M erry C hristmas and a Happy N ew Y ear
SUMMER 2016/17
NEWS A magical night of Christmas carols
AT HOME First-time buyers love the outdoors
COOKING Cool things to do with kids
Nippers to the rescue! The little local lifesavers who surf, swim and save lives
ABOUT WATAGAN PARK At Watagan Park we believe in the outdoors and the lifestyle it has to offer. With the Watagan Mountains in the west and Lake Macquarie in the east, natural reserves, big backyards, trails, picnic spots, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches to explore and mountains to climb, families have more opportunity to get outside and live a healthy, safe and peaceful lifestyle.
GETTING AROUND Watagan Park is only seven minutes’ drive to the M1 and eight minutes to Morisset train station. You can be at Central Station in under two hours or at the end of the freeway in 50 minutes. Newcastle is a 30 minute drive away.
WATAGAN PARK LIFESTYLE We’ve kept all our blocks of land large enough to accommodate the ultimate outdoor lifestyle – there’s room for veggie gardens, pools, backyard cricket or a back deck big enough to cater for the whole extended family – and they’re affordable too. With our flat blocks, tailored house and land packages and access to services, it’s easy to build that dream home you’ve always wanted for your family.
OUR COMMUNITY We live for a peaceful, safe and worry-free lifestyle, and community is an important part of that. To build a community people need to be outside, meeting neighbours and joining the conversation, which is why we have designed Watagan Park with integrating thoroughfares that connect each area of the community, and nice quiet streets for neighbourly cricket games.
Johnson Property Group is one of the largest private developers of residential land in New South Wales. Combining a passion for creating vibrant and sustainable communities with a vision for the future. Johnson Property Group is committed to the Watagan Park Community and investing in its success and growth in the future. We’d love to hear from you about what you would like to see happen or change that we can potentially help play a part in. Please email your feedback to marketing director Kristy Lee at kristy@johnsonpropertygroup.com.au
EDITORIAL TEAM Editor: Kathryn Vukovljak Journalists: Kate Meikle and Alison Buckland Graphic design: Janet Ewen Proof reader: Glenda Anderson Front cover photo by: Phill Walmsley Proudly published for Johnson Property Group by Macquarie Publishing Pty Ltd on 6262 9100
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Watagan Park 2 Watagan Park News • Summer 2016
Summertime and the living is... SUMMER is truly in the air and with it comes the promise of holidays and time to relax with the family and recharge for the challenges of the New Year.
stars Amber Lawrence and Peter Dixon are performing and there will be amusement park rides, a jumping castle, a Texas barbecue and wood-fired pizzas.
We are ending the year with a solid demand in land sales, with people swapping Sydney for the wonderful prospect of the Watagan Park lifestyle. Stages 2.3 and 2.6 are finalising and, as always, I look forward to welcoming those new residents commencing their building phase in the coming months. It is always personally satisfying to see an estate take shape with all the different housing choices and the arrival of proud families.
And, of course, Santa will make a visit and the evening will end with fireworks.
I am especially looking forward to sharing the season at the Carols at Avondale School picnic, which Watagan Park is sponsoring from 6pm on Sunday, December 11. Country
In closing, I want to sincerely wish all our wonderful residents and buyers a safe and enjoyable summer holiday and all the very best for the exciting year ahead. Keith Johnson, Managing Director, Johnson Property Group
ESTATE NEWS
Settlements underway at Watagan Park W
Ith a community already home to more than 200 fun-loving families, Watagan Park is growing and developing all the time, says Keith Johnson, Managing Director of Johnson Property Group. “We have seen all settlements occur for stages 2.1/2.2/2.3, and settlement for stage 2.6 is in mid to late December,” he says. “The community is growing and we are excited to welcome more than 90 families from these stages who will soon call Watagan Park home.” With natural reserves, huge backyards, stunning trails, picnic spots, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches to explore and mountains to climb, Watagan Park and its surrounds is a place to breathe, stretch out and relax, says Keith. “Register your interest for our next release and be the first to choose your dream block of land,” he says.
Watagan Park News • Summer 2016 3
WHAT’S ON
this summer
LOCAL NEWS
MARKETS
EVERY THIRD SUNDAY Hunt & Gather Markets Pacific Park, Cnr Pacific and Scott Streets, Newcastle These boutique designer markets (9am-2pm) showcase the work of designers, artists, musicians, collectors and food lovers from Newcastle and beyond.
