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Newcastle•Lake Macquarie•Hunter Valley•Port Stephens
W LY L O C A L LY O
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WWW.INTOUCHMAGAZINE.COM.AU
ISSUE #37 // SEPTEMBER 2018
SCOTT CAM
BUILDS FOR A
CURE! KITCHEN SPECIAL FEATURE
Cooking Storm
UP A
The Legend of Dunhuang Newcastle China Week 2018 Balloon Fiesta A Russian Triple Bill
Lifestyle // Entertainment // Dining // Fashion // Community // Travel // Family // Home // Property
INSIDE INTOUCH
From the Editors... We’re binging on Chinese culture (not to mention food!) this month as the annual Newcastle China Week hits our streets. It’s a celebration of Australia’s links with the Asian nation, and without a doubt, one of the highlights will be the street food market and Chinese festival complete with traditional dragon dance. Don’t miss this series of cultural, educational and business events from September 21-23. Hot on the heels of China Week, The Legend of Dunhuang at the Civic Theatres promises to thrill Novocastrian audiences with colourful pageantry, stunning choreography and an unforgettable tale of honour, love and hope. It’s an enthralling blend of Chinese classical dance and other modern dance forms famous throughout China, and a show you most certainly will not want to miss. No one knows the pressures of building to a deadline better than Scott Cam and this month he will be overseeing the deadline to blitz all deadlines as a host of professional tradies attempt to build a house from scratch in 21 days for Build for a Cure. With every inch of the house generously donated by those involved, including the land, all materials, labour and furnishings, the proceeds of the Auction could potentially save the lives of countless children with cancer. Pop out to Medowie and see the build in action along with the official reveal this month. From footings to clouds, this month has it all when the annual Balloon Fiesta takes to the skies over the Hunter Valley in an amazing display of colour and excitement and dozens of hot air balloons from all around the country! If you’ve never flown before – now’s your chance – head to our story on page 20. It’s the hub of the home, the place where family and friends meet to share culinary delights, solve the problems of the world or even just enjoy a cuppa! It’s the kitchen of course, and this month we check out some of our favourite designers and designs, trends and tiles, gadgets and ingredients when we cook up a storm in our special Kitchen Feature. Enjoy!
Stay intouch at getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au Quentin and Di von Essen | Publishers
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
Contacts Publisher & Editors Two Tribes Media Quentin von Essen: quentin@intouchmagazine.com.au Di von Essen: di@intouchmagazine.com.au
PAGE 20
PAGE 42
Contents//
PAGE 12
Features 12
China's Highly Acclaimed Dance Spectacular
16
Scott Cam Lends a Hand for Build for a Cure
20
Wonder and Exhilaration from Above (and Below!)
22
From Filling a Niche to 10 Years of the Olive Tree Market
26
Art in the Vines a Masterstroke for Historical Estate
28
At Home (Far From Home) On the Stage
31
Fashion – Mellow Yellow
34
Get to Know Your Plastic Surgeon
36
Collective of Practitioners for Wellbeing
41
Business & Finance – A Relationship that Brings you Peace of Mind
42
Have a Whale of a Time with CoastXP!
44
Kitchen Feature – Cooking up a Storm
54
Days on Market a Key Indicator of Market Stability
Regulars 6
What’s on Guide + Highlights
10
Horoscope
30
Fashion + Beauty
32
Health + Wellbeing
39
Family + Community
41
Business + Finance
42 Travel 44
Home + Lifestyle
51
Property + Business
GET MOBILE! View this month’s Issue of intouch magazine on your iPhone, iPad, android tablet or android phone. Simply download the QR code and get mobile!
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT WWW.INTOUCHMAGAZINE.COM.AU FACEBOOK.COM/INTOUCHMAGAZINES INSTAGRAM @INTOUCHMAGAZINES
Advertising Sales Phone (02) 4943 0888 Marketing & Account Management Di von Essen and Olivia Rodgers Graphic Design Jess Codrington and Larissa Cluff Features Writer Michelle Meehan
4 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
- PAGE 47
ISSUE #37 SEPTEMBER 2018
Phone (02) 4943 0888 Address Level 1, 216 Pacific Highway, Charlestown NSW 2290 Web www.intouchmagazine.com.au Email getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au
© Copyright 2018 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.
Whilst we all want a kitchen we can be proud to show off to friends and family, we must remember that a great kitchen means far more than just an aestheticallypleasing design.
Contributors
While winning The Block can have a life-changing impact on the lives of one lucky couple, achieving a good outcome on the Build For A Cure auction day could help save the lives of countless children with cancer. Read the full story on page 16.
Michelle Meehan Quentin von Essen Kim-Cherie Davidson Mel Murray Paige Beckley Lara O'Donnell
Jess Codrington Tanya Obreza Chloe O'Sullivan Chelsea Badger Natalie Baker Maria Ward
Di von Essen Dr Gary Avery Brett Cameron Anne Ward Jason Bartlett
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 5
What’s on? SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Olive Tree Markets Civic Park, 9am - 3pm.
2018 Spring Racing Carnival Newcastle Cup (14th) and Ladies Day (15th). Packages available - visit www.newcastleracecourse.com.au
We Will Rock You - The Musical The last performance at Civic Theatre.
►COMING UP SEP SATURDAY 1ST Phil Jamieson The Cambridge Hotel NGARIKI Prince of Wales The Remedy Trio Queens Wharf Hotel SUNDAY 2ND Matty G + Steve Edmonds Band Mezz Bar Hurricane Fall Honeysuckle Hotel Lauren Arms Customs House Hotel FRIDAY 7TH Imogen Clark Stag & Hunter Hotel All Access 80s Mezz Bar Cactus The Cambridge Hotel BORN JOVI Edgeworth Bowling Club Matt McLaren Duke of Wellington V Dubs Charlestown Bowling Club GEN-R-8 Wests New Lambton SATURDAY 8TH Alias Mary Ellen Hotel Alessandro 5 Sawyers SUNDAY 9TH Pete McCredie Pippis at the Point The New Cool Guys 5 Sawyers FRIDAY 14TH The Years Mezz Bar Phonic Trio Mary Ellen Hotel SATURDAY 15TH Elvis - An American Trilogy Belmont 16s Ball Park Music & San Cisco with Ruby Fields NEX My Generation Show Warners Bay Hotel Karen O'Shea Wickham Park Hotel LoKo Mezz Bar SUNDAY 16TH Sheppard The Cambridge Hotel Dragon Toronto Hotel Mark Wells The Beach Hotel FRIDAY 21ST The McClymonts Wests New Lambton Sleepmakeswaves The Cambridge Hotel Mick Jones Bar Petite Shivoo Mezz Bar Zane Penn Duke of Wellington SATURDAY 22ND ThunderStuck AC/DC Warners At The Bay Matt McLaren The Lucky Love That Hat Mezz Bar SUNDAY 23RD David McCredie Mezz Bar D.Love The Beach Hotel WEDNESDAY 26TH Jack River The Cambridge Hotel Booze & Glory (UK) Hamilton Station Hotel FRIDAY 28TH Matt McLaren Warners At The Bay The Remedy Duo Hotel Jesmond SATURDAY 29TH Mental as Anything Beresfield Bowling Club Max Jackson The Lucky Pistol Pete Pippis at the Point Todd Schmoo Belmont 16s - Boat Shed SUNDAY 30TH Bonny Rai The Lucky Kempy Colliery Inn Joel Oakhill Mary Ellen Hotel
6 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Cinema in the Park Allambi Care presents live music, kids activities, food, and a screening of The Greatest Showman. Speers Point Park, 3pm - 8pm. Richley Reserve Adventure Playground Official Opening of the $1.5 million Playground! Enjoy inflatables, stilt walkers, a circus workshop, food, face painting and more. 10.15am - 12pm.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Rescue Ball Frock up and help support the WRHS. www.rescuehelicopter.com.au/events Humans Ten acrobats take us on a stirring journey of what it means to be human. 14+15 September, Civic Theatre. Arj Barker - We Need to Talk Wests New Lambton.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Newcastle International SuperMoto See live motorbike action on September 1 + 2 along Newcastle Foreshore. More information at www.newcastlesupermoto.com.au
End2End Festival Wine, beer, gourmet food and live music over four huge venues throughout Pokolbin. www.end2endfestival.com.au
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Newcastle Farmers Markets Sep 2, 9, 16, 23+30 at Newcastle Showground, 7am - 1pm. Charlestown Skate Park Opening Enjoy skate demos with pro skaters, a best trick contest, all-age workshops, competitions and loads of giveaways! 12pm - 4pm (next to Charlestown Oval).
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Akmal + Neel Kolhatkar Tickets $40 from www.bigtix.com. Club Azzuri, Highfields. Walk4Hope Help raise funds and awareness for Huntington's Disease. Sausage sizzle, jumping castle, face painting, games, raffle and lots more, plus a 4km walk around Speers Point. Buy tickets from www.everydayhero.com.au/event/walkforhope2018
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Men Of League Race Day Newcastle Racecourse.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Variety Spin 4 Kids Teams up of to 10 need to ride as many km's as possible for six hours. Register your team at www.variety.org.au/nsw/events Spring Racing Carnival Charity Golf Day Newcastle Racecourse. R U OK? Conversation Convoy R U OK? is hitting the road for 6 weeks and visiting communities. Meet ambassadors, free bbq, learn the 4 Steps to an R U OK? conversation, children’s activities, and more! Civic Park Newcastle, 8.30am - 10am. Register for free at www.eventbrite.com.au
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Women's Adventure Film Tour Vol. 2 Another series of inspiring short films with a focus on adventure, the environment and heart warming stories. Tower Cinemas. Olive Tree Market Maitland Regional Art Gallery, 9am - 2pm. Lebanese Film Festival 2 film screenings including Oscar nominee, The Insult and Cannes Jury Prize winning Capharnaum. Tower Cinemas, 8+9 September. www.lff.org.au
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Blacksmiths 2 Breakwall Coast Walk 26.9km walk from Swansea Belmont Surf Club to Nobbys Beach, shorter walks available. www.walkthecoast.com.au
Dog Lovers Market Day A family day out with the dog at Islington Park, 10am - 2pm. Wellbeing & Psychic Fair An amazing array of holistic therapists, readers, guest Psychic Mediums on stage, speakers & workshops. Entry is $5, Charlestown Bowling Club, 10am - 4pm. Urban Cellar Door A great afternoon featuring organic and biodynamic wineries, a grazing table and music at The Lucky Hotel, 2.30pm - 5pm. Tickets $25 - www.theluckyhotel.com.au
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Greater Bank Merewether Pro-Am Join in the fun at Merewether Golf Club, $40pp. Phone the Pro-Shop to book 4963 1869.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Prize Fighter Get ringside in the theatre: storytelling paired with the visceral thrill of live boxing! Civic Theatre, 19–22 September.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Newcastle China Week Business Forum (21st), Hawker Night Noodle Market (22nd) and the Cultural Street Festival on Beaumont Street (23rd). www.newcastlechinaweek.com.au Wollombi Music Festival Music, markets, food trucks, silent disco, camping & more over 2 days! www.wollombimusicfestival.com.au Japanese Film Festival Free entry, for details visit www.japanesefilmfestival.net. Tower Cinemas, 21–23 September.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Dalwood Estate Markets 8am - 3pm. The Baby Collective Expo Newcastle's First Baby Expo at NEX. $10 tickets at www.thebabycollectiveexpo.com.au Macquarie College Spring Fair Games, stalls, art show, music, animals, live auction, colour fun run + more! Lake Road, Wallsend, 10am - 3pm.
Pinfest 2018 70+ Pinball machines all on freeplay! Adults $15, families $30. Club Maquarie, Argenton, 22 + 23 Sep. Visit www.pinfest.com.au for more info.
Living Smart Festival Discover ideas and activities to help you live a more sustainable life. Craig Reucassel (War on Waste) will be speaking, along with a Raid My Wardrobe pop-up, displays, giveaways, workshops and more! Speers Point Park, 8am - 2pm.
Hawker Night Noodle Market Gregson Park in Hamilton will be filled with food trucks for all your Chinese and International street food desires, plus music and a Garden Bar! 4pm - 9pm.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Tomaree Trail Run Festival A spectacular event with event options of Half Marathon, 11.5km, 6km and Kids Mud Rats. Visit www.trailrunaustralia.com Embrace Yourself Tour Taryn Brumfitt will inspire you to LOVE your body, birdsnest will entertain you with a fashion show for everyBODY and MC comedian Ellen Briggs will make you laugh! www.eventbrite.com.au China Week Cultural Street Festival See Beaumont St come alive from 10am - 3pm.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Cher - Here we go Again Kicking off her Australian tour at Newcastle Entertainment Centre!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 This is Not Art A free national emerging and experimental arts festival 27–30 September. www.thisisnotart.org Wrecked - An Interactive Ghost Story 27–28 Sept (from a secret location!). www.huntedexperience.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Fiesta Each day sees upward of 25 hot air balloons launch together at sunrise and float majestically over Hunter Valley wine country. Join in as a passenger or follow along from the ground! 28 Sep - 1 Oct. www.balloonaloft.com.au Dashville Skyline 2018 A weekend of musical goodness! Sep 28 - Oct 1. www.dashville.com.au
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Newcastle Race Day Newcastle Racecourse. WoodStockton Free music and fun at Stockton Bowling Club, 12pm - 8pm. Star 104.5 Valley to Coast Food, Wine & Beer Festival Shining the light on the Hunter Valley, Central Coast and beyonds thriving food and drink scene. Free entry, The Entertainment Grounds Gosford, 11am - 5pm.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Postmodern Jukebox The re-imagined contemporary pop, rock and R&B hits are back! Civic Theatre. NYWF Zine Fair 2018 One of the longest-running contemporary zine fairs in the world, including readings, talks and workshops. 11am - 4pm at Newcastle Library as part of TiNA Cultural Festival.
Do you have a local event or gig coming up next month? Email us before the 15th of this month at getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au
What’s on? Coming Up IN OCTOBER Live & Cookin’
TUESDAY 2ND The Legend of Dunhuang China’s highly-acclaimed dance spectacular makes its Australian debut. Civic Theatre Oct 2+3.
31 Morehead Street, Lambton
SATURDAY 6TH Newcastle Art Gallery Society Presents: The Fugue From Bach to Beethoven to Brahms with Umberto Clerici cello and Daniel de Borah piano, at the Art Gallery. To book please visit www.trybooking.com/TJPK
Doors open from 6pm FULLY LICENSED
SEPTEMBER
SUNDAY 7TH Bloody Long Walk Walk or run 35km from Belmont to Newcastle Beach while raising money for Mitochondrial disease. Visit www.bloodylongwalk.com.au to register. WEDNESDAY 10TH Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Presented by Hunter Drama at Civic Theatre 10–13 October. SATURDAY 13TH Maitland Riverlights Multicultural Festival The Levee Maitland, 3pm - 9pm. SUNDAY 14TH Lake Macquarie Food & Wine Festival The FREE Lake Macquarie Food & Wine Festival will be held at Speers Point Park and will feature cooking demonstrations, wine, craft beer, food and entertainment for the whole family. 11am - 6pm. www.lakemacfoodandwinefestival.com.au Newcastle Toy and Hobby Fair New Lambton Community Centre, 9am - 3pm. Dogs in the Park Tighes Hill Dog Park, 9.30am - 3.30pm. Community Dragon Boat Regatta Supporting local Cancer Support Groups, from Carrington Foreshore. FRIDAY 19TH Newkulele Festival Featuring international, national and local ukulele performances, workshops and markets. City Hall, 19–21 Oct. Day time concerts are free! Visit www.newkulelefestival.com Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Civic Theatre. SATURDAY 20TH World's Biggest Car Boot Sale Gold coin entry, Newcastle Entertainment Centre. 8am - 1.30pm. SUNDAY 21ST Back in Time Pop Culture Festival Celebrating classic movies, music, cars and all the magic of the 80's golden era. Nelson Street, Wallsend, 10am - 3pm. FRIDAY 26TH Newcastle Grammar School Diamond Centenary Ball Past and present staff, students and their families are welcome to join in on a memorable evening celebrating 100 years. Visit www.ngs.nsw.edu.au/events
CATHERINE BRITT + THE COLD COLD HEARTS Saturday 1 FATHERS DAY LUNCH - ELVIS IN NEW ORLEANS SHOW Sunday 2
COMING UP//
The Animals
JOHN SCHUMANN + FRIENDS (SUPPORTING R U OK?) Wednesday 5 GRACE: A TRIBUTE TO JEFF BUCKLEY
Wednesday 7 November, 2018
Thursday 6
The Animals were "one of the most important bands" in the British Invasion. While The Beatles and Rolling Stones were the headliners; The Animals were the backbone of blues, with their legacy undeniable. Novocastrians are in for a treat when original members John Steel and Mick Gallagher along with Danny Handley and Scott Whitely bring The Animals live experience performing all their greatest hits to Lizottes this November. Presented by Metropolis Touring, The Animals boast some of the greatest songs in popular music history. Tunes such as The House of The Rising Sun, We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, It's My Life, Don't Bring Me Down and Boom Boom (as featured in the James Bond movie, Skyfall) to name a few. "The band has changed, but the songs remain eternal." – The Independent. "The Animals earned their name thanks to their wild stage act. That was 50 years ago, and they have calmed down since, but their music has lost none of its vigour " – Wales Online.
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 midnight Sept 30, 2018.
