The Highlands Way Online Magazine

www.thehighlandsway.com

August 2011 Winter

THE SOUTHERN HIGHLAND’S NO.1 QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

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Better Health

MY BATTLE WITH CANCER

ANIMAL TALK

RENEE LONGFORD EXCLUSIVE

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www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 3

HEALTH The Caledonian Cosmetic Clinic has been operating in Bowral for over 5 years now and since moving into their new, purpose designed offices 3 years ago have grown to include a multitude of cosmetic services.

The Clinic is run by Dr Susan Uren, a GP of 28 years experience, who developed an interest in the field in early 2006. She began using injectables soon after this and has now completed extensive training both here in Australia and including Masterclasses overseas.

Dr. Susan Uren with Maggie Mulready

Dr Uren performs Botulinum Toxin injections to relax the muscles that cause wrinkles; non permanent Hyaluronic Acid fillers for treating wrinkles, excessive skin sagging, volumising areas of tissue loss i.e. nasolabial folds, and for lip enhancement both for fine lines around the lips or for increasing their volume.

She also now offers Mesotherapy, a technique of injection of small volumes of active material for the treatment of localized fat, cellulite or stretch marks.

A new technique for treating early skin cancers is now offered at the Clinic . This is called PDT or PhotoDynamic therapy and is very successful.

Maggie Mulready is the Clinic’s Dermal health Therapist. This title is important as, not only has she worked in the beauty industry for 25 years, but prefers to work only with medical grade products.

She has trained as a Senior Laser Clinician and has an IPL diploma from the Institute of Laser technology.

At the Clinic she has the technologies of Variable Pulsed Light for hair and pigmentation removal, also treats rosacea and diffuse redness. Maggie also operates the Vibraderm machine which achieves the same results as dermabrasion without the down time.

She also uses the Omnilux light for skin rejuvenation and acne treatment.

Maggie keeps two ranges of Medical grade skin care. The Obagi range is used for skin rejuvenation of the eyes, face and decolletage. Obagi gives great results for acne and rosacea. We also offer ultraceutical, Australian leading, professionally recommended. The Clinic offers a range of facials and peels up to a TCA peel. Cosmeceutical Brand.

Of course, the treatments can be used in combination for maximal effect.

The Caledonian Cosmetic Clinic would like to offer you a relaxed professional environment where you can be confident of highly trained and experienced practitioners who work to give you results that are freshening, rejuvenating and enjoyable.

Editors Letter OMG, who had this crazy idea of coming out with an online Magazine. OK it was me, Nicky the crazy one.

The Highland’s Way is publised every I had no idea just how much quarter and is an online publication. time and effort it would take Issue No, 1 Winter 2011 to start this magazine. My kids don’t know who I am anymore, my husband is threatening to Editor’s in Chief: divorce me so I can marry my Nicky & Richard Alekna computer and the dogs are barking at me thinking that Editorial: I am a stranger in my own Nicky Alekna, Richard Alekna, home. The amount of late nights that I have spent on this project, I don’t think I could even try to count the hours that I have spent on this mag.

Photography: Nicky Alekna, Michelle-Leigh, Richard Alekna I hate to think, but I do know this, it can only get better from here.

It has certainly been a journey. I have to say thank you to Sales: everyone who has supported me in my new venture, and Michelle-Leigh, Ncky Alekna, Richard Alekna I really hope that it takes off, and we receive some great responses to the magazine. My Hubby Rick has been a great help with the editorial side of things, and my friend E: admin@thehighlandsway.com Michelle well I don’t know what to say, but without her, I really don’t think we would have many advertisers, So www.thehighlandsway.com Address: PO Box 573 Bowral, NSW 2577 thank you Michelle, you have been an angel sent from heaven.

I really do hope that everyone enjoys the mag, and of P: 02 4861 3543 course if you think that anything needs improving on, or F: 02 4861 3543 you think that we need to add anything, we would love to hear your feedback. But dont critsize us to harshly or we will come and abduct you and chain you to a computer. © 2011 All material both written and photographic For our first issue we have got some great reading for within this publication is copyright to the publish- you, we have caught up with Renee Longford, to hear ers and reproduction in any form is not permitted how she is coping with her battle with cancer. We also without the express or written permission from sat down with our local radio Dj Graeme Day and we the publication. The Highland’s Way magazine is thought while we were at it, lets drop in and have a coffee a division of My Voice Industries Pty Ltd . The with Leisa in her new café, Rush.

Highland’s Way does not accept responsibility for So go grab a cuppa, sit back open up the laptop or comany artwork contributed from an outside source. puter and have a great read. Cheers

Published by ISSUU

The Magazine will be upadated as we sit fit.

Extra stories, articles, and ads to be added.

10 www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 5

IGA has opened at the Intersection in Bowral and the Owners, Ally and Rick Ellis, have a simple philosophy towards keeping customers and staff happy.

“It’s a family business and we are one big happy family here within the organisation, helping the families of the Southern Highlands,” Rick said.

Rick and Ally chose to leave the hustle and bustle of Sydney to move to the Southern Highlands 18 months ago.

With their thoughts on a growing family, a desire for good schools and a friendly community, they have settled well into local life.

“We want to take advantage of all the Southern Highlands has to offer and give back to the community with competitive pricing that offers good specials all the time,” Ally said.

“We support the IGA community chest program and like to keep it all local by backing only local charities and groups.”

Rick and Ally have worked hard to establish an IGA that supports local growers and producers.

They stock a full range of groceries and a gourmet delicatessen that boasts gold medal organic yoghurt and award winning ham carved off the bone.

Local meats on offer include Maugers of Burrawang, Lost River Lamb & Angus from Crookwell and Spring Hill Grass Feed Angus Beef. We range newspapers and popular magazines and have a range of Gluten free products.

Platters can be made fresh to order, making barbecues and office functions hassle-free.

Shopping at IGA Bowral is easy - parking is right outside the front door!

Rick has 20 years’ experience in the food manufacturing business and as such is ideally placed to provide only the best and the freshest to his customers.

“We are conveniently located near Harris Farm Markets, eliminating the need to travel up to town, fight for parking & wait in lines to get your groceries, it’s all here in one handy location with great old fashioned service” Rick said.

Ally & Rick live and breathe the new store at the Intersection and are always available to talk to customers and lend a helping hand if you are after a hard to find grocery product or delicatessen line they can try and source it for you.

Ally & Rick Ellis outside their New Bowral Business IGA

We now also have a home delivery service through www. weshopforyou.com.au great for those strapped for time or unable to get about.

Shopping at IGA Bowral is easy - parking is right outside the front door!

Ph: 4861 4577 or igabowral@westnet.com.au

Renee Longford

MY BATTLE WITH CANCER

Renee thought she had nothing more than a sore back from carrying her gun belt, but unfortunately, this was not the case.

a very rare form called Angiosarcoma, in short (AS).

L

Renee was just 33 years old, in September 2010 when the diagnosis was made, following 6 weeks of scans and investigations.

On Saturday 23rd July, I had the most wonderful opportunity to sit down with Renee and her husband Peter to chat to her about her ongoing battle with this wretched disease. This warm loving family invited me into their home like an old friend. In a house filled with the sounds of children yelling and playing video games, they seem a typical, boisterous young family. It seems hard to believe that over the past eleven months, they have been through more pain than any family should have to. Renee was very forthcoming and open with me as we discussed her battle with cancer. Hers is

Since the diagnosis, Renee has gone through an unimaginable number of scans, operations, chemotherapies and radiation treatments. The doctors found two tumours in her skull, which needed to be surgically removed. This meant the complete removal of the left side of her scull, which was then replaced with titanium. Renee has also had a hip replacement. She continues to need blood transfusions every 6 - 8 weeks.

ocal police Sergeant, Renee Longford, thought she had nothing more than a sore back from carrying her gunbelt (a common problem for police officers). Sadly this was not the case. After numerous scans and consultations, the cause of her nagging back pain was identified as a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

In November 2010 our local community here in the southern highlands held a fundraising night, hosted by our local radio spokesman Graeme Day, in support of Renee. This helped raise over $50,000.00 for Renee and her family.

AS is so rare that no specific medications have been developed to treat it. Doctors are currently treating Renee with a drug called

8 | The Highland’s Way Magazine | Issue #1 | www.thehighlandsway.com

Renee and her Husband Peter sit together watching their children running around the backyard

Abraxine, normally used to treat breast cancer.

Renee contacted me again the other day with some more terrible news. She had begun experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath, and when the doctors investigated, they found three more tumours; one on each lung, and one on her sternum. Of course, this means more scans and more chemotherapy. Because the drugs she has been using are experimental for this type of cancer, it also raises questions about their effectiveness. At this stage, if the doctors find that the tumours continue to grow while taking Abraxine, a different Chemotherapy will have to be trialled. If tests confirm that the Abraxine is effectively shrinking the tumours, the treatment will remain the same.

With all of the difficulties and uncertainties of this rare and serious condition, Renee con-

tinues to live every precious moment with her three wonderful children; Dean, 7, Jake, 5, and little Emma, just 2 years. Every other weekend Renee’s step sons, Matthew, 12, and Lucas, 14, also come to stay. It truly is a full house, and Renee is a true battler.

I know everyone here at The Highland’s Way is wishing Renee and her family all the best for the future.

Readers who would like to send their support and best wishes to Renee can find her on her facebook page: http://www.facebook. com/profilephp?id=100001667191577&sk=wall We wish you all the best, Renee.

www.springettsarcade.com.au

www.springettsarcade.com.au

Useful info that may help someone ...

The Highland’s Way received this email and thought this is really something worth reading.

