Zest magazine ISSUE 13 | WINTER 2014
A free community magazine for the Northern Rivers
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Welcome PO Box 872, Alstonville NSW 2477 02 6628 1925 | 0427 058 966 info@zestmagazine.net www.zestmagazine.net
Editor | Graphic Design Lindsey Bidwell
Journalists
Candace Davis Sadie Hunt
Contributors Aaron Bidwell Sue Malcolm Sharon Dean
Graphic Design | Styling Lindsey Bidwell
Thank you
A special thank you to the following people who also volunteered their time to help me with this issue; Aaron, Phillip, Michelle, Holly, Kristyn, Sharon, Tarnya and Candy. No part of this magazine (including artwork or editorial photographs) may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The publisher believes all information to be true and correct at the time of printing. Please check information directly with advertisers or venues as times and dates can be changed without warning. Those who make advertising placement and/ or supply copy material or editorial submissions to Zest Magazine undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe any copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title, breach of confidence, does not contain anything obscene or indecent, or does not infringe the trade practices act or other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to the above-mentioned these persons agree to indemnify the publisher and/or its agents against any investigations, claims or judgements.
Welcome to Zest Magazine! We are very excited to launch our new name and layout! The name Zest came from wanting something fresh, exciting and that represented our amazing area! Not to mention, easy to spell! We hope is that as we continue to grow, that Zest will become a platform which is readily available via print or online to every member of the community, from business and event organisers to the arts and culture, where the community itself can be actively involved in promoting our great region. After all, no-one knows the community better than the community itself. So, if you are a business owner, photographer, writer, community group, charity or a member of our community who would love to become actively involved in promoting the area by providing content, we would love to hear from you. Inside this issue Where do I start? This issue is so jam packed, I nearly ran out of time getting it together. Going from 24 pages to 44 pages has been incredible. We have all new sections, including Food, Home & Garden, Hair & Beauty, Trades & Services, Motoring, Real Estate and more! We also have a double page feature on Aged Care Options for our area. If you or a loved one are looking for details this will provide some answers. Don’t forget to enter our Winter Competition for your chance to win 2 nights accommodation at the Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina Byron in a One Bedroom Riverview Suite valued at $430 or a Byron Bay Cookbook. The details are on the back page.
On the cover Thank you to everyone for writing in to tell us how loved our cover images are. We take a local nature image for every cover. This issue features the beautiful Iris flower taken at Elizabeth Ann Brown Park, Alstonville. We are always out looking so if you have a favourite flower you would like to see, let me know at info@zestmagazine.net Next Issue Our advertising bookings and article submission deadline is the 1st August. On page 43, we have a write up about our Spring Issue. Happy reading!
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In this issue 4
Social Scene
5
Places we love
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Community
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Feature Article
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Business News
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Broken Head Nature Reserve
Meet a Local, Volunteer Profile
Aged Care Options
I love my shop, Men and Women in Business, Tax Tips, Social Media Tips
Trades & Services
Spearfishing Club, Rodent Managment, Test & Tag services
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Food
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Home & Garden
Dining Guide, Meet the Chef Eye Fillet Steak & Soba Noodle Prawns
Home office conversions, Backyard Blitz, Things we love
26 Real Estate
Presenting your home, Negative Gearing
28 Motoring
Buying a new car, Solar Roadways
30
Travel
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Family
34
Health
36
Hair & Beauty
India, ocal retreats, Budget Holiday Tips
Loving yourself, New Tech, Scams
Yoga, Acne Clinic, Bruxing
Healthy Winter Hair & Skin Care Tips
38 Fashion
Body Shape, Fashion we love
40 Arts & Performances 42
Events & Winter Coupons Contents
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Local Life
Why we love our area | Social Scene
This issue we have showcased local events including: the Viewpoint Dance, Alstonville Probus Club president change-over luncheon and Bangalow Billy Cart Parade. The first Viewpoint Dance was held in Alstonville during April. We were invited to go along and meet with the amazing youth of our area. A great night had by all with plenty to see including live bands, DJs, a Graffiti wall, huge dance areas, strobe lights, lasers and fog machines. There were also chill out zones inside and out for teens to hang out and catch up with friends. In the below Bangalow Billy Cart Parade images we see Dance Lab Au dancing their ‘Happy’ Flash Mob behind Ambassador of Smiles, Tommy Franklin, in the Grand Parade.
DJ Unkno wn & DJ S Viewpoin t Dance @ ol 2477
Club le Probus Alstonvil ncheon lu er ange-ov ch t en d si Pre
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Social Scene
rlie ob & Cha mon, Jac a D 7 , 7 a 4 y 2 a M t Dance @ Viewpoin
Kayleen Cooper & Anthony Nalder Alstonville Probus Club president change-over luncheon
Hayley Ashleigh & ce @ 2477 an D t n oi Viewp
Graffiti Wall Viewpoint Dance @ 2477
Dance La b Au Bangalow & Tommy Franklin Billy Cart Parade
Live Ban ds Viewpoin t Dance @
2477
Harmony , Avalon &L Viewpoin t Dance @ eia 2477
nklin mmy Fra b Au & To a de L ra ce a n P a D Billy Cart Bangalow
Places we love
Broken Head Nature Reserve
Have you had enough of the crowds and looking for somewhere quiet and peaceful? Your day could be spent in this idyllic spot, where lush rainforest meets sandy beaches and you are given a glimpse back in time to what the area looked like before human interference. Pack a picnic and enjoy the day swimming and walking on the beach. Play a game of beach cricket, or relax and just sit under a shady tree and laze away the day with a good book.
tell and the ancient culture they represent.
Stroll through the rainforest towards Three Sisters lookout (1.6km return trip) and emerge upon stunning views of a pristine beach fringed with majestic trees and look out to the glistening blue waters. Alert visitors can try to spot a passing whale, or a sea eagle diving for fish. Take a moment to admire the rocky outcrops in front of you and learn about the Aboriginal story they
The reserve has managed to preserve an unusual occurrence of coastal subtropical rainforest, called littoral rainforest. The prominent headlands in the reserve protect the forest, which has also developed defences to cope with exposed conditions and salt-laden winds. Banksias and Tuckeroos form a shield against the salty onshore winds, allowing the rainforest to
The Broken Head Nature Reserve was created in September 1974. It covers an area of 99 hectares and is located 5km south of the Byron Bay township. It is bounded in the north by the Broken Head Caravan Park and to the south it adjoins the Northern end of Seven Mile Beach with Seven Mile Beach Road running along the western boundary.
thrive in the gullies behind them. Hardy brush box, hoop pines and native elm tower on the ridge tops above the low understorey of palmlike Burrawangs. The sheltered gullies harbour bangalow palms and soft pink-leaved maidens bush. The main ridgeline of Broken Head Nature Reserve follows the reserve’s western boundary, reaching a height of 60 metres with a number of fresh water creeks flowing into the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is the eastern boundary. within the lands of the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung tribal group, which extends from Byron Bay South to Ballina and inland to Woodburn, Coraki and Lismore. The dreamtime story of ‘Three Sisters Rock’ tells of three sisters bathing off the headland. One became caught in a strong current. The other
sisters swam to save her but were also swept away. Bundjalung people told this story to their children as a warning, because if they swam here they too would drown and be turned to stone. The lands, the waterways, as well as the plants and animals that live in them, feature in all facets of Aboriginal culture - including recreational, ceremonial and spiritual, as well as being a source of food and medicine. They are associated with dreaming stories and cultural learning that is still passed on today. Broken Head Nature Reserve is perfect outing for the whole family there are picnic areas, grassy spaces, fishing, swimming, relaxing and fun for all ages.
Places we love
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Meet a Local
One of seven children raised by dairy farmers, Muriel Johnson has a reputation for being a bright spark with a cheeky disposition. The Maranoa resident and former Alstonville Show Girl has always been quick to enjoy a giggle with friends or a belly laugh with Barry, her husband of sixty years.
Born to Ethel and Keith White in Lismore in 1936, Muriel grew up at Dalwood, a small farming community near Alstonville. As she recalls with characteristic good humour, “Every day I travelled to school at Rous Mill in a horse and sulky, but I never paid any attention in class. I couldn’t concentrate. I left school when I was fifteen. What a happy day!” Tennis was a big part of Muriel’s life. Her parents had a court on their property, and during Muriel’s teenage years this was one of the main social hubs of the rural area. Another popular venue was the Rous Mill Hall. Fortunately for Muriel, a young man called Barry Johnson frequented both places. Like Muriel, Barry was a keen tennis player who loved to dance. He was also a talented rifle shooter, drummer and cricketer. Muriel was impressed by Barry’s skills, but most of all, she loved his outgoing personality. The pair married at the Alstonville Methodist Church on December 17, 1955 – only minutes after Barry finished playing cricket at the nearby showground. Muriel wore a blue wedding dress made by her mother, and carried a bouquet of frangipanis from Barry’s mother’s garden. Muriel and Barry raised four children (pictured above) on their dairy farm at Bagotville. Community
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Muriel Johnson raffles helped them save enough money to build their own tennis court, which soon became another popular gathering spot for neighbouring farmers and their families. The couple established some treasured family traditions on the farm. Every year, in the week before Christmas, Muriel and Barry would load all the kids into their ute and drive off in search of a pine tree. “When we found the right tree, we’d chop in down, take it home, and help the kids put cotton wool all over it,” Muriel says. Another tradition is connected to the Christmas pudding that Muriel still makes every year. “You have to use a wooden spoon, and you can’t stir the pudding mixture any way but clockwise,” she insists. Aside from being greatly admired for her baking skills, Muriel was also well known for her ability to gallop across the countryside on her beloved horse, Nell. According to Barry, “Muriel had the highest horse, and she liked going fast.” And when Muriel wasn’t on her high horse? “I loved going to the local church services,” she says. “Everyone would turn up and have a cup of tea and prayers and all the gossip under the sun – and then we would go home happy.” Dr Sharon Dean researched Muriel’s life as part of the Interactive Life Stories program at BaptistCare Maranoa Centre - Alstonville.
BaptistCare Maranoa Centre - Alstonville 15 The Avenue, Alstonville NSW 2477 02 6698 5709 www.vimeo.com/interactivelifestories
4WD Camping Show
Get ready to mark your calendar, the annual 4WD Caravan Camping & Marine Show is on again at the Lismore Showgrounds on the 4-6th July. The Show is one of the biggest of its kind in regional NSW and attracts over 12,000 people and 200 exhibitors. This years Show will see some of the best exhibitors from around Australia showcasing the latest and greatest in 4WDs, motor homes, 5th wheelers, RVs, camper trailers, caravans, boats and fishing equipment. A big feature of the Show is the great live entertainment which is headlined this year by TV fishing celebrity Rob Paxevanos from Channel 9’s Fishing Australia. Other highlights are the Yamaha Supertank Fishing Show, bush poetry, wine tasting, face painting, jumping castle and the amazing stunt bike show by Flair Freestyle Trials. Don’t miss your chance to win a Blue Fin 3.60 Drifter and Redco trailer & boat package valued at $5,000 by entering the lucky door competition. Proudly donated by Lismore Outboards. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for concession and children under 14 are free. As a major fundraiser for the regions Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service, every person through the gates helps to keep this life saving service in the air. Major sponsors of the Show include the Lismore City Council, Lismore Outboard, Disco Marine and TJM. The Show has free onsite parking. For more information visit www. lismore4wdshow.com.au
Country Fair - Sept 14
Get set to be entertained at the Summerland House Farm Country Fair The ever popular regional event, The Summerland House Farm Country Fair, is back and it’s bigger and better than ever before! With over 10,000 people attending in 2013, the Country Fair has grown to become an iconic North Coast event drawing huge crowds from around the region and beyond. Foster carer Stephanie with ‘Curious George’
Volunteer Eloise takes care of ‘Peppie’
Animal Rights & Rescue Group The Animal Rights and Rescue group is a No Kill rescue organisation and relies totally on donations from the caring public to fund our companion animal rescue work. With the fast approach of the end of financial year, large donations are very much appreciated and any donation over $2 is TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Our rehoming centre is located at 135 Three Chain Road, South Lismore and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Our centre is a busy place with people arriving constantly and a phone that never stops ringing. Most of our animals live in foster homes with a family and their own pets. This has huge benefits for the animal especially if that extra TLC is needed after trauma, neglect or training and we constantly have around 40 animals in care awaiting a forever home at any time. Back at the animal centre we house about 8 dogs while they wait for a foster home and a number of cats in our indoor cat aviaries. Sadly each year in Australia over 250,000 animals are killed in shelters and pounds because enough homes are not available. Many more are cruelly abandoned. ARRG advocates desexing for pets and recommends this should be done by 5 months to prevent the ‘naughty behaviour’, especially in male animals such as escaping, jumping, barking and cats straying away from home for long periods which exposes them to many dangers. For the female pet, especially the cat, desexing by 5 months or even earlier will prevent an accidental but unwanted litter. ARRG provides desexing help for people with a pension card so they can do the right thing for their pet and the community.
How can you help ARRG?
• Become a Foster carer for a dog, puppy, cat or kitten. Food and vet care is provided. • Volunteer at the Lismore rescue centre 7 days a week - we need help. • Join us and become a financial member Junior, Adult or Life. • Help us raise funds to keep our doors open. • Donate to help the animals. Donations over $2 are Tax Deductible. • Visit our website to read more ways you can help us. Go to www.animalrights.org.au • Or check out ARRG on our Facebook. • Animals available for adoption can be viewed on our website.
Teven Valley Golf Course in 2013
A little bit of history Teven Valley Golf Course
Teven Valley Golf Course hasn’t always been the golfers’ paradise that it is today, but it has always been unique in this area, that is, privately owned. Teven Golf Course was developed in the late 1970’s by a South Australian man named Ron Harris. Harris’ vision to built a resort style complex with canoeing, horse riding, tennis & golf. It appeared that his plans were ahead of their time for Teven, and he only managed to complete the golf course. During the late 70’s and early 80’s Teven Picnic Course, as it was known back then, offered donkey rides for the children, and families played cricket on the river banks and swam in the waterholes. Rumour has it the golf course was pretty rough in those days, more like a goat track than a golf course. By the late 80’s the owners of the time, realised that if Teven Golf Course was to ever become a going concern, it would need to attract the “real” golfer. So they rebuilt greens, planted over 200 trees, did extensive drainage on the course, and built another 9 tees to create an alternate 18 hole layout. The current owners, Greg and Patrice Allman, have owned Teven Valley Golf Course since 1994. They have continually improved the course over the past 20 years, with extensive landscaping, irrigation systems, drainage, rebuilding bridges, rebuilding greens & tees, the list goes on. They encouraged the development of Teven Golf Club in 1995, which is an AGU Affiliated Club. Teven Golf Club runs competitions for Ladies and Men on Wednesdays and Saturdays respectively. They also host invitational days for members from other Clubs, to enjoy the picturesque Teven Valley. New members are always welcome. Teven Valley Golf Course is open every day (except Xmas Day) for social golf. Hire equipment, balls, tees and all your golfing needs available at the pro-shop on the course. See advertisement below for contact details.
Set in the hills of the abundant Alstonville plateau, the Fair’s theme this year is ‘Helping Hands’. In line with this, organisers have arranged some of Australia’s best entertainment to give fairgoers a hand in ensuring a special day to remember. For the young and young at heart, the Fair offers something for everyone. Kids will love the Giant Tiger Jumping Castle, Laser Skirmish, Vertical Rush and Jurassic obstacle, face painting, farmyard animals, mini golf, magician’s and balloon artists. And what would a Fair be without fantastic market stalls? With everything from local arts and crafts, clothes, nick naks and tantalizing food from around the region, the Make it, Bake it, Grow it markets will be in full swing, featuring over 60 stalls. An incredible line up of celebrity and local entertainment over two stages – ‘Morgan’s Main Stage’ and the ‘Kids Corner’. With a growing list of big name acts, the Fair’s headline entertainers will keep the crowds enthralled and toe tapping throughout the day….. Dora the Explorer’s Dance Party Dora will delight children with her hit show ‘Dance Party’. With all her favorite songs and easy to teach and learn routines, kids and parents will be grooving to all their favorite hits in two 40-min shows throughout the day. Jurassic Joe Dinosaur The show is interactive, educational, relevant, accessible and of course, great for mumosaurus and daddydactyl too. A 45-min, fun-filled musical ride through the world of prehistoric reptiles that gets the whole family singing, dancing, laughing and learning. Sony Music & X Factor 2012 star - Nathaniel A musician, songwriter and producer, grabbing the nation’s attention with his soaring, soulful voice on The X Factor in 2012. Performing his hit singles ‘You’ & ‘You’re Beautiful’ along with many others. Paul & Blair – My Kitchen Rules favourites from QLD Gold Coast dads and high school teachers Paul and Blair are a couple of pranksters who love to surf. Join them as they cook up a storm and entertain the crowds with their good fun approach to cooking. Aunty Hu Hu and The Big Lazy This local band will blow you away… Out front is the ever shining Aunty HuHu with vocals and style that make her audience sit up and listen! Banging away on the ivory teeth is Big Jim Lazy. If that’s not enough to whet your appetite, there will also be cooking demonstrations, local bands, the ever popular schools Recycled Scarecrow competition, interactive displays, a Wine Bar and Chill Out Zone for the teens. For further details see advertisement on page 6 or visit wwwsummerlandhousefarm.com.au
Teven Valley Golf Course in 1991
LEARN TO DANCE @
DANCE LAB AU
Nurturing dancers Inspiring dreams Fitness fun to Professional levels 3 years to Adults.
All levels welcome
Bangalow Alstonville Wollongbar
First taster class FREE! ENROL NOW Tel:0411 306 430 Tel:0410 653 775
Email:info@dancelabaustralia.com.au Community
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Crawford House Museum
Volunteer Profile
By Candace Davis
David Evans, Clair Benstead, Phil Cowie | Anglican Op Shop
Volunteering your time to help others can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. As I wandered into The Alstonville Anglican Op Shop - a regular haunt of mine - Phil Cowie took a break from digging up the driveway to give me a warm and welcoming wave. I entered the furniture shed and Clair Benstead was hovering curiously over a puzzle. As she looked up, we met eyes and she smiled. It’s such a warm and welcoming place. I can understand why people volunteer here, and why so many customers keep coming back. Clair said she had always wanted to volunteer and, when she stopped working a few years ago, she knew the time was right to act. Clair positively glows when she talks about the sense of community volunteering brings.
“Volunteer for anything and you will never be lonely again,” she said. “The shop is friendly and fun and you never know who you are going to meet.” Her words ring true for many of the volunteers at the op shop on The Avenue in Alstonville. As I’m chatting to Clair, Phil takes a well-earned break and another volunteer, David Evans, joins us. It turns out that many of the shop’s regulars, like David, also become volunteers. Speaking from experience, he said people often come into the shop, have a really positive experience
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Community
and want to be a part of it. David has been volunteering for about a year now and smiles when he recollects the sense of community that seems so apparent. “I’m very community-oriented and like to help out where I can,” he said. “There’s a lovely bunch of characters here.” Phil Cowie has been managing the op shop, and its volunteers, for about four years now. He had experience running a shop and, after becoming mentally ill, was invited to use his skills and become involved. He hasn’t looked back. “It’s more than just a retail shop— people come here to be part of a community and to share their life skills,” he said. “Anybody is welcome to come in for a chat, to help with the puzzle, or just sit down for a cup of tea.” 53 people currently volunteer their time in the op shop, helping ‘upstairs’ in the clothing and china section, ‘downstairs’ in the furniture shed, or with pick-ups and deliveries. Although most of the team is over the ago of 60, anyone is welcome and volunteers don’t have to be involved with the church. If you’re interested in volunteering at The Alstonville Anglican Op Shop, drop in and see Phil. Alstonville Anglican Op Shop 1 The Avenue, Alstonville 02 6628 8777
What’s happening this Winter? At Crawford House Museum you can see interesting household objects from the turn of the century to 1960, and local historical items and documents. There are also research facilities for the descendants of Ballina Shire families, and you can buy books published by the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society about different aspects of the area’s history.