TAPESTRY: THE SONGS OF CAROL KING Friday 7
JAZZ AND CHILLI CRAB NIGHT WITH ANDY FIRTH AND ADAM MILLER Sat 8 THE WOLFE BROTHERS Sunday 9 FAULTY TOWERS - THE DINING EXPERIENCE Thursday 13 JAMES MORRISON ACADEMY JAZZ ORCHESTRA Friday 14 BENNETT BOWTELL + URQUHART Sat 15 LAZY SUNDAY LUNCH WITH KARISE EDEN Sunday 16 DAVE UPFOLD COMEDY HYPNOTIST Thursday 20
IRELAND ROCKS: PERFORMED BY CIARAN GRIBBIN Friday 21 VAN THE MAN Saturday 22 TOUR DE FORCE - ELTON JOHN AND BILLY JOEL TRIBUTE Friday 28 GORD BAMFORD Saturday 29
OCTOBER GREAT GIG IN THE SKY - A CELEBRATION OF PINK FLOYD Friday 5
JUNE 2
| JULY 7
| AUG 4
SEPT 1 | OCT 6 | NOV 3+17 C IV IC PA R K 9A M - 3P M
CIVIC PARK 9AM - 3PM
MORE SHOWS added daily. LIVE SHOWS starting from $65 (including dinner)
Wednesday’s
BOOK ONLINE NOW + See who else is coming to dinner...
lizottes.com.au or PH 4956 2066 www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 7
What's On
HIGHLIGHTS
Mark Widdup in front Lady Luck by Adam Cullen
Art Buyers Group Launch at Cooks Hill Galleries Until Monday 24th September After a fabulous 43 years operating Cooks Hill Galleries, Director Mark Widdup has launched The Art Buyers Group (ABG), aiming to re-focus CHG’s art consultancy and advisory services with a personal entree to the Director’s opinion and eye for art selection. In effect, what he likes, values and qualifies as fine artwork examples will be offered and/or secured by Mark for ABG members. ABG is celebrating it’s launch with an exhibition at Cooks Hill Galleries. The exhibition features art from Marc Chagall, Charles Blackman, Richard Bell, William Dobell, Tim Storrier, Nigel Milsom, Norman Lindsay, Adam Cullen, Marian Ellis Rowan, Sidney Nolan and Albert Henry Fullwood, Robert Dickerson, John Olsen, David Bromley and Russell Drysdale. Drop into CHG to view this significant exhibition! Applications for membership can be made visiting abg.cookshillgalleries.com.au, or contacting Mark on 0418 492 259. Membership is limited and vetted.
Newcastle International Supermoto Saturday, 1st + Sunday 2nd September Newcastle will again host the biggest motorcycle race event in NSW over two days, with free entry at the Foreshore. With racing both days, an airshow from Red Bull racer Matt Hall, Food Trucks, trade displays and a sideshow for the kids, this event is expected to draw big crowds. Jumps, berms, sand as well as fast roadracing sections - this track is designed to keep the racers close as they fight it out! Grandstand and VIP upgrades are available for those who want to see more. www.newcastlesupermoto.com.au
Blacksmiths 2 Breakwall Coastal Walk Sunday, 9th September After two highly successful events, the Blacksmiths 2 Breakwall Coast Walk event is returning early this month. The 26.9km trek from Swansea Belmont Surf Club to Nobbys Beach will take participants through over 14km of sand, through two National Parks – the Awabakal and Glenrock State Recreation Area, and along the scenic pathways of Newcastle's beaches right up to Nobby's Breakwall. A 15.5km walk from Redhead and a 5km ‘family walk’ from Merewether are also available. Entry cost is $60 for the Blacksmiths and Redhead Walks (13+ years), and $50 for the Family Walk from Merewether (2 adults, 2 kids). Get your last minute entries in quick as they close 5pm September 5. This is a 100% charity event, with all proceeds going to the Surf Life Saving Clubs in the Hunter, and monies also being donated to Ronald McDonald House and Variety.
Prize Fighter R U OK? Conversation Convoy Friday, 7th September With R U OK? Day on September 13, this convoy is visiting 25 communities of all over Australia to inspire every day Aussies to support one another and not be afraid to ask the question are you ok? any day. Activities include the chance to meet ambassadors (Casey Donovan, Tanya Hennessy and John Schuman), enjoy a free bbq, interactively learn the steps to an R U OK? conversation, children's activities and more! Everyone is welcome - Civic Park, 8.30am 10am. Register (free) through www.eventbrite.com.au
Wednesday, 19th - Saturday, 22nd September Presented by La Boite Theatre Company and Brisbane Festival, Prize Fighter is a rare theatrical combination - deeply emotive storytelling with the visceral thrill of live boxing. Fleeing the Congo as a child, playwright Future D. Fidel lived in a Tanzanian refugee camp for eight years before being granted refugee status in Australia, and Prize Fighter is inspired by his own story. Isa, a young Congolese boxer blazing an impressive career, is gearing up for a national title fight. He soon discovers it’s not just his opponents he has to outdo, but the demons from his tortuous past as a boy soldier where he was made to fight for the same forces that massacred his own family. This production was originally staged at Tuff N Up Boxing in Newcastle, however due to an unfortunate change of the gym's circumstances it will be hosted by Civic Theatre. Visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au for tickets.
Newcastle City Farmers Market Every Sunday - 7.00am til 1.00pm Please check our website for details
• www.newcastlecityfarmersmarket.com.au • M: 0427 586 079 E: finefoodmarket@bigpond.com - kevine@nswfarmersmarket.com.au
Newcastle Entertainment Centre & Showground - Griffiths Road Entry, BROADMEADOW 8 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Japanese Film Festival Friday, 21st - Sunday, 23rd September One of the largest film festivals in the world, The Japanese Film Festival has hopes to support and grow the interest in Japanese films and cinema culture throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Four FREE contemporary Japanese films will screen at Tower Cinemas Newcastle with one screening on both Friday and Saturday nights, and two screenings on the Sunday. The films are a mix of action, drama and anime, including The Long Excuse, Gintama, Mary and the Witch’s Flower and In This Corner of the World. Tickets are available one hour before each film starts (tickets for both Sunday films from 12pm Sunday), and each film will have English subtitles. Visit www.japanesefilmfestival.net for more details.
In the Corner of This World
Get the Girl Gang Together! Sunday, 23rd September You may already know Taryn Brumfitt (founder of The Body Image Movement) for her documentary Embrace, which made its' debut at the Sydney Film Festival in 2016. Taryn has been a major crusader for positive body image, running an online program for women and creating the Embrace Education Study Guide for classrooms. Her new book Embrace Yourself is landing this month, so to celebrate Taryn is bringing 7 jampacked girls' night out events to 7 towns, including NEX in Newcastle! So grab your gal pals, for a night of fun, fashion, and a whole lot of body lovin'. You'll hear from Taryn in an ever-inspiring talk plus a surprise special guest, be guided through the night with some laughs from comedian Ellen Briggs, and see a fashion show and pop-up shop run by Birdsnest. Tickets are from $49, with packages available - www.eventbrite.com.au
This is Not Art Festival Thursday, 27th - Sunday, 30th September This is Not Art (TiNA) celebrates Newcastle as a first-rate creative city, supporting those who are taking risks, and expanding the boundaries of their chosen fields. The event has a focus on artistic expression through mediums such as theatre, writing, music, poetry and installations. TiNA is run by Octapod in partnership with three copresenters; the National Young Writers’ Festival (NYWF), Crack X and Critical Animals, and highlights art-based venues all around the Newcastle CBD. This year, a number of artists have already been announced and include a mix of established artists, noteworthy newcomers and special guests. Key artists include James Colley (writer, creator and comedian), Gina Rushton (journalist and Buzzfeed
Stroke Awareness Walk at the Wetlands Sunday, 23rd September Join the crew from Hunter Wetlands Centre (to support the Stroke Foundation) by taking a Walk in the Wetlands. Partnering with Hunter Valley Private Hospital, the Hunter’s leading stroke rehabilitation centre, the Wetlands hope to raise awareness and dollars to help people understand one of Australia's leading killers, with an Aussie suffering a stroke every nine minutes. For more information and tickets visit www.wetlands.org.au/walk
An Age old Mystery
reporter) and Carlin McLellan (composer, registered music therapist and musician). Keep an eye out for the festival program, which is due to be announced as we go to print! Visit www.thisisnotart.org
Thursday, 27th - Saturday, 29th September The creators of Hunted, the Interactive Horror Experience bring another unique story to Newcastle - one where it's up to you to untangle the mystery of what brought survivors of a shipwreck to a gruesome fate on a secluded shore. What happened when they reached the shore on that fateful night? It's up to you to figure it out – or it may happen again! Wrecked – An Interactive Ghost Story is both a gripping tale and a chilling walk-around experience, where the audience will encounter actors throughout. There are 3 performances each night with limited numbers available and the secret location is revealed once tickets are bought. www.interactivehorrorexperience.com
COOKS HILL GALLERIES PRESENTS
GAVIN FRY: 'Home Port'
September 28 - October 15, 2018
'Leaving Newcastle Early Morning' 75 x 150 cms, Acrylic on Canvas
Register your interest with CHG to view our 2018 exhibitions at www.cookshillgalleries.com.au Join the mailing list!
67 BULL STREET, COOKS HILL 2300 OPEN FRI, SAT & MON 11AM-6PM, SUN 2PM-6PM, TUES BY APPOINTMENT PH 0418 492 259
WWW.COOKSHILLGALLERIES.COM.AU www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 9
Virgo
23 August - 22 September
Astrologer TANYA OBREZA on what’s in the stars this month. WHAT’S HAPPENING DURING SEPTEMBER AT
Find your Dad the perfect Father’s Day gift at Charlestown Square – the largest shopping and entertainment destination in The Hunter! With over 240 stores, we have Father’s Day gifts to suit every Dad. For gift inspiration ideas for your Dad, check out the website charlestownsquare.com.au
NOW OPEN We are excited to announce that the following stores are NOW OPEN.
Ribs & Burgers – Level 2 in the Food Terrace Riot Art & Craft – Ground Level near Coles Tarocash – Brand New Store, Level 1 near Connor Casey’s Toys – Level 1 near Target
COMING SOON Daiso – Ground Level near Woolworths House – bigger & better store, Ground Level near Coles
Libra 23 September - 22 October Mars looks set to spark some fiery family debates this month. Very little can be left to chance, with personal matters and cash flow the most contentious issues. Money becomes a source of conflict, and you may have to think on your feet as each new twist unfolds. In love, you might have to force a partner’s hand or set some new guidelines which benefit you both.
Scorpio 23 October - 21 November There’s always someone who will try and nudge you into a reluctant corner, which isn’t usually an issue for headstrong Scorpios. If you’re finding it difficult to retain your autonomy, lock into the slipstream of a strong Sun - which is happy to steamroll opponents out of your way. Mars also offers help, encouraging you to revise your boundaries. As the borders change, so do the rules - they become yours.
Sagittarius 22 November - 21 December September triggers an extravagant mood. Cash arrives, bringing with it a new image and a happier social life. But despite many things going to plan, life may still throw the occasional curveball. Should you find yourself battling against an authority figure, stay in control. Bullies will always try to rob you of your rights. Ignore and avoid - it transfers the power back to you.
Capricorn 22 December - 19 January It’s not selfish to do what makes you happy. You must be satisfied with your own lot before you can bring joy to others. But expect an air of envy around you this month. Mars is financially generous towards you right now, which may put noses out of joint. Shrug off any taunts. You’re intelligent and loved, so most friends and family will be thrilled to applaud you.
Aquarius 20 January - 18 February You may feel lost for logic right now, but you’re not alone. Thanks to Mars, considerable changes are afoot for Aquarians until mid-November, mostly involving relationships. This transit often coincides with break-ups The good news? Secure partnerships will survive. Even in the best relationship, though, a little change can be a good thing. Singles fare best as love becomes impulsive.
Pisces 19 February - 20 March Be assertive, Pisces. Extract yourself from everyone’s beck and call and teach them selfmanagement. You have your own needs to attend to. If something’s no longer working, you’re probably ready to make changes. A tough ask, perhaps, but by discarding outworn attitudes, you’ll be carrying less baggage - making life easier. Consider this your finest hour, with many insecurities laid to rest.
Aries 21 March - 20 April September marks a major turning point in your life, and those closest to you. For some, this means you welcome an estranged soul back into the fold. The downside: a rival sparks jealousy. This month’s full moon in Aries on the 25th increases professional tension. Don’t push the point - time’s on your side. At work, patience is essential. Not so in play, so feel free to attract whomever you please.
Taurus 21 April - 20 May In September’s treasure hunt, Venus will guide you past the group activities Mars has in store, past business dealings with the Sun - and into the arms of new love. But don’t lose your Taurean pragmatism. Negotiations are as demanding as ever, so be careful. Stay alert to the risks of rekindled passion. Nostalgia may cloud your judgement, and leave you a tad misty-eyed.
Gemini 21 May - 21 June If you intend to keep people guessing, you’re off to a good start. Right now, life seems erratic, so making fixed plans might not be wise. Life often puts forward difficult dilemmas. If your world is unbalanced, perhaps because it’s due to ‘all work and no play’. Mars encourages travel or study. Meanwhile, Venus encourages a style spruce-up. New clothes, hair and makeup - discover a “new” you!
Cancer 22 June - 22 July Professional interests are replaced by a glow of sensual satisfaction, with playful passions restoring morale. If coupled, and emotional barriers have grown too high, now is the time to dismantle them. Be honest with those you love, especially after the 10th, when a fateful meeting could prove tempting. Singles also throw caution to the wind. Clandestine affairs, however, could leave you exposed.
Leo 23 July - 22 August Four major planets seem in no rush to go anywhere, so it’s up to you to hurry them on. A big ask for anyone else, but feisty Leos get things moving even if it means taking a sharp prod to reluctant schemes! You have energy and ideas, but keep the workload realistic. Take time after the 10th for the new moon’s treats. No one should be denied the pursuit of pleasure, least of all luxury-loving lions.
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As well as celebrations, birthdays usually trigger a review of the past year and initiate new resolutions. Firstly, until the 23rd, curb your spending. While you’re not cash-impaired, you’re a target for small print. Meanwhile, the Sun restores your confidence. It should be easier to pinpoint that elusive common ground between personal and professional interests. Resolution of this problematic triangle has recently proven difficult, but a feel for fairness is a quality of yours - and this year you find that your diplomacy pays off. The way also opens for new romance and studies or retraining.
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THE LEGENDARY
Borodin Quartet Returns!
“The gold standard for Russian chamber music" – The Guardian (UK) In our fast-paced, throwaway society, it is a rare thing to be able to pause, to honour and appreciate the past but it is exactly this opportunity the Borodin Quartet offers its audience. Having recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, the remarkable Russian group has long been celebrated for its insights and authority in the chamber music repertoire. Revered for its searching performances of Beethoven and Shostakovich, the Quartet is equally at home in music ranging from Mozart to Stravinsky. Indeed, Beethoven and
Shostakovich are at the heart of the group’s upcoming Musica Viva tour, which also features a Haydn work and brings members Ruben Aharonian, Sergei Lomovsky, Igor Naidin and Vladimir Balshin back to the Newcastle Conservatorium on 4 October 2018. “We absolutely love these two composers, deeply,” says violist Igor Naidin. “They are geniuses. You can play them all your life, and you’ll always find something new, something interesting, something unreachable. You can never play them too often.” The group has recorded complete cycles of both composers’ string quartets – Beethoven in 2000, and Shostakovich in earlier incarnations of the Quartet’s lineup. Though several years have passed since they recorded Beethoven, says Naidin, the time has not significantly changed the way the players view the music. “Of course each of us, every time, approaches the masterpieces in a different way. As time passes we become different and wiser, I hope. But as long as the generation of the ensemble is the same, there will be no major difference to our approach or the way we perform this or that quartet.” Paradoxically, the Borodin Quartet is a little too young to have actually premiered Shostakovich’s string quartets that honour generally went to the Beethoven Quartet - but the group’s members did know and play for the composer. Many of the ensemble’s Shostakovich scores contain his own annotations, a historical reminder of the Quartet’s close relationship with him. “He was a man of great humour and sarcasm; he was able to be joyful and funny. I think nobody has played his music more in the world than the Borodin Quartet,” says Naidin. Naidin is full of praise for the composer’s quartets: “Firstly, they are all, each and every one of them, masterpieces!
