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INSIDE INTOUCH
From the Editors...
No matter your position and role, from business owner to receptionist, you should only be dealing with the tasks that are at your level. It’s not good to have the business owner emptying the bins each night when you could be networking and meeting potential new customers.
While most of us would turn to jelly at the thought of standing up on a stage in front of hundreds of strangers and cracking a few jokes, for Kitty Flanagan doing just that was a turning point in her life that has led to a wildly successful 23-year career in comedy. Flanagan admits that she owes her career, in part, to the receptive audience at her first stand-up gig, saying that had she 'bombed out' straight away she would likely have given up then and there. In this issue, Kitty tells us that despite her third show being a “shocker,” she was already hooked. Audiences are undoubtedly hooked as well, with Flanagan now one of Australia’s best-known comedians and in demand for both her award-winning stage shows and a string of television gigs. Not only is Kitty hilariously funny, but she’s also a very down to earth, all-around lovely gal and we appreciate the time she gave us out of her busy schedule. Another all-around nice guy is Lee Kernaghan, who was only narrowly beaten to our cover by Kitty. Lee is celebrating his 25 years in music and agrees that looking back over that time it goes very fast when you’re having fun. Aside from fun, Kernaghan has also had his fair share of success along the way, having sold more than two million albums in Australia, notched up 37 number one hit songs, collected 36 Golden Guitars, received an Order of Australia Medal and was named the Australian of the Year. As the weather warms up, there’s a multitude of events in and around town. Newcastle China Week returns this year from 12th – 15th October with a supersized festival that will feature something for everyone. After wowing audiences around the world with the three-hour extravaganza, the Imperial Russian Ballet Company will embark on a 31-date tour of Australia during the next two months, kicking off with their first show at Newcastle Civic Theatre on Wednesday, October 4. Celebrate with Newcastle Region Library during October, as Newcastle City Library opens after a major revitalisation project and the War Memorial Cultural Centre turns 60 years old. And did we mention that Australian Offshore Superboat Championships hit the water in Lake Macquarie this month! Stock up on Berocca Newcastle – we’re going to need it! Enjoy! Stay intouch at getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au Quentin and Di von Essen | Publishers
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Contents//
Features
ISSUE #27 OCTOBER 2017
12
What's On Highlights
14
Cover Story - Hooked on Humour... Kitty Flanagan!
18
Three Hour Dance Spectacular Wowing Audiences Worldwide
20
Celebrating 60 Years of a Cultural Icon
23
The Boy from the Bush - 25 years with Lee Kernaghan
26
Poking Fun at Wrinkles, Hot Flushes & Chocolate Binges!
28
Bloomin' Beautiful!
30
Refresh Your Interiors with Colour
- PAGE 52
34 Striped Bare! 38
A Life Changing Adventure Awaits
41
Ticked Off - Ask Dr Paws
46
Your Better Health Update
51
Brain Wise Thinking for Managers - Thinking Traps
54
Remembering Passchendaele
58
New Yarrum Design - For the Modern Rat-Pack
PAGE 35
Regulars 8
Horoscopes
10
What’s on Guide
26
Home + Lifestyle
32
Fashion
Contacts
38
Travel
Publisher & Editors Two Tribes Media Quentin von Essen: quentin@intouchmagazine.com.au Di von Essen: di@intouchmagazine.com.au
40
Family + Community
42
Health + Wellbeing
47
Eat//Sip//Savour
51
Property + Business
Got a great story to tell? Know someone who does? Budding writer or sensational photographer? We love contributions, so drop us a line at getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au
Phone (02) 4943 0888 Address Level 1, 216 Pacific Highway, Charlestown NSW 2290 Web www.intouchmagazine.com.au Email getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au Advertising Sales Phone (02) 4943 0888
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Marketing & Account Management Di von Essen and Carla Elkin Graphic Design Jess Codrington and Larissa Cluff Features Writer Michelle Meehan © Copyright 2017 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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Contributors Who doesn’t love Kitty Flanagan? Her new show promises to offer up a sprinkling of “long songs, algorithms, chimps, clowns and psychics”, as well as her observations about a particular term that seems to have crept into today’s vernacular in Australia – smashing. Read more on page 14.
Carla Elkin Di von Essen Mel Murray Sarah Scott Ash Sheppeard Dr Gary Avery Melinda Smith
Michelle Meehan Jess Codrington Quentin von Essen Megan O'Sullivan Sonya Todd-Jones Anne Ward Tanya Obreza Tracey Hollis Larissa Cluff Deborah Bartlett Dana Fischetti Lara O'Donnell Dr Matt Buchanann-Pascall
What's On?
Cher Jones, University Director of Institution Relations for Greater China, said that the event was especially pertinent in our current climate given the economic, educational and cultural relationship the Hunter Region shares with the world’s second-largest economy. “This year our event will share the story of China’s new and unprecedented ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, which is a kind of re-imagining of the legendary Silk Road. What is incredible about this audacious undertaking is that it is set to generate $US1 trillion worth of projects and will involve 65 countries. Newcastle is incredibly well placed to tap into some of these opportunities, so the 2017 China Week program will explore this exciting development strategy and how it will influence our region.” As one of the most fascinating countries in the world, China presents an exciting modern and traditional cultural experience for everyone in the community and will even bring a sparkle of celebrity to Hamilton at the finale event. The cultural festival will feature special guest MC and star of SBS award-winning comedy series ‘The Family Law’, Trystan Go. Well-known for his role as a young Benjamin Law, Go has become an important voice for telling Australian-Chinese stories. “We are delighted to have such a relevant and exciting young star joining the festival this year,” said Ms Jones. The event is made possible due to the continued support of major sponsors Newcastle City Council, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Port of Newcastle and Port Waratah Coal Services. This demonstrates a commitment to celebrating and creating an opportunity-rich future for Newcastle through a strong Australia-China relationship.
Trystan Go - image credit SBS
Crossing Countries,
CONTINENTS & CULTURES
Newcastle China Week returns this year from 12th – 15th October with a supersized festival that will feature something for everyone. From enlightening business forums and global networking events, a night of noodle markets under the stars and a vibrant festival celebrating modern and traditional Chinese culture, it will be a journey for both the mind and the senses. The initiative, led by the University of Newcastle’s Confucius Institute, will once again delight, inspire and entertain over 20,000 locals and visitors with its immersive program of events and valuable opportunities for cultural exchange.
unprecedented economic undertaking with presentations from academics and business leaders on trade development, investment opportunities, tourism growth and the enhancement of economic ties between Newcastle and China. Night Noodle Market | Saturday 14th October. Take your taste buds on a journey through the Orient and beyond. Meet friends at dining tables under the starry marquee, or bring a picnic rug so you can kick back at beautiful Gregson Park and enjoy the night's entertainment of music, dance and illuminated sights. Cultural Festival | Sunday 15th October. Celebrations will conclude with a supersized festival, crossing countries, continents and cultures in Gregson Park, Hamilton. Hosted by special guest MC, SBS TV’s Trystan Go. This immersive, colourful and vibrant day out will include something for the whole family, with cooking demonstrations, tea ceremonies, karaoke, costume dress ups, pop-up markets, exciting entertainment and mouthwatering dining options. We welcome back Jin Wu Koon’s impressive freestyle lion dance on poles. In these performances, the lion jumps on poles up to 3 metres high and over distances up to 2 metres in length and is a spectacle not to be missed. "The Hunter Region's economic and cultural ties with China will only continue to grow, so it is important for us to learn more about this proud, ancient and increasingly innovative country,” said Ms Jones. “We invite you to join us for what will be a lively and captivating program of events, with something to appeal to the whole family." For up to date details on Newcastle China Week activities, including links to purchase tickets, please visit www.facebook.com/newcastlechinaweek.
Newcastle China Week will include the following four events: Business Networking Event | Thursday 12th October. Expand your horizons into global markets with UON Global and the Hunter Young Professionals. This event will shift your perspective out from Newcastle to cross international borders with speakers who have successfully launched products overseas, contributed to trade and investment promotion, and managed hundreds of staff across multiple markets and cultures. You will also have an opportunity to network with members from the Hunter Young Professionals and UON Global students. Business Forum | Friday 13th October. Do you want to discover what China’s 'Belt and Road Initiative' means for our region’s business community? Learn more about this
Night Noodle Markets 2016
中 国 周
12 – 15 OCTOBER, 2017 B U S I N E S S E V E N T S • N O O D L E N I G H T M A R K E T • C U LT U R A L F E S T I VA L
NEWCASTLECHINAWEEK.COM.AU www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 5
IT’S A
CE LE B
ON ! RA T I Astrologer TANYA OBREZA on what’s in the stars this month...
Newcastle's War Memorial Cultural Centre turns 60 Join Newcastle Region Library to celebrate this iconic building and its contribution to the culture of our city since 1957.
Scorpio 22 October - 21 November You’ve proved what a supportive person you can be Scorpio, but now you need to turn away for a while and devote yourself to more spiritual endeavours. Recently, it’s been no picnic dealing with family or siblings but happily, mutual communication skills have markedly improved. You’re finally on the same page - which is handy with all the small print coming up.
Sagittarius 22 November - 21 December You’d think that life would have settled by now, but not so. The cosmos may taunt you with temptation, only to snatch the prize away. Instead of worrying, keep one eye on the past, one eye on the future and your feet in the present. After the 15th, a nurturing cosmos returns you to steadier ground. Your new confidence also works well in love, and this time - the trophy stays in sight.
Capricorn 22 December - 19 January There’s a sensual feeling to October that makes love an easy affair. Whether it’s your relaxed attitude that lifts your magnetism, or your popularity that betters your mood - it doesn’t matter. In the end, each of these qualities will enhance the other. This is a cycle you certainly won’t want to break. A similar theme applies to love. There’s a chance of finding a karmically linked soul.
Aquarius 20 January - 18 February Sometimes the best form of defence is attack. Even so, in early October you could be opting for overkill. By all means remain assertive, if need be. But what others suggest may not be all wrong. Compromise is the key. If still feeling unappreciated by late month, stay patient. Your special talents haven’t been forgotten by the cosmos. There could also be financial gain.
Pisces 19 February - 20 March Chances are you have a host of half-finished projects that are ready to be trashed. Great timing, as the cosmos offers exciting new starts. Travel looks likely, as does the chance to retrain. You also become more ambitious, with a growing awareness of your talents. In doing so, unacceptable conditions are no longer tolerated. Just don’t assume authority on every topic. It’s a sure bet someone with more knowledge will call your bluff.
Aries 21 March - 20 April Contact with older colleagues should have a steady influence in your life, with one possibly taking you under their mentor’s wing. The only hitch comes when Saturn tries to confuse matters. If you’re fighting for a worthy cause, expect some heated exchanges. Working well with others requires honesty and a willingness to leave egos at the door. Do this, and you’re promised unprecedented success.
Taurus 21 April - May 20 Enjoy being in demand as you have planetary permission to flaunt your talents. However, late October brings a tetchy cosmos and with it an emotional dilemma. You can suffer in silence or speak out. If in doubt, ask whether you should be pandering to someone else’s ego just to keep the peace. Financially, a project shelved earlier this year should start to pay off.
Gemini May 21 - 21 June Your health needs attention, Gemini. This means fewer rushed meals and more exercise. Belligerent co-workers or family suffer your wrath around the 17th. You’ve lost patience with broken promises and petulance. Perhaps you feel it’s call-out time for someone who hasn’t been honest. If single and hoping to meet someone special, stop hiding. Get out there and shine.
Cancer 22 June - 22 July There could be moments in October when you feel like you’re on the wrong side of a long battle. Not only has your support team deserted you, but they’re attacking the ideals that originally forged your friendships. Your authority at work could also be undermined. Life can only get better, as month’s end turns up some surprises. New friends, perhaps? Romance, too. Or maybe extra cash.
Leo 23 July - 22 August Leo's work hard and play wild. When the going’s good, you effortlessly transform from playful kitten to feisty lioness. Just don’t forget the cat naps, or you’ll use up too many lives too soon. Still, there’s precious little chance of keeping you still this month. You want to be out and about and far removed from routine. Attempts to keep you tamed will only cause trouble. Retract those claws.
Virgo 23 August - 22 September This month’s focus shifts to what you want out of life, not what others expect from you. New friendships or romance may crop up, while those already happily coupled zero in on wilder delights. Financially, we all know about the evils of materialism, but it’s still nice to surround yourself with luxuries - especially when cash flow looks like improving. Be extravagant.
Two days of events, music and more!
Party in the Street Rock up to Laman Street for a trip down memory lane as we celebrate the 1950s and everything classic. Music, food and drinks, theatre, classic cars and more. Bring the family! Friday 27 October 5pm-8pm Laman Street, Newcastle.
Library after Dark - Dinner Party When the doors close the rules change! Come see the Library like you've never seen it before. Find poetry in your drink, music in the air and fabulous food on candlelit tables.
STAR OF THE MONTH - LIBRA 23 September - 22 October The future looks bright, but unhurried - a welcome change from last year’s madness. It’s all about doing well, making it all happen at the right time. Professionally, act with confidence, secure in the knowledge that the planets will serve you well. Even if there’s small setbacks, they won’t last long. There’s plenty of potential for romance; both in the areas of serious pursuits and delightful distractions. This next year also hints at a financial uplift, with the source of your good fortune stemming from more than just one well.
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.
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Saturday 28 October 6.30pm City Library $80 per person, Bookings essential.
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ROY ORTUSO PRESENTS
WOMEN ON FIRE! #1
"IT'S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO LAUGH!"
The Girls' Night out! Men love it too!
NEW YORK TIMES
The Hilarious Celebration of Women and the Change! Original book and Lyrics by Jeannie Linders
WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER
WESTS NEW LAMBTON TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE CLUB PHONE 4935 1200 | WESTSNEWCASTLE.COM.AU
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What’s on? SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 Handmade in the Hunter Markets Kevin Sobels Wines, Pokolbin, 9am - 3pm.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4
►COMING UP OCT SUNDAY 1ST All Access 80's Honeysuckle Hotel Isla Grant Wests New Lambton THURSDAY 5TH Ukulele Russ Lizottes FRIDAY 6TH Bravo Victor The Lockup, Newcastle Kim and Mik Charlestown Bowling Club Loose Bazooka Mezz Bar Milestones Wickham Park Hotel Little Cents Battlesticks Bar SATURDAY 7TH Killing Heidi The Cambridge Hotel Club Esky Beach Hotel Big Bang Quartet Mezz Bar Holly Mae Battlesticks Bar October Fest Lambton Park Hotel SUNDAY 8TH Codi Kaye + Ngariki & The Dastardly Bastards Wickham Park Hotel THURSDAY 12TH Richard Walker Battlesticks Bar FRIDAY 13TH Gooch Palms The Cambridge Hotel The DuoTones Charlestown Bowling Club Hurricane Fall Mezz Bar Rock n Roll Festival Wests Nelson Bay (until Oct 15) SATURDAY 14TH Status Quo Civic Theatre Mardmax Pippis at the Point Shane Pacey Trio Unorthodox Church of Groove All Access 80's Warners at the Bay SUNDAY 15TH Kellie Cain + Floyd Vincent & The Temple Dogs Wickham Park Hotel The Edith Piaf Story Lizottes Nick Connors Battlesticks Bar FRIDAY 20TH AQWA Battlesticks Bar John Williamson Wests Nelson Bay The Years Mezz Bar SATURDAY 21ST Boo Seeka The Cambridge Hotel Soundabout Blackbutt Hotel Ultimate Pink Show Charlestown Bowling Club John Williamson Belmont 16s Acolyte The Small Ballroom WEDNESDAY 25TH Austin MacKay + Bravo Victor + Jess Storer Lizottes FRIDAY 27TH Todd Mckenney Belmont 16s All Access 80's Mezz Bar Nano Battlesticks Bar D-Love Lambton Park Hotel Osaka Punch The Small Ballroom Hot Yogi’s Wickham Park Hotel SATURDAY 28TH Saskwatch The Small Ballroom Bruce Mathiske Lizottes TUESDAY 31ST Pennywise + The Bronx NEX
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Festival of Russian Ballet Imperial Russian Ballet Company return to Australia. Civic Theatre. Michael Jackson – The Legacy Tour The world’s greatest tribute to the world’s greatest entertainer is at Wests New Lambton.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 Dining in the Dark A unique experience where you'll be blindfolded during dinner - a fundraiser for Retina Australia NSW at the Beach Hotel. Tickets at www.trybooking.com/RSSB Newcastle Fashion Weekend Newcastle's stylish fashion, beauty and lifestyle event, including runway shows, beauty, fashion panels, shopping and cocktails. 13 + 14 October, Newcastle Racecourse, www.newcastlefashionweekend.com.au
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 Australian Offshore Superboat Championships Offshore Championships are set to rumble Lake Macquarie once again, incorporating the 2017 Lake Macquarie PWC Race Series (jetski). Best viewing Warners Bay Foreshore and Eleebana. 14 + 15 Oct. Newcastle Walk For Freedom Awareness and fundraising to abolish slavery, along Bathers Way (Bar Beach to Merewether), commencing 10am.
Light the Night Newcastle The walk will this year be ocean front from Dixon Park! Please join the Leukaemia Foundation for a magical evening register at www.lightthenight.org.au/event/newcastle to reserve your lantern. Playschool Prince of Bears At NEX, Newcastle.
Opera in the Vineyards 2017 Indulge your senses with an evening of elegance, style and sophistication at Chateau Elan, Hunter Valley. Discover Sailing Day 2017 Here's your chance to try sailing and see just how much fun it is! Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club and try either a dinghy, small keelboat or a yacht. Register online quick! This is for ages 5 and up - www.ncyc.net.au
Mini Japanese Film Festival Presented and run by The Japan Foundation, Sydney. Four films (with English subtitles) at Tower Cinemas, 6 - 8 October. Free event but you must reserve a ticket - visit www.japanesefilmfestival.net/jff-mini for information.
