Feature Story MANNING-GREAT LAKES
June 2014 // issue 88
PUTTING THE
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State Emergency Service
focus from the editor.
editor. from the
Welcome to the June edition of Manning-Great Lakes FOCUS. t seems winter weather “brings out the grumpy” in a few of us … not that we can complain we’ve had a whole lot of really cold weather just yet! To shake off the thought of three months of winter, I started thinking about a few of my favourite things – like campfires and marshmallows, pumpkin soup and sourdough, mulled wine … mmmm. Funny how our thoughts turn to comfort food in anticipation of cooler weather! If, like me, you like to sink your teeth into some warming winter fare, check out our Eat dining guide this month. Many of our fabulous local eateries have introduced scrumptious new winter menus – just perfect for chasing the grumps away. ON THE COVER The amazingly talented team at Mayo Private Hospital are our cover stars this month. Find out inside this edition just how the Mayo is at the cutting edge of medical technology, helping to provide top notch health care for our community.
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Many thanks to Linda Bryant for our fantastic cover image. INSIDE THIS ISSUE This month Roger Marmion speaks to some of our dedicated SES volunteers, who give up their time willingly to help those in need. Many of our readers will remember the major floods in the Manning during 2011 – the SES certainly had their work cut out for them during this time. Hats off to all the emergency service volunteers who lend a helping hand when it’s most needed. We also speak to talented musical duo Grace Callaghan and Jai Harrison, who may be young, but have big dreams; Craig Cross from Horse About Tours tells us about his unique business, and George Hoad gives us a rundown on the Manning Winter Festival. Men in Business are featured this month; the team at FOCUS are always happy to showcase the wonderful array of hardworking and entrepreneurial men behind some of our best local businesses. ADDRESS: Suite 2 / 42 Wharf Street, Forster 2428 PHONE: (02) 6555 3381 FAX: (02) 6555 7338
THANK YOU I’d also like to extend a massive thank you to our contributors, advertisers, my fellow staff members, and readers this month – because without you, FOCUS wouldn’t be possible. Your support is much appreciated. EDITOR’S PIC This month’s fabulous image is from Tony’s Point, Wallis Lake, Forster – taken by Linda Bryant (supplied by Great Lakes Tourism). If you have a great photo of our local area, don’t forget to email it to: jo@focusmag.com.au FINAL SAY “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.” – Edith Sitwell.
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Throughout my life drawing my has always been I . ity tiv ac favourite g at in aw dr in d excelle y rl ea school from an age ...”
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LEONIE BELL As part of Taree’s Winter Festival, on 20th June LEONIE BELL WILL OFFER AN EXHIBITION AND SALE (AT YOUR PRICING) AT ORMSBY HOUSE OF HER ACCUMULATION OF LIFETIME DRAWINGS, TO BENEFIT LOCAL CAMP QUALITY. A range of subject matter, styles and mediums with some mounted and some framed are available at this one-off opportunity. A free charcoal workshop is also being offered by Leonie on the same day … i Leonie. I know you spent a lot of your working life as a nurse, but where did grow up? Did you have an artistic family? I was born at Old Adaminaby 26-3-1935, the third of 8 children. Australia recovering from the Great Depression caused my father to move constantly for work, thus we lived in many places for my first five years. These moves formed in me an indelible love for the bush at Nabiac 1937, Bega 1937, Bimbimbie 1938 and Moruya 1939. Moving to Sydney in 1940 was necessitated by Dad enlisting in the Army. We first moved to Cremorne, then to Auburn in the same year to the first home we owned and where I was educated to Intermediate level. Four more siblings were added there. My childhood is documented in detail and personally illustrated in my book Looking Back: our Childhood and Family Scrap Book, which I have as well as Mitchell Library. My mother was a very creative person, channeling her skills into the rearing of her children. My own interest in drawing began about the age of 9 months (I was an early walker and talker), with charcoal taken from the fireplace and applied to the whitewashed walls, later broken plaster of paris ornaments applied to footpaths and rocks. Throughout my life drawing has always been my favourite activity. I excelled in drawing at school from an early age and was encouraged to pursue an art career on leaving school, but times and lack of funds prevented this. However, I was fortunate to be given a job as Survey Tracer at the Registrar Generals Dept, which was a convenient compromise, for it allowed me to pursue art studies at the National Art School Darlinghurst as an evening student at my own cost for Introductory Art and 4
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Intermediate Art, and this was to assist me in enrolling for Painting Diploma years later. Although my job was secure, pleasant and easy, I was not fulfilled in my social contribution, so I commenced Nursing Training at Inverell District hospital in 1954. During the years of acquiring Nursing qualifications opportunity was limited for creative activities, but included among the drawings on exhibition are some sketches of newborn infants done while on night duty at Inverell Hospital. There is also a photocopy of a still life watercolour painting done about the same time, which my sister now owns. Nursing enabled me to earn a living to prepare for an art career at my retirement, which came in 1990 at the age of 55 years. Your art studies caused you to question, “What is art”. What conclusions did you arrive at? At the age of four years when camping at Batemans Bay, we children explored a hill near the camp and discovered gravestones. My big brother read the inscriptions and one was a child of four years. This had a profound effect on me. I had been aware of the death of a very old lady at Bimbimbie the year before, which I had thought a natural event for the aged, but the death of a child (my own age) was a revelation and caused me to ponder about life and death as a habit, especially with the World War II atrocities being committed man upon man far worse than anything in the animal kingdom. I was fascinated with human behaviour and eventually set myself the quest for a description of functional human behaviour. During Nursing I realised that human behaviour has implications for health and illness. Later on I was able to simplify the matter with a psychological scale of self assessment into a positive and negative zone: OK feelings
from ecstasy to satisfied being positive, and unsatisfied to despair on the not OK negative zone. The positive zone was conducive to health and creativity with the will to live, and the negative zone conducive to illness, addiction, loss of creativity and will to die.Creativity had some power to assist people out of the negative zone. At Theological College I was introduced to Philosophy, which I loved. The works of Immanuel Kant found resonance with me with his concepts of “The Moral Law” and “the Categorical Imperative”: the inward conviction of right behaviour. Later at university, the works of Jurgen Habermas (Philosopher and Sociologist), namely his attention to Language Analysis, illuminated for me the location of this universal moral law as demonstrated in language through language rules and logic available to all who use language as a personal choice, with consequences for that choice as a universal law. At UNE I was disturbed to discover that current Academia discourages any inquiry into Metaphysical subjects such as: What does it mean to be Human? I pursued it, nonetheless. I found Karl Marx helpful in his description of functional human attributes: Autonomous, Unique, Free, Equal, Social, Contributive and Creative. This information is largely ignored by Academia (this does not mean I am a Marxist, for his incitement to revolution was a contradiction to his understanding of functional human behavior). Art then is the product of creativity (one of the defining attributes of functional human behaviour) demonstrated in the unique combination of genetic potentiality which finds expression in some form of creativity and is essential for the enrichment of the human species. The more creative a society, the more likely it is to be healthy.
In what ways do you feel as if you’ve developed as an artist over the course of your long career? As part of the “categorical imperative” acted out according to my genetic potential, I have reaped the reward in personal enrichment, which has been shared to the best of my ability with others. As to the value of that contribution, let others decide. I have endeavoured to develop my abilities, and at least I am satisfied with myself. Now in the evening of my life, I am dispersing my works to appropriate places where their acceptance has been (or may be) reward enough. The current world is far too materialistic with misplaced values in monetary worth at the expense of aesthetic value. When and where will you be displaying your works during the Manning Winter Festival? Why have you chosen to sell your work at this venue ... and why is Camp Quality your chosen charity to receive any funds generated from this sale? My health limits my activities, and so I must make my life as easy as possible. Therefore this event will occur in my normal Friday Class at Ormsby House, taking this Winter Festival opportunity to both contribute with a charcoal workshop and a chance to exhibit and offer the community a share of my works as well as raise funds for Camp Quality, which just so happens to be a charity which one of my students works passionately for and as I love children, I am happy to join. Free Charcoal Workshop: 10am - 12pm, 20th June (bookings limited to 20: call 0400 958 486) with material supplied and refreshments available throughout the day. Thanks Leonie. Photo: Leonie (right) with Cynthia Taylor at her Retrospective 1959-1995 fundraiser for Nabiac Pool.
inside this
Issue 88 -June 2014
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George Hoad. The Manning Winter Festival will be held from June 14 - 29, with an array of entertainment to suit all tastes! President George Hoad tells us more ...
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Maggie Young. Maggie Young is a relative newcomer to Wingham, but absolutely loves the town, and with a background in theatre and performance, felt inspired to write a play about one of the area’s famous pioneers – Isabella Mary Kelly. Isabella the Play will be staged at the Wingham Town Hall on June 21st and promises to be an amazing production showcasing a lot of local talent …
24. Ross Hardes.
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Ross Hardes, Principal of Taree Motorama – dealer of Mercedes Benz and Toyota in Taree, is proud to celebrate over 50 years in the trade. From humble beginnings working for his parents' dealership and a small employee base, Ross now enjoys a growing business that employs over 40 local people. Louise Beaumont caught up with Ross to talk about the milestone...
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usual suspects.
the
8. What’s On for June 18. eat featuring local restaurants 33. Tourism Update with Donna Hudson 39. Star Guide with Terri
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Tare e CBD i n f l ood
State Emergency Service
From its early beginnings in WW2 as a volunteer civil defence organisation preparing a response to enemy attack and major flooding events, the NSW State Emergency Service has evolved over nearly sixty years. While the Cold War climate of the 1950s saw the need for community education,
ti m Ri chards-Control l e r
bomb shelters and emergency preparations to combat a possible nuclear attack, NSW SES has subsequently been given an important role to play in preparing for and protecting local communities from flood, storm and tsunami events. oger Marmion asks the questions – what motivates people to become involved, and how prepared is our local community to cope with future devastating events? A chance meeting with Taree local Greg (“Doddy”) Dodd last November prompted me to finally make the decision I’d been putting off for the last fifteen years – joining up to become a trained volunteer. Along with a dozen other locals, I attended an information night at the Taree City Unit, embarked on an Induction course and then a series of nationally accredited weekend courses over the next two months – Workplace Health & Safety, First Aid, Radio Communications and Storm and Water Damage. The timing was uncanny! Within an hour of qualifying one Sunday afternoon in February, a storm rolled in, bringing down trees and power lines in parts of Taree. The call went out for volunteers to assist, but how many would be available to help? I turned up but must admit that I expected many more than the small band who responded to the immediate call that night with so many requests for assistance. I expected an army of volunteers to turn up in orange reflective suits! Have we become bit complacent in our local community about the impact of serious flood, storm or tsunami events since the major floods of 1978 and 1990, and do we have enough trained people ready to spring into action if there is a major event? I spoke to some experienced and new volunteers about their motivation to become involved. TIM RICHARDS is the Taree City Unit Controller, with 25 years of service in NSW SES. Another Open Night was held in March to attract new volunteers. Were you happy with the response?
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Tim Yes, very happy. Twenty three people leader and trainer. turned up. It was an excellent mix of young people Doddy – how did you become involved in and older people with a diverse range of ages and NSW SES? skills. Some want to work inside and others outGreg I joined up to give something back after side. We need people prepared to be in the field, owning a business in Taree and people coming but we also need people to help out in the office to me. I help run the Cadet program for school support operations. All have since commenced students and help train here at the Taree City Unit. training courses and are close to being accredited. I really love being in it! I just want to keep going What is their motivation for volunteering? and keep getting more people in to help us out. I Tim They’re definitely communitylove the training and I love working minded. Some have got a bit of with all these guys! time on their hands and want You’ve had a few people to give back to their comcoming through in the We've got a good munity. It’s also a means last five years? crew here now of social networking. Greg Yes, we’ve had ing on it. and we're build from Once people are a few, but some have le We've had peop ere trained they have skills moved on to other Th all walks of life. which can be used units and a few have in en are a lot of wom e over to benefit that commoved away. We’ve ar e er NSW SES. Th e id ew munity. got a good crew here at st le 6, 500 peop are em th In 25 years you now and we’re buildof lf ha er and ov would have seen a ing on it. We’ve had female! ” few major events? people from all walks Tim I’ve been involved of life. There are a lot of in many road rescues in Port women in NSW SES. There are Macquarie. I’ve also been away to Cyover 6,500 people statewide and clone Yasi, Brisbane, Sydney and Maitland over half of them are female! Because – I’ve been all over the place to deal with natural I’m Aboriginal, I’d also like to get more Aboriginal disasters! people involved. There must be a lot of work done behind the You’ve had the opportunity to travel to other scenes with training? areas and help out? Tim Yes, the hours required with volunteer Greg Yes. In 2011 for five months we were trainers passing on their skills and the paperwork on the road helping out around the state with involved is a great commitment to the training our flood boat crew. We were sent there because of new people. In the next six months we expect when there’s a flood, you need the numbers. It’s to form an additional two new teams from our really good to get to meet people in other units. volunteers to boost our response in case there is We help them, and then they come here to help a major event in Taree. That will involve a major us out when we need a hand. commitment from our trainers. So if we had a major event in Taree ,we’d be GREG DODD is an energetic and committed team ready?
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Greg Yep! We’ve got other agencies to call on, like the Firies next door. It’s also great when you get people just turning up volunteering to help fill sandbags! PETER AND ROSALIE CLARK are Manning Point residents who joined SES recently. Peter has been with the RFS for twenty odd years and Rosalie for ten. Peter and Rosalie – what prompted you to join SES? Rosalie Our main reason is there is no one in SES down here at Manning Point and when there’s a flood, SES can’t get through. So we thought if there were a couple of SES people down there, we could help out. They’re mostly elderly people here and they need a hand. Peter: If SES did need to come down here, it would have to be by flood boat and we thought we’d be able to let them know what they would be in for. MIKAELA SMALL is a senior student at Tuncurry College – one of several who enrolled in the SES Cadet training project. Mikaela, what attracted you to the Cadet program? Mikaela Something different and a way to meet new people. My mates were doing it and it’s a way to gain more skills. I plan to go to uni to study optometry, but I also see myself being involved with SES at some stage, volunteering in some area. What activities have you enjoyed most? Mikaela The knots, believe it or not! I really enjoyed learning how to tie them. And the water activities were fun, learning how to redirect it out of houses. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NSW SES IN TAREE. In 1954 and 1955 there were major floods in NSW, which prompted the State Government to establish the State Emergency Services to work
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Doddy & M i kae l a sm al l Taree FLOOD martin Bridge
is Our main reason in e on no is e ther at Manning SES down here there’s Point and when t get n’ ca a flood, SES ought th e w So through. uple of if there were a co ere we th n SES people dow ey’re Th t. could help ou ople here mostly elderly pe nd.” ha and they need a
“ Rosalie & Peter Clark
with the Civil Defence Organisation. Within months, these two functions were combined. Coordination by a single service was seen to be vital with the participation of local government. Local Councils were given the responsibility of inaugurating the service in their area. In the late 1950s there was a strong Civil Defence Organisation established in the Manning. The model used was to have existing community groups foster civil defence sections: the Rotary Club members were the wardens; Apex formed the Rescue Section; the Chamber of Commerce looked after Supply and Transport; and the Salvation Army and the Country Women’s Association took responsibility for welfare. A local Water Brigade was formed under the auspices of the Taree Rowing Club and a small skindiving group was also created. Both came under the operational control of the Rescue Section. Without their own premises, SES meetings were held at the Exchange Hotel. As was the pattern around the state, the controller was usually an exserviceman or from local government who mostly operated from home or business premises. In the early years to prepare the local community for major events, first aid courses were held, films about civil defence were screened publicly, displays of rescue techniques were put on and pamphlets were distributed. Direct phone lines were established to the Oxley Region Headquarters and radio station 2RE. In 1963 another big flood occurred, which saw the evacuation of 100 residents from Dumaresq Island. In 1969 the Taree Lions Club donated a 5.3 metre floodboat for emergency assistance. 1978 saw a major flood event in Taree which inundated much of the CBD, as well as major bushfires outside the town, which SES volunteers assisted with.