Without any exception,” he declares. “Shostakovich entrusted his most personal feelings and thoughts to this intimate genre, where he could ‘speak out’ about everything he was thinking of. Without any exaggeration, we do love them all!” Shostakovich finished the first version of his Ninth Quartet in the autumn of 1961. In a fit of depression, or, to quote him in his own words, 'in an attack of healthy self-criticism', he burnt it in the stove. It took him nearly three years to write another version; his 'second' Ninth Quartet completed only in 1964. Asked whether their legendary sound stems from a shared ‘DNA’, Naidin replies: “Yes, ‘DNA’ could be what unites us, but it is perhaps more to do with the strictest ‘control’ of a newcomer’s technique. One characteristic could also be the Russian school of playing, which was first defined in the early 1900's.” “Of course, it goes without saying that the Borodin Quartet’s sound is not, and cannot be the same over the decades,” he adds. “That would be abnormal for sure. We are all different people, and none of us can or should copy the previous members. However, we are also doing our best to continue the way our predecessors and current colleagues treat the score, instruments and sound production.” As first violinist Ruben Aharonian famously told the UK Telegraph: “We are not here to perform nice music. It's not a question of playing beautiful music in beautiful surroundings, though we do this also a lot. Our aim is always to provide audiences with the experience the composers wanted to give them.” Don’t miss the Borodin Quartet at the Newcastle Conservatorium on Thursday 4 October at 7:30pm. For bookings and further details, please visit www.musicaviva.com.au/borodin
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China’s Highly-Acclaimed Dance Spectacular Makes its Australian Debut F R I D AY 1 4 S E P T E M B E R
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The classic Chinese dance story The Legend of Dunhuang promises to thrill Novocastrian audiences with colourful pageantry, stunning choreography and an unforgettable tale of honour, love and hope when it comes to the Civic Theatre Newcastle from 2–3 October. Hosted and produced by China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) and presented By Ausfeng, The Legend of Dunhuang has been hailed as “The Oriental Swan Lake.” It’s a marvellous display, with the stunning, vibrant costumes and complex scenery creating a fantastic arena for the dance itself. It’s an enthralling blend of Chinese classical dance and other modern dance forms. Famous throughout China, the thousand hand bodhisattvas and backward Pipa playing are just two of the dance styles that will wow audiences. This show also created a new unique dancing style called Dunhuang dancing, which relives the paintings on the Dunhuang frescoes. Originally created in 1979, this exquisite production transports the audience to the height of the Silk Road trade with impressive backdrops depicting breathtaking sceneries, Buddhist art and dazzling costumes. This piece is more than a story; it is a living history of Dunhuang (a city in northwest China's Gansu Province) and the grottos that have become a UNESCO heritage site. The story follows a wealthy Persian trader lost in a swirling dust storm in the
middle of the Gobi Desert, until the beautiful Yingniang and her father Shenbi Zhang, a frescoes painter come to his rescue. The Legend of Dunhuang has travelled the globe as a cultural ambassador. It has been performed more than 2,800 times to an audience of over 4 million people in the past 39 years. Reinvigorated in 2008 to celebrate the Beijing Olympics, the show portrays the magnificent cultural splendours of the Tang Dynasty, presenting ancient China to a modern audience with energy and flair. Established in 1961, the Gansu Dance Troupe is widely regarded for upholding the culture of Dunhuang. They have won numerous national awards and toured nearly 40 countries, making The Legend of Dunhuang, a milestone masterpiece in the history of Chinese dance. Producer, CAEG is the first large stateowned cultural enterprise in China. It was founded in 2004 based on the merger of the China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA) and the China International Exhibition Agency (CIEA). With a history of more than 60 years, CPAA and CIEA have gained international acclaim by undertaking thousands of governmental cultural exchange projects and commercial stage performances and arts exhibitions both at home and abroad. More information visit www.dunhuang.com.au or to book tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
A Community Engagement Platform... And Loads of Fun! WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN - Features Writer
The flavours and colours of China will take over the streets of Hamilton this month as part of a celebration of Australia’s links with the Asian nation. A street food market and Chinese festival complete with traditional dragon dance will be among the highlights of this year’s Newcastle China Week, a series of cultural, educational and business events from September 21–23. The annual event has been held since 2013 to highlight the strength of the relationship between Australia and China and is managed by the University of Newcastle’s Confucius Institute with support from the university, Newcastle City Council and Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. The Director of Institution Relations, Greater China at The University of Newcastle, Cher Jones, said the flagship event had grown significantly since its beginnings to now “engage the minds and hearts” of more than 30,000 community and business members each year. “The celebration has grown from an on-campus one-day event called ‘Confucius Institute Day’ to now be one of the largest community events in the Newcastle and Hunter region,” she said. “The main purpose of Newcastle China Week is to facilitate greater understanding between Newcastle and China through a series of interactive academic, business, cultural and social events to engage with the community.“
The family fun day will be hosted by fluent bilingual MC, online video host and entrepreneur Justin Steele, and feature the world-class Jin Wu Koon Lion Dance on 3m high poles, a spectacular fast-moving and acrobatic Dragon Dance through the streets of Hamilton as well as a prestigious feature performance on the main stage by the Beijing Dance Academy. There will also be market stalls, food vendors, amusements and entertainment, including the chance to get hands-on with an immersive multi-sensory 9D cinema and interactive workshop run by The University of Newcastle’s Confucius Institute, as well as Chinese language mini-courses, calligraphy, traditional handcraft and more. The event will also celebrate China’s traditional MidAutumn Festival, with a giant 8m golden dragon, friendly panda, God of Fortune or giant inflatable mooncake providing ideal selfie-worthy opportunities throughout the day. Ms Jones said the benefits and attractions of Newcastle China Week provided a drawcard for tens of thousands of people each year. “China Week also aims to create unique experiences for the community to immerse in a mix of social and cultural activities that are fun and family-friendly. Chinese food culture is highly appreciated by the community, with the Saturday night food market being immensely popular.” For more information about China Week visit www.newcastle.edu.au
Newcastle China Week has three core events. The Chinese Business Forum will be held at the NeW Space University Campus on Friday, September 21, with a focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The ever-popular Hawker Night Food Market on Saturday, September 22 will take your tastebuds on a trip to the Orient, with around 20 Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Malaysian and fusion food-inspired vans offering everything from yum cha and dumplings to light bulb soda and grilled sweet pastry cones filled with ice-cream. The market will be held on the sprawling greens of Gregson Park, Hamilton from 4pm to 9pm, with music from DJ C Man, the illuminated sights of the roving Thanks to China Week Event Partner The Legend of Moon and Stars themed entertainment and a thrilling fire Dunhuang we have a Double A-Reserve Pass to the show under the full moon installation. Civic Theatre performance on Tuesday, October 2 to The Cultural Street Festival will round out the schedule of give away to one lucky reader! Visit www.intouchmagazine.com.au events on Sunday, September 23, bringing Beaumont Street to win. Giveaway closes 21 September – so be quick! alive with the sights and sounds of Asia from 10am to 3pm.
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SCOTT CAM LENDS A HAND To Build for a Cure! WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN - Features Writer
No one knows the pressures of building to a deadline better than Scott Cam. Week in, week out for the past 12 seasons, the reality TV host and former chippy has watched contestants work feverishly against the clock to deliver fully renovated, and styled rooms on the Channel 9 smash hit series The Block. But Scott will be overseeing an even bigger construction challenge in Medowie this month as a host of professional tradies attempt to build a house from scratch in 21 days. And while winning The Block can have a life-changing impact on the lives of one lucky couple, achieving a good outcome on auction day with this build will potentially help save the lives of countless children with cancer. A fundraising initiative of the Children’s Cancer Institute, Austral Bricks and McDonald Jones Homes, Build for a Cure sees a host of tradesmen, corporate partners and community groups join forces to build, landscape and furnish the new home over the three-week period before it is put under the hammer, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to help fund research into childhood cancer. 16 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Jeff McCloy (from McCloy Group) and Bill McDonald (from McDonald Jones Homes) at The Bower Estate.
“Bill McDonald (founder of McDonald Jones Homes) asked me to join the first Build for a Cure project back in 2014. I only then learned about Children’s Cancer Institute and the fact that they are the one and only independent medical research institute wholly dedicated to childhood cancer. “Over their 30 years, the Institute has seen dire mortality rates improve significantly, but we are still losing nearly three Aussie kids every week from cancer. The Institute not only want to take the figure to zero, but they are confident they will get it to zero in the foreseeable future. “I am thrilled to again be joining the team for Build for a Cure, and this year we are back in the Hunter Region.
Every inch of the house is generously donated by those “I really enjoy spending time on involved, including the land, all materials, labour and furnishings. site with all of the tradies, The first Build for a Cure was held in the Sydney suburb of who generously donate their Glenmore Park in 2014, with the four-bedroom home selling personal time to get this house for an impressive $783,000. Subsequent builds have been completed in the Lake Macquarie suburb of Teralba (2016) as built in 21 days. Everyone truly well as at Appin (2017) in western Sydney, will the proceeds of works as a team to sell the house all three, and various related initiatives, raising more than $2 for as much as possible. million for the Children’s Cancer Institute to date. Scott has been the official Build for a Cure Ambassador “Children’s Cancer Institute’s determination is infectious, since the beginning and said he was proud to be able to lend and I encourage all Aussies to give generously.” his support to a cause dedicated to reducing the impact of The build kicked off on Monday, August 27 with the this insidious disease. erection of the framework and roof trusses on the already “It would be rare to find a family in Australia that has not poured slab. been touched by cancer,” he said. The house will be built in The Bower Estate in Medowie, “In my own family I have lost five loved ones to the disease, with the 700sqm block of land donated by the McCloy Group. and I have seen firsthand the suffering caused by cancer and It is the second time the Newcastle-based developers have its treatment. lent their support to Build for a Cure, having previously “As a father, it’s hard to imagine a child facing that path donated the land at Billy’s Lookout in Teralba for the 2016 so early in their life, and yet every year over 950 Australian children and their families get this terrible news. In the Hunter campaign. Also showing their support for the cause will be McDonald Region alone, 50 children on average each year are diagnosed Jones Homes, with the Hunter-based home builders among ► with cancer.
the first companies to jump on board when the initiative was dreamt up by David Fitzharris from Austral Bricks in 2014. McDonald Jones Homes have built each of the three luxury houses completed to date and are back again this year with support from a host of volunteer tradespeople, as well as the countless suppliers who donate the construction materials needed for the project. The Cambridge design home will include four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage and will be luxuriously fitted out and fully furnished before being unveiled by Scott at the official “reveal” on Sunday, September 16. He will be joined at the site on the day by Newcastle Knights star and McCloy Ambassador Mitchell Pearce, with other special guests to include past contestants from The Block, medical researchers, architects, builders and interior designers. Children’s cancer survivors and their families will also take part in the reveal, including the honorary “site foreman” for this build, Nixon Ball. The plucky three-and-a-half-year-old has experienced more pain than most people go through in a lifetime after being diagnosed with a rare type of tumour in 2015, just days after he was born. Brodie Doneghan was 36 weeks pregnant with Nixon when a sonographer noticed a growth on the unborn baby’s head during a routine scan. After monitoring it for a week, doctors admitted Brodie to Sydney’s Westmead Hospital, where she underwent a caesarean section. Biopsies revealed the growth on Nixon’s scalp, which was now the size of a fist, was actually a rhabdoid tumour, with a second tumour also discovered on one of his legs. When he was just two-and-a-half weeks old, Nixon underwent the first of what would ultimately be ten rounds of
chemotherapy to shrink the tumours, with surgery after the first and fourth rounds used to remove the tumour from his leg and scalp respectively. Since then Nixon has undergone upwards of six other surgeries, 25 blood and platelet transfusions, scans every three months and countless trips to see a variety of medical specialists. It has been a long, hard journey for Nixon and a tough time for Brodie and her partner Nick Ball, as well as their other two children Ashlee and Lachie. But the family, who live in the small suburb of Mardi just near Tuggerah on the Central Coast, know that despite the pain and anguish they have all endured, Nixon is one of the lucky ones. Three children and adolescents (on average) die each week in Australia from cancer. While advances in treatment discovered through research by organisations such as the Children’s Cancer Institute have helped lower mortality rates significantly, there is still a long way to go. Brodie said while Nixon has been in remission for some time, they remain passionate about supporting the Children’s Cancer Institute’s work to provide more targeted treatments, and their goal of one day being able to cure 100 per cent of children with cancer. “We’ve been lucky in a sense,” Brodie said. “It’s been horrible and crappy, but Nixon has kind of come through everything fairly unscathed. “He’s been in remission for a while, but we’ve seen either little kids that haven't come through, or that have had relapses, or that have had quite significant disabilities and ongoing issues because of treatment. “I’m just so motivated to help other families because I just know how isolating it is and how horrible it is. Your life is pretty much forever changed, so I just think that we’ve come through
Nixon Ball
fairly unscathed and I feel like we owe it to the kids that didn't come through it, to help fundraise.” By sharing their story through the media, Nixon and his family were among those who helped raise the profile of Build for a Cure the last time it was held in the Hunter, with his dad Nick, who works for Mojo Homes (a McDonald Jones Homes company), also among the tradies on site helping with the actual build. (Continued next page) ►
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(Continued) Nick will be back on the tools again in Medowie, while Nixon and Brodie are in the media spotlight once more, with the cause even closer to their hearts this time around. “One of the girls (who had cancer) that did it with us two years ago at Teralba passed away last year – she was only 18,” Brodie said. “I feel like we owe it to her. I think it’s really important to give back and help out where we can. “It’s good community spirit, and I think the Hunter and regional places, in particular, are really good like that.” The Children’s Cancer Institute’s Chief Marketing and Fundraising Officer Anne Johnston said she has also been “blown away” by the response from the community in support of the initiative each year. “My heart is moved by the way the community responds,” she said.
“To see the tradies giving up their time and willingly giving up their skills, to see the families who come to the site, to see companies like McDonald Jones Homes and McCloy get involved – they’re more than just supporters to us, they’re family. “We’ve never experienced that groundswell of people, of support, anywhere else we’ve been (outside of the Hunter) – it’s just a phenomenal feeling, and I just can’t thank the community enough.”
Originally founded by two fathers of children with cancer in 1976, the Children’s Cancer Institute is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to research into the causes, prevention and cure of childhood cancer. Forty years on from its establishment, its vision remains unchanged – to save the lives of all children with cancer and to eliminate their suffering. The Children’s Cancer Institute has grown to now employ more than 200 researchers, operational staff and students, and has established a national and international reputation for scientific excellence. Their focus is on translational research, with an integrated team of laboratory researchers and clinician scientists who work together in partnership to discover new treatments that can be progressed from the lab bench to the beds of children onwards in hospitals as quickly as possible. These new treatments are specifically targeting childhood cancers, so safer and more effective drugs and drug combinations can be developed that will minimise side-effects and ultimately give children with cancer the best chance of a cure with the highest possible quality of life. Anne said the Institute was leading the establishment of the Zero Childhood Cancer national child cancer personalised medicine program for children with the most aggressive cancers, in partnership with the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. The program will revolutionise the way treatment decisions are made, with the aim of improving survivorship for those children at highest risk of treatment failure from their disease. Money raised from initiatives such as Build for a Cure will be used for research programs such as this.
“Build for a Cure is a significant campaign for us and we count ourselves as really fortunate that partners like McDonald Jones and the McCloy Group and the Hunter region are so supportive of our research,” she said. “The reason that the research is important is that even though survival rates have grown significantly to 80 per cent of children surviving from their cancer, the outcomes for many remain devastating. “The difficulty, I guess, in curing every child of cancer is that every child’s cancer is unique and different and that’s why some children don’t respond to standard cancer treatment. Our work is very focused on trying to find new targeted therapies, particularly for aggressive and rare cancers, so that we can get every child surviving. “And though we do receive government funding, usually that government funding focuses on capital equipment and infrastructure. “It’s only with the support of campaigns like this that we can enjoy the brilliant minds, the researchers that will actually use all of our technology to be able to find new treatments that will treat children more efficiently, but will also cause less damage than current therapies do.” The completed Build for a Cure home will be put under the hammer by celebrity auctioneer Damien Cooley on Sunday, October 21. ■
To follow the build, find out how you can visit the finished house before it goes up for auction, or make a donation, visit www.buildforacure.org.au
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM Kooragang Island
Applications now open
18 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
The second round of funding for Orica’s 2018 Community Investment Program is now open, with up to $65,000 in grants available to local community groups.
Application forms and supporting documents are available at orica.com/kooragang
The Orica Community Investment Program supports initiatives that seek to promote education and lifelong learning, improve and protect the environment, and build strong communities.
Applications for this round of funding will close on 30 September, with successful recipients notified in October.
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 19
Wonder & Exhilaration from Above (and Below!)
Hot air ballooning enthusiasts will be in seventh heaven later this month thanks to this year’s Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Balloon Fiesta. The annual Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Fiesta will take to the skies over the Hunter Valley from the 28th September to 1st October in an amazing display of colour and excitement! Each day will see upward of twenty-five hot air balloons from all around the country launch together at sunrise and float majestically over Hunter Valley wine country. The best way to view the hot air balloon festival is definitely as a passenger on board one of the balloons - in fact, it’s a once in a lifetime experience - but you’ll need to book soon as space is limited. The excitement begins just before dawn as the balloons are inflated in the launch field - make sure to have your camera ready, it's quite the spectacle - then take off and drift over the Hunter Valley vineyards for an hour in the company of a fleet of hot air balloons. Celebrations continue after the flight back at Peterson House Winery with live music, a
“It’s difficult to describe ballooning to those who haven’t experienced it. There is a silence; a peacefulness that envelops you as soon as you leave the ground.
gourmet breakfast and a champagne tasting to wrap up an exciting and fun-filled morning. Participating balloons will include the unusually-shaped Dodo and ‘Nudie’ balloons, as well as Balloon Alofts new eyecatching heart-shaped balloon. The Hunter Valley Balloon Fiesta was the brainchild of Event Director and Balloon Aloft Senior Pilot Matthew Scaife who had participated in balloon fiestas around the world and saw an opportunity to showcase the beautiful Hunter Valley by holding a similar event here.
