings • Various Hand Tool Brands • Air Fittings & Tools • Hydraulics

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year Don't forget to check the extensive stock of gift ideas for the whole family.

43-45 Hastings Street, Phone. 6585 2400 Fax. 6585 2435

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• • • • •

Anywhere Anytime Truck, Ute and Trailer Hire Storage Available U-Drive or with Driver Budget Rates

Call 7 Days Ken & Robyn Mackay 10 Forest Way, Wauchope Phone. 0407 256 032 or 6585 1468 Email. kmackay@bigpond.net.au

unique, boutique wauchope

More Than Crystals & Books.

The Jewellers Bench.

PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT WE DO Specialising in jewellery made to order • Remakes, repairs, re-sizes, re-strings • Valuations • 35 years experience and knowledge in the jewellery industry • Sourcing gifts from around the world • Handbags, wallets, jewellery, jewellery boxes, French & English toiletries • Crystal, china, men's gifts

COME AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN EXQUISITE TREASURES • Crystals, Tumble stones, Geodes, Pendulums, Carvings, Natural Specimens • Books & CD's to inspire, learn and nurture the soul • Incense – large range, Candles, Exquisite Five Elements • Salt lamps to ionise the air • Beautiful ornaments – angels, fairies, elephants, Buddah's, Owls • Spiritual Sky perfume oils • Singing bowls – Tibetan – Crystal • Clothing – Tibetan, Scarves & shawls

TURN SOMETHING OLD INTO SOMETHING NEW 48 Hastings Street Ph: 0499 187 750

62 Cameron Street Ph: 65 86 4550 - Mobile: 0448 588 019

Melissa Lee Photography.

The Wauchope Chamber of Commerce.

Looking for a photographer to capture your special day the way you want it? Melissa Lee Photography will work with you to create those special memories.

THE WAUCHOPE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY INC PROUDLY PRESENTS THE WAUCHOPE AND HINTERLAND CHRISTMAS IN BAIN PARK.

• NOW taking bookings for 2014/2015. To avoid disappointment book today.

• Sing Australia • Combined Churches Comunity Choir • Hastings Town Band • Visit from Santa

• I look forward to discussing your wedding photography desires and helping you to create and capture your beautiful bridal memories.

• Food Stalls • Childrens Activities • Local Performers

• Melissa Lee Photography specialises in packages for weddings, maternity, newborn, and family portraits.

For sponsorship, stallholders, entertainment and more please contact Lisa on: info@wauchopechamber.org.au or 0422 210 824.

This December find me at The Hastings Co-op Department Store for your Santa photo. Available on Dec 4th, 7th, 11th, 14th, 18th & 21st.

Packages start from $15 For More Information: Phone. 0422 055 682 Email. melissaleephotography@live.com.au Facebook. www.facebook.com/melissaleephotography

Thursday, 12 December 2013 Bain Park Wauchope from 5pm.

WAUCHOPE IS OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS. Looking for something special?

Wauchope shops are open till 7pm each Thursday in December to help you find that perfect gift.

See you in Unique Boutique Wauchope! www.visitwauchope.com.au greater port macquarie focus 91

94 greater port macquarie focus.

Thank You This year Mid Coast Connect secured over 2,500 placements for students in Years 11 and 12 studying Vocational Education and Training subjects for their HSC. We have over 1,000 supportive host employers, and a significant number of them have been taking students into their workplace for more than 10 years. Our Partnership Brokers were active in the local community facilitating partnerships amongst business, schools, community and parents to create programs supporting young people's transition to further education, training or employment. These partnerships include the Mid Coast Careers Market, Cows Create Careers, and Education Funds in the Hastings, Great Lakes and Macleay Valley.

Our Project Officers have promoted apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities through the Careers That Care program and the Indigenous Youth Careers Pathways (IYCP) Program. These programs assist students in obtaining positions, as well as providing individual support with meeting school and work requirements.

They also provided workshops to build awareness of employment and training opportunities, including the Girl’s Try a Trade day and Pharmacy Connect program. The contribution of employers, schools, TAFE, partners and stakeholders to all the programs offered by Mid Coast Connect is deeply appreciated.

Last month we were able to celebrate these ongoing working relationships at a Thank You event. The evening was a great opportunity to catch up with so many and to reflect and enjoy the successes of 2013.

After such a huge year, we are already planning for 2014.

We invite you to share your ideas and experience to provide opportunities for our local youth. Becoming involved in our programs can provide real benefits to your organisation, as well as helping young people with their education and employment.

Find out more by contacting one of our offices. More information is also available on our website: www. midcoastconnect.com.au or through our Facebook page.

Bruce's Christmas CD Fundraiser for Kids With Cancer Following the success of of his first Christmas CD in 2012, recorded in remembrance of his late sister, Wauchope man Bruce Doherty has launched his second album just in time to send to family and friends with Christmas Cards or add to Christmas stockings.

The fundraising initiative started out last year with Bruce thinking that he would just record his voice in remembrance of her, because of something she had always said to him, "Bruce, you have a gift and you should let others hear it" , his response was always, "yeah sis, one day". The response last year was unbelievable, the CD's walked out the door, 10 at a time in some cases and proved to be a wonderful fundraiser ending in a result of over $7,500 being raised for the McGrath foundation for Breast Cancer in honour of his sister.

For the last couple of months Bruce has been continually asked as to whether he was doing another Christmas album this year, so he decided he would as he enjoyed doing it last year and was absolutely blown away with the fact that people would make a donation to listen to him sing.

All funds raised this year will go to Bruce's selected charity – Kids With Cancer Foundation.

Bruce is trying to raise as much money as he can for this wonderful cause, asking for a $10 donation to the Foundation, in return he will give you a copy of his latest Christmas CD which contains 13 Christmas Carols and songs.

The CD will be available at Bruce's service station on the Corner of High and Campbell Streets, Wauchope, in branch at the Holiday Coast Credit Union or the Repco store in Port Macquarie from the first week in December. greater port macquarie focus 95

Enrolling at CSU Enrolling at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie has paved the way to new opportunities for Karen McCall.

Karen worked in business management, administration, tourism and sales before starting the Bachelor of Social Work at CSU. She has taken an unconventional path to university.

“I left school many years ago without finishing Year 12, and I have four children,” Karen said.

“CSU is the only uni locally that offers social work on campus, and the pathways option in conjunction with TAFE also meant I didn’t have to do any bridging courses.”

An international experience with CSU allowed her to see social work in action in a rural village in India.

“The best part of the trip was witnessing the organisations that worked, the change that simple individuals have made to so many lives by following a vision,” Karen said.

“Although I came into this course with the aim of becoming a student welfare officer in the school system, this trip has also expanded my interest in international development.”

Karen has received two Equity Grants and a Technology Grant, which helped fund the trip to India and buy equipment to support her studies.

She would not think twice about recommending CSU to other students.

“I find it a really supportive environment with fantastic teachers,” Karen said.

“I would especially encourage locals to enrol here, as the word is getting out and there are plenty of envious people out there who are quite happy to move to beautiful, coastal Port Macquarie to study!”

For more information about studying at CSU, call 1800 334 733 or visit: www.CSU.edu.au/4me

Curious about where you’re heading?

At Charles Sturt University we believe curiosity and passion lead us all on the path to greater knowledge.

That’s why our Port Macquarie Campus offers a growing range of courses with a practical focus, helping you gain the knowledge and skills you need to find employment on the Mid North Coast, as well as further afield.

Scholarships are available to help you with the cost of getting a degree and a huge range of courses is also available for study by distance education.

APPLY NOW

F3133A

www.CSU.edu.au/4me 1300 135 435

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focus column

Robyn Butler.