PBR Newcastle Invitational It’s a showdown like no other – 22 riders all eager for glory as they strive to overcome the power of 52 most extreme bucking bulls. Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Olive Tree Markets Discover the emerging artists section, take home amazing gourmet artisan produce and sit back and take in the sounds of talented local musicians! Civic Park, 9am - 3pm. Play School Live in Concert At NEX, Newcastle.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 Rhythms of Ireland 10 Year Anniversary tour. Civic Theatre.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 Home What happens if the place you call home vanishes beneath your feet? The world you once knew, now gone? 11 - 14 Oct, The Playhouse.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 Newcastle Seminar: Living Well with Arthritis Join your local community in building your understanding of arthritis and take a positive step for your health. Wests New Lambton, tickets at www.arthritisnsw.org.au/health-education-seminars Top Dog Film Festival 2 hours honouring the bond between dogs and their people. Tower Cinemas.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 Blue Love An enormously entertaining work by award-winning choreographer Shaun Parker. 20 + 21 October, Civic Theatre. Pokolbin Pride #2 Welcoming the LGBTI community, their families and friends to celebrate wine, food and LGBTI talent and diversity in all its glorious forms. 20 22 October, Nanna Kerrs Kitchen, Hunter Valley. www.pokolbinpride.com.au Ladies Who Almost Lunch A comedy/drama where you'll meet 4 ladies who meet regularly, each of them dealing with differing life issues. The Dungeon, Adamstown Uniting Church. www.maureen.com.au Rent The much celebrated rock musical by Jonathan Larson, returns to Newcastle once more. 20 Oct - 4 Nov, The Playhouse.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 AFOM Invisible Wounds Black Tie Event At Wests New Lambton. $150 pp, all monies raised goes towards support for Military families. Tickets available via www.westsnewcastle.com.au World's Biggest Car Boot Sale At Newcastle Entertainment Centre, 8am - 2pm.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 Jewells Primary Spring Fete At Jewells Primary School, 10am - 3pm. Fernleigh 15 A 15km fun run on the Fernleigh Track! www.runnsw.com.au
HMRI Open Day 2017 Research booths, kids science sessions, research and discovery seminars, laboratory tours and a Zombie talk hosted by Dr. Luke Hesson from The Museum of Human Disease - plus more! www.hmri.org.au/events
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7
most famous con-artists of all time, Frank Abagnale Jr. Hunter Theatre, 19 - 21 October.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
Newcastle China Week Night Noodle Market Take your tastebuds through the Orient and beyond! Bring a rug or commune at the dining tables for entertainment, dance and delicious food. 4pm - 9pm, Gregson Park.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 Dog Lover's Market Day Enjoy a family day out with a BBQ, jumping castle, face painting, competitions and demonstrations. Run by Dog Rescue Newcastle. Islington Park, 10am - 2.30pm. Newcastle China Week Cultural Festival A super-sized cultural festival that crosses countries, continents and cultures. Enjoy markets, entertainment, food and drinks. Gregson Park. www.newcastlechinaweek.com.au Crowne2Crowne Cycle Classic 58km Charity Bike Ride from Crowne Plaza Newcastle to Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley - Raising Funds for Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. www.crowne2crowne.com.au
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18 Beatlemania on Tour Relive the heyday of the world’s favourite pop act - the complete live tribute show that recreates a true Beatles experience! Civic Theatre.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 Catch Me If You Can the Musical By Hunter School of Performing Arts, this musical is about one of the
2017 Bean Counters Ball An annual fundraiser to raise much needed funds to support youth and education in our region. At NEX, Newcastle. www.beancountersball.com.au
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28 Wollombi Sculpture in the Vineyards A month long festival of art and culture held across Wollombi Valley Until Dec 3. www.sculptureinthevineyards.com.au Mental Health Wellness Walk Meet in the Hunter Street Mall, cnr Hunter and Newcomen Streets at 9.30am. There will be speakers, stalls, entertainment, kids activities, food and drinks at Civic Park. Hunter Wildlife Rescue Trivia Night Hamilton North Bowling Club, 6pm - 10pm. Email Rachel King at eelpie@smallminingtown.com
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29 2017 Throsby Big Brunch A free community event focused on shared food and conversation, under the figs in Islington Park from 10am. Anyone from the villages of Carrington, Maryville, Islington, Tighes Hill and Wickham can RSVP at www.throsbybigbrunch.org My Kids Market Pre-loved baby and kids goods. Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium, 9am - 12pm. Rathmines Catalina Festival 2017 Held each year to commemorate the rich history of the WWII RAAF Base. Enjoy live music, classic car show n shine, markets, kids' activities and the flying boats and aerobatics! Rathmines Park, 9am - 4pm, $5pp (under 12's free).
Do you have a local event or gig coming up? Email us today at getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au
What’s on? Coming Up IN NOVEMBER
COMING UP//
Live & Cookin’
WEDNESDAY 1ST Bernard Fanning – Brutal Dawn Tour Bernard Fanning and The Black Fins will be showcasing new songs live in some of Australia’s most cherished and revered rock venues - including Newcastle's Cambridge Hotel!
31 Morehead Street, Lambton Doors open from 6pm FULLY LICENSED
SATURDAY 4TH 80's Fest Hope Estate is bringing the likes of Paul Young, Go West, The Cutting Crew, Wang Chung, Taylor Dayne, Pseudo Echo and The Chantoozies for a fabulous 80's celebration. Bitter & Twisted Boutique Beer Festival Maitland Gaol, 4+5 Nov. Newcastle Food and Wine Weekend An abundance of food, drink and entertainment at Lambton Park, 3 - 5 Nov. www.newcastlefoodandwineweekend.com.au
SUNDAY 5TH Live at The Foreshore Wickham Park.
TUESDAY 7TH Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon One of Newcastle's best Melbourne Cup Day red carpet celebrations is at Souths Merewether. Tickets $89 - www.southleagues.com.au Melbourne Cup Fun Day 2-course lunch, bingo, live entertainment, a fashion parade, sweeps, raffles and prizes at Belmont 16s. Tickets $33 (non-members) www.16s.com.au
WEDNESDAY 8TH Menopause the Musical Inspired by a hot flush and a bottle of wine, Jeanie Linders created Menopause the Musical as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived ‘The Change’. Wests New Lambton.
THURSDAY 9TH Radical Reels Tour 2017 Heart-stopping adrenaline action filled with wild rides, long ski lines, steep jumps, and skilful stunts. Tower Cinemas. www.radicalreels.com.au
SATURDAY 11TH Gem and Jewellery Fair Newcastle Basketball Stadium, Broadmeadow, 9am - 4pm + Sun 12th 9am - 3pm. Kitty Flanagan - Smashing! Smashing. It's fun AND learning. 11 + 25 November, Civic Theatre.
FRIDAY 17TH Jimeoin - Renonsense Man Wests New Lambton. XRACE Newcastle A family mystery adventure race where family teams complete challenges to win. www.xrace.com.au
OCTOBER THE BLACK SORROWS Sunday 1
THE BADLOVES
Saturday November 18, Lizotte's
The Badloves are an Australian band formed by frontman Michael Spiby, originating in Melbourne in 1989. The band is famous for hits including “Lost”, “Green Limousine”, "Slave", “Caroline” and a cover of “The Weight” with Jimmy Barnes. The Badloves have released a number of studio and live albums as well as EP's, won three ARIA awards and two Australian Music Awards and toured internationally. The lineup includes front-man and founder Michael Spiby (lead guitar and lead vocals), Jeff Consi (drums), Adam Rigley (keys) and Stephen 'Irish' O'Prey (bass), returning to the fold after two decades. The band originally comprised of Michael Spiby (lead guitar and lead vocals), Ian Whiteside (bass), John Perosa (drums) and Michael's brother John Spiby (keyboards) and used two working titles The Badloves and DC3, both coined by Michael. DC3 soon gave way to the more 'retro' moniker The Badloves. After numerous line-up changes over the years, fans agree the band has never sounded better, and The Badloves continue to enjoy a loyal fanbase, touring venues and festivals all over the country. Inspired by the past, The Badloves is a band that’s very much focused on the future.
DANCIN IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN Saturday 7 LAZY SUNDAY LUNCH WITH POP 50 UNPLUGGED Sunday 8 AUSTRALIAN BURLESQUE FESTIVAL Thursday 12
MOVING PICTURES - 30 YEARS OF INNOCENCE Friday 13 CASEY DONOVAN Saturday 14 JASON SINGH (TAXIRIDE) Thursday 19 RICK PRICE - DEAD MAN WALKIN TOUR Friday 20
30TH ANNIVERSARY INXS KICK SHOW Saturday 21
LAZY SUNDAY LUNCH WITH THE BUSHWACKERS Sunday 22 JAMES MORRISON Sunday 22 SI CRANSTOUN (UK) Thursday 26 HISTORY OF NEWCASTLE PUB ROCK
SUNDAY 19TH Warners at the Bay Festival 2017 Beer, wine and cider, entertainment and local food - grab your tickets at www.warnersatthebay.com.au
THE JAMIE MARTENS BAND - THE SONGS OF BOB DYLAN Friday 6
Win!
Thanks to the crew at Lizotte’s we have 2 x double passes (show only) to give away to 2 lucky readers. Visit www.intouchmagazine.com.au/Giveaways to enter – entries close 31st October 2017.
Friday 27
NOVEMBER NICK SAXON Thursday 2 THE GREAT GIG IN THE SKY CELEBRATION OF PINK FLOYD Friday 3 ANGRY OLD MEN Saturday 4
OCT 7 | NOV 4 | NOV 18 CIVIC PARK 9AM - 3PM
MORE SHOWS added daily. LIVE SHOWS starting from $65 (including dinner)
BOOK ONLINE NOW + See who else is coming to dinner...
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What's On
Opera in the Vineyards Saturday, October 14th Indulge your senses with an evening of elegance, style and sophistication Opera in the Vineyards 2017 is back! This year, the event returns with a brand-new look and location, for the very first time being staged at the award winning Chateau Elan, Hunter Valley. The celebration of wine, food and opera begins with the pre-show experience of wine and cheese tastings plus other culinary delights, make sure you grab a glass of bubbles and relax as the sun sets! The stunning lineup this year includes international stars Cheryl Barker, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, flautist Jane Rutter, and Maestro Guy Noble leading you on a journey through some of the most beautiful arias and duets ever written. Tickets begin at $85 (adult) for the picnic area, juniors tickets (0-18) are available from $25. www.operainthevineyards.com.au
Walk For Freedom... One Step at a Time Spring Fair Gardens Spectacular 2017 Sunday, October 8th Have you ever been to the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens? Well this Spring event is the perfect time! The Spring Fair Gardens Spectacular is a great day out for all to enjoy, with live entertainment, markets stalls, trash and treasure, plus a BBQ. Try some devonshire tea, browse the book bazaar, and learn about bees from the Hunter Valley Beekeepers - there is even face painting on offer for the kids! This annual event raises much needed funds to manage and maintain these amazing gardens. Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae, 10am - 4pm.
Sunday, October 15th Walk For Freedom Newcastle is a walk proudly supporting the A21 Campaign in their mission to abolish slavery everywhere forever. It's is an outward expression, a global fundraising and awareness campaign of A21’s inward desire to free every single slave on the planet. On October 14, 2017 in communities around the world, you’ll see many walking single-file with black shirts and yellow bandanas across their mouths - last year Newcastle's event was one of 300 walks in over 60 countries across the globe. If you are interested in this worldwide cause, join Walk For Freedom walk from Bar Beach to Merewether at 10am. You can register at www.a21.org/newcastle-au and find more information through their facebook page 'ateamnewy'.
DOG LOVER'S Market Day
Inspirational Lunch for Kids Friday, October 13th Join the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children for the 6th annual Sight and Sound for Kids lunch at Merewether Surfhouse! Guest speakers are Lawrie McKinna and Ernie Merrick of the Newcastle Jets, plus Matt Cameron who has represented Australia in Blind Cricket. Tickets are $135pp and are available at www.ridbc.org.au/event
Sunday, October 15th Run by Dog Rescue Newcastle (DRN), the second Dog Lovers Market Day is sure to be a great family day out at Islington Park (off-leash area) for the whole family, especially the four-legged members! Enjoy a fun day out with a BBQ, jumping castle, kids face painting, pooch theme markets, competitions, demonstrations and more. You can register your dog in the competition events for $5 each (10am -10.20am) which include best trick, thong throwing, dog and owner lookalike, fancy dress (dog AND owner) and musical hoops. Demonstrations are on throughout the day, and the Foster Dog Parade (with a meet and greet!) is on at 1pm. Make sure you stick around for the Mega Raffle, drawn at 2.20pm. All dogs need to be friendly and onleash (don't forget the doggy bags!) More info through the Dog Rescue Newcastle facebook.
Skeye High Photography
intouch Magazine is proud to be the ONLY locally owned and produced publication in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
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Lake Mac's BIG WEEKEND
Saturday 14 + Sunday 15 October From jetski racing to markets, free water sports and aerobatic displays, there’s something for everyone at Lake Mac's Big weekend! Watch Jetski Racing and some high octane vessels race at speeds of up to 200km/h with the Superboat Championships! The best viewing spots are at Warners Bay foreshore to Eleebana, and Marmong Point foreshore. Catch the action on Saturday 11am and Sunday 11am + 1pm, jetski demonstrations run both days all day. Other activities include free water sports at Marmong Point Sailing Club for all-ages (Saturday 10am to 3pm), aerobatic displays from Matt Hall Racing, Warners Bay markets and community displays on both days. The Food of the World Fete hosted by Lake Macquarie High School will offer the taste of international cuisines, and the Lake Macquarie Woodworkers will also have handicrafts on display at Marmong Point Hall all weekend. For more information visit www.lakemac. com.au/lake-mac-big-weekend EMB Photographics 2017
ChromeFest 2017 Friday, 27th - Sunday 29th October A tribute to classic American autos, hot-rods and all things rock n' roll, annual event ChromeFest at The Entrance, Central Coast is back for its 9th year! The event is completely free, and is a car lover's and rockabillys dream with over 400 cars on display at Memorial Park. Take time out to browse the retro market stalls, watch the Sydney Swing Katz take over the dance floor (and join in!), or see the show cars cruise through the streets. If style and glamour is your thing, try your luck in the Vintage Glamour Fashion Parade - it's for both the girls and guys, and is free to
BEATLEMANIA!
RENT by Hunter Drama
Wednesday, October 18th The International hit show Beatlemania On Tour will see audiences re-living the heyday of one of the world's favourite pop act when it makes its way to Civic Theatre. This two-hour live tribute show re-creates the true Beatles experience through spectacular costume, amazing production, replica instruments and all songs performed with exquisite attention to detail and in original key. Making up the band is four Aussie performers, Cameron Charters singing live as Paul McCartney, Zac Coombs as John Lennon, Brent McMullen as George Harrison and Ben Harper as Ringo. With sold-out shows across Canada, US, Dubai, Hong Kong, South Africa and New Zealand, this is a must-see spectacular for any Beatles fan. www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
October 20th - November 4th More than 20 years have gone by since Jonathan Larson's death, but his groundbreaking rock musical Rent lives on! Loosely based on Puccini's opera La Bohème, Rent is re-envisioned onto the streets of contemporary New York City - telling the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to create a life in NYC's East Village. Set within the thriving days of bohemian Alphabet City (in Manhattan) and under the shadow of HIV, the play is a mix of confronting themes, iconic rock anthems, and messages that still resonate with audiences as much today as they did in 1994. Rent has previously been staged four times in Newcastle, this time featuring 16 of the region's most outstanding performers from Hunter Drama. Catch one of ten performances at The Playhouse - tickets at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
enter. The parade kicks off at 12.15pm on Sunday, at the Memorial Park stage. You can also see who will win Pinup Doll Australia 2017 - with heats starting at 12.50pm on the Saturday. The live entertainment continues all day every day with the likes of DJ George Galea, Summerland Kings, The Rattlesnakes, Bad Luck Kitty, Mr James Band, international Si Cranstoun (Sunday), plus loads more! The whole of The Entrance is involved with most hotels, clubs and pubs running side events from Thursday October 26, all weekend. You can find the complete program of events plus more information online at www.chromefest.org
COOKS HILL GALLERIES PRESENTS
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BRUCE ROWLAND
The European Tradition October 20 – November 6
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 13
Cover Story
Hooked on HUMOUR
KITTY FLANAGAN! WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN Kitty Flanagan only ever expected to do one gig as a stand-up comedian – just to see if she could. But more than two decades later the Sydney-based entertainer is still making audiences laugh with her unique brand of humour and impeccable comedic timing. Flanagan admits that she owes her career, in part, to the receptive audience at her first stand-up gig. “I have had so many (bad experiences) and any comedian who tells you they haven’t had a bad gig is such a liar and not a very good comedian because everyone has had shocking gigs; I was just lucky that my very first gig wasn’t a shocker. If my first gig was a shocker I would never have done it again just because I would have thought ‘Ok, well you’ve been told, you’re not funny’,” she said. “I wouldn’t have realised that there could be variables there, I could write some different material and maybe that could be funny, or I could stand up in front of a different bunch of 50 people and they could think I was funny. I would have just done it once and gone ‘Oh, ok well good to know, I’m not funny’.
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“That was my plan, I just wanted to try it once and see if I was funny and that was it. It was only ever going to be a one-off just so that I could get to age 40 and not think ‘I wonder what would have happened if I’d tried stand-up?’ “I’m so lucky because I think my third gig was a shocker, but by that stage, I was already hooked.” Twenty-three years down the track and audiences are clearly hooked as well, with Flanagan now one of Australia’s best-known comedians, in demand for both her awardwinning stage shows and a string of television gigs. She’s been nominated for a Helpmann Award for her show Charming and Alarming, while Hello Kitty Flanagan won the Best Comedy Award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and was nominated for another Helpmann award, as well as a Barry Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Not bad for someone who started out, as she described herself, as “one of Australia’s least known waitresses at the Pizza Hut”.