The airing of the quilts The annual Airing of the Quilts will be held on Friday 4th., Saturday 5th. and Sunday 6th. July from 10am to 4pm. This is a display of quilts of all styles, colours and themes made by local quilters (and they’re different every year!), inspired by the traditional “airings” that have taken place at the beginning of Spring wherever quilting has been done. Plateau Quilters will be showing what they do in a working sewing room, Sue from Splash Patchwork will have a selection of fabrics to purchase, and for the menfolk, the local woodworking group will be in attendance (although last year there were a goodly number of quilts made by men – yes, men can do anything!) The record turnout at this year’s “airing” shows that quilting is more popular than ever with all ages and sexes! The entry fee is $5.00, which includes a cuppa and a slice (there aren’t many places where you can get a decent morning or afternoon tea for that price) and the proceeds go towards the running of Crawford House Museum. Exhibition: 100 years of the red cross This exhibition will commemorate the 100th. anniversary of the Red Cross commencing in this area. It will run from Sunday 3rd. August till Sunday 31st. August. Sunday arvo at the Museum - Creative Partnerships Flourish Featured in the above photo is Vintage Stitches designer Annette Gill, style coach and pattern engineer Lois Hennes and designer and pattern engineer Ruth Povall, who recently launched the Engynir activewear range, as part of the fashion network that is developing through Crawford House Museum. Style and substance are proving a captivating ensemble at Crawford
House Museum. The popular “Bring Your Own Fashion Project sessions” are fast developing into a platform for sharing ideas and expertise across a range of creative pursuits. Each Sunday afternoon the museum’s side verandah is abuzz with activity under the guidance of experienced fashion industry style coach and pattern engineer Lois Hennes. “Our partners in fashion are discovering much more than styling and sewing tips; they are finding the support and confidence to express their individuality and to engage with other likeminded creatives,” Lois said. “Suitcases brimming with favourite fabrics are sprinting in and the vibe is electric as people rediscover time-honoured skills and develop new ones.” To join the fashion skills network, simply book in for an hourly session (or several) with Lois between 1pm and 4 pm each Sunday. Bring your own fashion project to life for a $10 per hour donation to the museum. For bookings contact Lois on 0439 423 185. Monthly Meetings Visitors are very welcome at these meetings, which are held at the Community Resource Centre behind Crawford House Museum at 2pm on the 3rd. Sunday of each month. There are always interesting speakers: at the meeting on 15th. June Kerrie Gray and Olwyn King will talk about the 100th. anniversary of the Red Cross commencing in this area; on 20th. July Rosemary Simons will talk about her family in Bundjalung country; and on 17th. August Christine Rijks will talk about her Church of the Two Grandfathers. Volunteers Wanted We can always do with more volunteers to guide visitors, enter data and many other enjoyable activities. Full training is provided.
Crawford House Museum
The Museum is open 10am to 4pm on Fridays and 1pm to 4pm on Sundays.
10 Wardell Road, Alstonville 02 6628 1829 www.aphsmuseum.org.au
Live like a Flower: Soak Up the Sun
Kerry | Alstonville Florist
Ever notice on bright and sunny days how everyone seems happy? Just like flowers need light, people need happy thoughts and moments to grow. Personal change expert and author of The Happiness Makeover, MJ Ryan, provides these tips on how to live like a flower and embrace the sunny side of life.
Meet a Local
1. Uplift with orange. Colour therapists say colours really do affect our moods. The happiest colour? Orange. It promotes optimism, enthusiasm, and a sense of uplift. Choose orange flowers - roses, gerberas, lilies, alstroemeria, tulips - and see your mood soar.
Robert Cairns was born in Australia but was conceived in Scotland, so he laughingly claims to be Scottish. His mother’s doctor had told her, “Sail while you’re pregnant, so the baby won’t get seasick”, and that’s how Robert came to be born in Sydney on April 15, 1927.
2. Music is a very powerful happiness creator. Choose songs that make you feel good, whether that’s through inspiring lyrics or the rhythm. Want to boost your mood even more? Singing has been shown to be a great way to lift your spirits, lower blood pressure, and decrease depression. Get your family or friends involved in the fun. If you’re selfconscious, sing in the car when you’re alone.
As Robert recalls, he did well enough at Drumoyne Intermediate School to enrol at Fort Street High School. “But I didn’t do well there because I fell in love with a girl called Shirley Love and had my heart broken,” he says. “So after I got the four Bs or whatever I got, I had a long talk to myself. I swotted the last four years of papers for the university entrance exams, and was accepted into the University of New South Wales.”
3. Follow the happiness path. Research has shown that there are two routes to happiness. One is doing something that you feel is personally meaningful, such as volunteering in your community or seeing a friend through a tough time. The other is indulging in simple pleasures, such as relishing in the feel of your dog’s fur, taking a luxurious hot bath, or treating yourself to flowers or a blooming plant. But who says you have to choose one over the other? The more you fold both into your life, the more joyful you’ll be.
In 1955, Robert graduated with a PhD in Chemical Engineering (with a thesis that examined the heat transfer properties of vapours and liquids). In 1970, he received a Doctor of Science degree. He then worked for the Australian Atomic Energy Commission – at one stage directing a staff of 400 at the organisation’s Lucas Heights laboratories. Fluent in Japanese, Robert also served as a diplomat in Japan from 1977 until 1982, advising the Australian government on issues relating to nuclear energy.
4. Do one little thing that’s been nagging you. Procrastination is a happiness killer. Usually it takes less energy to do whatever it is than to worry about not doing it. The pile of files, the email you need to return, the appointment you need to make... just do one thing and you’ll feel absolutely great!
During his career, Robert produced a number of scientific publications, including a highly valued technical report about the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Armed with two Geiger counters – “I took my own but also asked Canberra to send me one so I could check their calibration wherever I went” – Robert inspected the site of what is widely considered to have been the worst nuclear power plant accident in history. His nontechnical analysis of the catastrophe? “They goofed. They’re idiots.”
5. Spread happiness to others. Acts of kindness benefit both the receiver and the giver. So spread the love around and you’ll feel good too. Research shows that a gift of flowers creates instant delight and increases enjoyment and life satisfaction. Send flowers to a friend, just because, and watch the happiness prevail.
Robert’s most rewarding career experiences, however, were in management. “The technical problems, difficult as they are, are easy compared to the problems of
Dr Robert Cairns handling people,” he explains. “In management, one needs to adopt attitudes not necessarily learnt at university – such as flexibility, open-mindedness and a willingness to accept change”. These qualities are serving Robert well as he enters his late eighties. A resident of BaptistCare Maranoa Centre – Alstonville, Robert lives with an unreliable memory. Ever the scientist, he says, “I did some searching on the net about memory. First I had to work out what memory is, and how it all works. You know the piece of information you want is in the brain somewhere; you’ve got to go looking for it. I make myself remain calm and I go searching for that information, and I usually find it by making connections with something similar. I use a diary as well, and my daughter Robyn (pictured top right) acts as a memory line.” Although Robert loves to solve problems, he feels there are countless conundrums he has not been able to explain, such as what is the universe, and why are we here? “If you ask scientists who have a profession in this field, they say that the human brain is not built to understand these things,” he says. But Robert has found a meaning in life. He’s had two long and happy marriages – the first to Doreen (pictured above in the black and white images), who died at forty-two, and the second to Yvonne. He also adores his three children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. “I loved being a husband, and I love being a father. If you don’t love your family, then what are you here for?” Dr Sharon Dean researched Robert’s life as part of the Interactive Life Stories program at BaptistCare Maranoa Centre - Alstonville. BaptistCare Maranoa Centre - Alstonville 15 The Avenue, Alstonville NSW 2477 02 6698 5709 www.vimeo.com/interactivelifestories
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Aged Care Options The Northern Rivers has a wonderful array of flexible aged care services for seniors and carers. Aged care the personal care and/or nursing care provided to frail older Australian’s and their carers facilitates independence, good health and wellbeing. Aged care is delivered through two main programs: Residential aged care and community care. Below we have explained these options available in our area.
Residential Care
Community Care Services
Nursing Care Provided to a person in an aged care home in which the person is also provided with accommodation that includes appropriate staffing, meals, cleaning services, furnishings and equipment, for the provision of the care. • Dementia-Specific Care specifically designed facilities to meet the care needs of people with dementia and create a warm, secure and familiar environment. • High Level Care provides people with 24-hour nursing, personal care and support, including allied health services and a variety of lifestyle activities and programs. • Low Level Care provides a home-like environment for people who require some assistance with daily activities including personal care, meals, laundry and cleaning. • Respite Service provides a short to medium stay to help carers of older people, giving them a break from their caring role.
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Home Care Packages The Australian Government is significantly expanding home care to assist people to remain living at home for as long as possible, and to introduce more choice and flexibility for people receiving care at home through Consumer Directed Care (CDC). A Home Care Package is a coordinated package of services tailored to meet the consumer’s specific care needs. The package is coordinated by a home care provider, with funding provided by the Australian Government. There are four levels of Home Care Packages: • Home Care Level 1 – to support people with basic care needs. • Home Care Level 2 – to support people with low level care needs. • Home Care Level 3 – to support people with intermediate care needs. • Home Care Level 4 – to support people with high care needs. A range of services can be provided under a Home Care Package, including care services, support services, clinical services and other services to support a person living at home. CDC is a way of delivering services that allows consumers and their carers to have greater control over their own lives by allowing them to make choices about the types of care and services they access and the delivery of those services, including who will deliver the services and when. Home And Community Care (HACC) Program If you only need a couple of services to help you stay living in your own home, it is best to access them through a program called the HACC Program. This program can assist you if you need extra help to stay in your own home longer. National Respite for Carers Program If you are caring for a person who needs help with various tasks at home or in the community, it is often rewarding but can also present challenges. With this in mind, you may need some extra help every now and then, including a short break from your caring role. This is where the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) may be able to help.
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Independent Living Units These communities offer freedom from maintenance, a sense of security and various activities, all designed to create an active community. Villages enable people to maintain their independence in a range of accommodation options.
Alstonville Lifestyle Community
Nestled within the lush rural setting of the Alstonville Plateau, these one, two and three bedroom villas are architecturally designed and purpose-built to suit different requirements and tastes. Contact: 02 6628 1944 | www.adventistseniorliving.com.au
Alstonville Aged Care Facility
From independent living units to low level and dementia care, we are an Ageing in Place retirement community that is well positioned to continue looking after you, or your loved ones, as your care needs increase. The Hostel, enjoys beautifully appointed rooms and assistance with cleaning, laundry, personal care and day-to-day needs. The 51-bed facility accommodates the needs of residents from low and high level care to secure dementia care in a home like environment for both residents and their families.
BaptistCare
Our Alstonville site consists of a residential aged care facility with a dementia support unit, high and low residential care, independent living units and our home services office. Contact: 02 6698 5700 | www.baptistcare.org.au
BaptistCare Maranoa Village Alstonville
Our retirement village allows seniors to live independently while enjoying choice and flexibility, located within easy walking distance of Alstonville’s tranquil township. Made up of 28 one & two bedroom independent living units, Maranoa Village is home to an active and independent community of seniors. All units are also fitted with an emergency monitoring system for safety and peace of mind. Contact: 02 6698 5742
BaptistCare Home Services
Providing tailored, high quality assistance for seniors who need help with a range of daily tasks on the Far North Coast. New programs that provide support in the home, including help with personal care, social support, cleaning, laundry, ironing, minor home modifications, nursing care and unaccompanied shopping are now available for people over 65 who have difficulty performing these tasks. Contact: 02 6698 5741
Feros Care
An award-winning, not-for-profit aged care provider offering quality lifestyle support for Australian seniors since 1990. Feros Care’s mission is to be a strong ambassador and partner in the lives of seniors, with a focus on creating a range of lifestyle options that support independence, social connectedness and healthy ageing. We have a proven track record in pioneering new services and ensuring that all care packages are reliable, affordable and designed to meet individual needs. Feros Care currently offers Home Care services to seniors in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Feros Care also manages three aged care villages in Byron Bay, Bangalow and Kingscliff. Contact: 1300 763 583 | www.feroscare.com.au
Ozanam Villa Lismore
Enjoy a relaxed, secure and comfortable lifestyle amongst a delightful garden setting. Featuring 30 seniors living units, where residents are mostly self-sufficient and live independent lifestyles. There are 50 low care places which include 12 places designed for special needs. Contact: 1800 551 834 | www.catholichealthcare.com.au
RSL Life Care
Fromelles Manor, Lismore
A living community for 66 seniors (high care or low care), designed for people who need medical/rehabilitative and restorative care. The living spaces include wide halls, handrails and nurse centres. Residents live in single rooms with ensuites, and share community rooms for planned daily activities, socials and dining. Specialist dementia care accommodation gives residents the best quality life in a safe and supportive environment. Contact: 6626 2900 | rsllifecare.org.au
Chauvel Village, Goonellabah
A charming haven, this special village opens the door to a totally new freedom for the not-so-retiring. With quality construction, superb facilities and a friendly and active community. Our village epitomises that idyllic, peaceful, Australian way of life for which we yearn. Our Clubhouse is a great meeting place for residents and guests, boasting a patio, BBQ, lounge, dining room, billiards and darts room, craft room and a well stocked library. Contact: 6624 5010 | rsllifecare.org.au
St Carthage’s Community Care
St Carthage’s care programs are designed to assist people with complex care needs, equivalent to residential low care and high care (ACAT approval required for both). Services may include personal care, transport within LGA, light housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping, medication supervision, nutrition, continence management, behaviour/cognition, minor home modifications, complex nursing needs and socialisation. Contact: 02 6620 0000 | www.stccc.org.au
St Josephs Nursing Home, Lismore
An 80 bed high care facility located just minutes from the town centre. St Josephs is co-located in the grounds of St Vincent’s Private Hospital providing residents ease of access to services such as pharmacy, pathology and radiology, the eye clinic, hydrotherapy pool and Specialist Medical Centre. The facility specialises in high care services for the frail aged, palliative care and dementia management. The team of professionally qualified staff at St Josephs, offer the highest level of both personal and nursing care 24hours a day. Contact: 02 6627935 | stjosephsnursinghome.org.au
Uniting Care Ageing
Caroona Village, Goonellabah (Independent Living)
Established village of 10 one-bedroom units, 42 two-bedroom units with garage and 6 two bedroom National Rental Affordability Scheme units. Landscaped gardens, rural views, close to public transport, village community centre and hydrotherapy pool on site. Contact: 1300 236 030 | www.unitingcareageing.org.au
Caroona Jarman, Kalina & Marima, Goonellabah (Residential Care)
Established 80 place low care and 150 place high care service also offering respite, dementia and palliative care, in private rooms or two bed shared rooms with ensuites.
Community Care
A range of home care and respite services are available in the Lismore area. Home care services assist older people to live independently at home, and may include assistance with personal care, shopping and domestic duties. Contact: 02 6624 6711
Feature Article
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Make Your Business Fly
If you are a small business owner or sole-operator, like so many of us are in this region, you may find the task of promoting your business a little daunting, especially online. But don’t hang up your hat and mouse in defeat. There are a multitude of FREE ways to leverage your business profile online. Here are 3 ways to achieve real market ‘oomph’: 1. Define your USP: In case you haven’t heard the term before, USP is an acronym for Unique Selling Position. Your USP can go a long way towards optimising your business for online search engines, particularly if your business exists in a competitive field. A well-defined USP, somewhat different from a tagline or slogan, can perform like a stop light in search results, alerting users to what your business offers that others don’t.
I love my shop Describe your shop in 5 words... Whimsical, Quirky, Magical, Fun, Inspirational What was the inspiration behind Little Polli & the Blackbird? At the beginning the main focus was to create a permanent home for the “selop” label. Then I started to think about all the possibilities. Lismore didn’t really have many niche market shops, so I saw an opportunity to open one. It was at this point I realised that our little retail space could be so much more than just a home for our label! I could create an emporium quite different from any other shop already in Lismore. This became the main motivation behind the opening of the shop. From living in the city for 5 years, I knew of numerous great Australian designers and independent brands that were not sold here. I saw there was an opportunity to bring a bit of the city to Lismore. How did the idea of your shop begin? Mum and I had been doing the rounds of the local market scene for about 4 years selling our own clothing label “selop” when we noticed a bit of a down turn in market spending. My design style was not really suited to the market atmosphere, and being so reliant on the weather and other factors out of your control. We started to float the idea around about opening our own studio/shop; a place where we could manufacture the range while being open to the public. I started looking around for the right shop for us and found it in the Star Court Arcade. We opened on the 25th of August 2009, and the rest in history. What do you feel you bring to our area? Here at Little Polli and the Blackbird we have tried to create a “destination” rather than just a shop with emphasis placed on the overall aesthetics and atmosphere of the emporium. We have created our own “little world” full of beautiful, unique and quirky things. We bring a range of interesting and inspiring homewares, fashion, jewellery and accessories that you can not find in any other shop in Lismore. What do you love about your shop? • I love all the things I stock - I pretty much only buy
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Business News
Little Polli & the Blackbird things for the shop that I would buy for myself, which makes it really hard to leave anything in the shop to sell at times • I love that we have created such a unique and wonderful shopping experience and that so many people in the area supporting us. • I love seeing customers’ reactions when they enter the shop for the first time. • I love working with my family, and together we love helping our customers find “that perfect gift” or that “perfect outfit for that special occasion”. What has been your most recent achievement? The relocation of the emporium into our new premises on the corner of Magellan and Carrington Streets. It took a lot of late nights and numerous weekends getting the space ready for Little Polli and the Blackbird’s new home. We are extremely proud of the end product we produced especially the timber wall with hidden door at the back of the shop and the timber cladding on the exterior of the premises. Most popular item you stock? We have so many great brands that we exclusively stock in Lismore for example Elk accessories, Nancybird, B.Sirius, Maiocchi, Status Anxiety, Polli and Glasshouse Fragrances to name a few. What inspires you? Texture, colour, great design, beautiful fabrics and music. I know it’s the most common cliché when it come to answering this question but inspiration comes from the world around me. Coming from an artistic/design background, I find that inspiration can come from anything - An interesting texture on a wall, beautiful artwork, a piece of fabric, music, interesting design, the use of colour and pattern, these all inspire me. Little Polli & the Blackbird Corner of Magellan & Carrington St, Lismore 0478 127 101 littlepolli@gmail.com www.facebook.com/littlepolliblackbird
To craft your USP, take an objective look at your competitors versus your own business. What products and/or services differentiate you from them? Is it free delivery? Personalised service? An exclusive brand? Specialised expertise? Membership benefits? Excellent follow-up? With an idea of potential customers firmly in mind, identify all those things that make your business especially attractive to those people. Work at simplifying those terms into a list or sentence no more than 8 words long, that clearly conveys those distinctive features to your ideal customer. Give this process some thinking time. Ask your staff and friends for feedback. Once you’ve established your USP as clearly and concisely as you can, insert it as the line that sits under your web address or business name wherever your contact details appear - on your web site, business directories and social media profiles - so search engines can grasp and display it in search results. Ensure your staff members embrace your USP and follow through on its delivery – a sense of ownership is important. Work at embracing and developing your uniqueness and I assure you this process will prove worth it. 2. Get On With Google: Research tells us two thirds of all online searches utilise Google. A large majority of those searches are on mobile devices and at least half of those result in a phone call. If you are a local business, maximise your potential for being seen in local searches by signing up to Google Places for Business: www.google.com/business/ placesforbusiness. It is simple, free and Google will respond with a code which you enter to ensure your business location is registered for Google Maps and mobile searches. 3. If You Build It, They Will Come: Your reputation matters. As the market leader for personalised search, Google is paying increasing attention to what people are saying about your product and service online. Encourage (don’t bribe) your customers (not your family or employees) to leave meaningful reviews about your business – on Google+, social media platforms and as comments on blog posts. Building a positive customer relationship in this way is invaluable to your business. If you happen to receive a negative review for some reason, don’t panic. Best practice is to respond thoughtfully and thankfully to that feedback in a timely manner. The respect you gain in doing so is likely to serve you just as positively as a good review. For more information or help with the steps above, contact Kellie at: makeyourbusinessfly@gmail.com
Darren Bell
Men in Business
Owner | Playquest Lismore
Mark Pampling
Co-owner | Alstonville Florist
Darren is the cheerful owner of local indoor playcentre and café, Playquest. Located in the heart of the Northern Rivers, he has managed this wonderful business for 3 ½ years. Businesses such as Darrens are normally primarily wet or hot weather venues but due to their popularity as a safe haven for exhausted parents, they tend to be happily busy most days of the week.
