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Fashion
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Meet six ladies of fashion
Wild Things !
Amazing Photography
India pt1
Experienc another culture
Luke Austen’s Scoop Two Golden Guitars!
Lost in Vegas
Non-gambling Options social/life magazine : APRIL 2012
fashion n music n sport n events n people n travel n food n you...
cover: Photography: Jacqui Clancy Vanessa Swilks Styling: Model: Kirsten O’Connell the Face of Frock On 2011 Newcastle is a Fashion City coming of age. Meet six of the City’s fashion notables with a passion for fashion - page 12
“Be kind whenever possible... It is always possible.” - Dalai Lama In this publication we try to give you, our readers a light read perhaps while you’re enjoying a coffee at your favourite cafe ... ... while waiting for your pals to arrive... Heck, you called only a few days ago to arrange it... Late again? ... Why do you always fall into that trap? You should have called again yesterday - That fear of appearing too eager, too needy is unfounded you know... (face palm.) Just you wait... When you call your besties later on, they’ll say “Ohh, you should have told me... I just plumb forgot!!!” (head desk bonk.)
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vanessa swilks
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jacqui clancy
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But, on the upside, you can all have a laugh at the mis-communication and then you can share some amazing fact that you gleaned from the last edition of Social Life... something about the clever girls competing for the title of Miss Pin-Up Australia... or that you’ve discovered a new talent, Abigal Washburn who plays banjo like you’ve never heard it before.. or you become a fan of Belmont-based author, Kaz Delaney and plan to collect all of her past 60 books - (By this time your friends are stunned and keen to discover your life-enriching secret...) You miss the question because you are once again perusing the fashion section in which Andrew Smallcombe is looking about as sharp as a guy can look in outfits chosen by visionary fashion editor and stylist Vasessa Swilks... You catch yourself and make an excuse for not hearing the last three minutes of conversation... (hand fan) Engrossed in the pages again you muse... That Alana Ellis on page 10 is a great young lass with an adventurous spirit... I wish I’d tried surfing... She looks great on the board... By this time, you’re too busy to continue the conversation because you’re heading for the Baby Animals gig with a new friend you met at the cafe reading another Social Life Magazine... - Funny how life works... By the way... ... Also, I want to thank the brilliant photographers who made the Pin-Up story in the last edition so visually stunning. Melanie Heard Photography, Helen Fung – F8 Photographers and Boogie Bop Dames. Nice work !! - Steve
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Purchase these eco-friendly drink bottles to help raise much-needed funds to support the Sea Shepherd Project on it’s continuing mission to protect whales in the Southern Ocean. Visit: www.naturallysustainable.com.au for more information. 2 social/life
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ted’s band
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page 5
fans of “scrubs” will know “the blanks” and their music
flowers on the water
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page 6
newcastle’s dragon boat team do well on darling harbour
get on your bike and ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8 fun with pedal power with vicki coughlan
a day at the races
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page 10
the supporters of cancer enjoy a classy day out
what to do in las vagas
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page 11
the “other” attractions of the gambling city
fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 12 the city’s fashion icons share a few thoughts
wild vision
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page 19
jim thomson captures amazing wildlife images
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a journey through india . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 20 tegan hughes experiences first-hand
two golden guitars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22 singer/guitarist luke austen scores big at tamworth
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page 28
all the fun and adventure of the cruise send in your social snaps from events around the area for next edition info@sociallifemagazine.com.au - name each pic with a caption and email - easy.
A Refreshing Approach to Entertainment & Leisure
Karaoke And Dance (Celebrity Karaoke)
Themed Dinner Shows Incl: “Through The Decades” “Shocky Horror” “The Movie Show”
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for Venues, Company, Organisation Etc. (Can Be Self Hosted)
We Design & Theme Shows To Suit a Venue’s needs or Private Party
Guided Day/Weekend Hunter & Vineyard Tours or Join Our Fun P&O Cruise Group February 2012
All Shows Hosted - Fun & Relaxed Almost 2000 Shows Experience including Cruise Ships
Some Opportunities Remain For Your Christmas Function G&S Lifestyle And Entertainment Contact Greg Watt 0412761936 www.entertaining4you.com
social/life 3
Park your Garage Sales on
t he Internet
You have been planning your garage sale for weeks now. Your garage, as well as you whole home, is stuffed with old records, books, clothing, vacuum sweepers, and other odds and ends that you have no use for anymore.
I
nstead of just tossing your clutter into the neighbourhood landfill, you’ve decided to hold one of the most timehonoured traditions in civilization-the garage (or yard) sale. It can be a thankless task, but there’s definitely good money in it-if you know how and where to organize your garage sale. First, of course, you need to get your sales items together. Garage sales are a great way to recycle stuff that you no longer have room for. You’d be surprised what doodads and miscellany your neighbours will want-musty books, old silver wear, framed photos of long-lost third cousins, and other unmentionables that you’ve had no use for since who knows when.
times. The garage sale has evolved thanks to the multitude of Web sites that allow you to sell your goods online. People are selling more stuff than ever on the Internet because of the convenience of Web classified sites. The Internet holds several crucial advantages over selling your stuff the outdated way. When you compare these benefits to the problems with home-based garage sales, you’ll see the difference:
ONLINE: Your items are available for purchase for an unlimited time, until they sell.
HOME:
Your items are available until you call it quits for the night.
Even more surprising, your neighbours are willing to shell out cold hard cash for these items. That makes your garage sale a winwin proposition for you.
ONLINE: Rain, sleet, or snow, your sales
Come to think of it, though, a garage sale at your home can be a real chore. It takes a Herculean effort to collect and organise every last little thing you want to sell.
ONLINE: No need to constantly watch
Then you have to tag each item and keep track of it in a hardcopy log. To ensure that your neighbours show up with cash in hand, you must create, print up, and pay for flyers, which need to be distributed on telephone poles and supermarket message boards across the region. The work can seem endless and your chances of making a profit slim. Don’t get me wrong. Your garage sale was a great idea, but as you can see, there are many limitations to holding one at your house the old-fashioned way. Get with the 4 social/life
aren’t affected in the least.
HOME: Better have an emergency rain date or a very big umbrella. over your goods or interact with uninterested customers. You only have to wait until a customer contacts you by e-mail when they are ready to purchase.
HOME:
Be prepared for countless hours of staring down the street for customers to appear. When they do arrive, be prepared for too many questions but too few purchases.
ONLINE:
Advertise for free to your friends and neighbours over e-mail.
HOME:
Shell out money for flyers and newspaper advertising after which you should get to know all of the telephone poles in your neighbourhood. You will need loads
of sticky tape.
ONLINE:
Spend your weekends the way they were meant to be: relaxing and enjoying your time with friends and family.
HOME:
Spend your weekend waking up early, buying and distributing flyers, lugging boxes, and waiting for customers.
As you can see, it’s not an even match. An online garage sale wins hands down. Now that you’re actually excited to get started with your garage sale, you should know that there is one caveat. As easy as it may seem, your online garage sale will be even easier if you choose the right classified site. Your best bet is to do your research and find classified sites with the most features and benefits, such as
1 No sign-up, registration, or transaction fees.
2 Free ad listing with text description and pictures.
3 Long-term ad posting and free renewals.
4 Easy, accurate, electronic, and automatic record keeping. The best classified sites have these incredible features and then some. Not only will you be able to clean out your home’s clutter with the help of these classified sites. Your garage sale will also park a profit in your pocket. n
About the Author: Donald Lee is the public relations manager for Buysellcommunity.com A free online classified listing services provider.