Newcastle. A great city for events and culture.
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No topic is taboo so long as the joke is funny enough.
sprinkling of “long songs, algorithms, After launching into stand-up in 1994 chimps, clowns and psychics”, as well as her and scoring a gig six months later on classic observations about a particular term that Australian comedy series Full Frontal as both seems to have crept into today’s vernacular a writer and performer, Flanagan headed in Australia – smashing. overseas in 1996 to further her stand-up “It was just something I started to notice, career in the United Kingdom. and the more I noticed it, the more it started More success live on stage and on being noticeable, everyone was using it for television followed during the next eight everything - it was like the go-to verb, you’d years, as well as performances at major didn’t need any other verb all of a sudden,” comedy festivals around the world including she said. Edinburgh, Melbourne, Montreal and “Somebody said to me ‘Do you want to Kilkenny, before Flanagan returned home to smash a coffee?’ and I thought when did we Australia. start smashing coffee instead of just drinking Since then she has been busy crissone? And then somebody was going to smash crossing the nation with four hit shows in out some emails, and I thought, really, you’re the past eight years including her current not going to send those emails, you’re going tour, Smashing, which will see the popular to smash them? comedian grace the stage at Newcastle’s “Then some girls were talking about going Civic Theatre for two gigs next month. The latest show will delve into some pretty to smash some cocktails, and I thought what is going on, we’ve just substituted every verb personal topics for Flanagan, who’s storythere is with smashing? based humour once again has critics raving. “So I thought, well screw that, I’m getting “This one’s pretty personal. I thought I’d on board, I’m going to smash this show!” address the fact that I’m actually bad at sex, Flanagan said the inspiration for her so I don’t think it gets any more personal shows comes from everywhere. However, than that,” Flanagan said. there is a lot of work done between the first “I realised I’d never actually talked inkling of an idea and what audiences hear about sex on stage because I was very from the stage. uncomfortable about it. I’m just not one of “What I do to come up with a new show those people who ever watched Sex and the is scribble down a few ideas, then I go out City and went, yeah, I could sit around at and do about six weeks’ worth of what I call brunch and talk about sex. But I thought oh well, I’ll give it a go and realised that probably whiteboard shows where I take a whiteboard one of the reasons I’m bad at talking about it on stage with me, and I work in front of 60 or 70 people in really small rooms,” she said. is because I’m bad at it. “People know they’re coming to a work“And you’re probably thinking ‘How do in-progress show and I just literally try stuff you know that?’ and I know that because out in front of them and if they laugh then somebody told me, so I’m in quite a unique the idea stays on the board for the next night, position. “It’s not a show that is all about sex either, and if they don’t laugh then it gets rubbed off the board. that was literally just the starting point. As “People know what they’re coming to, so I like to say about all my shows, they’re they kind of enjoy it when it’s not funny as fun and learning; you’ll learn a lot, they’re well. There’s going to be a lot of things that educational! It’s certainly not graphic, it’s sex as told by someone who’s uncomfortable you throw out there, and they go ‘Yeah, not so talking about sex. No topic is taboo so long as much’, and you go, oh, I was convinced that was going to be hilarious. ► the joke is funny enough.” Aside from Flanagan’s sexual prowess, the show also promises to offer up a
October 27 - 28 Oct
60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, WAR MEMORIAL CULTURAL CENTRE
28 - 29 Oct
BLUE LOVE, CIVIC THEATRE
28 Oct – 28 Jan
DINOSAUR rEVOLUTION, NEWCASTLE MUSEUM
28 Oct – 28 Jan
PAINTING MEMORY: FROM THE COLLECTION, NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY
November 4 Nov
THIS THAT, WICKHAM PARK
9 Nov – 4 Feb 2018
ROCK THIS CITY, NEWCASTLE MUSEUM
18 Nov – 18 Feb 2018 EVERYTHING CHANGES: TIM MAGUIRE 2000-2017, NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY 24 Nov
NIGHTTIME FIESTA FOR LIFELINE, WHEELER PLACE
December
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3 Dec
BIKERS FOR KIDS TOY RUN, STOCKTON TO WICKHAM PARK
15 Dec
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT, KING EDWARD PARK
31 Dec
NEW YEAR’S EVE, NEWCASTLE FORESHORE
For enquiries please call 4974 2000. For more information visit: newcastle.nsw.gov.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 15
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(continued) “There will be some things where I think I didn’t find that as funny as you did, and there will be other things where I go, oh come on are you serious, that is the funniest thing on the board, and it’s just got nothing. There’s no substitute for trying it out in front of a real live audience.” Another constant sounding board for Flanagan is her musician sister Penny, who tours with the comedian and also stars with her in her shows. “I cannot imagine doing it any other way now,” Flanagan said. “We just get on so well and know how to avoid each other… when to leave her alone, when to not leave her alone, don’t talk to her at breakfast - that’s a big one - I learnt that I think when I was 12. All the same rules still apply. “It just kind of started to happen. I came back from London and did a couple of shows here, and I said to her, I want it to be more than just stand-up so will you do a couple of songs, we could do some stuff together. We did a little show like that at the Belvoir St Theatre, and we really enjoyed doing it. “Then we wrote a song together for the first show that we toured and I thought well I can’t sing that on my own because you’re the singer and the musician so what am I going to do, an acapella version of it?’ “So I said, why don’t you come with me and we’ll do the songs together? It just started like that and then because I really enjoyed it I said let’s write some more songs for the next show and the next show, so it’s just became a bit of a thing. “She’ll be honest and … she can say things other people can’t say. If someone else said ‘Well that wasn’t really funny’, just out of defensiveness I’d say shut up, what do you know? “But if she says it I know she’d never say it except for any other reason than she wants me to make it better, and she also knows what my standards are. She can be trusted like nobody else.”
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Those sounding boards are essential for Flanagan who says that, despite having been doing stand-up for such a long time, she still feels a few nerves when she’s trying out new material or is faced with the added pressure of live TV, such as her regular appearances on comedy news quiz program Have You Being Paying Attention? “I get more excited if I’m doing my own tour, it’s more a nervous excitement, but I get very nervous if I’m trying out new material,” she said. “I still go into small comedy clubs around Sydney and just try out some stuff, I get very nervous in the clubs. “It’s a different mindset, people haven’t necessarily come along to see me in a comedy club, they’ve just come for a night out whereas I’ve kind of got a bit of an advantage when I’m doing my own tour because people have bought a ticket knowing I’m on, so they’re coming already with a mindset of ‘we like this person’, whereas in the comedy clubs you’re always working against ‘ok, well, be funny, come on then.’ “I get very nervous about Have You Being Paying Attention because that’s such a fast kind of show and everyone’s always so funny, so that makes me very nervous, but it’s also such fun to be on that show because everybody else is so funny. “I think that’s my real risk on that show. I could sit there quite happily and say nothing and just be entertained by everybody else, I have to be really on top of myself and say come on, you’ve got to answer some questions, not just sit here and laugh at (fellow panellist and comedian) Sam Pang.” Flanagan said working alongside truly funny people on shows such as Have You Being Paying Attention and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, where she does a regular spot, are what makes her “job” so much fun. Then there’s her role in the award-winning Working Dog Productions series Utopia, created by Australian comic royalty Santo Cilauro, Rob Sitch and Tom Gleisner.
She said playing National Building Authority public relations manager Rhonda Stewart in the satire was a comedic “gift”. “It is very tightly written and beautifully crafted by the three guys,” she said. “It’s an absolute gift to turn up to work and be given a script that you know so much thought, and care has gone into, and you just get given the end product and get to look like a genius just walking onto a scene, saying some funny stuff and just walking out again. “I have so many people say to me ‘Do you just make that stuff up?’ – Oh, I wish! I bloody wish, no way. But that is an absolute gift, and that is probably the most relaxed gig that I can do. When you’re given somebody else’s words, they’re words you totally trust, that you know are funny and you’re being directed the way comedy should be directed – it doesn’t get any better than working on a show like Utopia. “I’m just entertained in my workplace all the time, and I’m so up for laughing at other people, I get enough of people laughing at me when I’m on stage, I get my fix, so for me to be in a workplace with people like Rob Sitch and then to go into The Weekly and work with all the writers on The Weekly who are just so funny, and Charlie and Tom Gleisner and all those people, I just have a terrific bunch of workplaces. “It’s not right to enjoy being at work that much; often there’s pressure and deadlines and things like that, but I think it really is the people that I get to work with and meet and just be around who make it all such a good time.” Novocastrians will certainly be the ones in for a good time when Flanagan brings her new show, Smashing, to town next month. Tickets are on sale at the Civic Theatre box office or via ticketek.com.au for the gigs, which will kick off at 8pm on November 11 and 25. ■
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What's On?
WHAT’S HAPPENING DURING OCTOBER AT
MORE CHOICE MORE STORES NOW OPEN SEPHORA Visit the global beauty sensation. Located on Level 2, near Apple.
HOLEY MOLEY Enjoy the craziest round of mini golf you’ll ever play!Exclusive to Charlestown Square - in The South Piazza
Three-Hour Dance Spectacular
WOWING AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN
SMIGGLE Check out the relocated and fabulous new store, located near Big W TREE OF LIFE Visit the expanded gorgeous new store, near Target
AT THE FLIX - COMING SOON Disney Pixar Film Fest at Reading Cinemas! Each film will screen at 10am on Saturday & Sunday of their screening weekend. Plus kids can enjoy an activity corner & more fun! Check details at readingcinemas.com.au
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Heylik Sergey
[The show overall] is a mixed program, it’s classical pieces and contemporary pieces and a little bit for everybody.
The last time Russian dancer Sergey Kheylik travelled to Australia, he took to the stage in a fusion of rock music and contemporary ballet moves as a member of the US-based Bad Boys of Dance. This time around he will return to his classical, and ancestral, roots as a guest soloist in the Imperial Russian “I think what they’re going for [is] appealing to the different Ballet Company’s production of A Festival of Russian Ballet. audiences at the same time. If you look at it, in general, it’s just After wowing audiences around the world with the threea celebration of dance; it will be lots of variety and excitement.” hour extravaganza, the Imperial Russian Ballet Company will Born in Voronezh, Russia, Kheylik began dancing at the age embark on a 31-date tour of Australia during the next two of 10 when his mother enrolled him in a ballet class to “keep months, kicking off with their first show at Newcastle Civic him off the streets”. Theatre on Wednesday, October 4. An unwilling participant at first, at the age of 12 he moved The program is split into three awe-inspiring acts and to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow before receiving a includes an eclectic mix of classic and more contemporary scholarship from the Rudolph Nureyev Foundation to study at pieces designed to appeal to a wide audience, from the the Vienna State Opera Ballet School. magnificent Don Quixote and the dramatic Bolero, to the It was there Kheylik finally began to take more seriously beautiful Giselle and Dying Swan and the high-energy Can Can what he clearly had a talent for, and a host of accolades Surprise. followed. From claiming the Hope Prize at Prix De Lausanne Kheylik will take to the stage to perform two pieces in the third act of the show, dancing with his on- and off-stage partner in Switzerland in 2000 to first place at the 2001 Vienna International Ballet Competition, as well as the gold medal at Irena Gharibyan. the 2002 Varna International Ballet Competition in Bulgaria. Their duets will include a 10-minute piece from the With a professional career spanning 15 years, Kheylik has renowned 19th-century ballet Le Corsaire, which tells a story danced for different companies all over the world, moving from of love, betrayal and rescue when a pirate falls in love with a his classical roots to find a passion for more contemporary young Greek girl who has been sold as a slave. The second piece, Runaway, sits at the opposite end of the styles. He now teaches Contemporary Ballet Master Classes ballet spectrum. Choreographed by Kheylik to electronic dance internationally and is currently co-director of the Las Vegasmusic from Swedish group Galantis, the contemporary fourbased Electric Contemporary Ballet. minute duet tells a far more modern tale. “Absolutely not, I didn’t take it seriously at all (when I was “It’s called Runaway, and it’s just about a couple who want 10), but then after I got a scholarship in Vienna, I started taking to run away from everything, from society… all the difficulties it a little bit more seriously and then within time I actually got you have to feel in life,” he said. into it,” Kheylik said. “We tried to put everything in four minutes, which is really hard to explain.
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it’s a constant thing, a constant battle each day.
DINE IN THE DARK To Shed Light on Retinal Eye Conditions
Gharibyan and Heylik - Le Corsaire
“I’ve been trained in classical ballet, but then I started doing contemporary works like Cirque du Soleil and performing in Rock the Ballet (with the Bad Boys of Dance). “I’ve been doing it all my life; I’ve been mixing, trying to explore different genres. “I was more interested in classical ballet when I was younger, but now I haven’t done a lot of classical ballet in a while, I think the contemporary style suits me better, and that’s why I’m more into that.” His partner, on the other hand, was far more willingly seduced by every little girl’s dream of becoming a ballerina. Irena Gharibyan began dancing as a young girl in her hometown of Yerevan, Armenia before moving, at the age of 13, to Los Angeles to continue her training at the Marat Daukayev School of Ballet. While the rigours of the discipline soon replaced those little girl fantasies, Gharibyan said she could not imagine doing anything else. “Yes, of course (I dreamt of a career as a ballerina). At first, I was a lot more into it, for a young girl to see beautiful tutus, beautiful crowns, everything fairytale-like, of course, you get into it, and you dream about it all day long,” she said. “Then it gets tough because ballet training itself is very rough. Everyday practice, everyday rehearsals, diet for some people, you’ve got to take care of your body, fit certain measurements for your height and everything. You can’t let go, it’s a constant thing, a constant battle each day.
Gharibyan Irena
Retina Australia NSW is a charity that raises funds for research towards finding a cure for inherited retinal eye conditions causing blindness. They also provide support services for those newly diagnosed with conditions such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), and other related eye conditions and provide awareness and education for living with low vision and blindness. This charity does not receive any government assistance and relies solely on the generosity of the public to help fundraise. RP is the number 1 cause of youth blindness and the major cause of inherited blindness, affecting 1.5 million people worldwide (a prevalence of one in 5000). RP is categorised by the progressive loss of photoreceptor cells and peripheral vision and is associated with night-vision difficulties. As a result of recent medical advances, researchers are getting closer to finding a
cure, and they will not give up until we achieve this. In recent times we have witnessed the first bionic eye, showing promise for the future, along with stem cell research and gene therapy. "Having three generations of x-linked RP in my family I have helplessly witnessed the slow deterioration of sight, cruelly being taken away from my grandfather, brother and now son. It is heartbreaking to know that they are not able to drive a car, navigate without an aid, or see the beauty that we take for granted every day,” said Deb Hescott, Vice President of Retina Australia (NSW). “While they live fulfilling lives, it would be so great for them to have the choice to regain their vision, along with the many others who are also affected. I don't want to see a 4th generation of our family having to lose their sight to RP,” she added. Dining in the Dark is a unique dining experience where guests are blindfolded while eating a meal to gain a taste of what it is like to have low vision or blindness. It is a unique sensory experience that is fun yet reflective on how fortunate we are to have sight. The 4th Annual “Black Friday” Dining in the Dark event will be held on Friday 13th October at the Beach Hotel, Merewether. Early bird tickets are only $86 pp and include a 3-course meal and drink on arrival – but you’ll have to get in quick! For tickets visit www.trybooking.com/RSSB - contact Deb on 0412 658 139 for more information.
Friday 13 October 6.30pm-10pm
“But if you’re strong enough and get through it, everything works out, and you get where you wanted to be. “I’m just so used to it in the first place I don’t imagine my life without it. “I’ve had times when I’ve not had it. I quit for a year, and I’ve had an injury here and there, but at the end of that I always ended up going back because I just love performing and just love everything about it, it’s wonderful.” You can catch Kheylik, Gharibyan and the entire cast of the Imperial Russian Ballet Company at the Newcastle Civic Theatre on October 4. Tickets are on sale now for A Festival of Russian Ballet at the box office or via Ticketek.
Come and join us in this unique Dining in the Dark experience, a Fundraiser for Retina Australia NSW. You will be blind folded during your meal to gain a taste of what it is like to live with low vision or blindness. JOIN US AND SUPPORT THIS GREAT CAUSE!!
WHERE Beach Hotel - Aqua Level Three Cnr Frederick and Ridge Streets, Merewether COST Early bird rate $85pp (regular ticket price $94)
incl. 3 course meal + a drink on arrival (Additional beverages at own expense)
DRESS THEME Anything Black RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED • https://www.trybooking.com/RSSB For further information contact Deb Hescott on 0412 658 139 www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 19
Celebrating 60 YEARS of a Cultural Icon Celebrate with Newcastle Region Library during October, as Newcastle City Library opens after a major revitalisation project and the War Memorial Cultural Centre turns 60 years old. You're invited to join in the fun and festivity with events over a full two days, Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October. The War Memorial Cultural Centre, home of Newcastle Region Library, was built in 1957 to house Newcastle's Art Gallery, Conservatorium and Library. The celebrations will reflect upon the building's history, its contributions to the cultural development of our city, and its future following the recent modernisation project. The celebrations will showcase upgrades that began in April and include new spaces to read, research and engage in creative activities, said Newcastle Region Library Manager Suzie Gately. "The floor space has increased by 85sqm including both quiet spaces and a children's zone as part of the $1.3 million project, and the Library now has a new digital 'makerspace'," said Gately.