Now in its eighth year, the event continues to grow in popularity, with last year’s Fiesta selling out weeks in advance. This year the program has once again been extended from two to four days to allow even more people the opportunity to be a passenger on one of the balloons. Close to thirty balloons from all over Australia are expected to take part in 2018, and while you can follow the action from the ground, there’s no doubt the best view in the house will be alongside the pilot in one of the baskets attached to the bottom of the balloons. ►
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Fashion, Fun and Fillies! With the expanded program, around 500 passengers will be given a chance to take part in the Fiesta for what will be the trip of a lifetime. Two-time former Women’s World Ballooning Champion Nicola Scaife, who works as a pilot alongside her husband Matthew at Balloon Aloft, said being onboard one of the many balloons as they float together at dawn over the vineyards is a “truly breathtaking experience”. Nicola has been flying balloons for more than ten years and said the best thing about ballooning is the look of wonder on passengers’ faces each and every flight. “Ballooning is unique. The intricacy and variation in the wind patterns ensure that no two flights are ever the same,” says Nicole. “Each and every time I fly, I am experiencing that flight for the first time too, and I can share a sense of wonder and exhilaration with my passengers. “It’s difficult to describe ballooning to those who haven’t experienced it. There is a silence; a peacefulness that envelops you as soon as you leave the ground. “When you are floating so effortlessly hundreds of feet above the ground, your whole perspective of the world changes. “It is something that everyone needs to experience at least once in their lifetime.” To book a flight on board one of balloons flying in the Fiesta, visit www.balloonaloft.com ■
Spring Carnival is Nearly Here!
Spring Carnival fever is here again with the Newcastle Jockey Club gearing up for an incredible two-day event of fabulous racing to kick off the season. Newcastle Racecourse’s Spring Racing Carnival is the pinnacle of horse racing in the Hunter region and is always a highlight of the social calendar, attracting the glorious spectacle of horse racing, fabulous style and glamour at its best. The 2018 Spring Racing Carnival kicks off on Friday 14 September for the main day of racing, with four Group 3 races – the Australian Bloodstock Cameron Handicap, Yarraman Park Tibbie Stakes, Hungerford Hill Wines Spring Stakes and the Sharp Electronics Group Newcastle Gold Cup – attracting some of the best horses in the country. This year, there is more than $820,000 in prize money up for grabs on the first day of racing. For the ladies, Saturday 15 September is the big day when the Hunter’s fashionistas come out to play for the glamour event of the year. Westfield Kotara Ladies Day is set to be a flurry of florals, pastels and lace as girls from far and wide frock up to be part of an unforgettable social experience. And of course, Ladies Day isn’t Ladies Day without Fashions on the Field.
Expect to see playful prints, feminine linens and power suiting competing as men and women of all styles, shapes and sizes take to the field to claim the Best Dressed Female and Best Dressed Male gongs. Winners will receive a $500 Westfield Gift Card. There’s also a prize for Best Millinery, with the victor taking home a $400 gift card. Registry will be taken on the day at the Fashions on the Field stage, located between the Grandstand and the Trackside Marquee. Another highlight of the day will be the Hungerford Hill VIP Marquee. Guests will enjoy all the glamour and fun of the premier marquee while enjoying an afternoon of racing, delicious cuisine and premium beverages, fashion and entertainment. For $169 per person, guests will receive a three-course chef-inspired plated lunch with beautiful accompanying wines; racecourse entry; one race book per two guests; and entry into Fashions in the Marquee, with prizes awarded for best dressed.
As a special offer, buy a table of 10 in the Hungerford Hill VIP Marquee and only pay for nine tickets by using the code mag18. Visit www.newcastleracecourse.com.au to purchase tickets and for more information.
Newcastle's Newest Experience Join CoastXP on an Encounter Tour and witness majestic Humpback Whales up close, as well as the highlights of Newcastle from their brand new high-speed vessel Atmos.
Book online at www.coastxp.com or call 1300 852 682 www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 21
From Filling a Niche to
10 Years of the Olive Tree Market! WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN - Features Writer
When three women joined forces in 2008 to start a market for emerging artists and creatives in Newcastle, they weren’t quite sure what the response from the community would be. A decade later that same market is preparing to notch up its 10th anniversary, having become Newcastle’s leading contemporary art and design market with a reputation that extends well beyond the borders of the coastal city and surrounding region. “When I started we really didn’t know what was going to For organiser and co-founder Justine Gaudry, the success happen; it was a small seed of an idea that I suppose has just of The Olive Tree Market has grown well beyond her wildest grown. I don't think ten years ago I imagined that this is what initial dreams. I'd still be doing.” “I don’t know what I really thought would happen when we That seed was initially planted in the fertile grounds of first started,” she said. The Junction Public School by Justine and the market’s co“For me, it was a total change in the direction of where founders, sisters Bec Thomson and Alison Buchanan. I was going with my career I suppose. I moved back to At the time Newcastle didn’t have a dedicated art and Newcastle because I’d been in a really bad car accident, the design market – a gap that the trio believed was in need of car accident actually changed my whole life, and I had to end being filled. the career that I was working in because of that. “At the time there were very few opportunities for local “The market for me was a really important part of me starting to work again and connecting with other people again. artists and designers in Newcastle apart from two galleries
and a few retail outlets, which focused on creative people,” Justine said. “Apart from that there was just very little opportunity for that community, and we saw that as a space that needed to be filled, both for the artists and designers locally, and for the community in general. “The other reason for starting the market initially was how little there was at that point in time as far as there being community-focused events that people could go to that were free, where they could meet and discover new work and listen to music and just be in a space with other people from Newcastle.” ►
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Justine Gaudry
After putting the word out in the creative community, the trio was inundated with potential stallholders, with the concept attracting a much larger response than any of them had anticipated. Five months later the gates were thrown open for the first Olive Tree Market, with around 75 stallholders showcasing their handcrafted and original wares in the grounds of the public school. Ten years down the track the market has more than doubled in size, while also changing location in 2015 to its current venue at Newcastle Civic Park. A second market, held in the grounds of the Maitland Regional Art Gallery several times a year, was also added in 2015. “I think initially we had 70 or 75 stallholders and now on average we have about 140 and at our Christmas market we
have up to 200 stalls, that's our biggest market of the year. That’s more of a festival than just a market,” Justine said. “Straight away there was a fairly big interest from the community in what we were doing, and that grew fairly quickly. “We moved at the end of 2014, our first market in Civic Park was February 2015. At that time the school was undergoing infrastructure work so we actually had to find a new location and that was I guess both challenging and an opportunity for the market to develop and grow in new ways as well.” By that time Justine was running the market solo, with the two sisters deciding to focus their energies on a new business venture just a few years after the market started. It’s been a long road with a lot of hard work involved, but Justine said she is so proud of what she and the market have achieved. “I’ve been proud of the platform that it’s provided to people, and seeing people take risks and develop by launching their artistic practice or their creative small businesses at the market,” she said. “The fact that we've been able to support those people while they are developing those things themselves and then seeing them going on to doing other amazing things, that's always really inspiring to watch. Some of the young artists who have started here have gone on to have really successful careers. “The market has grown in size but also with each year that we've operated; the market has grown in reputation both locally and on a statewide level as far as the creative people that we have involved at the market and the customers who come to it. “It's not just people from Newcastle, we have a lot of people that travel from Sydney and regional New South Wales to
take part and that’s grown over the years because of how strictly we’ve stuck to our vision of having a market that was contemporary and focused on handmade and locally designed goods.” With the 10th-anniversary market approaching in October Justine said she has been dreaming up a number of special events to celebrate the milestone. While the details had not yet been announced when intouch Magazine went to print, Justine said one of the initiatives would be designed to support the next generation of creatives. “The October market will be our 10th-anniversary market and then every month for that 12 months will be part of our 10th year,” she said. “There’ll be some special events happening, created around the 10th anniversary in October but we haven't announced those yet, so watch this space. “The next generation of artists is important to us as well, so to celebrate the 10th anniversary, every month we’ll offer a free mentoring package to a young artist or designer where they will have a free stall. We will also help them with developing how their stall will be displayed and set up and promote it through social media and the website. “It’s very much and always has been about community for me, more than it being about business, which is probably to my own detriment, but that’s my focus. “The biggest thing for me is the fact that we're able to provide that supportive and ongoing professional development opportunity, I'm really proud that we are able to provide that space for people.”
To find out more details about all the upcoming market events visit www.theolivetreemarket.com.au ■
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 23
FREE ENTRY
All Welcome
Fair Games and Food Stalls | Art Show and Live Music Live Auction | Pony Rides and Petting Zoo | Amusement Rides Campus Tours 11am and 1pm
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Acquire Pest Control, Bakers Delight Warners Bay & Belmont, Edgeworth Animal Medical Centre, Educare Specialist Services, First National Lake Macquarie, Healthcare Evolutions Medical Group, Hi-Vis Group, Laser Pain Management Clinic, Merran Wiggins TravelManagers, Nest Realty Group, Newcastle Car & Truck Rental, REFCA Group, Stuart and Dunn Office Choice, Tozer Air Conditioning, WHO Printing The Macquarie College Spring Fair is a cigarette, alcohol and animal free event. Free on-street parking is available on College Road, Lake Road and Reservoir Road.
macquariecollege.nsw.edu.au/springfair
Grow and Connect at Macquarie College A school works best when it feels like a village. People know each other, they take the time to have all those small conversations that hold a group together and they share a mutual sense of connection. However, schools are under pressure from the increasingly complex and fast paced nature of life in the 21st Century. In recognition of changing cultural norms it is important to put in place structures that facilitate individual relationships, resulting in a community that grows together. Macquarie College has recently implemented a strategic wellbeing model that allows students, teachers, parents and friends to understand the College’s direction in terms of four key areas; meaning, discovery, growth and connection. These components of Macquarie College’s Wellbeing Model speak to the need for balance, purpose and relationship in our lives. Outdoor Education is one way in which staff and students explore the potential for growth and connection. By getting off campus and exploring both wild and urban locations students in Years 5 through to Year 12 are able to step out of their usual routines and interact with each other in creative ways in order to solve problems and experience growth. Year 9 students take part in the Invictus Wellbeing Program which provides them with the opportunity to backpack through parts of Kosciusko National Park. The resilience and self reliance that comes from wilderness trekking provides transferable confidence that can enhance a student’s sense of agency and capacity when learning in the classroom. The College’s Outdoor Education Program culminates in a Year 12 service trip to Vanuatu. Students fundraise throughout the year and spend time in a small rural village helping with construction and community building projects.
Closer to home, on-campus events such as the biennial Spring Fair allows Macquarie College to welcome the wider Lake Macquarie and Newcastle community into an experience of College life. This year families and visitors alike have an opportunity to experience local art, food, games, rides, entertainment and a range of stalls. An event such as the Spring Fair encourages the growth and connection of a school village that builds memories together. Joshua Brown Director Wellbeing & Outdoor Education
You're invited to enjoy all the fun of the Fair! Bring a rug and catch up with friends over morning tea or a picnic lunch on the Oval. All welcome! 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 3pm
Creative & Performing Arts and NMA Music Program
10am - 2pm
Megamania Amusements & Rides Pennies Ponies & Animals
10am - 3pm
Mini Miracles Plaster & Colouring Competition Classroom Stalls Community Stall Holders
11am & 1pm
Campus Tours (Junior & Senior Schools) with College Registrar
11am & 1pm
Design & Technology Department Computer Numerical Control Machinery Displays
11.45am & 1.45pm
Campus Tours (Pre-School) with Pre-School Director
12pm
Live Auction
Look for Hunter Water’s Hydration Station at this year’s event. Don’t forget to bring your own bottle #BYOB on the day.
“In recognition of changing cultural norms it is important to put in place structures that facilitate individual relationships, resulting in a community that grows together. ” www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 25
Art in the Vines A Masterstroke for Historical Estate
Award-winning wine and lush vines create the perfect backdrop for the Hunter’s newest art gallery showcasing pieces from top local and internationally-renowned artists. The unofficial birthplace of Hunter Valley wine, Dalwood Estate has brought a vibrant offering of art to wine country thanks to a unique collaboration with a Sydney curator. Hunter Galleries was recently launched at Dalwood Estate and features more than 100 works from both emerging and established artists. Life imitates art throughout the exhibition with a common theme of country landscapes and native fauna on display.
Dalwood General Manager, Craig Hibbard, said the partnership with prolific Sydney curator Adrian Black has seen Dalwood Estate further established as a destination in its own right with popular weekend picnics and cellar door, destination weddings and regular artisan markets on offer. “Formerly Wyndham Wines, we relaunched as Dalwood Estate in April and have been working hard ever since to create something different for the valley that honours our past, but also carries our business into the future,” he said. “Hunter Galleries gives locals exposure to some prolific Australian artists and gives tourists an added reason to visit our stunning property. Wine and art really goes hand in hand.” The exhibition displays a mixture of modern and traditional art with visitors able to experience the pieces both inside a traditional gallery space and outdoors with life-size sculptures while meandering throughout the property grounds. The interactive art walk was the brainchild of curator Adrian Black and offers a real point of difference among the Hunter’s many cellar door experiences, he said. Adrian has been presenting exhibitions by outstanding Australian artists for more than a decade and has revelled in the chance to turn his artistic eye to the historic property. “There is no other cellar door experience like it,” Adrian said. “An internal gallery is housed in a grand sandstone cellar door, and the grounds sport stunning views of the valley and lush vines. It is a real escape and will appeal to city art lovers as much as locals.” Displaying both traditional and modern works, Hunter Galleries provides an excellent opportunity to discover both decorative and investment art, he said. “This Collection brings together an amazing selection of fine art and sculpture from some of Australia’s top artists including Ian Hansen, Dana Dion, Simon Barlow, Pamela
Honey and the Hunter’s own James Hough to name but a few.” In another coup, the boys from Newcastle’s MEET Restaurant have now launched Mr Busby’s at Dalwood Estate. The Mr Busby name relates to James Busby; the man regarded as the godfather of the Australian wine industry, and the Café is open for visitors to enjoy either breakfast or lunch (or both!) on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 4pm. Dalwood Estate is Australia’s oldest winery and, arguably responsible for launching Australian wines onto the world stage. The Estate was born when English immigrant George Wyndham planted his first vineyard there in 1828, using 600 vine cuttings given to him by British botanist James Busby. Christened Dalwood Wines, he released his first vintage seven years later, to rave reviews, and by the mid-1800s was exporting to England and India. In 1867, using cuttings from John Macarthur's Camden property, Wyndham expanded his Dalwood vineyards to more than 65 acres. George Wyndham led the way in promoting the fledgling Australian wine industry, showing Dalwood Wines in the Great Expositions of Europe and the USA (in the 1860’s) and winning several medals. He created the reputation of high standards for the Australian wine industry that we continue to enjoy to this day, and firmly placing Australian wines on the world map. To honour George Wyndham's memorable achievements, Dalwood Wines was renamed Wyndham Estate in 1970 – one hundred years after George Wyndham's death. Today destination NSW promotes a heritage trail for wine and Hunter history buffs. The Dalwood Heritage Trail winds through the picturesque vineyards of Wyndham Estate and along the banks of the Hunter River, meandering through the memories and timeless legacy of one of Australia’s most significant pioneering families.
Why wait till Christmas? The Adamstown Pudding Kitchen is now open!