In 1983 the Taree Unit moved into its present headquarters in Muldoon Street. The Taree City SES Unit has been involved in a wide variety of operations: from the attempt to free Willy the Whale from the Manning River in 1994; securing an area in 2000 when a hand grenade was found under a house; frequent local flood and storm responses; and searches for lost people, bodies and evidence to assist police. The SES is on hand to provide a support role to other emergency response agencies when required. Taree City Unit members have participated in many out-of-area operations, including the 1996 Lord Howe Island storms, the 1999 Sydney hailstorms and several major events around the state and at Kempsey and Port Macquarie in recent times. Taree has a close working arrangement with other local Manning-Great Lakes units at Wingham, Harrington, Nabiac and Forster/Pacific Palms. MYTH CONCEPTIONS ABOUT SES SES volunteers frequently field questions from the public which reveal some major misconceptions about the service that SES can actually provide. When responding to an emergency storm or flood event, there are frequently multiple requests for assistance to be attended to. The response time is restricted to the number of NSW SES volunteers able to be mobilised at short notice, as well as the number of vehicles with the appropriate equipment to complete the tasks allocated. #1 When I ring the 132 500 NSW SES Emergency phone number to request emergency flood or storm assistance, I will be able to talk directly to my local SES Unit. No, unfortunately, your call will be answered by a volunteer at our State Headquarters in Wol-
longong, who will take your details and forward your information to your local SES unit, who will then prioritise your request for assistance! #2 If there is an emergency, I can just turn up and offer my services and assist. Yes and no! Yes, you can shovel sand into sandbags to help out, but no – you can’t be on the frontline unless you have been trained! #3 SES volunteers are paid for their time responding to my emergency. No! Definitely not! SES volunteers are just that – volunteers who are trained to respond to an emergency! They give their time without payment to serve and assist their community! #4 SES volunteers are qualified builders who will repair my roof if I have storm damage. No! Definitely not! In an emergency, NSW SES volunteers can only undertake temporary measures to make your house safe and watertight. In many cases, this is done by placing a tarp over the damaged roof and securing it with ropes and sandbags. The responsibility for the permanent repair of the roof is the property owner’s. #5 If a tree or limb comes down and damages my house, the SES will cut it up and stack it in my woodshed. Believe it or not, no! In an emergency there are other priorities! SES volunteers may not be able to remove the tree or limb at all if it is unsafe to do so. An accredited arborist may need to be engaged at a later date after the event using specialist equipment. #6 If my property is isolated by floodwaters, someone will arrange to get my groceries/medical supplies, pay for them, pick them up and deliver them to my door, regardless of weather and flood conditions.
No! SES volunteers can only operate when it is safe to do so. Residents living in flood or storm prone areas are encouraged to prepare themselves by compiling their own Home Emergency Kits with food, water, first aid kit, medications, torch, radio, spare batteries and other necessary items. #7 In a natural disaster situation, the normal rules of asbestos or other hazardous material removal no longer apply. Believe it or not, no! Hazardous materials removal is undertaken by the specially-trained Hazmat team, which is part of the Fire Rescue NSW Service. #8 An SES volunteer will be able to inform me of weather information and road closures. No! You cannot rely on local volunteers who come to your assistance to be able to know everything you want to know! There are official websites which post this information – the Bureau of Meteorology www.bom. gov.au and www.myroadsinfo.com.au Some official social media pages post flood and storm information, but often the people administering these pages are volunteers who will be called out, especially when there is a major emergency. Listen for regular updates on local radio. Anyone seeking more information on joining can ring the Volunteer Line 1800 201 000 for an information pack, or they can ring the NSW SES Mid North Coast Region Headquarters in Taree on 6592 5800. For further information: www.ses.nsw.gov.au Twitter #NSWSES Facebook /NSW SES Youtube /NSW SES Taree City Unit has its own Facebook page / Taree SES 2011 Taree Flood Images courtesy of Manning River Times. manning-great lakes focus 7
AROUND THE REGION //JUNE 2014
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26 27 Artists, photographers, inspirational storytellers come together to entertain and inform.
The Great Lakes Jazz Band is bringing to the people at Pacific Palms and surrounding areas a wonderful night of Glenn Miller jazz, which they have made part of their repertory over the past year. Pacific Palms, Bungwahl and Holy Name Schools have started bands, so this is a great opportunity for them and families in the community to experience a real live band. After the recital the film The Glenn Miller Story will be screened. Money raised will go to the band.
When Thursday 26th June, 2014; 7 - 9 pm. Doors open 6pm. Where Laneway, Little Street, Forster (above Aztec). Cost $10 tickets. RSVP 21st June, 2014 Presenters Donna Rankin, Shona Wilson, Gordon Elliott, Amy Heague, Gabby Toner, Megan Cooke. Contact Linda Dade, Banks and Dade Chiro: 0402 031 500. Facebook: PechaKucha Forster.
When Saturday 7th June; 6:30pm. Where The Pacific Palms Community Hall Cost Children free; adults $15. Includes snacks. Tickets Holy Name school Forster, Bungwahl and Pacific Palms schools, Pacific Palms Visitor Information Centre and Palms Oasis Super Market. More info Call Jan 6554 0914.
JOSH PYKE at the MEC
PechaKucha Night Forster Vol 2
He’s one of the country’s most successful musicians, whose career has taken him around the world, but this June Josh Pyke is taking his solo tour to the very heart of Australia, performing to his most regional supporters. Known for selling out tours, Josh’s ability to actively engage with his audience drives fans to return year after year to witness his onstage presence. Don’t miss your chance to experience this seasoned performer on the Lone Wolf tour, with support from Jack Carty.
It’s on again, the art of the concise presentation. Join us for a night of social fun and inspiration.
When Friday 27 June. Where Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree. Tickets www.joshpyke.com
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Taree Motorama
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46 Victoria Street, Taree
Glenn Miller jazz at the Pacific Palms Community Centre
Phone 6539 3300
focusinterview. Committee: Back row - Mave Richardson, Rob Stephens, Mon Saad Front row - Val Audet, George Hoad, Susie Rack (Absent - Cate Jeffree, Janeece Richards)
The Manning Winter Festival will be held from June 14 -29, with an array of entertainment to suit all tastes! President George Hoad tells us more ...
H
i George. Please tell us a bit about yourself: what’s your family background in the local area? My family have been associated with the area for generations, settling as pioneers in the Upper Manning in the 1860s, and the original property my great, great grandfather selected can still be identified today by locating Mount Hoad beside the upper Manning River. I grew up locally on a farm, developing a great love for the land and this area, which I guess explains my great passion for gardens and gardening. What’s your role with the Manning Winter Festival (MWF) – how did you first become involved with the event? I’m the current President of the MWF. I was approached by the committee earlier last year to take over from outgoing president Mike Collins, who was the guiding hand behind the MWF for a number of years and left large shoes to be filled. My background is in theatre, having been a performer for many years in plays, musicals, cabarets, and also a theatre administrator in Sydney. What’s the history behind the festival? How many years has it been running now, and how was the idea first conceived? This year celebrates 35 years of an arts festival in the Manning. In 1979, Mave Richardson convened a meeting of interested parties, with the aim of establishing a local arts festival. With the support of the local Council, the first Taree Festival of the Arts was held that same year, which later became the Taree City Festival, and today, run by a group of dedicated volunteers, we have the Manning Winter Festival. When will the festival be staged this year? The 2014 MWF runs from June 14 - 29, with events covering most aspects of the visual and performing arts and staged across many parts of
the Manning region. Describe some of the various activities that will form part of this year’s festival ... We are very excited to present 29 events across the Manning in this Festival including theatre, music, visual arts, crafts and much more. Lovers of good music will not be disappointed with a great selection on offer, starting with our Official Opening, a magnificent orchestral concert, “A Farewell Tribute,” presented by Sinfonia Mid North Coast Orchestra. A Festival highlight will be Music over the Manning, featuring the Myriad Ensemble and Kantabile Chamber Choir performing a concert of harp, organ, instrumental and choral works, featuring John Rutter`s “Requiem” for soprano, mixed choir, organ and instrumental ensemble. The Myriad Ensemble are world class musicians including MWF’s 2012 Ambassador, cellist Michael Bardon; Oboist Ben Opie, whose work across the globe has earned him multiple awards; and Marshall McGuire, who is acclaimed as one of the world’s leading harpists. Featured at the MWF Visual & Performing Arts Awards, we are proud to premiere a work by composer Andrew Chubb, especially commissioned by the MWF. We also have the Manning Valley Choral Society, Musos of the Manning performing at the Top Pub in Wingham, shows at the Manning Entertainment Centre and Newcastle’s premiere party band, Saxanova, performing at the Magical Masked Festival Ball. The Ball promises to be a great night out, and guests are encouraged to get in the “spirit” of things wearing a costume and mask. Theatre lovers have a range of plays to attend, including an interactive community event celebrating the life local pioneering legend Isabella Mary Kelly, and the Upper Lansdowne Players will be touring two one act plays across the region. The visual arts are well represented, with an Artists Walk in Taree CBD; exhibitions
at the Manning Regional Art Gallery, and an The book shares Tanya’s journey and life changHistoric Photographic display at Wingham, which ing decisions, her love of family and love of life. celebrates the Manning Valley Historical Society’s The Ambassador’s role is to represent the 50th Anniversary. The Festival also includes fair Festival, attend Festival events and assist with the days, craft exhibitions, and a writing complepromotion of the Festival’s aims of nurturing and tion – there really is something for celebrating the artistic talent, cultural everyone! development and creative industry The closing event of the in the Manning Valley. festival will take place Who would you like to is in your own garden. thank for their support e er Th What is “Art in the for the festival ... and something for e th r fo , ne Garden”, and when is there anything comyo er ev and where will it munity members/local young and not so , ts young, free even take place? businesses can still arts theatre, music, My “Art in the do to assist with this tever and crafts – wha Garden” Open Day year’s event? y. ” takes your fanc will be showcasing I would very much like works of “garden art” to offer a huge thank all of especially designed for our sponsors and supporters, the garden or works that sit both large and small. It is only comfortably in an outdoor setting. through their generosity with financial Over a dozen well known local artists will assistance and in kind support that an be exhibiting a great diversity of styles event such as the MWF is possible. I would and materials, including welded metal, particularly like to thank the Festival Committee carved wood, fired pottery and colourful mosafor the enormous amount of time and effort they ics, including members of the NSW Floral Art have put into staging this years Festival and for Association, who will be creating a special “Land keeping an arts festival alive and well in the ManArt” display. Visitors can also enjoy my quirky 6 ning Valley. acre garden located at Killabakh, near Wingham, I would encourage residents of the Manning on Sunday 29th June. to get involved with the Festival by attending I believe this year’s festival has a very events. There is something for everyone, for the special ambassador. Who will this be ... and young and not so young, free events, theatre, what is her role? music, arts and crafts – whatever takes your The MWF is very excited with the 2 year apfancy. pointment of our 2014 Ambassador, Tanya Saad, Where can people find out more info? acclaimed author of the recently released book, Our website manningwinterfestival.com has a “From the Feet Up”. This compelling memfull overview of the MWF and 2014 program. A oir tells of growing up in Taree, her Lebanese 2014 Festival Program Brochure is also available heritage, school yard bullying and at the age of at the offices of the Manning River Times and 30 testing positive for BRCA1, a hereditary gene Wingham Chronicle, and also at numerous cafes, that greatly increases the risk of its carrier develgalleries, shops in the area. oping aggressive breast and/or ovarian cancer. Thanks George.
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In a first for the Mid North Coast, a $2.5 million Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory and Critical Care Unit has been built at Mayo Private Hospital in Taree, which will significantly boost capability to diagnose and treat heart conditions locally. Here we talk to some of the ‘men in business’ about the drive to bring this service to the region: Steve Atkins (Healthe Care CEO), John Duke (Healthe Care Chief Operating Officer), Dr Sesh Narasimhan (Interventional Cardiologist) and Peter Johnson (CEO, Mayo Private Hospital).
This is exciting news for Mayo Private and Manning Great Lakes community. Steve: It certainly is. We are extremely proud to be introducing our new Cardiac Catheterisation lab to the community. This is another successful step in Healthe Care’s continued drive to provide world class health care facilities to support the needs of local people. The new lab is an integral part of our hospital and will provide diagnostic and interventional cardiac treatments previously unavailable in the Manning Great Lakes region. This will save patients and their families the stress and trouble of having to travel outside the area for certain cardiology services. Healthe Care is committed to working with the public health sector and we are continually striving to develop essential services for the community. It is really exciting that medical professionals here now have access to this high end facility at Mayo Private, enabling them to offer the best possible care and outcomes to patients.
What is a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory? Peter: A Cardiac Cath Lab looks a bit like an operating theatre and is used to diagnose and treat heart conditions. The state-of-the-art equipment in Cath Labs enable doctors to assess the heart for blocked blood vessels, damaged heart muscles and to see how the heart valves are functioning.
What procedures are generally 10 manning-great lakes focus.
performed in Cath Labs? Dr Sesh: For cardiac procedures, you can break them down into diagnostic and interventional. A diagnostic angiogram (also called cardiac catheterisation) is where dye is injected into the blood vessels of the heart to detect blockages, narrowing and abnormalities. Interventional cardiac procedures include inserting balloons or stents into narrow/blocked blood vessels to restore good blood flow to heart muscles.
What heart procedures will be done in Mayo’s Cath Lab initially, and how will the service expand over time? John: Mayo’s Cath Lab is capable of providing a full range of diagnostic and interventional cardiology. Initially we will only be providing diagnostic cardiac catheterisation procedures in accordance with licensing protocols. In the future, once the service has been well established, we will look to provide interventional cardiac procedures (such as angioplasty) on selected patients. Peter: In May, the Department of Health completed the site inspection necessary to approve commissioning of this new cardiac service at Mayo Private. Initially the Cath Lab will be conducting diagnostic investigations only. If a person has a coronary angiogram that shows they need further intervention such as a stent, angioplasty or surgery, these will be conducted in Newcastle for a period of time while the Mayo’s service is progressively rolled out.
Can you tell us a bit about the cardiologists who will use the Cath Lab? Peter: Taree is fortunate to have a resident cardiologist, Dr Sesh, who moved to Taree with his wife in 2012. Dr Sesh did his general cardiology training in John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle and gained rural/regional experience in Tamworth before doing two Fellowship years of additional specialist cardiac training in North America. Dr Sesh: I did an Interventional Cardiology Fellowship in New York for a year. After that I went to Edmonton, Canada, to do a Fellowship year at the University of Alberta’s Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute - doing advanced percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Before moving to Taree, I did more than 10,000 cardiac caths and then stopped counting! I also did 1,512 angioplasties during my Fellowship. In the past 18 months I’ve done interventional cardiology in Newcastle hospitals while living in Taree. In 2013, I performed 300 diagnostic angiograms and 131 angioplasties. So far in 2014 – 80 diagnostic angiograms and 47 angioplasties. In my cardiology practice I provide a complete range of non-invasive and invasive cardiology services. Non-invasive includes cardiology consultations, clinical electrophysiology, clinical cardiology and echocardiography. Invasive services include angiography, angioplasty, and workup for heart transplants, heart valve
diseases and pulmonary hypertension. I am a senior lecturer at the University of New England and Newcastle, and Chair of Medicine and Cardiology at the Manning Base Hospital in Taree. Peter: Dr Geoff Oldfield, interventional cardiologist, has decades of experience in interventional cardiology in Newcastle, having established the first free-standing private Cath Lab in the Newcastle/Hunter region in 1986. Dr Oldfield already routinely consults in Forster.
Can the Cath Lab be used for procedures other than cardiac? John: The Cath Lab has superior imaging capabilities that are highly desirable for doing endovascular procedures. Vascular surgeons can use the Cath Lab for procedures such as diagnosing and treating blocked blood vessels in the legs. These procedures are minimally invasive and patients are treated on a same-day basis. Peter: At the moment, people from the Manning Great Lakes have to travel out of this area to access these treatments. A number of vascular surgeons have already expressed interest in using the facilities. The high-tech imaging equipment in the Cath Lab can also be used by other medical specialties including imaging-guided interventions/injections for pain management. Providing services locally improves timely access to treatment and reduces inconvenience, and having a Cath Lab and Critical Care Unit at Mayo will also attract additional specialists to the area.
Putting the Heart in Business at Mayo Private
$2.5 million is a big investment in infrastructure and staff training. There is obviously a need for these services locally? Steve: Dedicated visiting specialists have provided cardiology services in the Manning Valley for many years. This service offered consultations and limited investigations however anyone requiring more complex cardiac investigations had to travel to Newcastle or Sydney. Whilst this is a reality for most regional Australian communities, the arrival of Dr Sesh in Taree in late 2012 was a potential game changer. He is passionate about improving the range and accessibility of cardiology services for the Manning Great Lakes community. Very early on arrival to Taree he asked “Why can’t we offer a full cardiology service, install a Cath Lab and do interventional coronary angiography and ultimately angioplasties and stents?” His drive and his unwillingness to accept the view of some that the Manning Great Lakes region wasn’t big enough to support a Cath Lab was what won over Healthe Care – as we were looking to expand our cardiac service from the Central Coast and Newcastle.