Two years ago I had a cyst removed from my colon and was told that I should have a colonoscopy done every year. I had a hard time going through the procedure, and decided to not return for further tests. I am going with the lemon treatment (totally my choice) and now, two years later, I am doing fine.

So, a tablespoon of “real lemon� (the concentrate in a bottle) in a glass of water every morning. What can it hurt?

A must-read- The surprising benefits of lemon!

I remain perplexed! ================================ Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Charles Street Baltimore , MD 1201.

This is the latest in medicine, effective for cancer!

Read carefully & you be the judge.

Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy.

Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumours.

This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats stress and nervous disorders.

The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that: It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas ... The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells.

Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Cause Street, Baltimore, MD1201 WHY NOT SAVE THIS PAGE AND SEND TO EVERYONE ... Please! ! ! ! !

Garlic Remedies The History of Garlic Garlic was rare in traditional English cuisine (though it is said to have been grown in England before 1548), and has been a much more common ingredient in Mediterranean Europe.

Builders of the ancient pyramids were said to eat garlic daily for enhanced endurance and strength.

Garlic was placed by the ancient Greeks on the piles of stones at cross-roads, as a supper for Hecate.

Roman emperors couldn’t eat enough of it, as it was considered an antidote to poisons which were very popular in certain political circles of the time.

The Spanish have long used garlic as a preservative which helps to add creadence to it’s anti-bacterial properties and whole books have been devoted to the health benefits of garlic.

The inhabitants of Pelusium in lower Egypt, who worshipped the onion, are said to have had an aversion to both onions and garlic as food.

European beliefs once considered garlic a powerful ward against demons, werewolves, and vampires. To ward off vampires, garlic could be worn, hung in windows or rubbed on chimneys and keyholes.

Read more: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/garlic-benefit.shtml#ixzz1VIIoOkxl

Garlic really is a multipurpose herb - it acts as an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antifungal treatment.

By lowering cholesterol levels, regulating blood sugar, lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system, garlic also helps to build up your body and restore its defenses against both age and disease.

When crushed, raw cloves releases allicin, which has been shown to be a more potent antibiotic than penicillin and tetracycline. It can be used for sore throats, colds, flus, bronchial and lung infections.When there is infection in the gut, it is used to help re-establish beneficial bacterial population after orthodox antibiotic treatment.This herb improves digestion, relieves wind and distension, and enhances absorption and assimilation of food.Garlic also enhances the production of insulin, making it a useful remedy to lower blood sugar in diabetics.

Acne

Another remedy that stings but make the zits go away is a remedy with garlic. Just take 1 garlic clove, cut it and apply on the zits, this will help the acne go away faster. Don’t forget to wash your face carefully once done, the garlic might sting and also doesn’t smell so good.

Warts

Garlic! Garlic has powerful anti-viral properties. Make a poultice of crushed raw garlic. Protect your skin with vitamin E oil (prick a capsule and apply to your skin). Mash the garlic and apply to the wart. Cover with a bandage. Remove it in 24 hours.

A blister usually forms, and the wart should fall off in a week.

The vitamin E will help as well. This is a powerful home remedy for wart removal.

Backache

Garlic is a good remedy for backache. If you suffer from back pains every once in a while, try to add garlic to your daily intake and this should prevent the pain. You can eat the garlic as is but most people will find it too strong and would rather eat it on bread or in a salad.

Asthma

To treat asthma attacks you should boil 1 cup of milk with 1 garlic clove. Wait until it cools and drink the milk. If you really don’t like garlic you can prepare the same remedy without the garlic, just drink a lukewarm cup of milk.

It is always best to seek medical advice whem symptons persist

Organic wholefood store

Mon - Friday 8.30am - 6pm Sat 9am - 3pm Sun CLOSED

02 4861 1322

No plastic shopping bags.

No plastic water bottles.

Phasing out 15L spring water bottles.

Phasing out supplying paper bags.

10% discount to customers who come by foot, bicycle or public transport.

Green energy for electricity.

Greenfleet for fuel for store van.

1/3 produce is locally grown thus reducing food miles and fuel.

Organic foods are exactly what you need to develop truly healthy eating habits. This is because of the natural environment in which organic foods are grown. Fruits and vegetables provide a lot of vitamins and minerals to the body whereas with inorganic foods, you risk taking in a number toxins that are harmful for your health.

By eliminating these toxins through healthy eating habits, we can stay healthy longer and enjoy life a whole lot more!

www.organicwholefoodstore.com.au

endota spa

the men’s room men love endota day spas for our modern interiors. our made-for-men spa treatments. & our laid-back service it’s simple. endota serve up: awesome massage, men’s facials and male waxing. in great surrounds. with minimum fuss. so make an appointment, man.

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men’s back treatments male massage specialised men’s facials scalp massage for men male man-icures scrub & soak for hands or feet

endota spa bowral 20 merrigang street bowral 2576 nsw t. (02) 4862 5578 e. bowral@endota.com.au w. endota.com.au

down to earth heaven is here all natural and organic Australian ingredients tempting treatments from our menu. we have single double and group treatment rooms so come solo, with a pal or your partner. get some friends together enjoy our girls day out packages enjoy a light lunch, sip champagne whilst overlooking beautiful corbett gardens before you drift home totally rejuvenated and relaxed. endota spa bowral 20 merrigang street bowral 2576 nsw t. (02) 4862 5578 e. bowral@endota.com.au w. endota.com.au

HEALTH WARNING Steve Parker tells how he had a Heart attack at the age of just 44

H

ow does one handle a major health issue at the ripe old age of 44?

Cardiac Infraction, the two works on does not think they will hear until they are old, if ever!

It happened to me in 1996. A rushed ambulance trip to Ryde hospital with temporary death, flat lined. Thanks to the staff there I am here to tell the tale.

It is probably the most life altering thing that can happen to anyone and is so very frightening when faced with the agony of heart surgery. This was alternated by a fellow cardiac patient who had just had bypass surgery and was going home. He told me what to expect which helped my understanding of the situation so much easier.

After surgery your whole aspect on life alters. You become aware of every small twinge in your chest region, you are also aware of diet and exercise and medications which will extend your life further.

Thankfully I have a great cardiologist in Professor David Muller at St Vincents Hospital who guides me in all aspects of cardiac “afterlife” and has put me straight on a lot of unknowns in my life.

Your diet is first and foremost in your life. Agood balanced diet and exercise is so important, mind you can be very very hard to adhere to. Some prople do it with ease, however in my case it is quite hard to follow when confronted with the wonderful assortment of foods available. Professor Muller said “stick to your diet for 99% of the time but for that 1% lash out carefully. I follow this as much as possible, but it is very

hard to do.

I am also on medication for “this and that” pertaining to my heart. At times you want to thow them away but reality kicks in and you know you have to keeep on going or die. These medications can be very expensive which adds another dimension to your everyday living.

Your whole time is spent being aware of every small hiccup, pain, twinge in your thoracic region but after a while you get to know what is cardiac and what isn’t. If you spend your time continuously worrying about things you let life go by which is one thing you don’t let happen. It’s way to short to let time go.

I have spoken to a few other cardiac patients who were about to undergo surgery and who were very very scared and through my experience have found as they did it is a godsend to have someone speak to you in plain english to let them know “yes, it will be a hard road but not forever if you follow a few simple life changes”.

As you walk around the town and see how people live and eat daily you wonder why there is not more cardiac problems in Australia, however I have noticed people are becoming more aware of the food they eat and also excercise regimes are becoming more and more acceptable.

Smoking is a terrible habit, why do that to your body? I fail to understand when poor diet, lack of exercise plus smoking can all go towards a very unpleasant cardiac episode in your life sooner than later.

One very strange by-product of my heart attack is I am now very claustrophobic of which I have never suffered from before the heart attack. Such things as lifts, train carrages which are full, crowds etc. all push my pulse rete up and bring me out into a cold sweat. However you learn to adjust your life around these situations and try not to stress.

A closed up room with curtains and a heater on send me into a not very pleasant place. I have to get up and move around or open a door which in winter can be problematic.

You often think about death but when it comes down to your time what control do we have over it? Absolutely none!

I think it is so very important to make sure your life is in order and you let know the people who are important to you, just you don’t get time to say good by and sort out the others which caused you drama and stress and eleviate them from your life.

Having and surviving a heart attack gives you another good life. It is so important to give it your best shot and find peace in yourself and enjoy life. Impart your knowledge and experience to those who want to listen and just don’t worry!

Life is really a wonderful gift.

THE DENTALIST Thinking about cosmetic dentistry?

For most of us, it is easier to feel good when we know we look our best and nothing looks as good as a beautiful healthy smile. If you have always wanted to change or enhance your smile, now is the perfect time to get started.

One of the most rewarding things you can do is freshen your smile. Taking the time to nurture yourself has carry on effects for the rest of your life. Regular dental checks are imperative for a healthy mind and body.

A lot of people have healthy teeth but they just do not like how they look. This may cause them to be overly conscious of smiling or being expressive.

Cosmetic dentistry changes all that. Commonly patients will tell us that they feel a new sense of confidence following these procedures. They feel like they are free to smile because they know their teeth and smiles are beautiful.

Today dentistry offers an enormous range of procedures which range from a simple whitening procedure to tooth straightening (partial or full braces, hidden braces on the inside or removable plates) to caps, implants and dentures. Your dentist will be able to advise and help you choose from the myriad of options and make a custom made treatment plan to meet your needs and budget.

Here is a case which we completed in just two appointments, following the designing and planning appointment. All cases are planned to perfection prior to beginning the procedure. The smile is naturally beautiful and the bite is more aligned and comfortable.