Mark is one of the hard-working owners of Alstonville Florist. Dedicated to providing a high quality service, Mark and his team’s warm and friendly manner welcomes you to their Alstonville Plaza store. Decribed by customers as friendly and extremely talented, his work will surely impress.
Describe yourself and family life: I was born in Mount Gambier, SA and raised with a strong affinity for country and community. Milking cows in the morning and plastering gashes from overly ambitious BMX stunts are looked back upon with joy (although possibly not at the time). I was raised primarily by my mother and her parents with a largely absentee father. Consequently when my mother died from cancer two days before my 13th birthday it was pretty heavy. Seven years later when my grandparents died, I felt pretty much like the orphans that I dedicated the early years of my life to as a permaculture designer in Africa and South America. I believe kids are the most precious gift to a person. I’m very blessed to be visited daily by such beautiful kids and families. With a business like mine, they become your own family.
Describe yourself and family life: A creative soul who is frequently over-occupied by all things related to flowers and floral design. I aim to distract myself from this pre-occupation with the good and routine things in life… friends, food, wine, the necessary bookwork, etc… but the flowers usually win my attention!
What has been your greatest achievement to date? Surviving! I’ve had a few breakdowns while here, from pushing it too hard for too long (100+ hour weeks for the first 3 months can take a toll). But the fact that I could not walk away at anytime was my greatest pain, achievement and liberation. What has surprised you most about working in your position? How my concept of business was so wrong! It’s not just a clunky mechanistic thing that will hopefully get me a Mercedes and a trip to Les Mis. It’s a living, breathing organism. A relationship both greater and more terrifying than any other that I’ve had (and I’ve had some shockers, ha). If I love it and nurture it, it will do the same for me. If I overindulge it at the expense of myself or neglect it, it has and will punish me. Nothing has surprised me more than how much my staff mean to me. Their disappointments, achievements and tears are mine also. What might someone be surprised to know about you? I’m pathetically shy. ha! Growing up a highly sensitive introvert in the conservative bush had it’s challenges. So consequently, accepting an award for ‘Best customer Service’ at last years business awards and spinning a yarn in front of a couple hundred of splendidly attired associates was pretty surreal. And totally outrageous. Favourite local hot spot and why? Clunes Café. I find they are that wonderful combination of authenticity, quality, care, consistency and of course great coffee that are so precious and yet rare in the Northern Rivers. If you weren’t working, what would you be doing instead? On a classic motorbike in South America blissfully mired in the wheel ruts of Che Guevara. But I am still young, and the world will always be there for those with the mind of a child, the heart of a gypsy and the good fortune of being an Aussie living in the Northern Rivers.
What do you find the most challenging in your position? The rise and rise of the online world in business and how it is changing retailing and doing business day to day – it’s challenging and exciting (and sometimes terrifying). Do you have any advice for people looking to work in your industry? To realise and accept (quickly) that floristry is not all glamour and beauty – it can be tremendously hard work and stressful at times, but it is also extremely enriching and can provide endless self-satisfaction. What is your ideal Northern Rivers weekend? Staying at home mostly (because I do a lot of workrelated travel) and making something… a basket, a floral arrangement, a meal, etc… simply making something for the sake of creating and exploring and not for a specific purpose… and venturing out for coffee and a leisurely read of the weekend papers and magazines. Tell me about someone who has influenced your decision to work in this industry? One of the most influential figures in my career has been, and continues to be, German Master Florist, Gregor Lersch. He has continually shown me that you can combine a love for botanical materials with a focus on design and craftsmanship and turn it into an enduring career… and that you only run out of inspiration if you stop looking. If you weren’t working, what would you be doing instead? Travelling for pleasure, resuming my attempts to paint, hosting convivial dinners and lunches with good friends, exploring other artistic skills and creative pastimes (except crochet!).
Tax Tips Sandra | That Figures! Alstonville It’s nearly tax time again! Let’s look at some common misconceptions around tax returns: My work mate is getting thousands back on their tax so I will too. People can only receive significant refunds, legitimately, if they have paid far too much tax during the year: perhaps they’re negatively gearing property or shares, or they have opted to receive family tax benefit in a lump sum at year end, rather than fortnightly. I should get a big refund because I’ve spent a lot on work-related deductions. This is a popular one, but unfortunately, a tax deduction only increases a tax refund by your marginal tax rate. So if you are on a wage of $50,000, and spend $100 on work-related expenses, then your tax refund will only increase by $34, not $100! Remember, too, that if you haven’t paid any tax, then generally no refund is possible. This is quite likely if your taxable income is less than the tax free threshold of $18,200. I can’t find some information so I won’t include it in my return. The ATO matches your tax return to details received from employers, banks and share registries, just to name a few. If these details don’t match, then you risk having your refund held for a minimum of 12 weeks while the ATO audits your return. Or you will receive an amended assessment in 12 months’ time, requesting a repayment of your refund. My accountant takes too long to do my return. Why not make it as easy as possible for your accountant, by bringing everything in during your interview, or supplying it soon after. Some practices won’t start your work until everything has been received which minimises your costs. Make sure you include your bank account details (the ATO no longer issues refund cheques), all receipts, all income, out of pocket medical expenses (only if you claimed in 2013) etc.
Business News
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Visit Alstonville
The historic village on the Plateau Candy | Candy Lane Fashion
The first thing you feel when you approach Alstonville... Wow, how about these signs... Alstonville “Historic Village on the Plateau” that ’s enough to draw any visitor into town! This might be why the locals love living on the Plateau so much.. (Its rich in it ’s own histor y) Then on arriving into our charming little village of stone, timber and lovely greener y in the gardens, you notice a sense of peace and friendliness. Some towns you’ll struggle to find good Coffee, not Alstonville! We have many quality and established cafés and restaurants with national awards for coffee, cakes, chocolate and food - so the choice is enormous! With a now thriving little farmers market on a Saturday morning behind the old Post Office building (Quattro Countr y) filled with local produce. Don’t forget that the market is always looking for a sporting group or community group looking to make extra funds running a morning BBQ. Don’t forget Alstonville has a historic hotel “The Federal” with the tag line (get fed at the Fed) and that ’s just what you get! As you have worked out, I love Alstonville!! It ’s people and it ’s atmosphere, it ’s a ‘ feel good place’ even with a bypass, we are a busy little hub full of excitement. We have a few little vintage and antique establishments, with some of the finest of our yester year. So next time you think about the best little village, think Alstonville. The Plateau, a Historic and Friendly place!
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Business News
Women in Business
Kath Eichorn
Sharyn Robinson
Kath is the owner of Happy Busy Furniture Restorations, a hard working, wood worker and furniture restorer with a wonderful sense of humour. Kath can restore your preloved pieces into the special furniture they once were or transform them to your desires. Her services include: repairs, jointing, sanding, cutting, stabilising, revealing, staining, spray painting, webbing, foam, hide & stubs, lamps & collectables, vivid colours and coatings on wood furniture.
Sharyn is a part-time radiographer / mammographer who is described by her co-workers as compassionate, humorous and thoughtful. You will mainly find this hard working lady in the Women’s Imaging Department at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Lismore.
Owner | Happy Busy Furniture Restoration
Describe yourself and family life: My friends would describe me as independent, selfsufficient, creative, gregarious, kind and respectful woman. I am a mother of a gorgeous 20-year-old daughter. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with friends, listening to music, swimming, caring for animals, and gardening. What has been your greatest achievement to date? I’m still smiling… and getting better dealing with life’s curve balls… the wisdom to let most go thru to the keeper and knowing when to swing. What do you find the most challenging in your position? The time constraints involved with seeing the vision come to reality… it’s slow and hard, yet very rewarding work. If you weren’t working, what would you be doing instead? More socialising, learning to paint and writing. Finishing my book, on the meaning and understanding of my life. I would be working and playing with my life as well as changing with it... rolling with the punches. Do you have a favourite local dish? Tanned, blonde & handsome… Dreamin’ !... I love the fresh, clean, crisp flavours of our local food. Hot & spicy (chilli and lots of it); Herbs and Vegetables (all colours and flavours); Lean red and white meats, fish, crab and oysters - Not fussy really! I love food and the aroma of food cooking! Happy Busy Furniture Restorations 0431 121 181 | 10 Russellton Drive, Alstonville
Radiographer | North Coast Radiology
Describe yourself and family life: I have been happily married to my husband Glenn for 8 years and we have 3 children. Alex is 7, Blake is 5 and Sarah is 3 years old. Life is very chaotic at home with the kids and I am certainly kept on my toes at all times! What do you find the most challenging in your position? Being a radiographer quite often means you are seeing people at their worst, they are unwell and often in pain. This is particularly heightened in the case of mammograms. Women nearly always put others before themselves, so when something may be wrong with them, their anxiety can go into overdrive. In my role, I need to alleviate the stress and anxiety my patients feel either at the thought of having a mammogram, or the possibility of results that may not be good news. This can be very challenging, but I pride myself on maintaining a calm and happy disposition, which hopefully helps my patients feel more at ease. Do you have any advice for people looking to work in your industry? My advice would be to absolutely look into radiography as a career. I have been able to travel and work in London, have time off to spend with my children when they were babies and I have had no trouble finding work. There are many areas of ‘specialty’ within radiography, making it a very flexible career choice. What has been your greatest achievement to date? Finding the balance between working, helping out at my son’s school, running a household, homework, and most importantly of all, being a great role model for my children and the best Mummy I can be. Sure it can be a juggling act, but it is truly satisfying to know that at the end of the day I’m happy, they’re happy, and we are all ready to face the next day together. Favourite local hot spot and why? One of my most favourite local spots is overlooking the banks of the beautiful Brunswick River. We used to have picnics there as a child, and now we take our children there to enjoy the playground and go swimming and paddle boarding.
Business Social Media
Lisa | eConscious Consulting
Your business’s social media page could land you in hot water! You may not be aware of this but your business is wholly responsible for all content posted on its social media pages, included posts (photos, videos, comments, links etc.) posted by Friends, Followers, Contacts and other such users of your business’s social media pages. Whilst a lot of attention has been paid to ensuring that we monitor our social media pages for content posted by third parties, that is damaging to our brand, racist, bullying, trolling, or in any way dangerous, perhaps not enough attention has been paid to content that could be seen as misleading, incorrect or create a false impression about our products. A pivotal Federal court case in 2011 – ACCC v Allergy Pathway Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 74 whereby the company Allergy Pathways was found to be responsible for misleading testimonials written by clients on its Facebook “wall”, website and Twitter pages, because it knew of the testimonials and decided not to remove them, making Allergy Pathways the publisher of the testimonials, caused ACCC chairman (at the time) Graeme Samuel to state: “Many corporations now use Facebook “Fan” pages and Twitter accounts to promote their businesses. This outcome confirms that any business that decides to leave public testimonials or other comments on their Facebook and Twitter pages will be held responsible if they are false, misleading or deceptive.” Allergy Pathway Pty Ltd and its director were fined $7,500 each as a result of contempt of previous undertakings made to the court. In line with this decision made by the Federal Court in 2011, the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) made a ruling that content on a brand’s Facebook page is considered to be advertising and/or marketing communications under the definition in the Advertisers Code of Ethics (the Code), and as such the Code applies to an advertiser’s Facebook page and to content generated by advertisers, as well as material or comments posted by users or Friends. This could be logically extended to Twitter, You Tube, Instagram and any other social media platform also. In 2014, the ACCC’s stance is that those who talk up products and services online for financial gain, without disclosure, risk breaching the Competition and Consumer Act (2010). The ACCC has released best practice guidelines that state: “There are no specific or different consumer laws or rules in place for social media. Consumer protection laws which prohibit businesses from making false, misleading or deceptive claims about their products or services have been in place for decades. These laws apply to social media in the same way they apply to any other marketing or sales channel.” What does this mean for small business’s social media presence? It doesn’t mean that businesses should shy aware from using social media. Social media is an effective way to engage with clients, the public and to build your businesses brand and raise awareness of its products. What it does mean is that your business should engage with social media in a manner that is aware, informed and protected. To do this, businesses need: • A well thought out social media strategy that includes content selection, approval and monitoring policy. • A robust and efficient social media use policy that is tailored to your industry and your specific social media risk factors. • A social media crisis management plan that details precisely how your business will deal with your social media responses if things do go wrong. • An appropriate social media disclaimer that is tailored for your business and is appropriate for each type of social media platform that your business engages with. eConscious Consulting are leaders in the field of social media security, privacy and risk management. We provide consulting services, risk assessment, policy and training to all businesses across all industry verticals. We specifically provide a small business social media user pack that provides templates, instructions and examples that your business can use to create its own tailored, robust and efficient social media policy and guidelines, and social media disclaimer documents. eConscious Consulting 0408 608 824 | www.econsciousconsulting.com
I love my shop
Describe your shop in five words... Beautiful, Eclectic, Fabulous, Affordable & Fun, all in little historic Alstonville What was the inspiration behind Candylane Fashion? Having a house full of boys, I needing extra girlie time and haven’t looked back! What is the best part of your job? Seeing all of our local girls and visitors! Dress up in a Candylane outfit and loving themselves. Then girls being rewarded with compliments on how lovely they look in a new dress, or a whole new look and the excitement I see on a beautiful face, all from my little store Candylane.. What do u feel you bring to Town? A positive energy!! I’m all about our lovely little village in Alstonville and it’s stunning surroundings.. As anyone that knows me, knows I love our town... Also my little spot in the community. I feel privileged to be part of a beautiful, generous and caring community. Something people might not know about me? I’m married to the most wonderful & patient man, I have two beautiful boys (men now). Thank god for them, they keep me grounded... I live out of town looking out to the valley and embrace the beauty we have around us on the Northern Rivers. We are truly blessed to live in a beautiful, pristine paradise on the Plateau.
Candy Lane Fashion What are some of your recent achievements? I’m lucky enough to have a few fabulous girls helping me out on occasions, they are my achievement! Heather and Anita thank you :-) I must make mention of the lovely Greta... All our girls know her! She is an adored wife and mother of two beautiful children. Greta has been with me for quite a few years now. She is now attending university at SCU and doing a Degree in Accounting. Bless her, she is amazing! Her support and friendship has helped me through many trying times, all with blessed outcomes. Greta you are an asset to Candylane and Alstonville. Our clients just love her! I love her also, thanks for your loyalty Greta :-) What inspires you? The beautiful, expressive people we have living in the Northern Rivers. On a daily basis, I hear from visitors, ‘how beautiful it is here’. This inspires me to love our surrounds and our locals even more! I’m very passionate about what we have and share here. We must keep it safe for our future and our children’s future. Candylane Fashion Shop 2/75 Main Street, Alstonville 2477 02 66286335 Www.candylanefashion.com.au
Business News
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Stop Those Rodents!
Active Pest Management
Rats and mice are definitely pests you don’t want in your home. Along with grinding their over-sized teeth on your furniture and gnawing electrical cables, they contaminate your home with urine, faeces and hair. Typical signs are gnaw marks, droppings, half-eaten food, odour and urine stains. The most important thing to be aware of is that rodents can transmit serious diseases like salmonella, dysentery and gastroenteritis.
New club making a splash Is regular fishing not cutting it for you? Do you consider yourself to be a “waterman” or “waterwoman,” and aspire to fish and interact with the sea? Well, look no further, we have the perfect way for you to embrace your love for the ocean and at the same time put dinner on the table. A new spearfishing and freediving club “Summerland Skindivers” has been established in the Ballina area to promote the sport and its opportunities off the Northern Rivers coastline. The club will hold monthly meetings in Ballina and should appeal to spearfishing enthusiasts from throughout the area. In countries such as Australia where the sport is regulated by state fisheries, spearfishing has been found to be the most environmentally friendly form of fishing due to being highly selective, having no by-catch, causing no habitat damage, nor creating pollution or harm to protected endangered species. In addition to meeting plenty of dive buddies the club has many other benefits. You have the support of a community, social dives, competition days and trips away to dive with other clubs. Members can help answer your questions and suggest some diving spots that are safe for beginners. The club is affiliated with the Australian Underwater Federation, providing you with access to
Ballina | Lennox Head Spearfishing Club
education and tips for a safer and more enjoyable time in the water.
The spearo only takes what will be consumed and there is nothing more satisfying than bringing fresh fish from the ocean to the kitchen table. In this age of conservation and food awareness spearfishing gives us a unique opportunity to know exactly how the meat we consume is handled. We also cut out the waste, by-catch, and reduce the carbon footprint of eating fish. Fish bought at the super market has a higher cost all around. It takes a lot more resources for a commercial company to catch, process, package, perhaps freeze, fish than it does for a spearo to shore dive and bring a fish home for dinner. Provided you comply with local laws, spearfishing can be done in fresh or salt water. The important point is to become familiar with the laws and regulations regarding spearfishing and joining a club like Summerland Skindivers can help set you on the correct path. You should know what species, size, count, of game you can take before you hit the water. The regulations can even dictate what type of spearfishing equipment you are allowed to use. For information on when club meetings are held, or details on how to join, send an email to our friendly Club President Brad on bradoconnell@yahoo.com.au
To help prevent vermin invading your home this winter, we recommend these tasks: • Keep all external doors closed at night. • Be sure to seal your windows and check screens are intact. • Walk around the perimeter of your home looking for cracks or openings rodents could use as access. Seal any holes with sturdy materials that can’t be chewed, like sheet metal or concrete mortar. Also prune branches or foliage that may act as a bridge to your roof. • To block entry via cable or drain points, try stuffing small pieces of steel wool pads into the space and follow up with caulking silicon. Screens can be placed inside pipes and vents. • Clear any clutter in your garage or back room. Rodents love warm nooks inside your home, especially when they are undisturbed. • Take kitchen rubbish out regularly and make sure your bins close properly. • Always clean up spills in the pantry and store things like flour, grains and pet food in tightly sealed plastic containers. For the crawl space in your roof where plumbing, electrical cables and insulation are present, we recommend a professional eradication plan by a licensed pest controller. For enquiries, phone Hayley or Lisa in our office on 6686 8607 or visit www.activepest.com.au
Test & Tag for the Northern Rivers
JB’s Electrical Test and Tag specialises in electrical testing and tagging servicing the Northern Rivers. JB’s Electrical began operating in January 2010, when John Bridge was approached by a local businessman who was having trouble sourcing a competent, qualified person to fulfil his test and tag obligations. Now with over 100 clients within the Northern Rivers to Tweed Heads district JB’s Electrical Test and Tag is expanding weekly.
