Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Hunter Valley | INTOUCH MAGAZINE AUGUST 21' ISSUE by INTOUCH MAGAZINE

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Newcastle•Lake Macquarie•Hunter Valley•Port Stephens

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ISSUE #68 // AUGUST 2021

LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE? Get up and Boogie with

Priscilla!

PLUS.... Health & Wellbeing Special Feature LOVE LOCAL And Discover Your Own Backyard! Let’s Talk Technology and Seniors

Lifestyle // Entertainment // Dining // Community // Travel // Family // Health // Home // Property

SUPPORT A GYM WHO SUPPORTS YOU Planet Fitness, Where Affordable Luxury Meets Judgement Free

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These School Holidays escape and get back to

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These School Holidays escape to the Blue Water Paradise! Book Now! 4988 0990

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From the

EDITORS... As we go to print, much of NSW is struggling with restrictions and lockdowns, and we wait with bated breath to see the results of Sydney’s violent “freedom” protest. I’m sure the irony was not lost on the vast majority of residents who, despite their own private battles, continue to sacrifice their freedoms for the sake of the greater good and now stare down the barrel of lockdown extensions due to the ignorant and illogical actions of a small minority. For the sake of sanity, we must remind ourselves that only 0.07% of Greater Sydney residents selfishly attended this potential super-spreader event, putting the lives of our front line workers, police and the entire community at risk. Which means that 99.93% didn’t. Every day I am proud to be a resident of the Hunter, and never more so than right now. Sanity prevailed, and locals were listened to when the final game of the State of Origin series was moved. A survey conducted on our Facebook page showed that 91% of residents were against the match being held here, and whilst I’m sure we all agreed that it would be awesome for our City, it just wasn’t the right (or safest) time. Daily, I walk down the street and see people wearing masks, diligently signing in (even if we forget to sign out – whoops!), getting tested, getting vaccinated and caring for our neighbours and friends. I strongly suspect our small minority is substantially less than 0.07% in the Hunter. And that warms my heart. Never has there been a better time or more crucial time than now to support our neighbours in the Hunter Valley. We are so lucky to have Australia’s premier wine region in our backyard, and with visitation limited to regional residents, they need our support. So enjoy a wine tasting, nibble on a cheese-board, fine dine at a hatted restaurant or sip on some premium spirits – without the crowds and with the knowledge you are supporting your local economy. Some great local special offers are going around – we’ve gathered together a handful of our favourites on page 21. Make sure to book ahead and get out there! And, of course, with our personal health and wellbeing taking the forefront, it’s time to look at some of the amazing advances and trends going on around us. From spider venom to therapeutic firsts, strength training for longevity to the psychology of weight loss and everything in between, you’ll find it all in this months Health and Wellbeing Special Feature from page 24.

Contents ISSUE #68 | AUGUST 2021 10

Music Scene

Love the Nightlife? Get up and Boogie with Priscilla!

Wallsend – A Flourishing, Family-Friendly Community

Unique & Spellbinding – Once

19 Bishop Tyrrell Author Teaches Children to Celebrate Uniqueness 21

Love Local and Discover Hunter Valley

Health & Wellbeing Special Feature

Learning to Heal in Different Ways

The Psychology of Weight Gain

The Miraculous Mollii Suit – Giving Hope to Sufferers

The Power of Strength At Groundwork Fitness

Why Talk to Your Dentist Before Treatment?

Let's Talk Technology and Seniors

From shimmering sequins and glittering frocks to fantastically feathered headdresses, there’s no doubt this month’s Metropolitan Players’ production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, will be nothing short of fabulous! Read more on page 12. Pictured: (L–R) Luke Baker, Dave Baker and Drew Holmes.

REGULARS 6

What's On?

Horoscopes

Health & Wellbeing

Family & Community

Home & Lifestyle

On the Cover

Enjoy!

Publisher & Editors Two Tribes Media Phone (02) 4943 0888 Address 297 Brunker Road, Adamstown, NSW 2289 Web www.intouchmagazine.com.au Email getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au Advertising Sales (02) 4943 0888

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CONTRIBUTORS

View this month’s Issue of intouch magazine on your iPhone, iPad, android tablet or android phone.

Alex Huszti Chloe O'Sullivan Di von Essen Gjenae Rosekelly Jess Codrington

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Kim-Cherie Davidson Kylie Jaques Liane Morris Melinda Murray Michelle Meehan

Nathalie Craig Quentin von Essen Tanya Obreza

/INTOUCHMAGAZINES © Copyright 2021 Two Tribes Media. Published monthly by Two Tribes Media. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpt granted by written request only. While every attempt has been made, Two Tribes Media cannot guarantee the legality, completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accepts no warranty or responsibility for such.

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WHAT'S On? Live & Cookin’

WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO BE CORRECT, HOWEVER EVENTS DO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL EVENTS ONLINE BEFORE PLANNING.

AUGUST

Support Local While we have had a number of affected and postponed shows, we are striving to keep the Lizotte’s food and music experience going. We hope to keep safely offering live music, food and trivia for as long as we can! You can keep up to date via our website and by subscribing to our email newsletter.

Subscribe via Our Website to Keep Up to Date. Coming Up (with any luck!)

August SUN

13 + 14

THE BIG GIG ULTIMATE CABARET SHOW RUMOURS - A TRIBUTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC

SUN

LAZY SUNDAY LUNCH WITH BEST OF CCR NEIL YOUNG + TOM PETTY

FRI

BONDI CIGARS

SAT

THE PIGS

SUN

LAZY SUNDAY LUNCH WITH DARREN PERCIVAL AND BILL RISBY

FRI

SHANE NICHOLSON

SAT

DIAMOND - THE SHOW

15 20 21 22 27 28

September FRI

VAN THE MAN

SAT

THE LEGENDARY GLENN SHORROCK

SUN

LAZY SUNDAY LUNCH WITH THE BEATNIX

7,8 +9

HOT FLUSH – LIVIN THE DREAM

FRI

THE LEGENDARY KEVIN BORICH

4 5

31 Morehead Street, Lambton Doors open from 6pm FULLY LICENSED LIVE SHOWS starting from $65

BOOK ONLINE NOW

Wednesday’s

+ See who else is coming to dinner...

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SUNDAY 1 AUGUST The Castanet Club: An exhibition you can dance to! A young Newcastle cabaret act went on to national and international acclaim in the 1980's – see costumes, props and performance footage and more at Newcastle Museum until 31 October. Broken Chains: Prisoners Unlocking Potential Exhibition at Wallsend Library, until 7 November. THURSDAY 5 AUGUST Blues in the Night at Adamstown Uniting Church, tickets at the door. 7.30pm–9.30pm.

MARKET GUIDE SUNDAY 1 AUGUST Newcastle City Farmers Market at Newcastle Showground EVERY Sunday, 7am–1pm. Adamstown Lions Club Markets Cnr Brunker and Glebe Rds, EVERY Sunday 7am–12pm. Homegrown Market at Speers Point Park, 10am–2pm. SATURDAY 7 AUGUST Pelican Foreshore Market at Pelican Foreshore, 9am–1pm. SUNDAY 8 AUGUST Made & Found at Webb Park, Redhead, 10am–2pm. Lake Macquarie Finders & Keepers Markets at Quinn Park, Swansea, 8am–1pm. FRIDAY 13 AUGUST Poppin' Tags at The Greenroof, 6pm–9pm. SATURDAY 14 AUGUST Lake Macquarie City Farmers Market at Speers Point Park, 7am–1pm. SUNDAY 15 AUGUST Homegrown Market at Speers Point Park, 10am–2pm. SATURDAY 21 AUGUST Warners Bay Markets at Warners Bay Foreshore, 8am–2pm. THURSDAY 26 AUGUST Belmont Country Women’s Association Markets at Lake Macquarie Centre, Wilson's Road, Mt Hutton 8:30am–1pm. SATURDAY 28 AUGUST Homegrown Market at The Station, 9am–2pm. Lake Macquarie City Farmers Market at Speers Point Park, 7am–1pm.

Civic Cinema in the Playhouse: French Exit Book online at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au FRIDAY 6 AUGUST Raw Comedy An open mic comedy competition at The Playhouse. IGN Art Fair 2021 Bringing together Newcastle’s independent galleries. Discover artist-run spaces, commercial galleries and collectives – and nab yourself some unique local art. 6–8 August. www.nag.org.au SATURDAY 7 AUGUST Goldfish Bar & Restaurant Supper Club Every Saturday night, 8.30pm until late enjoy live jazz and blues at Pokolbin's favourite cocktail bar. www.thegoldfish.com.au Light on Morisset: Inside the Hospital Learn about the history of Morisset Hospital, through never before exhibited photos at SEEN@Swansea until 10 October. Gold coin entry. Newcastle Crystals Gems and Jewellery Festival Entry $7pp, kids under 12 free. At Souths Merewether, Saturday 7th August 10am–5pm + Sunday 8th August 10am–4pm. Creedence Clearwater Collective at The Playhouse. FRIDAY 13 AUGUST Archie Roach at City Hall. www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au Civic Cinema in the Playhouse: No Man's Land Book online at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au SATURDAY 14 AUGUST Kilgour Prize 2021 Exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery, 14 August–31 October 2021. Civic Cinema in the Playhouse: High Ground Book online at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au SUNDAY 15 AUGUST Lake Mac STEAM Week Events for all ages all about science, technology, engineering, ARTS, and maths from 15–22 August. Visit www.lakemac.com.au WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST Priscilla Queen of the Desert 18–28 August, Civic Theatre. FRIDAY 20 AUGUST Films @ Rathmines: Honeyland at Rathmines Theatre. Tickets at www.eventbrite.com.au SATURDAY 21 AUGUST 2021 Newcastle Whisky & Craft Spirits Festival Learn from the finest in the industry at Babylon Newcastle. Tickets are $89, visit www.wacsfestival.com.au/events FRIDAY 27 AUGUST Hockey Dad at The Cambridge 33rd Annual Newcastle Jazz Festival 27–29 August, at Newcastle City Hall. For tickets visit www.ticketebo.com.au/ newcastlejazz

WINE, CHEESE & CHOCOLATE AT MCGUIGAN Immerse yourself in the flavours of the Hunter in this exquisite Wine, Cheese & Chocolate tasting. Relax in a private tasting area with a dedicated wine expert who will help you explore the exceptional wines that have made McGuigan one of the most awarded wineries in the world. You will enjoy a selection of the best seasonal, hand-crafted cheeses from the artisans at Hunter Valley Cheese Factory, plus carefully selected hand made chocolates by artisan chocolatier Maître Pâtissier complementing a range of premium McGuigan dessert and fortified wines.

Cost – $25pp pre-paid reservations for parties of 1 to 6 people. Visit www.mcguiganwines.com.au and click on Visit Us to book.

WHAT’S ON SATURDAY 28 AUGUST Pigsty in July (now August) Live music and good times at Dashville, Lower Belford. Third time's a charm – keep an eye out for updates via Facebook or visit www.dashville.com.au The University of Newcastle 2021 Open Day at University of Newcastle 10am–3pm. www.newcastle.edu.au/open-day SUNDAY 29 AUGUST Hunter Arts Network Art Bazaar at Lambton Park, 10am– 3pm. Ramsay Health Care Lake Mac Run To enter visit www.lakemacrunning.com

throughout Wollombi, 11–26 Sept. For more information visit www.sculptureinthevineyards.com.au WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER The Stones' Sticky Fingers at Civic Theatre. The Big Bike Film Night - Newcastle Everything a cyclecentric audience could want – action, drama, humour, and plenty of inspiration. Visit www.bigbikefilmnight.nz for tickets.