EVERY SECOND SATURDAY Lake Macquarie City Farmers Market Speers Point Park, Park Road 2284, Speers Point Held on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. Visit newcastlecityfarmersmarket.com.au for holiday dates. Runs from 8am-1pm.
Chloe Simpson and Jordan Hedge, with Khaleesi the dog... “We were attracted to Watagan Park due to the beautiful surroundings and also the friendly and warm atmosphere of the park.”
EVERY MONTH Healing Haven Markets Dudley Public School, Cnr of Ocean & Boundary Streets, Dudley This monthly, community holistic wellbeing market features fresh produce, alternative therapists, gifts, chemical-free products and organic produce.
EVERY SATURDAY The Entrance Arts & Crafts Market Waterfront Plaza off Coral Street, The Entrance Take a stroll through The Entrance Arts & Crafts Market every Saturday from 9am-4pm.
EVENTS JANUARY 7 Cinema Under the Stars King Edward Park, Newcastle The free event at King Edward Park kicks off at 5.30pm with family friendly entertainment and a screening of “Zootopia” at sundown. Visit newcastlepermanent.com.au/cinema
UNTIL JANUARY 26 Christmas Lights Spectacular Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin Visit huntervalleygardens.com.au/hvg/christmas-lightsspectacular for information.
JANUARY 28-29 Lake Mac Festival of Surfing Redhead Beach, Redhead Locals showcase their talent across three disciplines; shortboards, longboards and stand-up paddleboards.
FEBRUARY 17-26 Lakefest Lake Macquarie, Marks Point Lakefest will feature sailing events and water-based sporting and social activities. Visit lakefest.com.au 4 Watagan Park News • Summer 2016
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First-time buyers who love life in the great outdoors
s first home-buyers, engaged couple Chloe Simpson and Jordan Hedge are excited about building their dream home in Watagan Park.
The house is expected to be completed in early 2017, and their new home will combine plenty of living space with ample entertaining areas as well, including an alfresco dining area off their living room. The couple will be moving with their German Shepherd puppy from the northern end of the Central Coast. “The house we are building is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom single-storey house with an alfresco area,” Chloe says. “We have a large dining and kitchen area which we are hoping to use when we entertain with guests.” Jordan, an automotive senior technician and Chloe, a nurse, both fell in love with the area when they first visited and plan to take full advantage of everything Watagan Park has to offer. “We were attracted to Watagan Park due to the beautiful surroundings and also the friendly and warm atmosphere of
the park,” Chloe says. “We are also very pleased by the local schools. My fiancé is a keen kayak fisherman who will enjoy exploring the surrounding river system, and also lovely surroundings to walk our dog.” “We are excited about moving into the park, to be in our home, and the warm surrounding atmosphere and environment of our house.” Being first-home buyers, navigating the system can be daunting, but Chloe said Johnson Property Group was there every step of the way for the couple, making it as easy as possible. “They have been absolutely wonderful to deal with, so kind and willing to help. No question has been too big or little to answer,” she says. “Before the land was fully constructed they took us for tours on the weekend to show us around, and being new first-home buyers we have felt completely confident and have had full trust in them all, without a doubt I would recommend them to anyone.”
New exhibitions explore love of country
L
ake Macquarie City Art Gallery will kick off its summer program with the major international touring exhibition “Saltwater Country” alongside its own exhibition, “Lake Macquarie: Living Cultures”, the gallery says. Both exhibitions make links to culture and place, with a strong connection to ‘saltwater’ country. Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery is the final destination for “Saltwater Country”, which features Indigenous artists such as Fiona Foley, Michael Cook, Judy Watson and Daniel Boyd. “Together the works highlight historical, environmental and personal concerns, while utilising these artists’ strong cultural connections to their saltwater country – Queensland’s coastline, sea and waterways,” says the gallery. ‘Lake Macquarie: Living Cultures’ is the first
of an ongoing series that will explore stories related to the original Aboriginal people and the people who have joined them here since the early 1800s from cultures and countries all over the world,” the gallery says. “The first exhibition focuses on ‘working watercraft’ on the Lake – cargo vessels, ferries and a traditional canoe made by the Aboriginal community as part of cultural revival. “Stories will be told through objects, photographs, maps and works from the gallery’s collection and commissioned artworks by Luke Beezley and Maggie Hensel-Brown, responding to ‘ship-building’ and ‘bathers for hire’, respectively.” Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, 1A First St, Booragul.
Aboriginal Reference Group, Model Canoes 2016, courtesy the makers.