Being a local Northern Rivers resident born and raised in Lismore John Bridge has a wide and varied knowledge of local business and industries allowing him the advantage of being able to communicate and work together to enable professional business partnerships. JB’s Electrical Test and Tag is tailored to provide a service affordable to your business compliance with regulations and backup service to take the pressure off you, the business owner. With outstanding customer service, reliability and punctuality we will work in with your business to eliminate production loss. Why you need to have your workplace electrical items tested & tagged? Testing and Tagging is not only about compliance with occupational health and safety, but about the safety of all those who enter the workplace. However regulation requires that an employer MUST ensure that any risk of injury from electricity at a place of work is eliminated or that the risk is controlled by regular testing, maintenance and inspection of all electrical equipment to ensure that it remains safe for use.
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Trades & Services
JB’s Electrical
Records must be kept of all inspections made and maintenance carried out on all electrical appliances, specific details need to be kept as required in the act. The purpose of testing electrical equipment is to detect any adverse conditions that could render it electrically unsafe. What are the test and tag benefits? • Increased safety for employees, clients and third parties. • Reduced insurance premiums. • Reduced liability. • Asset Register and tracking systems. • Repairs of equipment can be made onsite to minimise down-time. What areas do you cover? • Alstonville • Ballina • Byron Bay • Casino • Lismore • Murwillumbah • Mullumbimby • Tweed / Coolangatta JB’s Electrical Test & Tag Based in Lismore, JB’s Electrical Test and Tag offer FREE QUOTES! Mobile: 0432 374 804 Website: www.testandtagnorthernrivers.com.au
BOOKKEEPING
HEALTH
PEST MANAGEMENT
CLEANING
Hairdressers
PRODUCE
FURNITURE RESTORATION
LEGAL
SECURITY
FITNESS
Bexhill Hill Cathedral | By Graham McDonald Trades & Services
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Dining Guide
Orio Cafe
Recent National winners of Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards, in the Bakery / Patisserie category, Orio Café is committed to delivering quality baked goods to their hungry customers. House-made Pies, Chunky Peppered Steak, Pork and Apple, Minted Lamb, Chicken and Mushroom, Chicken and Camembert, Tomato Chorizo, Pumpkin and Feta, Spinach and Ricotta - $7 Braised Beef, a current special on offer, our slow braised beef cheeks is served with creamy potato mash - $16.90 when available Spanish-style Seafood Pasta, a current special on offer, our Spanish-style pasta is served wtih chorizo, prawns and scallops, in a rich Tomato sauce - $16.90 when available Soup Nights, starting from the first week in June we will be having Soup Nights every Wednesday from 5.30pm to 8pm. We will serve a soup and dessert for $15 per person. Soup will be served from 5.30pm to 7pm, Dessert to 7.30pm, and doors close by 8pm. BYO wine only. Tea and coffee available all night. Bookings recommended and Takeaways available.
6628 5858 | Alstonville Plaza Open: 7:30am - 4:30pm Mon to Fri Open: 8:00am - 2:00pm Sat & Sun
The Balcony Bar & Restaurant Black Sombrero The perfect Byron experience for breakfeast, lunch, cocktails and dinner... The iconic Balcony Bar & Restaurant is located in one of Byron Bay’s last historical buildings, one of the first you see upon entering the town. Our dinner menu is second to none in Byron bay with a full selection of meat dishes, seafood and Spanish specialties..
Black Sombrero is at its heart a Mexican Taquería and Tequileria. A casual, welcoming cantina, a gathering place to connect with friends – or meet new ones – and share Mexican street-style food over a margarita or two. Our menu is simple and our flavours are honest, fiery and sharp – the real deal – just like in Mexico.
Eye Fillet, dry-aged Barcoo black angus 250g from the NSW table lands served with potato puree, red wine jus, rocket truffle and parmesan reggiano - $36
Enchiladas, filled full of your favourite ingredients and dressed with our slow-cooked tomato sauce and melted monterey jack cheese. Choose your filling from chicken, pulled pork, shredded beef or cowboy beans. Finished with sour cream - $17
Tasmanian Salmon, pan fried crispy skin Tasmanian salmon served with seeded mustard beetroot slaw and an eschallot chutney - $32 Balcony Paella, traditional Spanish style rice with chicken, saffron, prawns, squid, mussels, chorizo, tomato, baby spinach, parsley, garlic & chilli - $36 / $59 for two Pork Belly, crisp Byron Bay pork belly slow roasted with fennel, red grape compote, vanilla pear puree and cider jus - $32 Confit Chicken, twice cooked chicken Maryland served on truffled white polenta, roast eggplant and a spicy tomato relish - $30
Shredded Pork Taquitos, we take our house-made tortillas, roll them up with our slow-cooked pork and flash-fry. Served with roja salsa and our house-made Mexican crema – they’re a little bit addictive! Three per serve - $12 Quesadillas, tortillas filled with cheese and either grilled chicken or mushrooms and griddled until the inside is melting hot and the outside toasted - $8 Nachos, served with cowboy beans, house-made labna, chunky salsa and guacamole. (Add shredded beef, slow-cooked pork or chicken for $5.50) - $15
Gnocchi, house made desiree potato gnocchi with baby spinach and kalamata olive sugo, topped with shaved parmigiano reggiano - $28
Tacos, soft shell tacos made in-house each day. Our meats are cooked ‘al carbón’. Our tacos come with a salsa board with pink pickled onions and two salsas. Choose between; Grilled chicken, shredded beef, pulled pork, fish or mushrooms - $15
02 6680 9666 | 3 Lawson St, Byron Bay www.balcony.com.au Open: 7 Days a week
02 6621 3111 | 136 Keen St, Lismore www.blacksombrero.com.au Open: Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri & Sat
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Food
For Shaw Coffee
Locally owned and operated by Hayley and John Oatley just a stone’s throw from waters at Shaw’s Bay, Ballina. For Shaw Coffee is the new hot spot for locally roasted superior coffee, fresh juices, smoothies, sushi and healthy food, coupled with a genuine friendliness that will see you coming back for more. Easy parking and wheel chair access. At For shaw coffee, we focus on quality and affordability... Range $2 – $8.50. Homemade Granola, granola with yoghurt, berries, honey and Chia. Fruit toast and banana bread. Toasted Chicken & Pesto Turkish, with rocket and tasty cheese. Bacon & Egg Muffin Falafel Panini, with tomato, spanish onion, rocket, hummus and tahini. Sushi, rolled daily by Hayley with chicken, tuna and vegetarian varieties. ACAI Super Berry Smoothie, feel alive with our ACAI super berry smoothie with jts coconut water. Blind Date Smoothie, with banana, dates, cacao and almond milk. Green Goddess Juice, be revived with apple, celery, ginger, mint, spirulina and coconut water. Homemade fruit icy pops and treats also available. 0438 357 174 | 3/5 Brighton St, East Ballina Open: 6:00am - 4:00pm Tues to Fri Open: 6:00am - 3:00pm Sat & Sun Find us on Instagram: Forshawcoffeeballina Find us on Facebook: For Shaw Coffee
Savannah Coffee Lounge
We take pride in creating delicious cakes, slices, savoury options and are home to the original Savannah house-made pies. All made fresh in store! We use the freshest local produce wherever possible and strive to create restaurant quality breakfast and lunch in our much loved cafe in Alstonville. Savannah French Toast, topped with bacon, hot caramelised banana, berries & maple syrup - $16.00 Savvy Burrito, Bacon, house-made beans and cheese all wrapped up in a toasty burrito with sour cream & chilli jam - $12.00 Vegetarian Big Breakfast, two fried eggs, roast tomato, wilted baby spinach, housemade baked beans, roast vegetables, hash brown & toasted sourdough - $17.50 Savannah Mini Beef Burger, gourmet beef burger with lettuce, tomato, caramelised onion, beetroot, cheese, barbeque sauce all on a mini bun & a mini tower of beer battered chips - $10.00 Crispy Skin Salmon, on a creamy garlic and parmesan mash topped with lemon butter sauce & roast cherry tomato - $20.00 ‘The Staffy’, roast vegetables stacked over toasted sourdough (gluten free available), drizzled with balsamic dressing, topped with house-made tomato relish & fetta cheese - $13.00 02 6628 8700 | 1/79 Main St, Alstonville Open: 7:00am - 5:00pm Mon to Fri Open: 7:00am - 1:00pm Sat
Meet the Chef Kelven Parker | The Gateway Restaurant My name is Kelven Parker and I am the Head Chef at the Lismore Gateway Motel and Restaurant. My cooking originated in Auckland, New Zealand then continued in the United Kingdom for a further two years. For the past 14 years I have worked up and down the East Coast of Australia. Currently I live with my partner and two children in Ballina. My partner doesn’t allow me in the kitchen at home as I make too much mess, so I stay outside cooking on the barbeque.
Luv a Coffee
For a great dining experience visit Luv a Coffee for breakfast, lunch or just to grab a coffee. A place where you can enjoy fantastic cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Breakfast Menu Muesli, healthy combination of muesli, dried fruits, coconut cream, banana, natural yoghurt and honey - $10 Home Style Pancakes, three stack with maple syrup - $10 Eggs on Toast, fried, scrambled or poached with grilled tomato - $10 Lunch Menu Pasta & Rice Dishes, pasta or risotto of the day, carbonara or bolognese - $15 Luv a Burger, beef or chicken with salad, onion, pineapple, bacon, cheese, egg, bbq sauce and fries - $15
At the Gateway Motel and Restaurant we serve excellent modern Australian cuisine at a reasonable price. Our meals are simple but scrumptious, stylish, packed full of fresh lingering flavours, using the best fresh, top quality, local ingredients. We’re a family-friendly restaurant, with a special Kids Choice menu. Menu choices includes vegetarian and gluten-free options. In my kitchen brigade I have Megan Harding, who is the breakfast Chef; Jesse Westbrook, who has just finished his qualification as a Chef and Darren Price who is in his first year of his apprenticeship. The Gateway Restaurant & Motel 02 6621 5688 99 Ballina Road, Lismore www.lismoregatewayrestaurant.com.au
Gourmet Sandwiches, served on turkish bread, choose from; steak with onion, fried egg and lettuce; chicken breast with roast veg and hollandaise sauce; or chicken with avocado, onion, lettuce and caesar dressing - $14
Open Hours: Breakfast 7 days | Dinner 7 days
Caesar Salad, cos lettuce, bacon, croutons, anchovies, parmesan and dressing - $13
View Kelvens recipe for Eye Fillet Steak with Soba Noodle Wrapped Prawns on the following page.
Vegetarian Foccacia, with roasted veg, sun dried tomatos and pesto spread - $15 02 6622 3233 | 49 Woodlark St, Lismore www.facebook.com/LuvaCoffeeLismore Open: 7 Days a week
Food
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Art of making coffee
All coffee is a matter of personal taste and so many elements can effect the final cup. Understanding a few simple facts therefore can help you discover how to maximise your enjoyment.
Grind
• The finer the grind the more extraction you get from your coffee • If your coffee is ground too coarsely you get less extraction and therefore less body. • Too much extraction can lead to a bitter flavour in the coffee.
Brewing Time
• Generally for a plunger/ cafetiere made coffee, 3 to 5 minutes brewing time is sufficient. If your coffee tastes bitter reduce the brewing time. If it is too weak try a little longer. • When using a plunger you should stir the coffee well with a large spoon as fresh coffee tends to float on top of the water and is more resistant to saturation.
Water
• Ideal coffee strength ranges between 55 to 75g (10 to 12 Tbsp) to 1 litre of water (approx. 4 cups). • If you are only brewing 1 or 2 cups in a plunger use proportionately more coffee. • Soft water produces a stronger brew than hard water.
Hints
• Never pour boiling water onto the coffee. Use water that has gone off the boil at around 92c - 96c. • Never reheat coffee or reuse coffee grounds • Pre-heat your cups and plungers before use • Be careful when grinding your own coffee beans that your grinder is not grinding too coarsely as the quality of your brew will suffer as a result of poor extraction • When using a home espresso machine follow the recommended extraction time • Make sure your plunger is cleaned properly as stale coffee oils will taint the brew.
Locals return with 6 medals from Fine Food Show SILVER MEDAL BRONZE MEDAL SILVER MEDAL BRONZE MEDAL SILVER MEDAL BRONZE MEDAL
Class: 1 Espresso. Blend or Single Origin - Class: 2 Espresso. 100% Australian Single Origin Estate Class: 4 Cappuccino. 100% Australian Single Origin Estate or Regional Blend - Class: 5* Plunger Coffee. Blend or Single Origin Class: 6 Plunger Coffee. 100% Australian Single Origin Estate or Regional Blend - Class: 7 Decaffeinated Coffee. Espresso
During the recent Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, High Trees Estate located on the Alstonville Plateau was awarded 6 medals. The coffee competition had over 250 entries this year and is one of Australia’s most prestigious coffee competitions. The biggest haul of medals (six) went to new entrants to the local coffee industry, Jenni, Tony & Coco Rogers of High Trees Estate at Dalwood. We were excited to have won as this was our first attempt. We only entered to gain some feedback from the judges. High Trees Estate is run by three generations of family located in NSW. The coffee is organic and locally grown and processed on the plantation. We find it is naturally sweet and doesn’t have any bitterness that some coffees have and I can only put it down to that it is organic and sun-dried on mats laid out around our farm. We used to add sugar to our coffee and we don’t need to any more. You can purchase our coffee online from our website www.hightreesestate.com.au, or from organic health food stores, cafes or straight from the farm, come for a visit and have a cuppa.
Our aim is to produce the finest coffees that we possibly can on our little northern rivers farm by setting ourselves high standards. We do this by keeping it simple and just doing our best in every area from the growing, harvesting, drying and roasting and not letting any one area suffer. We are hoping to expand our range of products in the not too distant future, like different blends and roasts, tea, as well as a coffee body scrub. We are just in the developing stage, testing and trying different ideas and also packaging is so important. The coffee body scrub has many uses: My daughter uses it to wash her hair, its also keeps flees of the dog and my mother even put the peppermint one on her icecream. I believe that if you can’t eat it you shouldn’t be putting it on your skin. High Trees Estate (02) 6629 5727 Email: info@hightreesestate.com.au www.hightreesestate.com.au
Cottage Cheese Patties
By Carol Laskey
Carol Laskey was one of our Autumn Issue recipe competiton winners with her family favourite “Cottage Cheesies”. Her lovely recipe makes between 9 and 12 Patties and uses locally sourced produce.
Ingredients: 1 x 500g Cottage cheese 1 x Large brown onion (finely chopped) 4 x Slices of day old bread 1 x Small bunch Parsley (finely sliced) 1 x Egg 1 3/4 Cups of Macadamia Nuts (chopped) 2 Tbsp Macadamia butter (crunchy) 2 Tbsp Macadamia Oil 1/2 Tsp Ground cumin 1/8 Tsp Ground nutmeg A pinch of oregano Salt & Pepper
To Serve: Serve 2 patties per adult and 1 per child with a fresh salad
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Food
Method: Blend together 3 slices of the day old bread to make breadcrumbs, then blend the remaining slice of bread and set aside. Combined the cottage cheese, onion, breadcrumbs (3 slices), Macadamia Nuts and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Blend together in a separate bowl the egg, Macadamia butter, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, salt and pepper. Once combined, add to the dry mix. Form mix into patties and roll in the remaining breadcrumbs. Heat Macadamia oil gently and fry patties until golden brown.
Eye Fillet Steak with Soba Noodle wrapped Prawns By Kelven Parker | The Gateway Restaurant Ingredients: (Serves 4) 4 x 200gm Eye fillet steaks 8 x Large green king prawns (heads removed, peeled & deveined) 12 x Large Kipfler potatoes (washed & steamed) 1 x Packet Soba noodles (cooked) 8 x 6 Inch bamboo skewers 2 Tbsp Capers 100g Garlic and herb butter Salt & Pepper
Beer Batter 200ml Beer 1 Cup Plain Flour Pinch Salt & Pepper Avocado Mix 4 Tbsp Avocado (mashed) 1 Tsp Lemon juice Pinch Salt & Pepper
Beer Batter
Mix 200ml of beer with 1 cup of enough plain flour to make a smooth and thick batter consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
Avocado Mix
Mix together 4 tablespoons of Avocado with lemon juice and salt & pepper
Method:
Season steak with a pinch of salt and pepper, then pan-fry to your liking. 5 minutes each side for medium, a little longer for well done. Skewer prawns and wrap with soba noodles, dip in beer batter and deep fry until golden brown and crispy. Cut Kipfler potatoes and sautĂŠ in fry pan until golden brown, add capers and garlic and herb butter, then bring to the boil.
To Serve:
Plate the potatoes first, then the steak, top with your avocado mash, then prawns, garnish and serve.
Food
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Making the most of your home
Home Office Conversions Having a spare room (all made up ready for unexpected guests) used to be the norm but these days more and more families are deciding to convert their unused spare rooms into multifunctional spaces such as homeoffices. A combined bedroom/office is not only practical but also shows potential homebuyers how versatile your home is, adding to the value of the home. Converting an unused room into a functional guestroom/office needn’t cost a fortune, all you need is a bit of planning and the right furniture. You could seek the assistance of a professional designer - there are some amazing bespoke multi-purpose fitted furniture ideas on the market - but DIY renovations can be quick, easy and affordable.
First of all design your space – remove all your furniture from the room, clean the walls, skirting boards, carpets etc. Measure up the area and make up a plan of your room, including the layout of windows and doors. You may need to consider adding power points or phone lines to your room. Once you have a plan decide on your colour scheme – a lick of paint can make a huge difference to a room and should cost less than $100 for a smallsized room. Clean, subdued colours create a professional atmosphere and light colours will brighten the room and make it seem more spacious. Next create a shopping list of all furniture and accessories you may need for your new room. You’ll obviously need a desk – but
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Home & Garden
By Sadie Hunt do you need a spacious, dedicated workstation or would a smaller, multipurpose table do? Modular desks with folding or collapsible leaves are a good idea. Position your desk near the window to use up dead space – it also makes good use of the room’s natural sunlight and gives you something pleasant to look at. A good comfy office chair is a must and it will also double up for guests if you have an attractive cushion or two to put on it. One of the most important aspects of a well-designed multi-function room is storage. If your room has built-in wardrobes consider added some shelving to part of the hanging area. Storing stationery and files on shelves will drastically reduce the amount of floor space required for items such as
filing cabinets etc. If you don’t have a wardrobe, consider getting a tallboy – keep the first two drawers empty for guests and use the rest to stash electronic equipment and stationery out of sight. A good quality sofa bed, day bed or trundle bed is probably all you need for occasional guests. The advantage of a sofa bed is that it takes up less space – of course an air bed takes up even less if you don’t get many visitors! Lastly have some fun accessorising your new room. A couple of funky, bright lamps and cushions and some vibrant wall art are probably all that is needed to make your guests feel at home and your conference calls more tolerable.