· Delicious Puddings · Gourmet Sauces, Jams & Pickles · Group Kitchen Tours Open Monday to Thursday 9am – 4pm and Friday 9am – 2pm Visit us at 228 Brunker Rd Adamstown or online www.adamstownpuddingkitchen.org.au 26 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 27
actually enjoy the show, which is very important for me as a performer.” Audiences play a key role in Lina’s love of ballet, with their responses, and the interaction between Lina and her partners on stage, providing the fuel that fires her passion for performing. “Firstly I enjoy the contact with my partner, physical and emotional,” she said. “Every single show can be different, even if Swan Lake was say one week of shows in a row - still every performance would be different, it depends on the mood. “Sometimes they co-operate, sometimes they can challenge or fight on the stage, so it’s really interesting, it’s really close to a friendship or politics if you want, some sort of diplomacy to co-operate on the stage is often needed even if you have some issues behind the stage. “This emotional part with a dance partner is very important, and I enjoy it – I find it interesting. “The second part (of what inspires my love of dancing) is the energy exchange with the audience. “By that, I can feel if a show goes well by how grateful and In 2012 Lina became the company’s Principal Dancer, appreciative the audience is. renowned for the skill, grace and natural finesse that over “If we give a beautiful show and the audience gives back a the years has seen her receive countless awards including huge amount of energy, even if I am exhausted after the show, the acclaimed International Youth Classical Award, while I can give a second performance right away with no issues, also being officially honoured for her “Contribution to the that’s how strong (the energy exchange) is.” Development of Culture and Art in Moldova”. Audiences certainly appreciated the efforts of all of the She said she never imagined quite how far her career Imperial Russian Ballet dancers when they toured Australia on stage would take her, both professionally as a dancer – last October with their three-hour extravaganza A Festival of and quite literally as well, as far as travelling the world was Russian Ballet. concerned. They will be hoping to impress once again when they Lina said she never expected to visit Australia even once travel across the country during September and October with in her life, but when she flies in this month for the Imperial A Russian Triple Bill. Presented for the first time to Australian Russian Ballet Company’s A Russian Triple Bill tour, it will be her eighth visit to the country with the jet-setting dance troupe. audiences, the diverse program consists of the fairy tale spectacular of Princess Aurora’s wedding from Sleeping While Australia’s native wildlife is always high on the list Beauty in Act 1, the romantic Les Sylphides in Act 2 and the of memorable experiences for international visitors, Lina electrifying Carmen in Act 3. said it was the warmth of the audiences that left the biggest Lina will take on two of the main roles during the impression. performance, as Princess Aurora in the opening act and the “I never even dreamt about going to Australia because it’s main role in Les Sylphides, and said she was looking forward so far for Europeans to travel,” she said. to the challenge of portraying two very different characters “But the most fascinating thing for me when I come to Australia is the nature, the beautiful beaches and the wildlife, during the show. which is completely different, sometimes dangerous but luckily nothing (bad) ever happens. Newcastle audiences will have the chance to enjoy the skill “What I remember the most is the very welcoming and grace of Lina and her fellow dancers when they take to audiences. My brightest memory of Australian audiences is the stage at Newcastle's Civic Theatre on Sunday, October 7. when in a small town in Tasmania I came back to my hotel Tickets can be purchased via the theatre box office by calling room and found flowers from one lady’s backyard. It is very 4929 1977, or online via the Ticketek website. personal to go to that effort, and you understand that people
At Home
(Far From Home) on the Stage WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN - Features Writer
Unlike many young girls, Lina Seveliova never dreamed of growing up and becoming a ballerina. But after almost two decades of pliés and pirouettes, there is nothing else the 28-year-old would rather be doing. Now the Principal Dancer for the Imperial Russian Ballet Company, Lina spoke to intouch Magazine over the phone from Russia last month as she was preparing for her eighth visit to Australia with the renowned dance troupe. Born in the Eastern European country of Moldova, Lina began learning ballet at the age of 10 following a request from her mother. Unsure about the experience of studying at the National Choreography College in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau, it wasn’t until she got on stage for the first time that Lina finally felt at home. “I never really dreamt about being a ballet dancer, my mother always wanted me to be so she took me to the school, and I was accepted,” Lina told intouch Magazine via a translator. “At first I couldn’t really understand what was happening, there was no stage involved, only a lot of practice. “But when I actually got on the stage I got such satisfaction from performing and realised that that’s where I belong.” Lina spent nine years training at the National Choreography College, as well as completing further studies at the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts in Chisinau. After graduating she joined the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Moldova for two years before moving to Russia in 2010 to join the Imperial Russian Ballet Company as a soloist. 28 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Simon Lambert
Bennett, Bowtell and Urquhart September 15 at Lizotte's In 2016 Australian Country stars Felicity Urquhart, Lyn Bowtell and Kevin Bennett released their debut Album Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart, and were rewarded for their efforts in 2017, winning two Golden Guitars at the 45th CMAA Golden Guitar Awards in the Best Alternative Country Album of the Year and the Best Group or Duo of the Year categories. Join KB, Lyn and Fliss at Newcastle’s home of live music for the Newcastle Launch of their highly anticipated second album Weeds, and make your acquaintance with 11 new, beautifully crafted songs, featuring the acoustic instruments and three-part vocal harmonies for which Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart are renowned. Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart’s live performance is a beautiful thing to witness with a deep respect for each other and an almost spiritual quality that will lift your spirits and enrich your soul. Don’t miss this show!
HONOURING a Musical Legacy Ten Years On WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN - Features Writer
When songwriter Simon Lambert’s life was cut tragically short in 2009, he was on the cusp of recording his first album. Almost a decade later his dream has finally become a reality thanks to his friends Stephen Askew and Adam Schilli, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that while Simon may be gone, his music will not be forgotten. Born and raised in Newcastle, Lambert was living in Sydney and preparing to lay down tracks for his first studio recording the following week when he fell from the first floor of his terrace home in a terrible sleepwalking accident. Devastated by the loss of their mate, who was also Askew’s cousin, the Newcastle men sought to find a way to cope with their grief, turning to the songs that had held so much promise for Lambert before his untimely death. The pair, who had both played music with Lambert in various bands and jam sessions over the years, decided to gather together the demos and rough recordings of their friend’s most recent songs to produce an album in his honour. “Simon’s death was absolutely devastating,” Askew and Schilli told intouch Magazine. “We were both very close to Simon and his death was a massive shock. To some degree (the CD project) was definitely a way of coping and grieving because he lives on through his music. But it was a double-edged sword as listening to his voice all the time was very emotional. These songs are so amazing, we knew they had to be heard, so putting together his album has made it very rewarding.”
Lambert had been a prolific songwriter who played in many bands over the years including Bola, Bolzy, Jimmy Nolan, Old Sound Central, Day After Midnight and Red Drink, a band he started in high school which won the Mattara Rockfest competition and supported the Screaming Jets. Putting together the album was a painstaking and emotional process over more than nine years for Askew and Schilli, who combed through hours of music to remaster and re-record ten tracks with the help of Lambert and Askew’s band at the time, Day After Midnight, and various other Newcastle musicians. Aside from the difficulties of distance – Schilli was living in Perth at the time of Lambert’s death and later moved to Melbourne before returning to Newcastle, while Askew was based in Sydney – there were also various technical challenges presented by the original recordings that made it more timeconsuming. In 2016 when the songs were almost complete, the pair ran a crowdfunding campaign, which raised $9000 to allow the album to be mixed and mastered at Studio 301 in Sydney. The final product, Still Around, is a compilation of 10 tracks that reflect Lambert’s love of a good hook, offering a pop sensibility with a hard edge. Limited edition CD's were created for those who donated to the crowdfunding campaign, with the tracks also available now on major music streaming services including iTunes, Spotify and Google Music. Askew and Schilli said the album “means everything” to them, having faced many moments during the past decade when they thought they might never reach the end. “After almost ten years of blood, sweat and tears it means everything. There were so many stages during this process that at the time we thought it wasn’t going to be possible. Computer meltdowns, distances travelled, busy jobs, having babies, it became so hard. But we knew it had to be done. He was such a great songwriter, and we couldn’t let it go,” they said. “Finishing Simon’s album has given us some sort of closure, and although there are many more of his songs that are unfinished, it has given us something that represents his music. To have his music available around the world for everyone to listen to would have made him very happy, so to finally get to this point is exhilarating and to promote this amazing songwriter is a fantastic honour. “To all the friends and family who donated money, we want to say a massive thank you as without you we could never have mixed and mastered the album. To his immediate family, we say thank you for your support and for your commitment to a lengthy project.” Askew and Schilli will come together to play the album live in concert on Saturday, December 22 at 48 Watt Street. They will be joined on stage by a number of Lambert’s former bandmates including Andrew Carty, Ben Russell and Simon Hill, who all helped re-record music for the tracks.
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WOMEN Within the Weights Area
Shaye Clarke and Paige Beckley, Planet Fitness
I have noticed many changes in myself, and others around me when it comes to weight training. A lot of people generally feel more relaxed and happier after their workout because of the endorphins that are released into the brain. Exercising isn't only a physical process, but it also impacts your mental health in a great way. Once you get out onto that gym floor, you won’t only surprise yourself with how strong you are, but also how quickly you learn and how much happier you become.
Tips to overcome insecurity when entering the weights section: WORDS PAIGE BECKLEY - Personal Trainer, Planet Fitness Charlestown 1. Ask for guidance – If you ever feel confused or lost, just ask someone who knows about the gym and equipment. Help By taking a step outside of your comfort zone, you can achieve could come from a personal trainer with sessions or coaching, a staff member within the gym, or an experienced friend. amazing results. A lot of women generally feel uncomfortable or insecure when entering the free weight area of the gym. It’s 2. Research – There are plenty of websites that offer tips on technique; help for beginners or what exercises you should certainly a common opinion. I personally know many women be doing within the weights area. YouTube also has videos on who feel this way when walking into the weights section; I how to and what not to do. Research saves you from feeling myself had that exact same fear. lost when walking around the gym. Honestly, the people in the gym barely take notice of you. 3. Organise a program – Before walking into the gym, make It feels like there are a hundred eyes on you, but they are all sure you put your research to good use by organising yourself there for the same reason you are, to achieve goals for their a program of what you’re going to do when you get to the gym. ideal body. Personal trainers can always tailor a program for you, or you Weight training has so many positives, especially for women. There’s a huge stereotype of females appearing to get can create a basic program yourself. a bulky, manly look about them, which is not the case. Women 4. Set goals – Outline what you want to achieve before coming to the gym that could range from squatting 60 kilograms or should feel strong and empowered, and weight training doing five pull-ups. There are so many potential goals; you should be encouraged more for females because you gain muscle and tone which adds definition to your body shape and just have to implement these into your training if you want increases your overall confidence. Your confidence will grow as to achieve the results. Once you achieve one of your goals, it soon as you start to notice progress whether that is physically actually will make you strive for the next goal and the next one after that. This is such a great feeling because even if or mentally.
it’s something so small, you have set your mind to a goal and achieved it! 5. Holistic diet – Having a balanced diet helps set a happier mindset and energises you to be active. Generally, when you are eating unhealthy, this leads to tiredness, lack of motivation, and even self-confidence issues with your appearance. Eating a holistic diet isn't overly strict because it allows you to eat 80% healthy wholesome foods as well as being able to treat yourself. Food has such a big impact on our lives because it is vital for us to live, so enjoying what you eat goes a long way towards improving both your mental and physical health. Follow my basic tips, ask for help when you need it, keep your head held high to act the part, and you will be confident with weights in no time!
! s o j o M o t n ’ Spring i NEW to Newcastle!
To celebrate our new Marketown store, Mojo’s will be holding product demos, promotions and special events in September. Details on our Facebook page. Mojo’s, the ONLY store in Newcastle to provide you with a unique range of health & whole foods PLUS expert health advice! • • •
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Changing Women’s Lives
WORDS MARIA WARD - Curves Charlestown
Springtime is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life being born, and of the cycle of life once again starting. It is also seen more generally as the start of better times. Spring indicates that Winter has left us and a new season has begun. We see transformations in nature and ourselves during spring. The cold weather is leaving and taking with it, those hibernating feelings and lack of motivation. The sun is beginning to warm our days, and suddenly we are moving more and not curling up on the lounge. We are also more aware of the world around us as we see the blossoms unfold, beautiful green leaves appear on bare trees, and new growth appears. The days are longer, brighter and warmer, and the extra light and warmer temperatures lift our emotions. A sense of positivity surrounds us, and the signs of change are all around. Spring is also the perfect time to embrace personal change, to nurture and grow ourselves, and ultimately to take this opportunity to overcome obstacles that in the past, have held us back from our ability to strengthen our belief in ourselves. So, what would you change? The most common complaints are ‘my body weight’ or ‘to get some balance back into my life’, ‘gain more energy’ and ‘become more confident.’ Unfortunately, according to recent statistics, around 69% of Australians make resolutions, but only 8% keep them. With the arrival of Spring, obesity at an all-time high and chronic illness such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and mentals health issues such as anxiety and depression rapidly on the rise, making some long-term lifestyle changes is a great decision at this time. At Curves Charlestown we are committed to improving the quality of women’s lives – we can help whatever your goal. Our mission at Curves is to educate women on the benefits of strength training and coach them to a healthy lifestyle Strength training is an essential form of exercise for women. Exercising regularly helps prevent chronic disease
and illness. Researchers generally agree that strength training provides many health benefits for both physical and mental health. As we age and have a more sedentary lifestyle our bodies lose muscle mass and over the age of 30 this increases each year. Loss of muscle mass can lead to weight gain and impact on your fitness level. Strength training helps protect or gain muscle at any age. Muscle is active tissue that consumes calories, while stored fat uses very little energy. Strength training can provide up to a 15% increase in metabolic rate which supports more consistent weight loss and is essential to long-term weight control. Did you know that by losing as little as 5% - 10% of your body weight, it’s possible to reduce your risk of weightrelated diseases? You have the power to help yourself to improve and/ or help to prevent chronic diseases like Osteoporosis, Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, High Cholesterol, some forms of cancer, anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation, as well as boosting your immune system, improving your blood circulation and assisting in your own pain management. You could even improve your pelvic health as well. During September we celebrate Women’s Health Week, and our mission is to help the women in our community to regain their health and confidence by taking small steps and making long-term and positive lifestyle changes. Curves Charlestown provides a warm, caring environment, fully supported by a coach at all times, where you are surrounded by other like-minded women and as part of a community. Call in and introduce your self to me, Shirley, Susan and Meg and let us help you to get started on your Spring journey of growth, renewal and a new healthier and confident you! For more information, phone 4942 1022.
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GET TO KNOW YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON
Dr Gary Avery
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
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research their Surgeon fully. Qualifications, surgical skill, and experience are all important for the outcome of surgery, but I think the kind of person your Surgeon is can also play a role in your overall experience. Did you always want to go into the medical profession? Were your parent's doctors? I grew up with no thoughts or expectations of becoming a Doctor. My Mum and Dad worked for the Sydney Bus and Tram Network. My Mum was a bus conductress, and my Dad drove the buses when they met. My Dad went on to represent the Bus and Tram Union until he retired at 60. Even in his ‘retirement’, Dad continued to represent the WORDS DR GARY AVERY - FRACS (Plast Surg) Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, community by being a volunteer driver of the elderly. Avery Plastic Surgery. All of my schooling was completed at a Public School in Western Sydney. I did well academically and spent most of my spare time playing rugby league and then basketball. While contemplating Last month Dr Gary Avery, of Avery Plastic Surgery life after school, I had a conversation with the introduced us to his exceptional team and school careers advisor. He told me not to bother explained why his team is a big part of why their trying to get into medicine (based on the school I patients have a positive journey with the surgery. attended, rather than my grades) so I applied for While we loved reading about the team, it Pharmacy and enjoyed completing that degree occurred to us that we had a few questions of our before deciding to give medicine a go. own to ask – like who is Dr Avery! This month we Where did you complete your medical caught up with Dr Avery for a chat – and to get answers to the questions we’re all wondering about. training? I completed my medical degree at Sydney University while working as a Pharmacist. During this time I had various placements, including at the Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Following burns unit at Concord Hospital, where I discovered on from the theme of your article last month the humanity within plastic surgery and the about your team, why do you think it’s important strength that people are capable of displaying in that patients learn more about the faces behind times of extreme adversity. My time at Concord ► the practice? I think it’s important that patients
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0424 599 264 lucyellishypnotherapy@gmail.com www.lucyellishypnotherapy.com
Gary and his 3 kids
was that noteworthy fork in the road that led me to specialise in plastic surgery ultimately. In my final year of medical school I travelled to Nepal to work in the teaching hospital in Kathmandu. My love of the mountains was born and my time there made me appreciate the opportunities that are available to us living in Australia. During this trip, I also met my future wife, a pivotal experience on a personal level but also significant for my career. My wife is a Kiwi, and after my internship year at Gosford Hospital, I moved to New Zealand (NZ) to be with her. For the next 12 years, I lived and trained in NZ, completing the advanced training programme for plastic surgery. This involved multiple exams and years of supervised operating around various public hospitals. I was exposed to the cross-section of plastic surgery, including procedures that were both reconstructive and/or aesthetic. I also continued working with severe burns at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland, and with craniofacial surgery in Lower Hutt. Our friends across the Tasman have a different health system than we do here in Australia - many procedures that would be considered private here are undertaken within the public system in NZ, which increased my exposure to what Australiantrained plastic surgeons later undertake in private practice. I am forever grateful to NZ for my personal and professional growth (and for my wife!) Once advanced surgical training is completed, and the gruelling final Fellowship of the Australasian College of Surgeons exam passed (FRACS), surgeons have the option of going straight into their role as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon or completing further sub-specialty training. I chose a combination of fellowships that involved surgery for melanoma, hands, and child craniofacial and cleft-palate issues. Along with the reconstructive and aesthetic skills acquired throughout my training, these
fellowships reinforced the acquisition of body and facial plastic surgery expertise. Seventeen years after I started my surgical career I emerged a fully qualified and experienced Plastic Surgeon. How did you end up in Newcastle? When I first decided to settle in Newcastle, I approached the John Hunter Hospital (JHH) about working as a Plastic Surgeon within the public system. At the time there was no plastic surgery unit there and unfortunately no plans to create one. For the next five years, I worked within the public system as a plastic and hand surgery consultant and performing general plastic surgical procedures on an ad hoc basis, and also skin cancer procedures out of Belmont hospital. I am excited to say that this year a plastic surgery unit was created at the JHH, involving myself and two other Plastic Surgeons who have settled in Newcastle in the past two years. It is challenging finding enough time to run a busy private practice and also be available to work within the public system, but it is a juggle I hope to continue. It took a long time to acquire the skills and expertise I have, and many great surgeons gave up their time to mentor me on that journey. What attributes do you believe make a great plastic surgeon? I think part of being a Doctor or Surgeon is having a willingness to give back to the community that contributed to your training. My upbringing, my life experience, my time in the public system in Australia while I was studying and in NZ as a trainee, collectively left me wanting to be a great Surgeon but also use my skills to improve the health and lives of all people. Don’t get me wrong; the desire to support my family financially is part of who I am. My private practice is a business with staff and bills to pay. But I like to think I find the balance between the business and my moral and ethical responsibility as a health professional. I couldn’t continue to look my Dad in the eye if I didn’t. ■
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www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 35
RESILIENCE AND Reasoning
WORDS ANNE WARD – Mindinsight
Collective of Practitioners for Wellbeing WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN - Features Writer
As a hypnotherapist focused on helping women “wake up to their awesomeness”, Lucy Ellis understands the power of working together to achieve a goal. Two years ago she decided to harness that power in her own practice space by establishing the Newcastle Health Collective; a co-working environment made up of health professionals passionate about helping their clients realise the potential of their best health. “I had been working from the premises since 2014 and was sharing the space with two other hypnotherapists, but when they decided to leave and start their own health centre I decided to see what magic I could create for myself,” she said. “I had spent so much of my life working in isolation, and so the vision was to be able to create a space for practitioners to come and work alongside other practitioners, to build relationships, learn and to grow from each other, collaborate, and to build a community of health practitioners that could then serve the public of Newcastle. “There are so many benefits to having a collective of practitioners under the one roof; we have a group of experts that can support the whole client, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. “Regardless of what our area of practice is, we can work together for the wellbeing of our client.” Newcastle Health Collective currently includes 14 practitioners specialising in a range of different modalities, from psychology to hypnotherapy, counselling to massage and nutrition and naturopathy to Reiki. Lucy said working from the same space presented an opportunity to educate patients about other complementary therapies, which they may not have otherwise heard of, or considered as an option that may be able to help their individual situations. “We have just run a workshop for parents with anxious children, and all the participants were just like, ‘Wow. I only ever thought GP or psychology (for treating anxiety), I didn’t know what else was out there and you’ve 36 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
just opened my eyes to all of the amazing possibilities that I can support my child with and do for them’. “That's why I started a podcast as well, to kind of educate the public of Newcastle to know what is out there for them, especially around mental health. The approach that people know is to go to a psychologist or a psychiatrist, but (they could also) could come and have a kinesiology session or a hypnotherapy session or a counselling session, and that can really support them greatly. “The benefit of visiting a complementary health service is the genuine empathic care that you get from the practitioner and deeper insights into the problem. We generally look at the root cause of symptoms, and have a more intense focus on empowering the individual to do the work themselves with this fresh perspective.” Empowering individuals is certainly part of Lucy’s focus as a hypnotherapist, with specialist programs for women designed to tap into their underlying self-confidence. “Generally people will know hypnotherapy as something to help them stop smoking or for weight loss even. But in working solely with women… I found that underneath everything, no matter whether they wanted to give up smoking or to lose weight or just to feel calmer or better or de-stressed, it was a matter of self-worth and confidence,” said Lucy. Since establishing the Newcastle Health Collective interest from other practitioners keen to become involved has grown enormously, to the point where they have outgrown their rooms in Hamilton and are preparing to move into a bigger space next month. “We are moving to bigger and better premises in October,” Lucy said. “We are bursting at the seams where we are now, so the new centre will provide us space to expand and provide more to the public of Newcastle, especially with our newly launched service; Employee Wellbeing Program.” Keep an eye on their website www.newcastlehealthcollective.com to find out more about their new premises.