LOCAL NEWS
T
A magical night for families he festive season is just around the corner and a magical Christmassy night is promised at the annual Carols at Avondale School event on Sunday, December 11.
WHAT’S ON
this summer
EVENTS
Kerrie Howells, Marketing, PR and Communications Manager at Avondale School, says the event will include something for the whole family to enjoy.
FEBRUARY 20-26 Surfest
“The event starts at 6.30pm, but the gates will open at 6pm,” she says.
Merewether Beach, Newcastle
“Bring your picnic blanket along for an evening of fun, including amusement rides and a jumping castle.”
In 2017, the event will consist of 12 professional and amateur surfing events attracting over 750 competitors from 23 countries.
Kerrie says that there will be live music, featuring country acoustic guitarist Amber Lawrence as the lead act, along with Peter Dixon and other artists.
FEBRUARY 25-26 Australian Bowl Riding Championships
“We are also having some amazing food stalls, with a Texas barbecue, wood-fired pizza, gelato and drinks available,” she says.
Empire Park, 107-109 Memorial Drive, Bar Beach The Australian Bowl Riding Championships comprises a two-day freestyle event that focuses on Australian skaters but attracts a large number of professional international competitors.
“And of course there will be a fireworks display, and Santa will pop in and say hello!” Carols at Avondale School will be held on December 11, from 6pm, at the Avondale School, 119 Avondale Rd, Cooranbong.
KIDS’ ACTIVITIES UNTIL JANUARY 30 “Humanoid Discovery” Supernova Gallery, Newcastle Museum, Workshop Way, Newcastle It’s time to appreciate your body this summer in this blockbuster exhibition that’s all about the miracle of the human body and how it works.
MUMS & BUBS Retiring principal Sue Skuthorpe created “a collegial and united environment” during her 13 years at the school.
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New principal to take the reigns at Charlton
ark Ash will take over as principal of Charlton Christian College, when current principal Sue Skuthorpe retires at the end of the year, says Rebecca Craig, marketing manager at the college. “Currently Mark is the principal of Suncoast Christian College in Queensland,” Rebecca says. “He has been a successful principal Mark Ash. and deputy principal for many years in various Christian schools, and brings a wealth of knowledge in improving both academic excellence and teacher performance.” Rebecca says that during Sue’s time as principal the college, located in Fassifern, has grown from 200 students to more than 620.
administration building, senior science block, car park and a state-of-the-art library known as the LIFE Centre.” Rebecca says that in Sue’s time as principal, she created a collegial and united environment and will be missed by the college community. “Sue’s leadership was based on love and grace, which is shown to staff and students alike, and she is happy to pass the baton to Mark,” she says. Mark’s major interests are in school culture, teaching and learning, and the integration of Christian worldview in curriculum, Rebecca says. “He has continued to teach throughout his career and, in his time as principal, he has taught subjects such as Year 10 science and senior chemistry.” Rebecca says that the college is a great private school option for residents of Watagan Park.
“Sue has led and served the Charlton Christian College community successfully for the past 13 years,” she says.
“It offers the lowest fees in the region and is located just 20 minutes from Morisset with free private bus services daily from Morisset Station to the school in Fassifern,” she says.
“The campus has expanded from a few demountable classrooms to new buildings such as a multi-purpose centre,
Charlton Christian College, 43 Fassifern Rd, Fassifern. Visit charlton.nsw.edu.au for more information.
School holiday library activities Lake Mac Libraries, various locations Sessions are available for babies and toddlers – Books and Babies and Read and Rhyme Time, as well as Storytime for three to five-year-olds, and many special Christmas story time sessions and school holiday activities. Visit library.lakemac.com.au/kids/activities
EXHIBITIONS UNTIL JANUARY 29 Trevor Dickinson: “Greetings from Maitland” Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG), 230 High Street, Maitland “Greetings from Maitland” is a series of pen drawings and digital prints that form a unique and personal portrait of Maitland.
UNTIL JANUARY 29 “Lake Macquarie: Living Cultures” and “Saltwater Country” Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, 1A First Street, Booragul Both exhibitions make links to culture and place, with a strong connection to ‘saltwater’ country. Watagan Park News • Summer 2016 5
Caves Beach SLSC’s Nippers program teaches kids aged 5 to 14 the essential skills of surf lifesaving, with a focus on having fun and teaching surf education and skills, says Junior Activities Manager, Rebecca Paterson.