Shopping for a bed Green Finger Gardening
Did you know, you will spend one-third of bed and sound sleep is essential to your Good sleep pushes people through their an aching back from a bad bed can difference between a good and bad day.
your life in livelihood? tasks, and make the
Backyard veggie gardens are becoming more and more popular due (in part) to the rise in prices at supermarkets and to concerns about the use of pesticides and other chemicals in the production of shop-bought goods.
Shopping for a new bed can be intimidating, especially with a variety of mattress costs from several hundred to thousand dollars. There are several elements to consider when purchasing a bed, such as different types of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, warranties, sheets, accessories, and price.
But how do you get started if you are not ‘green fingered’ and can you grow your own veggies if you only have a small garden or live in a rented apartment with just a balcony? Happily the answer is, yes.
Types of Mattresses There are three general types of mattresses: Innerspring, foam, and air mattresses as well as many hybrids. Since comfort is subjective, people may have a preference for one type of mattress over a hybrid model. When looking check the density of the foam, number of layers, weight per square inch of foam, and the number of coils. Some companies provide cross-sections of their mattresses to give a customer a better visual of its components. Getting the Best Deal Make sure to shop around when looking for a bed. Beds go on sale routinely and can vary in prices for the same exact bed. A bed that retails for one price can sell for half the amount. Know what you want in terms of type of mattress, style of bed frame, and concrete factors, like height and density, before looking at prices.
If you have a large enough garden to be able to dedicate a small area to growing your own food, you will need to choose and prepare that area well. Select an area which gets at least five hours of sunshine a day, is protected from the wind and is close to the house. If you select an area that’s out of sight, it’s all too easy to forget to tend to it! Making raised garden beds is a great way to get an almost instant starter garden. Pre-fabricated kits can be bought quite cheaply at garden centres. Raised garden beds are flat and well-drained and usually quite small - you can always graduate to a larger plot next year. Once you have chosen your spot and installed your raised bed, fill it with quality imported soil, sprinkle the soil with fertiliser (blood and bones or animal manure) and fork in well. Then gently plant your seedlings or sow your seed according to the instructions on the packet. Water your garden well and cover your seeds
By Sadie Hunt
with a good thick layer of mulch. Then wait for your food to spring up! If you have a small garden or no garden at all, you can still grow good fresh vegetables – all you need is a few pots, polystyrene trays or any old container (old welly boots and shoes can be ideal) just make sure that any container you select has drainage holes in the base. Some plants (strawberries, lettuce and herbs) can grow in very shallow amounts of soil, others will need deeper containers. You’ll need a spot which gets sunlight and is sheltered from the wind – a set of old shelves is great to ensure that any shorter plants get the same amount of light as taller ones. Choose plants which are easy to grow in pots such as salad greens, herbs, tomatoes, Asian vegetables and snow peas. Remember that plants growing in containers dry out fast and require a good soaking on a regular basis. Whether you have a raised veggie or pots on What to plant this garden Winter? the balcony, you’ll need to select what you grow by following should grow well theThe current season, the climate youif planted live in and what from February September: your family likes to to eat.
• Broccoli • Onions • Brussels Sprouts • Carrots
• Lettuce • Peas • Cabbage • Leeks
Home & Garden
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Has gardening become a problem?
Wollongbar Garden Club
Creating your own sanctuary
Backyard Blitz
Apart from mowing the lawn once a month, many of us never set foot in our backyards. But with a few inexpensive tweaks and additions your back garden could become your own personal sanctuary. The best way to start renovating your backyard is to make a careful mud map of your garden. Think about how you wish to use your garden – will it be for relaxing, entertaining or playing? Also take into consideration the climatic conditions at different times of the year - where does the sun shine most and where does the wind blow from? Take note of any areas which may require security screening from neighbours or the street. ‘Green walls’ of fast-growing plants like bamboo or natural screens are a good way of providing privacy and colour at the same time. Include in your plan where you would like to have your seating area and/or barbecue – this is usually on the same level as your home and near to the backdoor to your home. It’s a good idea to plan for some shade if possible to protect from sun and rain. If you live on a sloping block of land you may require the assistance of a landscaper to build a retaining wall or two. Flat gardens are so much more practical than sloping ones, especially if you wish to use the yard for play or entertaining. A paved area or wooden deck is a great idea if you want to entertain. Choose a finish which will complement your home – natural stone tiles, pavers, cobblestones all look good and timber decking is also a highly versatile, affordable and increasingly popular option. Hardwood timbers such as blackbutt or spotted gum work well.
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Home & Garden
By Sadie Hunt
Next consider the shade situation in your garden – the North Coast ensures a sunny climate year round but it’s a good idea to have a shaded area for lazy lunches somewhere in your garden plan. Constructed covered areas such as pergolas and covered patios are great but trees, vegetation, awnings, shade sails and market umbrellas make for good affordable alternatives. A garden feature such as a water feature, a pond full of Koi carp, a shaded gazebo or a breakfast setting under a tree is a good idea, especially if you are hoping to provide a relaxing garden. But it’s the good old Aussie barbecue which takes pride of place in most local backyards – some outdoor chefs even have outdoor sinks, fridges and wood burning pizza ovens! Decide on a budget, measure your area and get shopping – the latest commercial stainless steel barbecue set-ups will last for years. Lastly it’s time to glam up your garden with some comfy and stylish outdoor furniture and a handful of colourful and unique accessories or features. Depending on your budget you can go for anything from cheap plastic set-ups to exotic day beds, outdoor rugs, hammocks and floor cushions. Choose durable outdoor materials in natural colours and splash in brightly coloured accessories for maximum effect. Add a few personal touches such as old painted garden pots (rescued from council tips and garage sales), garden statues, solar lights, pebbles, seashells and pieces of old driftwood and your garden sanctuary is complete…
Gardening can often be a problem as people age. There are many solutions for those who either want to continue or start it as a hobby in lieu of more strenuous activities previously enjoyed. One obvious solution is a raised garden for vegetables or flower beds for a bit of colour and to cheer up on winter days. Another is a long plastic container which can sit on an inside windowsill, hanging baskets and pots on wheels can be very helpful. These are all easier to maintain. Apart from the benefits of relaxation, the enjoyment of watching these grow and their scents and colours can reduce stress levels. There are a number of modified tools available from online shops and hardware stores, many can be modified at home. There is also an easily obtainable upside down seat for a kneeling position and arms to help get up safely. Even as the weather cools, don’t forget to keep hydrated and wear sunscreen, hat and gloves. The club meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month and details can be found in the ‘calender section’ of the Advocate and Echo. Paradise FM also mention details the week before each meeting as they have different speakers or outings each month. Photos: Susan Lilienthal
What to plant this Winter? A few suggestions for winter colour are: • Kalanchoe (many bright colours available) • Native Hibiscus • Tropical Rhododendrons • Paper Daisies • Boronia • Daphne • Osmanthus frangrans • Camellias Your local nursery will have many others.
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Home & Garden
Milkbar Nursing Pillow, lift your baby to the correct breastfeeding position. | Find them at Baby Bella Lismore | How Much? $59.95 A new order of stunning KAS designed Cushions at sale prices have arrived | Find them at Alstonville Garden House | How Much? $29.95 This Apron is sure to impress in the kitchen | Find them at Alstonville Garden House | How Much? $29.95 Love to Swaddle Up Baby Swaddle allows your baby to sleep in their natural position | Find them at Baby Bella Lismore | How Much? $39.95 Soft pink Peonies, that will last forever | Find them at Alstonville Garden House | How Much? $12.95 Freckleberry Lollies, so irresistable! | Find them at Alstonville Garden House | How Much? From 40c
Get ready for this season with our favourite pieces. All sourced from local retailers. If you have a piece that you’d like featured please email: info@zestmagazine.net
Home & Garden
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What should you look for in an agent when selling? • Clear interest in meeting your needs • Positive word of mouth/references from previous clients • Knowledge of the area in which you’re selling your property • Knowledge of the price bracket you’re likely to sell in • Commitment to honest, realistic dialogue about the market and your situation The following four points are how you narrow down the list of candidates to find the right agent for YOU 1. Pick a winner Peer-given awards count, and one that really means something is the “Realtor of the Year” designation awarded by the Franchise or National peek body. These agents are the best as judged by their peers and that’s a huge endorsement. 2. Research how long the agent has been in business You can often find out how long the agent has been selling real estate from the state licensing authority. Or, you can just ask the agent. If they haven’t been in business five years or more, they’re learning on you and that’s not good, Ultimately, what you’re looking for is someone who is actively engaged in a particular area and price range. You’ll want to know what knowledge of those two factors they can demonstrate and what kind of market presence they have. 3. Look at their current listings Check out an agent’s listings online. Two places to look are the agency’s own site or the agents Franchise website. Most buyers start their search on the internet and you want an agent who uses that tool effectively. A key thing is an attractive presentation on the Web. You can also look at how closely the agent’s listings mirror your property you want to sell. Are they in the same area? Is the price range similar? And does the agent have enough listings to indicate a healthy business but not so many that you’d just be a number? 4. Ask about other houses for sale nearby A good agent should know about other available properties for sale in the area off the top of his/her head. Mention a house in your area that’s sold recently or is for sale. If the agent knows the property and can give you a few details, that means he or she really knows your area, You want someone like that who’s on top of the market.
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Real Estate
Presentation key to selling your house By Candace Davis
I remember when my parents were preparing to sell our family home. They tidied the gardens, cleaned the house from top to bottom and packed all our household clutter away. It was amazing what a difference three simple steps could make. Then one day, our friendly real estate agent suggested we enhance the aroma of our house to make it feel more homely and welcoming. Unbeknown to us, scent plays a part in people’s emotions and thus their decision to purchase something. We baked bread some days, prepared coffee on others, and occasionally burned essential oils. When you’re fortunate to live in the Northern Rivers, the beauty and lifestyle of the area can help sell your home. But work still needs to be done on your house to better your chances of selling, and getting your asking price. Real estate agent Melanie from Melanie Stewart Real Estae said presentation was everything. “Make sure your property looks its best from the moment it is put on the market,” she said. “Have a good clean out, get rid of the clutter, carry out some basic maintenance work and create a feeling of warmth.”
Melanie Stewart provided 8 top presentation tips for people looking to sell their home • Make sure your property looks appealing and inviting - your garden should be weed free, your grass mowed and some attractive pot plants always help. • Before every inspection give your property a quick once over - make sure windows and floors are clean. It’s surprising how much difference a clean house can make. • Lose your clutter. Prospective buyers need to be able to imagine their own belongings in your property. De-cluttering will also keep things tidy and make the rooms appear larger. • Freshen up the smell of your home including any smoke or pet odours. It may help to open the windows and brighten the place up with some fresh flowers. • Increase the sense of space and light in your home with a couple of mirrors and lights. Leaving internal doors open also helps. • Fix any leaking taps, broken bulbs and any other obvious minor repairs. A little paint will freshen the walls and help prevent potential buyers from finding any faults. • Create warmth in your home by preparing it to suit the temperature on the day of inspection. Coming into winter, if it’s a cold day, light a fireplace, turn on a patio heater or use your central heating. • Always clean up after your pets and try to make sure they are not around the property during open times.
What is Negative Gearing? There are plenty of reasons why Australians love to borrow money to invest in bricks and mortar. Some people think the value of property never goes down; others like the fact you can see and touch it. But, mostly, it is the ability to offset the cost of owning the property - including the interest paid on a loan against assessable income that makes it particularly attractive.
As long as the loan costs are greater than the rental income, then the Australian Taxation Office allows investors to offset the loss against their income. This strategy, known as negative gearing, is often considered more a tax strategy than an investment one, since the aim of most investment strategies is to make a profit, investors with negatively geared property either hope that one day the rent covers the loan costs or the capital growth in the property is such that they make a profit when it comes time to sell. As soon as the property becomes a neutral or positively geared property which means the tenant is paying the true cost of living in that property then the income might be subject to tax. Many, however, would say it is better to pay tax on a profit than make a loss. “For most of the 30-or-so years negative gearing has been around, it has been a reasonable strategy based on the capital growth rates of property across the country”, says the founder of Smart Property Adviser, Kevin Lee. “However, at a time of global economic uncertainty, betting on capital gains from property is a risky and outdated strategy for most people”, he says. Lee would rather see people save more for a deposit on a property that can then be rented for more than the weekly outlay. If it generates a capital gain, then that is a bonus. “If you are investing for income, and the income is paying for the property, then you are a savvy investor,’’ he says. “But there are no guarantees for capital growth”. “If a property market is stagnant - like we are experiencing in Australia then you will be falling behind. If the property market falls like it has around the world, then you are in a dire situation”. Investors should minimise the risk of gearing by choosing an investment property that is likely to increase in value throughout the investment period. Pre-buying research is the key to choosing the property wisely in the first place and you should also have sufficient income to cover your costs if your tenants are late with their rent, or if your property remains vacant for any period of time. You also need to be able to fund ongoing repairs and maintenance. As a general rule, only investors with the financial capacity to absorb the effect of potential falls in property values, as well as an increase in interest payments, should consider negative gearing. Depending on the deposit paid and whether there are sufficient capital works allowances and fixtures and fittings in the property that can be depreciated, it is possible to go from having a net rental loss to being cash-flow positive. The best position is to be negatively geared but cash-flow positive. The way to do this is to take full advantage of the tax-deductible depreciation allowances laid out by the Tax Office. The newer a property, the greater the depreciation levels. Construction costs can be depreciated at 2.5 per cent over 40 years. The rate of depreciation varies for fixtures and fittings. The tax deduction from depreciation, known as a non-cash loss, and the difference between the income and expenses (the cash loss) can result in a positive cash flow from the ATO. It is important to obtain a depreciation schedule prepared by a quantity surveyor to maximise relevant tax deductions. The cost of holding an investment property can be very taxeffective, especially for high-income earners. It is possible to get the tax back on a regular basis rather than the end of the year by using a tax-variation authority (formerly known as a 221D). This can significantly reduce the cost of holding the investment property. All of the above is considered to be the authors personal opinion and in no way should be solely used for the basis of a financial decision, it remains the responsibility of each and every individual to seek their own financial advice from a qualified industry professional.
Welcome to my home
$880,000 | 127 Bagotville Road, Meerschaum Vale
Transform back in time with this charming federation home and property! Located in the rural serenity of Meerschaum Vale, yet only a short drive to Alstonville, this 100 acre property oozes character and charm with a very pleasant northerly aspect. The federation home is in excellent condition and features large rooms, wide verandahs, timber floors, a fireplace and plenty of entertaining charm. Surrounded by your own country garden and adjoining a section of rainforest, this home is one not to be missed. On the property is a country-style shed and two out-buildings (studios), which provides this property with ample storage, car accommodation and opportunity. The property is suited for cattle or horses, currently an agistment is in place that offers cashflow. There is also a chicken farm housing sixty chickens, with plenty of fresh farm eggs offering another opportunity for cashflow and expansion. Key Features: • Original old homestead renovated to maintain its’ charm • Old dairy bails converted to a studio, keeping the rustic charm • Approximately 100 acres with a diverse range of country • Income from agistment with expansion opportunities • From native forests and spring-fed creeks to open grazing • 7 spring-fed dams located on the property LJ Hooker Alstonville Alstonville Plaza Shopping Centre 02 6628 1163 alstonville@ljh.com.au www.ljhooker.com.au/alstonville
Vicki Heathwood
Vicki joined our team in 2009 – her background in sales & finance for over 20 years has provided Vicki with the ability to communicate with people. A local resident for over 30 years, Vicki is dedicated and committed to achieving a happy result for both vendor & purchasers alike . “Buying a new home should be a pleasant experience and I like to feel that I have not just sold them a house but more importantly, found them a new home” I attribute my success around repeat & referral business – a satisfied client will not only come back to me but will tell their friends as well.” LJ Hooker Alstonville Mobile: 0432 247 264
Real Estate
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Great Australian Ride
Gearing up for a new car Buying a car, new or used, is generally not a decision we make lightly. A lot of thought often goes into the evaluation, there’s the time it takes to go looking both online and in person - and of course it costs us money. Recently, the idea of going greener has also entered the car-buying debate.
August 9th, 2014 - This ride will change lives! A group of adventurous motorbike riders will be undertaking a gruelling trans-Australian charity ride for SIDS and KIDS (www.sidsandkids.org) in August of this year. They intend to ride from Byron Bay (the most easterly point of Australia) to Steep Point, WA (the most westerly point of Australia). The ride will see them leave Byron Bay on Saturday the 9th August and head out through Goondiwindi and Cunnamulla to Cameron’s Corner before heading north to Birdsville, west to Alice Springs past Uluru and then over the Gibson Desert towards Warburton, Laverton and ultimately to Steep Point….approx 20 days later…. This is the fourth year of the ride – so far the ride has raised over $90,000 in the last three years and last year alone we raised nearly $35,000 for SIDS and Kids.
Heading
This will be a huge challenge for them, however, one that does not even compare with the everyday challenges faced by those in need of the charity they are proudly supporting... SIDS and KIDS are a notfor-profit organisation that provides professional free support to bereaved families and anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child. They receive only 3% government funding and rely heavily on public donations. We are riding to raise awareness of the great work this charity does and are asking for public support by way of monetary donations to go to this most worthy of causes. 100% of all monies raised will go directly to the charity and will go a long way towards assisting with the valuable support SIDS and KIDS provides to the community. We need help to reach our target of $40,000. Choose a rider to support, or, make a team donation – no amount is too large or too small! Donations over $2 are tax deductable and can be made online through our secure Everyday Hero site: www.everydayhero. com.au/event/TheGreatAustralianRide2014 For more details on the event and how YOU could be a part of the adventure, go to www. thegreataustralianride.com or Phone 0418 708 359 for more details.
It may not be a purchase that comes up often, but many of us need to buy a new car at some point in our lives and it’s important to be informed. One of the first things to consider is if you’d prefer to buy new or used. And, if you’re buying a used car, whether you visit a dealer or buy privately.
as well as their own legal rights. Consumer Affairs Victoria also provides some useful information including cooling off periods, warranties, ‘drive away’ prices, leasing and additional fees and charges. So there’s a lot to think about. Apart from making sure you find a car within your budget, it’s important to understand that your car will depreciate in value. There are various online vehicle cost surveys that can give you an idea of your car’s value, or you could have a look around. It’s also worthwhile looking into your car’s running costs. A car that can seem affordable at first can soon become the opposite when you take fuel efficiency, r e g i s t r a t i o n, insurance, tyres and regular servicing into account.
Nick Van Baarsen from Lismore Car Sales said it was important to know what you wanted from your new car and to keep fuel economy in the back of your mind. “Really think about what you want,” he said. “Once you’ve got an idea, search for the car online first so you know some of the basics … it really helps with your final decision.” Mr Van Baarsen said the main benefit of buying a used car through a dealership was the warranty you know the car is mechanically sound and you have a place to come back to with any questions.