Who is most likely to need a cardiac cath? Dr Sesh: We have a large proportion of the population who are ageing and more likely to have – or be developing – heart disease due to age. With the new Cath Lab at Mayo, those needing an angiogram will not have to travel all the way to Newcastle or Sydney but can have the angiogram done locally in Taree. The reason I pushed hard for the Cath Lab is that, historically, of all areas in the Hunter New England Local Health District, the Manning region has the worst outcomes of cardiac disease. The Cath Lab at Mayo will be a very good addition to complement the Manning’s cardiac services, and will be of great benefit to the local community. John: Last year, 350 private patients were diagnosed in Taree as requiring cardiac
catheterisation procedures and travelled to private facilities in Newcastle for those procedures. Now people have the benefit of having their own consultant cardiologist treat them locally in Taree in a timely manner. This is of benefit to the medical condition and the emotional needs of patients and relatives. Healthe Care, as operators of the Mayo Private Hospital in Taree and Lingard Private Hospital in Newcastle, is establishing a regional cardiology service that provides a network where patients can rely on receiving a comprehensive service. Taree is an important component of this network. We are supporting the principle of providing cardiac services locally where possible. It is a significant advantage to the population of this region to have higher levels of healthcare services available locally.
Why Taree? John: Traditionally people
What’s next? Dr Sesh: Once the Cath Lab is well established, we will seek to round out the cardiac service by inviting another cardiologist who has expertise in pacemakers for the heart. John: The establishment of the Cath Lab at Mayo is a major step in providing a comprehensive cardiology service for the Manning Great Lakes community. Taree and the surrounding areas now enjoy a resident cardiologist, comprehensive echocardiography and stress testing facilities, and now the Cath
Lab. Healthe Care believes there is a growing trend where we’ll see specialists moving away from being located only in capital cities and large regional areas, and will relocate to areas such as the Manning Great Lakes. Specialists are not able to treat patients locally unless there are facilities available, therefore Healthe Care is establishing infrastructure in Taree to facilitate that. This is an exciting development for Mayo as it strives to meet the health needs of the local community – where and when they need it.
“With the new Cath Lab at Mayo, those needing an angiogram will not have to travel all the way to Newcastle or Sydney” (Dr Sesh)
living in regional areas had to travel to tertiary hospitals to receive diagnostic or interventional cardiac catheterisation services. Over the past ten years we have seen a growing trend where Cardiac Cath Labs have been established in regional centres such as Tamworth, Orange, Coffs Harbour and Wagga Wagga. Setting up a Cath Lab at Mayo acknowledges that the Manning & Great Lakes area would benefit from having this service locally.
Who will be able to use the Cath Lab facility at Mayo Private? John: The Healthe Care Australia Group, which runs Mayo Private, is a private hospital operator and, as such, the Mayo Cath Lab will initially treat private patients. There will be significant numbers of public patients that would still travel to Newcastle for publicallyfunded treatment. Healthe Care recognises that a Cath Lab such as the one established at Mayo is an asset that could benefit a public/ private partnership. Healthe Care has had no discussions regarding using the Mayo Lab for public patients, however, we would be willing to look at some arrangement if requested to do so. manning-great lakes focus 11
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with Linda Bryant from Photography by Linda
CARLA
HICKMAN K i n g s
C r e e k
This month I discovered an amazing little place in our Valley, Kings Creek Retreat. It’s a unique farmstay experience where you can stay in Tipis (yes, I always thought they were spelt ‘tee pees’). We stayed there for a night, and I can’t recommend it enough. Fully serviced, and some fun for the kids that you won’t get to do anywhere else! arla, you have such a wonderful and unique business. How did it all start? Our tipi life began in Gloucester in 2000. Our first Tipi provided weekend accommodation for our young family as we planted trees and developed our vacant 66 acres. I’d dreamed of having a Tipi and managed to convince my husband it was the most economical, spacious, practical option. Friends and family loved to visit and suggested we hire it out to others after we moved into our house. We gained approval to operate, and so began the Tipi Camp. It was a very modest tourism venture, quite primitive really, but people loved it. Our catch phrase was “experience life outside the square”. All features were circular, including the three tipis, yurt kitchen, labyrinth etc. Regular guests varied from artisans to brain surgeons. The Tipi Camp generated much interest from Tourism NSW at the time, and I was invited to represent Barrington Tops tourism. I couldn’t believe the interest it generated. We were devastated when two rural residential subdivisions were approved on our boundary, which threatened to destroy our tranquility, views and emerging business. The process pushed me into a Real Estate career which was productive and educational, but it lacked life balance. The desire to relocate and reconnect to our dreams was a consistent driver that led me to an incredible parcel of land in 2010 in Krambach known as “Dream Acres“. The moment I drove onto the property, I felt a
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strong sense of connection and completion. It felt like home – a place to live an ordinary life in an extraordinary way. Why Tipis? Tipis are beautiful structures. The circular space has a way of expanding your mind and enlivening your creativity. They’re functional and playful, comfortable and very spacious. Our tipis are made by Ray Brown from Lennox Head, who also makes Tipis for American Indian reservations, including the Mustang Horse Sanctuary on the Nevada Plain. Tipis are built of ancient knowledge. They remind us that the greatest reward can come from the simplest things. Their conical shape connects us to the infinite universe. I grew up in Lake Macquarie near Newcastle. We used to go camping, as my parents believed in educating their three city girls to develop practical bush skills and life balance. A passion for horses and love for the land led me to Tocal Agricultural college, where I met the love of my life, Spud, in 1987. Spud and I love to create using hardwoods and recycled materials. We have lived through some difficult situations together, which have taught us that even dolly steps can lead you to your dreams so long as you stay on your path. We have two teenage boys who help run the retreat and meet people from all walks of life. It’s great to be able to share our amazing utopia with friends, family and guests who are in need of reconnection with themselves, each other, their creativity and the elements of nature. This wonderful journey to Kings Creek all started with a Tipi. What do you love most about what you do?
R e t r e a t
Business Wow, there is so much. Meeting amazing people and sharing stories around the fire circle with a glass of red, good music and a slice of wood fired pizza. The pony paint ceremony is my favourite farm stay activity. First we make our Indian Headdress out of feathers, then we paint Hopi the pony in all colours. People can’t believe it. There’s much more to it than just a live canvas. Horses are very sensitive to energy. Quite often it is the humans who need to desensitize. Tuning into Hopi through fun is a wonderful process and another way to connect. I love our respite groups, muso weekends and being able to offer the facility for community activities and environmental education. We’ve only been operating for 18 months, and some of our guests have become close friends. It feels great to have something good to share and to be able to share it with good people. It nurtures a sense of abundance and prosperity that is based on the natural ebb and flow of our environment. Do you get a lot of locals as well as visitors from elsewhere? I am amazed at the local interest in our Retreat. When you are busy running a business from home, it is difficult to take time to get out and meet people. Amazing, talented people, such as yourself, turn up here and meet me; it’s awesome. I will have a local artist in residence this week taking advantage of a quiet time. With such an unhealthy focus on the mighty dollar in our world, it’s great to be developing local networks based on trust and the good old barter system of reciprocation. Our neighbours are very supportive, which enables us to offer
activities like the Creek Critters Water Watch and Hash House Harrier Runs. We host local family gatherings, horsemanship clinics, wedding ceremonies, workshops and music weekends, anything that requires a secluded, well equipped, comfortable space. The Manning Valley is a great central location for family gatherings, and mid-week travellers find us on Google Maps. Overseas visitors include people from China, Germany, Ireland and Lebanon. We are very mindful of keeping our tariffs to a minimum, so the people who need to be here, can be. What plans do you have for the business in the coming years? I wish to develop our mid-week occupancy with respite groups and school activity programs, so Spud can work from home too. I’m looking for expressions of interest in a bush regeneration group that stays for a couple of days each season to monitor our passive forest regeneration project along the creek. A horse expo is planned for November, and Spud is planning a performance stage on the lawn which will double as a bean bag deck. We have planted many fruit trees and herbs which produce seasonal treats for our guests. I can see us starting a camp convenience store that sells locally produced preserves and treats. I enjoy supporting community programs that are well intended and practice joyful reciprocation. This place has already realised our dreams and exceeded our expectations, so it’s exciting to imagine what the future holds. www.kingscreekretreat.com.au Thanks Carla.
Matters. [ w ith Alan Tickle ]
udget Challenges There is not enough room in this column to cover the Federal Budget announcements, nor am I going to express my personal views on what is before the Parliament. I will say, however, that understanding the principal effect of some proposals and adjusting to them, is something younger people in particular need to address. There is also an opportunity before December 31st, for those approaching retirement to consider, that might provide some future relief under the Centrelink income test. What is that window? It has been flagged in the budget that the current favourable treatment by Centrelink on income received by way of retirement superannuation income, such as an account based (allocated) pension, will change for new allocated pensions commenced after December 31st. Getting advice on commencing an allocated pension before then, even though qualification for the age pension might not be for some time, may be beneficial. What it means if the age pension is only available at age 70? The onus is going to be on those working now, to accept that the age pension can’t be relied on. The greatest risk to anyone’s future in many ways, is a loss of income through inability to work or forced early retirement. People employed in a demanding job, or one that is tough on the body, might struggle to keep going until age 70, so having insurance that covers their income and other disabilities to age 70 is vital. Setting aside contributions for superannuation over and above the employer contributions also goes a long way to having the means to retire before age 70 if required. A Real Life Story for a 20 year old Many insurance companies, including
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those attached to superannuation funds, only provide cover for two or five years for certain occupations and then only to age 65. A very responsible parent brought their 20 year old son in to see me to discuss insurance and superannuation. Apart from opening a superannuation account, I was able to find an insurer that gave excellent income cover to age 70, plus lump sum cover for major illnesses until age 75. That insurance cover also provides for contributions to superannuation if he can’t work due to illness or accident. While that sounds a long was off for a 20 year old, it should be just as automatic in a person’s thinking, as it is to insure their car. He is only paying $68 per month for that cover, most of which is tax deductible, whereas waiting until he is older would increase that cost considerably. The amount of income cover can be increased by up to 20% per annum without the need of medicals or reassessment and the premiums are based on the low risk associated with a young, fit, non - smoker. Unlike stepped premiums which are cheaper initially but get expensive in the future, the cover remains affordable for him because it is set at a level premium. This means that the age pension not being available until age 70 is not such an issue in this young man’s case, because he has already taken steps to cover himself. Get advice while you are young The very limited knowledge of the well meaning customer service staff either at the superannuation phone centres or financial institutions, unfortunately very often falls well short of providing the advice needed. Complementary Consultation Your Heritage Financial Planning is happy to invest in the future of young people and their families with a complementary consultation that can set them on the right track, and keep them there.
This information and advice is of a general nature only and no reliance should be placed on the information before seeking individual advice from a Financial Planner and Taxation Adviser to ensure the appropriateness to individual circumstances. Alan Tickle and Your Heritage Financial Planning are both authorised representatives of Securitor Financial Group AFSL 240687 ABN 48009189495.
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THE FUN IS HERE
STOCKLAND FORSTER LAUNCHES A NEW, INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PLAYSPACE
Stockland Forster will open a brand new myfunland play space on Saturday 31st May 2014. esigned by the multi awardwinning landscape and playspace designer Ric McConaghy, and in consultation with the Touched by Olivia Foundation, this exciting new play area aims to deliver an accessible, inclusive and sustainable space for children, families and friends to enjoy. Touched by Olivia is a not for profit organisation that brings communities, government and corporate Australia together to enable children and parents of all abilities and ages to play comfortably side-by-side by providing inclusive playspaces. These inclusive playspaces are specifically designed to ensure children of multiple abilities can play together, catering for both physical disabilities as well as vision, hearing and mobility impairments and spectrum disorders like Autism. The new playspace at Stockland Forster has been designed with the local community in mind, reflecting its coastal
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location in the design of the playground, notably through its partially submerged whale sculpture with its wide mouth area to accommodate children in wheelchairs. Throughout the play area many low level tactile elements have also been built for children to touch and explore. In line with Stockland’s commitment to sustainability, the new playground is also a prime example of sustainable sourcing, with a mixture of reused, recycled and locally sourced materials used in construction. To celebrate the launch of this new sustainable and inclusive play space, Stockland Forster has four big days of fun, entertainment, prizes and giveaways to celebrate the opening on Saturday May 31, Sunday June 1, Saturday June 7 and Sunday June 8. All entertainment is FREE, including fairy floss, face painting, sand art, pirate academy, a Stockland Treasure Chest and a hands-on live reptile show by Croc Stars.
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YEARS •CLASSIC DESIGN JEWELLERS•
A huge happy birthday to Classic Design Jewellers in Taree. Ten years in business is a wonderful achievement; what do you love most about your business? It has been a fantastic 10 years, and it has gone so fast. The thing I love most about our business is the creativity. Not only can Chris design and create custom made jewellery, but he can also create new pieces from old. Sometimes these are really emotional choices that our clients have made, and to see their eyes light up upon seeing the final product is very satisfying. The other thing I love is the journeys that we start with our clients, from the engagement, to the wedding and then to meeting their children when they come in for a visit. From picking out anniversary presents 14 manning-great lakes focus.
” to birthday present or just the “I love you” presents, there is always a reason to be celebrating in store. How will you be celebrating the achievement? We will be having some great giveaways during the months of June and July, but the major giveaway will be a $2,500 Gift Voucher to be used in store. It is really easy to be in the running; any time a client makes a purchase in store, they will fill out a form and put it in the barrel. No matter how large or small that purchase is, everyone can go into the draw. We also have further 20% off vouchers given to every client who makes any purchase to be used from August right up until Christmas.
It is all about giving back to our wonderful clients, who have got us to where we are today. What do you think is the secret behind a successful business? Chris has been working in Taree for 26 years now. In those years he has built up a very stong bond and trust with our clients, and they feel comfortable knowing that their precious pieces are being looked after in store. Our clients can see Chris working at any time, as his workshop is on the shop floor. This has been a very positive aspect of our business, as nothing is kept behind closed doors.
Chris will also sit down during the design process and help our clients to understand all about the materials that will be used in creating their piece of jewellery; that way they know exactly what they are buying. They are involved in every step of the design and manufacture process, not just the beginning and the end. Can you tell us about some of the products and services at Classic Design? At Classic Design Jewellers we do design and manufacturing of all types of jewellery. We also do jewellery repairs, watch repairs, jewellery valuations, rhodium plating, pearl rethreading and watch batteries.
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SteveAttkins.
from G Great Lakes Winery
watch. steve attkins
mulled wine - Very delicious WE'VE BEEN GETTING A NUMBER OF QUERIES ABOUT MULLED WINE AT THE WINERY RECENTLY, SO I THOUGHT WE'D DO A RE-RUN OF THE MULLED WINE STORY FROM LAST YEAR. opefully by the time this goes to print, the weather will have chilled down enough for us so we have a good excuse to have some on offer in the cellar door during winter!
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the remaining syrup in the fridge to have on hand when the chills set in next time.
The time is right for a luscious glass of wine that truly warms you on the inside while having a calming effect on your mood. While we sit in front of the fireplace with dim lights, woolly jumpers, thick socks and soft music, I remember a place in Norway called Geilo where we made a few friends and spent evenings on the slopes with a furnace blazing, drinking the Norwegian version of mulled wine and WOW, what a hit! Knowing the Norwegians, the base would have more likely been vodka than red wine!
We’ll be brewing up some mulled wine at the winery during winter in the cellar door and for Music in the Back Paddock on Sunday, June 8 so come along and sample ours and share your flavourite mulled wine recipe with us.
There are many ways to make mulled wine, which is essentially a wine that is sweetened with a blend of spices and warmed gently. It is traditionally drunk at Christmas time in the northern hemisphere, so for us the time for mulled wine is now! Lets get into it. My preference is to make up a spicy syrup that you can store and simply add to your chosen red wine when the mood arises. To make a spiced syrup, simply add a combination of all or a selection of spices including cloves, cardamon, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, star anise, lemon peel, orange peel & juice, ginger, chilli (for a real kick!), sugar or honey and whatever else your imagination conjures up. Cover your spice blend with red wine and allow to simmer until the sugar is dissolved and has reduced to an amazing aromatic syrup. Add a couple of spoonfuls to a bottle of soft red wine and gently heat (don’t allow it to boil) - and voila! You are about to be warmed and becalmed! Keep 16 manning-great lakes focus.