The Blanks Frontman, Sam Loyd’s alter ego Ted from Tv’s Scrubs is not so dead-pan, not so blank as he tours the world making music with friends.
and ed’ s B T
Newcastle loves
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.
Freed from the four walls of Sacred Heart, The Blanks (aka Ted’s Band from the show Scrubs) have packed their bags with a cappella tunes and sketch comedy and are currently in the midst of a World tour.
Wave and with a combination of a cappella tunes and sketch comedy they hit the road with a live stage show in 2008. Now almost 4 years on The Blanks continually attract hoards of fans and amazing reviews.
Everyone loves the underdog and when it came to the smash hit show Scrubs, Ted Buckland, the hospitals slightly depressed, put upon lawyer, certainly fell into that category. The one time that he came to life was when he was with his, a cappella quartette, known on the show as the Worthless Peons.
In a series where Zach Braff made the music such an integral part of the show, The Blanks fitted in perfectly.
Off screen, the band called The Blanks, developed a cult like following after 8 years on Scrubs, in worldwide syndication and over 7.5 million YouTube views. In 2004 The Blanks releases their debut CD Riding the
As a composer, Blanks member Paul Perry wrote over half the songs for a special musical episode for Scrubs in 2007 entitled My Musical, one of which, Guy Love, was nominated for an Emmy Award for
In addition to the on-camera performances by the band they’ve dabbled with prime-time TV and cartoon themes and Commercial Jingles.
Green Clean
For those who are already fans of the talented foursome, the show is just what you’d expect. Quick, witty repartee and four voices in fine form. Guests who haven’t previously tuned in to Ted’s Band should be prepared to laugh out loud - and maybe even sing along. If you’re a fan of classic comedy like The Marx Brothers, The Three Stooges, and Monty Python with a little splash of Glee then The Blanks will be right up your alley. The Blanks performed recently at The Civic Theatre to a full house proving that Newcastle loves comedy, music and a cult TV show all rolled into one. n
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kitchen floor kids pets social/life 5
If you find yourself near Carrington on a Tuesday or Thursday evening or Saturday and Sunday mornings, you might come across the local dragon boat racing team, the Newcastle Hunter Dragons and their friends Dragons Abreast training along the waterway. The Dragons Abreast ladies are, notably, a team comprised of breast cancer survivors who celebrate life and the memory of their numbers who have past-on due to cancer by participating in an international dragon boat competition. The competition culminates
in a massive regatta on Darling Harbour each year where teams are selected for the international comp. Thousands of onlookers and supported gathered at Darling Harbour last month to watch the long boast race in a colourful spectacle amid cheering and calls of support. Each year the regatta is held on the Sunday of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Sydney. The Saturday races are primarily for the official Dragon Boat teams from all across Australia – although
Dragon boat racing can be grueling, punishing and exhausting... but when it’s a celebration of life, it can be exhilarating... STORY: Steve Dunkley
Top Centre: Racing starts at the Bridge at Darling Harbour. Top Right: Congratulations all ‘round as the competitors celebrate after the races.
Above Right: Dragon boast manouver into position before as they gather on for the memorial celebration Flowers on The Water.
PHOTOS: Tania Dunning
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Main: A race in full swing. Boat #4 powered by the combined Newcastle team heads for the line.
Above: Flowers on the waters - A moment of tribute and rememberance for competitors who have lost friends and team-mates to cancer. Left: Newcastle’s Dragon Boat team practise at Carrington (Helicam Photo: Paul Sawatzky).
the entry numbers were lower this year, the regatta had a full card of races and the public were treated to an exciting display of competitive dragon boat racing. After a night of celebrations where the Dragons Abreast girls do their best to get some rest before their big day, the scene is set for another exciting and moving event. Race after race is run to decide the winner and our Newcastle girls take out the first place honours in their second heat and eventually land fourth place nationally in the final race.
Then as a finale, to mark the passing of their friends who have been fighting cancer over the previous years, all the teams join to form a close group on the water and as they remember their friends, they cast flowers on the water – united. Dragons Abreast train each week in Carrington with their host team, the Newcastle Hunter Dragons. They are always on the lookout for keen new members to celebrate life in their unique way. n For more information visit: www.dragonsabreast.com.au and www.dragonsabreast.com.au/NSW/Hunter.htm social/life 7
Get on your bike &
STORY & PHOTOS: Vicki Coughlan
$ Throsby Creek What attracts me to Throsby Creek bike track is its quirkiness and its scenery. It has numerous art works alongside it, some of which are also functional. Bollards are sculptures and ornamental wind vanes sit among the tree tops. A large, comfy looking concrete lounge is there for a rest stop.
8 social/life
Riding alongside Throsby Creek always makes me feel as if I could be in the Netherlands. The proximity of the water is reminiscent of the canals there and the constant cyclists in both directions makes me optimistic that Newcastle will one day abound with bicycle riders of all persuasions, from hipsters to commuters to mums and social ride groups.
Bicycles beside the water make a beautiful combination, made even better if you have a picnic to enjoy there... or stop at a cafĂŠ, as Throsby Creek offers the best of urban lifestyle: nature combined with the nearby city. Â With the delightful weather we are having at the moment cycling along either of these tracks is autumnal bliss.
$ Fernleigh Track As I need to go to Belmont sometimes, I often travel there by bike along the famous Fernleigh Track. This Track has achieved iconic status in the cycling world and with good reason. The journey from the Adamstown end is a gradual move from the hustle of inner city suburban life to an almost secluded bushland track as cyclists become less frequent and the landscape more jungle like
around and above the track. The surrounding bushland seems pristine and it is difficult to imagine that a road construction crew worked here or indeed that the track was originally a railroad, leading to coal mines. The heritage of the track is perpetuated with old sleepers and pieces of rail track being used as parts of the landscaping and seating along the track.
Wildlife is always present, the only sounds are from invisible frogs, birds and the occasional the rustle of the treetops in the wind, the only signs of the nearby city being a distant hum of traffic. Often, there is complete silence, apart from bird song and the sound of my tyres on the track. I cycle easily, finding solace from the sun in the dappled light. n
Vicki Coughlan is editor of the blog: Bicycles In Newcastle where you can read about her travels, trevails and triumphs of all things “two-wheeled� Visit: www.bicyclesinnewcastle.com
social/life 9
Haylee Skyrus & Von Bligh
Jane Anderson, Rachell Fowell, Tracey Mayberry & Danielle Ward
Christine Hoslin, Tracey Mayberry & Julie Potts
Pam Fitzgibbon, Peter & Sally Roberts
Meg McLaren and Aiden Clements
Pam Fitzgibbon & Wendy Skyrus
a day at the PHOTOS: Richard Armstrong
Friends of the Supporters of Cancer gathered at Newcastle Jockey Club for a day at the races. The Supporters of Cancer (SOC) organisation in Newcastle celebrated its first year of fund and awareness raising with a charity event at Newcastle Jockey Club in February. Supporters of Cancer was formed by a group of friends and family of Sharon and Gary Considine in recognition of their strength and courage throughout their serious cancer illnesses. Sharon and Gary are both well-known and respected in the Newcastle sporting and business communities. Born and raised in Newcastle, they have been actively involved in the community and sport, mainly touch footy and rugby union. Sharon was diagnosed with high-grade Ovarian Cancer in 2005 and the same time, Gary was diagnosed with Melanoma. Both Sharon and Gary decided to be positive and get on with their lives. Inspired by their strength and attitude, Supporters of Cancer decided to work together to help make a difference to the lives of others people who are on a similar journey with Cancer.