These days it’s also important to consider your car’s emissions. You can easily calculate the impact your car will have on the environment online. Green Wheels provides a guide to working out your car’s emissions as well as other useful resources. Make sure the purchase of your next car is a wellthought-out decision. Search online, ask around and consider your options carefully before making a final decision.
Car Sales Australia recommends buyers investigate a car’s running costs, finance options and insurance
Killen Falls | By Graham McDonald 28
Motoring
By Candace Davis
Solar Roadways - A Green Future A small American based company called Solar Roadways are developing a solar road surface that, if installed nationwide, has the potential to produce more renewable energy than the entire country uses. In fact, they’ve actually already developed a working prototype that’s been installed in a parking lot, and they have just completed a successful crowd funding program in order to tweak the design and move towards production. Solar Roadways, which was started by Scott and Julie Brusaw in 2006, designed and developed hexagonal glass solar panels studded with LED (light emitting diode) lights that could be installed on a variety of surfaces such as roads, pavements, runways at airports and playgrounds. These panels would more than pay for themselves and would benefit both businesses and homeowners as the energy generated from driveways and parking lots could be used to power buildings, and any excess can be sold back to the grid. The panels also contain heating elements to heat the surface to just above zero degrees which would melt ice and snow so are ideal in winter conditions, and LEDs to make road lines and signs which have been previously shown to reduce night time accidents. The surface could also be used to charge electric vehicles as opposed to fossil fuels, and future technology could even allow for charging whilst driving via mutual induction panels, kind of the same idea as charging your smart phone by laying it down on a recharge pad.
A glass surface may sound fragile, but the prototypes have been extensively tested and were found to be able to withstand even the heaviest trucks. Recycled materials can also be used to produce the panels; the prototypes were constructed using 10% recycled glass and I am sure that with the future developments of recycling technologies this percentage will be on the rise. All of the panels will be “wired up” (GPS and micro processors in all panels) and will detect when a neighbouring panel is faulty and send a report to a base location, so faults can be easily detected and repaired. The team have also designed a place to stash power cables, called “Cable Corridors”, which would allow easy access by utility workers. Furthermore, they also believe that these corridors could be used to house fibre optic cables for high-speed internet. Their team have claimed that there is “approximately 31,000 square miles of usable surfaces in the US, and if all of these were covered the Solar Roadways system could produce over three times the electricity that is used by the entire country at the moment”. That’s an incredible potential that could lead to a huge decrease in dependence on foreign oil. It would also cut CO2 emissions by a considerable amount.
Amazingly, the team also found that car headlights can produce energy in the panels, so cars driving around at night would also be producing some electricity not to mention the possibility of a cities like Tokyo or New York which are always lit up like Christmas trees, would this ambient lighting from signage and streetlights help to feed back into the grid?
Obviously, this project isn’t going to be cheap. Solar Roadways were hoping to raise $1 million on their Indiegogo page (crowd funding), so that they can hire engineers to make final modifications and move from prototype to production. They have already reached $1.9 million. Their target will be to begin installing projects at the end of the year, but a significantly larger amount of money would be required if they were to try to cover all the roads in the US! Let alone the World, but as is the case with any great ideas they are often thought to be crazy by some and not enough by others.
As you can imagine there are a lot of questions coming to mind with the actual surface being the first.
If you would like to view further information or follow progress of this project visit: www.solarroadways.com
Stormforce Motorcycles Located in Casino Street South Lismore, Stormforce Motorcycles opened in July 2013. We are a smaller family owned and operated store focusing on Sales, Service, Accessories and Wrecking. We also offer a consignment service for those wanting our help to sell their bikes. We pride ourselves on offering a friendly personalised service, taking the time to find out what our customers want or need, and then working with them to ensure they get the best option. We deal with road, dirt and most Chinese bikes, and offer a wide range of both genuine and after-market parts and accessories. Our store is the local Bridgestone tyre stockist for the Lismore area, and we now also stock a variety of ELF lubricants. If we don’t have what you are after in stock, we are more than happy to order the item in for you, subject to availability. Operating hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday’s 9am to 1pm. Our after-hours service is by appointment only. We are working on having our new website with an online shopping section up and running shortly. In the meantime feel free to drop in and say hello, and like us on Facebook to stay up to date: www.facebook.com/StormforceMotorcycles Stormforce Motorcycles 02 6622 8886 | 35 Casino Street, South Lismore www.stormforcemotorcycles.com.au
Motoring
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Local Getaway
India An exotic and colourful destination In India even the simplest journey is a headlong plunge into a colour palate of images of religious festivals, deserts lined with historic forts, tented camps nestled in the sand dunes, flavoursome food and royal palaces, abundant wildlife such as the Asian elephant, the Royal Bengal Tiger and the One-Horned Rhino can be found in the numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and boundless vivacity. India is the most diverse and culturally rich destination in the world. Exotic temples, magnificent royal residences, incredible scenery & enticing cuisine. India the most diverse and culturally rich destination in the world surrounded with exotic temples, magnificent royal residences, incredible scenery & enticing cuisine. India is the second largest population in the world with more than one billion people has a remarkable 5000 year old history making it one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Observe evening prayers on the Ganges. Stand before the Taj Mahal and in the midst of the forgotten palace – city. The very spirit and soul of India seemingly flows down the Ganges. Get off the tourist trail and travel like a local through the beautiful south of Indian by train houseboat and river ferry. Keep your cameras close as you dive deep into the authentic Indian culture marvelling at history and unravelling the spiritual side of the river If you’re a lover of Yoga you will find some magnificent destinations in the Himalayan foothills that offer tranquil views of the valley and Ganges River.
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Travel
If you’re a lover of Indian food then you will be delighted in discovering the tradition and history behind centuries old cuisine.
India is many things to many different people – the cradle of spirituality, the birthplace of yoga or the home of the snake charmer! Amongst the wonderful colour and culture of this amazing country there is also the poverty side. 28% of the population cannot meet their daily food needs, 0.3% of 15-49 year old are living with HIV/ AIDS and farmers are committing suicide due to failed crops. Beggary is an increasing problem in all age groups Through volunteering you could help change these statistics. India attracts approximately 5 million tourists every year. It is a safe country in which to travel but as in any foreign environment the onus is on the individual to follow the local law and customs. Volunteering schemes are based in non-conflict areas and are vetted by the organisation on a regular basis. On departing your journey to India you will take with you the image of the colourful vibrant country the happy smiling people and your eyes and hearts will have been opened. Contact us Duck Creek Mountain Travel for details on exciting packages to explore this amazing country. We have something to suit all travellers for what they wish to experience. Duck Creek Mountain Travel 02 6628 3701 | Shop 25,The Plaza, Alstonville 2477 www.dcmtravel.travelscene.net.au
Ramada
The Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina Byron situated on the banks of the picturesque Richmond River in the heart of Ballina, is a true find. Surrounded by beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, fantastic places to dine and shop, the hotel is the perfect location to enjoy all our region has to offer. Offering a choice from 115 stylishly appointed hotel rooms, self-contained 1 and 2 Bedroom suites or one of our 2 and 3 bedroom Penthouses, Ramada Ballina is award winning 4.5 star affordable luxury accommodation. Open 24 hours the hotel offers guests complimentary gym and undercover parking. Amenities include outdoor heated swimming pool with sundeck and shaded children’s pool, laundry facilities, pay per view movies and Wi-Fi to name a few! There are also a choice of 4 conference rooms equipped with state of the art technology. When coupled with accommodation the hotel provides the perfect place for business or pleasure. The hotel itself also has 3 independent licensed alfesco restaurants to choose from or it’s just a short walk to clubs, parks, waterslides and great shops. With fishing, walking and cycling tracks literally outside the door there is plenty to do if you choose to. With its legendary surfing beaches, great family water options, golf course, close proximity to local attractions , Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and only a 25 minute drive to Byron Bay and 1.5 hours drive to Gold Coast, Ballina is an ideal destination. 1800 826 181 | www.ramadaballina.com.au
Budget Weekend Holiday Ideal
Local Retreat
Angourie Rainforest Resort
A coastal oasis adjacent to the sand dunes of pristine Flat Rock Beach, Angourie Rainforest Resort is a retreat surrounded by lush rainforest. Experience deep relaxation in a private spa apartment or 2 bedroom deluxe villa complete with a screened veranda, outdoor dining area and contemporary appliances and furnishings. The Resort boasts magnificent facilities, with disabled access throughout. Pergola decks overlook the resort pool and lit tennis court, both ideal for cocktails and snacks. Refreshments are also available in the comfort of the reception lounge or poolside
cafe. Take a moment to browse the art gallery and gift shop in the reception centre. For the kids there are a multitasking outdoor playground & indoor soft play activities room and separate heated wading pool with slide and water creatures. Essential Elements Day Spa located onsite offers guests a self-rejuvenation journey, exploring a combination of the ten cultural touches of Elemis, featuring massage movements influenced and inspired by an exotic blend of cultures in a variety of treatments for the face and body. Angourie Rainforest Resort 02 6646 8600 | 166 Angourie Road, Yamba www.angourieresort.com.au
Take out a map of our area and draw a circle with a radius of about 250kms from your home. Look for a place or maybe two places to visit within the circle. It sounds arbitrary, but you’ll thank yourself all weekend. These trips are not designed for hectic itineraries or lengthy drives. Spending eight hours in the car going and coming back effectively cuts your four-day getaway down to two. Instead this is a quick and easy trip away with less stress and more time to enjoy yourself. Beyond limiting the distance you drive, consider these other itinerary tips: • Have a backup plan. Be ready to switch destinations quickly if weather or other short-term problems crop up. The beauty of staying closer to home is that plans can be changed with fewer hassles.
• Map out your trip. Travellers can fall into a tempting trap when the distances are short, they fail to plan their routes. Even if a destination is fairly familiar, know precisely where you want to go and when to avoid wasting precious time and money. • Stay in the same place. Try to stay in the same place for at least two nights. Whether you choose a hotel, resort,
caravan park etc, the longer you stay, the more negotiating power you acquire. After all, those are nights the accommodation will not risk having an empty room. Don’t be shy about asking for special treatment when booking a multiple-night stay.
• Establish priority activities and make those arrangements first. If the museum exhibit you want very much to visit is only open Saturday afternoon, don’t find yourself elsewhere at that time. Short trips mean you will have to plan out activities and attractions you want to visit as there will be fewer options. • Discover the most expensive parts of the trip and weigh the merits of each. Is a 5 star hotel with all the extra amenities really important? Will you just be in the room to sleep, or relaxing around the pool? These are the parts of the trip where you can save quite a bit of money. Do your accommodation search with location in mind. • Travel lightly. It is unlikely you’ll need more than a few changes of clothing and toiletries, there is no need to prepare for a variety of situations. Over packing can cause back problems, grumpy attitudes and even lost money.
Travel
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How to inspire reading skills in your child
Cortnei | NR Family Magazine
Before teaching your child to read, we must first instil in your child a desire to read. It’s so very important for your child to know that reading activities and learning to read is fun. Early on, set aside a space of your home where your child can have their very own reading area and little individual library. This will get most all your reading activities off to a great start. Having their own special place for reading activities will inspire your child to spend time reading. Encourage them to discover their most loved spot inside their zone for their reading exercises. Grab yourself a comfy chair and join them. This is a great place for you to spend time with your child reading to them and vice versa, reading together is powerful tool in motivating your child to read. Read with feeling and variety, make gestures, body movements and sounds. Reading is nothing more than a practiced skill. Practicing being the operative word. Instilling good reading habits in your child early on with consistent and daily reading practice sessions will lay the brickwork to a solid learning foundation no matter what the subject matter. Books from bookstores, garage sales, flea markets and such are a great way to begin building your child’s reading library content. Also make good use of your public library. Teaching reading skills begins with developing in your child an interest and love for reading. As your child’s library grows along with their reading skill they will understand that books are important, enjoyable, and constantly filled with new things to learn. A good reading activity can involve very little actual reading. Use picture books with very few or no words and ask your child to describe the picture or tell a story about what the picture is about. This will allow you to monitor the child’s vocabulary and the use of the words they have been learning. Don’t overlook the importance of vocabulary building along with building reading aptitude. A strong vocabulary goes well with comprehending what you’re reading which, in turn, keeps the frustration level down, and the fun factor up.
Loving Yourself
Sue Malcolm
One of the biggest issues we face as women is our self worth. I believe it is the area we struggle with the most. If low self worth is something we have struggled with before we had children, then tiredness, lack of time to ourselves, juggling of ten different roles at the same time, changes in our bodies, demands of juggling roles as partner and mother or pressures of being a single parent, can put extra pressure on our self image. The most important thing we can do for our family is to love ourselves in a healthy way. It is not selfish. It is a necessity. We can’t give out of a place that is empty. If we can love and accept ourselves then we can love and accept others. It’s an area we often neglect as women and especially as mothers. So how do we end up with self-image issues? Well, I believe that how we see can be shaped by a number of factors.
ourselves
• Our home of origin The atmosphere of the home we grew up in (was it an angry, hostile environment, loving and nurturing, cold and distant, busy and frantic, disorganized and insecure, strict and disciplined etc). • Our relationship with our father Were we made feel special, unique and beautiful. Did he take time to listen to us, hug us, affirm us? Did he have a low opinion of women in general? • Our relationship with our mother We often learn how to relate to others and ourselves by watching our mums. Research has shown that if mothers have a poor self-image then daughters have a greater tendency to have low self-esteem. • Peers / Siblings Peers and siblings can soon destroy any shred of self worth that we have.
• Society / Culture / Media As women there are societal and cultural stereotypes and if you don’t meet these stereotypes you can be made to feel that you don’t measure up. It is not easy to change our opinion of ourselves and it certainly won’t happen overnight but it is possible. The first thing is to realize that you are beautiful, unique and valuable. Sometimes we need to speak it out loud everyday or even a hundred times a day until something shifts within us. We need to cut thoughts and words out of our lives that don’t line up with us being valuable, beautiful and unique e.g. I’m so dumb, fat, I’m hopeless etc. We need to fill ourselves with positive messages. E.g. stop watching TV shows that feed our insecurities. Watch, read and listen to things that nurture us and reinforce our value e.g. listen to songs with positive lyrics etc. Surround yourself with positive people and allow others to speak encouraging words into your life. Learn to receive the words and not dismiss them or counteract them with a negative. Remember you are modeling this behaviour to your children.
Love yourself – you are worth it! Sue is a Team Leader with “Beautiful” which is a practical self-esteem program being run in four Lismore High Schools for Year 7 and 8 girls. It is based on the belief that each girl is unique and precious and equips the girls to see themselves as valuable.
Reading material comes in many different shapes and sizes, some of which may be more accessible to a new reader. Magazines, Comic books and Apps all provide opportunities for reading practice. Other suggestions include playing board games that involve written instruction, corresponding with a pen pal and turning closed captioning on your television. To illustrate the practical side of reading, have your child help you with the grocery list, or leave reminder notes for your child to discover throughout the day. Invite participation by encouraging your child to ask questions or comment on a couple of pages revising something they have read about which will give them great pride (while you listen for accuracy) and makes them feel like a reader. When kids feel good about their reading skills they naturally strive to learn more. Reading should be a choice not a chore, so build momentum early with how much fun reading and exploring books can be. Get your copy of NR Family Magazine today. Distributed through schools, pre-schools, libraries, shops, cafe’s, medical centres, day care centres and family attractions with magazine Stands located at Lismore Shopping Square, Central Shopping Centre and Alstonville Plaza. Also view our magazine online at www.nrfamily.com
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Family
Alstonville Sunset | By Graham McDonald
Local Phone Scams
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4 2 New Tech for the whole family Technology is one thing that never witnesses its ultimate satisfaction or end. Everybody wants more and more, and to know, “What is next and when”. So what is next? We feature a collection of amazing new innovations and advancements in technology for the whole family both high end and affordable products.
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1) Twinkind - 3D-printed life-like photo figurines
Have you ever imagined a true-to-life miniature version of yourself? Twinkind have made it possible through state-of-the art 3D scanning and color printing technology. The result is stunningly detailed figurines that you can hold in your hands and observe from any angle. In other words: custom-made mini twins. 3D photo figurines are a revolutionary way of freezing a moment in your life including a family portrait or mother with her newborn baby. Visit: www.twinkind.com
2) Mimo Baby Monitor – The smart baby monitor
Putting anxious parents at ease, the sensors embedded in an infant bodysuit, monitor the babys respiration. The data is passed onto a small turtle gizmo. Information is then relayed via bluetooth to a Wi-Fi enabled docking station, access all the details via your smartphone. The respiration sensors are non-contact, soft, and comfortable. The app enables parents to check: skin temperature, movements, body position and set alerts for changes. Visit: www.mimobaby.com
3) Bikn – The new lost and found!
Want to find what matters? Or never lose it in the first place? There’s an app for that. That drives a smart case. That finds tiny tags you attach to the stuff you care about. Now even if your phone is dead or turned off, what was lost is now found. It’s called BiKN (bee’-kin) - A warning. A signal. A celebration. Visit: www.bikn.com
4) iSwimband – Helping guard against preventable child drownings
A portable, simple to use safety system that works in pools, lakes, rivers – even in the bathtub. Revolutionary Drowning Detection - iSwimband is a wearable appcessory which will alert your Bluetooth-enabled phone or tablet, if a swimmer has been submerged beyond a time limit, or if a non-swimmer (toddler) enters the water. While nothing replaces diligent human supervision, this provides an extra layer of protection in and around the water. Visit: www.iswimband.com
5) Toymail - Stay connected to the kids you love
Toymailers are parents at work or away for travel; they are someones Nanna, Aunty, Cousin, they could be an ocean away but can stay connected to the kids they love. Toymail works when you connect the mailmen to your WIFI network. Record a message anywhere, anytime, and send it to the toy using the app. Mailmen then snort or wheeze, to let a kid know they have a message. Kids can respond right from their toy. Visit: www.toymail.co
6) Form 1 - High-resolution 3D printing right on your desk.