15-22 August - Lake Mac STEAM Week Celebrate science, technology, engineering, ARTS and maths with activities for all ages.  Various Lake Mac venues

SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER Be More Chill at The Playhouse, 1–4 September. THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER ACO: Music For Healing at City Hall. Kitty Flanagan Live at Civic Theatre, 2+3 September. FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER Rumble in the Jungle Newcastle Pro Wrestling returns to Newcastle City Hall. Newcastle Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo a massive showcase of local and national companies displaying the latest caravans, camper trailers, vehicles and 4-wheel drive accessories. 3–5 September. Visit www.newexpo.com.au SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER Eireborne at Civic Theatre. Morpeth Spring Orchid Show The Show will be judged by a panel from the NSW Orchid Society, along with a selection of orchid plants for sale. 9am–4pm on 4 Sept and 9am–3pm on 5 Sept at St James Anglican Parish Hall at Tank Street, Morpeth. SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER Hunter Valley Gardens Wedding Fair Boasting 3 incredible wedding venues and the Hunter's best wedding suppliers this is a day not to be missed. www.hvg.com.au WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER Once Featuring spellbinding songs from the criticallyacclaimed film, Once is a modern-day musical that reminds us of the power of music to connect us all. At Civic Theatre, 8–11 September. SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER Sweet Baby James – James Taylor Tribute at The Playhouse. Sculpture in the Vineyards The 19th annual exhibition of Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival will be showcasing 150 indoor and outdoor sculptures at cellar doors and galleries

DRY TO DRY UNTIL 21 AUGUST 2021 We may not be able to travel right now, but the wonders and colours of one of our beautiful National Parks are right here in the heart of Newcastle.

THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER Human Nature at Civic Theatre Newcastle. SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER Wallsend Festival From Fashions on the Footpath to a Movie Night, don't miss Wallsend Festival 18–25 September. More details on page 15. Jimeoin – Turn it Up! at Civic Theatre. End2End Festival Food, wine, beer and live music at 4 venues accross Pokolbin. www.end2end.com.au SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER Omega Ensemble: Continuum at Newcastle Art Gallery. Running in the Shadows – The Fleetwood Mac Show at Civic Theatre. Colour Frenzy Newcastle at Foreshore Park. For tickets visit www.colourfrenzy.com.au Randy Feltface at The Playhouse. MONDAY 20 SEPTEMBER Screening of ‘Tiddas in Muloobinba’ at The Playhouse. TUESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER Teeny Tiny Stevies at City Hall. FRIDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2021 Newcastle Writers Festival Keep an eye out for the first artist announcement on August 12, and the full program and ticket release on August 24. Subscribe to keep updated at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER Kasey Chambers & Busby Marou Tour at Civic Theatre. WEDNESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER Uninvited: The Songs of Alanis Morissette at The Playhouse.

An exhibition of the non-fiction picture book Dry to Dry by Liz Anelli and Pamela Freeman and published by Walker Books has been curated by Newcastle Libraries. It is on show at the Lovett Gallery (floor 2 of the Laman Street City Library) until Saturday, 21 August. It showcases the artwork and process of making the book alongside panels that describe the six seasons of our Top End. In addition, the book describes the yearly weather and life cycles in Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park. Huge decals and evocative soundscape bring the very essence of the place into this newly re-furbished gallery space. The picture book is shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Eve Pownall Award non-fiction book of the year 2021 – the top-ranking award in our children’s book industry.

20 August - Films @ Rathmines: HONEYLAND Sit back and enjoy this award winning documentary under heritage high ceilings.  Rathmines Theatre

29 August - Sunday Sessions at MAC Grab a drink and enjoy some local music and artmaking.  Museum of Art and Culture

29 August - Lake Macquarie Running Festival Experience the beautiful scenery on this lakefront course free from traffic.  The Esplanade, Warners Bay When attending events in Lake Macquarie, remember to stay COVID Safe. Greet friends with a wave, maintain 1.5 metres physical distance and wash your hands before, during and after the event. Please note events may be subject to change pending NSW government COVID-19 advice.

Discover more of what’s on in Lake Mac at

lakemac.com.au/whatson

www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 7

W H AT ' S O N

Highlights KILGOUR PRIZE 2021 � 14 AUGUST–31 OCTOBER In 1987, artist Jack Kilgour passed on funds for the creation of a major continuing figurative and portrait art competition to be run at Newcastle Art Gallery. Today, the Kilgour Prize is one of Australia's major art prizes, awarding $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art as determined by a panel of three judges, and $5,000 for the People's Choice Award (as determined by votes from the public). Exhibited artworks will be on show at Newcastle Art Gallery from 14 August to 31 October, with the winner announced at an exclusive preview on Friday 13 August 2021 at the Gallery. Visit www.nag.org.au/kilgour-prize for more information.

WHAT'S ON IN

Lake Mac � LAKE MACQUARIE

Grab your trainers and head outdoors this Winter as one of the oldest running events in Australia, the Lake Macquarie Running Festival will be held on 29 August, with Ramsay Health Care this year's headline sponsor. You can choose from 21.1km half-marathon, 10.5km fun run or the kids 4km scamper events. Lake Mac is celebrating STEAM Week (science, technology, engineering, ARTS, and maths) from 15–22 August. Join them for a range of activities from coding basics with mini-robots for over 55's, make your own paper wraps, build your own Bee Hotel for Under 5's, learn the basics of backyard beekeeping and so much more. You can even join the Newcastle Astronomical Society as they point their telescopes to the sky above Lake Macquarie for a night of stargazing, waterfront at MAP (Mima), Speers Point Park on 22 August. Bookings for all events are essential. Head to www.lakemac.com.au for more information on STEAM Week and what else is happening around the lake this August.

SUNDAY SESSIONS AT MAC > 29 AUGUST, MAC LAKE MACQUARIE Grab a wine or beer and enjoy some local music by Gabby Newland and artmaking from 2pm–4pm. Tickets are $20, includes one drink, cheese and all art materials. Bookings are essential, visit mac.lakemac.com.au/events

IGN ART FAIR > 6–8 AUGUST, NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY Presented in partnership with Independent Galleries Newcastle, this is Newcastle’s own affordable art fair! The IGN Art Fair brings together Newcastle’s independent galleries. Discover artist-run spaces, commercial galleries and collectives and nab yourself some unique local art on Friday 6 August (5pm–8pm), Saturday 7 August (10am–4pm) and Sunday 8 August (10am–2pm). So what is IGN Art Fair? Art collectors, the art-loving public and those interested to learn more about art offerings in Newcastle – come along! This is a showcase of the very best commercial art spaces and artist-run initiatives from across the Newcastle region. Enjoy the Newcastle Art Gallery's current exhibitions while also perusing displays from twelve of the region's most well-known independent art spaces. Talk directly to artists and gallery directors and get a taste of the different flavour of each of these spaces all at once. You can even purchase works of art directly.

REWILDING THE URBAN SOUL > 12 AUGUST, SUSPENSION ESPRESSO We’re a famously nature-loving nation, yet 86 per cent of Australians call the city home. Amid the concrete and the busyness, how can we also answer the call of the wild? Once upon a time, a burnt-out Claire Dunn spent a year living off the grid in a wilderness survival program. Yet love, and the possibilities of human connection drew her back to the city, where she soon found herself as overscheduled, addicted to her phone, and lost in IKEA as the rest of us. Given all the city offers – comfort, convenience, community, and opportunity – she wants to stay. But to do so, she’ll have to learn how to rewild her urban soul. With Rewilding the Urban Soul: searching for wild in the city, Maitland born and bred author Claire inspires the possibility of wildness, both inner and outer, for all those living within city limits and beyond. Join us for the Newcastle celebration and launch, meet the author, listen to her talk about the book, buy a book and have it signed at Suspension Espresso (Islington) on Thursday, 12 August, 6–8pm. Tickets are $20 pp and include a buffet dinner. Book at www.events.humanitix.com/rewilding-theurban-soul-newcastle-launch

Visit www.nag.org.au for more information.

Straight from the Ocean to Your Plate! For all your Australian, sustainably caught, fresh local seafood needs, you wouldn't go anywhere else, other than the Fishermen’s Co-Op!

www.fishcoop.com.au

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WICKHAM 97 Hannell Street, Ph 4965 4229 OPEN Mon–Fri 8.30am to 5pm, Sat 8.30am to 3pm, Sun 10am to 2pm SWANSEA 69 Lakeside Drive, Ph 4971 4762 OPEN Tues–Fri 8.30am to 4pm + Sat 8.30am to 1pm

3–5 SEPT WHAT'S On Highlights

Broken Chains:

PRISONERS UNLOCKING P OTENTIAL > UNTIL 7 NOVEMBER, WALLSEND LIBRARY How do you imagine going to prison would change your life? This free art exhibition highlights the accomplishments of current and formerly incarcerated people. Damien Linnane saw prison as an opportunity to pursue writing fiction and also teach himself how to draw. He is now a published novelist and a contracted illustrator working on a project for Random House. See stories like this and more at Wallsend Library until Sunday 7 November, during library opening hours: Mon– Thurs 9.30am–8pm; Fri 9.30am–6pm; Sat 9.30am–2pm; Sun 1.30am–5pm. 30 Bunn Street, Wallsend.

Newcastle Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo > 3–5 SEPT, NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE Get your outdoor adventure started! The 2021 Newcastle Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo will feature over 100 local and national exhibitors – caravans, camper trailers, boating, vehicles, 4x4 and camping accessories, gadgets and a whole lot more. Plus daily entertainment includes camp oven cooking with king brown and fishing and casting demonstrations on the giant tank. SAVE 25% if you purchase online by August 29! Visit www.newexpo.com.au for tickets.

33RD ANNUAL NEWCASTLE J A Z Z F E S T I VA L > 27–29 AUGUST, NEWCASTLE CITY HALL

NEWCASTLE'S FA M O U S T R A M ! Have you ever thought about riding Newcastle's Famous Tram? Well you can every every week day (and some Saturdays)! This tourist ‘icon’ is a genuine replica of the original Newcastle working tram, which was in service in 1923. This tour of Newcastle reveals our city's beauty and beach areas as well as an astonishing blend of the historic and modern lifestyle. With detailed commentary, it is ideal for both locals and tourists! The tour duration is 1 hour 20mins, running at 11am. Cost is $25 for adults and $5 children. Discover vouchers can be used! Visit famous-tram.com.au

More than 150 musicians will be blowing up a storm and presenting over 60 hours of music across 3 days at the annual Newcastle Jazz Festival. Four stage areas throughout the iconic Newcastle City Hall will showcase some of the Hunter's best musicians across the weekend, with bars and food available on site or within a short walk from City Hall. The diverse range of music includes trad, mainstream and contemporary jazz, big bands, swing, blues, a jazz vocal group and jazz/boogie piano. Performers include The Swing Kings, Sinatra Swing with Mitch Capone, the Andy Firth Orchestra, Andrew Dickeson’s Blue Rhythm Band, The Rehab Brass Band plus loads more. For tickets visit www.ticketebo.com.au/2021-newcastle-jazzfestival.html

2+3 SEPT

KITTY IS BACK! > 2+3 SEPTEMBER, CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE Kitty Flanagan is one of Australia’s best known comedians. She has played clubs and theatres all over the world and now tours Australia relentlessly, taking her award winning stand up shows to every arts centre and theatre around the country. Kitty is a writer and performer and can be seen regularly on the comedy/quiz show, Have You Been Paying Attention? She is well known for her popular segments on The Project and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering as well as for playing the role of Rhonda, the annoying PR woman, on the awardwinning series, Utopia. Kitty is currently writing, directing and starring in a new comedy series due to hit ABC screens in 2021. Her best selling book 488 Rules for Life has won multiple awards and sold over 130,000 copies. Kitty lives in Melbourne with her cat Sarge. She also has two dogs so as to avoid the moniker of crazy cat lady. Her favourite food is soup, feel free to hit her up for a recipe any time. Now, after a year at home drinking hand sanitiser & tonic, Kitty Flanagan is finally back on stage doing what (she thinks) she does best, solving the world’s problems. All of them. Get involved! Grab your tickets for one of two shows at Civic Theatre, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

N E WC A S TLE C I T Y

Sorry!

7AM–1PM | EVERY SUNDAY at BROADMEADOW SHOWGROUND

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Horo Scope Astrologer TANYA OBREZA on what’s in the stars this month.

STAR OF THE MONTH LEO 23 JULY – 22 AUGUST For too long, many Leos have weathered tough times, and you’ve been worn down by all the nonsense that the heavens can muster. So, at what stage do you say “enough”? Well, as long as you’re still breathing - you have precious little choice but to go where life leads you. Don’t worry. You’ve clocked up plenty of karmic brownie points. So here’s a year that allows you to cash in on many well-deserved rewards. You also somehow manage to show up in the right place at the right time. And it’s nothing to do with coincidence.