If you don't want to make a syrup, simply heat your chosen spices and red wine together and serve. Try different combinations of spices and sweeteners to have a bit of fun and experiment.
Mulled Wine recipe... • 2 oranges • peel of 1 lemon • peel of 1 lime • 250 g caster sugar • 6 whole cloves • 1 cinnamon stick • 3 fresh bay leaves • 1 whole nutmeg • 1 whole vanilla pod, halved • 2 star anise • 2 bottles of red wine Peel large sections of peel from your oranges, lemon and lime. Put the sugar in a large saucepan over a medium heat, add the pieces of peel and squeeze in the orange juice. Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaves and about 10 to 12 gratings of nutmeg. Throw in your halved vanilla pod and stir in just enough red wine to cover the sugar. Let this simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved into the red wine and then bring to the boil. Keep on a rolling boil for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until you’ve got a beautiful thick syrup. When your syrup is ready, turn the heat down to low and add your star anise and both bottles of wine. Gently heat the wine and after around 5 minutes, when it’s warm and delicious, ladle it into glasses and serve.
avier (the ever-charming Romain Duris) is now forty years-old and returns to the screen along with Wendy (Kelly Reilly), Isabelle (Cécile de France) and Martine (Amélie‘s Audrey Tautou) fifteen years after the smash-hit The Spanish Apartment and ten years since its sequel, Russian Dolls.
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Xavier still hasn’t really settled down and if anything, his life looks like it’s getting even more complicated … He has two children now, and his thirst for travel has brought him to New York. Xavier is trying to carve out a place for himself amidst the cheerful chaos of Chinatown. Separation, stepfamilies, gay parents, immigration, working under the table, globalisation: Xavier’s life is like a Chinese puzzle. But although it lacks cohesion and calm – just like New York and the era in which we live – it does provide a rich source of material for his writing.
CHINESE PUZZLE 6.45pm Monday 16th June Fay's Twin Cinema Rated M 117mins Chinese Puzzle is a dazzling and masterful French comedy set against the colourful backdrop of New York, which features stellar performances from France’s most beloved acting combo. E: tareefilmsociety@yahoo.com P: 6552 3476 M: PO Box 216, Taree, NSW, 2430 W: tareefilmsociety.org.au Tickets, subscriptions, and information from the food table in the foyer, or contact us as above. The Society is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers to bring diversity of film to the Manning, and to encourage appreciation and discussion of film in a regular social atmosphere. 12 monthly screenings plus coffee, cakes and chatting for $100.
Image of the month. About: Capturing the action at the King of the Krater event at Tuncurry Skate Park, April
2014. Photo by: Merryl Kemp. Camera/Lens: Olympus OM-D E-M5. ISO – 1250 F/6.3 1/4000 sec 45mm (pre Photoshop settings) Taken a great photo of our local area? Like to see it published in FOCUS for the world to see? Just email jo@focusmag.com.au
focusinterview.
DREAMING BIG! Grace Callaghan + Jai Harrison
They may be young, but they’re a super talented and super keen musical duo, with big dreams for the future. Grace Callaghan and Jai Harrison both attend Wingham High School, and already they’re becoming known around the area for their live shows … i guys. Introduce yourselves to our readers, please – tell us a bit about your family, schooling and background ... Grace and Jai Hi Jo! We are Grace Callaghan and Jai Harrison, and we are both in Year 10 at Wingham High. Grace My family is not really musical as such, but we are music lovers. I grew up listening to a lot of musical theatre, as well as the Beatles and The Rolling Stones and other old musicians my family enjoyed. I sang a lot as a small child at home, but as I grew older I became quite shy and didn’t like singing in front of others, even my family. But music remained an important part of my life. When I got to high school, I started piano lessons and soon after singing lessons with local musician and teacher Alan Clarke, who helped me progress my music theory and playing. Jai I developed a love for music at a very young age. I received my first guitar on my 5th birthday, and have hardly put it down since! My family is quite musical on both sides of the family. Both my dad and granddad sing and play guitar, and all my uncles, one in particular, can sing quite well. My dad taught me all the basics on guitar, and I took lessons with local musician Pete Mullany for about 4 years. My mum also sings in a choir and shares my love of music, although our tastes are quite different. We both chose music as an elective in year 9, and with vast amounts of help from our lovely and hilarious music teacher Mrs. Stacy
Harrell, along with our classmates, friends your style? and family, we continue to progress with both Jai We like to play a variety of different confidence and skill. styles, both quiet, meaningful songs and When did you first become interested in upbeat songs that get everyone dancing. We music (both listening and performing), and play everything from Beatles to Ed Sheeran what instruments do you play? to Eagles, and we love experimenting with Grace and Jai We gave both always been different genres and making our songs interested in music. sound unique. Jai: I performed a lot as a kid in local What gigs have you performed at talent shows for fun. I play guitar and we are recently, and what kind of feedback working on putting harmonies into our music, have you received? so I will probably be singing somewhere in the Grace Lately we’ve been playing at local future! cafés and venues such as The Grace As mentioned, I have Garden Grub, Flow Espresso been taking piano lessons Bar, Wingham Bowling from Alan Clarke since Club, Bent on Food and It would be y about age 12, and I ten theatres. We often amazing one da ople sang when I was little, get positive feedback to be asked by pe erts conc but had a period of from the audience to play at large such as shyness where I did about our music, and big venues stival the Akoostik Fe ows not like to sing in front especially because of sh or even to have of people. High school our age. It isn’t often g on al e m where people co helped me to get over you get a young couple .” m or rf just to see us pe that. performing so often Where did you two meet around the area. We always ... and why did you start appreciate it when people performing together? comment or compliment our Grace We were friends before we singing or guitar playing, and it always started performing together, but the real inspires us to do better whenever people take ice breaker for us, and how we really got to the time to compliment us and acknowledge know each other and perform together, was our efforts. during our school’s production of Romeo and What’s the ultimate dream for you both Juliet, the Summer of 66. We were asked to musically ... do you have any exciting perform a song, Let it Be, perhaps one of the plans in the pipeline? most famous Beatles songs, and we were both Grace and Jai Our plans for the future naturally very excited. include writing our own songs and also What types of music do you like to play travelling to Adelaide to record an album of together? How would you describe covers and hopefully originals with Jai’s uncle,
“
who owns a recording studio. Our ultimate dream would be to just continue playing music together and see where it takes us. It’s always been a dream of ours to be very popular among people of all ages and to be able to inspire people. It would be amazing one day to be asked by people to play at large concerts and big venues such as the Akoostik Festival or even to have shows where people come along just to see us perform. I guess we will just see where our music takes us and try to become more known and more popular. Those are quite far-fetched dreams at the present time, but we are staying positive and working hard. We like to think that we are on a rollercoaster that only goes up. What gigs do you have planned for the next few months? Jai We have a few upcoming gigs in the next few months. These include Friday 30th May at Wingham Golf Club, Saturday 31st May at Nabiac Markets and Sunday 15th June at the Wingham Hotel. Where can people find out more about your music, or book you for a gig if they’re interested? Grace We are always very grateful to anybody who helps us out by asking us to play at their home, café or venue, as we are only getting started and it really helps us a lot. So If you wish to enquire about us or book a gig, you can visit our Facebook page ‘Grace and Jai’ or they call us on: 0487150649 0417408171 or 0427296297 Thanks guys. manning-great lakes focus 17
Manning-Great Lakes
Grilled Salmon & Prosciutto Salad with asparagus, smashed chats and wild rocket from Beach Bums.
eat. Dining Guide is available for iPhone & Android mobiles. www.focusmag.com.au/eat
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eat. Choc marquise with raspberry sorbet.
Bent on Food Not just a café but a destination ...
Great Lakes Seafood
Winner of 2013 Northern Region Restaurant and Catering Awards – Best Café Restaurant and Best Breakfast Restaurant. Fully licenced with a great value wine list.
“We catch ‘em and we cook ‘em” Come on down to our new outlet store in Forster and tantalise your taste buds with our expanding menu. We've been local for as long as you have, so we know how you like your food ... LOCAL.
On and offsite catering, cooking classes, cheese making workshops, barista training. High tea every Saturday afternoon from 3pm -5pm Bookings essential. Sunday 1st June Morning Melodies with Matt Zarb from 10am – breakfast session in the garden. Saturday 14th June Peggy Van Zalm Band.
It doesn't get any fresher than the Wallis Lake, cooked by our “Grill Master” and ready to serve next to an award winning coffee.
Head Chef Nick Samaras
Thursday 26th June – Akoostik Festival Teaser with Bill Chambers and friends.
Mention FOCUS on your next visit to Great Lakes Seafood, and our chefs will let you in on their daily special for our dedicated readers.
4/25 Wharf Street Forster t 6555 9947
95 Isabella St, Wingham t 6557 0727 w www.bentonfood.com.au open 7 days. Breakfast, lunch and tasty treats. Friday and Saturday nights for dinner (bookings recommended).
open 7 days per week. 7am - 10pm.
Beach Bums The month of June is always exciting, as the Humpbacks start to make an appearance on their journey up the coast. Whilst you’re keeping your eyes peeled on the horizon, stay for lunch and soak up the winter sun. The fine weather has meant that hearty salads featuring super ingredients such as pearl couscous, coconut, quinoa and kale have been making a regular appearance on our specials board. Don’t forget that if dairy isn’t your thing, we stock almond milk and more recently, original Bonsoy soy milk too! Start your day well, at Main Beach!
Club Taree Dine on 19 with Club Taree’s all new menu due to launch in June. Enjoy lunch or dinner from our à la carte menu featuring a selection of meals to tempt your tastebuds, including a range of pastas such as Chicken Carbonara Penne and Chilli Seafood Linguini, a variety of main meals from Chef’s Catch of the Day or Twice Cooked Pork Belly to Braised Lamb Shank Rogan Josh, or enjoy a favourite with Chicken Parmigiana, Lambs Fry and Bacon or the Roast of the Day ... just some of the delicious meals available. Dine on 19 this winter at Club Taree.
Chef Kevin Williams.
Owners Kate and Darrin.
Contact the Restaurant on (02) 6539 4000 for details and bookings. Lilly Pilly Café also open daily.
121 Wingham Rd, Taree t 6539 4000 w www.clubtaree.com.au open from 11:30am daily.
North & Beach St, Forster Main Beach. t 6555 2840 w beachbumscafe.com.au open 6:30am - 3:30pm (weather permitting).
manning-great lakes focus 19
eat. Rib Eye with Scallops, Tiger Prawns & Garlic Cream Sauce.
FLOW Espresso Bar
Szechuan pepper, garlic and sea salt tiger prawns tossed with fresh pasta, rocket and lemon, finished with housemade passata and flaked parmesan.
Roadies Café
For Love Of Water!
Food worth living for.
Premium fuel for foodies!
Matt, Flow’s head chef, combines ingredients and creates meals to inspire every taste bud.
Drop into Roadies Café for a bite to eat on the go, or stop and relax for a while with us.
Produce is sourced from the local butcher, grocers and seafood co-op to ensure the highest standards. Our new menu reflects this and is sure to impress. Live music performed by local and touring musicians twice a week. Visit our Facebook page to keep up to date on all menus and music. Please call to book your table for dinner, as we often fill up.
With a great range or meals to suit everyone’s tastes, from sandwiches to panko crumbed chicken schnitzel, Szechwan prawn pasta and our famous Roadies’ beef burger, you will be sure to find something that will delight you. Why not try our mouth watering wood fired pizzas - available Thursday, Friday, Saturday night.
New: Thursday night curry nights, all $19.
31 David St, Old Bar t 6557 4224 f www.facebook.com/flowcafe
Owners Will & Erin Lute.
77 church St, Gloucester t 6558 2772 e yum@roadiescafe.com.au fb ‘roadies cafe’
open 8am - 3pm, Thurs to Sun and dinner 6pm Thurs to Sat nights. Please see facebook.com/flowcafe for weekly live music and menus.
open Sunday - Wednesday 7:30am - 3:30pm. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30am - late.
Brioche Swiss Cheese Burger
Bowlo Bistro
Blowfish Street Food
Taree West Bowling Club Tues - $8 homemade chicken schnitzel and chips NOW for lunch and dinner PLUS members badge draw and free raffle from 6pm. Wed - $8 beer battered fish and chips NOW for lunch and dinner Thurs - Bingo from 11am, our club super draw from 6pm PLUS free kids’ meals and drinks and a free raffle. Fri - Treasure chest jackpot and raffles from 5pm. Sun - Lunch and dinner, $10 roast pork with all the trimmings. Our amenities include a Kids Playground, Free Wi Fi and Function Rooms.
Blowfish Street Food Old Bar Not your everyday takeaway! How good are fresh ingredients when eating out? You know with that first bite! At Blowfish, everything is prepared from scratch daily, including burgers, wraps, salads and sauces.
Head Chef James Nossiter.
So, jump in the car and treat yourself to a takeaway experience that will leave you feeling better for it. Set on a public park right on the beach, with the local skate park next door. Open 5 days per week from Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30am to 7:30pm. Feel free to call if you have a large group or bus who wish to try us out.
116 Edinburgh Drive, Taree t 6552 2094 open 6 days. Closed Monday. Lunch: noon ‘til 2pm. Dinner: 5:30pm ‘til 8pm.
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Beachfront Car Park, Old Bar Beach t 0409 118 083 open 11:30am - 7:30pm, Wed to Sun. Please see facebook.com/blowfisholdbar for daily specials
Taree wins McCafé of the Year Taree locals once again have something to be proud of, after their local McCafé at Taree has been recently awarded the 2013 Outstanding McCafé of the Year Award.
The Manning Winter Festival The Manning Winter Festival (MWF) aims to nurture, promote and celebrate artistic talent, cultural development and creative industry in the Manning Valley through conducting a major Festival every two years and by guiding and supporting emerging and established artists, artisans and other creative industries, wherever possible and practicable. 2014 is the 35th anniversary of an arts festival, held in this form across the Manning. The Greater Taree City Council originally coordinated the Taree City Festival, but discontinued support in 2008. A small group of enthusiastic and dedicated people, unwilling to see the festival fold, took up the challenge and formed the Manning Winter Festival, a community not-for profit Incorporated Association. 2014 is the third MWF and this year boasts a full program of events, held over two weeks from June 14 - 29. The 2014 MWF has 29 events to be presented across the Manning in Taree, Wingham, Hannam
Vale, Mt George, Upper Lansdowne and Killabakh. The events cover all aspects of the visual and performing arts, including theatre, music, painting, sculpture, craft displays, writing competitions, chalk art, garden art and much more. Highlights include Sinfonia Orchestra in concert; the MWF Visual and Performing Arts Awards featuring the premiere of a musical work by composer Andrew Chubb commissioned by the MWF; Music Over the Manning, a concert featuring the Myriad Ensemble (9 international and Australian instrumentalists) and Kantabile Chamber Choir; and the Magical Masked Festival Ball. Something for everyone. Be sure not to miss out! Enquiries: President - George Hoad: (02) 6550 5890; email: ghoad@internode.on.net or Programme Director - Mave Richardson: (02) 6553 5412; email: mave.eric@bigpond.com or check out our website: www.manningwinterfestival.com
Selected as the best from more than 220 McCafe’s across NSW and the ACT, the McCafé at McDonald’s Taree was chosen for their outstanding level of service and consistently achieving exceptional customer satisfaction. McDonald’s Taree Licensees, Craig and Amanda Evans, are thrilled to receive the prestigious accolade, which adds to their already growing list of awards. “We take great pride in knowing that our patrons don’t just come in for coffee but for the overall experience we offer - a fresh brew accompanied by service with a smile each and every time.” “We are so proud to be crowned the best amongst all other McCafés in the state. We would not have achieved this without our amazing team, as well as the continued support of our local community,” said Craig. Craig and Amanda have also won this award previously in 2007, 2009 and 2011 for their restaurant at the Taree Service Centre. They attribute their continued success to their strong commitment to ongoing training for their McCafé crew, led by their well-loved
coordinators. Trevor and Deb. “We believe in investing in our employees and are now reaping the rewards. We are very lucky to have Trevor and Deb, as they not only make sure we deliver consistent high quality coffee to our customers, but have also taught our crew the importance of going above and beyond the call of duty to provide total customer satisfaction,” added Amanda. In order to be selected for the Outstanding McCafé of the Year Award, McCafés in NSW and ACT were judged on sales growth, local marketing initiatives and customer satisfaction as a result of a range of measures including information and feedback gathered from customer comment cards, focus groups, and random surveys. McDonald’s Taree is located at 11 Manning River Drive, Taree NSW 2430.