Q & A with Rebecca Paterson How long has Nippers been running at Caves Beach? Caves Beach SLSC was founded in 1929. Over these years many, many hundreds of community members have been trained in the skills of surf lifesaving. Nippers started in 1965 and we celebrated our 50th anniversary last year.
What does Nippers involve? Nippers is about surf lifesaving, with a focus on having fun, teaching surf education and skills and emphasising community awareness. The aim is to provide a safe, friendly and welcoming environment where both Nippers and parents can interact and enjoy a morning at Caves Beach, and where hopefully in years to come we build a future generation of lifesavers for Caves. Our Nipper program also provides training and competition for those Nippers who wish to join.
How many kids do you have involved? We currently have 200 Nippers that meet every Sunday.
When is the Nippers season? The Nippers program runs from October to March every Sunday at 10am.
Are there age limits/other criteria? Boys and girls aged under 14 as at October 1 are eligible to join. Children must be five years of age at the time of enrolment. If they are not five years old before October 1, they may join Nippers on their fifth birthday up until December 31.
What skills do kids gain through doing Nippers? Nippers is all about learning, confidence and having fun in a safe beach environment. For Nippers, the beach is the classroom. They gain confidence with swimming, body boarding, beach sprints, dolphin-diving, spotting a rip, having fun with new friends and discovering things about themselves.
What’s the best thing about Nippers? Nippers is about having fun, making new friends, keeping fit and learning to be safe at the beach. The best thing about Nippers for me is watching the kids learn beach safety with big smiles on their faces. I love seeing the sense of achievement on a child’s face. One of the best features of Nippers is seeing young children overcome their fear of the water. Children who are afraid of the water can develop through encouragement, education and training to be confident in the surf.
How long have you been involved? I have been involved in Nippers from the age of five. I moved to Caves Beach about six years ago and joined the club as a parent of an under six child. My three children now do Nippers and love it! For me, Nippers is all about teaching life skills. We all have so much fun together. All our events are open to the whole community – everyone is welcome.
How do people join up or find out more about the program? Contact me on 0410 068 559.
Caves Beach Nip Only a half an hour’s drive away from Watagan Park, the beach lifestyle at the beautiful Caves Beach is easy to enjoy this summer! Nippers is a great activity for kids and the Caves Beach Surf Lifesaving Club provides locals and visitors with a safe and friendly beach – and trains hundreds of community members in the skills of lifesaving.
ppers to the rescue
COVER STORY
Luke, Phill, Hayley and Shani Walmsley… “Nippers is a great way for the whole family to enjoy time together at the beach.”
Family that Nippers together… THIRTEEN-year-old Luke and 15-year-old Hayley Walmsley are highly awarded and skilled junior lifesavers, having trained as Nippers at Caves Beach SLSC when they were little. Luke is the current Hunter Branch Junior Lifesaver of the year, and Hayley was last year’s State Board Champion. Their family comes from 50 years and three generations of involvement with the club, says their dad, Phill Walmsley. “My wife, Shani’s family are proud members of the Caves Beach SLSC Club, with her father Alan Wallace being a lifetime member. He won many Australian and NSW titles and was heavily involved with the club as a sprint coach,” says Phill. “Shani feels proud that our kids are now living an identical childhood that she had which she greatly valued and treasured.” Phill says that getting kids involved with Nippers gives them so many great skills in addition to water and lifesaving skills such as friendships, leadership, sense of pride and giving back to their community. “I am confident that my kids know how to handle any type of surf. And most importantly they can identify what they can’t handle,” says Phill.
Phill is now a branch duty officer, but says that he came to lifesaving later in life. Watching his kids undertake ocean swims made him realise that at 35, he had never been in the ocean deeper than waist height. “I thought if I was sending my eight-year-old out into the surf, I should be able to do it too. I started training and gained my bronze medallion,” he says. Phill says that Nippers is a great way for the whole family to enjoy time together at the beach. “Parents can join in with the kids! You can’t run out onto the field at your kids’ soccer games, but you can paddle alongside the kids in the water.” “There are many families in the club who live in Watagan Park and surrounds. It may be a little effort to drive around the lake to get out to the beach, but after two great hours on a Sunday morning spent with the whole family, the value outweighs the effort,” says Phill. “Our club is a family club, we are proud that we cater to elite athletes and to mums and dads and their little ones. Everyone is welcome!” Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club, 127-139 Caves Beach Road, Caves Beach.