The group has been focusing on providing education about Ovarian and Melanoma Cancer through fund-raising events in an effort to help provide improved services and facilities to sufferers and their families in the Hunter Region.
SOC’s Charity Golf Day attracted 150 golfers in October. The green was a sea of teal-coloured SOC t-shirts. There were novelty events around the course and a BBQ lunch before presentations of prizes for the champions.
Supporters of Cancer have made a commitment that all funds raised will be distributed in the Hunter Region.
In September and November SOC organised 2 buses of ladies on shopping extravaganzas to Sydney where they visited fashion and retail warehouses looking for bargains. The day was made possible by Exel Shopping Tours who donated their services.
With many successful charity events behind them, Supporters of Cancer has developed strong relationships with leading health and business organisations of the Hunter who have been enthusiastic to participate. Over the last year Supporters of Cancer has been busy. In February 2011 the organisation held its first Black and White Ball at Newcastle Panthers attracting 600 friends, family and colleagues of Sharon and Gary to don their finery and revel for a good cause. In July 2011, more than 400 people enjoyed a Tea Party held at Wests which included a mini trade show and fashion parade as well as entertainment from “Step Back.”
SOC Committee - Karen Dunlop, Danielle Ward, Pam Sparke, Kara Andrews, Sharon Considine, Pam Fitzgibbon, Sharon Reynolds, Kaisey Brogan, Tegan Considine, Christina Thomas. (absent) Stacey Garbutt, & Lyn Walsh
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Glamorous girls at the Race day
Through their fund-raising efforts, SOC have been able to, in collaboration with Port Waratah Coal Services, contribute to the engagement of the first Oncology Nurse Practitioner at the Calvary Mater Oncology Unit. SOC has also been able to donate funds for a Melanoma Education program throughout local schools managed by The Hunter Melanoma Foundation, and various other support services for the Oncology Unit. n For further information visit www. supportersofcancer.com.au or contact 0413 438 491.
Danielle Ward, Sue Rudd & Sophie Rudd
s a g e V s a l
what to do in
Andersons Diary Sign - Neon Museum
Grand Canal
Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the globe, has lots of free attractions for everyone. This Image: Shopping at The Forum Top Centre: Circus Circus
Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the globe, has lots of free attractions for everyone. Famous for shopping, gambling, top notch restaurants, amusement and lively night life, Las Vegas is the 28th most densely populated city in the United States of America. You don’t need to worry about your budget as the city offers lots of free things to do. You can enjoy lots of free attractions in Las Vegas that comprise great places, parks, museums, shows and much more. The wide availability of free attractions in Las Vegas makes this superb, lively city a grand place to chill out without spending a fortune. If you are looking for free things to do in Las Vegas, this article will help you a lot. Some of top notch places to visit in Las Vegas for free or for a really cheap price are as follows: Anderson Dairy This grand place (Anderson Dairy) has been attracting tourists in addition to the city’s inhabitants since 1907. At Anderson Dairy, you can enjoy guided trips of the plant without spending any money. In addition, you can also enjoy a delicious and yummy
Wetlands Park
ice cream treat free of cost. Marjorie Barrick Museum Established in 1969, this antique repository offers opportunities to get familiar with the local cultures of the southwest US as well as Mesoamerica. From the survival arts of the Southern Paiute to the impressive and extravagant weaving of the Navajo and attractive monument of the Hopi, the displays aid the visitors to notify not only the charisma of objects but their individual and sacred importance. Wetlands Park This is an astonishing place for bird watching and leisure activities. The superb, astounding park is a home to numerous types of animals as well as birds. The Wetlands Park has on foot trails, secondary trails, ponds and bird seeing places. Liberace Museum Among free attraction in Las Vegas, Liberace Museum is one of the major attractions. This depositary demands a small entry charge. You can spend lots of time basking the surprises of this great place. The Museum has many things
Marjorie Barrick Museum
to exhibit comprising momentous pianos, traditional car compilation and exceptional antique works. Circus Circus Casino Enter the circus tent and get amused by free circus acts at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Beginning at 11:00 am each day, you can enjoy some unmatched circus plays here. Performances consist of mid-air shows, swing performers and jocks. This is among one of the best free activities for kids in Las Vegas. Arts District Las Vegas’s downtown Arts District is jampacked with creative activities. This district has lots of artists’ studios in addition to picture galleries. You need not pay any entry fee. It is open to everybody every day from 9 am to 6pm. Apart from these attractions, Las Vegas has much more to offer for a budget friendly vacation. n About The Author: Andrea Ivey is a contributor on Shoestringspots.com, a website listing all free tourist spots, free things to do and see in your favorite cities in the US. Visit www.shoestringspots.com.
social/life 11
a passion for FASHION: Our city’s women of fashion are the driving force that is putting Newcastle on the fashion map and indeed, the World’s fashion stage. Photos: Jacqui Clancy
vanessa swilks: Vanessa Swilks grew up in Uralla, NSW, moving to Sydney the day after she finished her HSC. During her time in Sydney, Vanessa worked for Trent Nathan at his head office and design centre It was in this creative environment that her love of fashion began. After spending years in Sydney, and living in England for some time. Vanessa decided to relocate to Newcastle. In 2004 Vanessa had a son, Ziggy. After 3 years of being a stay-at-home mum, she felt she needed one day a week working with adults. Having hired a babysitter for Ziggy, Vanessa enrolled at millinery school at Newcastle TAFE. Here she met many designers who were also enrolled, studying fashion design ,and soon realized there was no professional platform for young designers to showcase their work. Vanessa has also studied fashion styling at Whitehouse School of Design, and Just Smitten, both in Sydney. Around this time, the son of her best friend was diagnosed with autism. Autism affects 1 in 110 people. With her creativity in fashion and design, Vanessa set about using her talents to make a difference for those suffering autism, by raising monies for autism education ect. To this end she created an event called Frock On! Newcastle in 2009. Westfield Kotara came on board as a major sponsor, and Frock On Newcastle maintains a positive working relationship with Westfield Kotara going into 2012. In its first year, 2009, Frock On Newcastle was attended by 475, with 50 on a waiting list, and raised $12.000 for Aspect Hunter School for Autism. 2010 and 2011 was attended by over 600 at each event, and to date Frock On Newcastle has raised over $90.000 for Aspect Hunter School. Vanessa’s passion for photographic styling has recently led to the opening of a creative agency, Fashion Bomb. Fashion Bomb is a creative agency specializing in photographic production for advertising campaigns, editorial photo shoots and model portfolios. www.fashionbomb.com.au
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michelle finlay: Michelle Finlay was born at Royal Newcastle Hospital and grew up in Eleebana – going to primary school at Eleebana Public School and then on to Merewether High. Michelle left Newcastle at 20 and travelled overseas to Soho, London, for two years returning to Newcastle in 1996, as she missed both Newcastle and family. In 2005 Michelle’s youngest child, Thomas, was diagnosed with autism at 3 years of age. Husband, Shane, and Michelle left that medical appointment in 2005 with a piece of paper identifying the child’s condition as Pervasive Developmental Disorder - not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), written on it and told to Google it. They both soon realised why Thomas did not speak, made repetitive noises and hated socialising. PDD-NOS is a form of autism….. they were not told this at that appointment! Raising awareness and understanding why Thomas may behave differently to others is now a focus in their lives. It also led to Michelle furthering her studies and becoming a Cert III in Education SupportTeachers Aide (Special). Because of Thomas’s autistic behaviour, Michelle, Shane and older sister Sophie, sometimes struggle with hurtful comments and accusing looks from some people. It is necessary for Thomas to use all his coping strategies in environments outside the family home. Supermarkets or any crowded room can put Thomas into sensory overload, and may necessitate them all going home to calm Thomas again. For 5 years ASPECT Hunter School has worked with Thomas, guiding and teaching him how to cope, and make his way in our world - with wonderful results!! Michelle has always had a love of fashion, including shoes and accessories. She LOVES them all! Four years ago Michelle was given an opportunity to be involved in an event, focusing on two of her biggest passions, fashion, and helping children with autism and their parents In 2009 Frock On Newcastle, a fashion and design gala parade, advertised for volunteers. They were raising money and awareness for children with autism in the Hunter. It was the perfect match! Michelle became a volunteer in 2009. And loved it!
