Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Hunter Valley | INTOUCH MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 20' ISSUE by INTOUCH MAGAZINE

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ISSUE #60 // NOVEMBER 2020

GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS :

FOR GROWTH IN THE HUNTER PLUS.... EDUCATION & TRAINING FEATURE Tee Off for a Cancer-Free Future Around the Chambers in Your Area What the Federal Budget Means for Your Small Business IMAGE OF NEWCASTLE CBD BY JESSICA WARD PHOTOGRAPHY

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Check out local artist Tanya Loviz from Loviz Art Gallery’s amazing new piece “Cocktail-In-Fusion” inspired by Hunter Distillery. www.lovizarts.com.au/shop

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EDITORS... As we go to print, our friends in Victoria are preparing to get back to business from what has been the longest hibernations in the world. We are yet to see the full impact to the economy of such a lengthy shutdown, but they can hopefully feel optimistic about the road ahead by seeing how far down the road we’ve travelled in NSW and knowing that’s just around the corner for them as well. A little closer to home there’s no doubt that 2020 has forced businesses in the Hunter to think outside the square on that road to recovery. As the peak body representing businesses across the region, the Hunter Business Chamber has been there every step of the way, providing local companies with advice, advocacy and crucial opportunities to communicate and connect. This month we caught up with Chamber CEO Bob Hawes to talk about the enormous challenges faced by local businesses and how creative thinking, collaboration and rewards such as the Hunter Business Awards are all playing their part in our burgeoning recovery. Our entertainment industry is fighting its way back this month as well, with our What’s On calendars and Gig Guides back on an upward trajectory. With over 2500 performers showing up across NSW (many in the Hunter) for Great Southern Nights, Live in Lake Mac, Lizottes and Civic Theatre shows we’re bound to see music lovers from across the country out and about – kick-starting our live music, hospitality and tourism industries. This month also see’s rescheduled events such as the Newcastle Comedy Festival back on our calendars – it’s onwards and upwards! This months Education & Training feature focuses on some of the excellent schooling and training options available in the Hunter for school-aged students and adults alike. From developing talented young athletes to tutoring sick kids, providing training to survivors of domestic violence and deep learning techniques to skills training for a new career – you’ll find it all in this issue. Enjoy!

Publisher & Editors Two Tribes Media Phone (02) 4943 0888 Address 297 Brunker Road, Adamstown, NSW 2289 Web www.intouchmagazine.com.au Email getintouch@intouchmagazine.com.au Advertising Sales (02) 4943 0888 © Copyright 2020 Two Tribes Media. Published monthly by Two Tribes Media. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpt granted by written request only. While every attempt has been made, Two Tribes Media cannot guarantee the legality, completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accepts no warranty or responsibility for such.

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Contents

ISSUE #60 NOVEMBER 2020 8

Meet Nat and Callum from Kaiju Beer

Getting Back to Business – Gearing up for Growth in the Hunter

Laughs Aplenty Coming Our Way!

The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating

Tee Off For a Cancer Free Future

Education & Training Feature

Athlete Development More than Just Sport

Empowering Survivors Through Education

Students Dig Deep into Problem Solving

Education is Key to Regional Recovery

Home & Living – Shop Local

Around the Chambers

What the Federal Budget Means for Your Small Business

Catch the Travel Bug

Stretch it Out!

Why Gyms Have Shifted their Focus to Wellness & Recovery

REGULARS 6

What's On?

Home & Lifestyle

Family, Community & Business

Health & Wellbeing

Horoscope

GET MOBILE!

CONTRIBUTORS

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

Alan Spicer Alex Huszti AJM Photography Bianca Smith Chloe O’Sullivan Di von Essen Jess Codrington Kim-Cherie Davidson

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT WWW.INTOUCHMAGAZINE.COM.AU /INTOUCHMAGAZINES @INTOUCHMAGAZINES

There’s no doubt that the future looks rosy for businesses in the Hunter according to Bob Hawes of the Hunter Business Chamber. Read more on page 10. Thanks to Jessica Ward of Jessica Ward Photography for this stunning cover shot of a ‘rosy’ Newcastle CBD. You can purchase Jessica’s stunning photography online – visit her Instagram page @jesswardphoto.

Lara O'Donnell Liane Morris Melinda Murray Mia Kyrikos Michelle Meehan Montana Rosekelly Quentin von Essen Rowan Cox

Skyy Crouch Tanya Obreza Tom Russell

The Team What is your favourite rainy day activity? "For me, there is nothing better than a good book, and right now, I am engrossed in the Shardlake series by C. J. Sansom." – QUENTIN VON ESSEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR

"It probably sounds a bit lame – but I like to think of rainy days as the days to do the things I definitely don’t want to be doing on a sunny day – like housework, cleaning out cupboards, sorting out piles of paperwork, organising my wardrobe! When it’s sunny again, I don’t have to feel guilty about all the things I’ve left un-done!" – DI VON ESSEN, PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR

"Nothing beats being curled up on the lounge watching a classic rom-com with a coffee (or a glass of wine!)" – OLIVIA RODGERS, ADVERTISING & ONLINE COORDINATOR

"Watching the crazy crashing waves by the beach, with a friend in the comfort of our car – with hot food of course. One of the few times you can get a good park in Summer." – JESS CODRINGTON, SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

"As a person who enjoys creature-comforts, rainy days are some of the best. Whether I wrap myself in a duvet to binge-watch the Netflix latest, read a book, enjoy a face mask with candles, or try my hand at making gnocchi in the kitchen; rainy days allow for what I like to call 'rituals of self-care'. If you need a wake-up call, stand outside, or head to the beach for a quick rainy-day dip. Nothing will make you feel more alive." – MIA KYRIKOS, CONTENT WRITER

From Chaos and Clutter to Organised, Tidy and Back in-Control IN HOME ORGANISING SERVICES • Home Decluttering • Garage Transformations • Seniors and NDIS Plans • Reclaim your Life, Time and Space

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Re-Discover Mortels

" I have just invested in Amazon Prime streaming service, so this latest downpour has seen the kid, and I curled up in my bed watching the 4th season of This is Us. When the little one closed her eyes, I watched the new Borat movie and Long Shot – both of which I recommend. Our favourite thing, however, has always been our invisible driveway art. The kid and I spray things on the driveway that are invisible any other time but show up only when it rains or when we pour water on the driveway to show it off to friends. She loves it!" – MEL MURRAY, CONTENT WRITER

"Keeping the kids entertained on a rainy day can be a tough ask, especially if you're trying to limit screen time, but a couple of rounds of Trouble or Connect 4 usually works like a charm!" – MICHELLE MEEHAN, FEATURES WRITER

"Curled up with a book. Listening to the rain on the tin roof. Or going out into the rain and jumping in puddles." – KIM-CHERIE DAVIDSON, CONTENT WRITER

"On rainy days I like everything to be slow – sleep in, stay in my PJs longer, eat later and no hurrying allowed. Cooking, reading, meditation and watching family movies all rate high on my preferred list of rainy day activities." – LIANE MORRIS, FEATURES WRITER

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WHAT'S On? Live & Cookin’ Look who is coming to dinner! For ticket capacity updates and changes please check our website. Bookings are required!

NOVEMBER DINNER WITH KATE CEBERANO + FRIENDS Sunday 1 + Monday 2 LAZY LUNCH WITH THE BLACK SORROWS Sunday 8 AUSTRALIAN SURF MOVIE FESTIVAL - IMMERSION TOUR 20 Thursday 12 THE LACHY DOLEY GROUP Friday 13 LAZY LUNCH WITH JAMES MORRISON

Sunday 15

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH TIM FREEDMAN Tuesday 17 + Wednesday 18 ABBASBACK Friday 20 TWO OF US THE SONGS OF LENNON AND MCCARTNEY Saturday 21 SINKBASH 10 Sunday 22 AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH KASEY CHAMBERS Tuesday 24 + Wednesday 25 MI-SEX Thursday 26 THE LEGENDARY IAN MOSS Fri 27 + Sat 28

DECEMBER LAZY LUNCH OR DINNER WITH JOSH PYKE Sunday 6 FAULTY TOWERS - THE DINING EXPERIENCE Tuesday 8 + Wednesday 9 DIESEL SUNSET SUBURBIA & GREATEST HITS Thursday 10 DON’T CHANGE… ULTIMATE INXS

Thursday 17

31 Morehead Street, Lambton Doors open from 6pm FULLY LICENSED MORE SHOWS added daily. LIVE SHOWS starting from $65 (including dinner)

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Wednesday’s

+ See who else is coming to dinner...

lizottes.com.au or PH 4956 2066 6 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL EVENTS BEFORE PLANNING, AND BOOK AHEAD IF NECESSARY. SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1 Isolation: Portraits of Newcastle during COVID-19 Images by photographer Luke Kellett. At Newcastle Museum until 22 Nov. Live Music Lake Mac Live music is back in Lake Mac! From November until March 2021, you can sit back and relax to the sweet sound of live tunes from your favourite local and NSW-based musicians, all within a COVID Safe setting. lakemac.com.au/livemusic Colour – Questacon Exhibition at Newcastle Museum, until 31 Jan 2021. 2020 Sustainable Neighbourhoods Waste to Art Thought provoking artworks created from things that would otherwise be thrown away. Until 13 Dec, at Seen@Swansea, The Swansea Centre. Open 7 days, 10am–2pm. FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6 Pop Up Cantina & Taqueria at 48 Watt St, 6+7 Nov, 5pm– midnight. No bookings necessary, however seats are limited. Classic Film Series – Rocky Horror Picture Show at Rathmines Theatre, 6pm–9pm. Tickets $20 pp. www.eventbrite.com.au Great Southern Nights Catch lot's of artists at Civic Theatre – kicking off with Lime Cordiale on Nov 6+7. Sneaky Sound System at The Cambridge Hotel. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7 Spring Carnival Cocktails & Canapes Celebrate Spring Carnival every Saturday with the Nags Head Hotel! $50 pp includes seasonal dishes and 4 cocktails! Book through www.thenags.com.au (click 'make a reservation') Smokin Hot N Saucy Turns 3! Visit The Lot at 116 Maitland Rd, Islington for BBQ platter specials all day long. Lake Mac Open Studios On 7+8 Nov, local artists and makers will throw open their studio doors and welcome the general public inside. 10am–4pm, www.lakemac.com.au FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13 Let's Fish Lake Mac A catch-and-release event, there's a total of $21k in prize money up for grabs from 13–15 Nov. Visit www.lakemac.com.au to register. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 The Hunter $1m Race at Newcastle Racecourse. Meet you under the Stars MEET and Dalwood Estate are combining for a night of food, wine and music at Dalwood Estate, Branxton. Find the Facebook event for tickets. DJ Ricky at Lambton Park Hotel $10 tapped cocktails, $5 Captain Morgans and $6 craft beer. THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19 Newcastle Comedy Festival See solo shows up until 29 Nov, and the Gala on 21+22 Nov. For more info and tickets visit www.newycomedyfest.com SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21 Newcastle Comedy Festival Gala On 21+22 Nov at Civic Theatre. For tickets visit www.newycomedyfest.com WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25 Being Sellers On the 40th anniversary of the death of the comic genius Peter Sellers, Stray Dogs Theatre Co. brings its greatest hit, Carl Caulfield’s one-man play to The Playhouse, 25–28 Nov. Nags x Brix Distillers Grab tickets to this special Brix Rum Distillers tasting event at The Nags Head Hotel. Visit www.thenags.com.au for tickets.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 26 Belmont Country Women's Association Market Day Cakes, slices, jams & pickles as well as a variety of handmade items will be on sale. Lake Macquarie Square, Mount Hutton 8:30am–12:30pm. FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27 Tommy Little – I'll See Myself Out at Civic Theatre.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28 Christmas with Charles Dickens Adamstown Uniting Church, 2pm. Readings from Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, with musical interludes – ALSO live-streamed via Internet for home viewing. Covid-safe seats and streaming must be booked. See prices and booking details at www.adamstownuca.org.au/arts or call 4957 1887. Tom Gleeson – Lighten Up at Civic Theatre. SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29 Legends Race Day at Newcastle Racecourse.