LIFESTYLE
MUMMY FILES
Confessions of a happy ‘drunk’
How to create a beautiful garden
I
f you’re looking to create a beautiful garden, then Wyee Nursery Manager Russell Brown is a handy man to know. Starting his career as a landscape contractor, including work at Wyee Nursery, he was eventually offered a job at the well-known nursery and hasn’t looked back since. “My main role is nursery manager, I oversee the purchasing of all green life products, the pricing and merchandising as well as liaising with suppliers and staff,” he said. Not afraid to get his hands dirty, he also does consultations with customers, either at the nursery or at their home or business to help them design their perfect garden or outdoor space, as well as helping out with the general nursery work. While Russell has a love for gardening and being outside, the favourite part of his work is the people. “I enjoy meeting lots of different people, both the customers and people from the industry,” he said. And his number one tip for a beautiful, lush garden? Wyee Nursery Manager “Don’t skimp on Russell Brown.
gardening guru
fertiliser, water and mulch – if you use enough of these you will have a lowmaintenance garden,” he said.
Six top tips to beat the heat As summer approaches, Russell has plenty of tips for people wanting to keep their garden looking nice in the heat. 1. Use mulch to shield the soil from the summer sun, conserving moisture and keeping the root zone cool. 2. Make sure to weed as they rob the garden of moisture and nutrients. 3. Plant hardy seasonal colour such as petunias, angelonia, zinnia, echinacea or cosmos, just to name a few. 4. The general rule is to prune anything lightly after flowering and if you have natives, a little harder pruning is okay for them. 5. Raise your mowing height to encourage a denser lusher sward of grass which will compete with summer weeds. 6. Keep an eye out for chewing and sucking pests as well as mildew and fungal problems and then treat as necessary.
PUZZLES Across
3 Name the legendary Greek huntress who undertook to marry only a man who could outrun her. (8) 7 Who was the Australian playwright noted for “The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll”, Ray ...? (6) 8 What is another term for one who sings? (8) 9 What is an optical illusion also called? (6) 10 Which substance is often used habitually to satisfy addiction? (8) 11 What do we call the remains of an animal or plant of a former geological age? (6) 14 Name an alternative term for a toboggan. (6) 17 What is a headlong rush of cattle in fright? (8) 18 Which lustrous concretions are sometimes found in oysters? (6) 19 Name a plant cultivated for its spikes of fragrant bell-shaped flowers. (8) 20 What is a person from whom a tribe, place, institution, etc, takes its name? (6) 21 What is a connection between persons, by blood or marriage? (8)
Down
1 Name a member of a particular criminal society. (7) 2 What are domesticated camel-like S American ruminants? (7) 3 Name a repository of arms and military stores. (7) 4 Which term describes that which is reasonable? (7) 5 To have recorded something, is to have done what? (7) 6 What is the projecting outer portion of the ear? (7) 11 Name the Australian deputy prime minister 1996-99 Tim ... (7) 12 Which embankment acts as a breakwater? (7) 13 What is a mark made by pressure? (7) 14 Who was the Australian governor-general 1982-89, Sir Ninian ...? (7) 15 Name the great circle of the earth, equidistant from the N and S Poles. (7) 16 What do we call ships’ kitchens? (7)
8 Watagan Park News • Summer 2016
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Russell Brown
Q&A One word to describe your own garden: “Whimsical.” The question you are asked the most: “Can you identify this disease, insect or plant species?” Favourite plant: “My favourite tree would be a tupelo – it has the most perfect horizontal branching and is 100 per cent reliable for autumn colour.” Favourite flower: “The easy-to-carefor camellia – has an awesome bloom in winter when not much else is flowering.”
General knowledge crossword
r HARVEY Karp, pediatrician and child development expert says that half of all new parents get fewer than six hours of broken sleep a night – a level of sleep deprivation that causes the same mental impairment as being drunk. If that’s the case, I have been tipsy for a lot longer than I’d like to admit! Especially after having my second child four months ago. My two-year-old son took 10 long months to sleep through the night and when he finally did, boy did sobriety feel good! Now I am back into the world of the new baby – midnight feeds, wonder weeks, growth spurts and teething is just around the corner. If half of us new parents are walking around like drunken sailors, I wonder how it impacts our day-to-day lives? Perhaps it’s time the RTA brought in ‘new parent’ plates, mandatory ‘baby on board’ signage when we hop into our SUVs, the Wiggles blaring, kids wailing, drinks and crackers being passed to the back seats – and dear reader, please do not do what I did and give your toddler a squeezie pouch of yoghurt to eat in the car… your car will never be the same after
Sudoku – medium
Kate Meikle it is splattered with yoghurt all over the roof and car seats! Other drivers should be well aware that we might be on the roads at a very early hour of the morning but we might not have all our wits about us. Also heightening the feeling of drunkenness is the constant swaying and rocking required to settle the baby. As if we didn’t need to feel even more woozy. The good Dr Harvey is currently spruiking his new invention, the SNOO cradle. This $1,600 baby bed automatically responds to your baby’s fussing by choosing the right mix of white noise and rocking most likely to soothe them back to sleep. He’s put together all the scientific elements that babies need to help them and their tired parents rest for longer. It sounds amazing. But to be honest, I consider myself a happy drunk. And nothing quite beats those late night cuddles while rocking your tiny baby to sleep. And every night brings me closer to the end of the big night out that is new parenthood.