WINTER FESTIV G N I N N AL MA
c i g aTHE ng MOF nni a
M
celebrating community y creativity
1manningwinterfestival.com 4 - 29 JUNE 2014 manning-great lakes focus 21
WIN
Wendy Matthews
Club Forster There is always an entertainment lineup to excite all ages at Club Forster! Book your tickets now to avoid missing out!
Gift Pack Valued at
$95
IT’S EASY Buy your tickets to her upcoming show for your chance to
WIN
Wendy Matthews and The White Horse Band. The Welcome Fire Tour 2014. Friday 6th June at 8pm. There are very few artists in Australia who come close to to Wendy Matthews and her stunning credentials: seven Arias, a massive 19 hit singles, and seven gold or multi platinum selling albums. Together, her albums can be found in over one and a half million Australian homes. The Welcome Fire not only re-establishes Wendy as one of Australia's most influential artist and iconic voices, but also marks a new chapter in the career spanning more than 30 years.
McAlister Kemp are multi-award winning singer/songwriters, Drew McAlister and Troy Kemp - Saturday 7th June at 8pm. In just 4 years, McAlister Kemp have quickly established themselves as the premier duo in Australian Country Music … becoming giants (literally) of the genre. McAlister Kemp are taking their music to the world with their new album, Harder To Tame, which will a be “game changer” for Australian Country Music and the Australian music market generally.
Pack Includes: • The Greatest Hits DVD • The Welcome Fire CD • Stepping Stones “ Greatest Hits CD “, • Wendy Matthews designed T-Towel & Cap.
Winner will be drawn on the night
Peter Byrne's Forever Diamond - Saturday 5th July at 8pm. Neil Diamond is a phenomenon who gives truly special and personal shows that legions of fans return to see again and again ... a style that transcends music fads by consistently touching people of all ages and interests. The personal and magical interaction Diamond has on stage with an audience is legendary, breaking all box office records wherever he performs. This is your opportunity to experience that same spontaneous display of energy and sensuality with the superb talents of Peter Byrne and Forever Diamond, a show performing Diamond's greatest hits spanning over three decades, in an uncanny portrayal that has to be seen to be believed.
An Afternoon with "The Music of André Rieu" Spectacular The ACE award for "Best Production Show" in Australia 2013 is coming to
romance of the Hungarian Gypsy Orchestras, this musical spectacular is set to raise the roof!
Port Macquarie’s Glasshouse and the Manning Entertainment Centre!
"Ian Cooper is adored by the broader public whenever they encounter him." Sydney Morning Herald.
Australia’s most acclaimed international violinist, Ian Cooper, is joined by opera stars, prima ballerinas, Australian Champion Pipe Band 2014, a world famous piano maestro and the Blue Danube Orchestra to evoke the sheer exuberance of André Rieu in concert.
"The Music of André Rieu Spectacular attracted 2 full houses ... 4,000 people at the Sydney Town Hall ... ecstatic!" Roy Watterson OAM. MANNING ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SUNDAY 20TH JULY; 2PM
At once uplifting and moving, it brings history’s most loved music to life, from the masterpieces of the Viennese court, to the works of Brahms, Verdi, Puccini, Bizet and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Along with haunting renditions of Irish favourites, a touch of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the A US T RA L I A N
GL OBA L
SHOW. BOOKINGS: (02) 6552 5699 WWW.GTCC.NSW.GOV.AU/MEC TICKETS $65 CONCESSION $60 GROUP BOOKINGS $55.
ENT ER T A INM ENT
PR ESENT S
with the
Blue Danube Orchestra presented by violin virtuoso
Ian Cooper
P. A . W. S . Murray Mayday
BALLET
Jamie Leigh Johnson
Chantelle Marie King
tenor
soprano
soprano
Jenna Baxter
soprano
Full Cast Performance Arts Western Sydney Ballet, Hawkesbury Nepean Valley Pipe Band (Australian Pipe Band Champions 2014)
An Aft terno oon n wit th the Mu usic of An ndré Rieu u Sp pect tac cular r manning entertainment centre Sunday 20th July 2014 2pm show | Bookings: 6552 5699 - www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au/mec | $65 - concession $60 - group bookings $55
ACE Aw Awa ard Best Produ uction n Sho ow 2013 3 5 Golde en Fid ddle award ds
2 MO Awa wards
w w w. a u s t e n t e r t a i n m e n t. c o m . a u
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3 ACE Aw war rds
1 plat tinum AR RIA award d
w w w. v i o l i n m a e s t r o . c o m . a u
s o c i a l s c e n e
Below. Food and Art launch
with Donna Carrier from Bent on Food.
Below. Black Train Below. Kev and Dave at Martine's
Below. Tourism Launch
Social/scene. Here we are in June and still we have not seen winter; the weather in the Manning Valley has been simply glorious, with locals and visitors out and about enjoying the sunshine.
T
hundreds of cultural experiences and events on the Mid North Coast. Creativecoast.org.au has developed 12 Arts and Cultural trails to help visitors and locals explore the region and discover the incredible talent that lives in the region. The backdrop was a stunning exhibition, Exposed, by local photographer Mike Skelton, featuring 50 beautiful photographs. We already know that we are a creative bunch; these fabulous programs help to tell the world all about our beautiful cultural region; but sssh ... do not tell too many people.
Some months when I sit to write this column, I realise how little I have been out because the only things I have to write about have happened at the café. This means I have worked too hard and not got out enough. Having said that, how can you call teaching a cooking class or listening to some music and feeding a few people real work? Did I hear some of my industry friends chuckle?
The second tourism function was the launch of the Manning Valley Partnership program for 2015. Greater Taree City Council Team Leader Tourism and Public Relations Donna Hudson and Mayor Paul Hogan unveiled the plans for the upcoming year to drive visitors to the beautiful Manning Valley. A snippet of the television commercials and imagery to be used to promote the region was shown to around 70 tourism operators. It was a fantastic opportunity for the tourism industry to network and talk to tourism staff and the board over morning tea.
.he cause of this strange summer weather in winter is probably not so positive, but I guess we should enjoy it while we can.
One of the most social places at the moment is the riverbank at 6am, which is being utilised to its full capacity by runners, walkers and bootcampers, thanks to some new paths and equipment, along with unusual weather patterns. The sun rising on the river makes me feel fortunate to live in such a beautiful place as I chug along, taking in the view and trying to breathe.
I did get out a few times actually; well twice, anyway. I went to two tourism functions. The first one was held at the fabulous Manning Regional Art Galley, where the Legendary Pacific Coast team launched the Food and Art campaign. Food and Art experiences are the focus of a new Legendary Pacific Coast winter campaign offering great value holiday discounts at restaurants, cafés, galleries, sustainable farms, art classes, cookery schools, studios, accommodation and activities along Australia’s top tourist drive. Travellers can enjoy more than 250 special offers by visiting legendarydeals.com.au to register. Legendary Pacific Coast executives Belinda Novicky, Kim Macdonald and Sonia Fingleton unveiled the campaign to tourism operators, art lovers and interested parties over a glass of Great Lakes sparkling and some homespun local treats. Kevin Williams from Arts Mid North Coast spoke about Creative Coast, which is an online gateway to
The rest of my month was spent in the café. Of course, we had Mother’s Day which is always a busy day for cafés and restaurants around the region. We were inundated with customers and at times it got slightly crazy, but mothers enjoyed time with their families, and we were honoured to be one of the places they chose to dine. Warren Targett played some great old tunes, and the place was buzzing with love for our mums. My mum always comes for lunch on Mother’s Day, otherwise I wouldn’t get to see her; I guess she sees it as a role reversal - all the years that she fed me, now I serve food to her. Happy Mother’s Day, Mum and mums! We had an awesome night on Saturday 17th May with Lismore band Black Train, a 5 piece country gospel roots
band. In their own words, Black Train love nothing more than sharing their passion for old time songs with the good people of this world. Based around the central figure of "Reverend" Kim Mclean, Black Train eschews modern technology in favour of instruments made of wood and wire. Like their instruments, the songs of Black Train are tried and true, drawing on a variety of influences including Woody Guthrie, the Carter Family, and the traditional music of the Appalachians. It was one of those nights that are a little bit magical, a little surreal and lots of fun. What made it even better was the fact that nearly every table had local musicians seated at it. In the audience were members of Up in Annies Room, The Travelling Teardrops and The Last Train, all doing a bit of toe tapping. The Black Train band members were staying up at Elands and put on another show at the Elands Store Sunday 18th; they will be back again soon. The same night our friends Kev Ballard and Dave Gollan broke away from their band and did an acoustic show at Martine's in Taree, featuring their own homegrown tunes plus a few of their favourite covers by singer songwriters such as Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. Another great night of music! Kev has been playing a few tunes in Ireland of recent times, jamming at some of the cool pubs in Dublin and Galway. We are working closely with the hard working volunteers from Wingham Akoostik Festival and on Thursday 26th we welcome the amazing Bill Chambers to Bent on Food, he will have a few friends playing along with him, we are really looking forward to it. I would love to hear from you if you have any social events, weddings, parties, anything! Send pics and info to donna.carrier@bigpond.com Cheers, D. manning-great lakes focus 23
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Isabella T H E
P L A Y
Maggie Young is a relative newcomer to Wingham, but absolutely loves the town, and with a background in theatre and performance, felt inspired to write a
play about one of the area’s famous pioneers – Isabella Mary Kelly. Isabella the Play will be staged at the Wingham Town Hall on June 21st and promises to be an amazing production showcasing a lot of local talent …
H
i Maggie. Please fill us in on some of your background ... how long have you lived in Wingham, and what brought you here? My background has been mostly theatre in education, puppetry use (inspired by an internship with Bread and Puppet Theatre in America) and circus, especially stilt-walking with children and "youth at risk". Also, creating community theatre from local stories in Tasmania, Newcastle, Central Australia and Arnhem Land and I am currently working with Dance and Drama Therapy in a psychiatric centre in Newcastle. I moved to Wingham almost 9 months ago, because I fell in love with it. I love the untouched charm, the history and the friendly people. To me, it has a storybook quality reminding me of my childhood. My youngest son and his family live in Forster, so that helped my decision. What led to you being interested in the performing arts? I was hooked as a small child when my father took me to a theatre in Melbourne for the first time. It was standing room only for him, so he held me perched on a railing. It was pure magic … I was 7 years old. Tell us about the play you have written and you are planning to present in Wingham. Who was Isabella - and why do you feel she deserved to have her story told? The play is based on Maurie Garland's excellent book The Trials of Isabella Mary Kelly - A Pioneering Woman's Struggle for Justice. Isabella Kelly was born in Ireland and came to
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Australia in 1834. She settled at Mt George in 1838 and was the first pioneer woman in NSW. As a highly successful single woman running a cattle station and breeding horses, she was the envy of many men in the district. There have been so many lies and so much unfounded malicious gossip spread about her, that it was refreshing to read Maurie's book based on painstaking research to discover the truth. She was the victim of forgery and perjury and was wrongfully gaoled for a crime she did not commit. I felt that Maurie had given Isabella a voice, and I too wanted to give her a voice through the medium of theatre. I started writing the play as soon as I arrived here, with the idea that it would be a celebration of the life of a brave woman who deserved to be recognised for her pioneering spirit. Who are some of the cast that'll be a part of the production, and what characters will they play? We have an excellent cast: Isabella is played by Kath Palmer; Charles Skerritt is played by Alan Catt; Chris Sheed is Henry Flett and also Joseph Andrews; Lyn Catt and Maggie Young are the town gossips; Rod Kiehne is the Constable; Narelle Smith is the Newsreader; Ross Brown plays two different Judges; Walter Heagney is the Bush Poet and Mitra Ellis is playing William Turner. When and where will the play be presented? The play will be presented at Wingham Town Hall on Saturday 21st June at 6.30pm. 1 believe the production will be a "theatre in the round"presentation. What does this mean? The audience (and some of the actors)
She was the y victim of forger as w d and perjury an ed for wrong fully gaol t no d di e sh a crime at Maurie th lt fe I it. m com la a el had given Isab anted to w o to I voice, and through give her a voice theatre.” the medium of
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will be seated at tables in a circle in the hall, and the central space will be needed for the actors to perform and for the audience to join in some bush dances. I believe that having the audience interacting gives a really inclusive feel to the performance. I am also encouraging anyone in the audience to come dressed in a period costume if they want to - with long skirts, shawls, hats for women and bowler hats for men. What refreshments/other activities will be available at the event? A light supper with tea and coffee will be served as part of the play. There will be an opportunity to take part in some bush dances with Red Cedar Band if audience members want to join in. Signed copies of The Trials of Isabella Mary Kelly by Maurie Garland will be on sale in the Hall. Where can tickets to the event be purchased, and what will they cost? Tickets can be booked by phoning Maggie on 6557 0929 or Joy on 6553 0982 and giving your name and the number of people attending. At the door on the night you will collect your tickets in exchange for the money. You will then find your reserved seats when you enter the hall.Seats are available from 1 person to 10 or 12, as the tables will be arranged in a circle. Tickets cost $15 and $10 concession. The proceeds from the night will go to The
Manning Valley Historical Society Wingham Museum. Where can people find out more info about the play and the evening’s entertainment? By phoning Maggie on 6557 0929 or Joy 6553 0982. Final words … It is a privilege to be presenting this play about a local story and to know the talented people who have given so much of their time and energy for this project. Firstly, Lyn Catt who is the Costume Designer with a background in costume for many productions including Cats and Phantom of the Opera; Alan Catt, with his background in TV documentary making and set design; Maureen Mears, with her background in Deb Balls, who is sewing the special dress for Isabella to wear and which will be donated to the Wingham Museum to display; and Joy Obadin, who is in charge of the Supper. The poster was made with the skills of Trevor Armstrong from Wingham Computers and Alan Hughston. We are also fortunate to have secured the services of Hamish Macdonald in charge of lighting and the popular band Red Cedar playing bush songs and bush dance music. I believe there is something for everyone to enjoy in this production, so we are looking forward to seeing you on 21st June at Wingham Town Hall for the World Premiere of Isabella The Play! Thanks Maggie.
focusinterview.
Horse About Craig Cross
Horse About Tours is a local business offering one of a kind scenic horse rides through some of the most beautiful countryside the area has to offer. Business owner Craig Cross shares his enthusiasm for horses, the beach, and the bush… i Craig. Please tell us a bit about your background ... are you a born and bred local, and have you always been around horses? My name is Craig Cross and I have lived locally in the area for my entire life, with my grandparents residing in the same area. I have had a passion for horses all my life and the enjoyment you get from riding in the bush. What led you to establish Horse About Tours? How long have you been operating this business? My passion for horses in the bush speaks for itself, with many years of riding and enjoying our great environment in the Great Lakes area. I had previously run the same line of business years ago, and hence my love for horses made me start again to be able to offer bush and beach rides. What types of rides/experiences do you offer ... do you cater for all levels of horse riding experience? We offer two and three hour bush and beach rides, overnight adventures with accommodation and meals at Sunbury Lodge taking in Wang Wauk River. We cater for all types of riders, from beginners to advanced riders, with one on one instructions and training prior to the ride. We offer birthday packs and photography rides … and personalised rides. The sunrise rides are breathtaking, with the brisk morning air and watching the sunrise over the ocean, and the sunset rides are spectacular. Describe the trail system you use for your rides ... roughly how many kilometres of trails are there,
what’s the countryside like, are there spots where ginners’ horse, FJ is a champion and great with beginyou can open up for a canter? ners, and Fang the ex-racehorse, who won the 1st race In the Great Lakes we have access to numerous at the Tuncurry races and is a gentle giant … plus many kilometers of natural bush land accessible to the beach. more horses. We offer the opportunity for experienced riders to be What are some of the favourite moments you’ve able to canter along the beach with supervision experienced while riding locally? from our experienced guides. We truly enjoy the moments we have You probably know the local trails had from many years of trying to please better than most people. How the riders in taking in the pristine much time and effort do you area of our Great Lakes, from the We cater for all spend making sure they’re in bush to the sea, and having types of riders, good condition/cleaning up our customers come back on to from beginners rubbish etc? other rides that have taken in the , with advanced riders We always endeavor to beauty and enjoyment from our ns io ct ru one on one inst to the ensure the natural environment bush and beach rides. r io and training pr is protected and undisturbed Where can people find out ri de .” by maintaining that all litter and more info about Horse About rubbish is removed, to ensure our Tours? Great Lakes area is kept pristine. You can find us on Facebook; also, How often do you offer regular our website HYPERLINK "http://www. rides, and what is your usual meeting horseabouttours.com.au" www.horseaboutplace/departure point? tours.com.au or simply ring Craig and the crew on We offer rides to suit everybody on a daily 0423 830 738. Simply leave a message, and we will basis, whether it be a sunrise or moonlight ride, call you. with a local pickup point at the Oasis Tuncurry Service Final words ... Station in Tuncurry, transportation to the camp area of We offer with our experienced guides an experience the horses and return to the pick up point - to ensure of our beautiful area, being the Great Lakes, with the customers enjoy the journey. combined bush and beach experience which no one Introduce us to a few of your horses ... how many else in this area can offer. do you currently own, and who are some of the Just give us a call on 0423 830 738 and will be able standout personalities? to cater for most circumstances, whether it be a birthWe have a variety of horses with different natures, day surprise or wedding proposal on the beach. from Kenny the old strong horse, Roper the quiet beThanks Craig.