VIRGO 23 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER Whether in business or pleasure, it’s all systems go! Basically, you can do most of what you want. Even so, expect the occasional drawback. Success can be a mixture of luck and opportunity. This month, it’s good fortune that prevails but remember - luck is often recognising the possibilities that suit your strengths. A similar theme applies to your love life. There’s a good chance of finding your karmically-linked soulmate. LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER Librans now crave admiration and acknowledgement - you want the focus turned towards you. Being in the right place and making the right contacts are essential ingredients to success. The most significant contributing factor, however, is self-confidence. You must consider yourself worthy enough to defeat any contender. You’re a born talker, Libra and this month; you have the right opportunities to do it well. SCORPIO 23 OCTOBER –21 NOVEMBER A dazzling cosmos showcases Scorpios’ unique talents this month, so a career or business option previously left on hold could suddenly soar skywards. You leave a lasting impression on others, and those higher up are noticing how well you perform your duties. After the 24th, a new friendship or romance comes as a special delivery, although it might not arrive in the package you expected. SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER It seems that some Sagittarians have a tryst with destiny this month: to become a leader. Whether you’re fighting against domestic violence, the harming of animals or the environment - for you now, might makes right. Sure, the Sagittarian nature is usually more playful - but your inner Rescuer breaks through. Tremendous satisfaction comes with the experience of battling for a cause.

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▼ Luke O'Shea and Ashleigh Dallas

CAPRICORN 22 DECEMBER – 19 JANUARY This month brings a rebirth, Capricorn. You have had enough of life’s harsher lessons. Now you're ready to put those lessons to the test by pursuing your true calling and passion. You’re no longer satisfied with simply scratching the surface of life. You're prepared to go as deep as necessary to create something of lasting value. You want nothing less than the truth and nothing short of profound meaning. AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 18 FEBRUARY When blessed with your current ability to grasp cutting-edge concepts, how can August be anything but an excellent time for eyeing up an optimistic future? This month you become the trailblazer of the communications world. Name your direction, Aquarius. You can focus on fresh career goals, new courses of study or an entirely new vocation. Relationships with your family also take a kinder turn. PISCES 19 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH This month brings sweeping changes. Prepare to push all professional projects during the first half of August. Happily, the second half will be better spent socialising and having fun. Emotional freedom is also important. You want a free hand to prove your capabilities, to make your own choices and to assert your individuality - without compromise. If you make the occasional mistake, don’t fret. The spirit can only grow when challenged. ARIES 21 MARCH – 20 APRIL It’s high time you stopped riding this life cycle with no hands, Aries. Try to regain some control by taking hold of matters yourself - otherwise, you can expect a continuation of recent upheavals. While you have kept your chin up in a dignified manner, you would do well to have a little burning ceremony for any long-held dreams that have become defunct. Look to the future, unburdened by obsolete baggage. TAURUS 21 APRIL – 20 MAY Don’t hide away from the world, Taurus. It’s time to face up to all the challenging possibilities on offer. If you’re aiming for a better job, a pay rise or a more satisfactory place to live, capitalise on recent benefits. Another plus: you’re feeling much less coy sexually. Your allure is all but irresistible this month, and what starts as a casual flirtation could turn into something more permanent. GEMINI 21 MAY – 21 JUNE Rarely short of admirers, Geminis can be outrageous flirts who live life to the full. This month, you’re feeling particularly high spirited and restless energy keeps you constantly on the move. Not in the mood for dreary obligations, restrictions on your freedom will seem unbearable. If outworn love is holding you back, then it’s time to give yourself some much-needed breathing space. CANCER 22 JUNE – 22 JULY August brings the kind of emotional stability you've been craving. No more major disruptions and endless deadlines. Here’s a month when love and partnerships take priority. Your commitment to others deepens, and you come to realise how much you genuinely value friends and family. Never again will you take your significant others for granted. Life in general also undergoes a transformation. TANYA OBREZA was born in Slovenija and emigrated to Australia with her parents as a young girl. It was during her first visit to England that Tanya was introduced to astrology, and in 1980 she gained her London Faculty of Astrological Studies qualifications. Over the years, Tanya has established an extensive and wide-ranging international following, mostly due to her reassuring, down to earth presence.

Love Songs TO HUMANITY WORDS MELINDA MURRAY – PSM PUBLICITY I have decided to take a little bit of a different approach to our Music Scene column this month. The music industry was hit first and hardest by the Covid lockdowns and restrictions. More than a year after this began, they still have to keep cancelling shows. While we’ve all been stuck at home, we’ve turned to artists to fill our time. Be it binging your favourite TV show or listening to music at home; creative types are the ones who are left to lift your spirits. For me, it has always been music, and I could never word things as well as some of my favourite musicians. What songs have cheered you in dark times? These two love songs to humanity have helped me through the craziness. Check them out for yourself today. LONG WAY ROUND – LYRICS BY LUKE O'SHAE Hear people sayin’ that life’s so tough. That they’re so strung out running ‘round in a mad rush We’ve forgotten how to slow it down. How to take a deep breath and have a good look around Don’t believe them when you hear them say, Things were so much better back in the old days There’s nothing greater than the here and now, So just take my hand - join me on the long way ‘round. You and I, we’re just floating through space, and there ain’t nothin’ more amazing than this human race. Everybody here has got the light inside, but it gets shut down – we get caught up in the lies. Don’t believe them when you hear ‘em say; their God’s the true God because they pray in a certain kind of way. Just look for love, girl – that’s where it’s found, so take my hand and join me on the long – the long way ‘round. The long way ‘round.

And when you feel like giving up, everybody tries – but there ain’t’ no shortcut! Just keep on dancing - we’ll get it right, and maybe someday we can make it to the bright white light – the bright white light. Cause when it’s dark, and the road gets hazy, Just promise to remember that the world is f*$..g crazy. Nobody here knows where we’re bound, so just take my hand and join me on the long way round. MAN OH MAN – LYRICS BY RAI THISTLETHWAYTE Here's another verse cause you wanted to know; I'll give you 20 good reasons why I'm shooting the flow cause I suffer from the feeling that I'm quite crap, and that's at the zenith of this whole rap. You see, it hits anybody on a particular day, to a particular depth in a particular way. But if it's all in your head, get out of bed. You gotta open up the honey jar get on the spread. At the end of the day, it's not the end of the world; your gonna be somebody, baby, give it a burl. You've got a whole lot of mates, and they're egging you on making racket like a footy team singing your song. You've gotta know this about yourself you're enough, and if you're ever ever ever ever ever doing it tough. Just call out, sing out, reach out. Don't be a stranger. Man, oh Man, woah woman. If you feel fine all the time, you're either not a human being, or you're lying.

Both Luke and Rai are two of the most poetic songwriters in the country, and these songs will put a smile on your face. Buying it from iTunes would help keep the music industry moving. So please do that while we all wait at home for things to return to normal.

AUDITIONS OPEN FOR NATIONAL COLLEGE OF DANCE 2022

Transition and Affiliate Program Intensive Training Program Certificate III in Dance. CUA 30113 Certificate IV in Dance. CUA 40113 Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance). CUA50113 Leading the way with technical, creative and intuitive dance. Developing unique, versatile and employable dancers in ballet, contemporary and commercial dance. Australia’s leading teachers and choreographers, collaborating year on year with musicians, composers, orchestras and designers. Be prepared for a competitive dance environment. National College of Dance is a Nationally Recognised Registered Training Organisation 91281.

Artistic Director – Brett Morgan OAM

APPLY NOW Book a private audition or submit your audition video online. P 02 4952 9294 | www.nationalcollegeofdance.com/audition www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 11

Pictured L–R: Dave Baker, Drew Holmes and Luke Baker.

LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE? GET UP AND BOOGIE WITH

! a l l i c Pris

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WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN

FROM THE SHIMMERING SEQUINS AND GLITTERING FROCKS TO THE FANTASTICALLY FEATHERED HEADDRESSES, THERE’S NO DOUBT METROPOLITAN PLAYERS’ PRODUCTION OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT, WILL BE NOTHING SHORT OF FABULOUS. BUT THERE’S SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE GLITZ AND GLAMOUR OF THE COSTUMES THAT WILL HAVE AUDIENCES WALKING AWAY FROM NEWCASTLE CIVIC THEATRE WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACE AND A TEAR IN THEIR EYE. BASED ON THE OSCAR-WINNING SMASH-HIT AUSTRALIAN FILM, PRISCILLA IS THE HILARIOUS AND UPLIFTING STORY OF THREE FRIENDS – TICK, ADAM AND BERNADETTE – WHO HOP ABOARD A BATTERED OLD BUS BOUND FOR ALICE SPRINGS TO PUT ON A DRAG SHOW OF A LIFETIME.

Delving into the grim realities of homophobia and the importance of friendship and community, their epic journey through the Australian outback is a story of doubt, selfdiscovery and acceptance, delivered with a generous serving of sassiness and a thumping disco-heavy soundtrack. Since the film was first released in 1994 – and the subsequent musical took to the stage in 2006 – the pioneering LGBT story has resonated with audiences around the world, including local theatre stalwart Julie Black. The long-standing director of Newcastle’s Metropolitan Players theatre group was in the audience during the musical’s debut season at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney, and again when it returned for its 10th-anniversary tour, having fallen in love with the characters, the costumes and the music. “There’s something special about Priscilla,” Julie said. “It’s colourful, it’s funny, everyone knows the music – I grew up with this music in my teens – and you just want to get up and dance. “There are these great characters, and it tells a wonderful story of them growing through their experiences and people growing in acceptance, which is how it should be.” There was added attachment to the second production for Julie as she sat and watched four of the actors who had, earlier in their careers, graced the stage under her directorship for the Metropolitan Players. “I saw the two productions in Sydney and when you’re sitting there, and you hear that music, and you start bopping along with it, and then you see the colour, and you hear the laughter... it's like a big party because you just love this big, beautiful Aussie stage production,” she said. “And you know what was especially lovely about it? Four of my boys who started with me were in it. David Harris, who played Tick (in 2018), lives in New York and performs all over the world, he’s very famous, but he started off playing Kenickie in Grease for me. “His understudy was Tom Handley who was in our production of Victor, Victoria, Luke Jarvis is a brilliant dancer and singer who has also done very well, he started with me

in Grease, and then there was Patrick Whitbread, who was my young Louis when I did The King and I all those years ago, and he has done lots of shows since. “I was sitting there watching Priscilla, and honestly, if I’d been wearing a blouse, the buttons would burst. I was so proud of them.” Seeing actors develop during their time with Metropolitan Players and then go on to have successful professional careers is one of the things that drives Julie to continue being involved in the theatre group, 44 years after she and her husband Graeme were among its founding members. “I love to nurture talent,” Julie said. “When I hold auditions, I like to have experienced people because they're your best teachers, but then I like to have some people who may never have been on stage before as well. “As long as they’ve got the talent, I don't care what company they're with or if they’ve never had singing lessons; if they show talent, I want to use them. “And if you have a mixture of both, it is such a wonderful opportunity for these new people to be with these experienced people and go, ‘Wow. Aren’t they great – I can be like that’. So it’s lovely to see.” Julie said she’s spoiled for choice when it comes to casting a production in Newcastle, with the auditions always throwing up some tough decisions. “It’s generally tough because there is so much talent in Newcastle in every field; it is unbelievable,” Julie said. “You have to have call-backs because there are so many good people, and wow, what a cast we’ve got for this one. We’re incredibly fortunate. “When you pick three people for Priscilla to play your Bernadette (Drew Holmes), your Tick (Dave Baker) and your Adam (Luke Baker), you’ve got to make sure you get a rapport going, and what I got through these three is this beautiful friendship, and it shines through the roles, which is very important. “Some people say it’s a musical, so you only have to worry about singing and dancing, but in mine, you have to act. I have to connect to a character, I want the audience to connect to the characters, which only happens through acting, but I’ve got three brilliant leads for that. “Then when we had to pick The Divas, we had narrowed it down to 17 girls, and it took half a day mixing them up and getting them to sing one song over and over in different groups and in the end, we chose the three who just blended the best. “Then you've got the other principal characters – I pick ones who react well with the leads – and then there’s your ensemble, so many people forget that the ensemble is so important. “I’m also very proud of my production team. They wouldn't be my production team unless they had the goods, and they are the best people to work with. “When we get the cast together, the first thing I say to everyone is, ‘Right, there are no pedestals here. Everyone is of equal importance. I’m no different to anyone else, I just have a different job, and every single person who does anything, whether you’re an usher or one of the leads, you have a job to do so people can get in this theatre and see a perfect show. “Everybody’s working together, and it’s a lovely thing. I like to have this family atmosphere.” (Continued next page) ►

THERE’S SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT PRISCILLA. IT’S COLOURFUL, IT’S FUNNY, EVERYONE KNOWS THE MUSIC.