This article continues our series on resilience and looks at the skill of reasoning. As a recap, the six skills areas that help build and maintain resilience are: Vision – Like a compass, providing purpose and direction Composure – Managing emotions related to stress Reasoning – Problem-solving Tenacity – Persevering, learning from successes and setbacks Collaboration – Reaching out for support Health – Maintaining healthy habits Reasoning involves making sense of problem situations and thinking through what needs to be done to find a solution. By maintaining composure the thinking part of our brain, (the smart brain) can do what it is designed for – thinking clearly, assessing the level of risk or challenge, being resourceful, considering options and working out what needs to be done. By
slowing down and taking time to reflect on these steps, the smart brain is able to take a helicopter view of the situation, rather than jump to conclusions. Making sense of situations Our lives are like a story that is being written, with a plot and characters; it also has themes that involve important questions, such as: who am I? what is my place in the world? and what does this mean for my future? These questions and the answers that we come up with form our own narrative. While growing up, it’s likely that we formed conclusions about these questions. The early conclusions that we formed become part of our own view of the world. These conclusions are called core assumptions and beliefs. Thinking flexibly The author, Carol Dweck, wrote about two types of mindsets - fixed mindset and growth mindset. People with a fixed mindset generally like things to stay the ►
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same. They operate more according Anticipate and prevent In considering solutions, reasoning to a “things should be a certain can also involve visualising way” type of thinking. People with a alternative scenarios. This also growth mindset tend to follow more of a “how could things be” approach. helps to test our expectations about what is possible and reasonable - a The fixed mindset is good at reality check. It also helps to plan maintaining order and stability, and for obstacles and how to get around certainly, there are many areas of them. life where this is not only beneficial By combining reasoning with but needed (e.g. obeying road rules, composure, we use both our respecting social customs, being organised to get things done, taking cognitive intelligence and our emotional intelligence. This will care in risky situations). The growth mindset sees opportunity in change. maximise the likelihood of making the types of decisions and choices The reality of the world that we that lay down a positive track record live in is one of constant change, for dealing with life situations. whether we like it or not. The key This, in turn, builds up good habits is to recognise whether change or associated with thinking and working stability is needed, based on the through the inevitable challenges of context of the situation. life. ■ Being able to challenge our own assumptions can help identify whether we are looking at the situation through the lens of the past Anne Ward is an executive or from the present. This is the key coach and principal psychologist of Mindinsight, providing to being able to think flexibly through coaching and psychology services to problem situations and, if needed, individuals and organisations. Visit change how we respond. www.mindinsight.com.au or phone 4942 7660 for more information.
means you receive film clips along with still images, and you may see your baby kicking, yawning, sucking their thumb or opening and closing their eyes. Sonographer Rosie who works with the leading technology, says her job is the best in the world. “What could be better than showing parentsto-be the first glimpse of their babies in the womb. I never get tired of seeing the looks on mums and dads faces - and their oohs and aahs are priceless,” she said. “We now know that relationships with babies begin well before birth and parents-to-be are encouraged to interact with their babies – to talk, sing or play music as babies are attuned to familiar voices and sounds. Babies in utero also respond to light and touch along with emotions transmitted by the mother such as joy, stress, grief and surprise. “4D imaging has given us incredible insight into the world of babies before they are born. We can now record babies movements such as opening and closing their eyes, yawning, hiccupping, sucking their thumbs and even smiling in the womb,” said Rosie. “While I was pregnant, my mum was battling cancer, and we weren’t sure if she would get to meet her first grandchild. Mum came with me to the 4D scan. I’ll never forget that precious moment and the gift of sharing the video clips with her,” said mum-to-be Jessica. For best results it is recommended that 4D scans are timed between 28 to 32 weeks Nine months can feel like an eternity before gestation. The benefit of having a keepsake meeting a much-anticipated arrival. But with the ultrasound performed in a medical setting, such latest technology, you may not have to wait too as Hunter Imaging Group, is that while capturing long. the best possible photos and video footage, the Hunter Imaging Group is the local leader in person performing the ultrasound has undergone radiology technology, providing fourth dimension rigorous training that a certified ultrasound ultrasounds to women during their third trimester facility requires of its sonographers. This means of pregnancy. The group have recently invested in that if a sonographer sees something they are the best premium 3D/4D ultrasound equipment uncomfortable with, they are experienced in with advanced visualisation technology, and providing information, support and follow-up with parents are leaping at the chance to meet their your treating (or caring) doctor. unborn babies. Third-trimester scans are non-diagnostic, so The ultrasound technology is safe and noninvasive enabling parents to get a sneak preview of you don’t need a referral from your doctor. Hunter Imaging Group offers 4D scans at Cardiff and their baby in astonishing detail. With 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasounds, sound waves East Maitland branches for $120. Gift Vouchers are also available – the perfect idea for parentsfrom lots of angles are used to create an image of to-be! Visit www.hunterimaging.com.au for more your baby in the womb. But with fourth dimension information or call 132 336 to book. technology, the movement is also recorded. This
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It's Time for a Men’s Health Reboot WORDS BRETT CAMERON - Cameron Hypnotics
Are you a human being or a human doing? It amazes me the number of times that I ask someone “how are you?” and the reply that I get is “oh I’ve been busy”. Another common response is to give me a list of things that they have been doing. Maybe that is one of the reasons why society is stressed, anxious and disengaged. People are so busy “doing”, that they have forgotten how to just “be”. I’d like to bring a mindful focus this month to the issue of men’s health. Blokes are very good doers. It seems that men are pre-wired to want to fix things. If they aren’t tinkering in the shed, or on the car, or maybe doing some home maintenance, their minds are in the ready to fix something. For some, it might even be a fractured relationship. And after the initial phase of denying that there is a problem, the next response is to leap in to fix it. Even though their toolkit is empty, they still want to fix it. But what about how to fix you? • Do you want your old mojo back? • Is anxiety/depression ruining your day? • Do you want to be a better dad, partner, friend, lover, husband, role model? • Is alcohol intake out of control rather than in control? • Are you carrying a few too many kilos? • Are you repeating the old patterns or someone else’s patterns? • Do you ever wonder "how the hell did I end up this way?" Maybe this is a time to give your self a reboot. I like to take a holistic approach and ask male clients to focus on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. A lot of guys don’t like to acknowledge that their body is not what it used to be. Hey fellas – it’s called ageing! But like old rockers, you don’t have to age disgracefully. Did you know that testosterone levels reach their peak in your late 20's and start to decline by about 1% a year from your 30th birthday? By the age of 70, the average man’s testosterone level is 30% below its peak. Testosterone is the male hormone that assists in the regulation of sex drive (libido), bone mass, muscle strength,
fat distribution and red blood cell production. So if you are a middle-aged guy who has noticed changes in your body, then the chances are that you are normal. Without giving up and saying “ah it is all the lack of testosterone’s fault,” you can take control and make positive changes now. Recent studies are highlighting three areas of focus to get your mojo back: 1. Resistance and weight training for short-term testosterone boost. 2. Reduce abdominal fat through exercise. 3. Eating foods that are high in vitamin D. (e.g. tuna, eggs, beef, shellfish, beans) When it comes to the behavioural aspects (mental and emotional), the first principle I apply is that the person is not the behaviour. Real change occurs when we take the person out of the picture and work on changing the behaviour. Many guys have the “aha” moment when they tell me that the erroneous behaviour is something that their dad used to do, or it is something that they did in a past relationship and they thought they had got rid of it. Effective change occurs when blokes realise that they are now in control and can put the old habits into the past. Wouldn’t you love to create your future now? Are you ready for a reboot? Brett at Cameron Hypnotics has created a 6 Session Men’s Health Reboot program for $799. Check out the website for payment options www.cameronhypnotics.com.au. You can also email me at brett@cameronhypnotics.com.au or call on 0403 335 751.
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Angie Francisco
A training walk from Brooklyn to Berowra.
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Walking for Charity
and building camaraderie to being in nature and enjoying its beauty through to the sense of achievement and celebrations. WORDS KIM-CHERIE DAVIDSON “It was a real win-win for me because I - Live Your Bucket List was out in the bush enjoying some of the most beautiful walks and contributing to the With a passion for hiking and running as community. We raised $20,000 over the well as wanting to do something for a good three events. “ cause, Angie Francisco signed up with three She was ready to tick off on her bucket workmates for the Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney list completing all of the Australian Oxfam 2008. The trailwalker is Australia’s original Trailwalkers; then Perth was added. 100-kilometre team challenge that raises “It is now on my list and maybe, the UK funds for Oxfam. Basically, a team of four one.” has 48 hours to complete the distance. Her other bucket ticks include Larapinta “It is definitely an endurance event that Trail, Machu Picchu, Mount Kilimanjaro, Phi tests your mind and body. It also supports Phi Islands and Tasmania’s South Coast Oxfam’s work to help people in poverty in Track. Australia and abroad,” Angie said. “Also on my list was being a foster carer In Sydney, the annual event goes from because I believe raising strong, resilient Brooklyn to Mosman following the Great and happy people can solve most of the North Walk and the Harbour to Hawkesbury world’s issues,” she said. Walking Track. So, Angie, her husband and two children “The trail is so beautiful with its amazing are sharing their love with another child. water views and natural bush vistas.” When the three children are older, the The Lake Macquarie resident loved family will support more children through doing it as a team event. She describes the emergency and respite foster care. mutual trust and friendship that developed “Next on my list is taking the kids to between the team members as incredible. This camaraderie grew from training together, the snow for them to have a magical and mystical memory of this natural wonder.“ being in the event, supporting each other She says her bucket list is ongoing and and other teams through to the emotional includes a food, wine and culture experience finish. in France as well as an Ultra-Trail in the Blue “It is a huge feat to cross the line as you Mountains. have pushed yourself to the next threshold “Maybe when the children are old enough, through the physical challenge and sleep we can do the Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney, deprivation. We did it in 32 hours! I felt euphoric, even dragging a bung knee for the Melbourne and Brisbane together, I can retick them then go on to complete Perth and last 30kms.” Her knee took six weeks of physiotherapy the UK as a family.” to heal. The damage was due to the pressure on the knee as it twisted and turned on the rough bush tracks and Kim-Cherie Davidson is an adventure took the up and downs of the hilly terrain. coach and speaker. She helps women to live their adventure dreams. To But even after this injury, the corporate start now – write a list, tick off the communications specialist was hooked and activities and celebrate. So they can feel empowered, grow from their experiences went on with different teams to complete and be role models for their families, friends Melbourne in 2010 then Brisbane 2012. and other women. Visit www.facebook.com/ liveyourbucketlistau for more information or email Angie describes the process each time kim-cheriedavidson@bigpond.com. as “sheer joy” – from training with the team
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could see is barren and dusty. The ever-present reminder that there is no feed in the fields is the high volume of dead wildlife just off the side of the road. I know the news is currently full of drought relief stories, and it’s great that everyone is now aware and doing what they can to help. But it’s not like this an issue that just presented itself this month. Why is it that farmers have to be on their knees before anyone takes notice? As I write this the government are currently playing some twisted game of musical chairs hoping to decide who is in charge. You have to wonder if they are aware that there are actual issues people have elected them to solve. Long-term solutions that could have been put in place have been missed over shiny quick-fix solutions that make the headlines. Just as we pulled up in town, there were 3 or 4 drops of rain. Not even enough to get my windscreen wet. We called into the shops to grab a quick bite to eat. Just ahead of us in line, there was a gentleman who commented about those three drops of rain with a smile and said to the girl behind the counter “well it looks like the drought might be over.” The woman next to me and I rolled our eyes and shot each other a look that clearly meant “is this guy an idiot; he’s obviously from the city”. The Today Show broadcast was sensational, and Shannon joined lots of other artists and actors including Roger Corser and Wendy Matthews. Thanks to the generosity of the average Aussie, they raised over 8 million dollars, which will go a long way to support the farmers. Shannon released a song called Lean on Me, which you can buy on iTunes, and all the funds will go to Drought Angels. Farmers are a tough breed and will not put their hand up for help. There is this lovely line in a news clip WORDS CHLOE O'SULLIVAN of Natasha Johnston, who runs Drought Angels where she says I have driven a well-worn path up and down the golden highway “it’s not a handout, it’s a thank you”. Part of the issue which is hard for people who aren’t from for more years than I care to admit. Having moved from Dubbo the country to get their head around is that this will now be a to Newcastle 20 years ago, there have been hundreds of trips long-term problem. If no crops are growing now, there will be no back and forth to see friends and family. The stereo is always on high volume. Although I now share playlist input with the kid. Hay next year. We are currently experiencing the worst drought Thankful she has the same eclectic taste in music that I do, but of our lifetime. There is so much pressure on these very tough families when nature is working against them. In Shannon’s there is, if I'm honest, a lot more Taylor Swift inclusions than case, the farm had been in the family for 98 years. You don’t there used to be. want to be the one to lose it. The toll it would take on your One of the artists I work with was invited to Dubbo to help mental health is enormous. Particularly when there is no end raise money for the farmers. Shannon Noll, being a country in sight. boy himself, jumped at the opportunity to help, so The kid and There are some sensational registered charities you can I decided it was a good excuse to head from our coastal home give to, but it’s also about changing your buying habits. I called out to the Central West accompanied by a soundtrack loop of in at a Harris Farm Markets on the drive home from Dubbo, The Greatest Showman and Mama Mia for a substantial chunk and there are signs above all their produce that say where they of the drive! were grown. They do all the work for you; you just have to make This time of year, there would normally be crops waist-high a choice to support Australian farmers. and the fields full of colour, but the landscape for as far as you Shannon Noll
On Tour with the Kid
The Worst Drought of our Lifetime
Community Calendar SAT, SEP 1 Me2 Program A month of inclusive activities for those with a disability in Lake Macquarie. Visit www.lakemac.com.au Richley Reserve Adventure Playground Official Opening of the $1.5 million Playground! Enjoy inflatables, stilt walkers, a circus workshop, food, face painting and more. 10.15am - 12pm, Richley Reserve. Art Cart Art Activities every Sat + Sun, 10:30am - 12:30pm at Newcastle Art Gallery (30min sessions, just drop in). Farmers & Artisan Market 9am - 2pm, Toronto Foreshore. SUN, SEP 2 Newcastle Farmers Markets Newcastle Entertainment Centre, 7am - 1pm. Sept 2nd, 9th 16th, 23rd + 30th. TUES, SEP 4 Starts at 60 Club Community Meet-up Make new friends in your 40 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
local community. Find the event on the Starts at 60 facebook page or events@startsat60.com. THURS, SEP 6 Annie Jr By KCDanceHQ Drama Ensemble in Lake Maquarie, 6+7 Sep. Tickets at www.kcdancehq.com.au SAT, SEP 8 Spring Fair and Community Gardens Opening 8am - 3pm George Street, Holmesville. SUN, SEP 9 Car Boot Sale Cardiff Bowling Club, 9am - 1pm. Five Sense Twilight Market Lambton Park, 4pm - 8pm. MON, SEP 10 World Suicide Prevention Day Walk 5.30am for a 6am departure from Dixon Park Surf Club to Merewether. Register for free at www.stickytickets.com.au THURS, SEP 13 R U OK? Day Today is the day to start the conversation. Visit www.ruok.org.au
Get in a Spin to Help Give Aussie Kids a Fair Go! Get into your lycra and help give Aussie kids a fair go this month by taking part in the Variety Spin 4 Kids - a fun, challenging team event taking place at Harbour Square in Honeysuckle on 7 September, 2018. Teams up of to 10 people are challenged to ride as many kilometres on stationery bikes over six hours. It’s up to each team on their strategy, with instructors on hand all day to keep the energy levels high. Teams are encouraged to get dressed up in corporate colours, as their favourite sporting team, 80s disco, or any theme they are brave enough to take on. It will be a great day out with high-energy music, crazy costumes, fitness challenges and all funds raised helping Aussie kids in need get a fair go. “We are on the hunt for Newcastle’s fittest company, social group or sporting team. These teams will have a raucous day out to help Aussie kids overcome barriers such as isolation, financial hardship, disability and sickness to reach their full potential,” Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT Regional Director Jason Bourke said. “We guarantee a fun and colourful day that will test your fitness. Last year we had 40 teams from all around Newcastle take part, and we’re hoping to smash that this year and crown a new winning team.” There will be prizes for best-dressed team, highest fundraising team and individual, best team spirit and encouragement awards will be awarded on the day. To register or for more information go to www.variety.org.au
SAT, SEP 15 Imperial Recruitment Day Meet all your fave Starwars characters at Empire Coffee Co, Honeysuckle. 10am - 1pm. SUN, SEP 16 2018 HVG Spring Cruize-In A great day out featuring vintage cars, open entry for all vehicles. 9am Hunter Valley Gardens. Orchestra Nova's Children's Concert Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre, Warners Bay, 2pm. Tickets $5 at the door. SAT, SEP 22 HTRF Glow Walk + Trivia www.hmri.org.au SAT, SEP 29 Hunter Wildlife Rescue Trivia Night 6pm - 10pm, Hamilton North Bowling Club. Tickets at www.eventbrite.com.au Feast Fest Stockton Foreshore, 12pm - 9pm. $5 tasting plates from all vendors! LIST YOUR NEXT LOCAL EVENT - Complete the submission form at www.intouchmagazine.com.au/family-community. Inclusion is at the discretion of the publisher.