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By Lakeside Indulgence
Is your skin feeling the winter blues? Dull? Dry? Irritated? Then you need to rehydrate with the ultimate of all facials using “Oxygen Gas Therapy”!
O
xygen is the single most important At this deeper level the oxygen and nutrients continue molecule for life. It is responsible for their work, boosting the metabolism of every the health and maintenance of cell, correcting the imbalance and restoring every cell in the human body, including good health to previous tired and oxygen We literally skin cells. In today's environment, starving cells. saturate the , however, many factors play a In just one treatment, your skin E R O P skin PORE by oxygen large part in the hindrance of the will be feeling instantly refreshed, e delivering th 180 oxygen molecule to these cells, hydrated and glowing! With each ith w g gas alon t n ie tr u both internally and externally. oxygen treatment you are on your n n millio OND, C SE R E P s le A reduction in the availability of way to turning back the ageing clock! tic par to deep into the skin oxygen of the cells consequently At Lakeside Indulgence, each facial is the dermis.” results in the acceleration of the personalised to the needs of you and ageing process. your skin. So how does it work? We literally To book, simply call 6555 9099 or find saturate the skin PORE by PORE, delivering the us on Facebook. We are also so excited to oxygen gas along with 180 million nutrient particles announce that Stacey Pratten is back on board, PER SECOND, deep into the skin to the dermis. bringing with her years of industry experience.
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By Leaha’s Hair
By YMCA
YOUR BODY IMAGE
HAIR
COLOUR air colouring can be a seasonal thing; many of our clients will go lighter for summer and warmer for winter months. We have a beautiful range of blondes without using harsh bleaches on your hair for you to achieve a beautiful caramel, beige, hazelnut or a creamy white result, while keeping your hair in optimal condition. Our luxurious browns are good enough to eat, with rich chocolates, deep chestnuts, medium
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expressos, warm violets and deep mahoganys and while you’re in the salon, why not pamper yourself and have our deluxe steam treatment to add beautiful shine to your hair! A service in our salon will always make you feel totally pampered and relaxed; we want you to walk out feeling wonderful. So make an appointment today at Leaha's Tuncurry or Old Bar: phone 6555 4194 or 6553 7274; like us on Facebook for your chance to exclusive offers and giveaways.
A recent survey asking 100 women to describe their body with one word showed how almost all of these women chose words like: “disgusting, frumpy, fat, too short, too thin, wobbly”. t is apparent that women in our society virtually don’t like their body image. For some, this affects their relationships, their careers but mainly their health. If you are one of the many women who think like this, please know that you are not alone. It is possible to change the way you feel about your body. Women tend to give themselves to their families and put their own needs last. This is a beautiful quality and something to be very proud of as a woman, mother, and wife. Now it is time to look after your fitness. Even if it is just for a 30 minute X-lab
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class at YMCA! Your body is designed to exercise; once you start moving, it produces natural feel good hormones and instantly gives you an energy kick. Once you overcome the fear and have your first workout, your body is going to crave more. If time is an issue, have a think about where you spend your time at present. Apart from your commitments, is there time you spend on social media or TV? You may feel more fulfilled by spending as little as 30 minutes a day looking after yourself. See, it’s that easy! YMCA Great Lakes wish you lots of fun on your journey towards a healthier and happier you!
focushealth.
Lifestyle, health, vitality and your new smile ave you always wanted for correcting crooked or crowded teeth. It straight teeth that give you the can be used to treat a range of orthodontic perfect smile? conditions, including overbites, underbites If the answer is yes, but you’ve and even crossbites. Treatment duration never wanted to wear braces, then read on. usually varies from twelve to twenty four Invisalign is the flexible alternative to braces months. that can work in with your busy lifestyle, and Key benefits of Invisalign are: it’s NEVER too late to start. • It is virtually invisible. No one will know Exclusive research conducted in you’re in treatment. Sydney on behalf of Invisalign • Patients are able to remove Australia confirmed just Aligners for meals and special how much Australians events. value a nice • Removable Aligners 54% believe e smile, with 99% means that teeth can straight teeth ar on’s considering it an be easily brushed and linked to a pers ess en important asset overall attractiv y flossed, promoting sa and around half and one in five healthier teeth and en straight teeth ev going as far as to gums. h reflect how muc say a nice smile is • There are no brackets ur yo in ke pride you ta essential. In fact, to cause ulcerations or appearance. ” teeth top the list of abrasions. facial features most • Fewer visits to would like to improve. orthodontists are required So what makes a than with braces. nice smile? • Patients are able to view their own According to 71% of Australians in virtual treatment plan, enabling them to the study, it goes hand in hand with see how their teeth will look on completion straight teeth. It appears that straight of treatment. teeth in a smile actually have many positive So, is it suitable for me? characteristics. 54% believe straight teeth are Whether your smile needs minor linked to a person’s overall attractiveness and improvements or a major overhaul, Invisalign around half say straight teeth even reflect how can help. much pride you take in your appearance. So Research conducted by Galaxy on behalf of it’s not surprising that there is almost universal Invisalign Australia. agreement (91%) that when your teeth look To find out if Invisalign is right for good, you feel more confident. you, please contact Port Macquarie Over one million patients have been Orthodontics. treated with Invisalign worldwide. It is 7 Macquarie St, Taree NSW 2430 a virtually undetectable, easy-to-use, T: (02) 6551 2601 removable, comfortable and hygienic system www.tareeorthodontics.com.au
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focus_health.
with Renae Taylor - Clinical Psychologist
Focus on Health with Simon Holliday
MIND MATTERS
Self-esteem
Kidney - The Forgotten Organ Renae Taylor Clinical Psychologist
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re our kids more emotionally sensitive and less resilient than they used to be? Has the recent emphasis on self-esteem in education and parenting contributed to this? I think so. The self-esteem movement claimed high self-esteem was the most valuable "gift" we can give children and was absorbed into the way we think, the education system and parenting. Rather than creating happy, confident kids, psychiatrist Dr David Sack claims the self-esteem movement has contributed to “a generation of self-obsessed, irresponsible and unmotivated kids”. Other experts agree the "gift" of unearned self-esteem results in kids who are unable to deal with adversity, that crumble at the first sign of difficulty and who possess an overwhelming sense of entitlement and without the work ethic to achieve what they think they deserve. Today, the trend in education and sport is to hand out ribbons to every child in a race; discourage competition, ensure no report card contains words that might offend, upset, or indicate (God forbid) how ordinary or bad a child’s performance at school really is. Those at the top are given the same kind of accolades as those at the bottom. Does this stop our children from striving to improve? Well, yes! After all, what’s the point when everyone is “special”, “gifted” and “smart”? Children have been told how good they are, how special they are and how everything they do is fantastic! We have focused on showering praise and positive comments upon our kids to shore up this thing called self-esteem, even when they don’t deserve them. It is only recently we’ve noted the parallel rise in mental health
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difficulty in our young people. This self-esteem movement has coincided with technological advances and social media that further encourage self-absorption, self-marketing and individuals behaving like celebrities. So this self-esteem movement isn't working, what should we be doing? Psychologists now recognise high self-esteem isn’t the problem as much as false self-esteem. Steve Baskin, writing in Psychology Today, would agree. “Self-esteem is not something gifted; it is earned through independence, taking risks and developing skills. When children stretch themselves, they expand their sense of their own capability and then feel confident to tackle the next challenge. Confidence comes from competence”. In other words, self-esteem does not cause high grades, high grades (earned through intellect, study, dedication, passion and a combination of all these) cause high self-esteem. In shielding our kids from the difficulties of life and making them feel so important and special, we’re doing them a huge disservice. We insulate them from experiences that encourage growth, mental toughness and build healthy self-esteem. Worse, we reinforce the notion they’re not capable of coping on their own. If we want to prepare our kids for adult life – they need to learn that life is tough and unfair at times. They need to learn they are just not that important, how to fail and how to be humble. They need to learn they can achieve things through hard work and that they can cope if things don't go their way. They need to recognise that praise needs to be earnt and is linked to specific desired behaviours. This will build resilience.
The five major internal organ systems in the body are the nervous system, the heart, the lungs, the bowel and the kidneys. Most of us know what the first four do and know what can go wrong with them: diseases such as stroke, heart attack, emphysema and bowel cancer. Many of us, though, don't know much about what kidneys are used for, apart from when we are cooking lamb's fry! Kidneys are shaped like two large croissants sitting in front of our lower back. They weigh around 150 grams each and act as our liquid waste disposal system. About a fifth of our blood flow goes through them, about a litre per minute. This would make a croissant very soggy, but not our kidneys. The blood filters pass by a million tiny membranes with holes in them. Vast volumes of fluid pour through these into microscopic tubes. This fluid, about 180 litres per day, eventually becomes urine. Not all of it or we would quickly become dried out chips. Kidneys reabsorb most of this fluid back into the blood stream, exchanging this for specific toxins, so that we only pass a couple of litres of urine per day. This complicated system provides enough checks and balances to maintain the fluid levels in our body at a steady level, as well as our acidity levels and blood pressure. Kidneys also secrete hormones important in bone and blood formation. So, what can go wrong with our kidneys? They can be weak from birth or they can be damaged by infection, shock or dehydration when we are younger. When we are older they may be damaged by medications such as anti-arthritis medications, kidney stones or tumours. They decline steadily in all of us and we may be totally unaware of it. People can live a pretty normal life with only a fifth of their kidney function left. Rarely do kidneys fail totally, but if they do people require
dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. Dialysis means someone is hooked up to a blood filtering machine which acts like an external kidney. They may have to do this for half a day three days a week. As the Australian population gets older, GPs are seeing more people with chronic kidney disease. To some degree about one in ten patients have it, though most are unaware of it. A GP usually picks it up by routine blood tests or checks of urine looking for protein. Most people do not have any symptoms and can slowly lose the majority of function before they have them. Only then do people report itching, feeling tired, or passing a different amount of urine. Kidney disease in the silent stages, before symptoms, accelerates other diseases including: sugar diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Progressive kidney disease rarely ends with dialysis, usually with complications from these other illnesses. It is important people get good kidney care by managing chemical or blood changes from kidney damage and avoiding dangerous medications. You can protect your kidneys by staying slim, drinking more water instead of sugary soft drinks, not smoking, not drinking too much and by exercising (without getting dehydrated). You may be able to help someone else too by indicating on your driving license that if you were to die with healthy kidneys, you are prepared to donate them. Our practice is proud to recruit a new GP, Dr Michael (Peng) Wang. He is very experienced in diseases that relate to the kidney and attained a Masters degree in Renal Medicine. Before coming to the Manning area he won a prestigious international research scholarship granted by the Australian Kidney Foundation. We hope you make him welcome and can gain from his skills.
focusinterview. erview.
Michael Wang Albert Street Medical Centre Dr Michael Wang is a new doctor at the Albert Street and Harrington Medical Centres, and says he’s very much enjoying his varied and rewarding role in this business. Dr Wang’s medical
interests include Nephrology (the study of kidney function), but in his time off you may just see him throwing a line in at one of our beaches! Dr Wang joins an already talented team of doctors at the medical centre, and welcomes new patients … r Wang, why did you decide to become a doctor? I became a doctor because my grandfather died when I was a child, and that was very hard for me. I made a decision with my father to study medicine – in my family there had never been a doctor. Where did you complete your university study and medical training … and what brought you to Australia? I completed medical school in China, Shandong Province – I graduated in 1992. After that I did nephrology training in a hospital for nine years. I first came to Australia in 2007 for a PhD study for three years at Sydney University. Unfortunately I couldn’t complete this study, as I developed a severe allergy to the lab rats and couldn't collect enough data. After this, I did three years clinical work in hospitals – one year in Ballarat, Victoria and the next two years in Blacktown, Sydney. Then after 22 years of research and clinical work, I decided to do get a job in general practice – which is why I’m now here in Taree. Albert Street Medical Centre was recommended to me on the basis of its reputation for its research and training – it’s been training rural GPs for a long time. How long have you been working at Albert Street Medical Centre – and how much have you enjoyed your time there so far? Nearly two months. It’s been really good – I’ve been working in both clinics, two days a week in the Harrington Medical Centre and three days a week in Taree. I’ve been finding this enjoyable work – I’m starting to pick up patients and I’m getting to know the local community. The local people
are very nice, and my colleagues have been very supportive. I’ve met some other local GPs and they’ve been very welcoming too – it’s a very good place here for entering general practice. I feel very lucky to be here. What areas of medicine are you particularly interested in? Well, I have always loved general medicine and of course Nephrology, as I’ve done lots of training in this field. Apart from this, I’ve been finding this enjoyable I like preventative g to medicine and emerwork – I’m startin d I’m an s pick up patient me a sense of acgency medicine. the local getting to know complishment. Preventative l e loca community. Th ce, and What are some medicine is very imni people are very en be of the major ve portant, because it ha my colleagues ” e. changes you’ve tiv reduces my patients’ very suppor seen in the medirisk for disease. As for cal industry during emergency medicine, I the course of your have done a few extra shifts career? in the Manning Base Causality There are two things. First of to keep up my resuscitation skills. all, in terms of the doctor-patient No one will argue that being a doctor relationship, I think there’s been a big isn’t a difficult career at times, with change. When I was young, doctors tended many challenges. What keeps you to be more dominant than the patients – they inspired to practise medicine? basically told the patient what to do. NowaI fully agree – being a doctor is quite a chaldays, I think medical services are more likely lenging career. You have to learn so much to become patient-centred; patients are given … whether you’re doing specialists' training options and they’re generally the decision or GP training, there are so many things you makers. have to be aware of; your knowledge needs The second big change is with technology to be updated day by day. You also find you – especially the internet. Nowadays it’s learn a lot from your patients, as they deal much easier for doctors to update their with their own challenges. knowledge and skills; you can always find But, the main reason I practise medicine is relevant references and medical papers on the because it’s a really rewarding role – whether internet. Patients are also able to gain some you’re working in a big hospital or a family medical knowledge from websites, so people general practice, because it’s your role to help are more aware and well-informed about people with all their troubles. I find being medical conditions. In consultations these able to help people is very satisfing, giving
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days, we often have discussions about what information is relevant to patients’ particular conditions. What do you enjoy doing in your time off – what are some of your hobbies and interests? I like to go travelling with my friends or family on the weekends. For sport, I like swimming and I play basketball – not so much now though, because I’ve been quite busy for the past few years. I’ve started to become interested in fishing, because my son loves it, so I often drive him to the beach. It’s a great hobby – and Taree’s a good place for a hobby like this! I see a lot of the other fishermen in the clinic too. Are your books still open for new patients and if so, what’s the best way to contact you? Sure, appointments can be made at either of the clinics: Albert Street Medical Centre: 6552 5533 Harrington Medical Centre: 6556 1855. I am Bulk Billing Concession Card holders, Veterans Affairs patients and those aged under 16. Thanks Dr Wang.
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Phone: 02 6539 3600 Email: mayoprivate@healthecare.com.au Web: www.mayoprivate.com.au
serving the local community since 1922
Mayo Private Hospital 30 manning-great lakes focus.
FORSTER DENTAL Quite often, it is the little things in life that really count. With 25 years in the oral health industry as a dentist and experience in oral and maxillo-facial surgery, Dr Richard Oxenbould believes he hasn’t seen it all, but he has seen plenty to help him realise that the little things really are important. Many systemic diseases and/or serious health issues, have oral manifestations, so that they may be identifiable during a thorough dental, oral and extra oral examination, as performed by your dentist, commonly called a check-up. It may be just a little thing, like an odour, a change in colour or a change in size, noted during examination, which would lead to early referral to your GP or a specialist. Early diagnosis always leads to a better long-term outcome.