▲ Photo by Morgan Creek - Alice Photography

www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 13

▼ Photo by Morgan Creek - Alice Photography

(Continued) When it comes to putting on a production of Priscilla, it’s undoubtedly a big extended family, with around 90 people needed to stage each performance, including 40 cast members, ten orchestra and more than 36 technical staff working tirelessly behind the scenes on everything from the sound and lighting to the hair, make-up, costuming, props and stage crews. There’s also an actual element of family involved in every production Julie does with Metropolitan Players, starting with her husband Graeme, who is not only the long-serving President of the theatre group but one of the set designers as well. Their son Andrew lends his talents to the poster and program design, while daughter Nicolette shares her mother’s love of performance. For this production, she will showcase her vocal talents as one of the three Divas; however, Julie said family ties certainly didn’t deliver a free ride into the production, with Nicolette having to audition and earn her place in the cast just like everyone else. “I'm very lucky that the kids were so interested (in being part of the theatre),” Julie said. “Of course, when they were little, they would say, ‘We’ll just go in your shows’, and I said, ‘No, no, you will audition. When I do a show, I'm the director, I'm not your mummy, so you will audition, and if you're good enough to get in, you’ll get in, and if you're not, you won't get in’. “They understood, and really, you have to be like that; you pick who’s best for the role because you know that's what makes a better show. “But it is lovely that they're so involved in it and love it so much. It’s just beautiful.” Priscilla will be Julie’s 45th production in the director’s chair, having made the switch from being in the thick of things to being side of stage 38 years ago after a spinal fusion brought the curtain down on her time as a performer. “I sang, danced and acted on stage in a lot of shows,” Julie said. “I was dance captain, and I have a four-octave singing 14 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

range. But then I had a spinal fusion, and I couldn’t dance anymore, and I just thought, ok, look, I'll turn to directing and that as it happens has been where my success has been. “Things happen for a reason. I believe in fate, and while I have a bad back and I’m in a lot of pain all the time, through this, I can escape for a few hours. “I’m passionate about it and passionate about other people loving it as well because none of us gets paid. It's a passion you feel; it's not a job, it's a wonderful, wonderful hobby. “And there’s just this beautiful camaraderie amongst theatre people; they're friends for life. People I met when I was starting out when I was 17 are still my friends, and I love that. “The day I don't enjoy it, I'd give it up, but at the moment, it’s still this little escape from reality; it's lovely.” Priscilla will certainly offer audiences a fantastic escape from reality, with its flamboyant costumes, which have been made specifically for this show, and its non-stop hit parade of dance-floor classics including Its Raining Men, I Say a Little Prayer for You, Venus, Hot Stuff, I Will Survive, I Love the Nightlife and many more. However, Julie’s excitement about the upcoming production is tinged with a sense of sadness and anxiety over the future of her beloved theatre group. The lockdowns and closures brought about by COVID-19 have left the Metropolitan Players hanging by a thread, with their future beyond this production still up in the air. “Priscilla was supposed to be on last year, I had completed my auditions in December 2019, and we were getting ready for it in March 2020 when we’d just finished the play, The 39 Steps. And boy, were we lucky we got through that one because we finished on the Saturday night, and the following Saturday night, the theatre had closed down (because of the COVID-19 lockdown). “That meant Priscilla was off, and we were going, ‘Oh my God, it costs so much money, what are we going to do?’

because we’ve got a warehouse, and we’ve still got to pay for that. “Even with this production going ahead at the moment, people are buying their tickets, but we don't see any of that money until the show’s over. In the meantime, we’ve got all these bills to pay and everything costs. You’ve got the printing of your posters, the printing of your programs, you’ve got to pay for sound and lighting as we bring in huge boards and we have over 30 mics on people. “Everything on that stage is made for this show; we don’t hire anything. The costumes alone, you can imagine (the cost). The costumes they were trying on the other day are magnificent, all designed and made by these two people who have been at the warehouse these past two weeks working all day, every day, and the costumes are unbelievable. “With the current restrictions, the theatre’s at 50 per cent capacity... at 75 per cent we could still live but at 50, whether Mets continues or not after Priscilla, whether Mets can do next year, I just don't know, and I’m on tenterhooks all the time. “It would break our hearts (if it folded)... Graeme and I are the only original members left from when it was formed in 1977; we’re the only two. “He’s been President since 1983, and I've been secretary a bit longer, and it’s gone from this little company that just grew bigger and bigger and bigger and has just been incredible. “I have an assistant director who I'm turning over the first play to next year, to give him a go at doing it, we’re trying to bring people in, young ones, and teach them so they can take over from us because we’re not spring chickens anymore. “So I want to see Mets live on for these younger people because when I look at them when they come to the rehearsal, they’re so happy, and they’re smiling and excited, and there’s nothing like it.” Ensuring the run of nine shows in August is a sell-out will certainly be an important part of securing a future for the iconic Newcastle theatre group. Julie said there are plenty of reasons to check out the production. “I think audiences are going to be saying ‘I don't know what I love the best. Was it the costumes? Was it the acting? Was it the singing? Was it the dancing? Was it the bus?’ So it’s going to be fabulous,” she said. “I sit through every single performance, and I’ve been to every single rehearsal, and I never get sick of it. I sit out there, and I’m so excited because I love hearing the audiences’ reactions, and I’m just proud as punch every time; I never tire of it. “I think they’re just going to be absolutely enthralled by the look and the sound, and they’re just going to sit there and go, wow, I could actually stay and see it again. I wouldn’t be surprised if people do see it twice – you could come and see it just for the costumes alone; they’re magnificent.”

PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT BY THE METROPOLITAN PLAYERS, WILL OPEN AT THE NEWCASTLE CIVIC THEATRE ON WEDNESDAY, 18 AUGUST. THE RUN OF NINE PERFORMANCES FINISHES UP WITH TWO SHOWS ON SATURDAY, 28 AUGUST. TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS VISIT WWW.CIVICTHEATRENEWCASTLE.COM.AU, OR TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT METROPOLITAN PLAYERS, VISIT WWW.METROPOLITANPLAYERS.COM.AU

WALLSEND

WALLSEND TOWN Everything You Need in One Place!

A FLOURISHING, FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY WORDS QUENTIN VON ESSEN From what was once a private coal mining town established 161 years ago in an area originally known as Barrahinebin by its Aboriginal custodians, Wallsend town has become a flourishing urban, family-friendly community with a rich and fascinating history. Wallsend was established when the Newcastle and Wallsend Mining Company opened their first coal mines in 1860 on land originally owned by Alexander Brown, who helped found the company. Named after a historic nineteenthcentury shipbuilding town in N.E England, the town grew rapidly with commercial buildings and shops established to service the needs of miners arriving from Scotland, England and Wales. By 1880, a wide array of businesses could be found in the town, including general stores, butchers, bakeries, hotels, blacksmiths, bootmakers, carters, tailors, newsagents, chemists, tobacconists, undertakers, builders, insurance agents, a cordial factory and a newspaper. Today, Wallsend continues to grow and flourish with a population of approximately 13,000. Outgrowing its main street, the suburb has expanded into a central business district that now includes everything its residents could need. The Wallsend Village Shopping Centre boasts a wide array of major supermarkets, banks, fashion and retail stores, medical and service providers, and dining and takeaway options. Wallsend is also an op shop destination, with savvy second-hand shoppers flocking to Nelson Street’s array of outlets for preloved goods. For those that love to dine out and be entertained, the suburb is home to several restaurants, pubs and clubs, including the ever-popular Colliery Inn and Lemon Grove Hotel, as well as Wallsend Diggers. Coffee fanatics are also catered for at the popular Drop-In Espresso Bar and Café Tempest both catering for breakfast and lunchtime needs; and if you’re looking for a Thai or Chinese feast, you’re spoilt for choice with Wallsend’s offerings. A visit to Wallsend soon exposes a vibrant community hub with an awardwinning Wallsend District Library, which tends to lead the way when it comes to school holiday activities; and a fitness focus,

evident by the area’s numerous gyms and top-quality sports facilities like the Wallsend Swimming Centre. Sports lovers will appreciate Wallsend’s rich sporting history. The suburb is renowned for its soccer, racing, athletics and football. The Australian Rules Black Diamond Cup is the oldest sporting trophy still competed for in Australia. It was instituted in 1887 as a challenge cup to be retained permanently by any team that won it twice in succession. In 1889, Wallsend took the trophy home, having won the first two years. Nowadays, the Cup is presented to the Premiership side on Grand Final Day before being returned to its home at the Newcastle Museum. As well as a popular sporting scene, Wallsend is home to a variety of community events. In 2017, the Mattara Festival – one of the Hunter’s oldest community-based festivals, which celebrates the arrival of spring – moved from the Newcastle CBD to Wallsend Park. The move was a great success, doubling the crowd size from the previous two years. In 2018, Nelson Street also played host to the first pop culture festival in Newcastle: the Back in Time Pop Culture Festival, celebrating iconic 80's films, characters, cars and culture. Unfortunately, COVID has meant many community events have had to postpone to later in 2021 or move the dates altogether to 2022.

VISIT THE WALLSEND FESTIVAL One of the fun-filled events planned for September is the Wallsend Festival, taking place from Saturday 18th September to Saturday 25th September. This week-long, family-friendly event will bring thousands of people of all generations and cultures together to support local businesses with market stalls, community groups, charities, schools, sporting groups, local entertainers, talent schools and more all coming together for a fun-filled week of food, films, long lunch and entertainment. For more information, visit www.wallsendtown.com.au

Introducin g ...

D N E S L L WA L A V I T S FE 18–25

SEPTEMBER SATURDAY 18 SEPT Movie Night in Federal Park

WEDNESDAY 22 SEPT Market Day and Fashions on the Foot Path

FRIDAY 24 SEPT Unveiling of Mural and Celebrations Progressive Lunch in Tyrrell Street, Wallsend

Stay Tuned for Updates!

www.wallsendtown.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 15

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▼ Image by Robert Catto

UNIQUE & SPELLBINDING…

Once

▼ Image by Robert Catto

WORDS LIANE MORRIS

TOBY FRANCIS IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT REPRISING HIS STARRING ROLE IN THE RETURN SEASON OF THE BROADWAY SMASH-HIT MUSICAL, ONCE, DIRECTED BY RICHARD CARROLL, PRESENTED BY DARLINGHURST THEATRE COMPANY AND SHOWING AT THE CIVIC THEATRE IN NEWCASTLE 8–11 SEPTEMBER.