Now there is nothing to stand in the way of getting the smile of your dreams. Dentistry has completely transformed. Cutting edge technology, computers, lasers and biocompatible materials are opening up endless possibilities for your smile makeover.

www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 17

Vibe Health and Fitness is a Personal Training business created by John Friedewald and Anthony Remm. Both John and Anthony are local Personal Trainers with years of combined experience in the health & fitness Industry. They have teamed up to provide people in the Southern Highlands with Boot Camps and Personal Training.

Vibe was created to provide people with an alternative to the gym, gym’s can be intimidating and off putting. They do have their place of course, but they are generically a place for fit and bulky people.

At Vibe Health & Fitness, “we want to provide people with a fun, interactive and effective way to exercise, we want to make people realise that exercise can be fun and not a chore”.

Vibes motto, MOTIVATE-INSPIRE-ACHIEVE is what they believe will lead to a healthy lifestyle.

“Many direct and indirect factors prohibit a healthy lifestyle, these three principles are what we believe are the key to living a healthy lifestyle”.

camaraderie, excitement and fitness as a regular part of their weekly schedule. Zumba Gold is the perfect fit. It’s a dance-fitness class that feels friendly, and most of all, fun.

Zumba it seems the whole world is on a dancing weight loss frenzy. Why not dance the extra pounds away. Its fun.

This dance craze has taken the world by storm.

Since its inception in 2001, the Zumba program has grown to become the world’s largest – and most successful – dance-fitness program with more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in over 110,000 locations across more than 125 countries.

Zumba programs are now taught in gyms and studios all over the world to millions of Zumba enthusiasts.

So, whether it’s a life-saving drug or a new kind of dance-fitness, a “happy accident” can move you in a new direction and change your life forever.

When participants see a Zumba class in action, they can’t wait to give it a try. Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. Before participants know it, they’re getting fit and their energy levels are soaring! There’s no other fitness class like a Zumba Fitness-Party. It’s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating, often building a deep-rooted community among returning students.

Zumba Gold® – Zumba Gold targets the largest growing segment of the population: baby boomers. It takes the Zumba formula and modifies the moves and pacing to suit the needs of the active older participant, as well as those just starting their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle. What stays the same are all the elements the Zumba Fitness-Party is known for: the zesty Latin music, like salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggaeton; the exhilarating, easy-to-follow moves; and the invigorating, party-like atmosphere. Active older adults want

Zumba® Toning – When it comes to body sculpting, Zumba Toning raises the bar (or rather, the toning stick).

It combines targeted body-sculpting exercises and highenergy cardio work with Latin-infused Zumba moves to create a calorie-torching, strength-training dance fitnessparty. Students learn how to use lightweight, maraca-like Toning Sticks to enhance rhythm and tone all their target zones, including arms, abs, glutes and thighs. Zumba Toning is the perfect way for enthusiasts to sculpt their bodies naturally while having a total blast.

Aqua Zumba® – Known as the Zumba “pool party,” Aqua Zumba gives new meaning to the idea of an invigorating workout. Splashing, stretching, twisting, even shouting, laughing, hooting and hollering are often heard during an Aqua Zumba class. Integrating the Zumba formula and philosophy with traditional aqua fitness disciplines, Aqua Zumba blends it all together into a safe, challenging, water-based workout that’s cardioconditioning, body-toning, and most of all, exhilarating beyond belief.

Zumbatomic® – Designed exclusively for kids (ages 4-12), Zumbatomic classes are rockin’, high-energy fitness-parties packed with specially choreographed, kid-friendly routines and all the music kids love, like hip-hop, reggaeton, cumbia and more. Parents love Zumbatomic because of the effects it has on kids, increasing their focus and self-confidence, boosting metabolism and enhancing coordination. Zumbatomic rounds out family fitness goals by giving parents a great reason to head to the gym – for themselves, for their kids, for a totally fun family experience.

Zumba® in the Circuit – Maximize your workout while still having a total blast. Zumba in the Circuit is 30 minutes of high-octane, Latin-inspired dance-fitness moves combined with circuit training, a series of strength exercises at timed intervals. Get the metabolism-boosting, strength-building benefits of circuit training while perfecting Zumba moves—all in the same class! Guaranteed to blast calories and thwart boredom, Zumba in the Circuit moves students from one exercise station to the next to the thumping beats of reggaeton, salsa, merengue, hip-hop and more. Be in and out in 30 minutes flat —this time-effective and efficient class can be adapted for all fitness levels.

Article from www.zumba.com

www.bowra

www.bowralhealthclub.com.au

S

idetracked, what an amazing store! Located on Station st Bowral. Have you ever seen the movie Mr. Magorium’s wonder emporium, well this would be Bowrals equivalent.

The amount of nick knacks, curiosities, and fascinating displays, everything from yeolde worldy to the modern day object art. The store is simply a world on its own.

Jennifer and Dana, who also own and run three wise monkeys, were more than happy for us to come in, take some photographs, and simply poke and prod around.

They told us that some of their stock is imported from Eastern Europe, through to India. Bright colours and quirky objects are really what takes there fancy. It is a refreshing change to the usual home wares stores, which offer the same old bland Australia wide.

Their unique style has brought great character and enlightenment to the southern highlands.

Bowral is famous for its cafes, and antique stores, the girls at sidetracked have had many customers enter their premises thinking that they are an antique store. Some think it’s a museum.

Some people think they have walked into an art gallery and most are somewhat are a little confused.

But they do, more often than not, spend much time browsing around the vast array of items on offer.

These include: Apothecary Jars Lampshades made from porcupine quills, feathers and also twigs and wood.

Railway destination boards Taxidermy Witty books Posters Brightly decorated tin animals, made from recycled 44 gallon drums, from Vietnam The category list of items is endless.

Whether you are just looking for a house decoration or home décor or a quirky gift idea, sidetracked may well be the place for you This is definitely a must see store. It is like the matrix you have to see it to understand it. www.sidetracked.net.au info@sidetracked.net.au 02 48 622 884

”Highland Lady” ‘Boutique,s in Moss Vale, are one of the Highlands best kept secrets. Its a Aladdin,s Cave for the fashion conscious woman. Specializing in exclusive Ladies Wear and Accessories for all occasions. We cater for all ages and sizes and are stockists of a large range of quality brands and styles .With new stock arriving weekly.

Located in the Moss Vale Mall opposite the local newsagent. there is easy parking close by.

”Highland Lady” ‘Boutiques in Moss Vale, are one of the Highland’s best kept secrets. Its an Aladdin’s Cave for the fashion conscious woman. Specializing in exclusive Ladies Wear and Accessories for all occasions. We cater for all ages and sizes and are stockists of a large range of quality brands and styles .With new stock arriving weekly.

Located in the Moss Vale Mall opposite the local newsagent. there is easy parking close by.

Shop’s 9 & 12 Moss Vale Mall, Argyle St Moss Vale, 2577

Ph: 4868 2675

www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 31

The Highland Funnies Bullshit Bingo Here is something to help make Julia Gillard's speeches almost tolerable.

Just print this page, distribute it to friends, and listen to her next speech (be sure to read directions at the bottom).

Rules for Bullshit Bingo: 1. Before Julia Gillard's next televised speech, print your "Bullshit Bingo" 2. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases.

3. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, stand up and shout "BULLSHIT!" If you have any funny emails or Jokes and would like them published in our Magazine, please contact us at the following email address. Try not to be to offensive, there are laws against that sort of thing.

You wont get a lottery ticket or anything, just submitted by, either your name, or your online nic.

Email: funnies@thehighlandsway.com

Wrong Email Address

A Scottish couple decided to go to Spain to thaw out during a particularly icy winter.

They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier.

Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules.

So, the husband left Glasgow and flew to Barcelona on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel.

There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email.

Meanwhile...

Somewhere in Blackpool, a widow had just returned home from her husband’s funeral.

He was a minister who died following a heart attack.

The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends.

After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted.

The widow’s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read: To: My Loving Wife Subject: I’ve Arrived Date: August 16, 2010 I know you’re surprised to hear from me.

They have computers here now and you’re allowed to send emails to your loved ones.

I’ve just arrived and have been checked in.

I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing you then!

Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. It’s Bloody hot down here!!!

In a convent in Ireland The 98-year-old Mother Superior lay dying.

The nuns gathered around her bed trying to make her last journey comfortable.

They tried giving her warm milk to drink but she refused it..

One of the nuns took the glass back to the kitchen.

Then, remembering a bottle of Irish Whiskey that had been received as a gift the previous Christmas, she opened it and poured a generous amount into the warm milk.

Back at Mother Superior’s bed, they held the glass to her lips.

The frail nun drank a little, then a little more and before they knew it, she had finished the whole glass down to the last drop.

As her eyes brightened, the nuns thought it would be a good opportunity to have one last talk with theirspiritual leader.

“Mother,” the nuns asked earnestly, “Please give us some of your wisdom before you leave us.”

She raised herself up in bed on one elbow, looked at them and said:

“Don’t sell that cow.”

34 | The Highland’s Way Magazine | Issue #1 | www.thehighlandsway.com

Have read some emai have sent

ea of e funny ils that e been to us

Spanish Computer A SPANISH Teacher was explaining to her class that in Spanish, unlike English, nouns are designated as either masculine or feminine.

‘House’ for instance, is feminine: ‘la casa.’

‘Pencil,’ however, is masculine: ‘el lapiz.’

A student asked, ‘What gender is ‘computer’?’

Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two groups, male and female, and asked them to decide for themselves whether computer’ should be a masculine or a feminine noun. Each group was asked to give four reasons for its recommendation.