HO! HO! HO! ... AND OFF WE GO AGAIN! he last column of the year, and I just can’t believe how fast it has come around. This year I am handing over the reins (excuse the pun) to my daughter Claire in Newcastle for the family get together. She is going to have to pull those reins hard, as I have had this job for over 40 years. I came up with the idea of making a Christmas apron with all sorts of material and bells, then on the back of the front (a bit Irish) is plain white and embroided is my name and year 2012, and underneath my daughter’s name and 2013 and then as our family is expanding each year, whoever has Christmas, their name is added … corny?

I just wanted to start some sort of tradition that wasn’t too over the top but memorable. Me and my ideas! Thought I would share it with you!

T

TURNING THE TABLES It is with a smile on my face I listen and read how Woolies and Coles want to utilise our farmers' produce more and use less overseas content.

Who started replacing our home grown goods with cheaper overseas products? They 'suddenly' realised ... hey, I think Australians are wanting more local products! You don’t say!

It was with interest last month I watched the National Press Gallery on the ABC with Gary Dawson of Australian Food and Grocery Council talking about the different markets. He said the Chinese now want Australian goods … not for quantity, but quality, because it is better than their home grown products!

Does that tell you something? Our regulations are exemplary, and he said the companies now producing the food here are going out of their way with 'apps' etc so you get all the information about the product with ratios of their contents.

XMAS ON THE BEACH ... NEED YOUR HELP! Each year Karen and Max from Port City Church supply a Christmas luncheon and activities on the beach, for the lonely and families new to the area who know very few people. They have been doing this for over 10 years now, and each year the numbers are increasing; they're expecting it to be around 400 people this year.

Everything on the day is free; there is no requirement from any of the guests. It is a family environment and in keeping with this theme, there is NO alcohol allowed.

If you can help in any way, financially, Christmas pressies for adults and children or by volunteer-

ing on the day, we would be more than grateful for your help. A great deal of work goes into organising this family day, before, during and after the event. If you can help in any way, please ring Karen on 0449 752 566. She will hug you over the phone!

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR THE AREA, THANKS TO HASTINGS HOME HOSPICE Hastings Home Hospice celebrated another successful year at a Christmas luncheon with Hospice members, fantastic supporters and the wonderful Palliative Care team, where they handed over a cheque for $25,000 to Yvonne Carmichael, Nurse Manager Wauchope District Memorial Hospital for the purchase of 7 beds for the new Palliative Care Unit to be opened next year. During the year they also provided another $25,000 for local Palliative Care for other cancer patients and their families to 'Help Ease the Hardship', by providing the equipment that allows them to remain in their own homes and provide financial assistance with medications, transport, accommodation and other needs as required. How lucky are we to have this wonderful group of people. Well done to all concerned ... you're treasures.

LUNCHTIME CONCERTS AT GLASSHOUSE EVERY FRIDAY ... F R E E Every Friday between 12.30 and 1.30 you can go to the Glasshouse (Ross Room) or outside in the courtyard and hear local talent perform. All free and a great way to spend an hour in airconditioned comfort. The concerts are organised by the Conservatorium Mid North Coast Inc. with all types of music performed. Come along and join their mailing list to see who is appearing next!

Speaking of music ... Phil at the Sundowner Caravan Park is providing music outside the park on the 'GRASSHOUSE" ... near the breakwall all over the Christmas and New Year holidays ... ALL FREE ... take your picnic tea down and listen to the bands performing ... with the beautiful backdrop of the water and watching the world go by, the children can run around ... what more could you want ... starts around 5.30pm.

Happy Christmas to Jay and Louise and all the girls and boys in the FOCUS office, to the other columnists, to all my loyal readers (thank you for your input and chats!). May you all have a lovely time with your family and friends and if driving ... don't be on your mobile phone!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND KEEP SMILING! Robbie x x.

greater port macquarie focus 97

focusinterview.

A new themed calendar series, Historic Hastings, aims to involve different community groups and organisations in its progression between now and 2018. The first in the series is the 2014 calendar, using the theme of CARS. The calendar series is produced by history teacher, tour guide and heritage researcher David Martin. avid first came to the community’s attention last year when he selfpublished his first book, The Changing Face of Port Macquarie. We recently caught up with David to ask him about this new calendar series and other projects he has planned.

David, when we spoke to you last year, your book was about to be released. How did it go? The response from the community was very good, even overwhelming.

It was an amazing experience to make so many new friends, to hear so many interesting personal stories and to have different folks express what the book or what individual photographs meant to them.

Is The Changing Face of Port Macquarie still available? Unfortunately, it isn’t at the moment. I only had a limited number printed and they have all been sold. But I still take orders for the book since I plan to reprint next year. Revising the project again will give me an opportunity to make various improvements, like new historic photos, improved text, and modern aerial photos.

We saw some of your work on display at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre recently. Yes, Sea Acres had sold the book last year and so very kindly asked me if I would like to create an exhibition as part of their celebrations of ‘100 Years of Conservation’. It was an expensive exercise, since quality frames and enlargements are not cheap. But what an honour and an opportunity! And the rainforest that was first earmarked for preservation in 1913 is such a priceless asset to us. It was just such a pleasure to be involved.

All right, now tell us about the new calendar series, 98 greater port macquarie focus.

‘Historic Hastings’. It was the result of several thoughts coming together. The main criticism of the book was that it had only covered Port Macquarie and ed not the larger Hastings region. At We have includ om fr s ph the same time, so many people ra og ot ph tings region had commented favourably on around the Has out 19 60. the historic photos on display suitable photos for projects. One from 19 00 to ab rative pa m co at Settlement City and the large lovely lady allowed me to reproduce This is not e my photo in one of the arcades in four great photos for the project at photography lik it’s just ts; previous projec town showing old cars at Town no cost! For another two images I os.” ot the historic ph Beach. And my greatest support had to pay a three-figure sum! There had come from regular folks in the are lots of things I would love to do community, so I hatched the idea of creatively, but you are limited to what you wanting to work with different community can find. groups.

What do you hope to accomplish with this

“

Which community groups did you work with for this one? I approached the Hastings Auto Restorers Society, the Port Macquarie Heritage Car Club and the Port Macquarie Antique and Classic Car Club, mostly for assistance with identifying the various car models seen in the photographs. We have included photographs from around the Hastings region from 1900 to about 1960.

This is not comparative photography like my previous projects; it’s just the historic photos. But we tried to present information relevant to cars and to motoring, such as the first taxi services, the former route of the Pacific Highway, the Blackman’s Point Ferry and the locations of service stations.

What was the biggest challenge with the preparation? The most difficult part is usually in locating

calendar series, David? Well, on a personal level it is just so great to break out of my shell and make new friends and mix with people and groups I wouldn't otherwise have met. But the larger purpose behind everything I do is to enhance the experience of those living in or visiting the region and nurture their interest in the history, heritage and culture of the Hastings.

Where can people obtain the calendar? The best way is to email me directly at portmacquarie2018@gmail.com I also produced another 2014 calendar as a tie-in with the Sea Acres exhibition, called ‘Port Macquarie – Then & Now’. It is like an extension to what was in the book. Both calendars are also available at the Historical Museum and Historical Courthouse in Clarence Street.

Thanks David.

focusrealestate

estellegough.

Ask Greg UPDATE

A GREEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR You can have a festive red, white and green garden by growing native plants that flower at Christmas.

The Flame Tree Brachychiton acerifolius is covered with gorgeous red bells, while Blueberry Ash Elaeocarpus reticulatus has pretty fringed bells in white or pink.

The smaller Christmas Bush Ceratopetalum gummiferum has bright crimson ‘flowers’ (bracts) that last for ages.

Lower growing plants with lovely white flowers are Swamp Lily Crinum pedunculatum, and Cunjevoi Alocasia brisbanensis.