Cool things to do with kids Cooking with your kids in the school holidays is a wonderful activity to get them busy. Here are three simple recipes from JAMES CLODE, of Dad’s Apron, that are easy enough for the kids to help with or even make themselves… if you don’t mind a little mess!
Double choc cookies
Banana split sticks
What you’ll need 1 cup plain flour ⅓ cup self-raising flour 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp bicarb soda ⅓ cup cacao powder ½ cup dark chocolate ½ cup white chocolate chips 1 egg 125g coconut oil, melted
Tools Baking tray lined with baking paper Large mixing bowl 2 spoons Wooden spoon
What to do • Preheat the oven to 180°C. • Mix together all the dry ingredients. • Add the egg and coconut oil and mix well. • Use two spoons to make round balls out of the dough, and place onto the baking tray. • Bake for 10-12 minutes in the oven. • Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes and eat them up!
The best gift you can give
Makes 6
These simple and healthy treats are a great recipe for kids’ parties or as a fun, quick and delicious snack.
These super chocolatey cookies won’t last long in the house… delicious!
Yoghurt fruit pops
LIFESTYLE
What you’ll need 3-6 bananas 150g dark cooking chocolate Sprinkles Freeze-dried strawberries Diced apricot Shredded coconut
Tools Skewers 1 large plate or bowl
This recipe is quick and easy to make and is a great healthy treat, even though you have to make them the day before and wait! The fruits can be substituted with most other seasonal fruits.
What you’ll need ½ pineapple 1 punnet of strawberries 500g vanilla yoghurt
Tools Icy pole moulds Food processor
What to do • Peel the bananas, cut in half and stick them onto the skewers. Pop the skewers in jam jars or glass bottles to keep them upright. • Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 40 seconds. • Coat or dip the banana pop in the melted chocolate. • Sprinkle with toppings of your choice. • Allow to cool and enjoy!
Visit youtube.com/dadsapron for more recipes and videos!
What to do • Wash the fruit, then purée each one separately in a food processor. • Take your mould and begin layering – we did yoghurt first, then strawberry, then yoghurt and lastly pineapple, but it’s up to you. • Remember to leave space for the mould lid. • Freeze overnight and enjoy on a hot day!
James Greensill pastor in the suburbs
C
hristmas is just around the corner and my children have already started ordering their presents! Bikes, boards, shoes and toys.
What about you? What do you want for Christmas? Maybe you’re wishing for a few toys of your own? A new car, dress or perhaps a new job? So many of us are consumed with getting, but is that really what Christmas is all about? Or is it more about giving? Two thousand years ago something extraordinary happened that has literally changed the history of the human race forever. God gave us the most precious gift of all in his son. Jesus, unlike anyone else in history divided time, B.C. and A.D. He came to this earth, was born into a workingclass family and grew to be the greatest person of influence known to man, with now over 2.2 billion adherents to the Christian faith. His most famous saying, “A new command I give to you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 To sum up his life and teachings in one word, love! This Christmas season, instead of thinking about what you can get, why not focus on what you can give? How will you love those around you? Pastor James Greensill Gateway Community Church Avondale School, Cooranbong
Kitchen tools for busy children Cool down with cool moulds
Make eating fun
Summer is here and that means HEAT – hot summer days! There’s nothing better than munching on a homemade icy pole to cool down. These clever shapes means each one slides out easily, and the handle has a built-in drip guard for mess-free fun! Choose from designs including rockets, bugs, monsters and robots. Make the Dad’s Apron recipes with the kids to encourage healthy treats and know what you’re putting into each ice block! Tovolo ice block moulds, available at limetreekids.com.au from $17.95 per set
These fun sets of cutlery can teach young children how to feed themselves and generally enjoy mealtimes. Each piece has a personality all of its own, with hand-drawn, colourful characters – from tigers, frogs and piggies to princesses, pirates and astronauts -– in bright colours with happy, smiling faces. From $22.95 for a two-piece set, available at leading independent kitchenware retailers
Making the cut The Kiddies Food Kutter is designed for young children to cut their food at the dinner table safely. An excellent training tool, now Mum and Dad won’t have to cut the kids’ food at each meal. Very safe design with rounded teeth and no sharp edges, children can start as young as two with Playdoh or Plasticine, and move up to real foods as they gain confidence. Kiddies Food Kutter, $25 for 3-pack, getkidscooking.com.au Watagan Park News • Summer 2016 9
LIFESTYLE
There’s so much to do with kids over the school holidays, right on our doorstep! The whole family will have a fantastic day out at all these local attractions.