The men’s group decided that ‘computer’ should definitely be of the feminine gender (‘la computadora’), because: 1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic; 2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else;

3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later retrieval; and 4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.

(THIS GETS BETTER!) The women’s group, however, concluded that computers should be Masculine (‘el computador’), because: 1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on; 2. They have a lot of data but still can’t think for themselves; 3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem; and 4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer, you could have gotten a better model.

The women won.

Education The school inspector is assigned to the year 4 class in one of the local Brisbane state schools. He is introduced to the class by the teacher. She says to the class, “Let’s show the inspector just how clever you are by allowing him to ask you a question”.

The inspector reasons that normally class starts with religious instruction, so he will ask a biblical question.

He asks :”Class, who broke down the walls of Jericho?”

For a full minute there is absolute silence. The children all just stare at him blankly. Eventually, little Bruce raises his hand. The inspector excitedly points to him.

Bruce stands up and replies: “Sir, I don’t know who broke down the walls of Jericho, but I can assure you it wasn’t me”.

Of course the inspector is shocked by the answer and looks at the teacher for an explanation. Realizing that he is perturbed, the teacher says: “Well, I’ve known Bruce since the beginning of the year, and I believe that if he says that he didn’t do it, then he didn’t do it”.

The inspector is even more shocked at this and storms down to the principal’s office and tells him what happened, to which the principal replies : “I don’t know the boy, but I socialize every now and then with his teacher, and I believe her. If she feels that the boy is innocent, then he must be innocent”.

The inspector can’t believe what he is hearing. He grabs the phone on the principal’s desk and in a rage dials Julia Gillard’s telephone number and rattles the entire occurrence to her and asks her what she thinks of the education standard in the State..

The PM sighs heavily and replies: “I don’t know the boy, the teacher or the principal, but just get three quotes and have the wall fixed!!”

www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 35

hair design Patrick and his innovative professional team work their magic to create an unforgettable salon experience in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.

Suite 104, Springetts Arcade, Bong Bong Street, Bowral Nsw 2576

Tele : 02 4861 1115 Email : patrickglanville@bigpond.com www.portfoliohair.net

M

oss Vale optometrist Tim McKinnon has had an interesting career since arriving in the Southern Highlands in 1973. While visiting for three days he discovered that there was no optometry service between Campbelltown and Goulburn and, keen to leave Sydney, decided to establish his own practice.

of the Moss Vale Golf Club.

For many years he has been doing day trips with the Aboriginal Eye Service through ICEE (International Centre for Eyecare Education). These have typically involved driving to Bankstown airport to join a 7.00 am flight with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to towns like Brewarrina and Lake Cargellico to run day clinics and providing spectacles to the indigenous community. The bigIn 1978 he was made aware of gest cause of preventable blindness in the lack of vision services in the the world is the simple lack of glasses Pacific Islands and with coland many aboriginal people will not go league John Davis made what to mainstream clinics even when they was to be the first of four trips are available. Hence you have to go to to Western Samoa. They gath- the people if they won’t come to you. ered another four optometrists and with the help of Rotary In July 2010 Tim sold his practice to International were able to proLara Foster but still works there two vide vision care to 1219 patients in the days a week. Being “semi-retired” he course of 10 days. Pioneering trips like has now been doing three day trips this were to be later developed into the with ICEE around the state to places as provision of local eye clinics with the diverse as Bega, Nyngan, Darlington training of eye care nurses and optical Point and even Tibooburra. He enjoys technicians who could provide ongoing being able to give back a bit to the comcare for the local communities. munity even though it often cuts in to his Wednesday golf.

Since then he has been on working trips to Manus Island, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands mainly working on the eye complications of diabetes.

In 1979 Tim found the time to join Wingecarribee Shire Council as a councillor and served on the old and newly amalgamated councils as an independent. He has also been in Apex and Rotary and served six years as President 38 | The Highland’s Way Magazine | Issue #1 | www.thehighlandsway.com

Words and Images by Nicky Alekna

an Turf, Chickie dees but Wisbone was the one the we all decided on. ishbone, famous for their chickens, and number HW: Could you please tell us how long you have one quality service. We had the good fortune, been in business? to get an interview with the owners of this fine WB: This particular business we have now had for establishment. If you havent met Georgia and Anthony two and a half years we acquired the premises empty Christodoulou yet, then it is about time you did. and we built the business up to what it is today.

We tried to sit down and have had a chat with Georgia and HW: Is this your first business together?

Anthony, but we found this to be a very difficult procress as WB: Actually No, many years ago we had a takeaway this fantastic cafe is always so busy. shop on Bong Bong St, the main st of Bowral, where However we were able to catch them on the run, and this is the ANZ bank is standing today, and that was back in what they had to say. the 1980’s.

HW: Wishbone what a great name for the cafe, how did HW: Anthony How long have you and your wonderyou come up with the name. ful wife Georgia been working together,?

WB: Our Son Stephan who is a graphic designer came up WB: We have been working together now for 23 with the name, him and his now wife Michelle. We were years. With a giggle Georgie say’s I work with him, throwing names around the table one night, we came up live with him, and I sleep with him, I tell you its not with all sorts of names. we had names like fishphone, surf easy.

W

Eat in oR Takeaway Watching Anthony and Georgia working together is a real treat, they are the best of friends who treat each other with respect and it shows in their working relationship.

Georgia and Anthony have three children.

At one stage they all worked the family business, but these days their daughter Maria, and Son Chris help out in the cafe. As Chris was not around when we interviewed them, I was able to ask Maria a couple of questions.

HW: Maria how old were you when your parents started working?

M: Gee I was about 2 or 3 when Mum and Dad started their first business.

HW: Do you enjoy working here in the business with mum and dad?

M: Very much, a day here in the shop can be very entertaining, I enjoy talking with the customers and having a laugh with mum and dad while we work.

for pre-orders & catering call

(02) 4862 3823

doing extremly well. His work lets him travell between The Southern Highlands and Sydney.

We definatley recommend Wishbone to everybody, you get service with a smile, and the food is terrific.

So go in and meet the family, you will not be disapointed.

Wishbone is a modern eat in or takeaway specialising in fresh and healthy food choices, with a delicious menu catering for everyone at an affordable price for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Cafe takes up a lot of the families time.

From Monday to Saturday the doors are open at 9.00am and closed at 7.30pm.

At least they get one day off per week.

Just recently they did however close the shop for a weekend so they could celebrate the wedding of their eldest son Stephan, to his wonderful bride Michelle. This was a very special and happy day for the family.

Their son chris, has now taken over one of their catering business Family affair and is Download the Wishbone Menu here PHONE (02) 4862 3823 MONDAY~SATURDAY 9AM~7:30PM The Intersection, Station St, Bowral (Next to Harris Farm Markets) www.wishbonecafe.com.au

www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 41

Rush in for a coffee masterpiece

for the café business?

Leisa: Definitely. This is my third Business, the first was in Bowral, under the

It’s 2.30 pm on a rainy, wintery Tuesday. We wander in and take our place at the only spare table in a cozy little café called Rush, tucked away at the back of the Grand Hotel Arcade, on Bong Bong Street Bowral.

The atmosphere is warm, friendly and cozy, accentuated by the smell of freshly roasted ground coffee beans, freshly cooked toasted sandwiches and croissants, the place a hype of activity with the friendly and professional staff running about, serving fresh coffee amongst the many beverages, with any one of the tasty and convenient foods on offer.

Nicky and I tried hard to keep the proprietor, Leisa Tozer still for just a few minutes as she rushed about checking orders, making beverages to order, receiving stock just so we could ask her about her unique way of roasting coffee beans and how to make the perfect cup of coffee.

We did manage to catch her attention for a few minutes to tell us how she does it.

HW: How long has it been since you opened the doors here in this location?

Leisa: In this location we have been open for about five months now.

HW: Is the business doing well?

Leisa: Yes we aredoing very well.

HW: How long have you been involved with coffee?

Leisa: Since I was 19, my sister and I have been roasting coffee for 15 years.

HW: So would you say you had a winning formula

Empire cinema, a café called Coffee Culture, which is still going well. We sold that business and went to Sydney, where we set up a café in Surry Hills, a little espresso bar called Rush Espresso, which I sold.

HW: And all the food is it made fresh on site?

Leisa: We make most of it, fresh sand-

www.rushroas

wiches, pies tortes and salads and such HW: That’s an impressive looking cappuccino machine…

Leisa: This is the same type of machine they use for the world barista championships, a Nuova Simonelli.

HW: Do you do your own roasting?

Leisa: We roast all our own beans on the premises on a Diedrich 12 kilogram roaster.

HW: Where do you source your beans from?

Leisa: From a green bean broker in Sydney, a place called coffee Com, and they have always supplied us with our beans.

HW: All Arabica beans?

Leisa: 100% Arabica. We like to be single origin roasters, we don’t blend, so you get the taste of coffee from the region where it’s grown.

HW: So, despite the modern technology, a fine cup of coffee is still a work of art….

Leisa: ABSOLUTELY! HW: Did you start out alone?

Leisa: I started out with my then partner, and not long after we set up coffee culture, my sister bought out my partner, so now it’s just my sister and I doing it all. It was a good move.

HW: Do you supply any local businesses?

Leisa: We supply a number of local restaurants and cafes as well as places as far as Sydney and Wollongong, and a few organic produce grocers.