A professional output printer that works using quality materials the high-performance resins are engineered by their material scientists for reliable printing. No calibration needed. Get set-up and printing in 15 minutes. Simply load your model via USB, hit a button, and get on with what’s important: your work. Visit: www.formlabs.com
7) GPS watch designed for kids
The smallest, most advanced GPS watch designed specifically for kids, and an app enabling the whole family to stay connected and safe. This trendy watch is comfortable, water resistant and designed for daily wear for children aged 3 and up with up to 50 hours of usage between charges. The watch sends an alert when shaken horizontally 5 times. It’s innovative tools provide location history, live-updates, panic alerts and safe-zone definition. Visit: www.hereofamily.com
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Scammers pretending to be from Technical Support departments for companies such as Telstra, Microsoft and Apple are continuing to cold-call locals in our area. In March 2014, SCAMwatch warned consumers to hang up the phone if they receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming there is a problem with their computer or internet connection. Recent months have seen a surge in reports of scammers calling people at home and raising a false alarm that they are at risk of their internet being disconnected immediately, as their computer has been hacked or infected with malware and is threatening Telstra’s internet infrastructure. The caller claims that they are able to fix the problem on the spot, however a fee for this service will need to be paid and the person will also need to download software that will allow the caller remote access to their computer. If a person resists or questions the scammer, they up the ante. Scammers have reportedly threatened to sue people for putting their companies infrastructure at risk. When the person has requested proof that they are a rep, scammers have given out a fake number which, when the consumer calls, puts them back on the line with the scammer. These scammers are also well-versed at creating a sense of urgency to incite fear and anxiety that your device has been compromised and must be fixed immediately. If you provide your credit card details or give remote access to your computer, scammers may not only take more than the stated ‘fee’, but also infect your computer to gain access to personal information and commit other acts of fraud. Scammers often pose as well-known and reputable businesses to try and convince you that they’re the real deal. Scammers don’t just fish for your details over the phone; they also send phishing emails pretending to be from these companies to try to get you to hand over account details, or to click on a link or open a document infected with malware. The ‘Yellow Pages’ directory scam has also targeted Australian small businesses, with scammers deceiving them to sign up to an online business directory service that falsely claims to be affiliated with Sensis and Telstra. Tips to protect yourself • If you receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be a representative of Telstra, Apple, Microsoft, etc and their call relates to a problem with your internet connection or computer, just hang up. • If you have doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. • Remember that you can still receive scam calls even if you have a private number or you have listed your phone number on the Australian Government’s Do Not Call Register. • Don’t let scammers press your buttons – scammers use detailed scripts to convince you that they’re the real deal and create a high pressure situation to make a decision on the spot. • Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you phoned and the number came from a trusted source. • Never give a stranger remote access to your computer, even if they claim to be from a reputable business. • If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. For further information about current scams or to report a scam, contact SCAMwatch on 1300 795 995 or visit: www.scamwatch.gov.au
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Yoga – getting your ‘om’ on… Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophy dating back more than 5000 years. Originally conceived to assist with spiritual enlightenment, the practice of yoga aims to bring the body and mind together though exercise, breathing and meditation. Today millions of people all over the world practice yoga, not just for its spiritual benefits, but for its multitude of physical, mental and emotional health benefits.
There any many different types of yoga. Some of the most popular include: • Hatha yoga – using props such as blocks and bolsters to assist alignment - good for beginners • Ashtanga/Power yoga – usually with less spiritual emphasis and more fitness orientated - good for weight loss • Lyengar yoga – with a range of customised postures to avoid injury - good for those with injuries Regardless of the type of yoga, most routines consist of a series of yoga postures (or asanas) which may include lying down, sitting, standing and inverted postures. Each is held for a period of time and may be accompanied by short breathing exercises. Sessions start with gentle movements and build up in intensity – a full yoga session should use every part of the body. Yoga experts believe that regular practice of yoga has many benefits for the body, mind and spirit including: • Increased general cardiovascular fitness levels • Improved strength, flexibility and joint mobility • Lower blood pressure and better circulation • Relief from stress and anxiety • Increased energy levels, happiness and wellbeing There are many types of yoga class available locally and every level of ability is catered for – from beginner classes to advanced practitioner training courses. Anyone can have a go, regardless of age or fitness level – however if you have not exercised recently, are over the age of 40 or have a pre-existing
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Health
By Sadie Hunt
medical condition it’s always best to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine. Your yoga teacher should always ask about your general health, injuries and fitness levels when you first meet and adjust all postures accordingly. Group yoga classes may be held in hired church or surf club halls, local gyms or in specialised yoga studios (often with smaller groups and soothing atmospheres). Some of the best classes with the most experienced teachers may be found in the least likely of places. Generally classes cost about $15-20 per session. Below we have listed a brief selection of local classes. If you don’t fancy joining a group class there’s the option of private classes or practising yoga at home. There are many yoga DVDs available and the internet and You Tube are great resources for free yoga routines and videos. Simply find a quiet space, light up some incense sticks, pop on some relaxing music – and get your Zen on!
Local Classes Alstonville: • Alstonville Complete Care – Tel: 6628 1654 • My Own Gym – Tel: 6628 1125 • Organic Bodyworks – Tel: 0432 288 770 • Pravana Yoga – Tel: 0417 785 919 Lismore & Goonellabah: • CentrePeace – Tel: 0412 988 425 • Dynamic Yoga – Tel: 0428 239 019 • Lismore Yoga Studio – Tel: 0417 464 308 • Nine12 Fitness – Tel: 6622 5323 • Organic Bodyworks – Tel: 0432 288 770 • Summit Fitness Goonellabah – Tel: 6625 2025 • Zen Aerial Yoga – Tel: Tracey 0406 687 488 or Josie 0415 178 728
Acne Clinic
Acne can be successfully managed but it is important to begin a treatment plan as soon as possible to prevent the condition from worsening as a result of poor or incomplete treatment. We offer complete acne management from the initial skin assessment by our trained medical staff to treatment plans and education on how to look after your skin. Margo Moore and Kerry Lynch are experienced Dermatology nurses’ at Lismore Skin Clinic. They have both had the opportunity to work closely with the management of the broad range of Acne patients who are referred through their GP to see our dermatologist, Dr Ken Gudmundsen. The aim of our Acne Clinic is to see clients early in the acne cycle to be able to offer education on how to look after acne-prone skin and prevent it from worsening. Following a full acne assessment with our Registered Nurse, we will discuss with clients the management options best suited to him or her. Bookings for a FREE acne assessments are available until the end of August 2014. Please call Lismore skin Clinic on 66 21 3500 for booking.
Photos (L to R): Kerry Lynch, Registered Nurse - Dermatology, Cosmetic injectables Margo Moore, Registered Nurse - Dermatology
Are you bruxing?
Dr Justin Pakin | Plateau Dental Care
Donors at the launch of the Healthy North Coast Blood Drive in Lismore
Howard Chilton during his live babytalk webinar on Healthy North Coast
Healthy North Coast Turns 1 Year Old Earlier this year ‘Healthy North Coast’ celebrated its first birthday – and what a first year it has been. Healthy North Coast is an online hub, where as part of the community, it supports everyone in getting healthy and staying healthy. Since its launch, Healthy North Coast has attracted over 3,100 Facebook likes, received over 50, 000 website hits and published 25 health-related videos, which have been viewed over 11,761 times with an estimated 100,000+ minutes watched. In just one year Healthy North Coast has established itself as the go-to place for health-related information, news, events and services on the North Coast. We take a look back at some of the best bits from Healthy North Coast: Healthy North Coast Blood Drive One in three people need blood at some point in their life, yet only one in 30 donate – A statistic that prompted the launch of the Healthy North Coast Blood Drive. The event, which kicked off at Lismore Blood Donor Centre and took in the entire North Coast, was aimed at encouraging the community to think about donating blood. The drive saw people from the Queensland border to just south of Port Macquarie join Healthy North Coast and North Coast NSW Medicare Local staff and friends in donating blood. The blood drive helped save an estimated 33 lives, with a great many more very thankful for the donations. Baby Talk - Live webinar As part of Healthy North Coast’s mission to deliver up-todate health content for the North Coast community, the portal developed the Healthy North Coast Webinar Series. The interactive series provides the general community rare access to leading health experts and allows them to get their questions answered. The inaugural webinar was delivered
by Dr Howard Chilton, a Neonatologist at the Royal Prince of Wales Private Hospital and Royal Hospital for Women. Dr Chilton discussed a range of early childhood health and parenting issues and answered questions put forward by the viewers. This webinar recording quickly became one of the most viewed videos produced by the Healthy North Coast. To view Dr Chilton’s webinar visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqpXHl5fZtU Healthy North Coast Networks The Healthy North Coast Network is the health hub’s latest project and the first of its kind on the North Coast. The Network is a free online networking platform dedicated to health professionals on the North Coast and hosts over 130 regional and setting based health professional networks including General Practice, Aged Care, Medical Specialist, Pharmacy and Allied Health. North Coast Medicare Local Clinical Adviser Dr Dan Ewald said the Network would greatly assist in reducing professional isolation and promoting inter-disciplinary networking. “The great thing about the Healthy North Coast Network is that health professionals can converse and collaborate on projects with colleagues without leaving their office.” “For the first time in our region, health professionals can replace more cumbersome email lists with real time collaboration.” Dr Ewald said online collaboration is the way of the future, especially in large geographical regions like the North Coast. The Healthy North Coast Network is based around the functionality of other social networking platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, however provides a more private and professional space for health practitioners to work. Health professionals can register for the Healthy North Coast Network by visiting www.healthynorthcoast.org.au/dashboard/signup with full instructions for the platform at www.healthynorthcoast. org.au/practitioner-resources
Dentists are seeing more and more patients who are presenting with fractured teeth. Much of this can be attributed to normal wear and tear from chewing forces and the fact that people are retaining their teeth longer and so have more chance of breakage. However a common cause of these fractures which is often missed by patients is tooth grinding or clenching during sleep otherwise known as bruxism. This can result in significant force applied to the teeth and lead to further breakdown especially in teeth that are already filled. There can be a number of causes of bruxism but the most common cause is stress or anxiety. How do I know if I’m bruxing? Common signs that someone is a bruxer may be noticed by the person doing it or more often by a dentist. A partner may hear their loved one grinding their teeth in their sleep, you may notice that you have sensitive or chipped teeth or have pain in the teeth when you bite something hard. Other symptoms can include tension headaches, either behind the eye in the temple area or at the base of the head, sore jaw joint (TMJ) or even clicking in the joint. Dentists can see wear patterns or even vertical or horizontal cracks in the teeth that point to bruxism and patients are often surprised to find that their chipped teeth, headaches, neck pain and sore jaw may all be related. It is important to protect teeth from these forces as they can lead to tooth breakdown and the need for complex restorations. Dentists can make a protective mouthguard or splint to wear during sleep that will help mitigate these forces and even stop the person from grinding their teeth in the first place. Such splints can reduce the chance of fracturing your teeth and can even improve or arrest symptoms such as headaches, TMJ problems and facial pain. Once damage is done to the teeth, dentists are usually able to restore them with filling or crowns that help protect the remaining tooth structure. Many of the symptoms associated with bruxing are in the head and neck muscles and joints. As a result it can be very beneficial to see a physical therapist (physiotherapist, Chiropractor or Osteopath) to achieve a better outcome. If you think you may be a bruxer try to be aware of any current symptoms and discuss them with your dentist. In this day and age we are living longer and retaining our teeth longer so they have to perform over a much larger span of time. By recognising and treating problems such as bruxism we can help alleviate painful symptoms, save tooth structure and give the teeth the best chance for ‘going the distance’.
Health
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Lifestyle paramount to healthy skin
By Candace Davis
Welcoming adulthood doesn’t necessarily mean saying goodbye to bad skin. In fact, many of us experience various unwelcome skin conditions as we age, and they’re often due to poor lifestyle choices. Perfect Potion’s Manuela Almeida said adults experienced a wide variety of skin conditions which could be caused from hormonal imbalance, lack of sleep, stress, dehydration, drinking alcohol, sun exposure, little exercise and poor diet. If some of these lifestyle causes sound familiar, don’t worry you’re certainly not alone.
Winter Hair Tips
Melissa | O! Hair Alstonville
With winter surely approaching soon, the time is near to begin a new hair trend. Don’t let the winter chill cool you off, it’s time to add warmth and depth to your locks. Choose subtle toffee lowlights for blonde hair, copper hues to add golden tones, and delicious coffee for darker hair! For those drying ends, the NAK 60 SECOND ULTIMATE TREATMENT should be your choice. An elegant hair treatment that will help repair and strengthen dry, damaged and chemically compromised hair. The 60 second treatment travels deep within the cuticle of the hair, giving your hair strength and shine. Replenish your hair with its combination of Argan oil, keratin, and silk amino acids. And above all else, the 3 golden rules; 1. Drink more water 2. Avoid scorching hot showers 3. Regularly use a high quality treatment Happy Winter!
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Hair & Beauty
“Adults experience a variety of skin conditions and they’re all very distinct to the individual,” she said. “Your age doesn’t mean you’ll have beautiful skin, it can mean just the opposite if you don’t take care of yourself.” The good thing is, many of our most embarrassing skin conditions are preventable and can be managed naturally. Perfect Potion’s skincare range uses only natural products that work to support our skin. They also integrate essential oils that work on our sense of smell—directly linked to mood and emotions in the brain. Not surprisingly for Australia, one of the most common skin conditions treated in adults is dehydration. “Dehydration, especially in young adults, is very common and can make you look a lot older,” Ms Almeida said. “When caring for your skin, lifestyle in paramount. You must embrace a holistic approach to skin care, taking into account plenty of rest and relaxation. It’s important to take time out to nurture yourself.” Wrinkles are another major skin concern for adults. “As we age, it takes longer for our skin to repair itself and for skin cell replacement to take place,” Ms Almeida said. “We only produce human growth hormones when we are in a deep sleep which serves to emphasise the importance of rest and relaxation.”
Stress also plays a big part, especially when it impacts our sleep patterns. Stress doesn’t have to be obvious— such as a demanding boss, an angry customer or an unwell relative—it can manifest in many different ways. Exercise and diet are also very important. So what does this all mean for adult skin care? It’s good to know there are three easy steps that, done twice a day, can help improve your skin condition almost immediately. “Cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day,” Ms Almeida said. “And wear make-up only when you need to. It’s good to give your skin a break and let it rest. You could also exfoliate your skin and put a mask on, but don’t do it more than once a week and on separate days.” Ms Almeida said when choosing your skin care products, it was very important to find the cleanser, toner and moisturiser that were right for you. She recommended talking to someone and trying the products out first. Perfect Potion has stores and treatment rooms across Australia and the Asia-Pacific and their products are also available online at www. perfectpotion.com.au
Skin summary from Rejuvenation Beauty & Skincare Centre, Alstonville • Common skin concerns in adults include aging, acne and rosasia. • Stress, pollutants and lack of nutrition all play a vital part in the condition of our skin. • Cover the basics with cleansing, moisturising and sun protection. • Your skin’s ability to age well will depend on your genetic makeup, environment, nutrition and exposure to the sun. • If you’re concerned, visit an expert skin diagnosis is complimentary in most professional salons.
Winter Skin Care Tips Margaret | Reveal Skin & Beauty As soon as you turn the heat on indoors, the skin starts to dry out. Whether you use electricity, oil or wood. 8 tips to make the most of your beauty care this winter. 1. Find a beauty therapist. A beauty therapist can analyse your skin type, give you advice on your current skin care regime and the skin care products you are using. 2. Moisturize more. Find a moisturizer that is oil based, rather than water based. The oil will create a protective layer on the skin. ( Many lotions labelled as ‘night creams’ are oil based) Also, look for lotions containing ‘humectants’ ( includes glycerine and sorbitol) as they attract moisture to the skin. 3. Apply Sunscreen. As with the warmer months apply generously about 30 minutes before going outside. Re apply frequently.
The NAK signature range shampoo & conditioner. Sulfate free, paraben free. Palm oil free. $34.95 a pack | O! Hair Alstonville
Mesoestetic Intensive C Take home serum. A four week treatment. The strongest antioxidant on the market. $116 | REVEAL Skin & Body
4. Protect your hands. The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Carry a good quality hand cream and remember to use it generously. 5. Use the humidifier. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent the skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home, they help to disperse the moisture more evenly. 6. Have a pedicure. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerine. Have a home pedi or treat yourself. 7. Get I.P.L. Treatments Winter is the perfect time as pre laser skin should not be tanned and post laser skin needs to stay out of the sun. Treatments include permanent hair removal, pigmentation, vascular and skin rejuvenation.
Gaia pure pregnancy belly butter will leave your ‘bump’ soft & minimise the effects of pregnancy. $19.95 | Baby Bella Lismore
NAK ultimate treatment, designed to rebuild damaged hair, containing Argan oil, keratin & silk amino acids. $23.95 | O! Hair Alstonville
8. Take care with hot baths and showers. As delectable as they are the intense heat actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin. This leads to a loss of moisture. A luke warm bath with oatmeal or baking soda can relieve skin that is so dry it is itchy. Vogue Beauty Trending Be fresh faced this winter with cleaned up eyebrows and a dab of dewy tinted moisturizer.
Super foods for gorgeous Winter skin! 1. Blueberries are filled with antioxidants and are good for the skin. For winter, buy frozen organic and use in smoothies and desserts 2. Add frozen raspberries and cacao nibs whenever you can. 3. Salmon, avocado and nuts are all hero foods for dull skin.
Mesoestetic Purifying mask. Doubles as mask & exfoliant. Perfect for dry & congested skin in winter. $85.80 | REVEAL Skin & Body
Myrtle & Moss Body products perfect to lather yourself with after a hard days work. From $12.95 | Alstonville Garden House
Hair & Beauty
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How to dress for your body shape
In a world of ever-changing fashion trends, knowing what to wear to compliment your shape can be a challenge. Getting dressed each day is easier when you know what pieces work best for your shape. Generally women fall into 1 of 5 general categories: pear, wedge, rectangle, apple and hourglass. Spend some time in front of the mirror and do a fair and honest assessment of your body. Here are some tips on how to dress your body shape, to help you look your best. Dos and don’ts Pear Shape • DO wear scoop neck / sweetheart tops to create curves. Traits: Your lower body is wider than your upper body, • DO wear long jackets to create a lean look. in other words, your hips are wider than your shoulders. • DO wear tops with collars / ruffles to flatter your chest. Your bottom is rounded and your waist is well defined. • DO wear a good bra. Best Assets: Shoulders, torso and flat stomach. • DO layer to add more dimensions. Fashion Goals: Emphasise your waist and arms, • DO wear dresses with ruching. Cinches on sides are ideal. add volume to your shoulders and upper body and • DO have fun with colorful bottoms... experiment. minimize your hips. • DON’T wear overwhelming styles. Dos and don’ts • DO try a-line skirts, which camouflage wider hips. Apple Shape • DO keep hems of pants, skirts and dresses wide to Traits: Most of your weight accumulates above the balance the hips. hips, which are narrow. Your back, ribs and shoulders are • DO experiment with light tops/dark bottoms for contrast. broad, and you may feel wider than other body types. • DO look for boat neck tops, square and cowl necklines. Best Assets: Your legs. • DO wear strapless dresses to show off arms Fashion Goals: Elongate the torso, show off your legs • DO try styles with ruffles on top. and use fashion to create the illusion of a waist. • DO wear jackets that hit right above the waist. Dos and don’ts • DO opt for pointy-toed shoes to elongate your legs. • DO go for monochromatic looks. • DON’T wear clothing that draws attention to hips and • DO go for v-neck tops - the illusion of a longer torso. thighs, such as cargo pants or print skirts. • DO wear a bra that offers good lift and support. • DO wear belts at the smallest part of your waist. Inverted Triangle Shape • DO conceal tummy bulge by wearing empire tops Traits: Also known as the cone/wedge shape, this body and dresses. shape features a broad chest and wide shoulders • DO wear boot cut and flared jeans to create an which are large in proportion to a narrow waist and hips. even line from the shoulders down. Best Assets: Your legs. • DO wear shorter skirts to show off your legs and draw Fashion Goals: Accentuate your lower body while attention away from your midsection. softening your shoulders and upper body. Dos and don’ts • DO wear bright colors on bottom. • DO wear wide-leg pants or full skirts. • DO wear tops that call attention to your waistline. • DO experiment with high-waisted styles. • DO look for clothes that create the illusion of a waist. • DON’T wear spaghetti-strap tops. • DON’T wear boat neckline tops.