A Relationship That Brings you Peace of Mind WORDS JASON BARTLETT - Partner from DFK Crosbie
expertise and the energy that will benefit your particular situation. For example, if you own a business, your perfect accountant should be a business specialist with significant expertise in your industry. As well as helping you develop proactive tax strategies, they’ll be helping you to drive profits. Your perfect match will have positive ideas and industry insights you hadn’t even thought about — probably because you’ve been too busy keeping things running day today. Your accountant should also be your trusted adviser who can help you in all facets of your business and finances. They’ll actually understand how you operate and what your goals are. You’ll look at your figures and plan for tax time several times a year, allowing for small changes along the way. It’s much better than trying to achieve a major overhaul in one hit (often at the eleventh hour). Any potential issues will be identified before they become problems, including your compliance and obligations. You’ll Too hard, too busy: our modern dilemma. Most of us have know what’s ahead. No nasty surprises at tax time. extraordinarily busy lives. Can you relate? We find all sorts of This is where the pressure starts to peel away and peace reasons to put our finances and accounting in the too hard of mind sets in. basket. Before you know it, it’s tax time again and none of Spring is a time for new beginnings so let me encourage those promises you made to yourself last year have been you to spend a few minutes assessing your financial affairs. fulfilled. This is where the right accountant and/or business adviser Ask yourself whether you’re in the right relationship. Then you can look forward to breathing a sigh of relief, rather than becomes your new best friend, and it really is a relationship feeling dread at tax time. a computer program can’t replace. Why? It’s a supportive relationship. It removes the stress and worry of trying to stay on top of your tax and financial affairs, along with every other aspect of your busy life. Jason Bartlett is a Partner at leading Australian While your tax and financial affairs might be the last thing on your mind, now is the time for a new, positive mindset that will change the way you feel about tax time. Does the prospect of getting your tax together and accounts in order automatically make you sigh? Or perhaps bring on a feeling of dread? No matter what you do for a living but especially if you own a business, a lot is riding on the state of your financial affairs, including your tax position and profits. It can be a heavy burden to carry — if you let it. Staying on top of your accounting truly doesn’t need to be a stressful affair. So, it’s time to spring into September by approaching your tax and finances with a new mindset. One that allows you to breathe easy and enjoy peace of mind not just at tax time, but all year round.
Find your perfect match. If your accountant isn’t fulfilling your needs, it’s time to break up and move on to something better. Like any relationship, you need to be well suited to your accountant or adviser. Choose a reputable firm with the
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www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 41
Dominic May
Have a Whale of a Time with CoastXP! WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN - Features Writer
With a passion for the ocean and qualifications in business and innovation, it was almost inevitable that Newcastle entrepreneur Dominic May would combine the two into a thriving new business. As the founder and creator of Newcastle’s latest whale watching experience, CoastXP, the 24-year-old is in his element, sharing his love for the coastline with boatloads of tourists and locals alike. “CoastXP is about showcasing the best aspects of the Hunter coast, from the water,” he said. “Newcastle is situated on the coast, and has such a beautiful coastline, yet we so rarely acknowledge it. “In starting CoastXP I have been amazed by the number of Novocastrians who have grown up and lived their whole life in Newcastle, yet never seen it from the water, it is a completely new perspective for them.” Dom grew up in Coffs Harbour with a love of scuba diving and freediving and has worked on board different vessels as a skipper, scuba diving instructor and maritime trainer in some of Australia’s best coastal locations including Heron Island, North Stradbroke Island, Coffs Harbour, Lord Howe Island, Port Stephens and Sydney. He completed a four-year Bachelor of Business/ Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship majoring in Tourism Management/Leadership and Management at the University of Newcastle and was inspired to combine the skills he had learnt with his passion for the ocean, officially launching CoastXP on June 21 this year. While they’re not the first to take a tourism-based business to the seas in Newcastle, CoastXP is certainly charting a new course in the industry with a custombuilt boat and a focus on delivering an immersive, nature-based experience. Coast XP operate coastal sightseeing, cruise and event tours, which depart daily from the Honeysuckle foreshore and showcase the breathtaking coastline of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Tours focus on the marine life that inhabits the coastline, local geology, Aboriginal heritage as well as 42 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
unique destination landmarks including wrecks, cliffs, islands, sea caves and ships. From June to November they also operate the Encounter Tour, a nature-based immersion experience that focuses closely on the annual Humpback whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae) migration. Humpback whale numbers have been increasing at a rate of over 10 per cent each year, with more than 35,000 individuals passing the coast in 2017. Dom said witnessing the incredible scenery along the Hunter coast and interacting with these curious mammals makes for an unforgettable experience. Later this year CoastXP will look to launch its Adventure Tour, which will take in key destination landmarks while providing passengers with a sense of excitement and a rush of adrenaline. All of the tours take place on board the Atmos, a custom-built rigid inflatable that can seat up to 20 passengers. It is constructed for a wide range of offshore conditions and features a large canopy providing shade and protection from the elements in hot, cold or wet conditions. Atmos is powered by two V8 Yamaha engines, giving a total 700hp to provide an incredibly safe and smooth ride suitable for all ages. Dom said the vessel’s design allows for unobstructed 360-degree views of the working harbour and the marine life that inhabit it. “Our Encounter Tour is a ‘whale watching tour’, but it is much more than just that,” he said. “Every one of our tours is unique, no two tours are the same, and each tour visits Newcastle’s best coastal landmarks. Guests often get to see whales, dolphins and seals too. “The boat is brand new, and custom built, so this definitely separates us from the rest. It is a high powered rigid inflatable, so guests get to see the sights with very little downtime. “And finally, the experience itself (sets us apart). It is a personal one, tours are run by me, the owner of the business, and I make time to introduce myself and meet each passenger individually before, during and after each tour. “Guests are given wet weather jackets on every tour for their comfort to wear while on board, and they also receive high-quality digital images of their tour completely free of charge. “I love sharing our coastline with locals and visitors alike and also working with marine mammals; they are awesome! “Through CoastXP I hope to help enhance the destination image of the Hunter coast as an aspirational destination to visit.”
Tips for a Spectacular Safari Adventure Brodie from Africa Safari Co. started working as a safari guide when he was only 15 years of age, working full time in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia in 1990 and eventually ended up running a little bush camp for clients on mobile safaris to come into the Okavango Delta and do walking and boating. Since 2000, Brodie has been living in Australia and since 2010 has been working for Susie Potter at The Africa Safari Co. The Africa Safari Co. is an Australian based Tour Operator located in Sydney who specialises in tailor-made and scheduled Safaris to Southern and East Africa, encompassing but not limited to countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania as well as Egypt, the Indian ocean islands and Madagascar. Africa is a destination that requires both first-hand experience and local knowledge. Together, The Africa Safari Co. and Jayes Travel teams pride themselves on the fact that they have travelled extensively throughout Africa. With this experience, they can give you the correct and most up to date information on the areas to be visited, and the accommodation required.
Here are Brodie’s top 5 tips for making the most out of an African Safari experience: 1. Trust your travel agent to be able to recommend the right season for the destination you are visiting. The high season is the high season for a reason and gives you the best possible experience, although there are times when you can travel out of peak season which may still be good value for money and offers fewer tourists. Talk to your travel agent. 2. Purchase or borrow a camera with a decent zoom lens. If you are spending thousands of dollars on a safari, don’t just use your phone camera, a good lens will provide you with beautiful images that you can hang on the wall to remind you of your African holiday. 3. Don’t try to do too much, limit your holiday to 1 or 2 countries in a region and go back a few times to experience other areas, this way you will get to enjoy all that a destination has to offer and also keep the cost down. 4. Stretch your budget to the limit. Sometimes by paying a little extra you will be able to stay inside a game reserve instead of outside. This puts you in the best location to be on a game drive first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. 5. Immerse yourself in the culture that you are visiting, talk to the people around you, listen to their stories, but remember that they are people, not tourist attractions. Always treat them with respect and courtesy and learn what the local customs are so that you don’t inadvertently offend anyone and you will be welcomed into their country and sometimes even their homes.
It’s a Big, Wide World out There! So what is it that keeps Michelle from Jayes Travel returning to Africa? WORDS CHELSEA BADGER - Jayes Travel
There is something special about Africa that touches the soul, and that might be why Michelle at Jayes Travel just can’t stop going back. She admits it’s a struggle to put into words the experience. Possibly it’s the serene feeling of sitting a few feet from a snoring lion or basking in the most remarkable sunsets on the
Chobe River. Maybe it’s when you see nature at its’ most raw moments - a leopard hunting its prey or the annual migration of the wildebeest across the Mara. It will be over ten times that Michelle has travelled through this continent, as she packs her bags to accompany a group of first-time travellers through South Africa this month. But Michelle is quick to tell you it’s not just about the animals and taking safari drives. Before her first time to Africa, she questioned whether this was the holiday for her! But as you might have been able to tell, this all quickly changed. Not only can you experience animal’s in the wild, but you have amazing coastal roads, first-class vineyards, incredible canyons and some of the most iconic rail journeys in the world. Then there are the people; the locals you meet and the stories you hear. In Nairobi, take the time to visit the Kazuri Bead Centre which was started by an English expat in 1975 as a place where single mothers could learn a marketable skill and achieve self-sufficiency. From humble beginnings, the workforce has grown to over 100! Take yourself to a Masai Village to experience their way of life, their knowledge of the land and how the western world has affected their daily rituals. If you are the adventurous type, you can bungee jump at Victoria Falls or swim with the Great White Sharks off the south coast near Cape Town. Maybe you are setting a bucket list goal to climb the highest mountain in Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro? “The beauty of this continent is that the only thing better than seeing Africa for the first time, is seeing it the next time,” says Michelle. “You can never just go to Africa once; it’s the people, the wildlife, the atmosphere and the diversity of landscapes and experiences that means there is always something different to explore.”
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Africa is too expensive or too far away. In reality, Africa has something for everyone; whether you are a backpacker or James Packer, there is an experience for you. Planning early is the key though! Some lodges have less than ten rooms, to ensure you feel completely surrounded by the wild. When you look into the experiences you can have, it’s easy to see why you need to get in quick. Is there anything in Africa Michelle doesn’t love? Monkeys! She is petrified of the cute little animals, and we feel like there is definitely a story to be shared here! Planning a holiday to Africa? Contact Michelle and the team at Jayes Travel, and maybe you’ll even hear those monkey stories!
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 43
COOKING UP A
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Kitchen Trends in 2018 At Ross Smith Design we stay on the cutting edge of kitchen trends so we can deliver the best outcomes for our clients new kitchens. Here are some of the new kitchen trends that we are incorporating into our designs CREATING INDOOR/OUTDOOR FLOW – In Australia, we love our outdoor kitchens, and as a result, many of us are extending our cooking areas into al-fresco areas and adding even more appliances while we're at it. Think barbecues, hot plates and pizza ovens to fridges and even wine storage. The biggest trend here is to create a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors by using the same benchtop – creating a flow-through effect. TEXTURE – Designers are moving away from high-gloss finishes to more earthy, tactile ones. These tactile finishes create a warm, natural aesthetic in the kitchen. Kitchens are set to boast rich, warm colours and sumptuous, natural materials. BENCHTOPS – Check out Caesarstone’s new patterns for an idea of benchtop trends. Topus Concrete is a warm colour in a concrete texture, and Excava is grey but has warm grey veins running through it – both are right on-trend. DOORS & DRAWERS – Think timbers that range from honey tones through to deep browns. When paired with stainless steel and stone this creates a sophisticated yet welcoming feel. We’re increasingly seeing the combination of plain and timber doors and drawers used together. For example, you can use a plain colour for bottom doors and drawers and a timber grain for the top cupboards. LAMINATES – There is an increasing trend to use laminated board for both indoor and outdoor kitchens, and there is now a large number of weather-resistant ranges that are suitable for exterior use for your outdoor kitchens. Polytec Laminate have created an al-fresco outdoor range using compact laminate with a slim brushed stainless frame. It’s hardy and waterproof and designed to complement their indoor Melamine ranges, enabling you to create a design that flows the benchtop inside to out. Check out their indoor Woodmatt Prime Oak paired with their outdoor compact laminate Prime Oak or for a plainer look Stone Grey matt available in both compact laminate and melamine finish for doors and drawers.
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At Ross Smith Design we love to help our clients by specifying all your interior finishes and by supplying Curtains, Blinds, Upholstery, Wallpaper and custom Sofas and Furniture. Contact me today!
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Meet the Maker...
“My first Olive Tree Market was in July, and I’ve been chugging along since then. Before that I was just painting for myself, friends and family. I sent off an e-mail (to Olive Tree) not really expecting to get a response. Next thing I know I have less than a week to get organised! My goodness, what a flurry I was in. But we got there, and it was wonderful. I’m really looking forward to the next one.” The busy mum lives in New Lambton with her husband Grant and six-month-old baby Annabelle, creating her works of WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN - Features Writer art in the surrounds of her recently renovated laundry. “I share my creative zone with my noisy washing machine Painting has always been a happy place for Prudence at home,” Prudence said. DeMarchi. Whether she’s capturing the rawness of a life “As Annabelle gets older, I may be able to use separate drawing model or waiting to see where the mood takes her with a dash of acrylic on canvas, painting offers Prudence the studio space, but for now we’re at home. She’s a content little chance to escape the demands of the real world… if only for a baby and will happily play on the floor while Mummy paints! “My husband frames all my paintings for me - any excuse to little while. hang out in his man shed. He does a wonderful job so I can’t “I’ve been painting since high school really, so roughly 12 complain.” to 14 years, and I enjoyed it so much I did a double degree in Inspired by the world around her, Prudence said Fine Art and Education at Newcastle University,” she said. motherhood has had some unexpected impacts on the way “Straight from uni, I head down the path of teaching she creates her art - and the time of the day when inspiration children with severe and complex disabilities. I’m 32 now and hits! have been teaching for ten years. While I ended up teaching, “I’m currently painting using acrylics on canvas. I used to the interest in art has always been there. It’s my time. When I paint, I don't worry about anything else in the real world or my only work in oils and messy charcoal, but the clean-up is a endless ‘To Do’ list. It's just me, my daggy music and the paint! lot more difficult. With a baby around I need to be able to just wash my hands and get going in a hurry!” she said. “I’m currently on maternity leave from an Assistant “I’m constantly influenced by nature, fashion, architecture Principal position at Newcastle Junior School on Hillsborough Road. I love my job, and I’m so lucky to be able to pursue both anything really! If an amazing colour combination catches my eye, I make a mental note to make a painting out of it later. areas I’m passionate about.” I have so many paintings in my head it’s hard to keep up! I Having previously created artworks just for her family and mostly imagine them while I’m feeding my baby Annabelle at friends, Prudence recently took the scary leap into the world 3am. of the artisan market stallholder.
Artist inspired by the World around her
Above: Prudence at Olive Tree Market Right: 'Oh Really Blanche'.