"Called 'The Space', it will be used to showcase the latest technologies and will be located on the library's first floor along with new work and study areas. This community resource will provide opportunities for groups to explore their creativity and collaborate in new and innovative ways." A program of activities operating in the makerspace will include electronics, 3D printing, coding, 3D scanning, robotics and digital embroidery, just to name a few. The 60th-anniversary celebrations for the War Memorial Cultural Centre will include two days of activities, events, music and more. FRIDAY 27TH OCTOBER Explore the new Library, 10am to 2pm | Visit the renovated library, take a tour and explore areas not often open to the public. There will be stories, craft and even dress-ups! Schools, pre-schools and playgroups are welcome to join the fun. For group bookings call 4974 5333. Party in the Street, 5pm to 8pm, Laman Street | Rock up to Laman Street for a trip down memory lane in a celebration of the 1950s and everything classic. Music, food and drinks, theatre, classic cars and more. Bring the family! SATURDAY 28TH OCTOBER Library after Dark dinner party, 6.30pm, City Library | When the doors close the rules change! View the Library as you've never seen it before. Find poetry in your drink, music in the air and fabulous food on candlelit tables. $80 per person. Bookings essential. EXHIBITIONS Two new exhibitions will be on display for the celebration. Newcastle in Photographs: Treasures from the Collection highlights Newcastle's history from the Library's photographic collection. Ethical Design and Noble Dimensions tells the story of the iconic 'Him 'n' Her' statues and the exquisite Paul Beadle panels that grace the entry to the War Memorial Cultural Centre.
An Intensely Physical Theatre Experience...
BLUE LOVE
Shaun Parker & Company is an exhilarating and bold Australian dance company that has exploded onto the international dance scene. The company creates critically acclaimed dance productions, which are renowned for their integration of stimulating choreographic forms, arresting musical scores and theatrical invention. Led by award-winning Artistic Director and Choreographer Shaun Parker, his work is described as ‘so cutting edge it actually wanders off the edge of any singleword definition…’ Born in Mildura, he studied a Bachelor of Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts and a Bachelor of Science at Monash University, before embarking on a performance career that spanned seventeen years with leading companies in Australia, New York, Geneva and Berlin. Blue Love will take to the stage at the Civic Theatre from October 20 – 21 and will see Shaun Parker perform the role of Glenn Flune, alongside the hysterical and dynamic Lucia Mastrantone as Rhonda Flune.
Infused with intense physical theatre, film and dance, Blue Love is a poetic and satirical take on the clichés of pop culture, romance, coupledom and suburbia. From a fantastic place where TV soap meets art-house film, Glenn and Rhonda Flune take the audience on an expedition in search of the perfect relationship. Blue Love is inspired by famous works of art, theatre, music, and film, all of which deal with the concept of love. This quirky, character-based work is a multimedia, physical theatre comedy: accessible, challenging and enormously entertaining. Visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au for tickets.
Win!
Thanks to our friends at Civic Theatre Newcastle we have five double passes to see Blue Love to give away to five lucky readers. To enter, visit the Giveaways page at www.intouchmagazine. com.au. Entries close October 14th - so be quick!
Brought to Newcastle by CROSBIE WEALTH MANAGEMENT
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Infused with intense physical theatre, film and dance, Blue Love is a poetic and satirical take on the clichés of pop culture, romance, coupledom and suburbia.
Blue Love By Shaun Parker
CIVIC THEATRE 20 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
For tickets or more information call the Box Office on 02 4929 1977
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What's On?
THE BOY FROM THE BUSH
25 years with Lee Kernaghan
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collected 36 Golden Guitars and four ARIA awards, not to mention being named the “Hit Maker of the Decade” in both 2001 and 2011 after having more chart hits in Australia than any other country music artist in the world. Outside of the recording studio, Kernaghan received an Order of Australia Medal in 2004 and four years later was named the Australian of the Year, both honours no doubt a reflection of his tireless support of rural and regional Australia. His Pass the Hat Around Australia tours, Spirit of the Bush and Farmhand concerts have raised millions of dollars for drought, flood and bushfire relief, hospitals, schools, ambulances and volunteer organisations nationwide, while more recently proceeds from his “The Spirits of the ANZACs” song will be donated in perpetuity to veteran support groups Legacy Australia and Soldier On, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised so far. “I think it’s just the country way (to give back),” he said. “I do it through music and concerts to raise money, but you only have to have a look in our own communities right across the country. There’s just so many people in their own way doing what they can do to help others or raise money for a raffle or fundraise for an important community cause. “It’s the quiet achievers out there that are my heroes.
It’s really fulfilling to be able to make a difference in someone’s life, and I feel that I’ve been blessed that I’ve had the opportunity and the privilege to be a small part of all that.
“I love it, I love that song, it’s a real bush anthem, and it feels as real today as it did back in 1992 when I released it. “It was just what we were doing on the weekends, we were chasing girls and going to B&S balls and doing a bit of work out on the land and shearing sheep and mustering stock, it was just a bit of a rollcall of all those different things. “But my record producer Garth Porter really made the song WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN all it could be. In the final minutes of recording he threw some extra lyrics at me to sing, and those lyrics were ‘We work the Lee Kernaghan remembers the moment he thought his music land through fire and flood, it’s in our hearts, it runs in the career was over - before it had even really begun. blood’ and I believe those two lines transformed Boys From the The year was 1990, and after almost ten years of “slogging Bush from just a catchy country song into an anthem.” it out” in pubs and clubs trying to make a living as a full-time Kernaghan’s subsequent debut album, The Outback Club, musician, the Riverina-raised singer was questioning what lay and hit single Boys From the Bush propelled him out of the ahead. He’d shown promise early – winning the Starmaker award in musical wilderness to become the hottest property in Australian 1982 – but had been unable to capitalise on the tiny foothold it country music circles, picking up three Golden Guitar awards had given him in the industry and had returned home to Albury and setting him on a path that would change his life forever. A quarter of a century and 15 albums later Kernaghan to scrap for whatever gigs he could get. is still on a high, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his A future studying real estate at TAFE and selling houses for breakthrough album with a massive national tour, which will a living loomed large on the horizon until fate, in the form of see him hit the stage at Newcastle Civic Theatre on Friday, music producer Garth Porter, stepped in, encouraging him to tap into his country upbringing to provide the inspiration for his November 10. “(Doing the anniversary tour) makes me think back to the songs. early days when I was struggling to make a living in music,” he “Around about 1990, I was pretty disillusioned and come to terms with the fact that my music career was not really going to said. “I’d do a gig anywhere, anytime and if it was playing cocktail happen, so I started going to TAFE,” Kernaghan said. music in a piano bar, I’d do it. If it was cover songs in a pub, I’d “I was studying business and real estate, I had a mate who do it, whatever I could to keep my head above water really. owned a real estate agency, and he encouraged me to come “When I finally had that opportunity to make my first album, along to TAFE and go to night school and I did that three nights The Outback Club, and to see it go on to win three Golden a week in between the odd gig here and there with the idea Guitars at the Country Music Awards and an ARIA, it was lifethat I might have been able to find a career path down that changing and set me on a whole new path in life. road. “Looking back 25 years, all I can say is that time goes by “It wasn’t like a passion, it was more like well, here’s an very fast when you’re having fun.” opportunity if you want it take it. Aside from fun, Kernaghan has also had his fair share of “I really didn’t have too many opportunities at all back at that time, things were looking pretty bleak, but I was saved by a success along the way, having sold more than two million albums in Australia, notched up 37 number one hit songs, song, and that song was Boys From the Bush.
Kernaghan was nine months into his mammoth Boys From the Bush 25th Anniversary Tour when he spoke to intouch Magazine last month, on a high after performing ten consecutive sold out shows. With concerts running through until June 2018 (the tour has been extended by popular demand), Kernaghan still has a long road ahead celebrating the song that truly started it all. But with a love of the open road bred into him from generations of Kernaghans before him – his father was a truck driver and had his own successful music career while his grandfather and great-grandfather were cattle and sheep drovers – there’s no doubt the affable and down-to-earth singer is exactly where he wants to be. “It’s been just absolutely over the top. We just finished our 10th sold out show in a row, and it’s been an incredible response right around the country,” Kernaghan said. “I don’t want it to end; it’s too much fun. I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself when the tour ends. “I think that part of it becomes ingrained in you, the travelling part of it. “It’s an exciting part of the musical life, you do get to see so much of Australia and meet so many people, and those experiences keep me doing what I’m doing today and make me want to keep doing it for a long time to come.”
Tickets for Kernaghan’s November 10 show in Newcastle are on sale now via the Civic Theatre box office or Ticketek. The show will feature special guests The Wolfe Brothers and Tania Kernaghan. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 23
Conscious
Guy Sebastian has hit the Australian airwaves again with his brand new single High On Me released through Sony Music Entertainment Australia. Written with Fiona Bevan (Ed Sheeran) and produced with Louis Schoorl and M-Phazes, High On Me gives another tantalising taste of what’s to come from Sebastian’s forthcoming 10th studio album, Conscious, set for release on Friday, October 27. Sebastian has spent over a decade on the road, which has challenged him to maintain a healthy work/life balance and fuelled his conscious decision to spend more time at home over the last 12 months. “I feel like I’ve had so many ah-ha moments this last year,” explains Guy. “One of the biggest is that every now and again everybody just needs a reason to let go, smile and dance. I really wanted to create a soulful earworm that would make young and old want to get up out of their chair and enjoy the moment.” Sebastian is excited to hit the road and showcase new songs from his forthcoming album along with his greatest hits, which will either move you or make you move. “This album has been one of my most creative projects to date. I am looking forward to creating some magic on the road and showcasing these songs in a way that no one has seen me do before. The tour will be very special. I’m really looking forward to it.” Catch Guy Sebastian when he performs at the Civic Theatre on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Tickets are available from www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
Win!
Thanks to our friends at Sony Music we have a double pass to give away for Guy’s show at the Civic Theatre. Visit www.intouchmagazine.com.au/Giveaways to enter. Be quick – entries close midnight October 25th, 2017.
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Bruce Rowland with his puppets. Left: sculpture by Steve Glassborow
and teaching over decades. They emphasise his unique abilities to communicate and instruct and acknowledge the depth of his art knowledge. As to his own art, Bruce says it’s a continuous art of learning. His desire for art education is lifelong and never tiring. It’s difficult to make a past comparison with any Australian artist who has the diversification, depth of art training, skills and breadth of art interest Rowland possesses. Furthermore, he has studied, taught himself, refined and WEAVER & GLASSBOROW | ISLANDS & FIRES + developed a professionalism across so many mediums. PRECIOUS METAL – Until October 9 Arguably, there hasn’t been an artist since Norman Lindsay Susan Weaver has developed a technique which sets her who has the scope of art skill across so many mediums as apart from other artists and technicians – the layering of the Bruce Rowland. Apart from that, he is prepared to convey oil pastel or oil on canvas! The luminosity achieved is both and share his artistic knowledge with anyone who shares powerful and alluring, compelling the viewer to look inside an enthusiasm for art and art history. Over two weekends or into the depths of her paintings. When they are exposed during the exhibition, Rowland will conduct talks and to more light either natural or incandescent, they reveal the shadows, structures and emotion within. They offer an impact, demonstrations at the gallery: with a rich colouring and tone that both radiates and attracts • Sunday 22nd October at 2:30pm Rowland will talk on the eye from any angle. Iridescence is the superlative that ‘Late 19th and early 20th century U.K. Figurative art’ AND embodies the over-arching effect of Weaver’s art. European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM)- Figurative art. Art deco and beauty, particularly the feminine, has been • Saturday 28th October at 2:30pm Puppeteering- ‘The Art a constant influence in Steve Glassborow’s art along with of the Marionette’ by master puppeteer Bruce Rowland. the element of science fiction. He is fascinated in creating a To many, Bruce Rowland is known as an artist and art figurative form and aligning it with another era. The finished educator, but few know that he has another profession; product is edgy and fascinating to perceive, which leaves the that of a puppeteer and puppet maker! He formed the viewer questioning the works’ meaning. It is dazing to behold Newcastle Marionette Theatre in 1972 and performed a design that is both workable and a balanced sculpture. regularly during the 1970’s, and 80’s receiving two Grants Glassborow is a sculptor who presents human figures in a from the Australia Council and exhibiting his marionettes unique way. They are, at the one time, classical and abstract. at the Sydney Opera House. The talk and demonstration It is almost as if his figures have chosen their relationship will include a range of puppets from his private collection with their environment after an initial struggle to retain their plus an in-depth exploration of the traditional marionette. integrity. Given that full-scale performances are rarely seen in "I attempt to bend the traditional attitudes of the figure, Australia today, this will be a unique experience to see and while still retaining my view of an aesthetic balance," he says. hear a highly experienced puppeteer and puppet maker. BRUCE ROWLAND | THE EUROPEAN TRADITION – October For more information about these and other upcoming 20 until November 6 exhibitions at Cooks Hill Galleries visit Bruce Rowland is the master; with hundreds of apprentices www.cookshillgalleries.com.au or past students paying tribute to his dedication to the arts
There’s never a dull moment at Cooks Hill Galleries, according to Director and Owner Mark Widdup. And October is no exception, with two major exhibitions lining the walls and the floors from an amazing trio of artists using a variety of very different mediums.
SU
GUY SEBASTIAN
WHAT’S ON AT COOKS HILL GALLERIES
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KOTARA www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 25
What's On?
challenges presented by menopause to deliver a 90-minute comedic romp through sisterhood. Menopause the Musical was originally created by playwright Jeanie Linders in 2001 and made its on-stage debut in Orlando, Florida. It was received to rave reviews during an off-Broadway season in New York the following year before productions were staged in theatres across America. Its success in the US led to a number of international versions springing up around the world, with the latest incarnation in Australia, Menopause The Musical - Women on Fire, featuring new songs, new dance routines choreographed by Melissa Lanham and plenty of new gags. Directed by Alli Pope-Bailey for Jally Productions in conjunction with Abstract Entertainment, it is set for a run of 26 shows across NSW throughout November and December, Alli Pope-Bailey including one performance in Newcastle. Pope-Bailey is well-known to Australian audiences in front of the camera, having spent the first part of her career starring in television series such as Neighbours, Blue Heelers, Janus, The Late Show and A Country Practice. She later moved behind the scenes to direct a number of comedies and musical stage shows before joining with her husband John Bailey 15 years ago to create Jally Productions, which has since become one of the country’s most successful and progressive touring companies. Pope-Bailey will direct a high quality cast in Menopause the Musical, with former Sale of the Century hostess Victoria Nicholls, whose professional career as an actor, writer, director and presenter has spanned 40 years, starring in the show as the “Dubbo Housewife”. Scottish-born actor Lilias Davie will tread the boards as the WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN “Soap Star”, Brisbane-based actor, singer and performing arts teacher Melanie Evans will play the “Professional Woman” while To women of a certain age, menopause might not seem like the highly respected singer and voice coach Meg Kiddle will star as the “Earth Mother”. funniest topic. But after entertaining millions of people around The stage show takes hot flushes, mood swings, and the world for 16 years, one musical production continues to memory loss, and transforms them into a universally praised, prove there’s plenty of laughs to be had looking at the lighter international sensation, with audiences calling it “wonderful side of “the change”. feel-good entertainment”, “absolutely hilarious” and “the best A hilarious musical parody staged to classic tunes from laugh I have had in a long time.” the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, Menopause, The Musical - Women on Fire centres on the interactions of four women in a department Menopause The Musical - Women on Fire will appear at Wests store who have nothing in common but a black lace bra they New Lambton on Wednesday, November 8. Previous tours want to buy at a lingerie sale. of this award-winning show have sold out, with tickets now Poking fun at the woefulness of hot flushes, wrinkles, available by calling 4935 1200. night sweats, and chocolate binges, the women bond over the
POKING FUN
At Wrinkles, Hot Flushes & Chocolate Binges!
Something Unique
IN VALENTINE WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN There’s nothing that says luxury quite like an Italian leather lounge. Soft to the touch and elegant to the eye, it is a statement piece like no other, guaranteed to last the test of time. For more than 25 years homeowners looking to make a statement with their furnishings have been turning to the exquisite custom-made designs on offer at Como Furniture in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Specialising in German and Italian luxury furniture and contemporary sofas, Como Furniture is renowned for their elegant and outstanding range, which has been built to the highest international standards. From premium, quality leather lounge suites and stunning outdoor settings to designer dining tables and sumptuous bedroom collections, Como Furniture is unlike anything you will find elsewhere, offering a mix of style and sophistication. ►
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was so stylish, and you could see it was really good quality. “It was also different, a little more unique than the run-of-the-mill (furniture stores). “Initially we just bought some furniture, a dining suite and a lounge suite, but they said to us if you’d like some help from an interior designer we could offer that to you. “The Como design team came and had a look at the house, and I just loved her suggestions. They were just terrific with their ideas, and they worked in with my ideas as well, it was a real partnership. “Now we have a house full of Como Furniture, it looks lovely, and we’re so happy with it.” The crowning glory of the project was the “Africa room” Lynette created with the help of Photo by Skeye High Photography Como Furniture, as well as the transformation of an area adjacent to their swimming pool. “There was one room off the swimming But buying a piece of furniture at Como is pool area that was pretty daggy. It was about more than just sitting on a few sofas – previously set up as a karaoke room, but it’s about their staff working with you to find the Como design team suggested that white the perfect piece to complement your space. marble down here would suit it perfectly,” she While some customers know exactly what said. they are after, Como is the ideal destination “With the beautiful leather lounge and for those who need a helping hand, with swivel top chairs it looks gorgeous. The experienced interior design consultants able to walk you through every step in the decision- previous owners hadn’t done anything around the swimming pool either. After looking making process. at several options,the design team also This aspect proved particularly appealing suggested a beautiful screen, which just for Lynette Duke, who engaged Como made the area look great. Furniture to help bring her newly renovated “I would never have thought of it, so it was home to life with a range of quality furnishings. Lynette said while her previous home had great to have that expertise. been filled with antique-style furnishings, she and her husband knew they wanted to do “From what the house looked something a little different with the interior like (when we bought it), design when they decided to give their new you wouldn’t believe the house at Valentine a major facelift. “We were doing quite a lot of renovation, transformation. and we thought we really want something “The personalities of the people [at Como different to what we’d done before. I’d always Furniture], from the sales assistants to the had a lot of antiques, but the house we’d guys who moved the furniture were wonderful, bought was more modern,” she said. and the rapport we developed with their team “We wanted something high quality, so we decided on Como Furniture because we loved was really special, you could tell they had a passion for it.” ■ their furniture when we saw the showroom, it
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COMO.COM.AU Lynette Duke. Photo by Skeye High Photography
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Bloomin'
BEAUTIFUL
Perfect for Spring, the Romance Rug from insideout Newcastle comes in a variety of sizes. Prices start from RRP $995 (for the 160 x 230 size) – 4 sizes available as rectangles, also available in round.