MARKET GUIDE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1 Newcastle City Farmers Market Every Sunday 7am–1pm, at Newcastle Showground. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7 Pelican Foreshore Markets 9am–1pm. SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8 Homegrown Markets at Speers Point Park, 10am–2pm. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 Feast Fest Twilight Food Market – Newcastle at Foreshore Park, 4pm–8pm. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21 Warners Bay Markets at Warners Bay Foreshore, 8am–2pm. Fingal Twilight Markets Keep up to date via Facebook for their first market! 3pm–8pm. SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22 Homegrown Markets at Speers Point Park, 10am–2pm. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28 Homegrown Markets at The Station Newcastle, 9am–2pm. HMC Christmas Market at Waratah/ Mayfield Community Garden, 3pm–8pm. Swansea Makers & Finders Market at Quinn Park 8am–1pm. Christmas Market at Newcastle Flower Markets, 8am–2pm. SUNDAY DECEMBER 6 Hunter Arts Network Art Bazaar at Lambton Park 9am–3pm. SATURDAY DECEMBER 12 Feast Fest Twilight Food Market – Newcastle at Foreshore Park, 4pm–8pm. FRIDAY DECEMBER 18 Pelican Foreshore Twilight Market at Pelican Foreshore, 4pm–8pm.

SHANE NICHOLSON

WHAT'S On?

NEW ON THE SCENE

Live Music IS BACK � IN LAKE MACQUARIE

WE CAN BE HEROES:

A Backstage Pass

� FREE EXHIBITION, 14 NOV–14 FEB 2021 Newcastle Art Gallery is holding an incredible exhibition that will feature some local music history, as well as a behindthe-scenes tour seen through the lens of artists – capturing intimate moments of Aussie and international musicians. In October, NAG put the call out to locals and local venues for Newcastle gig posters new and old (of local, national and international acts) which will be on display – a fantastic look into the history of the Newcastle music scene. The exhibition puts the spotlight on individual stories that highlight similarities between international superstars and those seeking to achieve their dream of becoming heroes. WE CAN BE HEROES: a backstage pass celebrates the connection and relationship between the photographer and their subject, in this case the musician, through rarely seen touring images, backstage portraits before musicians perform and views from the stage over the audience that very few of us get to experience. See this exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery until February 2021.

� ALSO AT NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY: The Gift Shop at Newcastle Art Gallery has an amazing array of ceramics, jewellery, textile and design objects, much of it created by local makers and creators. Check out this puzzle 299 Cats (and a dog) by Léa Maupetit!

It’s time to celebrate the music industry once again! Live Music Lake Mac is a new series of events that will give music lovers a chance to sit back and relax to sounds from local and NSW-based musicians, all within a socially distanced and COVID Safe setting. Gigs will be taking place at Rathmines and Warners Bay Theatres from this November–March 2021, kicking off with iconic country music singer Shane Nicholson. The first performance by Shane is part of Great Southern Nights, a new event bringing 1,000 COVIDSafe gigs to Sydney and Regional NSW across November. Other artists performing at Live Music Lake Mac include Ash Grunwald, Steve Balbi, Bondi Cigars and 19 Twenty. Details of each gig can be found at lakemac.com. au/livemusic and tickets are available now at $35 pp.

THE RUM DIARY BAR The award-winning Rum Diary Bar of Melbourne has landed in Newcastle (529 Hunter St), bringing hundred's of different rums, cocktails and delicious Caribbean food with it. Visit to experience rum flights and a top-notch cigar menu! Peruse the menu at www.rumdiarybar.com.au ROGUE SCHOLAR BREWING Hunter Craft brewers Rogue Scholar have been supplying our local bottle shops and pubs for a while now. For freshly brewed beers and ales, visit their new microbrewery at 4–6 Union St, Newcastle West. YOUNG ST HOTEL Carrington is about to have a new kid on the block! Legends at The Happy Wombat are opening up a second venue on the corner of Cowper and Young Streets, where Carrington Place once was. Stay tuned for this one! SAINTS Now open at 31 King St (formerly Kitami), is the new gin-loving bar Saints. On the menu are many local distillery favourites, plus a wine list exclusively from the Hunter Valley. You'll be delighted by the interior, which includes a huge wall mural by local artist Jordan Lucky. We love local!

Santa is Coming! � VARIOUS LOCATIONS It's time to book in for those annual photos with Santa as they are starting to pop up in numerous locations this month! You'll need to be quick to book into a few of these locations as they are limited, however keep an eye out for more events and new dates. Santa is popping up at Westfield Kotara for normal photo sessions, pet photography and Sensitive Santa sessions from Nov 7. For a rural setting, you can find Santa on various dates in Nov and Dec at the stunning Tocal Homestead and Morpeth with Dusk & Vine Photography (find them on Facebook). Bask in an Australian Winter wonderland setting with Natural Lights Photography every weekend up until mid-Dec at Catherine Hill Bay (find them on Facebook). More options will undoubtedly pop up during November – just make sure you book well ahead!

MEET THE

DISTILLERS! � AT THE NAGS HEAD HOTEL, NOV 25+DEC 9 If you are a cocktail fan, these exclusive Cocktails and Canapés events are for you. Hitting The Nags in Adamstown on Nov 25 is Sydney's Brix Rum Distillers, and on Dec 9 our local Farmers Wife Distillery. Both start at 7pm, and include 3 cocktails and a matching canapé menu – meet the distillers, chat about the products and learn how to make the perfect cocktail at home! To book visit www.thenags.com.au/events or phone 4952 5743.

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PHOTO CREDIT AMY WHITFIELD

Meet Nat and Callum THE ODDBALLS THAT STARTED ALL THIS KAIJU! BEER MALARKEY AUSSIES HAVE A GROWING LOVE OF CRAFT BREWS, A TREND WHICH DID NOT GO PAST BROTHERS NAT AND CALLUM REEVES. Establishing themselves as the original hop-masters in 2013, their first beer (Aftermath Double IPA) single-handedly caused a statewide shortage of Simcoe hops. Fast forward, and it’s evident that their hop-driven styles and unique branding have not only seen them grow the brewery but also stay 100% family-owned.

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“We’ve been into making (and drinking) beer for a long time,” says Callum. “We’re kind of nerdy scientists about it actually. In late 2013 we decided to start making beer for a living and released a Double IPA that was a little bit hoppy and got some attention.” The ever-humble brothers both agree, however, that they’re only as successful as the support they receive and are grateful to the beer-lovers who have embraced them. “Kaiju means “strange creature” in Japanese. Think Godzilla, Mothra, and all the baddies from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” says Nat. “Our own tribe of Kaiju includes the Diatamatic Hopzilla, Cthulhu, Behemoth, Betelgeuse and the lovely lady Hopped Out Red.”

Brew of the Month

Kaiju Krush! Tropical Pale Ale

After generations of KAIJU! interacting with the local flora, a new species arose. The FRUJUS found the balmy weather and laid-back pace in tropical climes to their liking, settling many remote islands, but always on guard for those who would seek to exploit their mouthwatering juiciness and impeccable balance. A super-clean malt profile allows the shipload of juicy tropical fruit flavours to arrive on the desert island of your palate unhindered. And it comes in a can, so after you Krush it, you can Krush it. ABV 4.7% | IBU 25 | MALTS Pale, Carahell, Carpils, Light Crystal HOPS Mosaic (US), Cascade (AUS), Simcoe (US), Cryo Citra (US)

JOIN THE KAIJU KOIN HUNT! It’s been a tough year, and we could all use a bit of fun (and some beer). And at KAIJU! Beer, they’re all about the fun stuff, so one afternoon whilst breaking blocks, collecting coins, and saving the princess, they thought ‘why not bring a bit of coin hunting fun into the bottleshop?’ So they set about launching the KAIJU! KOIN HUNT! They've commissioned the minting of genuine alloy KAIJU! Koins, then they’ve gone and hidden them inside random 6-packs of KAIJU Krush! and started shipping them all over the country. Beer lovers that find a gold KAIJU! Koin can WIN A YEAR OF BEER! That’s one case of KAIJU Krush Tropical Pale Ale delivered to your door every month for a year! There are 7 Gold Koins to be found, and a bonus 13 Silver Koins that will get you 2 cases of KAIJU! Krush Tropical Pale Ale. That’s 20 Koins to be found! Happy hunting in the Hunter at The Happy Wombat, Warners at the Bay, Tighes Hill Cellars, The Bottle-O Lambton, Cellarbrations at Adamstown and The Prince of Wales in Merewether. Follow the promotion on socials at @kaijubeer to stay up to date with the hunt.

Now Open

in Port Stephens Port Stephens Council in partnership with Port Stephens Koalas has created a Koala Sanctuary to ensure first-class care to sick, injured and orphaned koalas. Visitors to the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary will be able to experience: Waking up with Koalas! A unique oppurtunity to stay overnight in a 4 star deluxe glamping style tent within the Sanctuary grounds. Koala Hospital Take a look through the hospital viewing window as veterinary staff carry out examinations and administer treatment to koala inpatients. Newcastle Airport SKYwalk A 225 metre in length elevated boardwalk and viewing platform, offering a unique ‘tree top’ perspective into a koala’s natural habitat. Sanctuary Story Walk A 250m in length immersive educational experience telling the story of koala and its habitat through artistic sculptural representations.

Buy Tickets Now Connect With Us

02 4988 0800

portstephenskoalasanctuary.com.au koalasanctuary@portstephens.nsw.gov.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 9

THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT 2020 HAS FORCED BUSINESSES IN THE HUNTER TO THINK OUTSIDE THE SQUARE. WHILE THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 HAVE PLAYED HAVOC WITH LIVELIHOODS AND INDUSTRIES, THE PANDEMIC HAS ALSO UNEARTHED STORIES OF RESILIENCE, INNOVATION AND DIVERSIFICATION. AS THE PEAK BODY REPRESENTING BUSINESSES ACROSS THE REGION, THE HUNTER BUSINESS CHAMBER HAS BEEN THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, PROVIDING LOCAL COMPANIES WITH ADVICE, ADVOCACY AND CRUCIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMUNICATE AND CONNECT.

GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS C Gearing Up

For Growth in the Hunter WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN – FEATURES WRITER INTERVIEW WITH BOB HAWES

10 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

Chief Executive Officer Bob Hawes said 2020 had presented businesses with “enormous challenges”, with the Chamber working on various levels to respond to the unprecedented situation. “COVID has been a massive curveball, and our primary focus has been on keeping business up-to-date with the constantly changing regulatory environment, assisting them to stay open and diversify where they can, and feeding back their comments and experiences to the government to inform decision-making,” he said. “The main focus now is to ensure the region’s businesses recover the best they can. The region needs to be best positioned to take advantage of any growth trends that emerge, to buttress what we have and balance any loss we might experience. “The key through COVID has been connection and communication. No-one foreshadowed the pandemic would last this long. “We’ve been busy doing everything from providing troubleshooting assistance at a micro level, such as trying to link up businesses with suppliers so they can pivot or remain open,

Throughout the Chamber’s evolution, its mission has remained the same: to be the voice of Hunter business, championing the economic and physical attributes that make the Hunter Australia’s most innovative, prosperous and diverse regional economy. Since 1978, the Chamber has also sought to highlight and recognise the region’s most innovative businesses through its annual awards system, with categories that not only reflect the diversity of its membership but also recognise individuals making a significant contribution to the business community. In 2020, these awards have been expanded to shine a light on the way companies have responded to the uncertainty and challenges presented by the pandemic. Winners will be named in a total of 17 categories. “COVID-19 has placed extraordinary challenges on people in business, who have made enormous sacrifices to keep our community safe,” Mr Hawes said.

to dealing with government on policy issues, either directly or through the very effective lines of communication we have through our affiliate organisations, some of whom have had representatives at weekly ministerial meeting throughout the pandemic. “We also were very quick to move our events program online, and have featured very high profile leaders from government, business and the health sector, to help people keep up-to-date with COVID changes and learn from the experiences of others. “We still have huge challenges ahead, and the remedies are not ‘one size fits all’, so being well-placed to talk to government has meant the interests of business are prominent. “All levels of government are emphasising jobs, business stability and growth and rightly so. The region needs to pick up on this, and we are stressing the importance of saving and growing the businesses we have, as well as making the region attractive for new investment. “Our role is to help shine a spotlight on this.”

The Chamber is adept at shining a spotlight on issues and achievements, with a history that stretches back more than 130 years. Its origins date back to 1886 when a group of businesspeople met in Newcastle’s Great Northern Hotel with the aim of establishing a Chamber of Commerce. Among those original members were local merchant Frederick Ash, coal baron John Brown, and William Arnott, whose biscuit business became a national icon. At the Chamber’s annual meeting, founding President, R B Wallace, is said to have spoken about the group’s involvement in the advancements in rail transport, health, local tramways and water supply. He said of the Chamber: “There can be no doubt that it will do good; and the amount of that good depends entirely on ourselves.” Known as the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the majority of its history, the organisation partnered with the Chamber of Manufacturers in the late 1990s. It later became known as the Hunter Business Chamber.