“In saying that though, I don't meticulously plan out my paintings. I have an idea of what colours I’d like to use, and then I just start painting and see where it goes. “I used to love life drawing and haven’t been able to get to it in a long time. That is my next little project - get back to the messy rawness of drawing naked humans!” Check out Prudence’s latest work at this month’s Olive Tree Market, which will be held in Newcastle Civic Park from 9am to 3pm on Saturday, September 1. The Olive Tree Winter Market will also be held the following Saturday from 9am to 2pm in the grounds of the Maitland Regional Art Gallery. For more information visit www.theolivetreemarket.com.au
LIFESTYLE CUSTOM CABINETRY “Where people matter” Today we live in a world of pre-made, pre-specified bulk manufactured products for our homes. We can spend hours searching for the right sized/coloured/priced furniture and cabinetry only to find something not quite right. Take the time and hassle out of your search; get your space customised with Lifestyle Custom Cabinetry. Lifestyle is all about you as a person, we give you freedom and choice to express your individuality through your surroundings. Even a simple furniture addition can be enough to revitalise a whole space. We can create pieces to specific sizes, fitting to your space down to the millimetre. With endless options
for colours and styles, we can match to your home or workplace seamlessly. Our specialities include kitchen renovations, bathrooms, entertainment units, space-saving storage solutions and other custom cabinetry. Not sure where to start? Rest assured our exceptional team are here to give expert advice on what will work for you, at a competitive price. From a full kitchen renovation to a single room centrepiece, we will guide you through the process smoothly from start to finish. Let us help make your ideas come to life!
Visit www.lifestylecustomcabinetry.com or call (02) 4023 2885 to get started! 46 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Designing the Perfect Kitchen for Your Home Whilst we all want a kitchen we can be proud to show off to friends and family, we must remember that a great kitchen means far more than just an aestheticallypleasing design. It’s no use having a stylish island, marble benchtop and chrome fridge if they ruin the functionality of the space. It may sound cliché, but when designing the perfect kitchen, you need to master the balance between form and function. You want the kitchen to look good but that simply serves no purpose if you find yourself running into other people, digging through drawers for hard to reach items and preparing food on a counterspace smaller than your chopping board. Apollo Kitchens has put together a guide for creating this rewarding balance between style and practicality, because we want your kitchen to look stunning whilst benefiting your cooking.
Think Layout First The layout is the main concern for designing a highly functional, ergonomic kitchen. You need ample space to move and prepare food, and without careful consideration the design can be ruined and your movements obstructed. The first mistake people make when designing a kitchen is the obstruction of what is known as ‘the triangle’. This is the sink, stove and refrigerator, and they should always have easy access to one another. The sink receives most of the action before and after cooking, and therefore should have a direct view to the fridge and stove.
Appliances and Efficiency Effective appliances are pivotal to a functional kitchen. One thing that definitely enhances the functionality of a kitchen is ensuring your appliances are paired with
their corresponding product. For example, keep your coffee mugs above or below your coffee maker, and the same with the coffee itself. This will ensure your morning coffee making is a smooth and relaxing process. The same goes for cooking essentials (oil, salt, pepper etc.) being next to the stove, ready to use.
Lighting is Pivotal A functional kitchen cannot exist without proper lighting. In the kitchen, there are four different types of lighting that illuminate the space and create a functional yet stylish aesthetic: task, ambient, decorative and accent lighting. Whilst ambient, decorative and accent lighting are important for displaying the features of the kitchen, task lighting is the most important for ensuring visibility when cooking.
We’re Here to Help Need some assistance in creating your functional yet stylish kitchen? That’s what we’re here for. Apollo Kitchens is the leader in creating kitchen designs that are not only amazing to look at, but are perfect for cooking efficiently and without clutter. Apollo Kitchens are celebrating 50 years of designing and creating award winning kitchens. Take advantage of their celebration sale by visiting one of their showrooms in Beresfield, Erina, Alexandria or Smithfield. For a free design consultation call Apollo Kitchens on 1300 90 80 90 or visit apollokitchens.com.au and they will assist you with your enquiries for designing a kitchen of the utmost practicality.
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LAKEVIEW KITCHENS & BATHROOMS
The owners of Lakeview Kitchens & Bathrooms, Sue and Alan Wood, opened their showroom in Fennell Bay over 6 years ago, and have since built a thriving business renovating kitchens and bathrooms around the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle areas. With over 50 years combined experience in the renovating business, Sue and Alan bring massive expertise and industry knowledge to their customers. “We custom build all our kitchens in our CNC state of the art factory, so each job is built to suit the room,” said Sue. “So there are no set sizes. If the customer wants higher cabinets for example, we can make them, and there is no extra cost.” Lakeview Kitchens & Bathrooms are also fully licensed, so they can organise all the associated trades. We have our own team of fully licensed, highly experienced tradespeople, so no job is too big. Alan personally project manages each job from start to finish, be it a kitchen or bathroom renovation. So, the designer is also the job supervisor, which means less issues or problems. Customers love the fact that Lakeview Kitchens & Bathrooms are one of the very few renovators in the area that offer BOTH kitchen and bathroom renovations. “We do many jobs where we coordinate a bathroom and kitchen renovation together” said Alan. “So there is a lot less upheaval then dealing with 2 separate companies. And we renovate a bathroom and kitchen in less that 2 weeks almost every time.” Customers can come to the showroom or have an in house design and be assured that their renovation will be project managed by Lakeview Kitchens & Bathrooms.
Our current offers to our customers are $1,000* off stone benchtops for kitchen renovations and Free* wall tiles to the value of $800 for bathroom renovations. *Conditions Apply.
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276 Main Road, Fennell Bay, NSW 2283 | Ph 4959 1217 | www.lakeviewkitchens.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 49
UPDATE YOUR SPACE
For Warmer Times Ahead
A COAT OF PAINT – Paint can be utilised as a great and affordable way to freshen a space. The entire house doesn’t have to be The thoughts of warmer climates and days done (however sometimes it is worth getting at the beach start creeping in. So how do it all done at once). A new colour on the you transition your home to these warmer walls will give a new life to your home, with days without disregarding existing pieces? white being the clean option, especially in a more modern home. Have you thought BOTANICALS – Freshen your space with though of just redoing the trims? We’ve botanicals. Nothing says Spring more than seen a lot of properties recently where the gorgeous florals throughout your home. walls and trims – doors, architraves, skirting This doesn’t have to be only in the form of boards and window frames – are all painted fresh flowers though. We’re seeing a lot the same colour, in the same finish. If the of beautiful and bright wallpapers come wall paint is in decent condition, why not through, with our clients in particular loving pick out these trims in a high gloss white. Palm Springs style palm leaves in soft Not only will there be a textural difference, pinks and greens. We’ve got table runners, cushions, wallpaper and bed-heads all being but also a smarter, more upmarket finish to the space. made in this design. We’re loving seeing Paint can also be used on furniture the colour come through and have great clients who are wanting to play with it! We’re pieces. A lot of our clients have furniture pieces they have inherited. Using these also loving utilising non-florals for a point of interest. For example, we recently picked up sentimental pieces in your home is a lovely way to pay homage to those people to whom a branch of cotton from a florist on Hunter the pieces belonged to previously. They may St, and this one piece in a tall vase brings just need a little help being brought into a such joy while being such a simple way to modern home. The frame and fabric may create an effective vignette. need an update to fit in with the overall scheme. Be bold – paint the frame, use a LAYERS – Spring is coming, we can feel big pattern fabric – make it a talking piece. it some days, but not just yet. For these These items are where you can have fun transitional times between seasons, you with colour or pattern. Think of the era they need to layer to give you the greatest were made and ensure you respect the versatility. For the nights, consider a quilt design. and blanket combination. A quilt can have different levels of wadding in it. In our BRING IN AN INTERIOR DESIGNER – Using climate, we don’t need heavy quilting, so an interior designer can help you create a cotton, bumpf or 70-gram fill is all that’s required. For the added warmth, put a large a finish that you may not have had the confidence to achieve without them. An blanket underneath. As it warms up or we get a chilly night, having these layers makes initial consultation, usually just an hour or two long, may be all you need. This is where it much easier to adjust overnight. Did you know you can have quilts made? you receive their thoughts there and then on the ways to spruce your space from a We’re custom creating quilts for clients, fitting those larger sizes, in particular, to suit professional. The next step would see you higher mattresses, lower bases, drops to the provided with a visual guide in the form of a mood board, with specific pieces you can floor. Having a quilt also makes it quick to include if you wanted more direction. make the bed – pull it up, and you’re done! For more information advice visit Make them in a fun fabric to add colour, www.tailoredhq.com.au or call into the pattern or texture to the space and, as a showroom at 41-45 Hunter St, Newcastle. sneaky addition, pick a different fabric for 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
www.tailoredhq.com.au 50 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
the underside and you have two quilts in one! Seasonal transition couldn’t be easier than flipping the quilt.
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 51
There are Conveyancers... And then there are
CONVEYANCERS!
Ten Years of Inspiration The HIA Home Inspirations centre and HIA offices at Mayfield West have officially celebrated ten years of inspiring Hunter residents to repair, renovate, restore, design and even build their own homes. “That’s ten wonderful years of ideas, of inspiration, of sharing knowledge and of connecting Hunter homeowners with the residential construction sector,” said HIA Executive Director for the Hunter, Craig Jennion. Open seven days a week, the centre remains the largest home building and renovating display centre of its kind in New South Wales, showcasing the latest trends in home building, renovating, kitchens and bathrooms. “Anchored by some of Australia’s leading brands, the centre's location at Mayfield West was strategically positioned to ensure those planning to build or renovate could easily access the information they require to see first-hand how their home could come to life,” said Mr Jennion. “In total over 500,000 people have come through the doors since the centre opened providing those looking to build a
new home or redesign what they already have with the ideas and inspiration to get started.” “Some of the key highlights of the past ten years has been the increasing diversity of products and services on display, along with the opening of the 280sqm House of Inspiration that showcases a ‘real’ home environment where consumers can walk through the house and see the latest products in action”. “Looking forward to the next ten years, we will continue to appeal to the aspirational needs of those searching for new products and services, together with a full program of targeted events, including the biannual HIA Building and Renovation Show, to ensure Hunter residents connect with the right products and people to make their dream home their real home,” said Mr Jennion.
The next HIA Building and Renovation Show will be held on-site on the 8th September 2018 from 10am-4pm. Details regarding this Show can be found at www.housinglocal.com.au
Mandy Greguric established Mandy’s Conveyancing in 2010, in the seaside village of Sawtell close to Coffs Harbour. Seven years later Mandy relocated to Speers Point, Lake Macquarie where she found she was better positioned to deliver bespoke conveyancing services to her clients throughout NSW and allow her family to further their sporting careers and give them the best educational opportunities. A Licensed Certified Practicing Conveyancer with over 15 years industry experience and qualifications that include Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, Bachelor of Laws and a Justice of the Peace, Mandy is experienced in all aspects of conveyancing in NSW. She works hard to help her clients achieve their property goals – whether buying their first home, buying or selling a family home or an investment, subdividing or developing property. A true conveyancer’s conveyancer, Mandy’s knowledge of property law and conveyancing is second-to-none, and Mandy is the person to have in your corner when faced with a tough or complicated property contract. As many sometimes discover too late, when it comes to securing that ideal property, timing can often be a deal breaker, and Mandy’s goal is to ensure her services are available as and when required to assist with your conveyancing needs at a time convenient to you. If you have an upcoming auction or a contract you want to sign with an agent quickly, a free initial appointment can be made, with very little notice to discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have. Services are available in person, or if you cannot attend the office at 115 Main Road, Speers Point, phone, email and
Read the digital edition of intouch each month at www.intouchmagazine.com.au Find out what’s on at your fingertips. /intouchmagazines
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@intouchmagazines
post are utilised allowing for a very flexible service. Mandy also aims to take the stress out of buying or selling a property by providing the best service possible and offering an affordable fixed fee, so her clients know up front exactly what it is going to cost. It’s no surprise, therefore, that many clients return time and time again with the knowledge and peace of mind that they will be well looked after.
“We have used Mandy for her conveyancing services on a number of occasions, and it has always been an easy, and enjoyable experience and nothing is ever an issue for Mandy to deal with. We would definitely encourage anyone we know to utilise Mandy's services, and we will be engaging Mandy's Conveyancing services in the future.” – S Hanson
buying or
selling
property? use a conveyancer you can trust
6653 1033
0400 531 034
mandy@mandysconveyancing.com.au
mandysconveyancing.com.au
“A personal & prompt service, with fixed rates� Licence Number 1601331
www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 53
Days on Market
A Key Indicator of Market Stability WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN - Features Writer
There’s no doubt the Hunter has been experiencing a bit of a golden period in real estate, with rising prices, quick turnover and strong buyer interest in the region. But with prices finally starting to cool in Australia’s capital cities on the back of a number of factors, the big question is whether these conditions will flow on to the Newcastle region. Newcastle real estate agent Andrew Pritchard (Hart Property) is among those who believe the tide is turning locally, with a number of “pressure signs” popping up during the past six months. “During the last 12 months while all suburbs have seen good positive price performance, in the last six months pressure signs have been evidence of a turning market,” Andrew said. “I started talking about it back in February when we started to see a little bit less volume of buyers coming forward, and buyer inquiry had probably slowed. “We were also starting to see the first signs of what we call ‘days on market’, which is how many days the For Sale sign is up, and they started to lengthen. Where previously, during the boom, we were moving properties inside of 30 days quite easily, now we were starting to head out towards 40 and so forth. “In talking to some conveyancers and I suppose from my point of view as an agent as well, there was also a distinct change in the market in late April, early May, where there was a distinct drop in settlements going through, there was a distinct drop in new listings coming on the market, there was a distinct drop in buyer inquiry, and days on market for properties were starting to step right outside of 45 days, which is the sign of a slow market.” But while the principal of Hart Property believes several key factors are taking some of the heat out of the market, he said it is more a case of prices flattening out, rather than heading for a fall. “I think a few main factors are coming into play,” Andrew said. “I think the Banking Royal Commission has forced the major financial institutions to review and tighten up on their 54 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
lending profiles and I think there has been a distinct change in the marketplace if you talk to buyers and brokers that the days of getting finance from a larger institution within 48 hours have now gone. “I think another factor, which to some degree has played out or is starting to play out, is that investor money has dried up. We saw signs of that drying up over the last 12 months, particularly Sydney money coming into town, it's not as prevalent as what it was. “Where previously I think investors were happy to move forwards on properties where investment yields were around the three-and-a-half per cent if they can foresee a little bit more capital growth, we’ve probably hit that ceiling now if they can see the top of the market coming, because all they’re going to get caught with is a three-and-a-half percent yield with the prospect of maybe some devaluing over the next 12 months. “As a result, I think a lot of the investors have pulled back in terms of where they want to be in the marketplace. “The other thing, and it’s really more of a subjective statement, is that I think there's been a bit of realisation from the market that prices just can't keep going up and up and up and up.
“I think there will be a definite period of natural readjustment for the marketplace and some of that will be brought upon us by the restriction on lending, as well as a possible interest rate rise at some point in the future, although when that will occur, we don't know.” While Andrew’s predictions might not be music to the ears of vendors, the news is not all doom and gloom, with some suburbs certainly showing signs of resilience.
Sales figures for the first six months of this year, compiled by Andrew using reports from Property Data Solutions, highlight a number of local suburbs that have recorded significant gains including Jewells, where the median price has risen by 12 per cent to $730,000. Whitebridge (22.5 per cent rise with a median price of $845,000) and Lambton (19.8 per cent rise, median price $742,500) have also shown positive growth according to Andrew. “I still think there is value for people in our region that have got the money to spend,” he said. “As long as they’re not relying on moderate to higher levels of debt funding, for the people that have got cash, there is still some excitement in the marketplace, without question whatsoever. “I think that will continue particularly in some of the more middle of the road suburbs - some of them are having a late run, such as Jewells. Suburbs such as Redhead are still holding their own; they're still showing elements of positive price growth. “Whereas if you look at suburbs like Merewether for argument’s sake, which is traditionally the golden goose, for the first time in a long time it's shown some negative value, and it's been a long, long time since we've seen that. “I think at the moment the property market is at the apex of a turning point. “I think there is still some positive price performance to come out of the market in certain suburbs. I think other suburbs are going to take the turn a little bit earlier, but I’m not suggesting for any second that I think we're going to see any sort of significant correction, I don't think that's going to happen. “But anyone that’s looking to come into the marketplace now has to be doing it from a very square base of understanding their affordability, understanding what their debt profile looks like and budgeting for an interest rate rise or possibly two, at some time in the next two years.” Andrew said anyone interested in understanding how the changing property market is affecting them can email their suburb, as well as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and car spaces their property has, to pricecheck@hartproperty. com.au “It’s a free service, and in reply, we’ll send you a property report detailing price point data, sales activity, days on market and demand trends,” he said. “We’ll also provide our professional opinion on the market outlook for the next 12 months.”
6 Reasons Why...
1. Most Competative Rates of any Agency 2. Proven Results using Highly effective sales strategies 61 B u r n s S t , R e d h e a d $755 , 0 0 0
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Theano Cl, Pelican $685,000
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Ross St, Belmont
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Hart Property’s All Inclusive Fixed Fee package, is a fantastic way to sell property. Andrew sold our property for a price above what we expected and Hart’s affordable fees saved us almost $15,000. Hart Property certainly gave us the best result. S Fiske, Belmont North NSW
Newcastle | Lake Macquarie | Hunter Andrew Pritchard | Director P
4965 3 458 | M
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a n d r ew@ h a r t p r o p e r t y. co m . a u
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h a r t p r o p e r t y. co m . a u Lic No: 2009 9286