Once, the musical, is based on the movie of the same name by John Carney and features music and lyrics by folk duo Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, who are otherwise known as The Swell Season. Enda Walsh, an Irish playwright, adapted the film for the stage, working alongside Hansard and Irglová. It is the only Broadway show with music that has won the Academy Award®, Grammy Award®, Olivier Award and Tony Award®, and according to Toby, “it’s pretty special.” The 2019 production broke box-office records and played to nightly standing ovations. It was a sell-out season that had to be extended due to popular demand. It’s a heartwarming, often funny, soulful tale that takes the audience on a moving journey through a myriad of emotions to a multi-award-winning soundtrack of Irish folk and torch songs. The stunning dance sequences in the show were created by Hamilton’s resident director Amy Campbell. “It feels amazing to be performing in this show again,” said Toby. The last time, in 2019, was a difficult period for me personally – my heart was hurting, but the role actually helped me to process what I was going through. This time around, I’m in a different place altogether, I’m comfortable, and I get to work with Stefanie again, who is just incredible!” Starring alongside Toby is Stefanie Caccamo, who enjoyed rave reviews of her 2019 performance in the same role. Time Out Sydney referred to her as “an extraordinary

vocalist, full of gorgeous yearning.” Joining them on stage is audience favourite Jay Laga’aia and returning original season performers, Victoria Falconer (also Musical Director), Drew Livingston, Abe Mitchell, Rupert Reid and Alec Steedman. Newcomers include Tamlyn Henderson, Deirdre Khoo, Patrick Schnur and Jennifer Trijo (also Associate Musical Director). The musicality of the show and its artists is what makes this show so unique and spellbinding. The actors are their own band and have to act, sing and play their instruments throughout the entire show. Every one of them are exceptional instrumentalists. Toby Francis will be playing the original guitar that Glen Hansard used when he wrote the songs and made the film. How it came to be in Sydney and available to use in the production is an astounding story of coincidence and fate. Fans of Glen Hansard (guitarist in the motion picture The Commitments and legendary Irish singer and songwriter) may know that he plays guitars with an extra, worn-out hole that affects the sound that the instrument produces. At one point, he lost the guitar; it was traded and changed hands all over the world, with people buying and selling it many times over. An Irish photographer and musician, Dara Munnis, who relocated to Australia in 2016, bought the guitar for his collection. One day, in Sydney, he noticed a poster for the Darlinghurst Theatre Company production of Once and thought it might be nice to offer the guitar to the theatre company for use during the production. He contacted Glen

Hansard to ask for his blessing, and Glen thought it was a wonderful idea. The entire cast and crew treat the guitar with a reverence normally reserved for holy relics, and it’s taken on a magical significance. Musical Director, Victoria Falconer, acknowledges the incredibly lucky sequence of events that brought the guitar to the show. “Knowing this instrument has had these songs played on them, since the 90s, by the very musician who wrote them, adds a special level of raw authenticity that is layered into Toby’s playing, and by extension, the way in which the whole ensemble plays along with it.” Toby points out that the age of the guitar adds a warmer, richer, more mellow tone to the instrument and that the trademark hole takes the edge off the top end of the notes. “It’s an incredible privilege to play this instrument,” says Toby. “When I play it in the show, the guitar feels like it belongs there even more than I do. It’s like honouring the story and the history of where it all came from. At first, I was nervous about playing it, but Dara, the owner, told me to ‘beat the shit out of it ‘cos Glen would.’ And after all, guitars are made for playing!” Live theatre during a pandemic is rife with issues. Scheduled performances at Sydney’s Eternity Playhouse were cancelled due to the recent covid lockdown. Cast and crew were let go for the duration; however, Darlinghurst Theatre Company made the decision to continue paying all the artists and crew through the lockdown despite being under no legal obligation to do so. “They’ve really looked after us,” Toby said. “We’ve all lost a lot of work over the last year and a half, so the support from the company means a lot. And it can’t be easy for them either with so many shows not being able to run.” Toby is looking forward to the Newcastle season. His partner, Kelsi Boyden, a talented musical theatre actress and musician herself, grew up in Newcastle, and the pair visit regularly.

The company is keen to get back on stage after lockdown and begin their tour of regional NSW and the ACT, which will include dates in Wollongong, Lismore, Canberra and Orange, as well as Newcastle. After Newcastle, the tour heads to Melbourne. Don’t miss it at the Civic Theatre from 8–11 September. Tickets at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 17

BISHOP TYRRELL AUTHOR TEACHES CHILDREN TO

Celebrate Uniqueness

MR PAUL RUSSELL, A PRIMARY TEACHER FROM BISHOP TYRRELL ANGLICAN COLLEGE, IS HELPING TO BROADEN AN UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF NEURODIVERSITY WITH HIS FIFTH CHILDREN’S BOOK, THE INCREDIBLY BUSY MIND OF BOWEN BARTHOLOMEW CRISP. Once again, his latest book draws from his teaching career in the primary school at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, being a father, and his own professional development journey. Mr Russell’s first book about dementia, Grandma Forgets, has been published in fourteen different countries and nine languages; while My Storee (2018) is based on his own experience with dyslexia as a child; The Incurable Imagination (2019) explores the value of imagination and creativity within learning, and Courageous Lucy released earlier this year (2021) talks about feelings of anxiety.

e h T ETHICAL LINE

“Bishop Tyrrell’s students and families are Mr Russell’s biggest fans,” said Mr Mark Durie, Head of Primary School. “We appreciate how these books are helping our learning community. Every child has the right to feel like they belong and enjoy an inclusive community. Our school always makes children feel welcome, and so do his books.” “The joy of being a teacher and writing for children is seeing a child come alive through literature. Watching students find a story that speaks to them or a book that helps them navigate the world is an incredible feeling,” explained Mr Paul Russell. ”We are all different, and finding the strengths in our differences is what life is all about,” Mr Russell said about the important message in his latest children’s book. “When I’m writing books, my own experiences are also in retrospective from being a teacher, parent, and my own

Photo by Nikki Kuhn

WORDS CHLOE O'SULLIVAN - ON TOUR WITH THE KID I WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN WHEN THE KID STARTED SCHOOL THAT THERE WAS NO ETHICS-BASED OPTION WHEN SCRIPTURE CLASS IS ON. THE KIDS WHO DIDN'T DO SCRIPTURE HAD FREE TIME. MY AMAZING MUM LOOKED INTO IT AND FOUND PRIMARY ETHICS WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT CAN RUN IN ANY SCHOOL AS AN ALTERNATE OPTION TO SCRIPTURE. THE ETHICS TEACHERS NEED TO BE TRAINED THROUGH PRIMARY ETHICS, WHICH IS DONE AT NO COST AND THE TEACHING OF THE CLASS IS THEN A VOLUNTEER POSITION. We already put a lot of pressure on teachers, and my mum has always been one not to complain about something unless you are willing to jump in and help. Thankfully our school was on board. Since then, my mum, my best friend, and I have all done the training and are doing what we can to be part of the solution and are teaching Ethics Classes on a regular basis. Mum always raised me to be ethical in a broader sense of the word than the day-to-day right and wrong. From a young age, we had talked about things like ethical purchasing and that where you spend your money and where it ends up is an important part of the chain. It matters, of course, that

you do the right thing, but it also matters that you are not unknowingly funding things that don't fit within your ethical standards. Given ethics are not a black and white concept, this is a line everyone needs to draw for themselves. We have become a much more global society, and given that big corporations control so much of the marketplace, it

self-development. I am at this perfect junction in my life for writing these stories about children’s wellbeing. My stories are seeded in my own experiences but enriched by the children whose educational journal I am blessed to share as both a teacher and father,” he said. The results speak for themselves. Mr Russell has achieved numerous local, national, and international recognitions for his work, including a prestigious CBCA Notable Picture Book, national television appearances on the Today breakfast show, articles in The Guardian and Telegraph UK, and invitations to speak on numerous panels at writers’ festivals, and as a guest author at schools and library workshops, and talks in both Australia and New Zealand. “Being a teacher, I get to see first-hand across all ages the enjoyment children get out of reading, and it is even more special if they are reading my books. Knowing the impact books have on children and their understanding of the world, I have always used stories to teach and couldn’t imagine ever leaving the classroom. They say you learn something new every day, but I seem to learn more than that by recess. I am always learning, for my students, with my students, or from my students. As a teacher and author, I am open to wonder, which is something I also encourage in my students. Bishop Tyrrell is an incredible school, with a supportive community that values diversity and original thinking,” Mr Russell said. “We all have features and qualities that contribute to building a diverse and strong community,” said Mr Durie. Once we learn how to utilise and celebrate these strengths, we become the most empowered. Meet Mr Russell and Bishop Tyrrell's learning community at Open Day, Thursday 26 August.

becomes borderline impossible to make sure that every arm of a company you are buying something from meets even your ethical standards. Let's face it, if we looked into it hard enough, it's likely none of us could justify most purchases, including phones, electronics, or clothes. However, wanting the world to be a better place and still having to live in the world that we have and function in are not mutually exclusive. You can feel the need to cut your carbon footprint and still occasionally have to get on a plane. Two small things we have done as a family: Clothing: We made a huge effort to reduce the amount of clothing we buy new. There are, of course, times when the kid needs tights for school or an orange shirt for Harmony Day when it's almost impossible not to buy from a chain store. And I draw the line at underwear, I need to be the only person who has worn them! For most things, though, we have found this amazing collection of vintage and pre-loved shops. Food: We compost what we can and use the green waste for everything else. We started a veggie garden and use the things that my gorgeous mum already had growing. Rhubarb pies are a regular at our house, thanks to my mum and grandma. I have managed to grow some good-sized, if not quite odd-looking carrots, some cherry tomatoes from seeds, and some potatoes. Not supplying the farmer market just yet, I grant you, but it's a start, and it's something nice for us to do together. When we buy fruit and vegetables, if possible, we buy direct from the growers, or if we can't, we are very particular that we know that they are grown in Australia or NZ and when we can afford it are happy to pay a bit extra to companies who give a better deal to farmers. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 19

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AND DISCOVER HUNTER VALLEY In the past 18 months, we have seen just how much uncertainty COVID-19 has caused when it comes to travel. International travel is no longer a viable option, and just as borders between certain Australian states were opening to welcome interstate travellers, others were closed to combat new clusters. As a result, with some interstate travel halted, locals have taken the opportunity to explore their own backyards – providing muchneeded relief for many regional areas such as Hunter Valley Wine Country, where the wine, food and hospitality industries have been among the worst affected by the ongoing lockdowns. These businesses are in dire need of your support. For those considered local, that is, the residents of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port

Stephens and others making up this backyard community, now is the time to discover and explore what’s available in your own backyard – with a glass of Semillon or Shiraz in hand! If you are seeking a last-minute staycation, or for those needing a short break and a change of scenery, the Hunter Valley is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year, but Winter has that special magical something – mountain and vineyard landscapes with hues of brown and red, cooler days and nights in front of warm, open fires, cosy restaurants and cafes serving up hearty dishes, welcoming cellar doors and of course the wine. What could be better? We look forward to seeing you soon in Hunter Valley Wine Country!

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For a limited time only, enjoy Tatler’s favourite drop the ‘Frizzante Sparkling Semillon’ for $150 a DOZEN! CONTACT PH 4930 1939. This special can be purchased at www.tatlerwines.com EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Available until 31 August.

► EXCLUSIVE SALE AT THE GARDEN CELLARS! The Garden Cellars 2016 Hunter Valley Semillon now $99 per dozen. This wine has a zesty palate with opulent citrus acidity. Available online and why not pop into their Cellar Door and try in store. While stocks last*. CONTACT PH 4998 7466 or visit www.gardencellars.com.au/product/garden-cellars-2016semillon-99-case-special EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Available until 15 August.

► MID WEEK SPECIAL AT TINTILLA ESTATE Enjoy a Wine and Food Experience at Tintilla Estate Wines. Enjoy 1x cheese and meat platter plus a tasting for 2 people of 8 wines. Come sit and enjoy the scenic view of our award-winning vineyard, while enjoying a local produce platter with a guided wine tasting. Just mention intouch Magazine to redeem. CONTACT PH 6574 7093 or visit www.tintilla.com.au EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Available until 31 August, mid week only. Price $20.

► RESTAURANT BOTANICA MENU DU JOUR $75 PP Restaurant Botanica is proud to offer our Menu du Jour. 3 course choice menu, $75 pp – wine matches available. Wines from hyper local wines produced within 20km at $30 pp to premium wines from home and abroad for $60 pp. CONTACT PH 02 6574 7229 or visit www.restaurantbotanica.com.au EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Available until 31 August.

► BYO AT HQ! Vineyard views – check. Cellar Door onsite – check. A delicious 2 or 3 course A La Carte menu to suit both a casual lunch or candlelit dinner – check! Take a drive to Hunter’s Quarter this Winter. Plus enjoy BYO service for Friday lunch and dinner for the month of August. 2 course for $80, or 3 course for $110. CONTACT PH 4998 7776 or book online at www.huntersquarter.com.au EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Available until 31 August.