WE HAVE CREATED THE COVID BUSINESS HERO AWARD TO RECOGNISE THE EXTRA EFFORT BUSINESSES HAVE MADE TO OVERCOME ADVERSITY DURING THE PANDEMIC PERIOD AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEIR EMPLOYEES, OTHER BUSINESSES OR THEIR COMMUNITIES.

“In another response to COVID, we have expanded the Excellence in Innovation category to specifically acknowledge business adaptation.” The Chamber itself has been forced to adapt when it comes to the way it hosts the awards, which are one of the highlights on the local business calendar, attracting up to 600 guests. Instead of the usual formal dinner setting, the November 20 event will be a COVID Safe theatre-style presentation at Newcastle’s iconic Civic Theatre, with ticketed seating, drinks and finger food service. “We know how much the Awards mean to businesses in our region and, in the spirit of the times, we have been thinking outside the square to find a way to deliver an awards (Continued next page) F

• Newcastle City Farmers Market •

Sorry! NO DOGS

VISITORS PLEASE NOTE:

Each Sunday at Broadmeadow Showground 7am-1pm* www.nswfarmersmarket.com.au www.newcastlecityfarmersmarket.com.au

Griffiths Road entry. *Please check our websites for details and market locations*

• Please wash hands/sanitise when possible • Practising social distancing of 1.5m as much as possible • Limit conversations with stallholders and patrons • Reusable cups will not be accepted at coffee outlets • If you feel unwell, please stay home! For any enquiries, contact us: E finefoodmarket@bigpond.com M 0427 586 079 www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 11

ENERGY MINISTER ANGUS TAYLOR, PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON AND BOB HAWES

HBC CHAIR BOB HAWES AND PLANNING MINISTER ROB STOKES AT THE HUNTER BUSINESS CHAMBER DINNER

(Continued) program with the prestige and excitement that our business community has come to expect,” Mr Hawes said. “The team from the Civic have also worked enthusiastically to come up with a new event model, and we are confident that with the stunning backdrop of the Civic Theatre and the goodwill of all involved, we will deliver an enjoyable and memorable event.” Mr Hawes said the Hunter Business Chamber, as the premier presenter of business events in the region, was committed to supporting the hospitality industry as it recovers from COVID. With the easing of some restrictions, the Chamber resumed its live events program in September and has since hosted two COVID Safe business breakfasts. The Chamber’s event program is one of its key functions, providing an important avenue through which members can network, connect and be informed across various topics. While COVID has constrained the events program this year, Mr Hawes said that by expanding and improving the delivery by offering online alternatives and more recently returning to in-person events, they have still been able to give their members valuable networking options. “We have a program of 45 to 50 events in a non-COVID

year, although of course this year’s been a bit different,” Mr Hawes said. “We have a business mining series, we have a business infrastructure series, we have a business innovation series, and then we also run a CEO Connect and a Business Connect series. “The CEO Connect is exclusively aimed at the Hunter First members, and there’s 80 or so of those across the region, and they’re typically the larger organisations in the region. “The Business Connect events are more for the general membership, and a lot of businesses get a lot out of going to those, swapping business cards and doing their networking … a lot of the small businesses, in particular, join exclusively for that side of things, the networking and the events.” Advocacy is another major focus for the Chamber, which works at all levels of government and throughout the private sector to campaign for or against issues that will impact on the economy and business environment of the Hunter. In recent times this has included everything from infrastructure needs, such as the Newcastle Airport upgrade, to issues around electricity privatisation, development, State and Federal taxes, industrial relations concerns and Local Government rates and charges.

Mr Hawes said the Chamber’s affiliation with other associations such Business New South Wales and Business Australia provides added authority when going into bat for local issues, with the implementation of this arrangement one of his key achievements since taking on the role of CEO in 2017. “I had to navigate in a seamless way the Hunter Business Chamber implementing a revised affiliation agreement with Business NSW (formerly New South Wales Business Chamber),” he said. “This (agreement) facilitates the Hunter Business Chamber being more integrated with Business NSW and Business Australia as well as the local Chambers and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, giving us enormously powerful reach in the policy and advocacy arenas. “We see this playing out in the way government seeks out and listens to our opinions – that’s good for us and good for business.” Mr Hawes said the advocacy arm of the Chamber was of particular interest to members of their “Hunter First” program, which is designed to foster the level of engagement for organisations with a significant presence, interest or stake in the Hunter Region. Among the various benefits of their membership, Hunter First businesses are given the opportunity to engage in intimate forums with parliamentary personnel and key Hunter stakeholders and are invited to five exclusive annual events as well as additional roundtable discussions. Another cohort of members joins the Hunter Business Chamber to take advantage of the practical information and advice it (and associated organisations such as Business ►

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NSW) can provide across a whole range of topics, from occupational health and safety to industrial relations, human resources issues, marketing, sustainability, and strategy and planning. While the Chamber means different things to different members, Mr Hawes said at its heart; the Chamber was focussed on making the environment for business better at all levels. “We have a very broad reach in terms of our membership because unlike many other industry organisations that either focus on property or manufacturing or whatever sector they’re in, we’re across everything, a bit of Jack of all trades,” he said. “Rather than pick up single barrows for particular single interests, we’ll be more concerned with things that relate to all businesses, like the cost of energy, HR and IR issues, red tape at a policy level, and then at a project and board level about what we can do to influence government to build and make things that help business. “Our quarterly business surveys give us tremendous insight into the contemporary issues facing business. “Issues like the cost and reliability of energy, skills and labour supply, making the business of being in business easier are consistently identified as barriers to growth. “We’re fortunate in having many resilient businesses across the region and our history shows we can rise above significant setbacks.” Resilience and adaptability in business is something that sets the Hunter apart, according to Mr Hawes and is also a focus for the region’s ongoing strength and prosperity. “The Hunter business community is resilient, and that is certainly a strength, especially when you consider the shocks that this region’s been through over the last 30 or 40 years, with the BHP closure, and the fact that there are industries here that we are plugged into that are cyclical,” he said. “I think what we’re also seeing more of lately is a lot of innovation, and that’s showing through the added diversity that we’re developing. “We’ve got a strong natural diversity when you look at the business and industry pillars that underwrite the region, and we’ll be working hard on strengthening these pillars. “We must leverage further growth in defence, manufacturing, research, energy, resources, agribusiness, the visitor economy and service industries. “Some industry sectors will evolve, and we need to support that process as well as attract new opportunities such as that presented with renewable energy (hydrogen, solar, wind, pumped hydro and biofuels), diversification of the port and our access to markets.

WE’VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE MAINTAIN THE INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS DIVERSITY BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A STRENGTH FOR US.” While COVID-19 has undoubtedly created a lot of uncertainty, Mr Hawes said the longer-term picture for business in the Hunter was incredibly bright. “Again it’s that resilience aspect, that adaptation and flexibility, picking up on innovation and a lot of businesses here are doing it,” he said. “They’re embracing technological change, ways to produce more for less in terms of trying to be efficient and that in itself breeds opportunities and some of those stem directly

WHAT’S ON BOB HAWES, NEWCASTLE LORD MAYOR NUATALI NELMES, NEWCASTLE AIRPORT CEO PETER COCK AND PORT STEPHENS MAYOR RYAN PALMER – ANNOUNCEMENT OF VIRGIN FLIGHTS TO NZ

from them, and some of them are as a consequence of their supplier or their business-to-business relationships that they have. “There’s a lot of talk up here at the moment about energy, and we’ve got a fantastic opportunity there. We’re just so well placed naturally to have a new energy industry emerge or be developed here because of our connections to the grid and the industries that we already have here that will need power. “Defence is a real opportunity, the government has committed an enormous amount of money over the next ten years to realise its strategic defence plan, and we can play a big part in that, we’ve got the capability and the capacity in the Hunter to do more. “Our emphasis is trying to understand and trying to promote industries and businesses that we already have here, and helping them develop relationships that they feel they can benefit from or already have in place. “We think the ambition about what the Hunter Region can do into the future, for not only itself but the state and the nation is relatively unique in this country and something we should be working hard at.”

Lake Mac Open Studios

7-8 November Go behind the scenes with Lake Mac’s creative community.

13-15 November Registrations now open! Catch big and win BIG on Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake!

INFRASTRUCTURE ESSENTIALS Ensuring a region’s critical infrastructure needs are catered for is essential for the health and prosperity of its business community. Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes has selected the top five regionally significant projects the Chamber is and has been advocating for: 1. The John Hunter Hospital health precinct (two stages); 2. New England Highway upgrades (including the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses); 3. The missing M1 link (Black Hill to Raymond Terrace), incorporating east-west as well as north-south improvements; 4. Newcastle Airport runway and continuous civil aviation facilities improvement; and 5. Rail strategy for the Hunter region, incorporating Newcastle freight rail bypass, faster Sydney to Newcastle connection and preservation of links to the Port.■

Nov 2020 – Mar 2021 Live music is back in Lake Mac with this new series of gigs.

Discover more of what’s on in Lake Mac at lakemac.com.au/whatson When attending events in Lake Macquarie, remember to stay COVID Safe. Greet friends with a wave, maintain 1.5 metres physical distance and wash your hands before, during and after the event. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 13

Laughs Aplenty Coming Our Way!

Let’s face it – if ever there was a year that embodied the term: “If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry,” 2020 is that year. Thanks to the City of Newcastle sponsored Newcastle Comedy Festival, Novocastrians will soon have the opportunity to laugh long and hard. Initially scheduled for May, the reformatted Newcastle Comedy Festival will now take place over the weekend of 21 and

22 November and, thanks to COVID (yeah, thanks COVID!), audiences will have not two but four opportunities to see the Gala event. The Civic Theatre can now host up to 750 people (50 per cent of its capacity) under strict COVID-compliant conditions. Shows will be staged at 3pm and 8pm on both days, with the theatre undergoing a deep cleanse after each performance, ready for the next audience. The line-ups have had to be adjusted due to the closing of state borders, but the star-studded new bill just proves how many stellar comedians call NSW home. The Saturday shows on 21 November will be MCed by all-around funnyman Rove McManus and include jokesters such as Becky Lucas, Randy Feltface, and Andy Saunders, while the Sunday show will be MCed by Newcastle-bred Cameron James. Current ticket holders will be contacted and given their choice of which line-up and which time they’d like to attend, with each performance featuring ten comedians and a superstar MC. For the full line up and to purchase tickets, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au – and follow the intouch Facebook page @intouchMagazines for details on how you can win yourself tickets!