Common health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, anaemia and some cancers are among many that have prompted an early referral. When it comes to your smile, once again it can be the little things that count. The eye perceives beauty with symmetry. Every beautiful smile is symmetrical. Just one tiny imperfection, rotation, dark triangle, chip or discolouration of the front teeth can convert a beautiful smile into an unsatisfactory one. However, correcting these little details can do the opposite and convert unsatisfactory smiles into beautiful ones. How can you attend to some of the little things that may count in your life? See your dentist, or you may choose to call the award winning Forster Dental Centre on 6555 5554.
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Women’s HEALTH + WELLNESS
ENDOTA SPA GREAT LAKES YMCA Hey, guess what! Fitness is not just for fit people! Yes, we know: the fit people seem to be the ones talking about it with pride in their eyes. It would turn any couch potato away from fitness. But then, there is this thing called health. And it doesn’t improve as you keep “potato-ing” on your couch. Let’s be honest: it doesn’t make you feel any better about yourself long term either. Are we right? This is why YMCA Great Lakes has re-invented itself again! Two odd years after their amazing $2 million renovations, the improvements continue! Five new treadmills and a new lounge area are only the beginning. With the installation of the world famous X-lab,
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YMCA Great Lakes is launching small group personal training sessions for all fitness levels, including yours! These sessions will get your heart pumping, tone your muscles and burn calories fast! We don’t know which part is the best about it: the fact that the sessions are included in your membership, or the fact that your workout is done in only 30 minutes. Well, either way: come along to the Big Launch Day on June 10th, and try your own session out for free. But hurry, you must book, so please call YMCA today on 6591 7199! Should you get hooked, YMCA Great Lakes is making it easy, with a 15 hour sale that day offering memberships for just $30 for 30 days (conditions apply).
Spa-sublime treatments to sigh for … endota spa Forster’s team of professional therapists exist to make people feel better. From skincare advice and complimentary skin analysis, to helping people zone out and relax with heavenly body treatments, all contained within laidback friendly surrounds. endota spas everywhere touch more Australian skin than any other business, so they understand the diverse range of skincare needs that cover this great land. The endota skincare portfolio includes Organic, Glycolic and Ceuticals, specifically formulated to address ageing skin, available in-spa to try with the assistance of qualified therapists. The latest skin enhancing tool to come from endota spa Forster is Hydromicrodermabrasion. The diamond tip exfoliator gently suctions the skin, removing spent skin cells, at the same time, infusing a super
hydrating serum. There is no discomfort during the treatment, and results are instantly noticeable. endota spa Forster are the only spa in the area to offer this skin-reinventing facial. Senior beauty therapists Kat, Tracey and Carmen consistently deliver sublime manicures, pedicures, waxing, tinting, tanning and facials. Dermalogica trained, they tailor treatments for any skin concern, including acne, hypersensitivity, and anti-ageing. endota spa Forster are renowned for ahhmazing relaxation massages. For Remedial and deep tissue massage, Julia uses her eight years’ experience to dish out back-soothing brilliance. Spa alone, or grab a group and make a day of it. Gift packs and gift vouchers, come gift wrapped and ready to give. Slide in for treatments to sigh for… Monday to Saturday. 10am to 5pm.
focusTourism. Donna Hudson - Manning Valley Tourism ism was fortunate enough to attend the show, and it was fantastic to see our area so well represented. We had participants covering cattle, chickens, horses, produce, craft and school representation. Let us know if you had an entry and how you went. The Royal Easter Show is an opportunity to showcase the very best of the country in the city, and here in the Manning Valley we deliver the very best of the country on the coast everyday. Those visiting our region have the opportunity to experience the best of the country with farms and animals, fresh local produce, wide open spaces, welcoming communities, award winning accommodation and restaurants, and, pristine natural attractions, all so close to the coast. While driving home I was thinking about all of the great things at the show and the fact we have these plus more right here on our doorstep. Our shows and events, our strong agricultural industry, our businesses and our welcoming regional community. This is our strength. It is in the people who live and work in our region, and from a tourism perspective, we have strength in the diverse range of business offerings and partnerships we form. We recently presented the Manning Valley Tourism Partnership Program for 20142015. This has been a busy and exciting time, allowing us the opportunity to present an overview of where we have come from and where we are heading. But the most important thing is that this Partnership
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Donna Hudson
Tourism Congratulations to all of the participants and "place getters" from the Manning and Great Lakes at the recent Royal Easter Show.
strengthens tourism by bringing all of the diverse businesses in our region together to work collaboratively. The Partnership Program provides a number of cooperative opportunities for businesses to work with us to profile their business and our region, as well as be involved in programs we have planned. By partnering with Manning Valley ... naturally businesses enjoy great benefits and peace of mind that comes with contributing to the Manning Valley’s growing tourism industry. Over the next 12 months, you will be seeing some new images, some fresh commercials, increased social media presence and new itineraries, where we are reinforcing and expanding on the strengths of our region. There are also a couple of things to keep an eye out for. We now have a Manning Valley car out and about, if you see us give us a wave or take a photo and send to us. Also we will be launching some video competitions through social media channels soon. We are excited and passionate about tourism and enjoy working together with other like-minded people to achieve some great things for the Manning Valley. Being a part of Manning Valley Tourism or becoming a Partner is easy. Let us know if you would like to be part of this program, or check out our prospectus on the Greater Taree City Council website. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at facebook/manningvalley.info Donna and the Tourism Team.
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The RADICAL ABDOMINOPLASTY OPERATION ‘Tummy TUCK’
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he gradual increase in girth in pregnancy and in weight gain causes tissue-expansion and stretching.
When the above situation is reversed, i.e. after delivery of a baby or weight loss, there are different types of reversal in the various tissues affected. Muscles do best and can almost recover completely. The two large columns of muscles in the anterior abdominal wall, the right and left Rectus Abdominus muscles, which give great strength to the anterior abdominal wall as well as the back, are such examples. The fascia covering these muscles, a strong sleeve around the muscles and fused (attached) in the midline, stretch up to a point before further stretch causes irreversible damage.
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When the muscle recovers, the fascia does not, and this results in a weak and stretched midline. Instead of a fused midline keeping the muscles together, the central stretched ellipse of fascia causes the muscles to be separated, weakening the anterior abdominal wall as well as the back. This ‘divarication or diastasis’ of the muscles is equivalent to a midline hernia and causes significant weakening of the anterior abdominal wall, and protrusion of the abdominal contents, especially in the standing position. The correction The radical abdominoplasty procedure described by Dr. Ivor Pitanguy, the doyen of Brazilian plasticsurgery, is an excellent operation which fixes this problem very well. The surgery results in the re-
establishment of the central fascial fusion, with the muscles back together in the midline and with recovery of strength and contour. A bonus of this operation is the removal of a good amount of skin and fat from the anterior abdominal wall. The surgery is major, needing general anaesthesia and hospitalisation as well as time for recovery, but the excellent resolution of the problem makes it all worthwhile. Recurrent abdominal wall hernias. An extension of this technique is the use in the correction of recurrent abdominal wall hernias, resulting from multiple previous operations and attempted hernia repairs. A very significant advantage of this type of repair is the avoidance of the use of synthetic mesh grafts with its many attendant problems.
Women’s HEALTH + WELLNESS
12 week business bootcamp round 2 Are you ready to strengthen your marketing muscles ...create the mindset of success and make your business stand out in 2014? Strong businesses have strong people leading them.
ALOHA REMEDIAL MASSAGE
I’m going to push you out of your comfort zone and make this year your best year in business yet. Over 12 weeks I will show you the foundations of success for you, in your business.
Jennifer Richardson of Aloha Remedial Massage Old Bar has more than eight years' experience in the industry and is excited to watch her business grow in the Manning Valley.
This will be the FINAL 12 week business bootcamp run this year – don’t miss out!
Jennifer is originally from Canada and studied Remedial Massage and Nutrition for three years in Sydney.
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You’re in business or management, or ready to go into business.
After graduating in 2004, she decided to do some travelling, putting her skills to work in clinics and spas all over the world.
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You are ready to create a great foundation mentally as a successful business owner.
She is now settled in Old bar with her family and looks forward to sharing her skills with the local area.
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You are willing to try something new, put in the effort and have some fun along the way.
Offering Remedial, relaxation, hot stone and pregnancy massage, visit Jennifer at her new premises, 1 David St, Old Bar. She can offer great advice on therapies that would suit you, or use Jennifer's extensive knowledge to find out about massage and its many health benefits.
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You’re already in business, but frustrated that the old ways aren’t working any more.
Jennifer has a vision of eventually creating a wellness community in Old Bar with the integration of Nutrition practitioners,Yoga instructors and other Natural Therapy professionals into her business. With the introduction of Bree, a therapeutic, hot stone and relaxation therapist, this vision has started coming to life. Bree has 8 years' industry experience, specialising in Indigenous healing philosophies with her Li' Tya Hot Stone Massage.
This is for you if:
This NOT for you if: •
You want a quick fix.
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You aren’t willing to accept the responsibility that success, or lack of success, is completely dependent on you.
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You are not willing to explore some new ways of thinking.
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If you are prepared to accept ‘busy’ as an excuse.
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So ... are you ready to step up? Take the challenge?
LAST chance for 2014! So register now.
Mid Coast Connect Moving Along Mid Coast Connect’s Apprenticeship and Traineeship Services are working with TAFE to assist young people interested in entering the automotive industry. The free five day Trade Readiness program will allow Year 10 students to learn about the trade as well as providing them with the opportunity to assess their suitability to undertake an apprenticeship. Students are provided expert instruction from qualified TAFE teachers, along with extensive practical experience and tasks that closely simulate typical workplace activities. This intensive "hands-on" approach clearly shows participants what is required to succeed as an apprentice. This program is designed for students who are serious about seeking a trade. Students will be given a comprehensive report that details their suitability for the industry, as well as being an asset to their resume when seeking employment. Mid Coast Connect has been working with local employers who will be involved in exit interviews on the final day, as well as providing students with advice about further career development opportunities. The Trade Readiness program in automotive at Taree TAFE Campus runs from Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20. Further information is available from Matthew Lyons at Mid Coast Connect on 0447 766 899.
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FORSTER health solutions
Reception – Margie, Tracy, Lee and Mel For those of the Forster and Great Lakes Community that may not be familiar with Forster Health Solutions, or have driven by and seen the flags and not known exactly what operates from the centre, you would be very surprised on just how many services they have on offer. Chrissy Jones found out just what is on offer from the health practitioners ...
P Paul & Lee King
36 manning-great lakes focus.
aul and Leeanne King, the proprietors, are proud of the health facility they established in 2010 and love working in such a warm and friendly environment with such great like minded people. They encourage you to call in to find out more about the services they have on offer; you will be greeted by friendly and helpful reception staff to answer any questions you may have on any of the practices at Forster Health Solutions. Paul King Massage and Associates Forster Health Solutions is the home of Paul King Massage and Associates. The practice boasts a team of fully qualified Remedial Massage practitioners who are all fully accredited, allowing clients the convenience of HiCaps health claims.
Many people possibly associate massage with relaxation, but in fact, at Paul King Massage & Associates they specialise in chronic pain and dysfunction, from a headache, back/neck pain to wrist/elbow pain. For example: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! There are many causes of wrist pain that are not CTS. The tendons of the two flexor digitorum muscles may be inflamed, creating pain without pinching the nerve; also, the ligaments of the wrist may be injured causing pain. The forearm muscle might be tight and inflamed, referring pain down into the hand. Further up the line, the pectoralis minor muscle might be pinching nerves in the shoulder that go down into the hand and even higher up, the scalene muscle in the neck can also
FORSTER health solutions
talysha reeve - Sports Podiatrist
helena marshall - Naturopath
impinge on these same nerves, causing pain in the wrist and hand. Because the root cause is usually muscular, massage can help tremendously in just a few sessions; most pain can be significantly reduced. So many people go through life in pain and discomfort on a daily basis, but there is help around the corner! Our team between them have over 75 years' experience and are qualified in the following modalities: Craniosacral Therapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Myofascial Release, Bowen Therapy, Psychophysical Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Reflexology and Traditional Thai body work. Helena Marshall (B.Naturopathy) of Forster Natural health has been in clinical Naturopathic practice for 14 years, 8 of those in Forster. She is ATMS registered in the modalities of Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Homoeopathy and Remedial massage. Consultations are very thorough and involve looking at the balance between diet, exercise, environmental, mental, physical and emotional health. An individual treatment regime is then prescribed. This often involves dietary changes, herbal medicine, flower essences, iridology and nutritional supplements to address any deficiencies. Naturopathy can treat a wide variety of health
concerns like allergies and intolerances, excema, hayfever, gut disturbances, poor immune function, low energy, poor memory, arthritic conditions and hormonal imbalances. Naturopathy can offer benefit in complex long standing diseases like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue. Helena has a special interest in hormonal imbalances such as infertility, painful and irregular menstrual cycles, perimenopause and the practice has a strong emphasis in the co treatment of endometriosis and PCOS. Helena can also create safe and effective weight management and detox programmes. Great results can be achieved using detox programs or cleanses but these need to be personalized to ensure safety and to create new healthy habits. To make an appointment, please call Reception on 6554 6629 or 6555 4062. Helena is HICAPS registered and most health funds offer rebates for Naturopathy and Herbal medicine. Forster Tuncurry Sports Podiatry is owned and operated by Podiatrist Talysha Reeve. Combining university studies, clinical practice and continuing professional development, Talysha has over a decade of podiatric knowledge and experience. Forster Tuncurry Sports Podiatry is the only
Podiatry clinic in the region that focuses exclusively on assessing and treating biomechanical and musculoskeletal conditions of the foot, ankle, knee, hips and lower back. As the body functions as one whole unit, dysfunction in one area can cause symptoms to develop in another. Forster Tuncurry Sports Podiatry’s digital gait analysis equipment has proved an invaluable component in the assessment and treatment process. Digital gait analysis allows accurate assessment of body movement and function during patient’s initial assessments and throughout the treatment process. A vast number of conditions are treatable by Forster Tuncurry Sports Podiatry, including: common children’s conditions (toe walking, flat feet, in-toeing, sever’s disease and growing pains); sports injuries (ankle sprains and calf strains); chronic musculoskeletal pain (plantar fasciitis, shin splints, chronic knee pain and calf tightness); and bunions and arthritis in the elderly. Treatments offered at Forster Tuncurry Sports Podiatry include: orthotic therapy; laser therapy (photobiomodulation) and laser acupuncture; joint mobilisations; soft tissue therapies; sports taping, corrective and rehabilitative exercises; dry needling/trigger point therapy; injection therapy and specialist referrals.
manning-great lakes focus 37
FORSTER health solutions
... low energy, poor memory, arthritic conditions and hormonal imbalances. Naturopathy can offer benefit in complex long standing diseases like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue. Helena has a special interest in hormonal imbalances such as infertility, painful and irregular menstrual cycles, perimenopause, and the practice has a strong emphasis in the co treatment of endometriosis and PCOS. Helena can also create safe and effective weight management and detox programmes. Great results can be achieved using detox programs or cleanses, but these need to be personalised to ensure safety and to create new healthy habits. To make an appointment, please call Reception on 6554 6629 or 6555 4062. Helena is HICAPS registered, and most health funds offer rebates for Naturopathy and Herbal medicine. Pamela Ambler is a registered psychologist who moved to Forster from Maitland in January this year. With Bachelor degrees in Arts and in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education, Pamela recently completed her studies for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Newcastle. Pamela has been working with children for 26 years and in the health and disabilities sectors for seven years. Pamela works with children and adults, and with a wide range of issues, including depression, stress management, learning
difficulties and behaviour problems, with a particular interest in the treatment of anxiety. Treatment for many psychological issues can be partly or fully funded by Medicare, and Pamela recommends that prospective clients see their GP to discuss whether a referral under Medicare may be appropriate. Pamela has a special interest in Autism and is one of only a small number of psychologists in NSW outside the Sydney region who can diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders. She offers a wide range of psychological assessments, including IQ and achievement tests for all ages, functional assessments, and dementia assessments. Pamela is registered with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) for the provision of psychology services to veterans. She has had a close personal link with the Australian Defence Force for many years. Pamela is also a registered provider with DisabilityCare Australia for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and is looking forward to the rollout of the NDIS in the Mid North Coast region. Emma Vine – Life Matters Emma’s service complements the physical therapies by caring for the health of your mind, heart and soul, using a dynamic and futurefocused coaching modality. Do you suffer from disorganisation, procrastination, or unhelpful habits? Would you like to relate better to your partner or children, overcome the fears and
Paul King Massage & Associates TEAM obstacles that are holding you back from doing want you really want to do, or simply get your life “back on track”? Working in collaboration with Emma as your coach over a series of 6 to 12 sessions can help you clarify your goals or vision, magnify what is working, and simplify the next steps forward. Coaching stems from the positive psychology movement, which highlights people’s strengths rather than focusing on “illness”. Far from a “quick fix”, Emma’s transformational approach to coaching supports deep, sustainable and long-lasting change. She uses her attuned awareness and insight to inspire clients to create a fulfilling and meaningful life they truly love. Emma has been coaching at FHS since it opened in 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Psychology and a Diploma of Transformational Life Coaching. She is currently completing a Master of Psychology (Clinical). Emma’s goal and vision is to expand her business and offer a wider range of counselling and psychological services in 2015 at the completion of her training. To book an appointment, phone 0416 278 040, email ejvine12@gmail.com or book through the Natural Therapies Pages. Find us on our “Emma Vine - your life matters” Facebook page.
pamela ambler - Registered Psychologist
emma vine
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JUNE 2014
WITH TERRI
AQUARIUS.