We let Leisa get back to her very busy day as we sat back and enjoyed our lunch and coffee. If you would like to read more about the passion behind Rush Roasting, and how Leisa and her sister make a fine art of roasting brewing coffee, or would like to order some fine Arabica coffee for your own coffee pot, then check out the web site….

sting.com.au

Cafe Ch

www.cafe

however chocolate is my area of expertise; styles change but good chocolate is always the perfect gift and a must have indulgence.

Kirsten is our Barista along with staff member Sarah; the girls do a great job; they have been friends since attending Bowral Primary and High Schools, and have worked together in local restaurants and wineries.

I

On the 1st July this year Dianna and her daughter Kirsten took over n 1985 Dianna and Richard the business, they have made a few Chandler bought “The Bowral Connoisseur” in Springetts Arcade changes; a small area was set aside for Bowral a tiny shop, opposite the K & customers to enjoy Australian Coffee B florist, it is now part of “Mr Fixit”; and Tea, Hot Chocolate, and selection We’ve seen so many changes to the of small cakes and petite fours; “We Arcade and have wonderful memories do desserts”.

The range of chocolates and confecof our time there, good friends and tionery is expanding and the girls are customers.

As business and the range of choco- continually sourcing new products, late grew we needed more space and Di says she needs more shelves. We are looking for locally grown and we moved to the present site Shop 16b in the Arcade and traded there till produced, as well as Australian made and owned stock; they both feel it is May 2001 when we decided it was important to support local business time to retire, Richard to play more golf and Di to follow her interest in and growers. Supporting the Dairy VIEW Clubs and The Smith Family, industry we use Dairy Farmers Milk. taking up a role on the National Coun- Old favourites have returned, Handmade Dullo chocolates, and Paddingcil of VIEW in 2006/2007. ton Liqueur Truffles, for Marzipan Shelia Forrester became the new owner, a few years later the store had lovers we have Mozart Kuglen, Marzipan Bars, and bulk Dullo Marzipan. a new owner and a new name “The Other old time favourites are Bacci, Blue Brown Bag” and 2 years later Lindt bars and boxes and of course a new owner. There was one more change of ownership to come when the ever popular Lindor Balls; Cafe Michael Job and Jill Stenner became Choco-Latte is a chocolate lover’s heaven. the owners and renamed the shop “Sweet Sensations”; and introduced Making that great cup of coffee is their locally made Highlands Fudge a challenge for Di, we have a great product and I am learning; “you are and a range of Ice Cream. never too old to learn a new skill, 44 | The Highland’s Way Magazine | Issue #1 | www.thehighlandsway.com

On leaving school, Kirsten became an apprentice Chef, working alongside Mark Chance and Mark Steeden, she then headed for Queensland, and has worked as chef in several restaurants in Rockhampton and for a time on Great Keppel Island.

During that time she had three lovely boys, Jack17, Riley 14 and Samuel 9. Returning home she was chef at Southern Highland Winery, the Bakehouse Motel at Berrima and most recently at BDs Pizzeria, married local man Bradley Moore and is now the proud mum of four boys with the arrival of Angus soon to turn five.

Of course Kirsten often worked in the chocolate shop after school and during school holidays, her boys are keen to learn about coffee and chocolate, the older boys are becoming accomplished cooks and Angus thinks he can.

What happened to Richard? MS has slowed him down a little; he is however working away behind the scenes, looking after book work and printing labels, many of our old customers miss his cheeky smile and he misses being in the shop. Young Jack helped with the setting up of the shop, putting shelving and counters together; Cafe Choco-Latte is a family business, supporting local business and the community; Come in for a cuppa, cake and some chocolate, we are the

hoco-Latte

echocolatte.com.au

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Cafe Choco-Latte in Springetts Arcade is; Pure Indulgence And the Sweetest Place in Town Serving Australian grown Coffee and Tea from the Atherton Tablelands Qld. Hot Chocolate; Beck’s Australian Organic, Delicious flavours English Toffee, Aztec Chilli, Cherry Ripe, Va nilla Spice to name a few; mmm! delicious.

Try our Belgian Hot Chocolate; a steaming mug of hot milk and your own jug of melted chocolate; it’s so good.

Bondi Chai Latte, Honey Vanilla and Spice Serendipity Ice Cream 7 Flavours and 2 Sorbets, there are no artificial colourings and flavours and we intro duce new flavours regularly.

Smoothies- Frappes and Milkshakes AND Chocolates Boxed and Individual; Try our Dullo and Colefax Handmade Chocolates; select your own special box. Pick and Mix with Pad dington and Dolci D Oro Liqueur Truffles, Pink Lady assorted creams.

Old favourites Bacci, Lindt, Guylian, Anthon Berg Li queur Bottles, Belgian Truffles, Chocolate Hearts, Bee tles and novelties and Fudge.

AND MORE Confectionery, relive your childhood Remember Musk Sticks, Gobstoppers, Chocolate Bul lets, Freckles, Slate Pencils, Choc Aniseed Rings, Rasp berries, Lollipops, Gran’s Fudge, Gourmet Fudge, and Sugared Almonds great for weddings.

Items for your pantry, Local Alpine Berry Farm jams, sauces and vinegars.

A range of Australian jams mustards and gift items, Local Whitmarsh Olives and our Coffee and Teas in vacuum sealed bags.

T

he Highlands is great place to live and experience cold crisps winters, glorious autumns and springs and summers void of humidity. Whilst we can prepare ourselves for the change in seasons, you should also do the same for your pets, especially if they are kept outdoors.

If you live in area’s such as Robertson, Fitzroy Falls or Kangaroo Valley your pets, especially your dog, faces the ever present threat of paralysis tick. You can defend against this by using one of the spot on flea and tick treatments every fortnight or a tick collar.

This parasite can be deadly so prevention is definitely your best defence.

Many people in the Highlands live in rural/ urban interface areas. Put simply, this means that the bush and our homes are in close contact. Native animals such as wombats and introduced species such as the fox can carry sarcoptic mange. This mite can affect the skin of your pets and the constant scratching that it causes can really bother them. Prevention using a spot on treatment that kills the mite will ensure that your pet can enjoy a healthy life style around bush areas.

By big city standards we have harsh winters, most pets including small animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits can cope outside with a little foresight from their owners. Ensure they have additional straw bedding for warmth and that their hutch is well pro-

tected from prevailing winds and rain. Many short haired breeds of dog will feel the cold so a kennel and dog coat is a must if your pet is going to be living outside. You may even consider using a special pet friendly heat pad at night that you simply heat up in the microwave. These are very effective in warming your pet up.

An appealing aspect of country living is producing your own food. One of the easiest foods to produce is eggs! The Highlands provides us all with the luxury of large size blocks of land or acreage, ideal for setting up a chicken coop and allowing hens to free range. Not only will you be able to enjoy farm fresh eggs each day, chook’s make great pets too! As pets go they are low maintenance but some preventative treatments against mites and worms every three months will keep your chooks in top laying condition.

Ensure your birds can be locked up of an evening to prevent losses to foxes and remember that even in built up area’s there can be large population’s of fox’s just waiting to take our chook’s so vigilance is important.

Many people do not realise that the Highlands has one of the largest gardening clubs in the country and water gardening is a growing part of this pastime. If you have a pond or are thinking of establishing one, remember that owing to their metabolism, fish require no food during the cold winter months.

If you don’t have time for a pet, consider interacting with the local wildlife, a bird feeder in the garden can attract any number of the brilliantly coloured parrot species that inhabit our shire. Choose a good quality small parrot mix rather than more common mixes to limit the amount of large parrots that can be damaging to your garden.

Jeremy Maitland owns and operates Bowral Pets and Aquarium and can be found at the enormous store; 72-76 station Bowral 48621175. The store offers you all the advice you could need on pets and has all your pets and supplies from fish to chook’s!

46 | The Highland’s Way Magazine | Issue #1 | www.thehighlandsway.com

Open 7 days a week

Manager Alice Thompson said. it tried to fly off with it, the person reWhile some animals barely have a alised it was a tiny kitten and was able chance to sniff the inside of their ento quickly snatch it off the bird. Luckily closure before they are adopted, others the kitten wasn’t hurt and when he was take a little longer before finding their brought into the Home, we thought, dream home. Like Oliver, the nine‘what better name to call him than month-old Staffy Cross who arrived at Magpie?’” the shelter emaciated, dehydrated and Young Magpie was put in a loving covered in fleas. His previous owners foster home until he was big enough to had failed to adequately feed him, let be put up for adoption, where he had GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL alone train or socialise him with other no trouble finding a new family. Alice SHELTERS dogs, so young Oliver often didn’t credits the success of the shelter to present himself in the best light to the small, but committed team of staff he Wingecarribee Animal Sheladopters. members, along with the shelter’s volter is a small but highly profi“Oliver was an incredibly sweet dog unteer group, ‘Friends of Wingecarribee cient shelter, operated by The who just wanted to please people, but Animal Shelter’.

Lost Dogs’ Home since 2005. While it he’d never been taught how to behave,” “Friends of Wingecarribee is an absois, at present, the only shelter outside Alice said. “Our team worked with him lutely wonderful group of people, who of Victoria to be run by the Home, it is every day, socialising him with other are so dedicated to helping the animals still very much a part of the LDH famdogs, teaching him basic obedience and we care for,” Alice said. “They walk ily – albeit a long-distance relative! getting him back to his proper weight. the dogs, they have a cat enrichment Recognised as being one of the top He improved every single day and it program set up where they go and play shelters in New South Wales for rehomwas bittersweet for staff when he was with the cats, and they raise funds to ing companion animals, Wingecarfinally adopted.” help us improve our facilities. We are ribee’s team of dedicated staff work The feline residents of the shelter are no so grateful for everything they do.” tirelessly to find homes for the hundreds less special to staff. One kitten in parof cats and dogs that arrive at the shelticular stole the hearts of many when he Enquiries – Alice Thompson ter each year. was brought into the Home after being (02) 4868 1520 “We’re a very hands-on organisation attacked by a magpie. and try to gain a thorough understand“It’s actually an incredible story… a ing of every animal’s personality and member of the public saw a magpie temperament, so we can give potential swoop down and start picking at someadopters all the information they need thing on the ground,” Alice said. “When to make the right decision,” Shelter

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www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 47

T

o many people, Graeme Day, of Radio 2ST, is the man on the radio who finds his way into their early morning dreams as the clock radio goes off in the morning, then stays with them during their morning routines, whether it be families readying kids for school, or workers preparing for their day ahead or in the car with listeners as they drive to their place of study or work.