Not for Profit Shoutout Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

THE HUNTER REGION BOTANIC GARDENS (HRBG) COVER AN AREA OF MORE THAN 130 HECTARES, MUCH OF WHICH HAS BEEN PRESERVED AS NATURAL BUSHLAND. THE GARDENS ARE MANAGED, MAINTAINED AND DEVELOPED BY A NON-PROFIT COMPANY OF VOLUNTEERS. YOU’LL FIND THE GARDENS AT 2100 PACIFIC HIGHWAY HEATHERBRAE, WHERE THEY ARE OPEN TO VISITORS FROM 9AM UNTIL 4PM DAILY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

THEIR MISSION To establish a botanic garden within the Hunter Region that would serve the people as a focus for the appreciation, study, research and enjoyment of horticulture, botany and related fields by the growing and display of plants, both native and introduced species, in landscaped and natural surroundings. HISTORY OF HRBG The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens was established on 11th November 1985 and is a Public, Not for Profit Company Limited by guarantee. The Board of Directors of the Company 14 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

Triple Treat as New Exhibitions Open at MAC Artworks by some of the Hunter Region’s most creative ex-pats feature in one of three new exhibitions now open at the Museum of Art and Culture. Luke Sales – the talent behind the internationally renowned fashion label Romance Was Born, photographer Karin Catt, ballet dancer Damian Smith, Helen Britton, sculptor Jamie North, and photographer Trent Parke are among the artists included in the Present Company exhibition. MAC Senior Curator Meryl Ryan said each featured artist had moved further afield since cutting their creative teeth in the region, from Sydney and Adelaide to Munich, San Francisco, Santa Fe, and New York. “The common thread between them is the fact they all come from the Hunter and have now all enjoyed success on a much larger stage,” Ms Ryan said. “From wearable art and performance

consists of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and seven Directors. All Directors work voluntarily and also have operational roles at the Gardens. Today, 35 years on, HRBG is still managed and maintained by an extensive and passionate group of volunteers. The volunteer community numbers over 180 members, who develop and tend the gardens, many of whom reside in the Newcastle area. HOW CAN WE HELP OUT? The best way we, as a community, can help out is to simply visit and enjoy the gardens, learn something about our native flora and pass it on! To welcome visitors, the Gardens have a Visitor Centre, cafe, gift shop and reference library. Devonshire teas and light lunches are served daily, or visitors can picnic in the Gardens. Walks and excursions are organised regularly, and there is a program of special events. The Gardens are continually growing as new displays are developed for recreational, educational and scientific purposes. Australian and introduced species are laid out in theme areas including acacias, banksias, myrtaceae, grevilleas, ferns, bushtucker plants, succulents and palms. Rare and endangered Australian species are also cultivated. The orchid houses are extremely popular with visitors. Many of the plants are suitable for the home garden, and the landscaping is an inspiration for the keen gardener. Expert personal advice is available on plantings and propagation, and a large selection of plants and herbs can be purchased at low prices from the plant stall. Easy walking trails provide access to the natural bushland with its mature blackbutt, angophoras and swamp mahogany forests and its understorey of more than 150 native plants.

to installations, paintings, photography, and sculpture, the works on display acknowledge the diversity and significance of their achievements.” Also now open is Manggan – gather, gathers, gathering, featuring contemporary Aboriginal art and cultural objects from Queensland’s Girringun region. In a separate space in the gallery, Architecture is the latest in MAC’s ongoing Art in Your Community series, featuring the works of local artists and community groups. Artists for this instalment in the series were challenged to express architecture through two-dimensional art forms such as drawing, painting, photography, and printmaking. The three new exhibitions follow MAC’s successful Reconnected, which featured dozens of works by Lake Macquarie artists. MAC Director Debbie Abraham said 35 works worth a total of more than $23,000 sold during the exhibition. “The success of Reconnected demonstrated the talent of our local artists and the appetite of the wider community to invest in their works,” Ms Abraham said. Architecture and Manggan are open until 29 November, while Present Company is open until 6 December.

Their forests are the natural habitat of goannas, wallabies, lizards, brushtail and ringtail possums, sugar gliders, bats, a small group of resident koalas and many birds. FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit www.huntergardens.org.au. For information about volunteering, contact Robert Beautement by email at admin@huntergardens.org.au.

There are many important causes across the Hunter Region and particularly throughout Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens. Each month, we feature one worthy cause to highlight their inspirational work and hopefully help them to either raise much-needed funds or the support of other community members. Do you know a local charity or not-for-profit group who could use a shout out? Visit www.intouchmagazine.com.au/contact to nominate today!

Adamstown Pudding Kitchen

WORDS QUENTIN VON ESSEN

Once described as making the best commercially made Christmas Puddings ever tasted by the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide, the Adamstown Pudding Kitchen has cooked, wrapped and sold more than 10,000 Christmas puddings each year to help a variety of worthy causes. It’s an impressive feat, fueled by lashings of brandy, quality ingredients and a community spirit that has resulted

The Adamstown Pudding Kitchen has branched out over the years to create reduced fat and gluten-free versions, as well as a new range of gourmet puddings with flavours that include apricot and ginger, date, and double choc cherry. Customers can also choose from their core range of decadent dessert sauces that can be mixed and matched with the puddings as well as a range of gourmet jams, pickles and chutneys that are designed to be seasonal. This year the gourmet range will include something new - ‘Angel Bars’ which are white chocolate with apricot and ginger pudding, dark chocolate with traditional pudding and milk chocolate with date pudding, which will no doubt prove to be very popular. Of course, there is no better way to say thank you or wish someone a Merry Christmas than with a gift made from a delicious selection of Adamstown Pudding Kitchen gourmet products. Customers can choose to have a customised hamper or choose any 3 of the jam, pickles and sauces in a gift box. The perfect Christmas or corporate gift.

The Pudding Kitchen is open until Christmas Eve unless sold out earlier, with all puddings available for purchase from the church building at Adamstown Uniting Church – simply follow the signs. The shop opens from 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday and from 21 November will be open from 10am to 2pm on Saturdays. Puddings can also be ordered online at www.adamstownpuddingkitchen.org.au

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The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating

in more than $1 million being donated to worthy projects since its establishment. Apart from a closely guarded recipe, the secret to their success is a host of passionate volunteers who give up their time to help out with everything from cooking and wrapping the puddings to working the shopfront and various stalls where the delicious treats are sold. This year, due to COVID-19 they will not be producing puddings but will continue to have a deliciously tempting range of mature puddings available for purchase which are expected to be in high demand, and with 2021 being their 50th anniversary, they are looking forward to recommencing production of the full range of puddings in the new year. The famous puddings had a humble but moving beginning. When parishioner Dawn Hodgetts’ younger brother Peter was away fighting in the Vietnam War in the early 70's, she prayed for him to come home safely. When her prayers were answered, she turned to her grandmother’s family recipe to make puddings for a church fundraiser. Almost 50 years later, charity and community spirit are still the vital ingredients in the operation of the Adamstown Pudding Kitchen, with profits going towards a range of worthy charitable causes within the Hunter and further afield. Of course, its charitable efforts wouldn’t be as successful if it wasn’t for the high quality of its culinary offerings – and these are undoubtedly second to none. Thrilling the taste buds of satisfied customers across the Hunter and throughout Australia, the Adamstown Pudding Kitchen’s core product – the traditional Christmas pudding, is cooked using the same family recipe for which the exact measurements and method of combining them is a carefully guarded secret.

CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS GOURMET JAMS, PICKLES, SAUCES & CHOCOLATES

ho e co late ang

Locally made since 1971, with profits supporting local & overseas charities.

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Visit our shopfront at

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or shop anytime online. SHOPFRONT OPEN HOURS MON–FRI 10AM –2PM SAT 10AM–2PM (FROM 21 NOV)

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‘BEST COMMERCIALLY MADE PUDDING’ – THE SMH/MELB AGE GOOD FOOD GUIDE 2018

www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 15

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GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS Kick-Starts Music Industry More than 2,500 artists and 300-plus live music venues across NSW are primed for the Australian-first music event, Great Southern Nights, with tickets for over 900 gigs now on sale. A NSW Government initiative, Great Southern Nights has been created to kick-start the recovery of the live music, hospitality and tourism industries in a COVID-safe environment. Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Great Southern Nights would provide music lovers from across the country many reasons to get out in NSW this November. “NSW will come alive with great Australian music from 5 November with gigs taking place in many of the state’s greatest music venues, pubs, bars, bowling clubs and wineries,” Minister Ayres said. “Shows range from Jimmy Barnes playing The Sydney Coliseum in Western Sydney, Tones And I performing at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle and Ian Moss at Lizotte’s Restaurant, Matt Corby embracing the North Coast vibe at Brunswick Heads and Shannon Noll rocking out in Deniliquin. “The NSW Government is proud to be getting artists, roadies, venues, hospitality staff and tourism businesses back to work through this ambitious initiative and now it’s over to the public to show their support by booking tickets to a gig or two, or more.” Joining the featured artist line-up are Lime Cordiale, Jessica Mauboy, Vera Blue, Hoodoo Gurus and Ruel, keeping company among Australian music champions Kasey Chambers and Troy Cassar-Daley, The Angels, Thirsty Merc and Kate Ceberano. Check out www.greatsouthernnights.com.au for the gig guide and more details, book your tickets and start planning your Great Southern Nights adventure now!

Tee Off For a CancerFree Future GOLFERS ACROSS LAKE MACQUARIE, NEWCASTLE, THE HUNTER AND CENTRAL COAST ARE ENCOURAGED TO SIGN UP FOR THE LONGEST DAY THIS DECEMBER. The Longest Day will officially take place on 14 December this year, but participants can hold their event at their local golf club anytime during December. Participants are challenged to play four rounds of golf in one day at their own club with their friends and fellow members. Gemma Pedri, Community Relations Coordinator at Cancer Council Newcastle and Hunter, said while The Longest Day is an endurance challenge that tests skill and stamina, it is easy to get involved – and a whole lot of fun. “The Longest Day challenges participants to successfully complete all four rounds of golf during daylight hours – a challenge that many keen golfers are eager to conquer! “Participants will be making a difference by raising funds to support Cancer Council’s life-saving cancer research, prevention programs, and information and support services, such as Transport to Treatment, Financial Assistance and Home Help.” “In the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Hunter regions alone, it is estimated that approximately 5,000 people will

be diagnosed with cancer in a single year, with around 1,000 deaths expected, so funding for cancer research, prevention, support and advocacy is vitally important,” Gemma said. “Playing golf is an excellent way to keep active, but as recreational golfers spend extended periods of time out in the sun, we want to remind all participants to use sun protection to reduce their skin cancer risk. “Across NSW, UV levels are high enough to require sun protection for most of the year, so we encourage golfers to keep sun-safe and slip, slop, slap, seek and slide, not only on The Longest Day but each and every day.

WHY NOT REGISTER TO PLAY AT YOUR CLUB, GET OTHERS INVOLVED AND SEE WHO TAKES OUT THE HONOUR THIS LONGEST DAY? WHAT A GREAT REASON TO GET COMPETITIVE ON THE GREEN!

Take on the ultimate golf challenge. This December, hit the course with your mates for 2, 3 or 4 rounds in one day and raise vital funds to help people impacted by cancer. Are you up for the challenge? Let’s tee off for a cancer free future.

Scan code to register

1300 65 65 85 www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 17

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EDUCATION & TRAINING FEATURE

MEDICAL RESEARCH

In the Spotlight COVID-19 HAS RAISED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CLINICAL TRIALS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY CONCERNS ABOUT RESEARCH CONDUCT IN AUSTRALIA, WE DISCUSSED SOME COMMON RESEARCH QUESTIONS WITH THE TEAM AT GENESIS RESEARCH SERVICES IN BROADMEADOW. WHO RUNS CLINICAL TRIALS AND HOW DO I KNOW IT IS LEGITIMATE? In Australia, clinical trials are run by registered doctors and clinical research teams. All clinical trials in Australia are registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (www.anzctr.org.au), who ensure the trial meets the required Australian standards. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR JOINING A TRIAL? Clinical trials can offer you free access to potential new treatments. You may also receive first access to new treatments, before they are made available to the general public and contribute to medical development. For the duration of the trial, you receive close monitoring of your condition, care and treatment from a dedicated research team, including medical specialists, often at no cost to you. You play an active role in your own healthcare and gain a greater understanding of your disease or condition.

WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME DURING A TRIAL? Each clinical trial is different. Some are short (one visit), while others may have visits over multiple years. This will depend on the disease/condition being researched and how far through the development process the treatment is. You will be made fully aware of the commitment for each clinical trial, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time. WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG? If something unexpected happens during the trial, this is called an Adverse Event (AE). AEs are managed by the doctor, clinical research team, and the provider of the investigational treatment (which may be a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company). Any out-of-pocket costs associated with AEs are generally covered by the trial. The health and safety of participants is paramount. WILL IT COST MONEY AND/OR CAN I GET PAID? Cost and payment are determined for each trial. If you are involved in a trial for a potential new treatment, you would expect to be reimbursed for your time and/or travel. If you are involved in a trial using an approved treatment, you may still be required to pay for the treatment. You may benefit from having a dedicated team closely monitoring your progress and condition. WHY DO CLINICAL TRIALS SOMETIMES INCLUDE A PLACEBO? During development, a new treatment is compared to a placebo (a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dummyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; treatment) to prove that it works. Sometimes, doctors will use a current treatment instead of a placebo, to prove that the new option works better to treat the condition.

Whether you receive a placebo, the current treatment, or the study product will be chosen at random, and (in most cases), you and your doctor will not know which one you received. This is the goldstandard for medication development. WHAT SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE TO PROTECT RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS? The safety and protection of the participants is ensured by government agencies around the world and human research ethics committees. In Australia, we are governed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Australia has a global reputation for having experienced medical research personnel producing highquality research data. HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED IN A CLINICAL TRIAL? Clinical trials can be for specific conditions, or they might need healthy people to join for earlier-stage development. You can reach out to your local doctor, or a dedicated research organisation like Genesis Research Services to register your interest. To view a list of current or upcoming clinical trials here in Newcastle, visit www.genesisresearchservices.com/join-a-trial and register your interest. Alternatively, you may call 4985 1860 and speak to our friendly team.