► TAMBURLAINE WINES STAY @ HOME DOZENS Enjoy free-freight Stay at Home Dozens! Pick 12 Wine Lovers wines and get $16/bottle in a dozen. Feeling like a little more? Pick 24 bottles at $14/bottle delivered directly to your door Australia wide. 1 dozen $16/bottle and 2+ dozen $14/ bottle. CONTACT PH 4998 4222 or order online at www.tamburlaine.com.au/collections/wine-lovers-wines EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Available until 31 August. ▼ Photo credit: Destination NSW

► HUNGERFORD HILL WINES Enjoy tastings at our award-winning Cellar Door for NO CHARGE (normally $10 pp) Plus receive a free bottle of our Gold medal winning Semillon for every 6 bottles purchased until 31 August. ONLINE SPECIAL Buy a 6 pack of mystery wines for only $180 with NO freight charge. CONTACT PH 4990 0713 or book online at www.hungerfordhill.com.au EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Available until 31 August.

► KICK BACK COCKTAILS AT HARRIGAN'S Join Harrigan’s Hunter Valley every Wednesday for Kick Back Cocktails! Our expert bar team will create delicious cocktails of your choice, for just $12 each! Available 5pm–8pm. T&C’s apply. CONTACT PH 4998 4300 or visit www.harriganshuntervalley.com.au EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Available every Wednesday in August.

► ÉREMO RESTAURANT 2 OR 3 COURSE LOCALS DINNER Something special for our locals. Treat yourself to our éRemo taster menu. 2 courses for $50 or 3 courses for $60. CONTACT PH 02 4022 1801 or visit www.eremo.com.au EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Available until 31 August.

► WINE AND ART AT WINMARK Winmark Wines is not just a premium Chardonnay producer, but a destination that connects wine, art and nature. Free wine tasting, sculpture walk and access to art gallery. Enjoy a Chardonnay tasting in the Cellar Door before exploring the property to find spectacular sculptures reaching for the sky, whimsical installations and smaller sculptures alongside amazing artists pieces hanging in the Art Gallery. Winmark is a place of remarkable beauty and unexpected discovery. CONTACT www.winmarkwines.com.au EXPIRY DATE OF OFFER Open 7 days; Monday to Thursday 11am to 4pm and Fri to Sun 10am to 5pm. Bookings recommended. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 21

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Health + Wellbeing

e r u a Fe t 24 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

Health + Wellbeing Feature

Health + Wellbeing

Feature The Meaning of

WELLNESS IN 2021 In a word, the past 18 months have been ‘tough’. More than a year of a global pandemic has altered many of our behaviours and beliefs, including those related to health and wellness. It has impacted our minds and bodies, our daily routines, our families and communities and our world in so many ways.

THE KNIGHTS T R U S T E D PA RTNER

Wellness routines have gone ignored, and many of us have been forced to take a good hard look at ourselves and reconsider what it means to be ‘healthy’. Frequent and unexpected lockdowns for millions of people at a time, not to mention the isolation, have seen many people become more in tune with their own mental health, more aware of how much exercise they require and what foods they consume on a regular basis. Staying well has become everyone’s number one priority as the pandemic focuses on the importance of preventative lifestyle choices. Preoccupations with body shape and size have also shifted toward a more holistic range of outcomes that include physical health, community health, environmental health and mental health - improving habits (including the importance of human-to-human connection). The common theme is that there is a growing sense of ‘we are all in this together – and we need to pull together.’

MENTAL HEALTH & MENTAL FITNESS Albeit overdue, mental health has become a welcome and increasingly important part of the conversation when it comes to health and wellness. The ongoing impact of the virus, concerns over family members, the future, our livelihoods and the resulting lockdowns have seen anxiety and depression reach unprecedented levels in society, and as a result, mental health has become a key focus. With the growing recognition of the importance of mental health in our communities, the concept of mental fitness has emerged and the importance of taking a more proactive and preventative approach to mental health, with people prioritising and managing their mental health in the same way they do with their physical health.

GETTING BACK TO BASICS Maintaining discipline and motivation has become even more complicated because of the pandemic and its ongoing disruption to our lives, routines, and overall health—not just our diet and physical activity but also our ability to cope with the constant distractions and challenges. It doesn’t have to be. The trick is to simplify things and take our thinking back to basics. When it comes to our health and fitness, medical practitioners and fitness experts alike recommend starting small and addressing the most basic health habits and practices first before setting bigger (and possibly unattainable) challenges for ourselves. This includes setting realistic goals each day or each week to exercise, addressing eating habits and what foods we consume, monitoring and reducing alcohol consumption, and establishing good sleeping habits, which can give us more energy throughout the day and improve our overall outlook and emotions. More importantly, when it comes to any kind of health issue, we all need to be prepared and comfortable reaching out to others for help when necessary. The pandemic and resulting events of the past 18 months has left many of us holding far more stress than we would typically have to cope with. Knowing when to seek support, whether through a therapist, a spiritual advisor, support group, or your family members, is critical and a mark of character and strength. When we recognise and acknowledge our vulnerabilities, we are that much closer to making the necessary changes that can lead to improved habits and a better and healthier lifestyle.

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Health + Wellbeing Feature

Vaccine

MISINFORMATION RAMPANT ON FACEBOOK Reset Australia is demanding greater transparency about how Facebook’s algorithms work, as a new report shows users are still being pushed towards anti-vaccination and COVID-19 misinformation on the platform. Research by NewsGuard provided to the World Health Organisation found that Facebook was recommending new conspiracy groups, including anti-mask and 5G theme pages, to users after they interacted with other health misinformation pages.

"Social media’s unchecked algorithms are supercharging conspiracy theories and misinformation, pushing some people into echo chambers where false information is all they see. "Rampant misinformation on social media is compounding challenges in Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Genuine health concerns are being hi-jacked by anti-vaxx groups to stoke vaccine hesitancy and resistance." The NewsGuard report comes after Reset Australia’s

own research found Australians following public anti-vaxx groups on Facebook surged 280% between January 2020 and March 2021. The research found engagement with the Facebook groups exploded during the initial 2020 national lockdown. Melbourne’s second lockdown generated over 177,000 monthly interactions, and this engagement has remained consistently high. "We know that lockdowns create the perfect environmental factors that pull people down rabbit holes. During lockdowns, we’re all online more, we’re worried and looking for answers, and we’re all trying to find engaging content to alleviate a bit of the boredom.” Reset Australia is calling for the government to mandate platforms publish a “live list” of the most viral content surrounding COVID-19 so that misinformation can be seen and tracked. The initiative has been backed by some of Australia’s leading public health bodies, including the Doherty Institute, the Immunisation Coalition, the Immunisation Foundation of Australia, and CoronaVax. "Australian authorities and the Australian public should be able to answer questions like What kind of content is being amplified by these platforms? Who made it? What kind of demographics are consuming it? To do that, we need a live list of the most contentious issues our society is facing, so we can begin to tackle misinformation collectively and transparently.

Repairing Hearts

WITH DEADLY SPIDER VENOM Potentially life-saving treatment for heart attack victims has been discovered from a very unlikely source – the venom of one of the world’s deadliest spiders. A drug candidate developed from a molecule found in the venom of the Fraser Island (K’gari) funnel-web spider can prevent damage caused by a heart attack and extend the life of donor hearts used for organ transplants. The discovery was made by a team led by Dr Nathan Palpant and Professor Glenn King from The University of Queensland (UQ) and Professor Peter Macdonald from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’s Professor Macdonald said this incredible result had been decades in the making. “This will not only help the hundreds of thousands of people who have a heart

attack every year around the world, but it could also increase the number and quality of donor hearts, which will give hope to those waiting on the transplant list,” said Professor Macdonald. Dr Palpant, from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), said the drug candidate worked by stopping a ‘death signal’ sent from the heart in the wake of an attack. The discovery builds on earlier work by Professor King, who identified a small protein in the venom of the Fraser Island (K’gari) funnel-web spider that was shown to markedly improve recovery from stroke. “We discovered this small protein, Hi1a, amazingly reduces damage to the brain even when it is given up to eight hours after stroke onset,” Professor King said. “It made sense to also test Hi1a on heart cells because, like the brain, the heart is one of the most sensitive organs in the body to the loss of blood flow and lack of oxygen. “For heart attack victims, our vision for the future is that first-responders could administer Hi1a in the ambulance, which would really change the health outcomes of heart disease.” “This is particularly important in rural and remote parts of Australia where patients and treating hospitals can be long distances apart – and when every second counts.” www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 27

Health + Wellbeing Feature

Live Your List

LEARNING TO HEAL IN DIFFERENT WAYS WORDS KIM-CHERIE DAVIDSON FOR THIS LIFE COACH FROM CATHERINE HILL BAY, VISITING NEPAL WAS AT THE TOP OF HER BUCKET LIST. SHE PLANNED TO SPEND A MONTH IN THE LAND-LOCKED COUNTRY TO EXPERIENCE NOT BEING NEAR THE OCEAN. BUT WHEN TARRYN MEASON LANDED IN POKHARA IN OCTOBER 2015, SHE NEVER EXPECTED IT TO HAVE SUCH A POWERFUL IMPACT ON HER LIFE. Living in Western Australia, Tarryn worked and played hard. As a crane driver and rigger on mine sites, doing 12-hour

shifts, up to six weeks in a row then during her breaks surfing. When she holidayed, it was to travel to Asian countries to see and experience different cultures. She had already ticked off Bali, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal was the next stop. Tarryn (and a good friend) planned to head to Pokhara, Nepal’s second-largest city, known as the place for adventure and relaxation. In Pokhara, they wandered the city taking in the chilled-out vibe. One such day, they booked a day trek to the Annapurna Range. “It was the most beautiful thing, walking through villages, green glens of dried-up waterfalls, to our destination where the view was amazing, and the cup of tea so deserved and delicious. I loved that every stop there was a toilet with a view – of the incredible Himalayas,” said Tarryn. Towards the end of the fortnight, they stumbled upon Om Family meditation ashram, where the pair decided to take a breath and bodywork session, then go back the next day for a dynamic meditation under the full moon. It was this experience that changed Tarryn’s life. After the fast, intense hour-long practise of chaotic breathing, wild movement, shouting, and complete stillness, Tarryn was told to walk to her hotel, not talk, and be conscious of her surroundings. And she did. “It was amazing – a new kind of high, an out of body experience where I was really present in the moment – everything seemed so much brighter and fresher. I went to the hotel’s roof, sat under the full moon and thought this is the start of something new.” Tarryn then spent the next two weeks living at the ashram and studying one-on-one dynamic meditation, kundalini meditation, kriya yoga and chakra balancing. “It opened my eyes to healing in different ways. I had not

seen or experienced anything like it before. And I wanted more.” On leaving the ashram, Tarryn was given a complete dynamic meditation CD set. She returned to Australia ready to continue her kriya yoga studies but couldn’t find it anywhere. She thought this would be her new direction. But, before she could start, Tarryn had a breakdown. “From my extreme living, my body had a meltdown. I had always suffered a lack of self-worth and anxiety due to my dyslexia, but I had a complete collapse and couldn’t get out of bed or leave the house for weeks on end.” During this time, Tarryn delved into body, mind, spirit correlation. She believed it all had to be connected, and she started to explore her past and emotions. Then after, a year of visiting doctors with no success, a nutritionist diagnosed her with adrenal fatigue. “This was such a relief. We worked on balancing my body through gut health and good nutrition. My brain fog began to disappear, and I started to feel alive again. Plus, with a higher level of self-awareness, my anxiety lessened, and confidence started to return.” For four years, Tarryn worked on bringing her body, mind and spirit into harmony. Through her experience, she decided to be a holistic life coach and subsequently studied at the Mind Body Food Institute in Brisbane. Today, she combines her learnings and training with reiki, massage therapy and raindrop (essential oil) techniques to work one-on-one with clients and groups. Now, she is completing her yoga teacher training and hopes to graduate in November, all while juggling a move back to Western Australia with her husband Simon and 18-month- old daughter Indie.