The job of morning breakfast announcer is a demanding job, with odd hours and certain demographics to accommodate, along with local issues affecting all ages and political persuasions, even being the messenger at times of local natural incidents, such as flooding or bushfires, traffic incidents, even helping distraught families find lost pets in the local area with a mention on air.

Other times, he may be leading a revolt against local council decisions or provoking debate on other issues, from unjust treatment on vulnerable community members or political debates over proposed laws or taxes Love him or hate him, he fills a vital role in our local community in that regard, and is also directly involved with organizing many community events, such as The Big Band Festival, reviving the Tulip Time parade, and quite readily takes up the role as MC for community fund raisers, which quite often carry a tragic or heart wrenching story behind them, like the case of our own police Sergeant Renee Longford and her battle with cancer.

We dropped into 2ST in Bowral to speak to Graeme, and found a man dedicated to his job and the community, and quite content in his role.

Words by: Richard Alekna Images: by Nicky Alekna

HW how did you get into this Job? Graeme: basically it was a situation of falling into it. It was a case of not what I knew, but who I knew. I was working as a store man and packer, when a friend of my father, who knew someone doing some sport reporting at 2ST, offered me a chance to become involved.

My first shift on air ended up being the graveyard shift, midnight to dawn, filling in for the regular announcer. That was the start of it, really.

HW: How long have you been at it for now?

Graeme: The other day I found my first roster ever, showing I started on the 14/4/1982 as a trainee, so 30 years next year.

HW: Have you had any regrets?

GD: Never. None whatsoever. I also do a lot of after lunch or after dinner speeches, and I always say that I would have to be the luckiest person alive, because I have never had a day when I didn’t want to come to work, effectively.

HW: What is it that drives you, to make you get up early on those freezing cold mornings and do this?

GD: every day is different. You can come to work one day, and there has been a world-wide occurrence, like the World Trade Centre attack in 2001 or, on another day, more recently, the gas outage we had here in the Southern Highlands, where everyone wants to know what’s going on and they come here first. The same goes when we get the winds, flooding, no matter what.

The other thing really, is just making a difference, in communities like this just doing

what you can to help people out.

HW: what would be your most embarrassing or worse moment you have ever had on air?

Graeme: Probably doing a lost dog announcement, where one of my colleges had slipped me a piece of paper while I was doing an out door broadcast, I read out ‘we are looking for a Jack Russell terrier has gone missing, who is blind in one eye, has one ear, has only three legs, has got the mange, and answers to the name Lucky!”(laughing) I didn’t proof read it and went straight into it live on air!

HW: What would be one of your proudest moments?

Graeme: There have been two things that have been sensational, one was raising money for Havenleigh School,* which is for kids with special needs, on the coast, and through Berrima Gaol here, and also from the coast and the Highlands we raised close to $20,000 for haven leigh school to put in sports equipment, and to fix their play ground up, and to purchase their bus, and also working with them, the government wouldn’t fund a special needs therapist, so the public came to the party and we basically

paid for it from the community for the first twelve months, then the government took it on after that first twelve months full time.

After that, locally, was the time we raised funds for the Queen St Centre, when we raised $60,000 in three days for the Queen St centre on behalf of Rotary, effectively.

HW: Was that when you stayed here, in the studio?

Graeme: That’s right, that’s when I stayed here for three days.

HW: Has there ever been a time when you have felt like ‘throwing it all in’ at all?

Graeme: No, not really…..

HW: so you wouldn’t swap it for anything?

Graeme: Well, as you get older and you realize the power of the media, you realize you can do a lot more from the outside looking in, than on the inside looking out, in regard to, where people have asked me to stand for local council, but you can do more from the outside, than what you can do from within the bureaucracy, and that goes for state and federal politics , and I have been approached by both sides, to stand for both and the more the world turns, the better off you are being on the outside, driving it from the outside, to be honest.

But the other thing is too, the positive side is you will always meet different characters and always different circumstances and you really get a handle on all sides of life HW: Have there been any callers you can remember, that may have perhaps provided inadvertent entertainment to the listeners you can recall?

Graeme: Not so much callers, but its just the impression people may have of you as a person, which is the “on air” persona, as opposed to the “off air” persona….you know what I mean?

HW: well, this is your job….

Graeme; Yep. Like when you are talking about an issue, and you go hard on it, right, people think that you’re a hard-nosed, ar-

Graeme hosting the Big Band Festival 2010

rogant kind of bloke, and in reality, that’s not the case. For some unknown reason, a lot of people get the impression that I’m arrogant, but its probably because I get very focused on what I’m thinking about, and also very focused on the people I’m with.

HW: …..And being a confident public speaker, I guess that may perceive arrogance to some people also…

Graeme: well, I think sometimes people read you the wrong way, like often here, people ask staff here “what’s it like working with him? He’d be an idiot bastard to work for, wouldn’t he?” but that’s not the case. Like anybody who works in the public eye, people make up their own versions of what you’re like, and ninety percent of them are negative, and that’s just the Australian tall poppy syndrome, but I’m very much live and let live and if I can sort something out to help people, fine. If I can’t, then so be it.

HW: Well, away from the office, what are some of the things you like doing best in your spare time?

Graeme: Basically just spending time with the family, as they are the ones who suffer from the time away when you’re fiddling around doing other things as far as the community goes, and I’ve been lucky where they have always been very supportive.

HW: can you give us a run down on some of the other events you have been behind such as the Big Band Festival or reviving the Tulip Time parade?

Graeme: Yes. Both of them and there is a stack of other things you get behind and help out, and I’m a great believer in looking after your own patch, and as far as looking after your own patch goes, while some people just want to save the world, and I have been accused of that, and effectively I don’t, I just want to make sure that whoever is in the patch here in the Southern Highlands, get what they deserve as far

Graeme: Well, I call that the “badge syndrome”, and what the badge syndrome is, is everyone is out there wanting a badge, where they stand for committees, put their hands up, they want to do whatever to get a badge, and ninety percent of the people don’t want a badge, or don’t want to give a badge, they just want to get on, and if you can put your hand up and get involved and don’t want the accolades, it rolls a lot better than saying “Look at ME, Look at ME, ITS ALL ABOUT ME!”….. So fine, you get a badge, so what? The one thing that brings people down, is they’ve got this thing that they are going to perpetuate their legacy, and at the end of the day, I’ve been with a lot of people over a long time, and effectively, the legacy they think they are perpetuating, never lasts, its soon forgotten, so basically, do what you can while you’re here, and if it works, fine. If you get knocked for it, that’s fine too. I don’t like injustice and I’m a great believer in writers might, and sometimes you have to kick people in the bum for them to pursue that themselves.

HW: what else do you do during the week?

Graeme: Stacks of things, but mainly, at the grand old age of fifty next year, I’m still doing discos, believe it or not, and the young kids love it, like 18/19 year olds think its fantastic. And I started when I was 14 doing discos, and that was what effectively got me into radio, but when you think, as I said, I’m just about to turn

fifty, there’s teenagers still going to those retro nights that I do at the grand, because they listen to it with their parents and there’s nothing better than doing a retro night when a 18/19 year old comes up and asks you to play some Doors, and you ask them how they know about the Doors, and they say “Dad used to listen to them all the time and I think they are great!”

But I have been lucky, that where ever I’ve worked,…. well I’ve worked at 2ST for twentyseven of the thirty years, and 11 years since the Grand Hotel’s been going….. Dana, who runs Curves, was a teenager coming to discos I used to run at Currarong Bowling Club, and I did that for ten years, many years ago, so wherever I’ve been, I was there for a long time, longevity in the job.

HW: Where did you go to school, Graeme?

Graeme: I went to Bombaderry High School, I was vice captain, and I left two weeks before the HSC, because someone offered me a job. They said, do you want a job, or do you want to do the HSC then go to university? I said, “I’ll take the job.”

Consequently, I took the job and then I met the fellow who introduced me to a sports announcer named Bernie Reagan and that was the path I took.

HW: Have there been some colourful char

acters you have worked with over the years?

Graeme: Oh…..every one of them!….(laughs out loudly) My philosophy is, that every one is a nut bag until they prove otherwise…..nut bag or nut case…everybody’s the same until they prove different!

We wound

Graeme on the air for tulip time 2010

up the chat with Graeme there, on a cheerful note as he had to get back to his days work .

Graeme Day is on 102.9 FM (2ST) on week days 5.30am to 10.00am, and some Saturdays too.

He can also be found at The Grand Hotel on Tuesday evenings running the trivia nights, and at many other venues around the NSW South Coast and the Illawarra at different times running discos or retro nights.

Check out the web site… www.2st.com.au

www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 55

10

Tips to find the right social networking sites for your children

C

hoosing the right websites for your kids should be easy but it really isn’t.

We have so many warnings about strangers, grooming, cyber bullying, stalking and inappropriate content its surprising that we don’t switch off all our computers and hide under our beds.