Clinical trial opportunity for people living with Chronic Low Back Pain. The study involves testing if an investigational, implanted device is better at improving back pain compared to currently available treatments, or not To be eligible to join you: must have low back pain for at least 3 months may have leg pain but must not have significant upper body pain are available to attend the clinic 8 times in 2 months in business hours

LIVING WITH LOW BACK PAIN? All study-related visits, tests, and procedures will be provided at no cost. Reimbursement for study-related travel and time will also be provided. Register your interest at www.research.net/r/intouchmag or call our clinic. This study has been approved by Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee. PMH-002 INTOUCH 21OCT20_V1

4985 1860 www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 19

EDUCATION & TRAINING FEATURE

Get Fighting Fit

WITH MARTIAL ARTS!

WORDS SKYY CROUCH – POLLETT'S MARTIAL ARTS At Pollet’s Martial Arts, we have something for the whole family! You can train together or in different disciplines. For ages 7 - Adult, we offer Karate, Okinawan Traditional Weapons, Boxing, Muay Thai, Kempo JiuJitsu, MMA and a specialised Little Tiger’s self-defence class (ages 2-6 years). Pollet’s has 30+ classes each week and is open 50+ hours weekly. There is a variety of attendance options and flexible days each week to fit in with your schedule. We have single or family memberships. With our amazing value family memberships, you pay for only two family members and all other immediate family members train for FREE! Our aim is to empower you to develop a strong and healthy mindset and understand

that we all face setbacks in our lives. By choosing to get back up again and progress forward, you will become stronger and more resilient. This helps with setting goals and having patience while they are being achieved. At Pollet's, you will very quickly feel part of our community, in our friendly, supportive, non-intimidating atmosphere. We have no fitness level requirements and no experience level requirements. We offer you encouragement and motivation to make ongoing improvements. With our Martial Arts, we approach health from all angles, covering physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health, for well-balanced, thriving and fulfilled students. If you would like to invest in skills and qualifications in Karate, Traditional Weapons, Kempo Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai, your grades with Pollet’s Martial Arts are Internationally recognised and reputable. We offer private lessons in all disciplines for those who would like a kick start, an edge or simply work away/difficult hours. Pollet’s also runs resilience and selfdefence programs at Day Care facilities, Primary and Secondary Schools. Call us today on 4952 2444 to book in your free trial class for yourself or the whole family!

K I P M C G R AT H

Making a Difference for Over 40 Years FOR OVER 40 YEARS, KIP MCGRATH EDUCATION CENTRES HAVE HELPED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IMPROVE THEIR LITERACY AND NUMERACY SKILLS AND REACH THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL. Founded in 1974 by Kip and Dug McGrath, the network has grown over the years to 600 centres worldwide. All driven by Kip’s guiding value – a child who needs help, needs a teacher to motivate and guide them. Each centre offers a blended delivery of face to face and online tutoring in maths, reading, spelling, comprehension and English. Kip McGrath centres continue to develop in established countries and branch into new areas as the demand to improve English and maths skills grows, and children become more empowered to change their life story through education.

As a passionate educator, Sonia Jerrett from the Wallsend Kip McGrath Education Centre thrives on the challenge of teaching students across a range of age groups, learning abilities, learning needs and backgrounds. Students can prepare for Kindergarten, right up to HSC level in Maths and English and Sonia and her devoted team have dedicated themselves to assisting their students to gain the skills and confidence which they may have perhaps missed over time. Each 80-minute group sessions consists of a maximum of 5 students to a tutor, with each child provided with one on one tutoring during the session. If your child’s report is not as good as you had hoped, why not give Sonia a call on 4950 2207 to arrange a free assessment.

At Kip McGrath Wallsend, we provide quality, professional tuition in English and Mathematics for school aged students from kindergarten to year 12 (General 2 Mathematics only). The supervised sessions run for 80mins by passionate teachers who give each of our students their time and dedication. These sessions include workbook and computer activities as the child learns new concepts and practices previously taught content.

Book a FREE assessment today and find out how we can help your child build a brighter future!

kipmcgrath.com.au/WALLSEND 20 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

EDUCATION & TRAINING FEATURE

ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT

More Than Just Sport WORDS BIANCA SMITH – HUNTER ACADEMY OF SPORT

For decades, the Hunter (HAS) and Central Coast (CCAS) Academies of Sport have been fostering the region’s best young talent and providing opportunities in sporting pathways across numerous codes. Although most people would associate our Academies with ‘on-field’ development, we are just as focused on the overall personal development of an athlete as we are on the sport-specific skill development. Sport is a cutthroat business; professional sport is a vocation reserved for a very small percentage of the participation paradigm. The Academies exist to have a positive influence and lasting effect on the lives of young people regardless if they reach the professional ranks or not. We aim to support athletes to reach their full potential both as sportspeople and as leaders in society. Partnering with the University of Newcastle, HAS and CCAS have established a ‘Pathway to Enrolment Program’, a new initiative that has shown great success in

familiarising families and young athletes with campus life and education options into the future. In what has been termed as ‘groundbreaking’, all three parties are now closely aligned with the sole objective of providing world-class opportunities to future students and a pathway to the elite athlete program at the University. Through the exclusive education partnership with HAS and CCAS, the University of Newcastle is supporting the dreams of high school athletes and preparing them for a career after sport. The partnership offers the opportunity for high school students to engage with the University of Newcastle to explore the pathways, flexible study options, scholarships and support available to student-athletes. The University provides the Academies with a major point of difference to other partners, including support through sports science testing, integrated learning for postgraduate students and direct access to the Exercise and Sports Science facility at its Central Coast campus. The partnership will enable access to facilities across the Callaghan and Central Coast campuses, which will be used for education seminars with world-class presenters and cooking classes run by nutritionists. Also, in the background, a very strong purpose-built education program has been built with the support of ClubsNSW, that provides regional athletes with the tools and skills essentially creating a ‘job ready’ younger generation.

With a focus on a healthy lifestyle, good decision making, and stronger mental resilience topics, each of the young athletes time spent with the academy means so much more than just sport. “We believe we are creating tomorrow’s future leaders,” says Brett O’Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of HAS. “Whether or not they become Australia’s next huge sports star is secondary to the education they receive throughout our programs. It’s the important life learnings that we can provide combined with the necessary tools to make the right choices for their future that matters most.” “The Academies wouldn’t be able to build such lifechanging programs without the support of both key partners who support the local communities at every level,” he said. The Hunter and Central Coast Academies of Sport would like to thank the University of Newcastle and ClubsNSW for their ongoing support in athlete education.

MORE THAN SPORT

pathways to university enrolment providing regional youth the tools to succeed thankyou to our valued education partners www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 21

EDUCATION & TRAINING FEATURE

Learning Provides a Bright Future for Seriously ill Children Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Northern NSW has celebrated World Teachers’ Day by recognising the exceptional tutors who help make the journey back to school easier for seriously ill children via the Ronald McDonald Learning Program. The team of qualified and registered teachers, along with speech and occupational therapists, assist school-aged children with serious illnesses and injuries to catch-up on missed education following treatment and recovery.

One of those committed tutors is Kasey, who was introduced to the Learning Program by another teacher at her school. "The Ronald McDonald Learning Program is an avenue of education that has inspired me to be a better teacher and think outside the box for every student,” said Kasey. "The children who have crossed my path have taught me patience and persistence, qualities that are well beyond their years, in many cases. They teach me to value hope and to never give up, regardless of the battle to be faced.” The Ronald McDonald Learning Program provides a suite of educational support services, including therapy sessions and one-on-one tutorials with experienced teachers and is tailored to students’ individual needs. It aims to build each child’s confidence and self-esteem, helping them catch up on their missed education and reach their fullest potential. The Ronald McDonald Learning Program is made possible by the generosity of the local community and funding from the Greater Charitable Foundation. If you’d like to join the Ronald McDonald Learning Program as a tutor, visit www.rmhc. org.au/ronald-mcdonald-learning-program and find out how you can provide a bright future for seriously ill children.

EMP OWERING SURVIVORS

Through Education CASTLE HAS PARTNERED WITH GOT YOUR BACK SISTA, HELPING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GAIN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH A QUALIFICATION. The local disability service provider is facilitating a 12-week course, with 12 women who are due to graduate with a Certificate II in Retail Services in late November. “At the end of the course, our wonderful participants will receive a qualification, will have completed work experience at Village People Op Shop and will be supported by Castle to gain employment in retail! I am so proud of our collaboration with Castle - we do our best work when we work together,” said Melissa Histon, founder of Got Your Back Sista. The course is the first of Castle’s TRIBE initiatives, which aims to help survivors gain confidence and financial independence through mentoring, training, education and long-term employment opportunities. Castle will work closely with community partners such as Got Your Back Sista, Carrie's

Place and NOVA for women and children to connect women to an intimate network of support services. “After the success of our Inclusive 100 Campaign last year, we wanted to keep the momentum up and continue raising awareness of other disadvantaged groups in our community”, said Castle CEO and TRIBE Ambassador, Dianne Hamer. “People who have escaped domestic violence may suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD or physical injuries as a result of their abuse. Though our Disability Employment Service, we can help them access funding for tailored education and employment support”. Castle hopes TRIBE can become a support network, allowing survivors to connect, share stories and inspire each other to transform and rise on their journey to becoming independent, brave and empowered. If you want to join the TRIBE or have an employment opportunity for a survivor of domestic or family violence, visit www.castle.org.au/tribe.

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EDUCATION & TRAINING FEATURE

STU DE N TS D IG D EEP

INTO PROBLEM SOLVING WORDS LIANE MORRIS

BISHOP TYRRELL ANGLICAN COLLEGE HAS CHANGED THE WAY IT TEACHES ITS STUDENTS. It’s called a Deep Learning Framework and is designed to teach pupils how to contribute to the common good, address global challenges and flourish in turbulent and complex times, all whilst maintaining their academic learning. It’s all about creating positive problem solvers and global citizens of the future. Based on the development of six core competencies – creativity, communication, citizenship, critical thinking, character and collaboration – the Deep Learning Framework encourages teachers and the community to stand back, to create the conditions for the learning rather than providing ready-made knowledge so that the students can engage in learning that connects to their own lives and their own passions. “There’s no denying that 2020 has been a challenging time for everyone, including students, but it has been the right time to introduce the Deep Learning Framework which has enabled students to address specific issues that were

exacerbated by COVID-19. Each year group worked on projects that addressed an issue that was important to them,” said Deputy Principal, Tania Lloyd. The secondary school concentrated on kindness as an issue with years 7 and 8 creating Blessing Bags for the homeless. They made the bags themselves, filled them with donations of clothing and blankets and then distributed them to the homeless. During the peak of the pandemic, secondhand stores were closed, and it was difficult for the homeless to get what they needed to survive the winter months. The students even made facemasks and included them in the bags. Students in year 4 looked at the issue of inclusion and through a series of activities, developed their understanding and empathy for vision-impaired people. They made a “picture book” for visually impaired children with raised images, different textures and braille. The year 1 student project, also based on kindness, resulted in The Samaritans being recipients of beautifully decorated boxes full of donations. Students discussed how

lucky they were to have family care, food and a roof over their heads. “They held a Zoom call with The Samaritans to learn about what sort of donations would be required, they wrote letters to send home to parents to gain their support, they created flyers to promote what they were doing, filled the boxes, decorated them and were excited to be able to deliver them,” said Tania. In Kindergarten, they explored what it meant to be a good citizen and worked on a kindness project that raised money for less advantaged parents so they could buy their children presents. They wrote many thank you cards to lots of different people and made Christmas decorations to sell to raise funds. Kyla in KKP class said that “being a good citizen is about sharing your love with others.” Tania says that parents and teachers have welcomed the framework. “It just makes my heart sing when you see children who are normally disengaged from academic learning, discover a passion, something that really excites them. They are learning to be better students and better people. Once they’ve gone through this process, it leads to better learning outcomes overall. They’re learning to learn, and they look forward to it. They don’t want to leave class, or for the project to end.” The Deep Learning Framework will continue to be a core component of the curriculum at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, and it is hoped that students will build on their competencies over the lifetime of their school years, creating good global citizens with critical problem-solving abilities to address the issues of the future.