For the past two years Michelle has shared the title of co-organiser of Frock On Newcastle! with Vanessa Swilks. She was inspired by the event and wanted to have more input! It is now Michelle’s responsibility to keep up to date with all the latest fashion trend. Vanessa and Michelle also have the very envious position of seeing all the garments prior to them taking to the catwalk. The creative talents and the cutting edge creations never cease to amaze them. n
Frock On Newcastle is a fashion and design competition hosting a gala fashion parade in Newcastle- this year at the Hunter Stadium. Frock On! Newcastle will be supporting the ASPECT Hunter School for children with autism, by raising funds to help build an all new autism- specific school, right here in the Hunter Region. This essential infrastructure will ensure that the wonderful work the school does supporting children with autism and their families will continue. Michelle and Vanessa also host a sister event called the Face Of Frock On!. The Face of Frock On! is a modelling competition with the winner starring in the Frock On! Newcastle 2012 television commercial. To enter go to www.frockonnewcastle.com.au
a passion for FASHION:
Working closely with Designers and the Frock On! Newcastle models, makes this a fantastically rewarding mix of fashion for a cause. For more information on Frock On! Newcastle go to:
www.frockonnewcastle.com.au social/life 13
a passion for FASHION:
angela adams: Angela Adams moved back to Newcastle after many years in Tamworth & Armidale. As fate would have it Angela’s mum wasn’t well at the time & needed someone to help run her business Batalin Boutique & so the natural progression into fashion & retail began. Angela Is a third generation hairdresser & owned her own salon in Tamworth so understanding business was something she new & fashion was something she loved, so why not. That was 9 years ago & she hasn’t looked back! “I love coming to work every day; it is so much fun” explains Angela” It is such an interesting & creative industry to be in. I love all aspects of it, the trips to Sydney to place orders for the new season & then the merchandising of the stock when it comes into the store can be so much fun. “More importantly I love meeting & helping people find that perfect something! Yes, the business side of things can be challenging, especially in these tough economic times. Retail is taking it hard at the moment, but if we can get a bit more consumer confidence out there I’m sure things will bounce back.”
14 social/life
Batalin has been a Newcastle identity for over 35 yrs, from a humble beginning across from the Royal Hospital, to its 25yrs in King st & now its current & favourite location at The Junction Shopping Village, Kenrick st, The Junction!! Stocking some amazing labels over the years Batalin has evolved to be the store it is today & is currently the exclusive & largest stockist of Charlie Brown outside of Sydney. Howard Showers is another label stocked along with Andiamo. One thing all these labels have in common & something Batalin is very proud of is they are all designing & made in Australia. So head on in to Batalin & meet Angela & by doing so you will be supporting small business as well as Australian-made fashion. n
melissa priest: Melissa Priest is the owner of fashion website Stylehunter. com.au Stylehunter is the go-to destination for outfit inspiration, designer lookbooks and fashion from your favourite designers and online boutiques. With an IT degree and a passion for fashion, Melissa counts herself very lucky to be able to combine the two at Stylehunter. Even luckier to be able to do this from her home town of Newcastle. Melissa was born and bred in Newcastle, but spent time in London and Sydney pursuing a career online. Melissa spent six years at eBay Australia in Sydney, where she gained invaluable experience in online marketing, product management and user experience on the web. At the end of 2007, Melissa returned home to Newcastle, and figured out a way to utilise her online knowledge and experience, while enjoying the wonderful lifestyle that Newcastle offers. What started as a hobby, Stylehunter has grown into a fully fledged business, and counts Leona Edmiston, ZU shoes and Guanabana among its clients. Melissa saw a gap in the market, with so many great online boutiques and designer websites available, but nothing combining them all into one shopping experience with some style advice thrown in along the way. Melissa and her partner Jode, have recently gone down the parenting path, and have just had a gorgeous baby, Reggie. Not only does Stylehunter have fabulous fashion it also gives Melissa the opportunity to work from home. Newcastle is such a great city, especially for young families. The lifestyle here is amazing, the best beaches in the world on your doorstep, the hunter, the bay, we are very lucky. Melissa knew she was in love with fashion from a young age, being a girly girl and loving to dress up and of course invest her hard earned pocket money in Dolly magazines! On a daily basis Melissa now has to resist the temptation of adding dresses and shoes to the virtual shopping carts.....and some days the temptation is just too much......