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Health + Wellbeing Feature

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WEIGHT GAIN WORDS GJENAE FROM PLANET FITNESS NEWCASTLE Have you ever had negative thoughts around food? Frustratingly tried to diet but can’t stick to it? Find yourself in an emotional state, and end up overeating? Or maybe, at times, you feel a strained relationship with eating, where you can’t enjoy yourself without feeling guilty. We are constantly placed under a lot of societal pressure to look a certain way, and although we all know that as we age, our metabolism rate slows, sometimes we just can’t quite understand why we are gaining weight. This month I sat down with Paul Constable, a psychologist for 20 years, to discuss how thought processes around food, our emotional attachment to food, and our development history shapes our attitude towards food.

Paul explained how external eating is not the single factor that can cause overeating or even obesity but is a factor for eating unnecessarily. He references examples such as: buying food at shopping centres only because it is there, going to the movie’s food (popcorn, ice cream), celebrating achievements with food, losing track of time, morning tea, grazing after dinner. The examples are seemingly endless, but you get his drift. “More complex aspects of overeating are the emotional aspects of this. Examples of this are: anxiety, flatness of mood, boredom, helplessness, sense of being overwhelmed, sadness, even being excited,” explains Paul. So, why do we behave like this? Regardless of how severe you comprehend your negative thoughts surrounding food, psychological treatments like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) can help understand your emotional or external triggers. “CBT challenges irrational thinking and negative selftalk, which, in turn, changes how you feel emotionally about certain events. This can then influence our behaviour. Essentially, the way we think about an event influences the way we feel about the event, which in turn influences our behaviour,” says Paul. “Another psychological aspect of overeating is related to our self-esteem. Self-esteem can best be defined as how much you appreciate and like yourself. Poor or low self-esteem can lead to extra weight gain if you are already carrying a few extra kilos.” Paul describes that by challenging negative thoughts or beliefs, identifying positive aspects of yourself and building constructive relationships to avoid negative ones will help you overcome this.

Your developmental history, childhood and upbringing have also played an important part in your relationship with food, perhaps without you even realising. “Childhood eating behaviours such as your mother’s preferred taste before birth or a child’s preferred taste shortly after birth appears to have an impact. As does food used to comfort children, food used as a reward for children, food to control children, childhood sexual assault and other developmental traumas. Family relationships, perfectionism with parents, preoccupation from parents with their own weight and diets, parenting styles, social and cultural components all contribute. “As we grow older, events such as marital issues, relationship break down, adult sexual assault, and other adult traumas can play a major role in weight gain and obesity,” explains Paul. By taking little steps to understand and change your unhealthy eating patterns, you can form a more positive relationship with how you see food, only eating when your body needs the sustenance, and identifying the external, emotional, self-esteem, or childhood influenced triggers you are experiencing. Paul leaves us with this gem, “Last but not at all least, a critical component for weight loss, and for that matter all aspects of mental health is exercise. Joining a gym, weight training, walking, running all improve mood, self-esteem, selfworth, lessen anxiety and stress and build a stronger, more positive relationship with food.” Planet Fitness is a Judgement Free gym that focuses on making people feel comfortable and welcome and offers a free orientation with a Personal Trainer to every new member to help get you started. Visit www.planetfitness.com.au

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Health + Wellbeing Feature ► Grant Howells

▲ Chloe and her mum Nancy Dent

THE MIRACULOUS MOLLII SUIT

Giving Hope to Sufferers WORDS NATHALIE CRAIG CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS ARE FINDING SOME RELIEF, THOSE WITH MOTOR DISABILITIES ARE MOVING MORE FREELY, ATHLETES ARE FINE-TUNING THEIR PERFORMANCE, AND IT’S ALL THANKS TO ONE REVOLUTIONARY INVENTION, THE MOLLII SUIT. The Mollii Suit – an innovative therapeutic garment, which was first launched in Sweden in 2010, has been brought right here to the Hunter after being imported to Australia and New Zealand by Maitland-based company Métier Medical Limited. The electro-stimulation suit was created by Swedish chiropractor Fredrik Lundqvist who was working to help rehabilitate patients with neurological disabilities, at the time. He experimented with putting electro-stimulation into clothing to help treat people with cerebral palsy, stroke, spinal cord injury, acquired brain damage and other diagnoses that lead to motor disabilities. The Mollii Suit then appeared on Sweden’s Dragons’ Den, where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to five potential investors. All five investors were in after they witnessed the way the suit increased the mobility of a young girl with cerebral palsy. The comfortable two-piece suit looks a bit like a wetsuit with a zipper down the front. It has a detachable control unit which can be programmed to activate up to 58 electrodes 30 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

embedded in the suit. The suit emits a mild, low-frequency electro-stimulation programmed explicitly to the needs of the individual. It is designed to trigger reciprocal inhibition, the body’s own reflex, to reduce the tension in the spastic muscle and to help voluntary movement. This helps relax spastic, tense and aching muscles improving mobility, balance and blood circulation and achieving pain relief. The suit is designed to be worn every day or every second day for one hour at a time. Grant Howells, CEO of Maitland’s Métier Medical Limited, said the opportunity to work with the creators of the Mollii Suit had been nothing short of a privilege. “Métier Medical is proud to bring to Australia this revolutionary neurorehabilitation device with the potential to change lives,” he said. Grant said he first came across the Mollii Suit during a trip to the UK in 2015, and it totally blew him away. “In a UK hospital, there was a guy who had been hit by a car and had a spinal injury,” Grant explained. “He was in a wheelchair, and he couldn’t walk without being supported. After being in the suit for an hour, he pretty much got out of the wheelchair by himself,” he said. “Straightaway, I thought, we’ve got to take this to Australia”. Shortly after this experience, Grant flew to Sweden to find out more about the Mollii Suit.

After seeing the amazing results the Mollii Suit could achieve, Grant knew it was his mission to market the suit back home, and Métier Medical now has the rights to the suit in Australia and New Zealand. “I’m probably biased, but the Mollii Suit is the most amazing thing I’ve come across in my whole life. I’ve never cried so much in my life as I have in the last five years, seeing the results people have with the suit,” Grant said. A local example of the suit making a difference to a person's quality of life can be seen in Newcastle woman Kristi Durrance. Kristi suffered a brainstem stroke in February 2018 that has significantly impacted her movement and speech. As part of her therapy, Kristi trialled the Mollii Suit for two months for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. “I noticed my legs were bending much better, my grip with my hands was much better, and my sleep was much better,” she said. After the trial ended, Kristi noticed these improvements slip away again. Luckily she was able to secure a Mollii Suit for herself in November 2020, which she now wears for an hour each day. As soon as she started using the Mollii Suit again, Kristi’s “severe back pain went away overnight”. “I sleep 9 to 5 each night. Prior to the suit, I would sleep terribly; I’d just lay there,” she said. Another woman whose life has been positively impacted by the Mollii Suit is Nancy Dent from Wallabadah in regional NSW. Her daughter Chloe was diagnosed with a Global Functional Disability very early in her life, leaving her in unknown territory. She didn’t take her first step until she was over two and her cognitive ability was impaired. Nancy said it wasn't until Chloe first tried the Mollii Suit in 2018 that things truly started to change for her. “Chloe will be turning ten next week, and I am very grateful for the Mollii Suit,” she said. “In the last three months, her reading and writing have improved at school, her speech is clearer, and she is able to put more words together,” Nancy said. F

Health + Wellbeing Feature

“Her coordination has improved, she can bounce a ball from left to right hand, and we can play handball. We got her a basketball net, and now we are shooting hoops- her arms go above her head.” “She is changing clothes many times a day and is becoming a real little girl; I know this because she now likes to look at herself and do fancy moves in front of the window to see herself.” “She is organising herself and is planning what she needs. The only negative thing I can say is she has an amazing memory, and I can’t get away with anything anymore,” she laughed.

Grant believes that there is so much untapped potential when it comes to who the Mollii Suit could help. “We are only just scratching the surface of who it could benefit,” he said Grant also loaned a Mollii Suit to a little girl suffering from Shaken Baby Syndrome (which resulted in her having no memory). “I offered her a trial of a Mollii Suit, and because it emulates your body's electric current, it can stimulate neurological pathways and 'open up' the brain,” he said. “After a week, it switched on her brain. The little girl now remembers who she played with that day, she can tell you what she did, and just recently she even topped her year in spelling,” he said. Several case studies have been published showing positive results from using the Mollii Suit on patients needing therapy for stroke, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. This includes several university and hospital-backed studies from around the world. One of the major studies was an independent review of research on the neurophysiological mechanisms the Mollii Suit uses and how it can be applied clinically for spasticity and dystonia, as well as pain relief. The review was carried out by Dr Pennati, MD, PhD student and colleagues, within the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden and was completed in October 2017 after receiving funding from the Swedish Government innovation agency. It gives a comprehensive explanation of how the Mollii Suit’s subthreshold, electro-stimulation works based on current, relevant and independent research.

Grant said that more recently, Mollii has also had positive impacts on sports performance and recovery. In addition, Mollii has been effective in reducing acute and chronic pain, providing practitioners and clients with a new, complementary tool to existing therapies. “Hopefully, we can broaden its intended use, and we are leading the way on that,” Grant said. Every day Grant and his team continue to learn even more about what Mollii can do. “I just want to get it out there. We offer free trials and anyone interested can simply phone us,” he said. Health professionals are welcome to attend Mollii sessions with their clients. The Mollii Suit is ideal to use alongside existing therapy programs. The residual benefit of a 60-minute treatment can last up to 48 hours, and has an accumulative effect whereby you can keep improving on your baseline. Mollii therapy can easily be repeated in the home environment. The suits are often on a hired arrangement to start with, or they can be purchased outright. Métier Medical is a Registered NDIS Provider. “Securing the NDIS funding has been a game-changer for us,” Grant said. “We believe everybodii needs a Mollii.” Those interested in trialling the Mollii Suit free of charge can phone 1300 315 530, email info@molliiaustralia.com.au or visit www.molliiaustralia.com.au for more details. P

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LIFT STRONGER. LIVE LONGER. A strength training club in Newcastle Where grandmothers give younger members a run for their money… Our gym’s diveristy makes us different. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by rows of equipment, loud music or personal trainers young enough to be your kids, you’re not alone. So we’ve created a club where every member is personally greeted and valued, because we believe everyone should feel safe and supported at the gym. Our method can be adapted to suit any skill or fitness level – so even if you haven’t picked up a barbell before, it is never too late to start. Our members are constantly surprised by how quickly they gain strength with the right support. See how our programs work to learn how you can benefit from strength training.

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karl@groundworkfitness.com.au

▼ Karl Versteeg

Health + Wellbeing Feature

THE POWER OF STRENGTH

At Groundwork Fitness WORDS LIANE MORRIS KARL VERSTEEG IS A MAN ON A MISSION. AS A COACH AND OWNER OF GROUNDWORK FITNESS IN CARRINGTON, HE IS ON THE WAY TO REVOLUTIONISING FITNESS IN OLD AGE. Born with cerebral palsy in Goulburn, Karl has spent his life overcoming obstacles to not only thrive but also inspire others. At a young age, his parents insisted he attend a ‘normal’ school despite his disability. They could see that he was an intelligent child and taught him to work harder than anyone else – they didn’t believe in wrapping him up in cotton wool. As a youngster, he played soccer, but over time, due to the way he walked, damage to his spine made a wheelchair a very real prospect. Aged 14, Karl discovered the local gym, and although he felt intimidated by the experience and didn’t enjoy it at all, he kept going and found that weight training made a huge difference to his posture – to the point where the need for a wheelchair faded into the distance. As time passed, Karl learned to love his gym work and trained every day. He also studied to become a personal trainer, although, at that stage, he chose not to work in the industry. He became an accountant and ended up working in hospitality for many years, running hotels, pubs and clubs across Sydney. He married a girl from Armidale, Sally, and the two started looking around for a place outside Sydney to settle down. They chose Newcastle for the lifestyle and

infrastructure and moved here in 2015. Life threw another challenge at Karl and his wife when Sally suffered a brain haemorrhage when she was 26 weeks pregnant. Thankfully, their daughter Poppy was born safely and is now the light of their lives at seven years of age. Karl had started training people in his backyard as a side project and understood how his clients found gyms too intimidating. “Aged care facilities are filling up every day with older Australians becoming too frail to care for themselves at home,” said Karl. “I know from personal experience the power of strength training, and I just can’t understand why this form of exercise isn’t suggested as a form of preventive therapy for seniors or those over 50, so I decided to do something about it!” Karl basically sold everything he owned and worked side by side with his father to build Groundwork Fitness from the ground up. There are no mirrors at Groundwork Fitness; the membership is kept low so that a real sense of community is developed and people feel comfortable. Groundwork Fitness specialises in strength training for over 50s or those suffering from an illness or disability. Training options are flexible but based around “The Big 4 Lifts”, designed to strengthen muscles, improve fitness and flexibility and make everyday movements easier.