Our most famous local flower is the Christmas Bell Blandfordia grandiflora. We can admire its red and yellow bells in the wild, but it must not be picked, as it is a protected native plant.

And for New Year, why not make a resolution to live a more sustainable lifestyle?

What do we mean by sustainable living? It’s about meeting human needs in the present, while preserving the environment so that these needs can also be met in the indefinite future.

Choose actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, like walking instead of driving.

Reduce waste, by shopping carefully to avoid throwing out unused food.

Sustainable living is something we can all aim for, guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

1 Thriving Lives and Livelihoods: end poverty and improve wellbeing through access to education, employment and information, better health and housing, and reduce inequality while moving towards sustainable consumption and production.

2 Sustainable Food Security: end hunger and achieve long-term food security – including better nutrition – through sustainable systems of production, distribution and consumption.

3 Sustainable Water Security: achieve universal access to clean water and basic sanitation, and ensure efficient allocation through integrated

water-resource management.

4 Universal Clean Energy: improve universal, affordable access to clean energy that minimises local pollution and health impacts, and mitigates global warming.

5 Healthy and Productive Ecosystems: sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services through better management, valuation, measurement, conservation and restoration.

6 Governance for Sustainable Societies: transform governance and institutions at all levels to address the other five sustainable development goals.

Urban Landcare work focuses on #5: sustaining ecosystems services like clean air and water. We do this by restoring and connecting bushland, and conserving biodiversity.

Greg Trembath answers ers your real estate questions. tions.

Q

Greg, we are keen to downsize from our existing 4-bedroom home, but being pensioners, we are put off by the fact that so much money will be eaten up by stamp duty on the next property we purchase.

Do pensioners get any stamp duty relief, and approximately how much would we be up for on a property around $400,000?

A. The stamp duty payable in NSW on a $400,000 property purchase would be $13,490.

Yes, it is a significant amount, and at present pensioners and seniors are not offered any specific discounts or exemptions by the NSW State Government.

ill b ilt new home will be b built.

The $5,000 is applied as a credit against the total stamp duty payable.

If this type of property appeals, there are plenty of opportunities for you to purchase locally within your target price and to benefit from this scheme.

Just make sure you focus on achieving what you set out to do in the first place.

Don’t let your choice be all about the $5,000 grant, without considering why the idea of downsizing appeals e ak Just m s cu and what lifestyle changes you fo u sure yo g in ev might need and enjoy in the years hi ac on to come. what you set out

to do in the first place.

This is a real pity for people like yourselves, when clearly the move to a smaller, more manageable home is a good idea for so many reasons.

Some stamp duty relief is available under the terms of the NSW New Home Grant Scheme, which was introduced in 2012 to stimulate the construction of new homes.

This scheme offers grants of $5,000 for people (of all ages) towards the purchase of new homes, homes off the plan and vacant land on which a

To get all the facts about the grant visit www.osr.nsw.gov.au or call me anytime – I am happy to share information on suitable properties, as well the best guidance I can offer.

Answers are general comment, and readers should always seek their own independent professional advice.

Send your real estate questions to greg@gregtrembath.com.au Greg Trembath is Principal/Licensee at Greg Trembath Real Estate. Licensed Real Estate Agent – Licensed Auctioneer.

Biodiversity is important, because it makes an environment more stable, robust and productive.

That applies not only to the bush, but also to farms and urban spaces.

Landcare members find that working towards a sustainable lifestyle gives them satisfaction.

Jo-Anne of the Nobby’s Beach crew says: “We are undertaking very important work eradicating the weeds and encouraging native species to regenerate to make the place even more beautiful. I spend so much time there with my dogs. I love the place.”

Carla says: “I like doing something useful outdoors with other people. I like learning something about the plants and weeds. Also, I like the morning tea break and time to chat.”

Brian agrees: “I enjoy challenges, the satisfaction of achievement in fulfilling given tasks and giving something back to the community of Port Macquarie.”

Best wishes to all our readers from Landcare!

Contributed by Janet Slater and Julie Ho. greater port macquarie focus 99

focusabode.

PERCIVAL PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL SALES

GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

property guide

Redesigning your workplace can be exciting for any business, by bringing a modern, dynamic look, the right office design provides an opportunity to create a place of business that can maintain and enhance a strong corporate identity.

Chrissy Jones had the pleasure of viewing the all new premises of Percival Property Real Estate Sales in William Street that is an exceptional example of this.

100greater port macquarie focus.

focusabode abode.

Y

our new office space is fantastic Michelle, how did it all evolve?

When choosing a home or a home for your business – location is one of the most important factors in any decision.

When I was searching for premises for our new office there were a number of empty shops available in the CBD. Being able for our clients to easily park and have access to longer term parking was a huge consideration. There is parking out the front in William Street and longer term in Hay Street and Port Central is nearby. The next consideration was the right aspect, elevation and outlook.

This office ticked all those boxes. It faced due north and invited lots of northern sunshine and natural light, while there was an elevated position and a lovely leafy outlook. There was a wide frontage with plenty of glass and these great louvered windows at the top for natural airflow.

The construction was a major consideration, given that there are a number of safety issues to consider in relation to asbestos, fire etc. The shops were ready for renovation being first built in the late 70’s, housing a chemist and then a gift shop, a mortgage broker and most recently the colour copy

centre. They are extremely well built of double brick construction with concrete floors and suspended concrete ceilings but were in original condition.

Seeing beyond the full brick dark walls and the peeling orange paint to see what we could create is something that I love to do. Being able to see beyond what is there has assisted me during my long career as a real estate agent selling the vision to potential buyers. My assistant Jenny Magill and I spent many hours armed with measuring tapes and masking tape, covered with dust and cobwebs designing and imagining the space and creating an office

RESIDENTIAL SALES

layout.

We also needed to lodge a development application to the Hastings Council for approval of the shop and its current use as a real estate office. Derek Collins from Collins and Collins drafted our plans from our mud map and applied to council on our behalf for development approval. The team at the Hastings Council were helpful, extremely professional and efficient in processing our application.

After the development consent arrived from council we were ready to renovate!

www.percival.com.au

THE EXPERIENCED TEAM AT

PERCIVAL PROPERTY REAL ESTATE SALES Introducing left - right: Susan Selfe - Reception Jenny Magill - Sales Associate Neroli Reid - Licensed Agent Phone 0488 060 755 Michelle Percival - Principal Phone 0404 466 500 Amanda Robinson - Sales Administration Vicki Alfonso - Licenced Agent Phone 0438 549 968

PERCIVAL P R O P E R T Y

Call us today for an obligation free appraisal Visit us in our new Sales office at

106 William Street, Port Macquarie Phone 6583 8606

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focusabode.

PERCIVAL PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL SALES You have used many local companies in the refurbishment, how has it been working with them? With the assistance of the building owners, we were able to install in a fully suspended semi-gridless ceiling to house the air conditioning ducting and the lighting.

We did a lot of research on the ceiling type, and were so impressed with the local team at Fastplast Building Supplies, their extensive knowledge and can do approach.

“

We worked together to build a reception desk that would not only be functional but beautiful and compliment the open feel of our “home”

102greater port macquarie focus.

The choice of builder was truly a simple one – Pycon Constructions. During my career of over 23 years selling real estate in Port Macquarie I have worked for Trevor and Lynn Suitor selling numerous villas and spec homes. I have also sold homes for Danny, Christie and Adam Suitor. Pycon Constructions have always delivered a premium product, with their attention to detail, quality of construction and craftsmanship evident many years later. Commercial construction manager, Brett Witte managed our job and brought his expert team of carpenters, plasterers, painters and tilers to complete our whole construction in a little over 3 weeks!!