Super day trips to delight the family Hunter Valley Zoo
Speers Point Park Just a short 30-minute drive from Watagan Park, Speers Point Park, right on the shore of Lake Macquarie, makes for a fantastic day trip, says Lake Macquarie City Council. “The Lake Macquarie Variety Playground is a 2ha play area for kids of all ages and abilities,” the council says. “Equipment includes a giant ninemetre spiral slide, a 12-metre high climbing structure, including climbing spider web nets, a double flying fox, a maze, a range of swings, a bike circuit with two intersecting tracks, a wheelchair accessible play boat, music play elements, including a xylophone and musical buttons on the floor. There is also accessible water play, a performance stage and a mini amphitheatre.” The council says there is also a quiet zone retreat
designed to allow children to have some time out. Amenities, picnic and barbecue facilities are located adjacent, as is Sal’s by the Lake Café. Lake Macquarie Variety Playground, 20 Park Road, Speers Point.
Amazement Farm From farmstay accommodation to friendly farm animals and mazes to explore, Amazement Farm offers activities for the whole family. “We have multiple magical mazes, a petting zoo with bunnies, guinea pigs, mini goats, sheep, mini cows, ponies, alpacas, emus and chickens,” they say. “There is also a bird sanctuary, various scheduled shows, yard activities and sporting games going on throughout the day.” With a kids’ playground, mini kids’ bike track and an enchanted forest walk, the kids will have so much to do, says the farm. “There are also giant adult pedal cars so the grown ups can have a play too,” they say.
With lions, alligators, goats, reptiles, meerkats and birds, the Hunter Valley Zoo is a wonderful spot for school holiday fun! Kids can feed the animals and there is plenty of natural space where some of the animals freely roam about. There are talks on at various enclosures, including lions, wombats, Capuchin monkeys, Malayan tapirs, meerkats and Marmoset monkeys. You can book an encounter with several animals too – why not cuddle a meerkat! The zoo pledges to provide a safe, caring and natural environment to ensure the welfare
of all species housed for exhibit, educational and conservation purposes within the zoo. Hunter Valley Zoo,138 Lomas Lane, Nulkaba. Open every day in the school holidays. Call 4990 7714 or visit huntervalleyzoo.com.au
Hunter Wetlands Centre
Amazement Farm also caters for special occasions and group bookings, and offers multiple picnic areas and the Big Barn Café for meals and snacks. Amazement Farm, 170 Yarramalong Road, Wyong Creek. Call 4353 9900. Visit amazement.com.au
With a school holiday discount for primary school-aged children – $2 per child! – and heaps of special activities on offer, Hunter Wetlands Centre is a fantastic place to take the kids for a touch of nature exploring. Discover more than 250 wildlife species located throughout the 45ha site of the Hunter Wetlands Centre, while enjoying walking trails, guided tours, canoeing, dipnetting, feeding talks, birdwatching, children’s discovery playground, Café Jacana, picnic and barbecues, seasonal and activity program and much more, says the centre. “Visitors continue to be inspired by these tranquil surroundings that provide a habitat for unique and diverse wildlife,” the centre says.
Hunter Wetlands Centre, 412 Sandgate Road, Shortland. Call 4951 6466. Open seven days 9am-4pm. Visit wetlands.org.au for more information.