“It’s more than a job to me,” says Karl. “I want to change the culture. Most fitness regimes for over 50s teach them to take it easy, but the fact of the matter is that strength training will build up the muscle mass you need to delay the frailty, aches and pains of old age, and you have to work harder, apply some stress, to make that happen.” Karl’s modality is backed up by Geriatrician and Conjoint Associate Professor, Dr John Ward, who at 77 years young and an expert in sarcopenia is well placed to have an opinion. Sarcopenia is the decline in muscle strength and mass that accompanies old age and is one of the most significant factors in the loss of independence, falls, and social isolation suffered by the elderly. Dr Ward and Karl met to discuss the benefits of his form of training, and initially, John took some convincing that weights and strength training was better than general fitness alone for older people. Dr Ward and his wife became members at Groundwork Fitness to try it for themselves. “The benefits in just a few weeks have amazed us,” enthused Dr Ward. “My strength and balance have improved; I can get off the floor easily whereas I struggled before. And I have energy, even at the end of the day. What is different about Karl is the quality of his equipment, his skill in training older people and his obvious interest in their welfare, rather than just making money.” “I believe that tailored exercise is probably the most effective strategy for many of the health problems faced by older people, both physical and mental. I see my role now to convince the Local Health District and Primary Care to invest in this modality.” Karl knows it works because he’s lived it. The average age of his members is 63, his oldest is 77, and the youngest is 27. There are ladies and men as well as people living with chronic illness, those with mental health issues and tradies with injuries. Mostly though, they are ordinary people who realise they can reverse their physical limitations through Karl’s specialised training regime and have a great time doing it. “I’m so proud that some of my oldest members are lifting really heavy weights,” said Karl. “It’s changing lives every day. My dream is to roll this modality out across the whole of Australia to stem the growing tide of frailty in old age. I want to make older people strong and fit enough to be able to maintain their independence and stay in their homes, enjoying life to the fullest.” www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 33

Health + Wellbeing Feature

y h W TALK TO YOUR

DENTIST BEFORE TREATMENT? WORDS ALEX HUSZTI - BELLEDENTAL Alex has had a career focused on low-biologic cost reconstructive cosmetic dental care – common sense teeth for life.

If you’ve been following my series of articles in this magazine over the past two years, you would know that I’m big on treatment planning. Very often I encounter patients that have never experienced having their dental care mapped out for them, and it is largely for the patient’s benefit. Of course, I also benefit from having a strategy and knowing how long to plan for visits. Nonetheless, I’m still frequently asked – “Do I

need to come in just to talk about treatment?” The overwhelming answer is YES! For the past 30 years, I have conducted diagnosis appointments with virtually all my patients. And yes - every patient gets a treatment plan. Not every patient requires a diagnosis appointment. There are often situations where a diagnosis appointment is not required. Many of my patients have completed their treatment plans and are in the “active maintenance” phase of their care. The majority of these patients are dentally stable: their restorative care has been completed and is functional, they know how to manage their diet, and they have a home care routine that they implement regularly with high levels of effectiveness. These patients need the most basic routine care: professional cleaning, routine x-rays and regular coaching around the further improvement of their home care. At BelleDental, because we check our own work with the same critical eye that we check all the dentistry that comes into our practice, from time to time, we find something lacking. This is usually not a new strategy – in these instances, we can simply discuss the additional care required by the patient, provide a quotation and schedule treatment. Very often, patients present to us with complex dental needs that have not been met elsewhere. These patients have almost invariably never experienced a diagnosis appointment – yet these are the patients that most need this kind of discussion and planning. Their problems are complex – very often, problems that may be solved in a multitude of ways. They rely on us to outline – to identify the problem – and then present ways that it may be solved. These patients must have a diagnosis appointment for the following reasons:

1. A discussion can be had around the various treatment options, including each option's positive and negative aspects. 2. A more detailed understanding of the option they are leaning towards – including possible problems around delivery, complications, and a discussion of unknowns. 3. An understanding of the scope of works. Sometimes we break the treatment down into phases and focus on the most needed treatment in the first phase. This is important. By dealing with treatment that is most in need, we can hopefully steer the patient’s treatment away from more complicated (expensive) therapies and even avoid tooth loss. Additionally, by phasing treatment, patients can constructively and progressively work through their care – spreading costs over time and maximizing any benefit they may have from insurances. 4. The conversation had at the diagnosis appointment ensures patients are in the “box seat” regarding their treatment choices and are consenting to the treatment they desire. 5. Lastly, understanding patient desires around dental care – and the planning that goes with it – can highlight possibilities around creating efficiencies within the plan. These kinds of efficiencies can save both time (number and duration of appointments) and, even more importantly, save money. At BelleDental, we include the diagnosis appointment as part of our $240 all-inclusive new patient examination. It's just another way in which we endeavour to tailor our care to patient needs and improve the efficiency of the delivery of our dentistry.

3 Techniques That SAVE Your Teeth 1

Belledental CRC’s (Composite Resin Crowns) CRC’s can rebuild teeth to a similar appearance, strength and functionality of conventional crowns with the added benefits of being much more conservative of tooth structure, repairable, and ONE appointment restorations that are often HALF the fee of conventional crowns.

Direct Resin Veneers (Zero cutting of tooth)

Direct Resin Build-ups – All in ONE day! What if you have suffered with erosion... you have already lost much of your tooth structure – the last thing you need is your teeth being CUT AWAY EVEN MORE for crowns. Direct Resin Build-ups are a NO CUT, one day alternative that saves the remaining tooth structure and enhances the cosmetics and function of your teeth. They often require modifications to your bite to accomodate your new smile.

Direct Resin Veneers have a multitude of uses – they can be used to improve function, enhance the colour and shape of teeth, modify tooth position as well as in this case, restore teeth that have suffered trauma. Direct Resin Veneers can do this without cutting teeth – all in one visit.

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New Patient Offer Special offer for new patients! Comprehensive exam, x-rays, photos, impressions, cleaning, and a treatment plan, all for $240. Book today!

There are moments in life’s journey when you need to turn to someone you can trust. Like the moment you decide to explore options for retirement living. The moment you need residential aged care for yourself or a loved one. Or the moment you need a little care and support to continue living independently in your own home. With over 65 years experience in providing compassionate, quality aged care, Anglican Care has earned that trust. So, take a moment to talk to one of our friendly support team about your aged care needs now, and in the future. Because wherever you are on life’s journey, you can trust in Anglican Care.

1800 733 553 www.anglicancare.com.au

HOME CARE I RETIREMENT LIVING I RESIDENTIAL CARE

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Let's Talk

TECHNOLOGY AND SENIORS SUBMITTED BY KYLIE JACQUES - ANGLICAN CARE

As life has increasingly moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic, an older generation that grew up in a different era is facing a new class battle – a digital divide. People are seeking human interaction and communication through the web or their devices to stave off loneliness and to stay positive. Often unfamiliar or uncomfortable with apps, gadgets and the internet, some older Australians are struggling to keep up with friends and family. To bridge that digital gap, families are finding new technology that is easy for older relatives to use – and teaching them how to use it in the process.

But there is a growing number who have embraced technology and its possibilities as never before. From zoom meetings to podcasts and apps, worldwide museum tours and internet shopping, the world has become their oyster - all from the comfort, and more importantly, the safety, of their own home. Throughout Anglican Care’s residential aged care homes, where COVID restrictions have at times made physical interaction more complicated, we have leant on technology to help residents stay connected with their families as well as introducing podcasts to help everyone stay active and keep their minds engaged. Here are some ways for older Australians to stay socially connected and active: 1. LEARN A NEW TECHNOLOGY FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Facebook, Twitter and lots more. There are so many online options available to talk with family and friends. Doing the basics is easy, and for most people, fun. If setting up an account seems daunting - ask a neighbour, niece or nephew or grandchild for a quick tutorial. 2. STAY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY FROM HOME It may sound counterintuitive. How can you remain a part of the community if the goal is to separate from the community? But maybe there’s a remote option? Many organisations rely on volunteers to make phone calls you can do that from home! 3. GO ON A NEWS DIET Stay informed, know what’s going on but don’t get locked into endlessly watching “breaking news”. Typically, not much

changes hour to hour. Watch a news update in the morning, then check in again at night. 4. REACH OUT TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS Stay in touch with the people close to you, especially those who are social distancing too. Why not create a “buddy system” to make sure vulnerable and hard-to-reach people stay connected. And for those of you who are not elderly – why not make it a point to check in on your older friends and relatives? Such thoughtfulness is always greatly appreciated. 5. DISCOVER PODCASTS Simply put, podcasts are episodes of an audio program available on the Internet. Just like television, there is a genre for everyone! Want to know about cooking, crime-solving, celebrities – you name it, and there is a podcast available. Anglican Care even has one! Let’s Talk Seniors is available via Itunes, GooglePlay or www.anglicancare.com.au 6. VISIT A VIRTUAL MUSEUM We may not be able to travel right now, but that doesn’t mean our access to the arts and culture is cut off. From the comfort of your own lounge room, visit the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Guggenheim in New York City or the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Simply type in virtual museum tours in your search engine and start visiting!

Now, more than ever, people need to find innovative ways to stay connected, and technology provides that.

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▼ Kate Hill

READING THE REGIONAL CRYSTAL BALL Since 1784

HAND FORGED WROUGHT IRON EXCLUSIVE DESIGNS UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY

Specialising in artistic restoration and new works, Danish born René Rasmussen has the blacksmith’s skill to restore and recreate the style of yesteryear in many creative and varied forms. When you walk in Rene’s blacksmith shop, you will get the feeling you walk 100 years back in history. Fire in the coal forge, and tools that are 100, even 150 years old. If the tools could talk, you'd have part of the history here. Former blacksmith and farrier for the Queen of Denmark Former blacksmith and farrier for Carlsberg breweries Traditional Danish Family Blacksmiths since 1784

For all enquiries please contact the office | 71 Branxton St, Greta NSW 2334 PH 4981 7174 | M 0402 190 835 | E cosyiron@optusnet.com.au | www.cosyiron.com.au

If you believe everything you read, our city property markets may grow 20% over the next 12 months, with regional areas riding their coat-tails. Or vice-versa. Or maybe not at all! The point being, of course, that none of us owns a property crystal ball (or any crystal ball for that matter), which is why it's essential to do our own thorough research before we make the most expensive investment most of us will ever make. Recent figures from CoreLogic found that dwelling values in regional Australia increased by 13 per cent over the past year compared to 6.4 per cent for capital cities. *CoreLogic Data May 2021 However, this data showing regional property prices outpacing growth in capital cities may trip up some novice property investors, according to a leading buyers’ agent, Kate Hill (www.advisable.com.au). “The stellar results may also send the wrong signal to first-time property investors

that every regional location is a sure-fire investment winner,” she said. “Clearly, pent up demand and a number of other factors, including record-low interest rates, are motivating more investors to buy into markets near and far, but the fundamentals must stack up over the longterm.” Ms Hill said that while there had been an increase in the numbers of people moving away from cities to regional areas, only time would tell whether that trend would become permanent.

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Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Hunter Valley | INTOUCH MAGAZINE AUGUST 21' ISSUE

Articles inside

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WEIGHT GAIN

WALLSEND - A FLOURISHING, FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY

The Miraculous Mollii Suit – Giving Hope to Sufferers

Love Local and Discover the Hunter Valley

Learning to Heal in Different Ways

Bishop Tyrrell Author Teaches Children to Celebrate Uniqueness

The Power of Strength At Groundwork Fitness

Love the Nightlife? Get up and Boogie with Priscilla