a passion for FASHION:
Visit Stylehunter’s eBoutique for a great range of products from your favourite designers, or browse through the extensive list of fashion boutiques and designers in the Style Directory. n
social/life 15
a passion for FASHION:
linda bergskas: Linda Bergskas is the driving force behind the highly inspired Australian fashion label Guanabana Designs. Born in Telemark Norway, from childhood Linda has had an intense affinity with animals, nature and exotic cultures. Speaking five languages and having lived in some of the most exotic locations in the world from Europe to Asia, it is easy to see why her collections are deeply imbued with ethnic and cultural themes. The Guanabana aesthetic is defined by exquisite beading and embellishments, vivid use of colour and graphic prints. A gifted artist and graphic designer by trade, Linda often uses her own paintings and artworks as inspiration for the exclusive prints she creates for each collection. Linda endeavours to
16 social/life
offer her customers distinct pieces that compliment individual style at a reasonable price point. The Guanabana girl has her own individual style and is not afraid to stand out from the crowd. Never trying to ‘fit in’ with the latest fad, the Guanabana Girl’s fashion flare is consistent with her lifestyle and beatnik spirit. Instilled with a penchant for all things exotic, Linda will be continue to fuse ethnic inspiration and bohemian luxe to create standout ranges with an ethos of relaxed glamour. In addition to clothing, the exotic luxe feel extends to a range of swimwear, jewellery, shoes and accessories. n
sarah sylvester: Sarah Sylvester is the eldest of 5 children, raised in the Hunter Valley by her father, a local bakery owner and her mother a radiographer, who was a great influence in her decision to study ! Sarah attended school in Lochinvar and then went on to complete a Bachelor of Business Management & Marketing while working full time. Sydney beckoned and she made the move in 1998, landing her first job at CUE in Double Bay which, quite conveniently, was located below Joh Baileys first hair Salon – Fantastic celebrity watching. Sarah was then offered the Marketing Coorindinator role at Clubs NSW. After five in the role she began to question her career directions... what would she love to get out of bed for each day? The answer: High Fashion ... and few do it better than Chanel? In only two months, she was employed at Chanel as Account Executive. After almost five years working in the Cosmetic side of the business and accruing a just few Chanel Handbags and a pair of leather pants she decided it was time for a change ... and what’s better than Chanel ? ... hint, they sparkle ? You guessed it ... she started a role at the Diamond wholesaler, Storch & Co as an Account Manager. A few carats of diamonds later ... Sarah was tapped on the shoulder by PRADA’s National Manager to join their team as the Retail Operations Manager for Australia and New Zealand ... Her dream job now included a clothing allowance! “On my first day working for PRADA I was told that I could not come to work with a Chanel handbag,” she said, Poor Sarah was asked to pick a Prada handbag from the handbag range ... OMG! Lets just say it was 4 times the price of most of our first cars ! After 10 years together, Sarah married Nigel Henry in 2007 and spent the next 12 months living apart for their careers. Travelling 4 nights a week with work, sleeping in hotel rooms and waking up trying to work out what state/country she was in. Realising that family was now her number one priority, Sarah quit her job and moved back to Newcastle. For the first time in her life, she had no job lines up ... but it was time for her to come back to the Hunter. Back in Newcastle, Sarah and her husband Nigel purchased their first home in New Lambton. Sarah started working for The Hunters Leading Fashion Destination Westfield Kotara as Marketing Manager. In 2010 Sarah and Nigel welcomed their beautiful daughter Olivia. After 6 months maternity leave she returned to work in the role of Retail Manager. Sarah has now been in this role for nearly 12 months and loves every minute of working for Westfield. “I get to come to work every day and work with great retailers like David Jones, SABA, Mimco, Oroton, and Veronika Maine.” n
Petra Sandal:
$160
Black Cherry Leggings:
$129
Belt: Peachy Belt:
$69
Pussy Bow Blouse: B/W:
$169
Coco Necklace:
$129
Opera Clutch, Black Cherry:
$129
Available from SABA Westfield Kotara
a passion for FASHION: social/life 17
are you a model ?
business of spreading theword the
Many Business trainers and Entrepreneurs agree that referrals are the best source of customers for a business. A satisfied client is likely to tell their friends of a good experience they had dealing with one business or another. Unfortunately the opposite is also true... “Bad news travels fast.” As the saying goes. Locally run, Word Of Mouth Directories is the very first customer-driven, word of mouth business directory that rewards businesses that offer top quality products and services. Everyone knows the number one thing a business owner can hear from a client is that they were referred to them by an existing happy customer! The whole site is dedicated to positive action. To refer a business that you’re happy with, customers can click on Refer-A-Business and follow the prompts to share the good experience they had with that business. There’s a bonus in doing that because Word of Mouth offers prizes for positive feedback like this, again it’s an emphasises on positivity.
Enter our
competition on 3rd June 2012
There’s a monthly draw for great prizes and the business that received your feedback will also be rewarded with a free listing on the directory. That’s a Win-Win. Site Creator, Graeme Paff is focused on making Word of Mouth Directories a primary hub for local businesses to thrive, “In essence we’re a performance-based business directory,” he said, “We encourage customers and business to interact in positive ways so that visitors to the directories can clearly see who to deal with.” “Our sole aim in creating this website was to have a community feedback program for the customers of these top performing businesses and allow others to share in the benefits of their good experiences,” said Graeme, “We help the process along by rewarding both the customer and the business with the chance to win and we’ve recorded some great messages from happy customers that you can listen to on the website,” he said. Proudly Novocastrian, Graeme believes that encouragement and positive re-enforcement of business and customer relations is the way to go and he’s created the Word Of Mouth Directories to enable people of the region to buy and sell things as well as referring business in a complete circle of positivity. The site also provides details of businesses in a convenient directory for ease of use. You can find business of all kinds on the directories. When you need someone visit www. wordofmouthdirectories.com.au and start clicking or scan the QR code here to visit the site via your phone. 18 social/life
for more details - LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/frockonnewcastle
n o i s i V Assassin Bug with captured Ladybird
Barking Owl caught about to take flight.
Wild
Jim Thomas’s wildlife photos capture our local wildlife in incredible frozen moments of time. Jim Thomson has a remarkable eye for the minute. His startling photographs of the almost unseen world of insects may be rivalled by the likes of Sir Richard Attenborough.
It has taken him to rainforests and open paddocks, creeks and valleys “all over the place” but lately he stays in the Hunter Valley and has recorded many varieties of wildlife in photographs.
Jim’s passion for photography and wildlife extends from the ‘60’s and he has developed several clever techniques to capture the creatures perfectly.
Recently, Jim suffered a little more than usual when he needed to receive hospital treatment for more than sixty ticks that he picked up in the bush on a photographic expedition to the Chichester area.
Using a variety of lenses on his Canon SLR camera, Jim arranges a “light beam” trigger (like a trip-wire) that the insect of animal “trips” to trigger the shutter.
“My Daughter in Law recognised the ticks and I had to get hours of treatment to remove them all,” said Jim.
“I use a short-duration flash” that freezes the action,” he said. Jim has travelled much for his hobby.
Devel Bird
He’s looking forward to the change of season when all the coloured fungi appear, “They make beautiful images.” said Jim. n
QUEENS WHARF BREWERY
www.qwb.com.au
Hatching Dragonfly
Looking out over one of the world’s most picturesque harbours, it’s hard to beat The Brewery for a relaxing meal with family, friends or colleagues. Enjoy casual meals, alfresco dining or a la carte experiences seven days a week.