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www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 23

ROWAN COX, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

EDUCATION & TRAINING FEATURE

Education is Key TO REG ION A L RECOVE RY WORDS ROWAN COX – ATWEA ATWEA’S ROLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO PROVIDE A STABLE LEARNING PLATFORM THAT COULD FLEX AND ADJUST TO THE EVER-CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. There have been many challenges over a long and rich 100-year history to providing adult workers with access to education, but perhaps none quite as impactful as the COVID-19 pandemic. In September, the region’s unemployment rate jumped up to 9 per cent – the highest levels of job losses since the pandemic took hold early this year. While this is not a complete shock to organisations and people working in and around business, education and employment pathway sectors, this fact serves to underline further the importance of our region working to ensure that we have the right support structure for the region’s eventual recovery. Our part, and particularly our role as a provider of education and learning to some of our community’s most vulnerable, is to continue to work across our community to ensure that can we help people. While the college has changed significantly even within the past seven months, its commitment to delivering tailored education and learning solutions for our community has not. Despite the challenges, Atwea has been able to provide learning and education that adds value to individual, community and economic outcomes through skills training, educational qualifications and lifestyle learning options. But, not in the same way or via traditional education pathways. We know that our community need to access affordable and bespoke educational courses that are designed to suit their needs as they navigate through the health and economic challenges of COVID-19. 24 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the college which includes eight campuses in the region (including the Alesco Senior College) that are operated by more than 100 staff who provide learning options to thousands of local people each year. While the organisation continued to hold on to its staff, the delivery of face to face accredited and non-accredited courses were put on hold. However, Atwea has since advanced its plans for a new online teaching platform and has been successful in attracting additional government funding to provide facilitated learning. A NSW Government grant earlier this year provided additional skills training for the growing number of unemployed in our community, while in just a few weeks a record number of high school students will graduate from the Alesco Senior College. Importantly, our focus has been on ensuring delivery of online and blended learning platforms specifically for people who have been redeployed, unemployed, low to middle-income adults who were at home and considering future job prospects. Atwea offers courses in skill sets in focussed service industries, business, health and community services. It also provides training for entry-level job seekers through customised skill sets. Within the next few months, our region will need to respond further to the impacts of unemployment and job displacement. At the heart of this is the need to ensure that we work collaboratively to identify ways to support people to secure a job or create a job, This is about providing access to affordable and relevant skills training. Atwea is well prepared and is working with businesses, organisations, the not for profit sector and the wider community to develop the right courses and learning experiences now and into the future – whatever that might look like.

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WORDS LARA O'DONNELL – Tailored HQ

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN LIKE NO OTHER FOR EVERYONE. THERE’S BEEN FEAR, CLARITY AND APPRECIATION AND AWARENESS IN HOME LIFE AND IN WORK-LIFE (WHICH BECAME ONE THIS YEAR TOO!)

In our business, we have seen an amazing increase in clients updating their homes as a result of having spent much more time there. We have become aware that our personal environments play a huge part in our everyday life. People have become more mindful of the importance of ensuring their spaces are lovely and comfortable. It has meant the importance of space, and the pieces in the spaces have been brought to the forefront. As a result, we at Tailored HQ have been brought in to many homes this year to improve the home space. Full house renovations have exploded. Quality finishes, fixtures and décor have been prevalent. It’s always been part of our ethos to ensure each client has a ‘tailored’ design to their own brief and not a cookie-cutter finish that matches everyone else. Usually, we specify pieces and order them for a specific customer. However, despite most being relatively understanding of the freight delays this year, it seems this time of year is where it has all come to a head. Suppliers aren’t flying stock in, and there are port delays for container ships due to the sheer number, as well as strikes. As a result, we have increased our offering of accessories and objects into our showroom to allow for an easy pull for clients and shoppers. We’ve brought in fun things for every age, including kids! Our newest brand you’ll see too is Ferm Living. A stunning Danish brand whose

Interior Design | Curtains & Blinds Custom Furniture | Art | Accessories pieces are both beautiful and functional. In their own words:

“Our soft forms, rich textures and deep colours allow you to create an authentic and composed atmosphere, while avant-garde shapes, striking patterns, and curious details add a touch of the unexpected. From our base in Copenhagen, we work with artisans around the world, fusing our Scandinavian mindset with global skills and traditions. We take our responsibility to people and the planet seriously and expect the same of our partners. We create collections of furniture, accessories and lighting, so you can create space to feel comfortably you.” – Ferm Living So why am I telling you this? Because Christmas is coming! It is something we can look forward to. Our showroom will be Christmas-ified this week to bring joy for the rest of this crazy year. And this year, spend the time to shop local when you can. Ordering products now means they may not arrive in time. Support a local business, explore new places and shops, and give experiences to your loved ones. The city this year won’t be closed down for Supercars, so the local businesses have the chance for a full Christmas trade. Please support them. Let’s finish this year off together on a high note.

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NEWCASTLE SEED LIBRARY

LAKE MACQUARIE MAYOR CR KAY FRASER – BELMONT BATHS WATER REFILL STATION WITH DOG ARCHIE

Around the

CHAMBERS

From business surveys to smart bubblers in Lake Macquarie, discovering new frog species in Port Stephens, Morph-It in Maitland and Waste Avengers in Cessnock to creating a seed library in Newcastle. Right across the region, we’ve been busy working towards a better future. What’s been happening in your local community this month?

SEED LIBRARY HARVESTS NEW COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP Newcastle Libraries will harvest the flourishing momentum for home vegetable gardens with the launch of the City’s first free Seed Library. One of the unexpected outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a national surge in the number of people growing fresh herbs and vegetables at home. Newcastle Libraries will help cultivate this trend further by offering a variety of free seeds that residents can ‘borrow’ from the library to plant in their own gardens. Residents will be encouraged to share in the fruits of each other’s labour by returning seeds from their next harvest to the library to help re-stock and expand the collection.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the Newcastle Seed Library was an innovative community partnership project that would continue to flourish and grow as more people became involved. “Growing your own vegetables is a fantastic way to teach children about the life cycle of plants while learning new seed-saving skills yourself. The best thing is you don’t need a huge amount of space to get started, with many of the plants able to be grown in pots.” The Seed Library is being piloted at Wallsend Library with additional branches to be added depending on demand. For more information visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au LAKE MACQUARIE COUNCIL LAUNCHES LOCAL BUSINESS SURVEY Lake Macquarie City Council is hoping to hear from local businesses about how it can better support them and provide information about opportunities across the city. Council has launched an online business survey to capture feedback from the more than 12,000 businesses that call Lake Mac home.

Since 1784

“This year hasn’t gone as expected for many businesses across our city; it’s been really tough. We have a wonderful community of businesses, the majority of which are small business owners, and it’s important that they feel informed and have the support from Council if they need it,” said Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser. “We know business owners are incredibly busy, often working from home and in the evenings at all different hours, even when they are closed. We want to find out what kind of information they need and what is going to be helpful, as well as what is the best way to provide it to them. I’m keen to hear their feedback and encourage our local businesses to participate in the survey.” The business survey is open until Friday 27 November, with Council staff also visiting economic centres and industrial areas around the city to talk to business owners face to face. Visit shape.lakemac.com.au/business-survey to complete the Lake Mac Business survey. HUNTER WATER PARTNERSHIP DELIVERS TWO NEW SMART WATER BUBBLERS IN LAKE MAC Lake Macquarie City Council has partnered with Hunter Water this National Water Week to deliver two new smart water refill stations in Cardiff and at Belmont Baths. The initiative aligns with both organisations efforts to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles, while also raising awareness of water conservation across our community. Lake Macquarie Mayor, Cr Kay Fraser said the new water bubblers were a great way to remind people about their water use, but they also provide accessible, easy to use stations to refill water bottles when people are out and about around the city. ▶

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The stations are easy to use when refilling your water bottle and they even include a foot pedal to fill a bowl of fresh water for our furry friends. They are a vast improvement on the traditional bubblers and will help our city continue our shift towards becoming a smart, water sensitive city.â&#x20AC;? For more information on ways you can love water, visit www.hunterwater.com.au/lovewater DISCOVERING MAHONYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TOADLET The discovery of a new frog species and the journey to protect it, has landed Port Stephens Council the Roadside Environment Management Award at the Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards 2020. Announced at a virtual ceremony, the award recognises Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Discovering Mahonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Toadlet â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a journey to expand the Hunter and Central Coast Roadside Environmental Marker Schemeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project. Port Stephens Council General Manager Wayne Wallis recognises the contribution the project has made to protect wildlife across our region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the newly discovered species was found in our region in 2016, and placed on the threatened species list the

following year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we had to do our part to protect them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As part of the project, we carried out a range of roadside surveys and data collection across the area which concluded in March 2020. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The findings have now been incorporated into our environmental management system and standard operating procedures to protect the threatened species. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This work has also created a new amphibian roadside marker category for the existing Hunter Joint Organisation Regional Roadside Environment Marker Scheme used by other road authorities across the Hunter Region,â&#x20AC;? he said. The project was assisted by the NSW Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Environmental Trust and supported by LGNSW through the Council Roadside Reserves Environmental Grant Program. MORPH IT IN MORPETH An exciting project, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Morph Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, will see public space unlocked in Morpeth through temporary street installations, artwork and a range of programs running until Sunday 29 November. Morph It is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Maitland City Council, and Mayor Loretta Baker says â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Morph It seeks to change the hierarchy of the streets in a way thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complementary to the townshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique character and history to increase visitation and social connection in Morpeth. As part of the project, Green Street will receive a temporary painted road artwork between Swan Street and Elizabeth Street. Seating, street furniture and a marquee will be installed on Berkley Street between Swan and Close Street. Two unique temporary outdoor seating and dining areas have been built using shipping containers and will be installed on Swan Street. A 150m dedicated walking and cycle path will be marked

by creative road art to connect Swan Street to Queens Wharf, via Queens Wharf Road. The project will feature an activation program that includes farmers markets, live music, antique discovery day, yard games and kids art activities. The programming will run from Friday to Sunday across the duration of the project. For more information on the Morph It project visit www.mymaitland.com.au/morph-it WASTE AVENGERS SAVE PLANET EARTH! Cessnock City Council has launched the Waste Avengers Blog â&#x20AC;&#x201C; designed for the superhero in all of us who wants to do their bit to avoid waste and save planet Earth! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an online space where community members, organisations and businesses can share their own experiences, journeys, ideas and tips on waste avoidance. Residents will hear from Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passionate Waste and Environment Team who will be making entries about what they do to avoid generating waste and some of the challenges they have faced in doing so. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critical we get people not only to recycle properly but to think about the way they create waste in their daily lives. This is the most effective way to address the copious amounts of waste produced across the globe,â&#x20AC;? says Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s General Manager, Lotta Jackson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I consider myself a Waste Avenger. In my household, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy any single-use plastics. In fact, the decisions we make daily mean we only have to empty our general rubbish bin once a month.â&#x20AC;? Community members will be able to discuss the posts and connect with like-minded people in the online discussion board. Visit www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/waste-avengers â&#x2013;

Â Â?Â?Â? Â? Â Â Â Â? Â? Â&#x20AC; Â&#x201A;Â&#x192; Â? Â&#x201A; Â? Â&#x201A; Â?

Â&#x201E;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2020; Â&#x201E;Â&#x2020;Â&#x201E;Â&#x201E; www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 29

WH AT T HE Federal

Budget Means for Your Small Business WORDS ALAN SPICE – Growthwise THIS YEAR’S FEDERAL BUDGET IS CERTAINLY NOT THE NORM; IT'S ALL ABOUT SPENDING TO CONTINUE TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY...