The thing is, if you know what to look for in a site that has been designed for kids (or says that it has been designed for kids), then you can quite quickly see whether or not it is appropriate. Some sites don’t really offer the kind of security that you need for little ones, others have too much advertising, others aren’t really ticking the boxes of trustworthy.

So we have come up with ten tips that you can follow to make sure that you have chosen social networking sites are safe for your kids.

1. Contact Details

Check out their contact details and see how quickly they respond to emails or telephone calls before you register. This is especially vital if they are asking you to fork out a monthly sum for the privilege of using their site. A quick response and a willingness to answer any questions you may have about online security are general good signs.

2. Are they a Legitimate business?

Some sites make look the business – all sparkly lights and pretty pictures – but what is actually behind the scenes. Many social networking sites for kids have been reviewed by other parents or by other websites so do an online search to see what other people are saying. Also check on the organisation running the site. Do they have a reputation?

Have they got a track record in secure websites and children? Have they been in the news?

3. Child safety

While you are researching the organisation and the site, find out what track records they have in child safety. This pertains to the software they are using too – what system have they put in place to keep your child’s information secure?

4. How are members validated?

Check the registration process to see how they are assessing and validating their members. If anyone can just join the community using whichever email address they have to hand, then there is the risk that adults can join in too. There needs to be a system that determines applicants are the right age and that involves the parents in the application process.

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10 Tips 5. How informed are you?

How are you kept informed of your child’s progress on the site? Their interactions? Sites that ask you to determine who they can talk to, what levels of security they are allocated, and to approve any images that are uploaded are far safer than those that don’t offer any limitations.

6. How is the internal communication controlled?

Most social networking sites for kids only allow children very limited online communication. They can email or IM (instant message) each other only by using specific phrases and key words that have been preapproved by the community or the parent. Check to make sure you have access to all this communication (especially for children under 13), and that children can flag up bad language or bullying.

7. Are your children protected?

Does the site offer kids tips and advice and help regarding issues like cyber bullying or inappropriate content? Can they flag up an issue with the site easily and do they feel as if their needs are catered to effectively? Many sites have trained mediators online who keep children safe and check for bad behaviour or content.

8. Who else can see their profile?

Many sites only allow other children to see or communicate with your child after you have granted them permission. This way you know the child in question, you know that they are not a security risk, and you can ensure that no strangers start chatting to your kids.

9. Seals of security

Look out for reputable security signs such as VeriSign, ESRB Privacy Online Program or TRUSTe Children’s Privacy. These are well known security systems that have excellent credentials.

10. Educational benefits

While the site may be packed full of security and all sorts of social networking extras, there is little point in going through all this rigmarole if it doesn’t actually have any educational benefits at all. Check what they offer, what they purport to teach your child, and then make your final decision based on this fact. Oh, and try to avoid sites with excessive advertising on them too.

www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 57

Digital Photography Tips For Beginners era the better you’ll become. I know everyone has heard the saying practice makes perfect. Well it’s true.

“Practice”.

The Basic Functions you need to know Aperture - is the opening in your camera lens that

Basic Digital Photography Tips for Beginners

Buying your first digital camera can be a tough choice as there are so many camera’s available. And the features on them can be very overwhelming. With all the buttons and settings on a digital camera it can really be tough. You kind of think how am I going to operate this thing. Most people are so worried that their photos are going to be really terrible so they leave their camera on auto mode. Auto mode allows the camera to do all the thinking for you so you can just take pictures, and sometimes your camera makes the wrong choices. Understanding your camera functions and some simple rules of light and composition will defiantly help you take better pictures. Here are some great tips for you to get started.

Getting to Know Your Camera

Read your camera manual back the front and upside down. I know It can be really boring, but knowing what your camera can do will save you a lot of time and headaches. When I bought my first digital camera I didn’t read the manual at all. Instead, I tried to figure it out on my own. Let’s just say that didn’t work out to well, I kind of jumped the gun and I was never happy with any of the photos that I took. There were tons of things my camera was capable of and I wasn’t even aware of it until I read the manual about three months later. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Read your manual. Learn about your camera’s settings. Test those settings out so you know what they mean.

Try taking the exact same photo using all of the different setting on your camera. You can compare these photos to give you a better idea of what the settings can really do.

Take a heap of photos. The more you use your cam-

allows light to enter the camera creating an image on the sensor. Think of the aperture as similar to your pupil. The wider the opening on the lens is, the more light it lets in. On your camera f-numbers are used to measure the aperture opening. If the f-number is small, for example f/4.5, the camera’s aperture is open wide. If the f-number is large, for example f/22, the aperture is small.

ISO - is used to describe how sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light. ISO is denoted with numbers like 100, 400, 1600. The higher the ISO the more sensitive the sensor is. Set your camera at low ISO settings most of the time because these lower settings will give you a clearer photo. The higher the ISO the more noise will appear in your photos. To bump up your ISO is used in a low light situation.

It’s All About the Lighting

Light is an extremely important component in photography. Knowing how to use light to your advantage will help you become a better photographer.

When taking photographs outdoors there are two times of the day that provide you with beautiful light, the hour just before sunset and just after sunrise. This time of day casts a beautiful golden glow that looks great in photographs, which is fantastic for landscape photography. If you are taking photos in harsh afternoon sunlight it is best to use a fill flash or reflector to diminish the shadows that will appear on your subject’s face. When you use your flash in these conditions it is called a fill flash. Your fill flash doesn’t have to be a as strong as your regular flash. Many DSLR cameras allow you to control the intensity of the flash.

If your camera doesn’t you can dim your flash by taping a piece of tissue or wax paper over it. A reflector is just a large reflective surface that you can use to aim the sun into the area where the shadow is. If you don’t have a professional reflector, you can use a large piece of white board or a sheet of Styrofoam When using artifical light to light your subject be aware of the shadows the light is casting. You can use multiple lights and adjust those lights into different positions to lessen the shadows. Experiment until you

www.pixelphotography.com.au

Ph: 4861

3543 to book your couples Photo Shoot Now

www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 59

Tony Springett Committee Member since 1989

Helping Children with special Needs 2011 Committee

KKKK Kollege of Knowledge Kommittee For Kids

The “Kollege of Knowledge Kommit-

tee for kids.” usually referred to as the KKKK started some eighteen years ago in 1989.

A group of six or seven businessmen who used to frequent the Bowral Hotel, had a great idea to raise money to try and help local kids and their families.

These businessmen had long ‘deep and meaningful’ meetings at the Bowral which was fondly known to these fellows as the “Kollege of Knowledge” because this is where the problems of the world were discussed and solved.

Mine hosts for the first ten years of the KKKK were Merv and Gwyneira Hicks who gave generously their time and money supporting the cause.

The aims of the Kollege of Knowledge Kommittee for Kids are to voluntarily raise funds from the local business and broader community by means of fundraising dinners, golf days, raffles, grant applications, donations and other suitable means; to directly benefit children who are terminally or chronically ill (with particular reference to children whose usual place of residence is within the Wingecarribee Shire of NSW); to aid and support the families of those children; to benefit children who are physically and/or intellectually disabled or disadvantaged; to act in aid of any charitable organization, school or group, in specific circumstances, whose objectives and aims are the same or similar to the KKKK. We have now handed out close to

$1,000.000 on improving the lives and lifestyles of local kids and their families. The beauty of this organization is that we do not pay any administration fees or costs. All activities are carries out on a voluntary basis. some of the organizations we have contributed to include childflight, Shepherd Centre, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Clown Doctors (now known as the Humour Foundation) and Camp Quality.

We have purchased playground equipment for special need kids at Tangara, Moss Vale, Mittagong, Colo Vale, Avoca and Sutton Forest primary schools enabling these kids to interact and play with more fortunate. Countless other young individuals and their families have also benefited from moneys given to them by the KKKK for medical support, equipment, camps and so on Funds have been raised in many ways over the years including the Sydney Rugby League frand final lunches, shopping trolley races, celebrity soccer matches, weekly tombola’s at the Bowral Hotel, dinner/dances, black tie functions and of course the ever popular annual gentlemen’s lunches and more recently the Ladies lunches. Both individuals and groups of people have also assisted by donating their time and/or much needed funds.

To Contact the kkkk www.kkkk.com.au

MAGGI ANDERSEN Maggi Andersen lives in the beautiful southern highlands with her husband, a retired lawyer and their Persian cat. She enjoys swimming, reading, movies, theatre, following politics and spending time with her young grandson.

The demands of work and raising three children made Maggi put writing on hold, but the desire remained.

After she’d obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing degree, she wrote her first novel, a mystery suspense set in England.

Maggi’s historical romances are drawn from the worlds created by Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen and Victoria Holt. Her late Victorian tales are murder mysteries, her Regencies lighter in tone. She loves writing about the fashions, food, mansions, the history and customs, as well as creating gorgeous heroes and enterprising heroines. Her Georgian romance, The Reluctant Marquess remained on the Amazon Bestseller Regency list for months.

Maggi also writes young adult novels.

Her books are available as e-books and in print from www.amazon.com.

www.maggiandersenauthor.com

T

he Reluctant Marquess: A country-bred girl, Charity Barlow always intended to marry for love like her parents. She suddenly finds herself married to a marquess, her new husband an aloof stranger determined to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. She and Lord Robert have been forced by circumstances to marry, and she feels sure she is not the woman he would have chosen given a choice.

Lord Robert makes it plain that marriage is merely for the procreation of an heir, and once that is achieved, he intends to continue in London living the life he enjoyed before he met her. Charity may then retire to the country. While Lord Robert pursues his own interests, Charity is left to wander the echoing corridors of St. Malin House, when she isn’t thrown into the midst of the mocking and clever Haute Ton.