p: 02 4929 6333
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part 1 STIORY & PHOTOS: Tegan Hughes
The most common question in the months leading up to my trip to India was: “Why would you go to India?” It was a hard question to answer. I had always imagined India being an exotic, magical and spiritual place… And that was exactly what it was! The first twenty-four hours were the hardest. I was beginning my Indian journey at Hotel Perfect – where the motto is, ‘never say no’. It was on a dusty, narrow road in Delhi. We arrived in the early morning and the street was deserted. As I got out of the car I first noticed the sickly-sweet smell of India; burning plastic and urine mixed with incense and spice. 20 social/life
Breakfast was in a small makeshift cafeteria. It was buffet style offering two different curries, paratha bread, hard-boiled eggs and toast. Toast sounded plain and comforting while I adapted to my new surroundings, but it wasn’t at all like the toast at home. It was thin, salty and could be better described as warm bread not toast, and the only condiment to accompany it was an extra sweet, mixed jam. After my curry-flavoured fries for dinner that evening, I learnt an important lesson: Western food isn’t the best choice in a foreign country like India. A much-anticipated shower and rest, after
18 hours in transit, was dampened with blackened, white towels and stains on the sheets. After sitting on the bed for a while, I gathered it probably wasn’t that these were unclean, but just not as ‘fresh’ as the one’s back home. And using a dirty towel wouldn’t kill me, right? As my journey of India continued it became clear, it was hard to keep clean. Delhi is a busy place. Walking out on the street you are set upon from all angles from travel agents, rickshaw drivers and beggars, hoping for your business. While these people are pushy, Indian people are generally very friendly people. The pedestrians go out of their
way to get to know you. “Hiiiii, Hello, where you from?” “Australia” “Oh, Ricky Ponting, ah Kangaroo, do you play cricket? Where are you going to?” This went on and it took us almost 15 minutes to walk one block. It wasn’t until advised to put the map away, we were able to pick up pace. Everywhere dogs lazed in the sun, rickshaw drivers had siestas on their backseats. Delhi had everything from shopping malls in the new, to spice markets and open aired butchers of
Old Delhi. I was in awe seeing how these two worlds coexisted. Delhi was the ‘best of both worlds’. The overnight train proved a successful, yet frightening, way to get around the vast sub-continent that India is. Ranny, our guide made the journey a more bearable experience with some vital tips. One: have a fairly big lunch, but keep it simple with a naan and dahl – don’t have anything too spicy. Two: it is best to not eat or drink anything on the train, instead get some snacks Ritz biscuits or try an Indian packeted snack and Oreos for dessert. Three: try not to eat or drink too much as you
will want to limit your trips to the western style toilet especially as the journey goes on. And finally, it is best to sleep with your handbag and camera on, backpack under your pillow, and luggage chained under the bottom bunk, and thieves won’t bother you. The second-class sleeper carriage offered open cabins with three bunks on both sides and the perfect place to make new Indian friends. With bedtime around eight thirty, by the time I woke up, the thirteen hours were almost up. I couldn’t wait for breakfast and what Varanasi would have in store for me. n social/life 21
Luke Dickens and Luke Austen at the Gympie Muster.
rs a t i Gu n e d l Go o w T s e r o Local Luke Austin sc On the release of Luke Austen’s debut album Light Of Day, popular country music publication, Capital News had this to say about his work.
Cloncurry is a tribute to Brian Young written by Peter Denahy.
Centre their belief in Luke was confirmed when he won two prestigious Golden Guitars Awards: Heritage Song Of The Year for Sacred Bones and Bush Ballad Of The Year for Every Time He Travels Through Cloncurry.
Light Of Day, available now on Compass Bros Records.
Luke Austen has had a successful “In a scene crying out for a new hero, Luke Austen’s timing career as a sideman. They are many who with this outstanding album couldn’t be better.” believe he’ll have an even longer one as On a Saturday night at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment an artist in his own right.
Visit www.lukeausten.com.au n
Luke Austen was the winner of last year’s Toyota Star Maker, the national talent search that launched the careers of Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Samantha McClymont as well as this year’s winner, Bob Corbett and many others. But Luke is no “blow in,” he earned his stripes touring the outback with country music icon Brian Young for four years before becoming a mainstay of Troy Cassar Daley’s band from 2004 until now. He’s also had songs recorded by Troy and Adam Harvey. And each of these awards has a connection to Luke’s story so far. Luke’s first win on the night was for Sacred Bones, written by Luke and Troy Cassar Daley. It’s the chilling true story of Luke’s father discovering aboriginal remains in a cave while hunting dingoes. Sacred Bones features Troy on harmony vocals and mandolin. Luke’s second win, Every Time He Travels Through 22 social/life
Sharing a moment in the Green Room at the Country Music Awards of Australia 2010. LtoR: Luke Austen, Travis Collins, Cheryl Byrnes, Bob Corbettt, Liam Brew and Luke Dickens.
For 50 Novocastrians, the penultimate cruise of the P&O Pacific Sun was...
The Time of our
lives
Kellie, Tegan
and Kel lie.
Mel, Andrea, Maxine, Hayden and Temeka
Your hosts Greg and Sue Watt.
Andrea and Kath
Coaching it to the cascades...
Hogging the camera again ladies ?
Getting our bearings at Port Vila
The happy crew on Mystery Island.
On the beach at Duck Island.
The Shady Bunch on Duck Island.
Glamour girls, Krysti, Krissy and You know who...
Sue makes a friend - 60 year old “Negita”
In February this year, P&O Cruise lines left Newcastle for another of their renown fun cruises, this time taking “Entertainment Newcastle Style” in the form of Greg and Sue Watt from G&S Lifestyle. Greg and Sue took along with them a crew of entertainment enthusiasts including singers, dancers and ... turtles? The journey stopped at the fantastic South Pacific ports of New Caledonia and Vila and the magical islands of Lifou, Mystery Island
and The Isle of Pines. More than 1200 passengers from Newcastle enjoyed the cruise including fifty who joined the ship via Greg and Sue’s entertainment party ... and in true Novocastrian style, the whole ship was entertained. Even more passengers from all over Australia were able to experience the City before the cruise got under way. In many respects, P&O’s
has
become the Newcastle Ship but on March 18th, It will have sailed it last journey from our city as it has been sold to become a floating casino and restaurant in China effectively ending an era of cruising fun for Novocastrians. Greg and Sue are already planning their 2013 cruise; A trip full of fun and sun, food and entertainment - which ship will it be? For more information... Call Greg and Sue at G&S Lifestyle direct on: 0412 761936. n
Now your muscles can multitask, too Try 1 Week FREE
*
Our 30-minute circuit works every major muscle group, two muscles at a time, so you can burn up to 2000 kilojoules ...
... All with a trainer to teach and motivate. Curves Newcastle - Belford Street, Broadmeadow (Near “Nine Ways”)
Phone: 02 4962 4131 *Free week may be redeemed on first visit or exchanged for special membership discount. Not valid with any other offer. Valid only at participating locations. © 2009 Curves International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Strengthening Women SL117767
social/life 23
AHA’s “Girls Picnic” Photography: Peta Wood
More than 100 ladies attended the AHA’s “Girls Picnic” held at Customs House Newcastle on March 8th, 2012. The event was organised to celebrate International Womens Day and raise donations toward research into MS. Guest Speakers, Prof. Maree Gleeson spoke about her own career as an immunologist and her experience of mentoring young women. Vicki Woods also
spoke of her own experience as a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis. Over $6000 was raised to assist with local research into the disease. Other highlights of the day were the chocolate wheel raffles, The novelty Candy Buffet by La-Tea-Da who specialise in high teas for sepcial occasions; and a presentation by Jeanette Day-Ball of Speedstyling.com.au.
Rachel Kincade and Katie Allen with Key-note speakers Prof, Maree Gleeson & Vicki Woods.
Laura Hawkins, Tracey Quinlan & Katie Allen
The only other bloke in the room !!
Mark Hughes was the Master of Ceremonies & kept guests entertained on the day.
Girls from Crosbie Warren Sinclair, Accountants enjoyed the day away from the office.
Mark Hughes, Prof Maree Gleeson, Debbie Potts & Gabrielle McCabe
Amanda Barrass, Anne Hawkins, Caroll Lainsbury & Laura Hawkins
Anita & Rachelle from Cave’ Collections, The Junction.
Kate, Jeanette Day-Ball & Nicole
Who could resist the lollie buffet?
Colleen Kearney , Ann-Marie Deuis & Julie with Sharon Lobb.
The Lollie Buffet provided by La Te Da was VERY popular and raised over $450.