We arranged our joinery, kitchen, carpet and electrical. Graham and Sue Keena of Keena Kitchens in Jindalee Road were simply incredible to work with. They offer extraordinary customer service with great

passion and amazing attention to detail.

It truly makes a difference to your end result when you work with someone of Graham’s skill, knowledge and experience. The process of working with Graham and his caring team was truly enjoyable. We worked together to build a reception desk that would not only be functional but beautiful and compliment the open feel of our “home”.

David Younger from Never late Electrical has been a part of our story for 17 years, first doing the electrical work when we built Laing + Simmons in 1996 and continuing to work with Michael and the Property Management team throughout those years. David still provides great service to us and our property management clients today. His team, led by very capable Russell Dwyer did a brilliant job, with nothing being too much trouble and great care always taken. David is also truly passionate about his business and raising standards of industry practice, as are we.

Maloney Lighting and Electrical supplied our beautiful lights with Les Maloney, taking a great interest in assisting me to find the lights with lots of bling!

Page 5 Office National supplied our simple white office furniture and our bright happy green office chairs with the wonderful “Siobhan” giving us great service.

PERCIVAL PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL SALES

focusabode.

“

Page 5 Office National supplied our simple white office furniture and our bright happy green office chairs with the wonderful “Siobhan” giving us great service.”

Frank and Mel Stramlic of Nifty Cleaning have worked with us for over 10 years and are brilliant cleaners with Frank really spending hours cleaning off years of grime and dirt from the aluminium windows, surrounds and the louvers!

We are so fortunate to have many great talented tradespeople and local businesses in our beautiful town.

What is your favourite part of the new premises? A “ home’’ is not complete without having a garden, no matter how small and it even can be on a wall! We have a wonderful “living wall garden” built and created by Chris Hodgson of Living Green. It is a living art work that can easily be changed to create another living canvas. We currently have a great design with feature bromeliads, bird nest ferns and orchids. The plants are doing exceptionally well- they love their new environment and are flourishing.

How does the space represent Percival Property?

It was very important to me to create a “home” environment for our team and our clients. Our team spends at least 38 hours a week if not longer here, so being in an environment that is light, sunny and spacious with lots of living plants certainly boosts your energy and makes everyone feel happy.

Our clients are enjoying the environment as well, with lots of positive feedback and great results transpiring for our vendors and purchasers.

What does Percival Property Offer? With the opening of our new sales office, we are now able to offer the complete real estate service to our clients. We believe that our market knowledge gained over the past 28 years selling and managing property in Port Macquarie allows us to guide our clients to make the very best decision for them.

PERCIVAL P R O P E R T Y

greater port macquarie focus 103

PERCIVAL PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL SALES

focusabode.

PERCIVAL P R O P E R T Y It is a great honour and a privilege to play a key role in the journey to sell or rent usually what is most people’s biggest financial asset. We have a great responsibility and show care and compassion, we are diligent in our practices and work very hard to achieve the best outcome for our clients. Honesty, care and trust are the fundamentals that our business has always been based on.

Michael and our expert property management team continue to look after our landlords and tenants, providing an exceptional standard of management. Our property management office has not changed and continues at 4/111 William Street (next to Aussie Home Loans).

“

It is a great honour and a privilege to play a key role in the journey to sell or rent usually what is most people’s biggest financial asset.”

How important are your staff and what specialties do they bring to the team? A strong team is the basis of any successful business.

We are truly fortunate to have a gifted and very talented team at Percival Property Sales and Property Management. Each person in our team brings their own great strengths and we work together to ensure our primary focus is to deliver great customer service.

Our sales division has over 52 years of real estate sales experience, with Neroli Reid, Vicki Alfonso and myself all being licensed agents. We are specialists in what we do, having perfected our skills of listing, selling and being expert in negotiation.

It takes many years and a great number of sales

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to be able to meet this criteria. We have worked through many different real estate markets, including very tough times and boom times and not just survived but thrived on being able to deliver the best outcomes regardless of the market conditions. This really does give our clients, a great advantage when it comes to achieving the highest possible price for their home.

Assisting our sales team to achieve these outcomes is our sales support team. Jenny Magill is my wonderful assistant and is in training to become a sales agent in her own right. Her skill level across the board is high, with IT her speciality.

Amanda Robinson heads our sales and marketing, with 14 years previous real estate experience and a passion for perfection and attention to detail.

Susan Selfe our receptionist is very efficient, organised and systemised.

Christmas is fast approaching, explain how you are helping to donate to the Salvation Army Appeal? We have a wonderful Christmas Tree in our office. We would love it if you have a gift specifically for teenagers to donate to the Salvation Army Appeal. Come in and place it under our tree, you can also enjoy some of our special Christmas Cake to celebrate with us at this festive time of year.

From Marilyn @ Touchwood Flowers Touchwood Flowers have been involved with Michelle and Michael for the last 15 years

PERCIVAL PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL SALES

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supplying flowers for their business and personal requirements.

happy association between Percival Property and Touchwood Flowers.

comfortable office environment for clients and a productive work space for staff.

We supply Corporate flowers on a weekly basis for their offices, plus bouquets, arrangements and gift baskets for clients and friends. Ashley and I love working with Michelle in always coming up with new and exciting ideas for functions and Christmas parties. We share a passion for things being perfect.

From the Designer - Derek Collins, Collins W Collins Pty Ltd

Ashley and I have enjoyed being involved on a personal basis with the Percival family, supplying amazing wedding and reception flowers for daughter Camille and son in law Toms spectacular wedding in 2011 and Michelle’s surprise birthday party early this year.

Our designs centre on meeting our clients individual needs and utilising the characteristics of the site and/or space available to our advantage.

From Frank & Melissa – Nifti Cleaning Services Nifti Cleaning Services is proud to be associated with Percival Property Sales. We have been supplying our services to Michelle and Michael for many years and admire their commitment in providing the very best in Real Estate services to their valued clients. In return we have endeavoured to go over and above their expectations in providing pre tenancy, end of lease and office cleaning services. Our motto “ Trust, Quality & Care” encompasses our philosophy. We congratulate Michelle and Michael on their new venture and wish them every success now and in the future with Percival Property Sales.

We congratulate you on the opening of your new premises and look forward to a long and

Collins W Collins Pty Ltd specialises in custom designs for residential, commercial and industrial developments of all styles and sizes, with a firm belief in “individual designs for individual people”.

The Brief Michelle knew exactly how she wanted her new premises to look and with Derek’s expertise, a concept design was created that reflected Michelle’s objectives of creating a

PERCIVAL P R O P E R T Y

PERCIVAL PROPERTY REAL ESTATE SALES Phone 02 6583 8606 PERCIVAL PROPERTY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND ASSET CARE Phone 02 6583 7499 www.percival.com.au

WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY BUSY SELLING PROPERTIES FOR EXCEPTIONAL PRICES. THE DEMAND IS HIGH. CALL US TODAY SOLD!

TIME TO MOVE FORWARD

A GREAT GREAT RESULT, IN RECORD TIME!

SOLD

SOLD

A NEW BEGINNING

A HAPPY ENDING

“

Thank you to all our clients for supporting us in our first month of opening” - Percival Property

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LIVING GREEN INDOOR PLANT HIRE is a long established local business, operating on the Mid North Coast for the past 30 years.”

T

hey are active members of the National Interior Plantscapers Association. Through these connections with metropolitan plant hire companies and contracting for some of them, they have maintained a leading position in the industry.

The involvement at this level has allowed them to respond to Michelle Percival's modern progressive design for her new real estate office in William Street. Michelle's brief was to supply and maintain a striking 'green wall'.

Michelle and her staff are more than pleased with the installation by Living Green featuring a spectacular display of bromeliads, dracaenas

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and bird nest ferns. This progressive approach demonstrates the contemporary significance of plants and the benefits to the indoor work environment.