"Readers will love the delightful tale of love in an arranged marriage. As troubles buffet the new couple and their love is tested, readers will be rooting for them to make it through." -- RT Book Review

Viola has broken all the rules of conduct. Members of the Ton, including the Prince of Wales, circle like wolves . If she is to become a mistress, will it be to the man she loves, the Duke of Vale, after he marries another?

Maggi Andersen gives the reader humor, suspense, mystery, historical tidbits, and a charming, fresh love story. She takes the reader along as the story weaves its way through a maze of twists and turns with danger, conflicts, and “rules of conduct” threatening at every turn.”

—Short Reviews

In a post-apocalyptic world, Evie French has just turned seventeen. She and her cousin, Marcus Peters, sixteen, struggle to survive after being left alone in their parent’s bed and breakfast hotel in outback Australia. An endless drought has killed Evie’s father’s avocado trees and all the surrounding habitation. Hope comes in the form of a nineteen year old boy, Joel Pitt.

He arrives on his motorbike with his dog, Rasputin, bringing supplies. The three embark on a trip that will take them over mountainous terrain with a limited supply of food and water. What might they find if they reach the coast? Will other people have survived the devastation? And who bombed their country? No one seems to know.

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When Lady Harriett Edgerton falls in love with the wrong man, Gerard, Earl of Foxworth, she decides to seduce him and have one night of passion before becoming an old maid with a scandalous past.

When Laura Palmer marries Lord Nathaniel Lanyon, a handsome baron, she goes to live in his castle in Cornwall expecting to be happy. She never expects to have to solve the mystery of Nathaniel’s first wife’s death, and be in mortal danger herself.

The new Lord Broughton, in Kate’s opinion, has a nasty disposition. But then maybe that’s because Broughton Hall’s former occupant, his brother, was killed in the mysterious fire that destroyed one wing.

On the web: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com http://www.maggiandersen.blogspot.com http://twitter.com/#!Maggiandersen http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maggi-Andersens-Writing-Life/372854959805

www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 65

AnneWhitfield Anne Whitfield is a local author from Bowral. Married with three children, she was born to Yorkshire parents who emigrated to Australia in the 60s. Her love of reading fiction started at an early age with Enid Blyton’s novels. Having spent 3 years living in England, she discovered her love of history by visiting the many and varied places of historical interest there. She also found her love of reading historical fiction.

Not long after moving to the Southern highlands in 1996, she began writing her first book. The road to publication was long and winding with a few false starts, but she finally became published in 2006.

Since that time, Anne’s had over nine novels and four short stories published. Her contemporary romance, Hooked on You was a 2011 finalist for the international EPIC award.

Her passions, apart from writing, are reading, researching, genealogy, collecting Victorian diaries, roaming historical sites, buying books and gardening.

She is an author of historical women's fiction, contemporary romance novels and several short stories.

All her books are available in ebook and paperback from bookstores, especially online bookstores such as www.Amazon.com Anne Whitfield has done it again. She quickly became one on my 'must read' list. –The Romance Studio "The House of Women" is full of twists and turns that are sure to entertain. Ms. Whitfield's character development has certainly impressed me. Kudos to the author. - Diane Wylie author

Her first historical novel to be published was Kitty McKenzie, a saga of a young woman who has to take control of her siblings after her parents die in 1864.

For more about Anne Whitfield and her books visit her on the web: www.annewhitfield.com/ www.annewhitfield.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/Annewhitfield www.facebook.com/pages/Anne-Whitfield/152801668068557

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Suddenly left as the head of the family, Kitty McKenzie must find her inner strength to keep her family together against the odds. Evicted from their resplendent home in the fashionable part of York after her parents’ deaths, Kitty must fight the legacy of bankruptcy and homelessness to secure a home for her and her siblings. Through sheer willpower and determination she grabs opportunities with both hands from working on a clothes and rag stall in the market to creating a teashop for the wealthy. Her road to happiness is fraught with obstacles of hardship and despair, but she refuses to let her dream of a better life for her family die. She soon learns that love and loyalty brings its own reward.

The sequel to Kitty McKenzie, titled Kitty McKenzie’s Land is set in northern New South Wales in 1866.

Kitty is gifted land in the far north of New South Wales. Life at the northern property is full of hardships as she learns how to become a successful landowner. However, Kitty's strength of will and belief in herself gives her the courage most women of her time never realize they have.

A decided thorn in her side is the arrogant and patronizing Miles Grayson, owner of the adjourning run. He wants her gone so he can have her land, but he wants her even more.

Anne’s latest release is the Victorian historical, The House of Women.

As the Victorian Age draws to a close, lonely and brokenhearted, Grace Woodruff fights for her sisters’ rights to happiness while sacrificing any chance for her own.

The eldest of seven daughters, Grace is the core of strength around which the unhappy members of the Woodruff family revolve. As her disenchanted mother withdraws to her rooms, Grace must act as a buffer between her violent, ambitious father and the sisters who depend upon her. Rejected by her first love and facing a spinster’s future, she struggles to hold the broken family together through her father’s infidelity, one sister’s alcoholism, and another’s outof-wedlock pregnancy by an unsuitable match.

Caring for an illegitimate half-brother affords Grace an escape, though short-lived. Forced home by illness and burdened with dwindling finances, Grace faces fresh anguish –and murder– when her first love returns to wreck havoc in her life. All is not lost, however. In the midst of tragedy, the fires of her heart are rekindled by another. Will the possibility of true love lead Grace to relinquish her responsibilities in the house of women and embrace her own right to happiness?

Published novels: The House of Women, historical. Kitty McKenzie, historical. Kitty McKenzie’s Land, (sequel) Broken Hero, WWII romance. Long Distance Love, modern romance. Hooked on You, modern romance.

New beginnings: short story anthology.

Coming Soon: To Gain What’s Lost, historical, Oct 2011.

To Take Her Pride, historical, Dec 2011.

A Noble Place, historical, Feb 2011.

www.thehighlandsway.com | 1 # Issue | The Highlands Way Magazine | 67

The Moss Vale Small Bore Rifle & Clay Target Club (MVSBR&CTC) is located on the Eastern side of Berrima Road, a few hundred metres north of Taylor Avenue.

(Google Maps reference http://maps.google. com.au/maps?hl=en&tab=wl ).

The Club was established in 1971 as The Moss Vale Services Club Sporting Bodies Rifle Club.

Shoots were held initially at George Moore’s property near Exeter, before moving to the present grounds which, up until that point, had been used as a CMF and civilian big-bore rifle range dating back to the 2nd World War. Facilities at the outset were very basic compared to today, with the 14 inaugural members shooting off tarps or ground-sheets on the ground without the benefit of shelter. Targets were only shot over 25 yards until such time as the extended range facilities became available.

The first recorded shooting competition at the club was on the 27th August, 1971, and it was won by Tony Fletcher with a score of 172.

Tony has since been made a life member of the club and still helps out and shoots each weekend.

The Rifle branch of the Club recently affiliated with the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA) and today approximately 40 members shoot small-bore rifle over 20m, 50m and 90m distances across two disciplines:-

Benchrest, which is shot sitting down with telescopic sights; and Prone, which is shot from a laying position with open or peep sights. Big-bore is no longer shot on the Club range.

Facilities at the Club now include a club house, a covered shooting range and an amenities block.

The Clay Target branch of the Club, which utilises part of the range behind the rifle mound, was started in 2004 at the suggestion of inaugural Clay Target Captain John Erdman. John oversaw the installation of the first Down-the-Line (DTL) trap layout and the initial construction of the club house. Present Clay Target Captain, Barry Kable, took over the reins from John in 2009 and has overseen the installation of a second (temporary) DTL trap layout and the extensions to the club house to the point it is at today. The Clay Target branch of the Club is affiliated with the Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA), enabling club members to shoot competitively at any ACTA ground throughout Australia. Membership of the Clay Target branch is approximately 60, with strong support for the sport being shown to date by local and visiting shooters.

In the near future it is hoped to improve Club facilities. Significant earthworks are planned to level the shooting ranges; re-alignment of the Clay Target range to face East (and thereby overcome the present problem of looking into the sun while shooting ); and incorporation of a Skeet layout together with the Trap layouts. Finances permitting, the Club would also like to upgrade the Club generator, the Clay Target amenities block and the club

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houses.

The primary objectives of the MVSBR&CTC are to promote the sport of target shooting (rifle & clay target) within the Southern Highlands, raise awareness of firearms safety and just as importantly, to provide a fun social day at the range for members and visitors.

It is pleasing to see that the current membership of the MVSBR&CTC is as diverse as our community. We have men, women and youngsters shooting at the club, ranging in age from 12 years old (the legal age for juniors) to members who are well into their 80s.

Notably, we also have quite a few father and son teams that attend the Club shoots.

The Rifle branch of the Club shoots every Sunday morning starting at 9am. Visitors are welcome and the necessary paperwork can be completed on arrival at the Club. Club rifles are available for hire on a first-in basis and ammunition can be purchased at the Club.

The Clay Target branch holds practice shoots every second Saturday commencing at 12 midday (byo food & drinks) and competition shoots on the last Saturday of each month (start time varies according to season). Catering is provided at competition shoots.

For further information about the MVSBR&CTC, please contact: George Lang (Rifle branch) by email georgelang.mvrc@gmail.com or Barry

Kable (Clay Target Captain) on mobile 0408261842.

Visitors who would like to have a go at the sport can fill out the appropriate paperwork at the range and be