Tania Dunning
Pilates FitnessFor Life
Enjoy fitness & good health with Newcastle’s original APMA Accredited Pilates practitioner hpersonal instruction hfully equipped studio hpre & post natal hgeneral fitness hresistance training hrehabilitation hsportspeople & dancers hchronic pain management hmen & women of all ages and fitness levels
Belmont North studio: 0404 037 622 24 social/life
While most of us can manage the diet side of things perfectly well and fit our nutritional needs around our lifestyle, when it comes to doing the same with exercise many of us are sadly lacking.
Begin by taking a walk in your lunch break and see the increase in your mental performance at work during the afternoon, or walk in the evening and experience a much better quality of sleep.
Walking can easily be fitted into a daily routine by most, whether you’re a stay-athome Mum, a busy professional or a retiree. It can be done with others, alone, or with your dog. It can even be done inside on a treadmill.
Walking in open countryside or the local park adds another pleasant dimension to your exercise. But while you take in the beauty of the local flora and fauna along your chosen route, focusing on the quality and distance of your walking can dramatically benefit your wellbeing and increase fitness.
It improves lung and heart function and strengthens the muscles in the lower body making it particularly beneficial for older people. In short, we can all benefit from walking wether it be walking to the local shops and walking the children to school rather than driving or taking a bus.
After a few weeks of easing yourself into the habit, try to walk more briskly and add some uphill sections into your route for extra benefit. This will help burn off calories and increase cardiovascular fitness, then you can try power
walking at as fast a pace as you can manage during the middle section of your walk. Enjoy striding out, getting fresh air in your lungs and appreciating your surroundings as you go along. You will soon find that you start to look forward to your daily walk, and you will certainly notice the difference in your general health. At this point you may consider joining a rambling club to enjoy your new found exercise with others. While your muscles are accommodating your new walking habit, you should also help them tone. A simple pilates plan can be the best partner for a walker. Proper toning and stretching will help you maintain flexibility throughout your life. n
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NOTE: Before undertaking any excercise programme, you should consult your physician or fitness professional.
on ..................
Skimming the Details
entertainment
Zappa Plays Zappa. Sunday, April 8th, 7.30pm Panthers Newcastle Contact:4926 62000 Tix: Moshtix
Protecting your credit card information may be harder than you think... New technology makes data thievery all too easy. Credit card skimming is an international problem, accounting for losses of over one billion dollars yearly. It’s an intimate crime that involves secret and close proximity to the victim. Those victims are most likely unaware that their credit card details have been stollen as if by magic. This type scam is common in Europe, Asia, Latin America and is showing up more in the U.S. and Australia. It’s easy to perform and can happen if you give your credit card to a shop assistant to make a purchase. That employee may not only swipe your card for the payment, but also swipe the card with a small machine they hold in their hand, known as a skimmer. This is now also possible while walking near you in a crowd while your credit card is in your pocket or handbag. They can steal your data without even seeing or touching the card. This small device can store information from the card into the system. The skimmer is equipped to hold information on hundreds of credit cards and from this information, the crooks are able to produce counterfeit cards.
There are rings of skimmers working around the world skimming information which can be instantly sent by e-mail anywhere. It’s digital pick-pocketing on a high-tech, world-wide scale. Luckily, a Hunter Valley businessman has found a solution and has made a revolutionary protective sleeve available from his online site. Graeme Paff of Lake
coming soon
Macquarie recognised the rise of this 21st century crime when a friend’s card was skimmed and a substantial amount of cash simply vanished from their account, “A decade ago, this fraud was not as easy to accomplish as it is today, due to the fact skimmers were very large and had to be hidden under counters,” explains Graeme, “The advanced the skimmer is portable and small enough to fit in a pocket or bag and is effectively unnoticeable. Victims can’t tell by looking who is skimming data... They won’t even know it has happened until it’s too late,” he said. Graeme describes the remarkable protective qualities of the simple device, “The Guardacard sleeve doesn’t bulk up your wallet or purse. It’s a thin, neat sleeve that your card slips right into. The added benefit is that all your credit and debit cards sandwiched between two Guardacard sleeves become protected as well.” Find out more about Guardacard and also watch incredible videos that explain how easy it is to get skimmed and how to protect your digital information while out and about. Visit the website www.guardacard. com or scan the QR code to view the site and information video on your smartphone.
McClymonts Friday, April 13th, Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club 6.30pm Dinner / 7.45pm Show Contact: 02 4945 0888 Tix: www.proticket.com.au Giggle Ball 2012 Saturday, April 26th May, 6pm Panthers Newcastle Proceeds to Camp Quality Contact: 4945 0888 Tix: The Club
Puppetry of The Penis Friday, June 2nd 6.30 Dinner / 7.45 Show Only Contact: 4945 0888 Tix: Proticket
SClub, Birovaz, MR95 Saturday June 2nd, 8:00pm Panthers Newcastle Contact: 4945 0888 Tix: Moshtix
Jon Stevens Saturday, June 23rd, Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club 6.30pm Dinner / 8pm Show Contact: 02 4945 0888 Tix: Proticket
The Steves - Anything Can Happen Tuesday Tour Friday March 30th, 7:00pm Central Hotel, Stroud Contact: 02 4994 5197 Just turn up, have some fun.
let the begin
Story: Vicki Coughlan & Natalie Burg Photos: Vicki Coughlan
“Move Over Mrs Markham” a play by Ray Cooney and John Chapman exposes the intricacies and complications which ensue when different sets of hopeful lovers all converge on the bedroom of the Markham’s supposedly empty flat. The complications and deceptions which follow assure a hectic and hilarious evening. Set in the 70’s in the London flat of the Markhams, who think their biggest problem is finding oval sheets for their new trendy bed, the couple get caught up in the shenanigans of their friends.
A misplaced love letter, several ill-planned rendezvous and the unexpected arrival of a prudish children’s book authoress result in mistaken identities, botched cover-ups and fluffy sandwiches. The chaotic results make for a fun filled evening in the freshly re-decorated bedroom. Ever popular, this fulfilled show guarantees you a great night or afternoon out. A great cast is lined up for this production, featuring Natalie Burg, Roger Onslow, Geoff McLauchlan, Jen Masson, Peter Eyre, Rebecca Wall, Greg Gascoine, Lee Loudon, Suellen Hall
and directed by Steve McLauchlan. Produced by Newcastle Gilbert & Sullivan Players at the Wesley Uniting Church Hall, 150 Beaumont St Hamilton. n Performance dates and times: Friday . . . . . . . . . 13 April. . . . . . 8pm, Saturday . . . . . 14 April. . . . . . 8pm, Sunday . . . . . . . 15 April. . . . . . 2pm Friday . . . . . . . . . 20 April. . . . . . 8pm, Saturday . . . . . 21 April. . . . . . 2pm & 8pm Friday . . . . . . . . . 27 April. . . . . . 8pm, Saturday . . . . . 28 April. . . . . . 2pm & 8pm Call 0405 590 026 for bookings & enquiries.
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social/life 27
Making Plans for a future The sustainable work of Robins Nest
One of the Robins Nest buildings.