Plants are the perfect cost effective way to show your appreciation to your staff and clients alike. Recent research carried out at The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has proved conclusively that: Plants can increase productivity by 12% Plants can lower stress Plants can increase staff retention Plants can reduce sick leave Plants can improve work place environmental quality

Plants can provide cleaner, healthier air

corporations to small single offices and shop

(Further information available at info@lgiph. com.au) There is increased awareness of the importance of incorporating plants into today's modern living and working environment and two examples in Sydney of large-scale plant installations at work and setting trends are CBA’s new offices in Sydney, with 11,000 plants installed and maintained and Central Park Residential Development on Broadway.

fronts, each individually tailored to the client.

Living Green Indoor Plant Hire can supply you with plants that will provide all of these benefits plus more and fit your budget and display requirements. Living Green has clients from local large boutique hotels and

casual hire plants for weddings, business

Decorative containers for plant displays are an important facet of design for interior plant scaping. Living Green can supply for indoors, as well as outdoors, with a range of containers and plants that considers every aspect of modern living for your office or home.

Living Green Indoor Plant Hire can also supply functions and celebrations.

Call Chris for details 0407 001 968 Like us on facebook to enter the draw for a monthly free plant.

Think Property Think Smarter Exciting Business Opportunity Here is an opportunity for someone to go into business and own some prime real estate for future development. After 19 years in the retail motor industry, Tim Brown from Tim’s Budget cars wishes to retire and is offering the sale of his prime Hastings River Drive property.

The car yard is available with vacant possession, or you can take over the existing business and start trading immediately. At the rear of the property is a huge 30 x 18 m shed which is currently leased to mechanics and detailers, who are very keen to stay on long term.

So, you have an immediate and ongoing rental return from day one. Tim has six bays in this shed for his personal use. This could be used for your hobbies, toys or projects, or you could rent the spare bays out to increase income.

The property includes a 12 x 9.5 m showroom office, which has space for two display acts,

plus another 6 x 9 m work shed.

157 Hastings River Drive is located opposite major car dealership Andrew Miedecke Ford, Chrysler, Mercedes, Hyundai and Kia, the Aldi supermarket, and adjacent to John Patrick Prestige, Jaguar, Land Rover, Honda, Suzuki and Peugeot, in a booming coastal town with a population of 72,000 residents. This is a very high traffic location. With a 43 metre frontage and space of almost 4000 square metres, this fully sealed and fully fenced property is perfect for retailing cars, caravans, boats, trucks or any bulky goods, and there is potential for further future development of building commercial/retail units in the years to come.

If you wish to take over the business and start selling cars, Tim is quite happy to stay on and help you learn the ropes, at no charge. Now that is a deal almost too good to refuse!

For enquiries, please contact Agent Bob Thompson on 0414 843 358 or call in to see owner Tim today.

Smarter Property Group is very different to your usual real estate agency, as Buyers Agents we only work for you – not the seller (vendor).

So who is looking after you? Is it the vendors' agent? Let us show you how to save thousands of dollars – literally!

We represent the buyers' interest, regardless of whether you are an investor or a first homebuyer.

Have our team and years of experience on your side when negotiating your next property purchase.

WHAT IS A BUYERS' AGENT? A buyers' agent works exclusively for the buyer, not the vendor. We are licensed professionals specialising in searching, evaluating and negotiating the purchase of property on behalf of you – the buyer.

We research the location to make sure you buy at the right time. We are not limited to a small range of properties that may be listed in only one real estate office. We can access properties all over Australia so we can always find a property that suits you.

To save time and stress, all you need to do is supply us with your property criteria.

USING A BUYERS' AGENT – THE BENEFITS:

• Budget • Location • Description of property • Timeframe • Rental yield We find the right property for you based on your personal needs and financial goals. We research the location and negotiate the contract and settlement terms to get the best deal for you.

• Peace of mind • Helps you save time • Professional research of property locations • Reduce the risk and stress of buying • Negotiate contract terms for the best deal For more information: www.smarterpropertygroup.com.au To talk to one of our friendly staff phone: 1800 257 377.

Let us help you buy a property - Smarter!

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G e n u i n e Developer's Clearance Brian Tierney's lifelong dream iss near ne nearing ear arin ingg fruition, the finalisation of the Settlement Shores hores res development. re deeve velopment.

Spanning some 40 years, the project proj pr ojeect has oj ha as he h helped lp ped shape the future of the real estate sttat ate te sc scen scene enee in P en Por Port ot or Macquarie, attracting a high end market mar arke ket and bringing b in br i gi g ng n countless economic benefi ben enefi efits.

Brian wants to close the book on on tthi this his pa hi p particular rttic icul ular ar journey and indulge in his other er strong str t on o g family f mi fa mily ly and nd n d community interests. Chrissy Jones nes h had ad d tthe he p he ple pleasure leeasur asur as uree of his company, finding out moree a about bo out u tthe hee m man an and his life's work... k.....

ell us a little about yourself. My wife Lesley and I originally came from Sydney. Just after we married and I achieved my registration as a surveyor I secured a two year contract on the Snowy Mountain Scheme with Thiess Bros. I was their senior surveyor for a large part of their Snowy-Geehi contract, and was one of those entrusted to ensure this main tunnel, driven from either end, met up under the middle of the Great Dividing Range, an interesting and challenging job.

Not long after the conclusion of the contract in 1964 we were lucky enough to spot a job advertised in the Herald for a surveyor in Port Macquarie to manage Roger Dulhunty’s surveying practice. I applied, got the job and we moved to Port, by then with 2 young babies. It was, and still is, a great place for families, and our family soon numbered 6 children. We built our home in 1967 near Shelly Beach, then ‘out in the bush’. We still live in the same house, now well and truly surrounded by suburbia. Our family now includes 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren (so far!). We feel blessed!

More than 700 lots have been developed since 1973 with only 4 waterfront homesites left to clear, a remarkable achievement. What was there in the early days. In the 1800’s the land was called Settlement Farm and supplied food for the then convict settlement. The 450 acres we purchased was operating at the time as a dairy farm - McInherney's Dairy. The farm house was located on the river very close to where you see Jordan's Boating Centre today. As it happened, as a young cadet surveyor I had been engaged in some of the very earliest canal estates on the Gold Coast, so I 108

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was familiar with waterway type projects and land reclamation. The Settlement Point peninsula to me was an obvious site for a large waterfront estate.

A highlight was the extensive trials on the establishment and propagation of seagrass beds within the canals, and with our marine scientists we were pioneers in this country in this field. The canals have a good coverage of healthy seagrass beds supporting juvenile fish. This was one of many important initiatives, working with our scientists, to ensure the water quality in the waterways remains pristine. All in all, this project is held as a benchmark for the maintenance of a pristine, viable marine eco-system.

With a small tight group of investors we took an option on the property, and a couple of other smaller parcels, and carried out the initial flood and environmental studies to enable us to approach Council and the state government in 1970 to rezone the property from rural to residential. The rezoning enabled our investment in the most comprehensive studies of river Importantly, the project is a flooding and the vast range comprehensive flood scheme. of environmental issues Remember we were developing involved – and physical on a flood plain on a major Around 700 construction first get lots have been coastal river. In the very high e 1973 underway in 1973.

1963 and 1968 floods, before developed sinc on the with only 4 left From day one we saw, the land was developed, the kable market, a remar as did Council and the flood plain was inundated to achievement.” authorities, that it was a depth of about 1.5m, that’s very important that we a lot of water. Expert flood took a complete view of all studies showed the way to take of the environmental issues the highest flood flows efficiently surrounding the waterways; that across the peninsula by way of the two has been front of mind all the way wide and stately canals, the Governors Way through the entire process. ( the original canal adjacent to Panthers ) and more recently, the Broadwater.