BOOSTING APPRENTICE WAGE SUBSIDY This subsidy is for any new apprentice or trainee you hire after the 5 October 2020. They can be first-year or mid-way through an apprenticeship. The subsidy is 50% of the gross wages paid from 5 October 2020 to 30 September 2021, up to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. For your existing apprentices that are no longer receiving Jobkeeper, the 50% wages subsidy will continue until 31 March 2021. JOBMAKER Designed to move young Australians from Jobseeker into the workforce. The credit will be $200 per week for employees aged 16 to 29 and $100 per week for employees aged 30 to 35. To qualify, your business can’t be on Jobkeeper, and the

position must be an ‘additional’ position, i.e. your headcount at 30 September needs to increase along with your payroll amount. The employee will need to work a minimum of 20 hours per week each quarter and must have received Jobseeker, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment during at least one of the three months before their employment. If your business and the employee qualify, then this will be available for each new job created from 7 October 2020 to 6 October 2021. You also need to have an ABN, be up to date with tax lodgements, be registered for PAYG withholding and report via Single-Touch payroll. FULL EXPENSING OF ASSETS Assets purchased from 7.30pm on 6 October to 30 June 2022 will be able to be claimed as a tax deduction in full in the year they are ‘installed’ rather than depreciated over a number of years. For any assets already purchased between 1 July 2020 and 6 October, if the cost is less than $150,000 and the asset is installed ready for use before 30 June 2021 you will still be able to claim in full. Small businesses with a turnover less than $10 million can also deduct the balance of any simplified depreciation pools at the end of the year while the full expensing rules apply. Remember this is a tax deduction and not a handout from the government. You still need to be able to fund this purchase. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Instead of the proposed cuts to the R&D tax incentive, we are now looking at an additional $2 billion being added to the program.

For those with a turnover of less than $20 million, the R&D tax offset is 18.5% on top of the Company Tax Rate. This will start from 1 July 2021. There will be no cap on the refund amount either which is great news. LOSS CARRY-BACK FOR COMPANIES If you usually make a loss in your business, this ‘loss’ gets carried forward to future years for you to offset against future profits. These new rules allow you to ‘carry-back’ these losses effectively giving you a refund of prior tax paid. Losses that you incur in FY20, FY21 or FY22 will be able to carry-back against profits made in or after the FY19. For example – let’s assume in FY19 you made a profit of $500,000 for the year, and therefore paid $137,500 in tax. Due to COVID, you made a loss of $100,000 in FY20, and you purchased some additional equipment and made a loss of $300,000 in FY21. The loss that would qualify for the carry-back is $400,000, i.e. FY20 + FY21. In this example, you would receive $110,000 as a refund when you lodge your FY21 Tax Return. Remember, it’s always a good idea to get some professional advice, and Growthwise is here to help. For contact details visit www.growthwise.com.au Alan is the co-founder of Growthwise, an accounting firm in Newcastle. Alan is an SMSF Specialist who helps people prepare for a worry-free retirement.

HUNTER BUSINESS AWARDS 2020

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As we go to print, finalists for the 2020 Hunter Business Awards are about to be announced (not in time for our deadline sorry – but you can find the complete list of finalists at www.businesschamber.com. au). This year's awards will, of course, be COVID-friendly, boasting a new presentation format and a special award to recognise our region’s COVID Business Hero. The Awards will be contested in 17 categories, with the winners to be presented with their awards at a live, COVID Safe gala ceremony at the Civic Theatre on Friday 20 November. “We know how much the Awards mean to businesses in our region and, in the spirit of the times, we have been thinking outside the square to find a way to deliver an awards program with the prestige and excitement that our business community has come to expect,” said Hunter Business Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes.

“The new ‘people’s choice’ award will go to a business that has demonstrated innovation, resilience and goodwill in response to COVID. We want to make the 2020 Hunter Business Awards one to remember, despite current restrictions. “We have created the COVID Business Hero Award to recognise the extra effort businesses have made to overcome adversity during the pandemic period and continue to support their employees, other businesses or their communities,” he said. The gala ceremony will be a theatrestyle presentation with ticketed seating and drinks and finger food service conducted in compliance with the venue’s COVID Safe plan. If COVID restrictions are tightened, there is a contingency to take the event online. Mr Hawes said the Hunter Business Chamber was proud to be once again partnering with the University of Newcastle to present the Awards.

For ticketing information, visit www.businesschamber.com.au

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Catch the Travel Bug! WORDS KIM-CHERIE DAVIDSON – LIVE YOUR LIST From one throw-away remark, this Warners Bay massage therapist went from never travelling overseas to being a globe trotter. As an armchair traveller, Christine Stewart was captivated by Canada with its glacial lakes and snow-capped mountains. Being single, she never thought of going by herself. That was until her daughter Samantha mentioned she was off to Vancouver to catch up with school friends. As a joke, Christine said can I come too? The unexpected reply was yes. “It started from there. It was to be my once in a lifetime trip. Canada, especially the Rocky Mountains, and Stonehenge were the only places I wanted to go.” On 30 June 2005, Christine left Australia for a six-week trip. For the first part, Canada and New York, she would travel with Samantha, then by herself to London and Singapore. “I decided to go and visit other places as I never thought there would be another chance to travel overseas again,” said Christine. She was not disappointed by Canada – the lakes and mountains were picture-postcard perfect. Stonehenge was mystical; however, Christine was disappointed as she wanted to be close to the sacred site and feel its energy, which wasn’t possible. During the trip, there were a few surprises. North of Vancouver in the mountain resort of Whistler, Christine had her first hot stone massage; the treatment included hot stones being massaged over her body. “It was a great sensation — very soothing. It inspired me to learn this technique for my clients. Though I have never had another hot stone massage quite like it,” she said. With a love of gardens, Christine was enthralled by the Butchart Gardens, Victoria, Vancouver Island, and its initiator Jenny Butchart’s passion to turn her

GRAND OPENING VIP EVENT EVENT 21ST+22ND NOV backyard, a former limestone quarry, into a sunken garden. “She had the vision and created it. They were magnificent — colourful, vibrant, and peaceful, all in one place.” While the Rocky Mountains were high on Christine’s must-see list, the 14-day tour of the region – Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper – took her breath away. “My favourite moment was on Lake Louise. Samantha and I decided to see the lake by canoe. We ended up paddling to the middle of the lake to eat our lunch. It was the most wonderful experience surrounded by the mountains, the glacier cascading into the lake, the icy cold water, and crisp, clean air. It was so peaceful and beautiful.” On the east coast, the highlight was Niagara Falls and the full experience via the Maid of the Mist boat trip, the tunnel tour, and last but not least the viewing platform. “It was such a glorious day; the falls were wonderous and splendid. The spray soaked us, and at times the mist was so strong we could not see. The roar was deafening, and I loved having the water drops on me. It was so beautiful to see, feel, smell, and hear. The water’s power was magnificent.” For Christine, the biggest surprise was that she caught the travel bug! “The one thing on my bucket list was to travel to Canada and Stonehenge. It gave me the taste of worldly experiences, and I started to think of other places I might want to visit.“ In 2017, she met her husband Garth, and they started travelling together. Christine’s favourite places to date have been Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil, Egypt, Machu Picchu, and the Galapagos Islands. “Oh, and India, I loved it — the people and feel of it. I never wanted to go there and ended up going twice in a year.” The next places on her list are Ireland, southern England, Hawaii, New Zealand and Tasmania. “We had planned to go to Uluru this year. However, with COVID, our trip was cancelled – so maybe next year.”

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STRESS

And Dental Disease PART 2

WORDS ALEX HUSZTI - BelleDental

We talk about stress every day – our interpretation being that stress is a form of negative emotion. The use of the word negative is a very intuitive way to interpret stress. One of the best explanations of stress that I have come across is the description provided by Dr Paul Dobransky. In his series MindOS (the operating system of the mind), he speaks about our boundaries, and how our boundaries are like a “semi-permeable membrane” where if we have good boundary management, we are able to regulate what gets into our internal space. We can make allowances for

Alex has had a career focused on low-biologic cost reconstructive cosmetic dental care – common sense teeth for life.

STRESS IMPACTS DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT WAYS. Everyone is strong in at least one aspect of their being – in the same way, we all have weaknesses. No one is strong on all fronts. It is these susceptibilities that stress can exploit. In some ways, some may consider this as a signal from the universe, helping us work on our areas of vulnerability.

the entry of positive emotions (emotions = energy), and to a significant degree, we can diminish or even block the entry of negative emotions. In this way, if we wake up one morning – we’ve had a really restful sleep, we’ve got a day lined up that has elements that we are looking forward to, the birds are chirping, and the sun is rising – we may consider ourselves content and optimally challenged by life – our score inside our boundary is 100 points. We make ourselves a healthy breakfast, shower and get dressed for work, jump in the car and... the car has a flat battery – $ #!%. Please subtract 20 points from your wellbeing score. You’re now down to 80 points. Each time you choose to relive the experience of your flat battery in the car... you lose 20 points. As you can see, it’s not difficult to head into negative territory (in terms of energy balance) very quickly! So what does this have to do with dental disease…? Firstly, by becoming emotionally charged by the flat battery event, not only do we accept the negative energy (create an entry point in our boundary), we may even escalate the “loss.” We’ve all got choices about our responses. Secondly, research indicates that emotional stress has a very close link to our immunity. Negative emotional stress can reduce our immune response, and the immune response is very closely linked to gum disease. Our teeth are the only place in our body where a structure (teeth) penetrate a mucous membrane (the lining of the tube that runs from your mouth to the other end). This penetration of the mucous membrane creates a unique immunological scenario. The area we are talking about is the gum and ►

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Stretch it Out!

WORDS TOM RUSSELL – NextGen Physio

bone immediately adjacent to all of the teeth. There is a small fold of gum – a pocket – that runs around each tooth. This is part of the transition zone from the external environment to the internal environment. This unique organization of the tissues around teeth, in combination with the close interdependence between emotions and immune response, can be a factor in the development and progression of gum disease. In fact, I have seen several patients where the impact of emotional stress has resulted in the rapid progression of gum disease, even in the presence of regular home care routines. Home care (cleaning between teeth with floss or interdental brushes and tooth brushing) is critical for our dental health. Less attention is given to how we process emotions – and the effect that emotional stress can have on our general health and immune response.

POSTSCRIPT: This article may sound like I’m some sort of guru around emotional stress. In fact, I’ve struggled with the management of emotions all of my life. I have found the work of Dr Paul Dobransky – particularly MindOS – helpful in the understanding of emotions and how we think. I would commend Dr Paul’s work to anyone that is interested in understanding themselves better. ■

THIS IS MY MOST RECOMMENDED STRETCH

IF YOU COULD ONLY DO ONE STRETCH FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? THIS QUESTION REALLY DOESN’T MAKE SENSE FOR A PHYSIOTHERAPIST TO ANSWER! ANY ASPECTS OF OUR HEALTH, NOT JUST THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH PAIN AND INJURY, REQUIRE A PLANNED, HOLISTIC APPROACH. WE ALL KNOW THERE IS NO MAGIC BULLET OR SOLUTION, AND WE CERTAINLY DON’T PROMISE THAT TO OUR PATIENTS! BUT THIS IS FUN, RIGHT? I want to share with you the one stretch I think everyone should do if you could only do one stretch for the rest of your life. To really answer this question, I had to consider a few things. Firstly I had to ask myself – what is the one thing human beings are doing too much of at the moment from a movement perspective. And it’s actually, a lack of movement... too much sitting! When we sit for prolonged periods, our hips tighten up, our spine stiffens, our shoulders get sore, and we lose global strength in our body. A great stretch that is almost the “anti-sitting” position is highlighted above right. So yes, because of how much we all sit in this crazy, modern world this would be it, “the one”! This position is excellent because it not only stretches the hip flexor muscles but if you squeeze your bottom, brace your core and pull shoulders down

it becomes an activation exercise to wake up those dormant muscles that fall asleep with prolonged sitting. Hold the position for two sets of 30-60 seconds on each side, making sure you stay nice and tall and tuck your pelvis underneath. Try it every day and as always, if the position is painful, see your physio or give us a call on 4965 5712 to make an appointment.

Born and raised in Tamworth, multiple knee injuries as a sport-loving country kid led Tom down the path of Physiotherapy. Soon after graduating, Tom started NextGen Physio and along with his amazing team of therapists, loves the excitement and challenge of helping athletes, weekend warriors and everyone inbetween be pain and injury-free!

The Next Generation in Physiotherapy RECOVER | MAINTAIN | PREVENT Next-Gen Physio is a clinic located in Kotara. The name came about after owner Tom’s overarching philosophy and mission of providing a fresh hands on approach whilst utilising the very best, new generation assessment and treatment tools to assist patients achieve longer term, optimal health. This fresh approach to the physiotherapy services became the mantra and in 2014, Next-Gen Physio was born. Our aim from the outset is to treat patients holistically and the goal will always be to assist patients to recover as quickly as possible, maintain this progress and prevent future health concerns.