Webuye is a bustling village in Western Kenya near the Ugandan border. There is a pulp and paper mill in the heart of the village that creates most of the employment. For Robin’s Nest Childrens Homes, The location proved to be a viable location for an orphanage. After meting lots of people and deciding to commit, and discovering that the large distances involved were a great hindrance to health and survival for locals, Australian Aid Worker, Robin Byrnes set about planning the Robins Nest Project for Webuye area to care for children, the abandoned and victims of abuse, “If the children were all in one place, they could be cared for more effectively,” said Robin. A branch of the Robins Nest Project is a “Community Development Outreach,” said Robin, “Here we help targeted locals and relatives from where our resident children came from through micro relief-loans or relief called our Robins Nest 28 social/life
Local children
Branch Project. We can only expand this project when funds and manpower are available.” One of the main goals of Robins Nest is to keep families together. Robins Nest is the ‘last resort’ for children to take refuge when there are no extended families able to care for them. “If we can empower these families to support themselves toward a better quality lifestyle, then relatives may be able to take an orphan home to give them proper care and reside with their own loved ones,” said Robin. We now have a pro-active committee comprised of 14 area leaders including our village chief who help identify the families who are the poorest of the poor and the most “in need.” So far, Robins Nest has helped families with microchicken/egg businesses, kitchen gardens, building homes, and sewing machines purchases, supported in honey, yogurt and maize sales, clothes sales and recently started a dairy sustainability project. “We hope to also create other sustainable
Robin Byrnes with her neighbour’s newborn, Robin
businesses such as fish farms, bees, and a flour mill and tree and plant nurseries,” said Robin, “We are fortunate to have a group of Robins Nest Advocates called Feed Africa spear-headed by Valentine teacher, Jonathon Otto for one month from April. Feed Africa is currently raising funds to help develop the Robins Nest Branch Projects. With the funds raised they will conduct both relief food drops and micro-loans by giving the loan candidates seed, fertilizer and if needed a Money Making Machine instead of cash. Together they sign an agreement that contains a fair, previously agreed percentage of yields from the harvest to pay back the Micro-Relief Loan. “Feed Africa” will be working along with the Robins Nest Social Worker, local Government Agricultural Department, Agricultural Extension Officer and the local chief in relation to the chosen candidates. The locals will receive the necessary guidance, advice and assistance for crop
Chickens for eggs to sell - the benefits go on...
Hosea
A neighbour of Robin Nest names her newborn “Robin.”
Medicine supplied by Robin’s Nest funding.
A child with a trauma teddy donated by Australians.
The pedal Powered Money-Maker Irrigation pump in action.
The Branch Project provides food, medicine and clothes.
Our little resident Emmanuel’s previous mud home with his frail grandmother, brother and cousin. Photo taken during regular orphan visitation and food drop
Harvesting peanuts
House being built by Robin’s Nest advocates - Canadian volunteers.
Currently under construction, One of the Robins Nest buildings for babies and girls.
Children with a future.
care, crop type, pesticides, irrigation considerations and so on that are unique to the individual region in question. This loan will be paid back to Robins Nest orphanage at harvest time with their excess produce.
This perspective of the project allows it to be more ‘community driven.’ The land will be tilled and planted by them for one or more years with the understanding the proceeds of harvest will go towards sustaining these vulnerable people Not only will this project encourage community in the Branch Project and the Robins Nest Orphanage operations. development it will create a sustainable project to supplement the Robin’s Nest grocery bill, the Seed, fertilizer and a Money Making Machine Branch Project and other areas in the running of for irrigation may be supplied. Corn grinders, the home. Seed and fertilizer will be supplied by Feed Africa Robins Nest is a vital part of the community where needed. as it houses and assists the very children that $140.00 buys a foot operated income generating deplete the already sparse food sources of and job-creating, irrigation Money-Maker citizens living in despair. Micro Irrigation, Pressure Pedal-Pump. Man power To further generate funds to benefit vulnerable alone creates a vacuum that can suck water from community members such as frail grandparents, a depth 20 meters below at 1.5 litres per second irrigating 2.4 acres with 5 spinklers. widows, single mums or those incapable to farm, an avenue will be explored by a request Regular follow-up by the Robins Nest social from the village chief to ask wealthier local worker each term will coincide when regular farmers to volunteer a portion of land for the use food and medial supplies are distributed. of this project. Feed Africa and Robins Nest will provide
follow-up reporting to ensure participation and compliance guidelines are met. Feed Africa will leave funds for transport and salary of Robins Nest social worker at a price of 7,000 shillings per month. This will assist forward development within the community and success of the project. If time and funds permit, Robins Nest and Feed Africa teams plan to assist with relief food distribution to and Internal Displaced Persons Camp at Nukuoro north-west of Nairobi. “These camps were formed during the political unrest several years ago. Poverty and starvation are extreme in such places,” Robin explained, “The people living here have long since been forgotten by the world and media. Little help is getting to these people living in despair in desperate need,” she said, “It is sad indeed when a government is so corrupt and poor that it can not take care of its own people in need,” she reflected. n
To make donations and for more information, please visit: www.robinsnestchildrenshomes.com
social/life 29
Chicken Risott o
Elle’s easy recipe
it’s all about you,
Recipe Elle Sheedy
• Poach the chicken breast in stock, just enough to cover the chicken, add the thyme, slowly simmer the stock until the chicken is cooked, only keep it on a medium-low heat.
• In a big saucepan/pot, melt the butter, add the brown onion and garlic on a low heat until they are translucent. • Add the arborio rice and make sure it is coated in the butter, then add the wine, once the wine is starting to simmer, start adding the stock, only put enough in to cover the rice about 5cm, you don’t want to stir it too much or it will go stodgy like porridge.. then simmer with a lid on, stirring occasionally, until the rice has soaked up all the stock.
• While waiting for that, tear the chicken breast into strips and put in a large bowl with the celery, spanish onion, dill, capers, mayo and sweet chilli. Mix together - this is what sits on top of the risotto!
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• Taste the rice, if it is still crunchy keep slowly adding stock until it is almost completely cooked (remember, you can always put more it, but you can’t take it out!)... once at that stage add the cream and frozen peas.
• Once the cream is soaked up, take off the heat and mix through the parmesan cheese, and its ready to serve. Note: you can also use this recipe with salmon instead of the chicken, however, you should either poach it in a dessert wine or apple juice - or combine the two, but I would used dill instead of thyme for the poaching
Enjoy
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ST YLIST
Elle
social/life magazine
• 2-3 chicken breasts • 4lt stock • 50g butter • 2 finely chopped brown onions • 4 cup arborio rice • 1/2 bunch chopped thyme • 1/2 bunch chopped dill • 1/2 cup dry white wine • 2 celery sticks, diced • 60g baby capers, chopped • 1 spanish onion, diced • 1 - 1 1/2 cup whole egg mayonnaise • 2 cup frozen peas • 4 tbl sweetchilli sauce • 1 - 1/2 cup shredded parmesan • 1 tspn crushed garlic • 500ml thickened cream
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Renown local artist/ producer/composer Gareth Hudson recently introduced his new project Hudson Arc with a CD Launch at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Newcastle. The CD, titled In An Ocean Of Sacrifice, is full of sweet melodies and lush strings featuring Jamie Pollock (viola), Tadijana Illicic (violin) and Rachel Pogson (cello) as well as drumming maestro Nic Cecire and the acclaimed Jason Bone on sax. Now available on iTunes. Also, for the many fans of local singer/songwriter Mark Wells, get in early to secure your seat for his CD launch. It will be at Lizottes on Friday June 1 – don’t miss out. Finally, if you haven’t picked up your copy of Amy Vee’s soulful new EP ‘Sleeping Dogs Lie’, head to JB HiFi or online and do it. Now!
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