What were some steps taken to ensure the

“

protection of the environment? It's all about water quality, about the marine environment, the sea grasses, the benthos ( the bed, the sands, the marine organisms that inhabit the bottom of the waterways) all parts of the eco-system. Indeed, scientific studies have continually confirmed the completed waterways really replicate the eco-system in the river, and are today a haven for fish and other marine life.

Each of the two main flood canals contains a concrete weir carefully designed as a flood control structure to allow a measured flow of water to pass over the weir when the Hastings River is in flood. At all other times, each weir has an essential purpose to act as a barrage to maintain the tidal regime within the Hastings River system and ensure the tides don’t take a short cut through the canals.

Physical and computer modelling shows the overall

G e n u i n e Developer's Clearance

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Specialised construction methods were used to carry out the excavation of canals and the filling of the lots under wet conditions.”

purchasers did indeed intend to build homes as soon as they were able to. Stage 1 was completed in late 1974 and housing construction commenced in early 1975.

effect of the two flood canals and the weirs will be beneficial in slightly reducing flood levels immediately upstream of Settlement Shores.

All home sites on Settlement Shores are raised to levels well above the highest predicted flood levels, even taking into account possible sea level increases in the future. I often say to people, if we ever have a catastrophic flood, the “Noah's Ark flood”, I would choose to stand on one of the two bridges we built across the main canals in Park Street, as we know they have been fully engineered to cope with all possible floods and are perfectly safe. We can’t say that about many other structures built in the past 40 or 50 years along the Hastings River!

Tell us about the early development phase...

The first construction contract was let in1973, for the area around Francis Street, Sirius Close and Cornwallis Close. Specialised construction methods were used to carry out the excavation of canals and the filling of the lots under wet conditions.

135 lots were in the first stage, 100 of which were put to the market and sold virtually overnight, averaging about $17,500 for each waterfront lot.

About 35 lots were held back from the market at the time to ensure that speculators and investors had not moved into the initial 100 lots (they were crazy times) and made it impossible for genuine builders to obtain lots at reasonable prices to ensure a steady home building program. As it turned out, we needn’t have worried, as most of the original

the final phase of the project – The Broadwater, including North Harbour. Work commenced in July 2000, and has proven to be very, very successful.

Now in 2013, we are down to the final four waterfront lots in the North Harbour stage, which we have released for quick clearance with a price tag of $480,000 each.

But in 1975 we went into a slow period and the market didn't pick up until 1979. In that time there was hardly any activity at the How did home styles change development, but our over the years? 1975 was y time was well invested the height of the “mission G o out there toda and you see a in the continuation of brown era”, every house front environmental studies had dark bricks and wonderful water ithin w lifestyle . Homes and the gaining of mission brown trim (burnt stage, the most recent ow the Council and State clinker bricks were a sh North Harbour, Government approvals fashion statement!) and a n of the end culminatio odern, to move on with work. distinctive waterfront home m evolution of the The project started took some time to emerge. ” e. waterfront hom again in earnest in 1980 Over the following 20 years or with about 50 waterfront so people started to understand lots released in Ballina Canal, and make use of their waterfront once again selling over-night. and a real waterfront house evolved During this time we developed the land as owners and designers understood the for the major community and infrastructure possibilities especially integrating boat ramps developments which were essential elements and jetties with their homes. Go out there today of the Settlement Shores project, including and you see a wonderful waterfront lifestyle.

Settlement City shopping centre, Port Macquarie Homes within the most recent stage, North RSL Club (now Panthers), Sails Resort and the Port Harbour, show the end culmination of the evolution Marina. In each case our policy was that we would of the modern, waterfront home. A number of produce the site for each major infrastructure builders have specialised on the canals and have development and on-sell it to the expert developer produced a wonderful product. I am so impressed who would complete the project. with the standard of housing and the use of the waterways.

In 1993 the first works of the final stage at

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Regatta Point canal began, then in 1999 after $2 million in pre-engineering studies, environmental management plans, Council and State Government approvals, permission was granted to commence

Out there on Settlement Shores there is an estimated $700 million worth of real estate development, something I am very proud of.

Thank you Brian. greater port macquarie focus

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LJ Hooker

Exclusive Spectacular location • Level building blocks on the water’s edge • Established precinct with many stunning custom built homes • Fishing, boating from your doorstep

Your last chance to enjoy the North Harbour lifestyle.

• Direct access to Hastings River waterways and ocean • 500 metres to Settlement City shopping centre and Panthers Club • Restaurants and cafes within walking distance • 2 minute drive to Port Macquarie CBD or a gentle 1.5km stroll along the Hastings River frontage • Pristine beaches minutes away • Sydney is just a 4 hour drive • Port Macquarie airport minutes away Only 4 blocks For Sale

Superb lifestyle • Quiet ambience of water front living • Port Macquarie alfresco lifestyle • Great entertainment venues • Idyllic climate, great education & medical facilities • Abundance of natural beauty and wildlife • No wonder Port Macquarie is one of the fastest growing towns in NSW • Arrange to visit the area and North Harbour ASAP!

Location & lifestyle

Contact

Di Calder Licensed Agent Property Marketing Consultant 0412 654 646 dcalder@ljhpm.com.au

No wonder Port Macquarie is one of the fastest growing towns in NSW

The last four developer release building blocks are now available for sale on the prestigious North Harbour development just 1.5km from Port Macquarie CBD. This is the final release ever! Development of this landmark lifestyle location began over 40 years ago - now only four waterfront blocks remain. What makes North Harbour lifestyle so special? Location! Location! Location! A visit to this vibrant waterfront development and you will quickly appreciate why this is truly one of the success stories of desirable waterfront living.

63 Horton Street, Port Macquarie (02) 6583 3044

98 greater coffs coast 110 portfocus. macquarie focus.

www.ljhooker.com.au/portmacquarie

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Alicia Bales, Faculty Ecological Sustainability Project Officer, North Coast TAFE hat is your role/position with TAFE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and what does this involve on a day to day basis? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m one of several team members at North Coast TAFE who have a role focused on sustainability. Specifically my work is focused on growing the delivery of sustainability skills to our students. This involves working closely with our teaching staff, our campus support staff and external people and organisations to build relationships and partnerships that help North Coast TAFE and our region continue to get better and better at balancing the triple bottom line of ecological, social and economic sustainability.

At Tastings on Hastings, you showcased the idea of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;paddock to paddockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; circle of sustainable farming practices. Tell us a bit more about that â&#x20AC;Ś Well, phrases like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;paddock to plateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;field to forkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; have been around for some time now, describing a holistic approach to the farm-food cycle. There is now an emerging focus on the ecological sustainability that underpins that cycle, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;paddock to paddockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about building resilience into the system by activities like recycling food and other waste, recapturing nutrients and producing compost that can be used to feed the paddocks.

In fact, the whole language of food and where it comes from is changing. In the paddock, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing shifts like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;livestock producersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; becoming â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pasture farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and more and more phrases like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;regenerative farmingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; along with greater focus on soil biology, biodiversity, carbon farming and sequestration. When it comes to the plate, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing words emerging like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;locavoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; someone who prefers to consume local produce â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;paeloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; someone who prefers to eat like our caveman ancestors! These new words are being added to familiar phrases like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;slow foodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;food milesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fair tradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

You teamed up with LandCare to do a Farm Gate Tour during Tastings on Hastings; what have you discovered about farming sustainably in our local

area? Are there things weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re generally doing well â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or things we could be working towards improving? There is such a big push for organic farming and sustainable practice by many of the local farms and local producers, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very keen to support â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;locavoresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; we teach in our own organisation. and help produce foodstuffs Our training kitchens manage g Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about buildin that have low food miles their waste very carefully, and the resilience into and are consumed locally. campuses that have horticultural tivities the system by ac and What I have seen working plots benefit from the recaptured od like recycling fo really well are the activiand recycled nutrients. The other pturing other waste, reca ucing ties around improving soil key thing that is showcased in od nutrients and pr ed us quality and better pasture the video is how we partner with be n compost that ca ks .â&#x20AC;? farming. For example, both oc organisations like LandCare and to feed the padd Redbank and Hurrell Holsteins many others to deliver tangible sushave put in place different protainability benefits to our communities cesses to capture cow manure and and industries. direct it back into the fields.