Bring on the bling by introducing an always-sophisticated grey or silver colour palette into your home. Incorporate a little or a lot – it’s a scheme that’s as elegant as it is versatile. Here’s our top picks...
Right: Cushions both from Wildflower Furniture Warners Bay. Far Left: Butterfly Beanbag by Ambient in lime. Available in many colours, starting from RRP $389 (filled); Left: Outdoor Avatar Beanbag. Starting from RRP $289 (filled), available in an indoor version and in many colours. Both from insideout Newcastle.
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Above: Summer Sun Timber Framed Canvas 150cm x 120cm RRP $499; Right: Bailey Designer Chair in Plush Asphalt with Kaleido Sunset Fabric. RRP $1,399. Both from OZ Design Furniture, Kotara. Below: Romeo Lounge RRP $5,999, from Como Furniture.
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Home + Lifestyle
REFRESH YOUR INTERIORS WITH
Colour
WORDS LARA O'DONNELL - Tailored HQ
Interior Design | Curtains & Blinds Custom Furniture | Art | Accessories At Tailored HQ we work to make spaces as unique as you are. Our dedicated team has everything you need to customise your home to achieve your dream look.
Suite 1A, Ground Floor, 41-45 Hunter Street, Newcastle. Phone 4047 2330
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As Spring has sprung, it’s the time of year to inject some refreshing colour into your interiors. Many people are afraid of using too much colour. However, colour does not have to mean multiple colours – it can be a variety of the same tone combined with neutrals. You can still have a sophisticated interior with a colour injection. Deep greens and blues like emeralds and navies are elegant colours, and one we are seeing utilised more and more. These sophisticated tones blend beautifully with neutral tones without being overpowering. Let the colours in your home allow your personality to shine. Experiment with colour, venture into jewel tones or mix finishes, textures and hues – create a tapestry of shades. There is a limit to the use of the ‘pop’ colour, however. Some people have one colour in mind and then only have that colour around a space in the form of accessories. The feature of it is lost, and visually it all becomes too much, making the room appear smaller. Lovers of red (of which I am myself) and aqua are often guilty of this. You need to bring through varying shades of the same colour. For the red fans, think burnt oranges and deep pinks. Even consider different material types and the way they portray colour. In fabrics, for example, velvets and linen showcase colour differently, with the light hitting velvets revealing variations within its pile, whereas linens have flat finishes, becoming colour blocks. The added layers created by combining these emit character and an ambience in your space, with an air of quality and thought. We often get asked ‘how do I start?’ If you have the main pieces of furniture, but the space is not feeling finished, it’s the layers
you need to add – the finishing touches, the pieces that make it feel like a home. Until they are there, the space will be missing personality. Layering with textures is a great way to inject a breath of fresh air into the interior. A simple addition for spring is a throw on the end of your bed. Using a distinctive textural knit made from a quality cotton yarn not only looks beautiful when placed at the end of the bed but also adds the light layer needed for the warmer Spring nights. Cushions are an easy one to start with too. Don’t be afraid to ask for help either – not everyone can create working combinations easily. Cushions with different textures and patterns blend well to create depth and interest and don’t be afraid of putting patterns next to each other. Patterns really do like each other! Pattern mixing can be daunting, however as long as you use different scales or a mixture of geometric and abstract patterns, they will sit together well. While some patterns do fight each other, it is usually the scale being the same size which causes the issue. Rugs are also a great way to play with colour and get a little brave! Think of them as artworks on the ground instead of on your wall. You can customise a rug to bring the colours you want through, or allow the other elements to remain quite neutral. Try utilising different combinations of both colours and materials such as wool, hemp, nettle and silk that add to the textural element of the space both visually and physically underfoot. They aren’t just for living rooms either – under dining tables, and the ends of beds are also common places for them. They bring a space together, removing the distances created between furniture elements which would otherwise be floating independently. Being bold with your interiors means different things to different people. To some, the pop of colour in a couple of cushions is enough. To others, the patterns, textures and colour combinations illustrate their style. Whatever your level of boldness, have fun with your interior. It’s your home, you live there, and you look at it every day. Make it yours.
SPRING!
A Time for New Beginnings
our Instagram and store for more inspiration.) Don’t forget the outside balcony or large entertaining deck if you are lucky enough to have one - adding greenery inside and out will add a calming appeal. Great artificial plants are available if you’re not a green-thumb or simply forget to water. 3. Buy larger pieces of furniture items Advice from the Apartment Experts first. Don’t rush out and buy anything until you insideout Newcastle have some expert advice on the right size of your furniture pieces to make the most of the A lot of Australians are opting for downsizing space – buying furniture that’s too big (or too to an apartment in our cities, lured by the small) can be a costly mistake. idea of living amongst the café culture and Choose larger items first such as a sofa, restaurants and being close to cinemas, dining table/ chairs and your beds. There are theatres and art galleries. A great chance for numerous sofa options available to suit all a new beginning and there’s no better time to spaces – just make sure you have enough renew your life than Spring! No matter what size the apartment will be, seating for a comfortable number of guests to gather. Colours will also make a big difference a serious amount of decluttering and letting go of the old will need serious negotiation with on how big your space appears and need careful consideration. yourself. Once the difficult decision has been Apartment living is different to a large made, and you are looking forward to your journey, the most important tip is to de-clutter home, and carefully chosen dual-purpose pieces of furniture will help with freeing before packing. up space and offer extra storage for that Ask us for advice even if you are only at additional necessary clutter. the planning stage - working with plans is 4. Add layers to tie your look together. something we have experience with. Ordering Consider the window furnishings at this stage sofas and dining tables early will ensure they before deciding on art, rugs, accessories, are available for your move-in day. Leave the layering for later - that’s when all the fun starts. cushions and other pieces of furniture. Items carefully selected (and not overdone), will To get you started – the insideout team create an apartment that is a haven that you have five top tips to help you take away some of the stress before you move. Staying positive not only won’t be able to wait to show off but will want to go home to every day. This and great advice from a professional team is where our team can provide some great will make this a more enjoyable and exciting advice (call to arrange for a free quote.) experience. 5. Now that you have moved in (and 1. De-clutter - go through each room one have been given great advice and made no by one and take a look at all of your furniture expensive mistakes!) it’s time to create new items in a new light. Ask yourself a few tough habits. Create a quick and easy maintenance questions! Do you really love it? Do you plan to keep the apartment clutter free; this really need it? Will your furniture fit? Freeing ourselves of unnecessary clutter and filling our will help your space seem larger. Challenge home with things we love can be very cathartic. yourself to keep shelves, and tabletops clean and only display what you love. Remember, 2. Start collecting images of interior less is more. styles and colours that appeal to you; we help Contact Deb and the Insideout Newcastle our clients make sense of their style even team at www.insideoutstyle.com.au when they aren’t sure what it is. (Check out
(and a little decluttering!)
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STYLE SERVICES FOR YOU BOOK A 2 HOUR STYLE SESSION FOR JUST $150 TO RECEIVE A $50 GIFT CARD ON US! Our range of style services continues while The Style Centre relocates. Enjoy shopping with our experienced Stylist Natalie to discover your perfect Spring look.
Bookings essential. Details at charlestownsquare.com.au
Dr Rastogi’s passion and reputation for beautiful body contour work attracts people from across the country and around the world. Along with caring for many high profile and celebrity clients, he provides regular media commentary and consults on cosmetic surgery to several organisations. “Non-invasive cosmetic procedures have come a long way, and there are now many safe and effective options available for people wanting to improve their appearance,” Dr Rastogi said. “Our purpose is to help someone feel more confident and beautiful on the inside by enhancing their natural features on the outside.” Dr Rastogi BellaFACE Cosmetic Surgery & Medi Spa offers a range of cosmetic procedures including anti-ageing and wrinkle treatments, injectables and dermal fillers, facial rejuvenation and weight loss, together with consultation services for breast augmentation, liposculpture, facelifts and tummy tucks.
Beauty
Makeover for Prominent Cosmetic Clinic WORDS MELINDA SMITH One of Newcastle’s most established cosmetic surgery and medi spa practices is undergoing its own transformation. Renowned cosmetic surgeon Dr Anoop Rastogi has opened new premises at Honeysuckle, relocating from The Junction where he established one of the city’s first specialist cosmetic practices 14 years ago. The new clinic features modern consulting rooms and offers advanced treatments in cosmetic procedures. “Newcastle is currently undergoing an exciting and impressive renewal, and we are delighted to now be situated in the heart of Honeysuckle,” Dr Rastogi said. “There’s a perfect alignment between the elegance and energy of our new location and the services we provide.” 32 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
After graduating from the University of Newcastle Medical School in 1989, Dr Rastogi served his surgical residency in Australia before travelling overseas to complete advanced training in cosmetic surgery. He studied under internationally acclaimed surgeons including liposuction inventor, Georgio Fischer MD (Rome), Docteur Jean-Luc Bachelier (Paris), and Dr Anthony Erian during his time as president of the European Academy for Cosmetic Surgery. Returning home with international insights, Dr Rastogi was instrumental in pioneering Australia’s first Botox injections for cosmetic purposes, a contrast to their original medical-only use, and introduced the treatments locally when BellaFACE opened in 2003.
WE’RE HAVING A SPRING MAKEOVER! Dr Rastogi BellaFACE Cosmetic Surgery & Medi Spa now at new Honeysuckle premises.
NEW LOCATION
We specialise in a range of cosmetic procedures including: Anti-ageing & wrinkle treatments Injectables & dermal fillers Facial rejuvenation HCG for weight loss
Consultation services for - breast augmentation - liposculpture - facelifts & tummy tucks
A 3a/5 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle NSW 2300 P 4929 7911 E info@bellaface.com.au
www.bellaface.com.au
Fashion+Beauty...
Far right: Mimosa Bermuda 100% SIlk Shirt $229 and pants $259, from Mimosa (Cooks Hill); Second right: Fate & Becker Jetset Pants, $109.95 from July Jones Style Studio (Hamilton); Right: Fate & Becker Adah Striped Dress, $179.95 from July Jones Style Studio (Hamilton); Below: Marilu Striped Swing Skirt $129.95, by Collectif from Miskonduct Klothing (Hunter St, Newcastle)
They never really go out of style, but this season STRIPES are everywhere! From casual to formal, from stylishly subtle to bold strips of monochrome and colourful clashes of colliding horizontal lines, stripes are the pattern to reach for when you need to make an impact. And the good news is that stripes are on-trend again this Spring. Stripes truly are the quintessential fashion classic – patterns can be super-sized, pin-stripes, diagonal, vertical and horizontal (or a mix-match of all). Here’s some of our faves and where you can find them (locally – of course!) Below, left to right - Anannasa Cuba Jumpsuit, $209 from July Jones Style Studio (Hamilton); Dolly & Dotty Aurora Striped Dress, $99.95 from Miskonduct Klothing (Hunter St, Newcastle); Curate by Trelise Cooper at Crepe Length Happy Ending Black,$179 from Scentsation (The Junction).
34 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
E AT TH
Photo by Hellene Algie.
Markets
BOLD AND EXCITING DESIGNS alexis, eclectic WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN
A conservative work environment can prove challenging for anyone who has a flair for the eclectic when it comes to fashion. How do you dress for success without completely ignoring your own sense of style? After being faced with this dilemma in her own office-based experiences, former physics student turned fashion designer Alexis Withers decided to tap into these personal frustrations to create her own line of clothing. The result was alexis, eclectic – a burgeoning new fashion label designed to allow the wearer to express a creative soul from within the confines of conventional attire. “My favourite outfit was this bright purple pencil skirt and vintage black top – I loved wearing things that I could get away with but were also a bit bold and exciting,” Alexis said. “But I worked (for a period of time) as an admin assistant and receptionist in a lot of office environments, and I found it hard at 21, 22 to dress as me in these environments that are really conservative. “This is something I’m sure plenty of people struggle with, so (my clothing line) aims to fill that gap.”
Alexis working on her creations. Photo by Madeline Young for The Journey Person.
While she was raised in the urban environment of Sydney’s inner west, the design aesthetic of Alexis’ current collection Backburn is clearly rooted in the Australian bush. Bold colours and patterns inspired by the banksia plant are mixed with classic styles and cuts to produce garments that are sophisticated, exciting and uniquely Australian. Alexis said each of her collections is unified by a particular theme, with a sense of renewal at the heart of Backburn. “The thematic focus of this collection is the removal of the old and painful, and to move forward to new things; just as the Australian bush is regularly burned to clear the underbrush to permit for new growth,” she said. “This is symbolised by the use of the banksia in print, as this plant has adapted so that it uses fire to release its seed. “Moving through life, sometimes we must consciously free ourselves from either people or memories that bring us no joy, actively burning our past from our lives, and allowing a new future to sprout.” Now living in regional NSW on the outskirts of Orange with her husband, Alexis is sure to find plenty of botanical inspiration for future collections. But the new surroundings have provided more than just design cues, with the move also prompting Alexis to take what had previously been more of a hobby and turn it into her fulltime career. “(While I was still in Sydney) I went to TAFE to study fashion production and this (business) really just started off as a side project to keep my skills sharp and make sure I was doing something while I was job searching,” she said. “When I moved to the country I decided to make it my fulltime focus. “Both my husband and a great many of my close friends went through art school, and while I didn’t, I’ve always approached my fashion label more as an art practice rather than a commercial venture.
“I spend a lot of time on it to create a considered body of work for each collection, which has got emotion attached to it and a story attached to it.” Alexis launched her Backburn collection in December last year, selling her clothing online and at various artisan markets. This month she will introduce her range to fashion lovers in Newcastle when she takes a stall at the Olive Tree Market for the first time. Alexis said markets provided the perfect opportunity to meet customers face-to-face and see their reactions to her range. But setting up a stall in Newcastle isn’t the only new development on the horizon for the fashion label, with Alexis in the final stages of putting together her next collection, which she hopes to launch in November or December. Featuring her own print designs and a much “brighter, bolder colour scheme” than Backburn, the collection will have more of a “summer vibe” although, as with all of Alexis’ offerings, the clothing has been designed to be worn all year round. To check out more of Alexis’ creations visit www.alexiseclectic.com or stop by her stall at this month’s Olive Tree Markets, which will be held at Newcastle’s Civic Park from 9am to 3pm on October 7. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 35
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Section of Mitch Revs Mural in Coco's Laser Suite
INSPIRED BY
Creativity
After relocating to the CBD from Merewether in 2015, Coco Skin Laser Health and it’s medical team have noticed the surge of creativity that is emanating within the city and are inspired to emulate this change in their clinic. Coco provides state of the art laser treatments, cosmetic injectables and beauty treatments to their clients and while the team boasts many years of experience in delivering treatments that utilise the world’s leading cosmetic technologies, they recognise that it’s the small details combined with great treatment results that make an outstanding customer experience. As cosmetic artists, Coco’s team have an eye for detail and convey this in their state of the art premises with elegant interiors. Situated on the top floor of Hunter Mall Chambers on Scott Street, the clinic has 360-degree views of the city overlooking Newcastle Harbour and back to Christchurch Cathedral. 36 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
As a result of a recent collaboration with local artist Mitch Revs a mural painting portraying beach waves peering over the city’s silhouette now features in one of Coco’s laser suites. “We strive for a space that highlights our passion for aesthetics. Our collaboration with Mitch adds that something extra for our clients to enjoy when they come in for their laser treatment and is an expression of our love for the city and the positive change that we see in the CBD,” said Coco’s senior Registered Nurse Melissa Melia. One could say that the city is experiencing a cultural shift with an influx of creative types setting up shop and injecting new life and colour into the city. Local artist Rebecca Murray from the Flying Spanners Gallery in Teralba is also putting her cosmetic touches on the city but in a very different way. The popular ‘Pillar People Project’ brings communication pillars around the city to life with paintings of unique characters and people. One such example is a quirky judge painted outside the new flagship courthouse on Hunter Street. “I never really grasped just how important public art was until I started talking to people on the street, pedestrians see these characters popping up everywhere, and they make them smile,” said Rebecca The project is powered by “Newcastle Now” who work with BIA and The Civic Advisory Group to fund projects that beautify
Sarah Relic
Judge Pillar (Outside Courthouse) by Rebecca Murray
the city. This particular project has seen over twenty pillar structures reinvented with plans of more work to come. Coco’s Director Sarah Relic explained “When you consider the growing list of initiatives improving the city, it’s no wonder that Newcastle was named one of the world's top 'Smart Cities' to watch in 2017 by National Geographic Traveler. Rebecca’s project is an example of how attention to small details can make a great difference to the overall experience of a place. At Coco, we want to play our part in helping to grow the city for everyone to enjoy.”
IS 'FAKING IT'
Actually Safe?
WORDS SONYA TODD-JONES Dip Health Sciences (Pathology), Dip Practice Management, Dip RM. Owner & Manager of Mojo Health Charlestown.
Fake tan has come a long way since orange palms and streaky ankles (well for most people!) but is our desire for the yearround ultimate sun-free tan actually safe? The most common ingredient in fake tanners is called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which is a colour additive that binds to dead skin cells and changes the colour of the skin. As the dead skin cells come off, so does the fake tan.