Local business directory Acumon Pty Limited Morisset Accountant 2/49 Yambo Street, Ph: 4931 1100 Aladdin’s Lunchbox 569 Freemans Drive, Cooranbong Ph: 4977 1618 Avondale Mechanical & Tyre Centre 677 Freemans Drive, Cooranbong Ph: 4977 2966
Blissful Home Builders Home builder Blissful Watagan Park, Cooranbong Ph: 4023 0812 homebuilders.construction/a/ building-contractors-in-watagan-park
Cooranbong Animal Hospital 673 Freemans Drive, Cooranbong Ph: 4977 3177 Fax: 4977 3244 Email: info@cooranbonganimalhospital.com.au
Cooranbong Florist 5 Alton Road, Cooranbong Ph: 4977 2547
Community Mortgage Finance A finance broking firm that specialises in all home loans and investment home loans. Ph: 4392 0166 Communitymortgagefinance.com
Cooranbong Cafe & Pizzeria Avondale Shopping Centre 559 Freemans Drive, Cooranbong Ph: 4977 1662
Frisco Landscape Supplies Address: 388 Freemans Drive, Cooranbong Ph: 4977 1123
Cooranbong Take Away 569 Freemans Drive, Cooranbong Ph: 4977 1618
To advertise your local business in Watagan Park News please contact kathryn@citynews.com.au 10 Watagan Park News • Summer 2016
Mega Fruit Barn Shop 10/563 Freemans Drive, Cooranbong Ph: 4977 2802 Secure Pave Paving & pool surround specialists Ph: 4973 6274 or 0402 826 272 securepave.com Watersedge Accounting Group Krystle Wigley Ph: 0404 003055, watersedge.net.au
LIFESTYLE
Light the way
Made for the shade
Outdoor lights can create casual mood-lighting and give enough light to entertain under – setting the scene beautifully. These versatile kits look great inside or out, and come with either coloured LED globes or assorted incandescent globes. Party lighting kits, from $69, lightworksonline.com.au
Get shady and be sun smart with a stylish umbrella. This one’s waterproof with a UPF 30 rating to ensure you stay fashionable and safe all day long – cost-effective, mobile and effective sun protection. Wategos beach umbrella, $99.95, Sunnylife.com.au
Water colours Matt Leacy says that pool trends are moving away from traditional midblues in terms of pool colour choices, towards white and black pools. “A lot of people are hesitant when you mention the prospect of a white or black pool, but more often than not they’ll be surprised when they see how good the pool actually looks,” he says. “White pools create a sand-atthe-beach type of look, and when they reflect the sky they achieve a beautiful, pristine blue water that looks unenhanced and very natural.”
Cook it up This quality built-in barbecue sits flush along your bench-top for a streamlined look and is perfect for those who love to entertain or those catering to a large number of guests. Beefeater Signature Proline Barbecue six-burner with lid, $2,749, available nationally from independent hardware stores and appliance retailers
Build a backyard haven Get the most out of outdoor spaces
We should treat our outdoor spaces the same as our indoor spaces in terms of creating different spaces and functional dynamics, says Matt Leacy. “The same way that you have a kitchen area, a casual lounge area and a playroom indoors, you can create equivalent areas outdoors that serve the same purposes and help you unlock the potential of your space,” he says.
SOLUTIONS
Matt Leacy landscaper
a dining table as well as a server. If you have a bigger space, you could have a full-blown kitchen with a sink, fridge, wok burner and cupboard space.” If you don’t have a lot of natural shade outdoors, there “The outdoor kitchen, in particular, is a feature that are a number of options to ensure that you can safely is increasingly becoming an expectation rather than a and comfortably stay outside throughout the summer want for homebuyers and homeowners alike. months, Matt says. “An outdoor kitchen can be as simple as some “For a short-term option, you can look at purchasing a cupboard space and a barbecue with a nice servery. large market umbrella, which is great next to pools and If you wanted to do a bit more, you could look at on patios. installing a breakfast bar with some stools around it to make it more social and to create a casual space for “If you want to be able to entertain larger groups, you can look at more substantial options, which may cost breakfast, a cup of tea and reading the paper. Add to that a more formal dining area with seating and lounge a bit more up front, but can have sustained use and space and you have the makings of the perfect outdoor potentially add value to your property in the long run. “Retractable awnings, canopies, cabanas, pergolas and living and entertaining space. outdoor pavilions, for instance, all offer sun protection “It depends on the size and layout of your outdoor and privacy, but at the same time bring style, character space. If you’ve got a small courtyard, then you might consider an outdoor kitchen and bench top with stools and general value-add to your outdoor space.” Matt Leacy is the creative director of Landart Landscapes. for dining so you don’t have to clog up the space with
Watagan Park News • Summer 2016 11
LIVE OUTSIDE THE BOX