What are the plans for the video once it

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Another example is the focus on soil care by farms like Foodprints, Koree Herbs and Ewetopia, just to mention three. And many of the farms are committed to certified organic practice, as demonstrated by Near River Produce, Babushco and Kindee Valley Farm. Getting a sustainably commercial venture continues to be a challenge for many â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ticoba and Hurrell Holstein have well-established processes, and initiatives like Farm Gate Tours and Tastings on Hastings will help primary producers in our region get greater exposure and profile.

And there is a video in production? Yes, we are trying to capture North Coast TAFEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paddock to paddock story in a ten minute video, including a bit about the Farm Gate Tour and some of the local practices. We filmed a lot of our practices up in our Northern campuses for a submission to the Education category of Skills for Sustainability in the Australian Training Awards â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which we won! That means we are the best in Australia for sustainability education, so we are obviously doing something right.

And these award-winning practices are shown in the video? Yes, particularly our ability to apply what

is complete? I think it will not only form a very useful resource for anyone looking to study one of our Sustainability courses, but also it will be part of our ongoing promotion and advocacy for improved sustainable practice in our region. We hope that it will be up on our website around December, and we plan to stage some local premier screenings, probably involving themed dinner events at our restaurants. We had a fabulously successful Green and Growing Dinner with our Farm Gate Tour participants here at Port Macquarie, and we can certainly apply that model to the premier screenings. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook pages for announcements.

Any final words? I think it is important to note that at North Coast TAFE we have had a culture of sustainability-focus for over 10 years, but quite early on we recognised that as an organisation we can only do so much. We need engagement from students, industry and communities because partnerships and relationships are critical to building our regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sustainability. So, everybody, get on board!

Thanks Alicia. Interview by Jo Atkins.

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Getting Real with David Plews!

I’ve just arrived back from a two-week would have to say these are fantastic signs for break in Dublin where I attended this pocket of town. the Wallabies versus Ireland match So what is driving the change in this particular at Lansdowne Road. Needless to say, I area of Port Macquarie? thoroughly enjoyed the experience as well as In my opinion, the property market has catching up with friends and relatives while in picked up over the last six months and Scotland. new buyers have entered the market As many people know, I love place with renewed confidence analysing local real estate because interest rates are statistics and recently I fell at an extremely low level.

His upon some interesting data These new buyers are determination, regarding the Hastings area. demanding property , professionalismgence lli The Hastings area comprises between $300,000 di e, experienc s hi to n tio ca the pocket west of Kennedy and $500,000 and the di de and peer.

Drive to Hamlyn Drive, Hastings area caters for work is without .”

Jennifer Taylor south of Herschell Street and that price bracket. north of Koala Street.

The area is centrally In 2012, the Hastings area located which attracts first recorded just 41 sales which home buyers, investors and represented 5.8 per cent of the total retirees. The Hastings is also an area sales in Port Macquarie. that offers excellent value in close vicinity to The area has grown in popularity with buyers Hastings Public School and beaches making it this year, with 61 sales recorded – 7.5 per well placed for buyers. cent of the town’s total sales. I think it’s fair As this is the last edition of Focus this year, to say this area is performing above the run I would like to take this opportunity to wish rate one would expect. While crunching the everyone a great Christmas and a fantastic numbers, I also discovered that the median New Year. Relax, enjoy the good times and price this year is $355,000 while last year have a safe one – see you in 2014! Cheers! it was $340,000. This extra demand for That’s My View!

This article has been prepared in good faith with due care by David properties may indicate values are increasing Plews. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy of information contained in this article and readers should make in this area. The days on market for this area and rely on their own enquiries as to the correctness of such has dropped significantly as well, so you information.

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LOCAL | QUALIFIED | PROVEN mobile 0448 836 000 email david@portmacquariefn.com.au 69 Horton St, Port Macquarie

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brent steep Standing tall in the quiet cul-de-sac of Compass Close, the December Home of the Month is an excellent design taking full advantage of its sloping footprint. Builder Brent Steep has delivered, ticking all the boxes for the Clark family. Chrissy Jones takes a closer look ...

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he home exudes a regal charm, combining silver/grey and earthy tones along with varied materials and textures on its facade.

Angled roof lines, rendered brickwork, merbau timber beams and posts, glass and stainless steel balustrade, plus an interesting Cemintel edge cladding, available from Fastplast Building Supplies, all add up to a striking, modern look.

An exposed aggregate drive leads to the triple garage that has auto panel lift doors for easy car access.

Landscaped garden beds frame the front deck that leads to the entrance portico. Entry to the home is through the wooden framed, pivot glass and timber door into

the foyer.

To the left is the sound proofed home theatre, providing the family a private space to watch a movie or TV show with a big picture and rich sounds.

Blackbutt timber flooring has been used throughout the home and also provides the treads on the stairway leading to the 2nd level.

Right at the top of the stairs you find the spacious open plan living area encompassing kitchen, dining and living room. A high raked ceiling adds to the openness of the space and 3 sets of glass stacker doors on two sides, when opened wide, encourage airflow throughout.

Highlight windows above the stacker doors in the living

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b r en t s t eep â&#x20AC;&#x153; Frameless glass balustrade sections the pool from the alfresco, but keeps pool action visible.â&#x20AC;?

room follow the angled roof line and are an attractive, yet versatile inclusion, having adjustable vertical blinds in place supplied and installed by Topstich Curtains and Blinds.

wall, privacy screening and a strip garden bed with tropical plantings the other, the family will spend many hours here on a hot summer's day.

The living area has adjoining balconies two sides, both with glass and stainless steel balustrade installed by Muras Steel.

Social gatherings are much more fun and less segregated in this home; the north facing balcony incorporates a covered poolside alfresco BBQ area and the adjoining front balcony blends seamlessly creating a fantastic entertainment space.

The kitchen is a home cooks' dream, having all the mod cons readily at hand. An extra wide island bench, that also doubles as a breakfast bar, houses the Electrolux oven with cooktop and innovative pop up range-hood and power point. Further cabinetry opposite sees a space for the Bosch dishwasher and double stainless steel sink with flick-mixer.

There are plenty of storage drawers and cupboards either side, stone bench-tops and a mirrored glass splash-back framed by more overhead cupboards, all with push to close doors.

Frameless glass balustrade sections the pool from the alfresco, but keeps pool action visible. Pollard Pools have done a fantastic job creating an oasis in the backyard.

Encased with timber decking one side and a high tiled

PORT MACQUARIE 193 Lake Road PH 02 6581 5066 FX 02 6581 5077 Congratulations Doug and Kerry on your beautiful home

TILES | PAVERS | STONE amberport.com.au facebook.com/ambertiles

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bre nt ste e p “ Frameless glass balustrade sections the pool from the alfresco, but keeps pool action visible.”

A huge walk in pantry, that has three levels of custombuilt shelving, along with a slide out Butlers pantry has the storage of food, utensils and crockery sorted.

The formal, carpeted lounge positioned alongside the living area, may be sectioned off via sliding wooden doors. Having a wall of windows with views to the pool, a very comfortable, private relax space is provided.