DHA is regulated as a safe chemical as long as it only touches the skin. It is when ingested that it can be harmful. A study at the School of Public Health and Health Services at George Washington University, USA showed that DHA may cause mutations or changes to the DNA structure in our living cells. The current concerns are not so much the chemical reaction on the skin when ‘tanning’ but if the DHA from the tanning product is ingested how this could affect our lungs and other organs. So, if you're faking it at the salon, you may be breathing in DHA through your nose and mouth. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA has approved DHA in traditional self-tanning creams and lotions but states that sprays containing DHA have not been approved, due to a lack of data confirming their safety. These recommendations echo a report in 2010 from the Danish Toxicology Centre, which advised using nose filters and eye protection in tanning booths. However, according to the European Commission’s independent scientific committee, which oversees the safety of cosmetic ingredients in Europe believe that DHA is safe to use in cosmetic products. As for Australia? There isn’t much local research data available about the use of DHA. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) states that DHA is approved for topical use only. The Cancer Council states that “DHA is considered safe for topical application to the skin. However, there is currently no
research available regarding the safety of exposure to DHA “to the area of the eye, the lips, mucous membranes, or internal organs via ingestion or inhalation.”
Whatever camp you sit in here are the top 7 Fake Tanning Safety Tips: 1. Always carry out a skin patch test before covering your body to check for any allergic reactions 2. Avoid salon sprays and choose creams, foams or gels which when dispensed do not produce aerosol droplets which can be inhaled. 3. Always apply fake tan in a well-ventilated area 4. Always use sun protection as fake tan only colours the skin’s surface and offers no UV protection. 5. Avoid going out in the sun for 24 hours after application as studies have found that skin covered in DHA had 180% MORE free radical damage from the sun than untanned skin. 6. Look for certified organic tanning products which contain natural ingredients and no toxic chemicals 7. If you MUST have a spray tan ALWAYS cover your eyes, mouth and nose and make sure you are in a ventilated booth.
Better yet why not embrace our paleness as it seems our pursuit for a ‘healthy glow’ isn’t really that healthy after all!
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 37
Travel
Africa is an amazing destination. Full of breathtaking moments, stunning scenery and surreal experiences, it is a travel adventure like no other. Being a favourite destination for many of our itravel team we have shared below some of our most memorable African experiences... Andrew - Being woken up in my luxury tent in the Masai Mara by a noisy elephant wandering by. Just awesome! Georgette - Quad bike riding through the red sand dunes of the Nambian desert. Darienne - Sitting poolside at our luxury camp, watching buffalos drinking from the water hole we saw 3 lions prowling, and then finally attack a buffalo! It was incredible to see, (and a little sad) but a truly amazing experience. Megan - Trekking to see the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. Seeing these beautiful creatures in the wild was the most memorable and surreal experience of all my travel journeys. Sue - Africa has an addictive charm that nowhere else in the world can replicate - from the joyful locals, to stunning scenery and amazing wildlife. Simone - The thrill of tracking animals on game drives and the excitement when you find a great sighting is second to none. Sam - Doing a game safari on the back of an elephant in Tanzania. Just brilliant. Monique - Rowing down the Okavango Delta in a dugout canoe past Rhinos and other wildlifeamazing. Raquel - I love Kruger National Park with its wildlife. The ultimate was seeing the Big 5 in one day, returning to our luxury tents to find a bubble bath run with a glass of port. Let us create a fabulous African adventure for you!
itravel The Junction
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A LIFE
CHANGING
Adventure Awaits WORDS MEGAN O'SULLIVAN
From the stunning natural landscapes of Cape Town to the plains of Kenya and Tanzania brimming with wildlife, Africa is wild at its very core. The grassy savannahs are the perfect backdrop for safari adventures, travellers from all over the world flock here to experience the most spectacular viewing opportunities of wildlife that are second to none. Travelmarvel, part of the APT Travel Group, have carefully crafted each journey to offer a range of included dining and sightseeing options, a wealth of remarkable safari stays and an array of exclusive Insider Experiences. In addition to these
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
inclusions, you will have an ample amount of leisure time to explore at your own pace. Rest assured that you are travelling into the heart of Africa in safety and comfort with local English-speaking Tour Directors and professional drivers. Whether you’re getting lost in the swirling colours, sounds and tastes of Cape Town, exploring the remarkable landscapes of South Africa’s Garden Route or standing at the edge of the thunderous Victoria Falls, your Tour Directors will be providing unique local insight at every step. 4WD safaris through the finest game-parks on the continent offer an exciting close encounter to life in the wild. Whether you choose to explore Kruger National Park in South Africa, Chobe National Park in Botswana, or the great parks of Kenya and Tanzania, a personal driver and game tracker will be there leading the way. With small group tours during safaris, there’s even more of an opportunity to get an up-close glimpse of wild animals in their natural habitat. In between action-packed safari adventures, you can relax in private game lodges and stylish tented camps, where you may spot a wandering creature just outside your window while you relax! Extensions can be added to any escorted African adventure, so you can take advantage and see more of this iconic destination in one go. Visit the stunning island of Zanzibar, or venture deep into the heart of Rwanda’s forest in search of mountain gorillas or you may prefer to course through the veins of South Africa in comfort aboard the stylish Blue Train Extension. A life changing adventure awaits in Africa. Enjoy incredible experiences with the peace of mind knowing with Travelmarvel you’re travelling with the experts of premium escorted tours. Book this month and itravel will also offer you overnight accommodation pre departure at Sydney Airport plus NO credit card fees for tour payments made by Visa or Mastercard! Contact itravel The Junction on 4962 1116 and itravel Warners Bay on 4947 1116 for further details.
instantly with the FUJIFILM Instax Mini 9. The Mini 9 allows users to capture the moment and turn it into tangible artwork like never before. Available in a variety of vibrant shades, With Summer holidays looming, you’ll want to be prepared with Instax will bring a splash of colour to your travel memories. RRP: $99, available from these nifty travel essentials new to shops this month! Local Novocastrian inventor and entrepreneur Christopher Harvey Norman, JB HiFi or any good camera store. Sparkes has produced something totally new in luggage. The new CONX CASES Luggage Set lets you move all your luggage cases as one piece. You never need to push down on an airport luggage trolley again or wait around for someone with a birdcage luggage trolley to show up to move your cases for you! RRP Around $400 per set. Available from www.conxcases.com Living in a digital world, we love to showcase our travels online, perfecting the shot to make sure it reaches double digits on Instagram, but perhaps it’s time to take a step back, live in the moment and capture this summers memories
AFRICA 2018
Southern Africa Discovery 14 Days From PP Twin Share
$7,345* 2 Livingstone
Victoria Falls
$1,000 AIR CREDIT PER COUPLE*
Discover Africa’s wild delights on a premium escorted tour with Travelmarvel. Come face-to-face with creatures great and small, and experience diverse landscapes and cultures on a holiday of a lifetime.
More Value • More Inclusions • More Choice ü Included – Small group private game park safaris, with a maximum of 10 guests per vehicle ü Included – Travelmarvel Tour Director, experienced game trackers and expert local guides ü Included – All internal flights^, game park fees, tipping, transfers and many meals
Kruger National Pretoria 1 3 Park Nelspruit 1 Johannesburg
ü Included – 13 nights in premium accommodation ü Included – Stay at Shishangeni Private Lodge and experience an outdoor boma dinner in Kruger National Park ü Experience authentic Africa with an Australian owned and operated company
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itravel exclusive offers*
1 night pre tour accommodation at Rydges Sydney Airport No credit card fees for tour payments by Visa and Mastercard
*Conditions apply. Prices are per person (pp), twin share. Prices are correct as at 31 August 2017, but may fluctuate due to changes in availability, surcharges, fees, taxes or exchange rates. Price is based on AFTV14: 25 September 2018. Price is inclusive of the early payment discount. Please note the Blue Train extension featured on the maps is an optional extension and is an additional cost. Enquire for further details. EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT: Offer applicable only if tour is paid in full 10 months prior to departure date of tour. An initial non-refundable deposit of $3,000 pp must be paid within 7 days of making the booking. NO EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT: Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure. Offers may be withdrawn at any time, are strictly limited and are available on new bookings only. Offers cannot be combined with any other offer, unless specified. $1,000 AIR CREDIT PER COUPLE: Offer is available until sold out. Flights must be booked by Travelmarvel. Flights are with South African Airways from Australia. Air credit cannot be redeemed for cash and is not transferable. ^Please note that surcharges will apply if international flights to Africa are not booked by Travelmarvel with South African Airways. ITRAVEL EXCLUSIVE OFFERS: Terms and conditions apply. Please ask for full details at time of booking. Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd. ABN 44 004 684 619. ATAS accreditation #A10825. TM3892
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 39
Family + Community
SUPPORTING FAMILIES
During Emotional Times WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN
Caring for a loved one who can no longer care for themselves can be an overwhelming and stressful experience. But the decision to seek outside support to provide additional care doesn’t have to be. Kerrie and Mark Burns watched their own extended families struggle when they were forced to get help for a loved one whose needs were no longer able to be met by the family members alone. At the time the only option seemed to be placing the elderly person in a residential care setting – despite their desires to remain at home.
“I was very close to my grandfather, and I just watched what happened over the last years of his life,” Mark said. “He was living at home with my Dad’s brother, and I just saw the enormous stress that it put on that whole family. “He stayed at home, that’s where he wanted to be, and it just almost pulled that part of the family apart, we could all see it was happening, but we just did not know there were any options, there wasn’t any other way out for the family. “Eventually he went to a nursing home for what turned out to be the last three months of his life, and that was not the last three months of his life that he wanted.
“Kerrie went through a very similar experience with her grandmother who was really struggling with dementia and her mother trying so, so hard and eventually, there was a whole bunch of family stress and tension and angst around the requirement to help and do things for them and again that ended in a really difficult decision to put someone in residential care. “That really sat with us for a long time. “Well after those life experiences, we became aware that there is Government support for living in your own home. An injection of support into the home would have made an enormous difference in both those situations but it wasn’t even considered an option, we didn’t even know about it.” Inspired to help other families in the same situation, the couple set up Home Care Assistance Newcastle about 18 months ago. The service provides a range of in-home care services to elderly people, ranging from personal care, domestic assistance and transport, to respite care, nursing support, 24-hour care and companionship. An approved provider of Government home care packages, the couple focus on providing high-quality personalised support, which allows seniors to remain in their own homes for a long as possible. Each client is matched to a support worker to ensure consistency of care, while all carers are highly trained, with qualifications in aged or disability care, or nursing. Mark said changes to Government legislation in February this year mean that funding is now allocated to an individual, rather than a service provider, under a consumer-directed care program that allows the person to take control of how their funds are used. “Everyone is different, some people need direct support, some people need respite, the range of services they need varies with their health, some people will need help with ►
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Changing the way the world ages 40 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
A case of the wobblies The most common signs of 'tick paralysis' are wobbliness in the back legs, vomiting, a grunt when they are breathing or often a strange meow in cats. If our pets are not treated at this point, things can progress quickly and become life-threatening or fatal. If you notice any of these signs or find a tick on your pet, then remove the tick and seek veterinary attention immediately as removing the tick does not cure them of its effects.
(continued) transport and dialysis and medical appointments, some dementia patients just need someone to take them out or give medication prompts,” he said. “There’s a whole range of services, and the power is in the range, if you give someone the control and the options then not only are you giving them those services, you’re actually empowering them in their lives. “You can get an enormous amount of care in your own home, with all the control and values that come along with that, engagement with your community, engagement with your family, and still get a fantastic outcome.” Kerrie and Mark believe their service offers families a welcome and much-needed place to turn to when they are considering the needs of their loved ones as they age. “When people call us they are generally at a stage where they don’t know what to do next, either the family tensions are high, or the individual demands or health situation has deteriorated,” he said. “Often they just don’t know what to do. We make sure we not only give elderly people their immediate needs, which could be showering or mobility, but we also make sure they have the ability to live the fullest life they can. “This is the first industry I’ve worked in where you’re genuinely making a difference in people’s lives. And they tell you - it’s just so amazingly rewarding … it’s why we’re doing it.” ■
TICKED OFF!
ASK DR PAWS Hi Dr Matt,
are golden retriever Chester! We I am the proud fur dad of a ned th Australia) and were war new to Newcastle (from Sou a out for ticks. We have heard ch wat recently by friends to or use you t wondering wha little bit of mixed advice so are ! nks recommend? Tha
- David
Treating tick paralysis Treatment of tick affected pets in the hospital can be intensive, and we do everything we can to get a good outcome for you. Once the ticks are removed, we treat your pet with a tick antiserum given intravenously, use sedatives to reduce stress, perform multiple tick searches, treat any pneumonia that can develop and in severe cases, place them in our oxygen tents to help them breathe.
Prevention is better than cure! Here a few things to do for Chester and for all cat and dog owners out there: • Clip all long-haired cats and dogs so you can more easily perform daily tick checks from head to tail, paying close attention to the areas around the head and face. • For dogs, I recommend Nexgard monthly (best for growing puppies) or Bravecto every three months (for adults). For cats I use Frontline or Frontera spray every three weeks, making sure to cover them from head to tail. • If you ever find a tick, remove it immediately with a pair of tweezers and come straight down to the clinic.
Hi David and Chester, If you need any further help or need help with preventative Welcome to Newcastle! Spot on, ticks are a big problem up options, call our team on 4047 9910. here in Newcastle and tick season is officially underway. We have already treated a number of tick-effected pets, and so it’s good timing for a friendly reminder to know the signs to look out All the best, Dr. Matt Buchanan-Pascall (AKA DR PAWS) for in your pet and most importantly, to get up to date with tick prevention.
Rail Corridor Renewal - What do you Envision?
Newcastle is undergoing unprecedented change and renewal. More than $1billion worth of development has been approved across the city in the last 12 months. Overhead cranes are a common sight in the city centre, and the infrastructure needed to support our growing city is also being built with new roads, light rail, better footpaths and cycleways and improvement to our green spaces. The next phase of the renewal is the former rail corridor, and planning documents for this space are on public exhibition until 23 October. Now is your chance to review the proposed zones for the former rail corridor and provide your feedback to Newcastle City Council. The proposal outlines a mix of public recreation, tourism, residential and commercial buildings along a 2km stretch of the old heavy rail line between Worth Place and Watt Street Newcastle. During the exhibition period, you can view and comment on land-use zones proposed by Council in the corridor in response to last year's rezoning request by Hunter Development Corporation (HDC). The public exhibition period is an important part of ensuring a balance of open space, tourism facilities, and residential and commercial development along the corridor," Newcastle City Council Interim CEO Jeremy Bath said.
"I invite members of the public to have their say by submitting a formal submission through our engagement site, via email or post, or even register to address Council at a public voice session later in the year. "This is a one-off chance to get the next exciting stage of the city's development right after a record $1 billion worth of building approvals over the past 12 months." A range of documents are available for review including a draft development control plan and draft planning agreement, which complement the planning proposal. The development control plan details requirements for building design and public domain areas, while the planning agreement contains HDC's contributions to help create parks, affordable housing, transport and other infrastructure. The documents can be read online at www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au, at the King St city administration centre or at Newcastle Region Library. Council officers will incorporate feedback from the public exhibition period into a report to Council before the end of 2017. It will address the issues raised and any amendments to the proposal. If approved by council, a request will be made to the Department of Planning to finalise the planning proposal to amend the Local Environment Plan by which Council determines future development applications. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 41
ENROLLING NOW Limited Vacancies
UNITING AGEWELL Support Local Film and Media Industry from Interstate
Providing high quality care and education for your most precious assets since 1994.
Hunter-based and family-owned production company, Rollingball, has added large metrobased client Uniting AgeWell to their client roster boosting the local film industry and the region’s economy. The Newcastle business was approached to deliver a campaign for the Victoria and Tasmania based aged care service after seeing City of Newcastle’s ‘On Your Bike’ campaign produced by Rollingball last year.
Centres located across Newcastle & the Hunter Visit our website to find one nearest you Motor Sensory Program Exclusive to Tillys
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“We were lucky that Uniting AgeWell allowed us to complete all of the production in the Newcastle region with local crew and locations supporting what is a growing, and vital industry to the region,” Producer and CoManaging Director, April Howard said. “Working with Uniting AgeWell was fantastic! The project allowed all our departments to sink their teeth into some high-end production with quirky but meaningful storylines. “Our Script Writer and Director Paul Donnelly cast talent in their 70’s and 80’s from across Australia and our Art Director Lainey Donnelly built amazing sets and ►
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Life is worth hearing
scenes for our lovable characters. “Newcastle has always been a creative hub but it seems to be gaining momentum, and we’re proud to be an active part of that.” Most recently the final Uniting AgeWell television commercial, the fourth in the series, was filmed in a residential garden in Lambton on Kings Road. The starring actress was local Brenda Lockwood, an 80 something who was making her debut performance for the screen, although she had a string of theatre experience to her credits. Other talent came from Canberra, the Central Coast and Sydney. However, the Director, Producer, Art Department, Sound Technician and Runner were all from Newcastle. Props, costumes and film equipment were all sourced locally. “Collaboration is what we do best. Being
able to find creative ways to deliver a story, a message or create an impact is why we do what we do, and we’re lucky to call Newcastle home. “Here we have access to all kinds of locations, talented crew, equipment and an airport which means we can easily work with clients across Australia and keep our PostProduction local,” she said. Their creative work was rewarded this year when they won two national awards and placed twice at the Australian Video Producers Awards for work produced for Brokenwood Wines, Ravensworth Operations and Newcastle City Council. They are also finalists in two categories of the coveted NEWi Award and two ATOM Awards which will be announced later in the year. ■
After hours home visit Doctor service
OPEN EVERY DAY
ALL VISITS ARE BULK BILLED Calls taken for visits 2 hours prior to opening times
Monday to Friday 6pm - 7am Saturday 11am to Monday 7am 24 hours on a public holiday
CALL 4943 6666 OR 49 DOCTOR
Genea Newcastle has been helping create families for over 30 years. Located at Lingard Private Hospital in Merewether, our caring, professional staff specialise in all areas of Infertility Treatment and will be with you every step journe of your journey.