Rectangle Shape
Traits: The waist, hip and shoulder widths are similar and are usually on the slim side. Slender rectangles have an athletic look about them. Best Assets: Your arms and legs - and you don’t have to minimize any body features. Fashion Goals: Create curves and show off slender legs and arms.
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Fashion
Hourglass body type
Traits: Your shoulders and hips are similar in proportion and set off by a tiny waist. Best Assets: Curves. Fashion Goals: Show off your curves... without going overboard. Dos and don’ts • DO wear a good bra and showcase your bust. • DO wear fitted dresses. • DO wear a belt at the waist to enhance your shape. • DO try wrap dresses. • DO go for high-waisted skirts to show off your hips. • DO pick thin, lightweight styles and fabrics. • DO wear skinny or straight leg jeans. • DON’T hide your curves with baggy clothing.
Winter Fashion
Celina | Hortons Fashion
Winter 2014 is explosive with colour! Be prepared to step outside your comfort zone. Your wardrobe can be instantly revitalised by combining a mix of dewy pastels and vibrant hues teamed with a muted marle base. Yarra Trail’s bright and colourful optical print tunic dress (as seen above) can become your new go to item. It works equally well for the office and on a night out! Mix bold prints or stripes with plain classic base. Bold colours ruled the runway this season, with blue being the hue of choice for designer collections this winter! Classic navy also emerges as a very strong colour combination in See Saw’s wool denim marle jacket & several navy print shirts in many labels - Yarra Trail’s first Winter story was a great combination of blue’s & navy - stitch print shirt, vests, jackets & skirts. R-Jay also had a gorgeous strong cobalt story with mix ‘n match cotton print pants, cobalt mix tunics, great modal cobalt and black basic tops. You can be very stylish by layering knits while still being practical and comfortable. With the cold days ahead the textured knit is a much needed staple for the season. The warm and comfy layer is easy to throw on with jeans or leggings or add a rugged contrast to a ponte skirt. Be bold and opt for a bright coloured wool jacket paired with your printed shirts or tees. Textured fabrics in a variety of shapes are perfect for trans-seasonal dressing! Look stylish and elegant in this seasons latest trends. Contony & Lovers labels have the perfect pieces for all your ‘ Special Occasions’ - now in store. Our amazing dresses and separates ensure you look fabulous while at work or just everyday. Marco Polo skirts and pants are a great basic asset, to your work wardrobe. Zaket & Plover knit wear have the edge in quirky knits with their beautifully balanced 50% merino and 50% acrylic mix throughout their range of navy, black and charcoal skirts as well as tunics, dresses, and wonderful textured cardi’s. Yarra Trail’s casual approach for a stand out weekend wardrobe cannot be surpassed- fabulous jeans in prints and denim wash from size 8-18. Yarra Trail’s amazing leather jackets in several colours and different styles will enhance any wardrobe! New label to Hortons Fashion - New Zealand label - Foil has some luscious knits this season - great cardi’s in merino wool mix, and a fabulous 100% fine merino wool red dress! Hortons Fashion 02 6621 2550 | 15 Woodlark Street, Lismore
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A beautiful range of Scarves are in stock | Find them at Alstonville Garden House | How Much? From $14.95 R-Jay Vests, Yarra Trail orange Shirts & print Jeans | Find them at Hortons Fashion | How Much? $155 (Vest), $99.95 (Shirt) & $89.95 (Jeans) Classic cut magenta Dress, a stunner at the office or out with friends | Find them at Candylane Fashion | How Much? $79.95 Add a bit of colour with this Cardigan available in 3 colours | Find them at Candylane Fashion | How Much? $49.95 & $19.95 (Scarf) Blue bird nest of Pambula Necklace & Earrings | Find them at Alstonville Garden House | How Much? $49.95 (Necklace) & $29.95 (Earrings) Stella Rose Jewellery & Bellisima Stockings/Tights | Find them at Hortons Fashion | How Much? From $35 (Jewellery) & From $15 (Stockings) Wool Hat, See Saw 100% wool Jumper, Animale Dress & red Lovers Top | Find them at Hortons Fashion | How Much? $70 (H), $140 (J), $138 (D), $148 (T) Urban chic cotton lining khaki Jacket and mocha pouch Bag | Find them at Candylane Fashion | How Much? $49.95 & $39.95 (Bag)
Fashion
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Arts Northern Rivers
NORPA presents: Food Kids Cake Decorating
Northern Rivers win big at NSW art and cultural awards
One of them left, and one of them didn’t. One chose chaos, the other control. One chose sex, and the other one – food.
Six innovative local arts and culture initiatives, including a regional museum project, a cultural festival, a youth theatre project and a creative pop up shop, were recognised in May at a special Awards Ceremony held at NSW Parliament House.
Knives, like ‘em sharp.
The Local Government Art and Cultural Awards were held as part of Vivid Ideas festival, in partnership with Destination NSW, showcased the outstanding arts and cultural initiatives councils are engaged in, including management of over 4000 cultural sites across NSW and development of services, programs and strategies. Arts Northern Rivers CEO Peter Wood, who accepted the Places for Arts and Culture: Creative Use of Vacant Spaces gong with Byron Mayor Simon Richardson for the 2013 Northern Rivers Creative Pop Up Shop, said ‘this is a brilliant outcome for a region renowned for it’s creative communities and councils that recognise the importance of supporting the arts and cultural development’. Now in it’s tenth year, Arts and Culture Awards President of Local Government NSW (LGNSW), Cr Keith Rhoades AFSM said that it is fitting that this year, 100 outstanding nominations were received. “The Awards, comprising 23 categories, were won by 19 NSW councils, with City of Sydney, Liverpool, Byron Shire and Tweed Shire taking out two categories each – a wonderful achievement that their communities should be very proud of’ Cr Rhoades said. An individual award went to Susi Muddiman, Gallery Director at Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Arts Centre, for her enduring contribution to arts and culture and a partnership award for creative use of a vacant space was shared by Byron Shire Council and Arts Northern Rivers. Ballina Shire was awarded the Community Participation in the Arts and Culture: Creative Ageing for Object of the Story: Reflections on Place, a collaboration between the Council, the Northern Rivers Community Gallery and Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council and Clarence took out the Interdisciplinary Arts and Culture: Cultural tourism award for their region-wide cultural festival Plunge. Places for Arts & Culture: Creative Use of Vacant Spaces Northern Rivers Creative Artists Pop Up Shop (Byron Shire) Interdisciplinary Arts & Culture: Arts & Health Youth ‘Mental Health Matters’ Program (Byron Shire) Community Participation in Arts & Culture: Creative Ageing Object of the Story: Reflections on Place (Ballina Shire) Interdisciplinary Arts & Culture: Cultural tourism PLUNGE 2013 (Clarence Valley) Places for Arts & Culture: Improved cultural facilities Tweed Regional Museum Project (Tweed Shire) Leading Arts & Culture: Enduring Staff Contribution to Arts & Culture Susi Muddiman, Art gallery director Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Arts Centre (Tweed Shire)
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Arts & Performances
On a stretch of Australian highway, two sisters run a family takeaway joint. Chiko Rolls and reminiscing are on the menu. While they quietly wage war with their past and dream up a brighter future, a young life-loving Turkish traveller arrives with a charm and sensuality that turns their world around.
Peppertree Kitchen
This is a special class for kids 9 years and over, and will demonstrate the techniques required to decorate cakes with Jeanelle Smith. Class Facilities Classes are hands on and held in an air-conditioned commercial kitchen upstairs at Peppertree Kitchen. Parking All day parking is available at no charge in Frederick’s car park, Magellan St – just past the library.
The sisters soon transform their rundown fast-food stop into a restaurant showcasing Elma’s gift for comfort cooking. Audience members become restaurant guests as the sisters serve up Elma’s hearty minestrone soup, sourdough and local wines.
Terms & Conditions • No refunds or transfers will be given for classes not attended. Please send someone in your place if you are unable to attend. • Please mark in your diary as no reminders are given.
Kate Champion’s Force Majeure produces some of Australia’s most ground-breaking dance theatre and Belvoir is one of Australia’s greatest and most prominent theatre companies. Food, their joint production, is a feast for the senses with an erotic mix of words and movement that will spice and stir in equal parts.
The next session will be held from 10am to 12pm on the 1st of July with a cost of $40.00. For bookings contact Peppertree Kitchen or book online at the below website. Peppertree Kitchen 70 Magellan St, Lismore | www.peppertreekitchen.com.au
“…kneads family drama and intercultural rom-com with traces of desire and sexual violence into intimate and involving theatre.” Sydney Morning Herald “Rodgers and Champion have created a fluid combination of dance and text – this is fun and emotionally charged theatre!” Julian Louis, NORPA Artistic Director “If you’re hungry for a often startling and ultimately scrumptious night in the theatre – this is the dish for you.” Stage Noise FOOD presented by NORPA at Lismore City Hall 7:30pm, Friday 11th & Saturday 12th July Olive and Luca pop-up dinner, bar and live music from 6pm Adult: $47, Senior: $42, Conc: $40 and U/18: $20. Groups 4 or more 20% discount Patron advice: Strong language, adult themes Recommended for: Ages 16 and over Running time: 90 minutes (no interval) Note: The food in this production is vegetarian, does not contain nuts, and is composted at the end of each performance FREE Recipe Book Workshop 4:30 - 6pm, Saturday 12th July Hosted by Southern Cross University Limited spaces. Booking essential. NORPA is a leading regional theatre company based in the Lismore City Hall. They create and produce their own work, as well as present an annual season of dynamic theatre from some of Australia’s best performing arts companies. NORPA 1300 066 772 | www.norpa.org.au
Sensory Movie Days
A day for families to feel welcome while their children are free to roam around the cinema and be themselves. This is a non-judgemental session and no need for families to feel uncomfortable. No diagnosis needed. Membership Cards are required to purchase tickets. Guidelines: • For families with special needs or behaviour issues • Is not held during the school holidays • Lighting stays on dim throughout the screening • All Exit doors are monitored, but not blocked • Sound can be adjusted • Doors stay closed until a Sensory Movie Day person opens it • Parent permission to take photo’s of children (written) • Children are free to move around, flap or stim • The cinema can not be filled to max capacity e.g. 180 seats 110 to be sold • Membership cards to be shown to purchase tickets • “Sensory Movie Day” run in sync with others • Tickets are not sold online | No seating allocations. Next event 2pm, 3rd of August at Birch Carroll & Coyle - Events Cinema, Lismore. To obtain your tickets please contact Wendy Briggs at wendybriggs2@bigpond.com or visit: www.facebook.com/sensorymoviedaylismore
Artistic Profile - Getting Focused Mark Davis | Photograhper Alstonville photographer Mark Davis treats his camera like a time machine. He enjoys the challenge of capturing a moment in time and transporting the viewer there instantaneously. Over the years - too many he says to keep counting - Mark has brought landscapes to life from Australia to Africa, captured life’s precious moments at weddings, breathed new life into portraits and developed his fascination with nature. Most recently, he’s experimented with infrared, a light that is invisible to the human eye. With his specially modified camera, he challenges our senses and explores the light illuminating our everyday landscapes that would otherwise go unseen. Mark’s most recent exhibitions, Infrascapes and Up The Creek, both featured in Northern Rivers galleries. He also owns Ballina Art and Framing and convenes the Ballina Camera Club. Photography is an art that continues to grow in popularity. These days, almost everyone has a camera of some description. Smart phones, digital cameras, point-and-shoots and even computer tablets are whipped out for practically every occasion and people across the globe are busy snapping away at family get-togethers and holiday hot spots. Then there are the ‘when-you-see-it’ photos of cute animals, hilarious signs and landmarks, and delicious gourmet food.
By Candace Davis
But there’s a distinct difference between any photo and a good photo. Simply taking framing, lighting and exposure into account can help. Mark has kindly put together some creative camera techniques that don’t involve any post-exposure editing. Realistically, we can all improve our photography … starting now. • Tripods keep your camera still. If you don’t have one, use a bag of rice in a pillowcase on a firm and stable object to support your camera. • Use a filter for some fun effects. If you don’t have any filters, try some items that are readily available like coloured cellophane or glad wrap over the lens, or apply some vaseline. • Try painting with light. A torch is no longer simply a source of light … it is a paintbrush. Use your LED torch during a long exposure to paint something (or multiple things) with light. Ideally your camera will be on a tripod or fixed on a table, choose ‘bulb’ if the option is available, open the shutter and keep your finger on it. Then paint with your source of light during the exposure. • Lose a bit of focus. With your camera on manual focus, choose any mode on the camera and take an image deliberately unfocused. You can do this by focusing on the subject and then making it deliberately blurry by adjusting your focus.
Quota Art, Craft & Garden Fair 30-31 August 2014
The Annual Quota Arts and Craft Fair showcases local / interstate artisans and craftspeople with more than 60 stalls. Each year our Club tries to bring a different element into our Fair, and this year it will include a gardening section. The NSW Nursery Association will be assisting, and it is intended that local members from the Northern Rivers area will take up stalls in the Showgrounds pavilion. Not only will there be beautiful handmade crafts, but also plants including shrubs and herbs will be available to purchase. Whether you be a “craft/art” person or a “gardening guru” you will definitely find something to your taste. The Quota Cafe and BBQ will provide refreshments including homemade treats. All profits from this event go to support local community needs. Open: 9am - 4pm Saturday | 9am - 3pm Sunday Entry:
$5.00. Children under 12 free. Entry ticket includes a chance to win a lucky door prize.
Venue: Alstonville Leisure and Entertainment Centre, Commercial Rd Alstonville Quota Club of Alstonville and Wollongbar Phone: 0417 251 952 (Diana) Visit: www.quotaalstonville.com Follow us on Facebook - Quota Alstonville Wollongbar
See more of Mark’s photography at www.markd. com.au or for more information email mark@markd. com.au
Alstonville Show | By Graham McDonald Arts & Performances
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Event Calendar July
20 July
4-6 July
4-9 July
4WD Caravan, Camping & Skullcandy Oz Grom Open Marine Show Lennox Head 9:00am to 4:00pm Lismore Showgrounds www.lismore4wdshow.com.au
26 July
Premier surfing competition skullcandyozgromopen.com.au
26 July
Ballina Fine Wine & Food Festival
Ballina Home Sweet Home Expo
Rous Public School Bonfire & Firewords Display
12:00noon to 5:00pm, Jockey Club, Racecourse Rd, Ballina www.finewinefunfood.com.au
9:00am to 5:00pm Ballina RSL Club, Ballina www.ballinahomeexpo.com.au
5:00pm to 8:30pm Rous Public School www.rous-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
August
3 August
Summerland Classic Car & Motor Show
8am to 3pm Clyde Campbell Car Park, Molesworth & Keen St, Lismore
September 13 September Sample Food Festival
8am to 4pm Bangalow Showground. Markets, live music, cooking demonstrations, tasting plates, celebrity guests and more! www.samplensw.com
1-3 August
Byron Bay Writers Festival
Bayshore Drive, The North Byron Events Site, Byron Bay byronbaywritersfestival.com.au
15-17 August
Bangalow Music Festival
Various Banaglow and surrounds locations, 9 concerts in total www.southernxsoloists.com
3 September
Ladies Social Bike Ride
9:30am at Just Ride Cycles. Leisurely 2 hour bike ride & coffee. Contact Rachel on 6622 5775 or email: jrcycles@bigpond.com
14 September
Summerland House Farm Annual Country Fair
9am to 3pm 253 Wardell Road, Alstonville summerlandhousefarm.com.au
1-3 August Bentley Art Prize
Bentley Public Hall www.bentleyartprize.com.au
22-30 August
4-11 July
Annual Evans Head Fishing Classic
Evans Head evansheadfishingclassic.com.au
27 July
Opera at theChannon 11am to 5pm Coronation Park, The Channon operaatthechannon.com.au
2-3 August
Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup Nimbin Town Hall www.nimbinpoetry.com
30-31 August
Art, Craft & Garden Fair
Tweed Valley Banana Festival Murwillumbah www.bananafestival.org
Sat 9 to 4pm & Sun 9 to 3pm Held by the Quota Club of Alstonville & Wollongbar at the Alstonville Showground www.quotaalstonville.com
5-14 September
12 September
Alstonville will come alive with a massive festival of events for the whole family.
12:00pm - 06:00pm www.ballinajockeyclub.com.au
Alstonville Spring Festival
24-28 September North Coast Fishing Bonanza
Ballina Fawcett Park (next to public jetty on river) Tweed River to Clarence River www.fishingcomps.com.au/ncfb
Ballina Cup Day
25 September
XXXX Gold Lismore Cup Gates open 11.00am Free Busses from C.B.D www.lismoreturfclub.com.au
If you would like to feature on our events page, please email the details of your event including time, date, venue and website.
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Events
Winter Coupons FREE GIRLIE GIFT TO KEEP YOU WARM • Purchases $30 and over • Limited to one per customer • Present this coupon at time of service • May not be combined with any other offer • Valid from Jun 14th to Jul 14th 2014 • Until socks run out • View advertisement on page 23
10% OFF ADVERTISING S PAC E S B O O K E D PRIOR TO AUG 1ST • Booking make before 1st Aug 2014 • Limited to one per customer • Mention this coupon when booking • Valid until 1st August 2014 Phone: 02 6628 1925 Email: info@zestmagazine.net
Receive a free starter pack valued at over $50 • Limited to one per customer • Present this coupon at time of service • May not be combined with any other offer • For enrollments before Aug 1st, 2014 • View advertisement on page 2
2 PLAYERS & MOTORISED GOLF CART FOR 9 HOLES ONLY $49 • Mid week only, not available school holidays or public holidays • Present this coupon at time of service • Conditions apply. Bookings essential • Valid until 1st September 2014 • View advertisement on page 7
BUY ONE COFFEE! GET ONE FREE!
BUY ONE COFFEE! GET ONE FREE!
• Limited to one per customer • Present this coupon at time of service • May not be combined with any other offer • Valid until 1st September 2014 • View advertisement on page 26
• Limited to one per customer • Present this coupon at time of service • May not be combined with any other offer • Valid until 1st September 2014 • View advertisement on page 22
OC CLEANING GROUP
10% DISCOUNT • Limited to one per customer • Present this coupon at time of service • May not be combined with any other offer • Valid until 1st September 2014 • View advertisement on page 13
FREE REGULAR SIZE COFFEE WITH A CAKE PURCHASE • Limited to one per customer • Present this coupon at time of service • May not be combined with any other offer • Valid until 1st September 2014 • View advertisement on page 25
Spring Issue
ADVERTISING Deadlines & CLOSING DATES
Advertising bookings: 1st August 2014 | Article & Event submissions: 1st August 2014 Our Winter issue was wonderful to put together with our new sections and input from the community. Thank you again to all the advertisers who supported this Issue. Are you interested in advertising in the Two Four 7 Seven Magazine? Join our advertisers mailing list to be notified of upcoming issues, deadlines, prices and specials. Are you interested in having an article in our next issue? Do you have something to talk about, a fabulous tip or advice, ideas for family fun, singles groups and outings, then let us know - we love feedback! Spring Issue Our next issue will again be packed with information and articles. We will be having a massive Home Building and Renovating feature article, with information about building in our area, renovating, local builders, land estates available, interior design tips and more! If you are a local business and you would like to donate prizes or sponsor upcoming competitions please contact Lindsey for details. Contact Us
PO Box 872, Alstonville 2477 | 02 6628 1925 | info@zestmagazine.net | www.zestmagazine.net
Winter Coupons
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