PH 02 4965 5712 E admin@nextgenphysio.com.au FIND US 4/76 Park Avenue, Kotara www.nextgenphysio.com.au @nextgenphysio www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 33

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Wellness & Recovery WORDS MONTANA ROSEKELLY – Planet Fitness Lambton

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YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY – EXERCISE IS MEDICINE. SO THEN, IF EXERCISE IS AN ENDORPHIN-LOADED NATURAL REMEDY, THEN RECOVERY IS THE MEANS OF EMBRACING ALL THE GREAT BENEFITS FROM THAT MEDICINE.

and outcomes, allowing your recovery to be a domain of your selective decision making. Like a menu for your body, you’ll have to try one of each to find your favourite.

Recovery has been a buzz word in the health and fitness industry, gaining more and more prevalence over the last five years. With each year recovery has been gaining traction, there has been a surge in health clubs and gyms alike incorporating innovative wellness and recovery tools for their members and guests. Health clubs have recognised that more and more people of all demographics and physical needs are looking to add preventative wellness extras to their routines, and why wouldn’t they? A water-bed hydromassage to finish my workout? Sign me up! It is an unfortunate (but true, nevertheless) point that we must first stress the body before we can fuel positive change. However, the only pathway to achieving those results is through recovery from our bodies stresses. Here is where we meet that paradox you always hear from the fitness industry, that exercise itself is bodily stress that stimulates positivity, relief, and regeneration. It’s the one and only “good” stress demonstrating the critical importance of dedicating ourselves and our bodies to this exercise-recovery balance, just as much as we do to a treadmill or a Pilates class. Aside from these logical and textbook scientific reasons for recovery, it also just feels fantastic. The activities in designed recovery systems fully allow you to indulge in needed “feel good” endorphins, plus they also support psychological restoration from stress. Moreover, you can find a recovery strategy that fits into your desires and lifestyle, allowing you to choose what benefits you the most. You can select from simple to complex stretching, breathing, massage, meditation, nutrition, hydrotherapy, ice-baths, saunas – all the way up to cryotherapy or isolation tanks and more. Each strategy stimulates different effects

At Planet Fitness, we have invested in adding an entire Spa zone to each of our clubs to offer unique recovery options and bring a little extra rejuvenation to our member’s fitness journeys. You’ll find the Spa’s fitted out with massage chairs, infrared saunas and luxurious hydro-massage lounges, and all just a doorway away from the main gym floor. The Spa’s showstopper is by far the hydro-massage lounges, which provide a 10-minute full-body experience to loosen and restore nutrients to muscles, increase oxygen and blood flow into the muscles, and remove lactic acid build-up for soreness prevention. Even better, the hydro-massage lounges do not require clothing removal, and are fully customisable for each member’s needs, with adjustments available for speed, intensity and massage location. The beauty in allowing the members to have full adjustment control shines in the array of hydro-massage benefits – from improved blood circulation and better lymphatic drainage to diminished pain and fast-tracked rehabilitation. Scott Hopson, Board Member to Power Plate, says of these benefits “Individually, these outcomes are impressive. Combined, they are a game-changer.” In the fitness world, the words “game-changer” ring loud and clear, and the ripples of the impact of recovery are catching on. So, if you find yourself wondering what the last element in your exercise regime is, look no further than the key to reaping the rewards of your hard work, and step into one of our Planet Fitness Spa’s, available at Lambton, Belmont and Charlestown.

ON TOUR WITH THE KID

The Election Cycle is Almost Over, but the Fight Continues… WORDS CHLOE O’SULLIVAN – ON TOUR WITH THE KID I have been a political junkie for as long as I can remember. I was eight when Bob Hawke was first elected, and I remember that election night being glued to the screen and excited to find out that he had won. In the years he was in office, he was considered a centrist. He was a loyal Union man, loved his cricket, golf, and a good cigar and got us Medicare. In 1984, he also deregulated Australia's currency so that global financial markets, not the Reserve Bank, would determine its value. He also helped privatise the state-owned banking sector and reduced tariffs. On his passing, just before Australia's federal election in 2019, he was being honoured not only by Labour movement figures but also by business leaders – a sign of the wide respect he had across the political spectrum. He was tough

when he needed to be, but you also didn't need to dig that deep to see him connect to his humanity. When I hear people describe the current leader of the United States of America as a guy who ‘says the things we are all thinking’ it doesn't make me think better of Trump, it makes me think worse of the person who is speaking. Do you want to be able to be able to call women fat pigs and dogs and imply in a national press conference that she isn’t attractive enough to rape? Do you want to be able to tell citizens of your own country (who happen not to be white), to go back to where they came from? Do you want to be able to belittle the sacrifice of men and woman who have served their country by calling them losers and attacking their families? None of these things makes you a good person. If you were at a BBQ at my house and said these things aloud, you wouldn’t have time to get the sauce on your sausage sandwich before I asked you to leave. I would never let things like that be said in front of the kid because I don’t want her to think that is acceptable. So why the hell would we put up with it from someone meant to be leading the free world. Science is not political; it's factual. Prejudice, misogyny, and racism are not a political viewpoint; they are disgusting. Until we can come together on those fundamental points of human decency, I will continue to do everything to advance us to the point where we do. My mum always taught me to vote not for the position I’m in now but keeping in mind if the

FOR

government I’m choosing to give my vote to would care for people on their worst day. If they are sick or homeless; if they came to us looking for safety and a better life. Speak up for the politicians who do the right thing. We should all speak out against people who do things that would make you kick them out of a BBQ. It shouldn’t matter if they share your political ideology. Wrong is wrong. We are at a precipice. Not just the people we laugh at in the states, but all over the world. Nationalistic governments who galvanize their supporters through fear and hate have sprung up everywhere, and it is up to us to speak out against them. Progress is winning the war, but it is up to us to fight each battle.

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NEW HOME FOR ANGLICAN CARE IN GLOUCESTER Mirrabooka Place in Clement Street has been a hive of activity over the past 24 months, as Anglican Care and the Gloucester community celebrated the opening of the purpose-built facility late last month. The 50-bed home has been designed to offer an environment of wellbeing and happiness, facilitating opportunities for social interaction and time outdoors. The $16,971,079 million development was made possible with the assistance of an $8 million Australian Government Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF). The project, incredibly, was only a few weeks behind schedule despite delays due to site work required before construction, bush fires, droughts, a shortage of building supplies and, of course, COVID-19. The development has had a genuine positive flow-on to the local economy with as many local tradespeople, contractors and suppliers locally sourced and recruited.

Everything that could be done locally was done that way. Federal Member for Lyne, The Honourable Dr David Gillespie has been supportive of the project from its inception and is excited to see the project come to fruition. “The Anglican Care development certainly offers the community significant social and economic benefits, and I am so pleased to see locals moving into their beautiful new home,” he said. “Gloucester is recognised as having one of the highest proportions of people over the age of 65 in NSW, with 28.4% compared to the state overage of 15.7%,” said Dr Gillespie. “This project has not only delivered a boost to our local economy but now provides long term options for aged care services for locals who live here and those people considering making the tree change to the beautiful Gloucester Valley.”

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

STAR OF THE MONTH SCORPIO 23 OCT– 21 NOV With Jupiter in your communication sector, new studies are easier to learn, and money is easier to earn. Still, nothing negates the appalling emotional year you’ve just suffered. Good news: the worst is over. You now live life on your own terms, but there are some conditions. Mostly, it would help if you unloaded burdensome memories - many aren’t worth their weight. In the meantime, Mars conjures up passion. Singles crave stability but may be drawn to wilder flirtations. Couples rediscover their magic. Platonic friendships also grow, with an old friend coming back within reach. New relationships started this year will always have a powerful influence on your life.

SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 21 November is a time for tying up pesky loose ends and breaking bad habits. For example, often you say “yes” – when you really mean “no”. There’s no getting around it: changes need to be made, with some difficult situations coming to a close altogether. But it’s not a case of being punished for past lapses of judgment – the universe doesn’t work that way. It’s just that for every ending there’s usually a new beginning. CAPRICORN 22 DECEMBER – JANUARY 19 The planets tinker with your dream states and, as a result, your intuition heightens – as do any latent clairvoyant abilities. Should your inner voice whisper sound advice, follow its bidding. Those feeling a tad sexier than usual can look forward to a romantic fling. Watch your expectations, though, as this isn’t a rock-solid phase. For happy couples, love grows more passionate, and perhaps a tad more experimental.

rediscover your true potential. It’s all a matter of making the right contacts and then choosing the right direction. ARIES MARCH 21 – APRIL 20 November sends a tremble through your sector of secrets, hinting at hidden romance. Should the affair go public, it’s good news for some – disastrous for others. Singles get a better time of it. But whether single or settled, this month finds you in the mood to spend. At work, you attract influential company. A temptation to mix business with pleasure, perhaps? It’s your call. TAURUS 21 APRIL – 20 MAY Think back on your life and remember a time when the stresses of life didn’t weigh you down. Recall the joy of just being alive. Somewhere, at some time – you’ve felt this. If you haven’t been feeling that way lately, know that you can again. Think about how you could make changes that allow you to take time out – enough time for a well-earned break – or perhaps even a few weeks of leave? GEMINI 21 MAY – 21 JUNE This month, Geminis develop a knack for transforming the seemingly insignificant into potential success. Every event, every job and every setback becomes an amazing opportunity for growth. Not only on a material level but emotionally and spiritually as well. And in choosing to love life, no matter what crosses your path – you create an infectious aura of joy and prosperity which can’t help but captivate and inspire others.

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CANCER 22 JUNE – 22 JULY A lively skirmish between power planets brings even more confusion to those already in a quandary. Mars is energetic, but Saturn is practical and solid. So you have one enthusiastic force encouraging you to go for it, while its opposite number counsels restraint. All you can do is adapt to situations as you find them. Upside: whether single or coupled, the cosmos encourages romance.

THE CONCEPT DESIGN FOR THE NEW, SEVENSTOREY ACUTE SERVICES BUILDING FOR JOHN HUNTER AND JOHN HUNTER’S CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS HAS BEEN UNVEILED, MARKING A MILESTONE FOR THE NSW GOVERNMENT’S $780 MILLION HEALTH PRECINCT.

LEO 23 JULY – 22 AUGUST 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. Our lives often put forward dilemmas. If your world is unbalanced, perhaps because it’s all work and no play. Mercury encourages study. The Sun also encourages a style spruce-up. New clothes, hair and makeup – discover a fabulous “new” you! VIRGO 23 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER You now find the courage to be yourself, with little apology. Playful Jupiter also stimulates a plethora of pleasurable appetites. Your capacity for personal enjoyment expands, as could your waistline. Don't overdo a good thing. Sexually, you don't feel the need to hold back - and what you may learn is that honesty is a great asset – some Virgos partner up with a partner from a completely different background.

AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY – 18 FEBRUARY There’s no avoiding the truth, which has been a long time coming; but whichever way the dust settles, you emerge looking presentable. You haven’t been too happy lately, so perhaps it’s time to take stock – keep what serves you and discard the rest. Go wherever your ambitions take you, Aquarius. Look for that new job, move house or start your own business. Your quest is to discover the silver lining and turn it into gold.

LIBRA 23 SEPTEMBER–22 OCTOBER We all need a helping hand every so often. November introduces a wise mentor who can bring new wisdom into your life. As a bonus, the Sun focuses on finances. Nothing less than worthy recompense will cut it now. And don’t worry if less scrupulous colleagues try to steal your glory. With you one step ahead, they’ll be left straggling two steps behind. Love also features. Business trips too.

PISCES 19 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH November promises increased cash flow, although Mars is keen to squander money on your behalf. But if the budgets tally, then spend up guilt-free. If single, there’s a sense of adventure in the air. For dissatisfied couples, it’s more of a make-or-break time. At work, retraining or networking allows you to

TANYA OBREZA was born in Slovenija and emigrated to Australia with her parents as a young girl. It was during her first visit to England that Tanya was introduced to astrology, and in 1980 she gained her London Faculty of Astrological Studies qualifications. Over the years, Tanya has established an extensive and wide-ranging international following, mostly due to her reassuring, down to earth presence.

38 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

The Last Word...

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct would drive significant economic growth in the Greater Newcastle region, generating jobs in construction and health. “John Hunter hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in NSW, and this investment will provide enhanced health facilities ensuring the region has a world-class hospital to cater to its growing population,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Construction of the precinct will support more than 3,000 jobs over the life of the project, helping stimulate the economy, a key component of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 recovery plan.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redevelopment would significantly increase critical care capacity, with a 60 per cent increase in the Intensive Care Unit capacity and almost 50 per cent more theatres, interventional suites and procedural spaces.

Images thanks to

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