Call (02) 4902 7000
e: newcastle@genea.com.au www.genea.com.au/newcastle
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 43
Dr Avery Answers Your Questions About BREAST REDUCTION Surgery WORDS DR GARY AVERY - FRACS (Plast Surg) Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Avery Plastic Surgery.
Thank you for emailing your questions about Breast Reduction surgery, also known as a Reduction Mammoplasty. This operation can be a welcome relief for many women who have suffered from health problems related to having large breasts, including neck and back pain, and skin irritation. What is involved? The aim of Breast Reduction surgery is to leave the breasts smaller, lighter, and consequently sitting higher on the chest. This serves to improve everyday comfort, self-confidence, and the ability to exercise, while also arriving at a more balanced silhouette. A Breast Reduction procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and excess skin from the breasts. It may also involve relocating and reducing the size of the areola (nipple), and reshaping the remaining breast tissue. The surgery can take anywhere between 2-4 hours, depending on the amount of breast tissue being removed and the amount of breast reshaping needed. There are several techniques used in Breast Reduction surgery depending on the existing breast tissue, the need for future breastfeeding, and the desired aesthetic outcome. Incisions are most commonly made around the areola, down the midline of the breast, and across the lower crease of the breast. Other techniques do not make the incision underneath the crease of the breast or involve removing the areola and relocating it higher on the breast.
Breast Reduction procedures are generally not performed in public hospitals. Most private health funds will cover the procedure performed in private hospitals. What are the risks? All of our Breast Reduction procedures take place in an accredited hospital, with appropriately trained support staff and anaesthetist. As with any surgery, there are the risks of wound healing problems and infection. However, generally the number of people who go on to have complications from Breast Reduction surgery is low. What is the recovery like? One or two nights in the hospital are generally required post-surgery. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, up to two weeks off work may also be recommended. There will be some bruising and swelling, which subsides about two weeks after the surgery. Wearing a compression garment for 4–6 weeks will provide support for the breasts and reduce post-operative pain and swelling. A customised pain relief program will be created for each patient and issued before leaving the hospital, which can be adjusted over time. How bad will the scarring be? Scarring from a Breast Reduction will depend on the surgical technique used and any additional procedures performed. Most scars will generally fade to thin white lines in a matter of months, depending on the patient’s skin type. Is it possible to have a second Breast Reduction? Yes, it is possible and is often chosen by women who have had an initial reduction early in life. The same benefits and risks apply to the second reduction, although the risk of wound healing problems is increased because of altered blood supply from the initial operation, particularly in regards to the nipple. Breast Reduction surgery is a life changing procedure for many women. If you would like to know more, call the Avery Plastic Surgery team on 4002 4150.
Dr Gary Avery is a specialist Plastic Surgeon who performs cosmetic body and facial procedures including: • Breast Augmentation • Breast Reduction • Breast Reconstruction • Abdominoplasty • Rhinoplasty Avery Plastic Surgery Suite 1, Ground Floor 31-33 Watt Street Newcastle NSW 2300
CALL. (02) 4002 4150 info@averyplasticsurgery.com.au
www.averyplasticsurgery.com.au 44 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Dr Avery has operated as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in the Hunter region for over five years, treating over 5000 people with reconstructive or aesthetic procedures.
minutes and work your way up to 1 hour. Try to choose a path that has hills to increase fat burning and bring a friend with you to make the time pass quicker. On weekends, why not meet up with friends, family or your partner and hit some tourist spots for a bit of activity. Go to places such as Mount Tomaree (a 1km hike in Nelson Bay with a spectacular view as your reward) or the Somersby Falls walk. There are also fun activities that will get you moving like Tree Tops Adventure Park or swimming at the beach. Keeping busy doing new and fun things will keep you motivated and take the “chore” out of exercise. A fantastic way to meet new people and have fun getting fit would be to join an outdoor fitness group! Jack at Planet Fitness Belmont runs a great boot camp for those who are keen, he mixes it up with indoor and outdoor sessions, using weights, cardio and body weight exercises to get you maximum results! 2. JOIN A PLANET FITNESS GYM - For maximum fat burning and toning, you will want to incorporate weights into your exercise regime. Your best bet to get this is by joining your local Planet Fitness gym and having a Personal Trainer show you the ropes. Alternatively, you may prefer group activities; Planet Fitness gyms provide great group classes such as Body Pump, Spin, Cross Training classes and more. I run boxing at Planet Fitness Belmont and will also soon be at Planet Fitness Charlestown. Boxing is a fantastic method of not only increasing cardiovascular fitness but also letting off
GET FIT FOR SUMMER With Smash Fit PT WORDS ASH SHEPPEARD - Personal Trainer, Smash Fit PT, Planet Fitness
It is that time of year when most of you have just realised the weather is getting warm and “oh no” you haven’t trained all winter, you have indulged in foods that make you feel warm and cosy, and there are only two months until Summer! If this is you – then there’s no better time than now to get active and start eating clean. Here are four very simple tools to implement into your daily and weekly routine to get you feeling fitter, healthier and more confident by December! 1. GET OUTDOORS - The sun is out, and the weather is far more inviting to step into so start by going for a morning walk to kick start your day. If you are new to exercise, start with 30
some steam with boxing skill and technique, getting you fitter and stronger but having fun at the same time. Remember, you don’t have to do the same exercises every time. There are so many different types of exercise – weight training, functional training interval training, circuit training, yoga, spinning, swimming, and running – who said you have to choose one and stick to it? Boredom leads to demotivation; combat it by switching things up when needed. 3. EAT HEALTHY - Stop eating pizza, McDonald's, KFC, fast food take away and start using your kitchen to cook good healthy nutrient rich foods. Abs are made in the kitchen. An example of foods that you should start consuming more of: • Vegetables (Spinach, Broccoli, Zucchini, Asparagus, Carrots, Mushrooms) • Salad Items (Lettuce, Tomato, Cucumber, Capsicum) • Fruit • Lean Meat (Chicken breast, steak, lean mince, turkey mince, white fish, salmon, tuna) 4. CUT BACK ON ALCOHOL FOR 8 WEEKS - I know, I know… We are Aussies, and it is in our culture to be consuming an alcoholic beverage at the end of our hard days work, running around after kids, doing the groceries, training and whatever else your hectic day involves, but this is the biggest killer in your current diet. If you cut out alcohol, not only will it help you to get healthier quicker but also be better for your body inside and out! Your brain and liver will be better for it, your cardiovascular fitness will improve, and if you are having difficulties with your weight based on diet only, then cutting back will help you to lose that excess weight you don’t want. So swap that afternoon beer for water and get active, give it a go for eight weeks and see how you feel! Try out these four easy steps, and you will be fit and feel great for summer in no time!
Lake Road Medical Centre
YO U R I N T E G R AT E D H E A LT H S E R V I C E
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 45
most programs recommended physical activity as part of a weight loss program, only 3% advised people to complete the recommended level of 150 minutes or more of physical activity per week. Furthermore, very few diets recommended behavioural change strategies like self-monitoring and recording food intake and exercise levels. This study demonstrates the extent of the variation in quality when it comes to dietary advice on the web. Many programs found on the internet have limited evidence backing their effectiveness and therefore may be completely ineffective, dangerous or ‘quick fixes’ which are unlikely to render any longterm gains. Just remember: if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.
YOUR Better Health Update WORDS SMITH ST MEDICAL
Myth vs Fact
Can you get good diet advice from the web?
There’s no doubt that the obesity rate continues to rise. It’s now thought that around 60% of Australian adults are overweight or obese. Not surprisingly, the internet has become a popular source of diet tips and advice. But consumers need to be careful about the diet advice that they seek on the web as anyone can upload information, and there are very few credibility checks in place to confirm that the information is reliable. A team from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine examined the credibility of dietary advice found online, investigating nearly 200 different programs. They included common, brand name commercial programs and independent ones, often with statements from a supporting healthcare professional, labelled as an expert, who testifies to the effectiveness of the program. The investigation found that only 9% of websites adhered to the guidelines published by reputable health agencies. The advice given was typically non-specific, lacked details of nutrient composition and recommended supplements as part of the program to boost weight loss efforts. While
Seafood and the Brain Various studies have found an association between seafood consumption and a lower risk of dementia. This may be due to the long-chain n-3 fatty acids found in seafood, which may promote healthy neurological function. On the other hand, seafood is a known source of mercury, which can be damaging to the brain. It’s not well known whether the mercury levels in seafood counteract the protective effects associated with fatty acids. A group of researchers investigated the association between seafood consumption, mercury levels in the brain, dietary n-3 fatty acids and signs of dementia in the brain. Researchers examined the brains of deceased older adults who were part of a study that followed them in their older years until death. The study involved food frequency questionnaires that assessed, among other things, seafood consumption and fish oil supplement intake. From this, researchers computed n-3 fatty acid intake, while brain autopsies assessed neuropathologies and mercury levels.
Moderate seafood consumption was associated with lower Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology in people with APOE S4 status. APOE is a gene that we all carry, but some of us have a form of that gene called S4 that’s linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. While seafood consumption was correlated with increased levels of mercury in the brain, the levels weren’t significantly linked to increased brain neuropathology. This was an observational study so causality cannot be confirmed, but nevertheless, the results suggest that seafood may play a role in supporting brain health, particularly for those with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Many studies have shown a health benefit associated with substituting a couple of red meat meals a week with fish.
FOR ALL APPOINTMENTS PH 4943 3066 5/154 Park Ave, Kotara (Near NRMA Service Centre) www.searlestmedical.com.au
Opening Hours
Services we offer
Monday 8am to 6pm Tuesday 8am to 6pm Wednesday 8am to 6pm Thursday 8am to 6pm Friday 8am to 6pm Saturday 8am to 12.30pm
Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Indigenous Health, LBGTIQA Health, Children’s Health
Smith Street Medical Centre and Searle Street Medical Centre BULK BILLS Pensioners and Health Care Card holders. 28 Smith St, Charlestown www.smithstmedical.com.au 46 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Family Health, Mental Health, Chronic Disease Management, Skin Cancer Screening and Treatment, Travel Immunisations (Including Yellow Fever) Driving Medicals, INR Testing, Minor Surgical Procedures
Providing quality healthcare to the community since 1955.
Our Medical Professionals Dr Andrew Keyworth Dr Catherine Eve Dr Adrian Watts Dr Rodney Watson Dr Benjamin Nicholas Dr Paul Saunders Dr Rachel Giblin Dr Lucy Stuart Dr Debra Scott Dr Margaret Lynch Dr Jamie Tran Dr Erica Gomes Dr Jennifer Whiteley Dr Julian Jackel Dr Dean Miller Dr Upasana Thakorlal Dr Alaric Giles (Locum) Dr Karyn Forbes Dr Tristan Yolland
The Hunter Valley's
Premier Tea House Welcome to the Sabor Tea Room, the Hunter Valley's premier Tea House where you will experience the ultimate High Tea.
Located in Lovedale, just off the Hunter Expressway you'll discover our purpose built Tea House – the pinnacle of High Tea. From the Egyptian lead crystal chandelier hanging above your head and crisp white table linen to the antique Royal Albert Teapots and Tea sets that are almost 100 years old, we have spared no expense when it comes to making your High Tea experience an unforgettable one. From the moment you arrive, you will be spoiled. You'll be served a glass of bubbles on arrival, and dessert wine served with your sweet treats, not to mention an unlimited supply of our selection of teas and freshly ground barista made coffee. From the house made mini butter croissants to the handcrafted mixed-berry chocolate teapot surprise dessert and every bite in between, our menu is a guaranteed sensory overload! Check out the full menu and book at www.sabortearoom.com.au.
319 WILDERNESS ROAD, LOVEDALE PH 1300 958 850
OPEN Saturdays & Sundays with two sessions a day (BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL): Session 1 10:30am concluding at 1pm Session 2 2:30pm concluding at 5pm. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 47
The Persian Place Where it’s all about the experience!
The renovations are complete and local favourite; The Persian Place is once again serving up the wonderful flavours of Persia. Incredibly, it’s been five years since Babak (Bob) Abbaszadeh and his wife, Freda, first opened the doors to their popular restaurant on Bolton Street and introduced locals to the authentic tastes of modern Iranian cuisine! Now, after undertaking a massive renovation to celebrate their 5th year, The Persian Place is now completely revamped and open for business with Bob and his team doing what they do best – serving up delicious food in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Expect a warm welcome; gold stitched tablecloths, intricate paintings, cushions and Persian rugs covering the floor and walls – all this amongst the wonderful sweet aromas of Persian cuisine. Choose between the Sharing Mazzeh menu with a choice of large and small dishes or the Sharing Banquet menu which is perfect for larger groups and very reasonably priced. As with all Mazzeh style dining, the dishes are designed to be shared and eaten slowly to stimulate conversation. This is true Middle Eastern style dining! The menu is full of delicious earthy and classic Iranian flavours, with herbs, rich meats and sauces, vegetables such as eggplant and potatoes and a clear presence of saffron throughout. There is something for everyone and ideal for people who have dietary requirements with the menu being almost completely gluten-free. Bob and Freda are also offering locals the opportunity to become a member of the VIP Club – keeping members up-to-date on all the latest news and providing exclusive invitations to eat free on your birthday and much more.
Serving Lunch and Dinner Tuesday - Saturday 43 Bolton Street, Newcastle. PH 4926 5500 www.thepersianplace.com.au | facebook.com/thepersianplace
Hunter Valley
Chocolate Company EST. 1999
Located in the heart of Pokolbin, Hunter Valley Chocolate Company has been a family owned and operated Hunter Valley gem for the last 17 years. Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience, with a tantalising range of premium hand-made chocolate and chocolate products plus more than 30 flavours of freshly made fudge!
Open 7 Days 9am – 5pm. Ph 4998 6999 Three Great Locations in Pokolbin: Twenty-3-Twenty – 2320 Broke Road Peterson House – Broke Road Hunter Valley Gardens – Shop 5, Broke Road
www.hvchocolate.com.au | admin@hvchocolate.com.au 48 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Oishii Japanese Thai Restaurant Australia’s only Asian restaurant in a winery! Located at Roche Estate, in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Oishii has become a favourite for locals and visitors alike. Whether dining inside the minimalist Asian themed dining hall or on the outside undercover terrace overlooking the vines encircling the architecturally designed amphitheatre, Oishii has become a “must dining experience.” Oishii’s Asian chefs have composed an extensive menu of lightly prepared fragrant dishes showcasing regional produce. In true Asian style dishes are perfect for sharing and ideal for families and friends. The fast take away options are also delicious.
J A PA N E S E T H A I C U I S I N E
ADDRESS Roche Estate Complex, Corner of Broke and Mcdonald Rd’s, Pokolbin RESTAURANT 7 Days, Lunch and Dinner PH (02) 4998 7051 W www.oishii.com.au
What's On?
Inner City Winemakers At Inner City Winemakers we like to make our wine labels as original and unique as the wines themselves. To help with this we regularly ask local artists to come up with artworks and designs to match our wines. Our daughter Lucy, who also happens to be an artist has designed our 2015 Riesling and our 2016 Tempranillo labels. Both wines are available for tasting and sales at our cellar door. ADDRESS 28 Church Street, Wickham OPEN Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm PH (02) 4962 3545 W www.innercitywinemakers.com.au
Introducing the Hunter Valley's
POKOLBIN ESTATE VIN EYARD
Winery - 2017 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
The Lady i
n Pin k . . .
Tempranillo | Nebbiolo | Sangiovese | Nebbiolo Rosé Get your taste for adventure today at ...Pokolbin Estate.
Pokolbin Estate Vineyard | 298 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin Open 7 Days 9am - 5pm | PH 4998 7524 | www.pokolbinestate.com.au
A FESTIVAL of Flavours and Quavers! Spring is loaded with popular outdoor activities in Port Stephens and why not - with spectacular waterside locations and busy bayside businesses bustling with sunny positivity and activity. If there is one event you should definitely put on your calendar, it’s Tastes at the Bay proudly presented by Seabreeze Hotel. This November, festival of the senses invites you to savour the flavours and the quavers with three days of fun, food, wine and jazz in Nelson Bay. Get your feet tapping and your taste buds dancing at this popular annual bayside bash! Choose from a range of events other the three days to suit the whole family. From Tattinger Champagne with oysters and The winemaker's dinner to a Jazz Luncheon Cruise and cooking demonstrations! Get your groove on with some hot jazz from The Fruit Trees, New Orleans Quartet, and Dr Don’s Doubledose.
Enjoy markets, music, face painting, craft beer, fresh local seafood, street entertainment and more "yum yum, sip sip, shooby-do-wops" than you can poke a stick at! Don’t miss out - we hear some events like the Jazz Luncheon Cruise and the St Hallets Winery WInemaker’s Dinner at the Nelson Bay Golf Club will sell out so go online to reserve tickets and book your accommodation today! Visit www.portstephens.org.au/tastes for further information.
For all your Australian, sustainably caught, fresh local seafood needs, you wouldn't go anywhere else, other than the Fishermen’s Co-Op!
SWANSEA - 69 Lakeside Drive, Ph 4971 4762 • OPEN Tues - Fri 8.30am to 4pm + Sat 8.30am to 1pm
Car Parking now timed for your convenience.