Remainder of the home is made up of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, study, lots of storage cupboards and laundry spaced out on two levels.

A guest bedroom provides occupants a home away from home. Having its own en-suite with shower and WC, built-in robe, ceiling fan and downlighting,

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visitors won't want to leave. Separating two reverse mirror image bedrooms, the family bathroom has clean, crisp lines, taking in a wall hung vanity, frameless glass walled shower and a nice deep, rectangular bath. Floor to ceiling charcoal tiling on one wall adds a stylish contrast to the white amenities, floor and wall tiles.

Well appointed, both with 4 door built-in robes, ceiling fan, downlighting and soft carpeting underfoot, the bedrooms are a very comfortable haven for the younger members of the family. Tucked away along the hallway you find the study, an easily accessible work area for all the family to use and a large, walk-in linen press.

bre nt ste e p “the family bathroom has clean, crisp lines, taking in a wall hung vanity, frameless glass walled shower and a nice deep, rectangular bath. Floor to ceiling charcoal tiling on one wall adds a stylish contrast to the white amenities, floor and wall tiles.”

focusabode.

F rom the Owne rs Doug & Ke rry Cl a rk

You chose Brent Steep Building as the builder of your new home, how has it been working with Brent and his team? We were impressed with Brent's enthusiasm and ideas, he builds a good, solid home.

Damien is an integral part of the team.

A well laid out wet area, the laundry has access to the rear yard, lots of bench space, a stainless steel laundry tub, both overhead and under-bench cupboards and a broom storage cupboard as well.

The master bedroom is a generous size, overlooking the pool through a wall of windows dressed with sheer curtains and block out roller blinds from Topstitch Curtains & Blinds. A horizontal panel window placed high in the back wall is fitted with white adjustable shutters, allowing good direction of light and airflow.

Adjacent is the master en-suite. A different, but very practical design having 4 sections, walk-in robe, vanity, shower and WC, the en-suite continues on the theme of white tiling teamed with charcoal feature tile walls.

The walk-in robe, installed by Robes@Port, has separate en-

trances, divided by a white tiled wall in the wet area and a stainless steel clothes rack internally. A white his and hers wall hung vanity with twin hand basins, has been placed opposite the robe on another dividing tiled wall. It has a large mirror above and both drawer and cupboard space below.

Behind, is the WC on one side and separate shower recess on the other, making up the 4 sections of the design. An opaque, glass louvre window adds privacy and allowance for the direction of breezes into the en-suite.

Overall the home is a very well laid out design, ideal for a young family, having both spaces for family and friends to interact and private alcoves for quiet time. The home will suit the Clark family's needs well into the future and provide a very comfortable, easy living lifestyle.

Did you have any specific requirements when you first decided to build? We wanted a large, open plan living area that was functional, whilst taking advantage of the view â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and that is what we now have so we are very happy. It's a great house which is very functional and easy to maintain. Doug loves his 100m2 garage plus his man cave and Kerrie loves the open plan kitchen, dining, living room and the kids love the pool!

Would you recommend Brent and his team to other prospective home builders? Absolutely, yes. Brent is a good builder with many fantastic ideas and suggestions.

He has a fun and friendly attitude, he is open to all ideas and willing to work with you to bring them to fruition.

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focusinterview.

Caption: Brandon Calder (left) and wife Karen accepting a national Master Builders award.

Brandon and Karen Calder are proud winners ... taking out the prestigious Master Builders Association National award $500,000 to $1 million category.

Chrissy Jones spoke to Brandon about this achievement and his local, family building company. ell us about the award ...

We've won a couple this year.

Firstly, we won the Master Builders Association – Custom Built Home $750,000 to $1 million Newcastle Regional NSW Award from 4 other finalists, which then qualified us for the national finals. There were 9 entries at national level from every state in Australia, so it was really pleasing to be named winner 2013. It capped off a great year for us.

How do they judge? Judges actually visit every home shortlisted as a finalist, spending up to three hours carefully assessing. Two judges went through our entry, which was a waterfront home on the North Harbour, Port Macquarie. They voted us best value for money, finish, design and style. Here's what they said: “The quality and luxury of this home is a perfect match for its waterfront location; the careful integration of a range of modern materials and finishes accentuates the contemporary style of the building.”

Do you only build luxury homes? No, we build a mixture of home types and sizes. We do specialise in luxury homes, but it's certainly not our main construction. At the moment we are building one of the largest residential homes in NSW (over 1,200 sqm) but we also build family homes to suit all types of budgets. Our new display home is due to begin construction early February at the new Shelly Beach Homes Estate on Pacific Drive – that will be a great sub-division with well priced quality family homes.

Do you offer your own house plans?

We are not project builders; we are custom builders. But, we can build a custom-built home at a project price, to the clients' design and budget. We work 120

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closely with local architects and building designers like Collins W Collins and King & Campbell. We don't offer a range of existing plans, but build to clients' requirements; we are true custom builders.

That way, a client gets a home best suited to their needs without compromise.

We believe we can beat any of the larger project home builders, as we have always run our business with low overheads. We operate out of our home office, and there are only two of us on the payroll: myself and wife Karen. Then we contract the best consultants and trades available. I make myself accessible to clients so they can talk directly to the builder.

How long have you been building in the Port Macquarie region? 12 years.

We have built homes throughout the Mid North Coast. You will find properties built

by Brandon Calder Homes across Port Macquarie, Oxley Park, Wauchope, Sancrox and Rawdon Island and further south in Harrington and Forster-Tuncurry.

You have a reputation for building quality homes yet are also known as a quick builder – how do you manage both aspects? By having the right tradespeople, professional consultants and dependable suppliers. No-one can build a house as quick as us. People ask me when can you start, and I say tomorrow. What's more, there will always be someone highly qualified on site every day running the project until completion.

We time manage. Time is money in the building industry. I specialise in project management, ensuring the build runs efficiently. If somebody is renting or needs to get into a house, we will construct it well and truly ahead of time. As an example, for a medium sized residential home, from the day we walk on a job to

the day we finish, we would be finished building in 12 to 14 weeks. Guaranteed.

Do you use local suppliers? Absolutely; from the outset that has been a fundamental for Brandon Calder Homes.

We have such a good standing with our suppliers, we can source the very best in quality materials from local companies and still be competitive in our pricing.

What's the secret to building an award winning home? There are four key ingredients to an award winning home: having a client with vision and open mindedness, the right architect, the right builder and the right interior designer. If everyone understands the client's vision and everyone works together, the results can be truly stunning. It is very satisfying to hand over the keys to a property the client is so pleased and proud to call their home.

You have a young family; how do you manage the work life balance? We make it a priority. Family is important to us, as I know it is to most of the people who work with Brandon Calder Homes.

We respect that, understanding that family comes first. Weekends we switch off from work mode to family time. We limit taking calls Saturday or Sunday. We do a lot of caravanning and water-skiing together.

So as 2014 approaches, is it looking good for builders? 2013 was the busiest year in our history. We hit the ground running, completing many homes, and 2014 is shaping up to continue on this way. Signs are very positive. But we won't be changing our building methods. We will continue to keep it simple – highest quality, on time and on budget.

Thank you Brandon. www.brandoncalderhomes.com.au

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Our entire sales team is there to work for you.

Between us, we offer 102 years experience in real estate sales.

6 out of 7 of our sales team are licensed real estate agents; and 4 are active auctioneers.

We also offer stability, having worked together as a team for a number of years.

With First National Port Macquarie, you are engaging a team of agents, instead of one, to sell your home.

you're our favourite

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Contact us direct.

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Port Macquarie Experience + Stability + Knowledge + the best result for you, our client

all my questions answered

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P. 02 6583 6000

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