WICKHAM - 97 Hannell Street, Ph 4965 4229 • OPEN Mon - Fri 8.30am to 5pm, Sat 8.30am to 3pm, Sun 10am to 2pm • www.fishcoop.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 49
NOW TASTING017 Rosé 2
Hunter
tage of 20th Vin e! this Win
MISTLETOE is a small family owned and run winery that was established by the current owners in 1989. Now in its 28th year, Mistletoe’s “no-compromise” approach to producing small quan��es of “true to origin” premium quality wine has seen it rewarded with many, many hundreds of awards and accolades. With over 20 different wines, including Sparkling, Whites, Reds, Rosés, For�fied and Dessert styles on tas�ng, Mistletoe has one of the most comprehensive ranges of wines to be seen in the Hunter. • All wines are made in our onsite winery • Winery tas�ngs available for larger groups – bookings essen�al! • Mistletoe Wines are only available for purchase from the Winery Cellar Door • Knowledgeable and friendly staff to make you welcome • On most occasions you will be looked a�er by one of the Mistletoe Family
QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE With three genera�ons now ac�vely engaged in the day to day opera�on of Mistletoe, it is truly a unique family winery.
When visi�ng Mistletoe be sure to take �me to visit POKOLBIN GALLERY and MISTLETOE SCULPTURE GARDEN also in the grounds of the Cellar Door. Mistletoe is now just 35 minutes from Newcastle – take the Hunter Expressway M15 which becomes the A15 (New England Highway) at Branxton and then take the Hermitage Road exit.
Open 10am until 6pm daily | 771 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin 2320
PH 1800 055 080 FAX 02 4998 7792 E office@mistletoewines.com.au | W www.mistletoewines.com.au 50 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
A WHOLE NEW WAY OF SENIORS LIVING
Psychology for Growth
Building a mindset for wellbeing and performance
Coming Soon to Newcastle
Evidence-based psychology for personal leadership and business effectiveness: Education & awareness · Resilience assessment and coaching · Executive coaching · Wellbeing programs · Tailored for individuals, teams, organisations · Measurable skills development
Suite 2GA, 45 Hunter St, Newcastle (02)49 427 660 www.mindinsight.com.au info@mindinsight.com.au
BRAIN-WISE THINKING FOR MANAGERS: Thinking Traps
Bias Excessive optimism Confirmation Overconfidence
Causality
Groupthink
WORDS ANNE WARD – Mindinsight Anne Ward is an executive coach and principal psychologist of Mindinsight, providing evidence-based coaching and psychology services to individuals and organisations. Mindinsight is located at 45 Hunter Street Newcastle. Visit www.mindinsight.com.au for more information, phone 4942 7660, or email info@mindinsight.com.au.
The September issue explored how the human brain relies on two primary systems for making decisions. System 1 is fast, automatic and intuitive, seeking immediate pay-off, whereas system 2 is slower, more deliberate, focusing more on longerterm consequences. When the energy needed by System 2 becomes depleted, we inevitably and unconsciously take the faster route via System 1. Although the faster route can feel like we are getting somewhere, it can lead to errors in judgement, which can prove to be costly. This article will explore some of the ways in which this can play out in the workplace. Unconscious Bias - System 1 thinking is fast, because it uses mental shortcuts, but these are often based more on our assumptions and beliefs, than objective evidence. These shortcuts introduce bias that impairs our ability to evaluate information and form sound judgements.
Stability Halo effect Affinity Stereotyping Egocentrism
Cameron Glen is a new Supported Living village currently being built in Cameron Park, Newcastle. Supported Living is a fairly new concept in Seniors’ living in Australia. It combines all the best points of retirement village living with the best points of a traditional Aged Care facility. Residents live in their own fully selfcontained villa unit. This can be either one, two or three bedrooms, with either one or two bathrooms. Each unit has its own sunny, private rear courtyard. The villa units at Cameron Glen are being built to very high standards. All units come fully equipped with all appliances including air-conditioning, designer kitchens with granite benchtops, fully
How it works • Overestimating the likelihood of positive outcomes & underestimating the negatives • Being drawn to detail that confirms our existing beliefs & discounts other possibilities • Overestimating our skill relative to others
Where it can impact Business and project planning
• Taking credit for positive results & blaming mistakes on external factors • Striving for agreement at the cost of realistically considering alternatives • Preferring the status quo in the absence of pressure to change
Reviewing performance
• Assuming that because someone excels in one area, they excel in them all • We think better of things or people we’re familiar with or fond of, & play down the negatives • We disregard specifics to form generalisations
Promotion & recruitment
• We focus on our own perspective more than how others will be affected by a policy or strategy.
Managing change
Complexity and Bias - Although managers like to think that their decision-making is consistent, unconscious bias introduces subjectivity and therefore variability. Consider this in the context of major decisions around expenditure, restructuring, executive appointments and introducing major change. Also, as complexity and time pressure increase, executive stress increases. This means that leaders have less cognitive resources for making important decisions. Poor quality decisions can leave others confused and disengaged. Nobel Laureate, Daniel Kahneman, considered the father of behavioural economics, has pioneered work in this area.
compliant Seniors bathrooms and high-quality finishes throughout. Onsite staff fully maintain the villa units and all the landscaped grounds. All residents are encouraged to be as independent as they can be. That said, Nursing staff are on site and on call 24 hours day/7 days a week. The Care staff come to residents’ home as required. Meals are available for lunch and dinner, seven days a week in the Community Centre dining room to those residents who require them. Paul Greenup, Director of Sunrise Supported Living, says that most of the residents of their other villages (located at
(continued next page) ►
His view is that “figuring out how to make the act of decisionmaking commensurate with the complexity and importance of the stakes is a huge problem, to which the business world does not devote enough thought”. Outsmarting biases - By their very nature, cognitive biases cannot be eliminated. However, the effects can be mitigated by encouraging more System 2 thinking. This can be done through: • Raising awareness of unconscious bias and systematic errors in decision-making; • Using joint evaluations in major decisions to encourage diversity in thinking. For example, one person might be assigned the role of “devil’s advocate” to ask the tough questions and look for flaws in a planned course of action; • Using “premortems” where you imagine a future failure and then explain the cause; • Identifying objectives on your own before seeking advice, to prevent being anchored by others’ beliefs. Similarly, don’t anchor your advisors by telling them what you believe; and • Encouraging diversity - research has demonstrated that teams with the most cognitive diversity (skills, background, experience) perform faster and generate more successful solutions than those with lower diversity. Leaders as Decision Architects - Biases reinforce cognitive rigidity which, in turn, reduces capacity for effective decisionmaking. Leaders can encourage good problem solving by creating work environments that encourage greater diversity in thinking. This places more emphasis on a leader’s capacity to reduce group-think, by encouraging dialogue and constructive debate, versus coming up with the answers. Encouraging diversity builds capacity for finding answers to new and complex business problems. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 51
(continued) Foster/Tuncurry) visit the Community Centre every day for lunch while others just occasionally. “The choice is always theirs. The prices are extremely reasonable. A fully catered morning tea is served every day free of charge for all residents,” he said. “The Community Centre offers many comfortable facilities, including a lounge area, library, television, games and activities and tea and coffee facilities. Friends and family are always welcome to pop in for visits, meals, family celebrations and to make use of the many facilities. The centres also have active event calendars for residents who love getting out and about. It is totally up to the residents how much they want to participate in the village activities. We also have weekly shopping trips and regular outings in the village bus,” said Mr Greenup. Care staff on site 24/7 and while some of the residents don’t need any care at all, some just need a bit of a hand to get started in the morning like help with showering and getting dressed and medication supervision. As some residents may require a high level of care, Cameron Glen will be a fully accredited Approved Aged Care provider to facilitate access to Government Funded Home Care packages for residents. In the past, elderly couples had to face the anguish of separation if one partner needed nursing home care. This is no longer the case since Cameron Glen will offer the capacity for couples to stay together in their own villa home in the village, even if they have different levels of care needs. This means that the partner who does not require care can still maintain an active social life knowing that the partner who does require care is being well looked after in the village by onsite carers while they are out. “We find that it is often very beneficial for the partner who, in some cases have been fulltime caring for an ill partner, to have a bit of “me” time,” said Mr Greenup. “Registered Nurses can prepare suitable care plans individually tailored to each residents’ health care requirements, including regular health checks; medication management; wound and skin care; special treatment regimes; palliative in-home care; nutrition monitoring; illness prevention, education and wellness programs; and pharmaceutical support and medication reminders.” Cameron Glen is very different to any other Seniors’ Living complex. It offers the freedom and the independence of a retirement village with all the support of a traditional aged care facility. “We believe that Seniors want to live and to be as independent as they possibly can be and to feel as though they are independent and we are there to support that desire. This is what makes Cameron Glen unique. Call 4958 8880 today for your Information pack. ■
TOP THREE TIPS... For Small Business Owners
WORDS SARAH SCOTT PKF Newcastle Starting a small business and working for yourself is a dream for many people. There’s no question it’s hard work, but if you get it right, it’s truly rewarding. Though many small businesses fail, there are also many that succeed, and of those that succeed many feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day or that they’re not getting real value from being a business owner. Getting the balance right is difficult so here are our top tips to ensure small business owners thrive. 1. Know your own value - No matter your position and role, from business owner to receptionist, you should only be dealing with the tasks that are at your level. It’s not good for your company to have the business owner emptying the bins each night when you could be networking and meeting potential new customers who could bring in significant new work for the business. There’s a lot that can stop effective delegation from actually occurring! The benefits of effective delegation are countless. You’ll find you have more time with your family, more time working on the valuable tasks that you actually enjoy doing, you achieve the goals that you set for yourself, you help other people to grow and that the business makes more money. 2. Know who and where your audience is - Think about the marketing campaigns you are running. You could be throwing away hundreds if not thousands of dollars per month if you’re not measuring the impact your campaign is having on sales. One of the simplest things you can do to put money back on your bottom line is to stop doing things that don’t work, start learning what does work and replicate it.
Marketing budgets for small companies are already too tight, and you simply don’t have the time or finances for things that don’t work. 3. Get a support group - Many small business owners can’t afford to invest in a business coach but not getting any help is one of the key reasons many businesses fail. There isn’t a successful person out there who has done it all by themselves, but unfortunately, the statistics for small business owners are scary; 39.3% of small business owners said in a recent survey that they don’t feel they have any trusted advisers. Inject the momentum back into your business, get time back with your family and increase your profits by engaging with others. For more tips sign up to www.momentumforbusiness.com today. With thousands of hours of business coaching between them, Andrew Beattie, Steve Meyn, Simon Rutherford, David Crook and Harry Raftos are keen to help businesses face their challenges and overcome them in order to see success and growth. Through Momentum for Business, the team will take you and your business on a journey which will improve your business and your skills with the overall goal of helping you achieve a better lifestyle for yourself and your family. Try our introduction courses today at no cost, or sign up for $99 a month to get full access to our business library (no lock-in contract; cancel anytime). www.momentumforbusiness.com
Transforming your property into a home that even the most discerning buyer will fall in love with.
STYLE FAIRIES property styling
When you’re ready to sell let us unlock your property’s potential. Alana 04 0821 5042 | Karen 04 0945 2205
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www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 53
REMEMBERING
Passchendaele
WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN Infamous for the scale of its causalities and the horror of its conditions, the Passchendaele Campaign became a symbol of the tragedy and futility of war. But 100 years after the World War One offensive claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, descendants of one of the soldiers who fought and died on that muddy stretch of Belgium land will gather in Newcastle to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. A memorial service commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Passchendaele Campaign will be held at Sandgate Cemetery on October 12, honouring all those tragically killed in action during the three-and-a-half month battle on the Western Front. In particular, it will pay tribute to more than 60 Newcastle and Hunter members of the 35th Battalion of the 1st Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) who took part in the battle and are memorialised, or awaiting memorialisation, at Sandgate Cemetery. As part of the service, event organiser and Sandgate Cemetery’s WW1 researcher Gary Mitchell will place a memorial cross to honour Wickham soldier Private Stephen Sarsfield Scott, who was killed in action during the 1st Battle of Passchendaele on October 12, 1917. Private Scott, also known as Bowser, was born in Scone on August 1, 1883, and was the fifth of 10 children of Irish immigrants William Henry Scott and Mary Maxwell. As the son of a police constable who was stationed variously at Maitland, Scone, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Carrington and Greta, Private Scott moved around a lot during his childhood before the family settled at Wickham in 1901 where his father remained stationed until he retired. Private Scott’s military connections began when he spent three years volunteering with the NSW Irish Rifle Regiment in Newcastle before he moved to Lithgow to live with his younger brother George and work at the Small Arms Factory as a labourer. He returned to Newcastle in January 1916 to enlist with the 35th Battalion before being tragically killed just 1.5 years later on a muddy field of war on the other side of the world. The Passchendaele Campaign, officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, ran from July 31 to November 6, 1917, with the Allied Forces battling German soldiers for control of the ridges south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres, in West Flanders. It was fought during the heaviest rainfall the northeast of Belgium had seen for 30 years, which, combined with artillery shelling that damaged the area’s drainage system, created a quagmire of thick mud and water that clogged up rifles, immobilised tanks and caused many men and horses to drown during the battle. 54 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Stephen Sarsfield Scott
Beset by horrendous conditions and fierce fighting, the campaign is thought to have resulted in more than 475,000 Allied and German causalities, including 38,000 Australians. Of the 508 soldiers from the 35th Battalion who fought at Passchendaele, only 90 walked away unscathed. Mr Mitchell said while Private Scott would be the focal point of this month’s memorial service, it was important to remember all who fought and died during the campaign. “It’s important to remember there’s a lot of other soldiers that fell during this Passchendaele Campaign that were memorialised at Sandgate (Cemetery) and those names will be printed on the memorial booklet that we have done for the service,” he said. “I’ve been going through the roll of honour for many, many months now, thousands and thousands of names trying to find that link between a soldier that fell; are his parents at Sandgate cemetery, or a sister or brother or wife maybe are buried there? So far there’s probably about 60-odd names that I’ve located, but I’m still researching trying to find more.” More than 150 people are expected to gather for the service, which has been organised by Friends of Sandgate Cemetery and Northern Cemeteries. This will include around 40 of Private Scott’s descendants, with many still living in the Hunter and others travelling from areas such as Lithgow and Queensland to attend. Two of the soldier’s great, great, great nephews will take part in the ceremony, officially unveiling the cross placed in Private Scott’s honour, while Dianna Heather will share information about her ancestor’s life and military service. Mr Mitchell said this would be the third WWI 100th anniversary memorial service that has been held at the cemetery. In June they paid tribute to local AIF soldiers who were killed during the Battle of Messines including Private James Hartley Antcliff (36th Battalion). In July 2016 a service was held to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles and remember soldiers including Private Henry Alfred Cressey, who was killed on July 19, 1916, while serving with the 54th Battalion.
The services have been a labour of love for Mr Mitchell, who has spent the past 20 years tracking down and recording the names and details of WWI soldiers who are buried, or who have family buried, in the cemetery. As part of his quest, Gary places crosses made by the Morpeth Men’s Shed to remember his “lost boys” as he refers to them – those who served and died overseas or were buried in unmarked graves at the cemetery. “I’m very passionate about the work I do at Sandgate Cemetery,” he said. “When I locate a soldier that served in the First World War who’s buried in the cemetery, if they are in an unmarked grave a cross is supplied to me from Morpeth Men’s Shed, I place that cross on their unmarked plot. “Same with those where the family are buried at the cemetery, and they lost son or sons during the First World War. If there is no recognition on the headstone that they lost that son, it might be an unmarked grave; I place a cross there as well to remember that particular soldier’s supreme sacrifice. “It began back in the early 90s - for some reason I decided I wanted to research war memorials and rolls of honour, so I started to travel the countryside taking photos. “About 1995 I was driving past Sandgate, and I thought I’d drop in to have a look and see if that would be an interesting research point for locating soldiers from Newcastle and the Valley. “I thought it would take me four or five years to research the names and then I’d move on back to my rolls of honour, but 20 years later I’m still researching. “It’s become, as my wife would say, my obsession, it’s something that I do every day whether I’m working or not, I just have to do it. “To me I feel like it becomes a duty to do the work I do, especially locating those who are buried in unmarked graves and placing a cross to remember them. “I give my speech at the services, and the words I always say are ‘The dead are only ever truly forgotten when they’re spoken of no more’. “I emphasise that to people, to find these forgotten soldiers and even just place a marker like I do to remember them, at least that’s something. “I plan on doing this until I can’t walk anymore, I can’t place any more crosses.” The Passchendaele Campaign – 100th Anniversary Memorial Service will be held in the Catholic 1 section of Sandgate Cemetery from 10am on October 12. Members of the community wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by contacting Glen Amies on 4968 3602 or via g.amies@northerncemeteries.com.au
Back: Stephen Sarsfield Scott, George Leslie Scott. Front: Patrick Francis Scott, Charles Cecil Scott.
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paving to the terraces and alfresco maintains the sense of design continuity throughout the home and is a definite kick back Palm Springs of the 1950’s. With views to the golf course, detail, bold colour and elegance, set the tone for the master suite. A feature wall of Versace tone on tone jungle leaves mix with an exquisite satin creating an individual allure to form the backdrop to the king size bed. The ensuite with heated floors, freestanding Kado Arc bath, dual shower, ample storage in the anodic bronze coloured vanity, topped with beautiful Caesarstone Statuario Maximus, all combine to equal luxury plus. The attention to detail and quality in all the finishes throughout the home shine through in every room. The walk-in wardrobe is complete with custom joinery from Active Kitchens. “Complete with gold glass mosaic penny rounds, my favourite room in the house is the James Bond style powder room…….look out Gold-Finger!” says Steve. “No attention to detail has been spared in this stunning home. What might not be apparent about this home is that it has an amazingly calm and relaxed feel. It’s an absolute treat to return to and have a wander through. I am sure the Rat Pack of old would feel right at home here, particularly on the gorgeous teal velvet curved sofa!” You can visit the new Palm Springs display home at 11 Paperbark Drive, Pokolbin. It’s open Friday to Tuesday 10am to 4pm, or contact the office on 4938 1345 or Rob Waters (Design and Sales Consultant) on 0403 728 221.
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