GEMINI.
LIBRA.
January 21 - February 19
May 22 - June 22
September 24 - October 23
Exciting changes are fast approaching, so connecting with your “Gypsy” energy will ensure no opportunity is missed. New friends are approaching with shared interests to enjoy. Travel opportunities are also coming into the picture. Carrying Citrine with you will help release any fear.
Now is a really good time to debate your own rules and regulations for life. Your judgement prohibits you from enjoying life to its fullest, so be kinder to yourself. Plan a holiday for yourself and get out of your current circumstance to try a little new goal setting. Citrine will shatter negative thoughts and attract an abundance of positive ones.
Your emotions have been a little over sensitive lately as you have begun a cycle of self-discovery, where you will be letting go of a lot of past hurt. Try to recognise all of your insecurities, so you can release them and their influence from your sphere of existence. Phenacite is a wonderful stone for initiation. Bringing a new level of awareness.
PISCES.
CANCER.
SCORPIO.
February 20 - March 20
June 23 - July 23 Ju
Even though you may not feel like much is happening in your reality just now, there is an abundance of good fortune and luck just waiting for your recognition. Put that brilliant head-strength to work and set some fresh goals. Lemon Quartz is wonderful for attracting happiness.
Life may seem a little suspended at the moment, because you need to let go of something from the immediate past that has been exhausting you and causing sadness. Don’t be afraid to try something different. Your awareness is being called to recognise your creativity, because it’s through this talent you will be drawing success near. Turquoise is great for self-validation.
October 24 - November 22
Your inner strength has been challenged lately. Now is the perfect time to set some new goals for a positive future. You will enjoy some newfound talents and friends. By walking fearlessly into your future, you will discover even more personal strength. Azeztulite helps us to connect with alternate realities. Carry it on your being.
Blue Tiger Education Centres Owner, Victoria Habraken B.Ed, Dip. Teach DOES YOUR CHILD NEED TUTORING HELP? Blue Tiger Education Centres is here to help. We provide quality tutoring for PRIMARY and SECONDARY students in: • Reading • Writing • Spelling • Comprehension • English • Maths The centre is owned and operated by local Victoria Habraken, who has lived in the Forster Tuncurry area for over 40 years. Victoria is a qualified teacher and has had experience teaching both as a full-time teacher and more recently as a tutor teaching primary and secondary students. Victoria believes “All students have the ability to achieve success in learning, and sometimes that little bit of extra help to boost a child’s confidence is all they need.” At Blue Tiger Education Centres we provide a positive learning environment, so that your child can experience success. Whether your child is gifted, struggling or in between, our programs are designed to build confidence and help them become more effective learners in the classroom. Call Victoria for a FREE assessment.
ARIES.
LEO.
March 21 - April 20
July 24 - August 23
Teaching concepts is one of your many talents, but try and avoid bombarding people with your new-found information. Your enthusiasm is contagious enough and others will formulate their own opinions; practice presenting the concepts, and give them time to assimilate into it. You don’t need everyone to share your views, but it gives you security. Avoid this trap by sitting strong in your own truth. Sodalite connects us to the sweetness in our spirit. Enjoy.
Time to consider a move. Your restless energy has been trying to communicate something of vital importance to you for some time now. However, you have been ignoring it. Journeying may take up some of the slack, but perhaps you would benefit by taking the bigger picture into account and think about where you would like to be in five years. Moldavite assists transformation.
TAURUS.
VIRGO.
April 21 - May 21
August 24 - September 23 A
Your feelings of distance from your situation will not last much longer, as your tolerance is returning to you. Be patient and kind to yourself, as you are so often there for everyone else and rarely for yourself. In order to survive, you needed your space to recover from the demands placed on you. Ruby protects us from our own worst enemy (ourselves). Stops fear based thoughts and insecurities playing with us.
Relationships and love are to be a major influence this month. Avoid having any expectation of your partner or the relationship itself, as this will allow any discomfort to dissipate and sustain a feeling of bliss. Let your fears where love is concerned be a thing of the past. Rose quartz is a wonderful crystal to carry for new love.
SAGITTARIUS. November 23 - December 21
More adventure is on the Horizon this year. A trip overseas is likely to occur soon, bringing further passion into your life. Avoid being anxious about money, because you will manifest the perfect amount needed, as you usually do anyway. Citrine carried in the wallet is said to attract an abundance of wealth.
CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20
New beginnings surround you at the moment. Dreaming of birth often represents new beginnings too, so don’t be worried if you have dreamt these themes. This year is likely to host a myriad of activities for your social calendar. New acquaintances are entering the picture, so enjoy their company. Mangano Calcite is wonderful for removing potential negative thought patterns and eliminating self- sabotage. manning-great lakes focus 39
M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
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M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
Alex Cosway
Darrin Cornall
What's your position at Great Lakes Seafood?
Position: Managing Director.
Owner Manager.
What is your industry specialty? Business Communications: Business Phone Systems, Telstra Business Products, Phone/Data/ Fibre Cabling, NBN Integration.
What inspired you to get into this industry? I have always enjoyed cooking for others. When I was given the opportunity to learn more, I grabbed it with both hands.
John Cheers
great lakes seafood
How did the business start? The business started around eight years ago. The previous owner's husband passed away suddenly two years ago; I took over the business to help out in their situation. What's the secret to your business success? Because we catch our own fish and we sell our own fish, we go out and catch the fish at night/early morning, and whatever we catch is what we have on offer that day. Our customers get to try all local species of fish and work out what they like. What's important to you as a man in business? I am an uneducated person and have always been told you just have to work to make your way in life; I have done so since I was around 11 or 12 years old. I'm still going to make ends meet ... slowly we're climbing ladders and falling off ladders - at the moment we appear to be climbing ladders! I've branched out into "we catch 'em, we cook 'em" fresh fish and chips, which is starting to take hold steadily. What's your business vision for 2014? Our vision within this next month is to open our small restaurant attached to our fish 'n' chip shop, employ a few other fishermen and become a little bit more extensive in the market with fresh fish, seafood sales and restaurant meals.
Redsand Communications
What inspired you to get into this industry? Having spent over seven years in the IT industry both in Australia and the UK, I saw a huge opportunity to assist regional businesses use the latest NBN, IP, and Cloud-based technologies to make them successful. What's important to you as a man in business? Supporting local businesses and business owners is key to our success. Being active in local Business Network groups has enabled us to identify new opportunities, whilst constantly improving our product offering and staying at the forefront of communications technology. What is unique about your business? We are the only "one stop" business communications provider in the Manning and Great Lakes. As the only locally owned Telstra Business systems Dealer on the Mid-North Coast as well as exclusive dealers for Samsung Communications, no one else provides the complete package of phone systems, Telstra bundles, lines, Broadband ADSL, data cabling, VoIP, mobiles, and NBN Integration. What is your business vision for 2014? With the release of the NBN in the Manning this year, our 2014 vision is to help businesses increase their profits and increase their efficiency using the NBN and the latest communication products. Give us a call today to find out why Redsand is the trusted brand for business communications.
beach bums café
What sort of training have you had? I started my apprenticeship as a pastry chef the day I finished school. After completing that, I had many years of travel, which led me to meeting my wife and moving to Europe for six years. I worked for a pub company managing large capacity venues (700 - 3,000 capacity). I was fortunate that they had a very extensive training program, which has given me a good understanding of the hospitality industry. Is there a secret to running a successful venue? Don’t try and be something you’re not. Offering people quality and value for money is the key, and then looking after your guests by being as helpful as possible doesn’t do any harm either. What’s unique about your business? We are as close to the beach as you can get. We have dolphins swimming out the front every day, and we have the whales doing their yearly migration already. It’s just the best spot to stop, relax and watch the world go by! What’s your business vision for 2014? I want to expand on the Beach Bums merchandise range currently available. I would like to continue incorporating more of the produce from our family farm at Bunyah into the menu, because you can't beat homegrown!
manning-great lakes focus 41
M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
B Becker Family Funerals is a well k known and highly respected business, b but what many may not know is some o of the wonderful and colourful history b behind the Becker family. Chris B Becker tells us he’s proud to be part o of a fifth-generation family living in th the Manning-Great Lakes …
Becker Family Funerals
H
i Chris. How did your ancestors first make their way to the Manning Valley? We are the descendants of the late Thomas Mayers, who was born in England around 1811. Thomas was an apprentice to his father, who was a Copperplate Printer and Engraver. At the age of 19 Thomas stole clothes and was ordered to serve his seven and a half year sentence as a convict in Australia. He arrived in Sydney and was sent to Raymond Terrace to begin his time. After his debt to society was paid, Thomas went to Bungwahl, where he was granted title of two portions of land, which he began to work. He met and married an Aboriginal woman, Mary Ann Perry, a descendant of the Worimi Clan; together they had five children. Thomas Mayers was our great great grandfather. He resided at Bunghwal for the last 50 years of his life, where he also served his Great Lakes community as a Bone Setter and Natural Healer. He died on the 2nd July 1896 and is buried at Paddy’s Creek, Mayers Flat, near Bungwahl. Why is this family history so important to you? I think the reason we love this true story is that it gives our family a sense of belonging. Because of our great great grandfather, we are now five generations old in the Manning Valley and Great Lakes districts. Share some of the family’s more recent history with us … In the year 2000, my brother, Stephen, and I with our wives, Bronwyn and Debbie began operating our first funeral home in York Street, Taree. The original cottage belonged to Aussie Brown, a local identity and taxi driver. The York Street cottage was extensively refurbished and modified to meet Council and Health Regulations before we were issued with approval for operation. We began with the motto “serve the family like they are our own”. Becker Family Funerals soon began to grow, as people appreciated how they were genuinely and honestly cared for. Around 2008 we all acknowledged that we were beginning to outgrow the York Street funeral home. This began our new chapter in the life of Becker Family
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Funerals. This little soul serves as a constant reminder to us of why Not too seriously at first, we began to keep an eye out we need to give all we can to families who come to us. for the perfect premises. Then in May 2012, we were the What has changed is the new environment which proud owners of a very run down premises known to we have now provided. Our new funeral home is so most as the old Victoria Rose building. much bigger, which ensures families the privacy they so Our initial excitement of this new acquisition soon much deserve. We now have three separate interview matured into much planning, hard work and sometimes rooms, furnished just as you would at home. We feel it is anxiety. Running one funeral home while building a new important to keep a welcoming homely feel. one was no small feat. We had to make We have four times the office space, which lets us sure we continued our own high function in a much more organised manner. level of service and at the same We now have a separate entrance to time, focus time and energy our viewing reception and viewing on the new building. room; this allows families to have unate We feel very fort c When were the new complete privacy during a special ifi to live in this terr premises in Victoria and sensitive time. We now have and to Manning Valley Street officially a staff lunch room, where we is e which provide a servic ine desire opened? can sometimes have that much nu based on our ge e th r fo n Our family pulled needed break away from the ca e to do the best w to us. We e m together as it always general running routine of the co people who t ha w d he is pl m does in difficult times, funeral home. have acco ! We have and with the help of Our mortuary is also around we set out to do ul place, a created a peacef auty.” so many people, we four times bigger, which allows d be place of rest an officially opened the new us to care for our people much Becker Family Funerals in easier in our roomier environment. November 2013. Our garage and coffin workshop is also Dr Colin Rose was our much bigger and more modern. Spokesperson for that special day, The change we made from York Street to Father Keith Dean Jones blessed the new funeral Victoria Street has ensured better facilities and therefore home, John Kaus our Executive Secretary from the improved service to our families. Funeral Directors Association gave a wonderful speech We are also winners because our work procedures on the importance of well organised funeral homes, have changed for the better. Our new premises and and our Mayor, Paul Hogan, cut the ribbon and officially the subsequent changes in our workplace activities has opened our new funeral home. increased our level of service and eased some of the We had around 140 guests who were then taken on a stress we had previously encountered at the smaller guided tour of our new premises. The wonderful ladies funeral home. We already feel like this is our new home. from Camp Quality then provided us with a beautiful And to wrap up? afternoon tea. We feel very fortunate to live in this terrific Manning So, what’s changed (if anything) since the grand Valley and to provide a service which is based on our opening? genuine desire to do the best we can for the people who Well, our philosophy on funerals and families has not. come to us. We have accomplished what we set out to We are the same Becker Family who looked after our do! We have created a peaceful place, a place of rest very first funeral back in 2000. Little Lyrian May Smith and beauty. remains very special to our family, as she was perfect. Thanks Chris.
“
M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
It's such a unique facility. No matter how big it's become, it has retained the community feel. It's the people who do that. It's part of the community. What I love is that we are always changing ... always looking ahead. �
“
Dallas Tucker
GENERAL MANAGER & Director of Nursing
Meet Dallas Tucker, General Manager & Director of Nursing at Forster Private Hospital to cater for the community. Our vision is to continually strive to be the best. I want everyone on the Mid North Coast to know that they can get their treatment locally. The way we see it, is that people here deserve the best, so that's what we need to offer.
to the running of your hospital? Hospitals
patients like a person, not just a condition.
complement what's already on offer. We are
I want to make sure people know we are here and make sure they recognise that we are uniquely local and community based. It's time to get the message out that people don't need to travel for care and treatment. We can offer access to most services right here. Working closely with community groups, we have made sure that the services we offer are what the region needs. We are putting the call out for the region to come and try the services here at Forster.
also expanding the services that we have
What is important to you when it comes
truly caring.
What inspired you to get into this industry? I wanted to do something that was challenging and rewarding. I like being around people. I get to experience some of life's greatest, as well as some of life's saddest moments. Every day is different, and that's what I love.
We can offer the treatments and services that
My mum worked as a nursing assistant for a nursing home, so I was exposed to the profession early on. As corny as it sounds, I really wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help people and do something meaningful. Nursing gives me that.
who make a difference. Forster is a place where
What is unique about Forster Private Hospital? It's such a unique facility. No matter how big it's become, it has retained the community feel. It's the people who do that. It's part of the community. What I love is that we are always changing ... always looking ahead.
other facilities in the region. We are here for the
would traditionally be only accessed in the city, right here on the beach. What else could I ask for? I have everything I need right here. Having worked in hospitals, both large and small, the one thing I notice is it's the people you actually get nursed. The people are there for you. You're not just a number; you're a person. We can do everything that other places do; we just do it with a smile. We are uniquely community based, and that sets us apart from community. What is your vision for the hospital in 2014? There will be new services added to
are not very comfortable places. The experience is daunting enough, without having to deal with a place that treats you as a number. It's something that I have always wanted to change. I encourage everyone to treat our Customer service is just as important in a hospital as it is everywhere else. I want everyone who walks through our doors to be treated like family. My team and I want to make sure that everyone is given the best possible service and care whilst they are with us. We believe that every moment counts. We are here to improve the lives of our patients, staff and communities a day at a time. We are healthcare with a heart. Flexible, honest and
manning-great lakes focus 43
M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
How much do we really know about Traffic Control? Traffic Control Services are essential to ensuring the smooth flow of traffic and pedestrians around roadworks, work sites and events, but also play another important role…
Ross Cargill
MEN AT WORK
e often take for granted the long hours, extreme conditions and degree’s of stress that our traffic controllers can experience; while we sit in frustration in our cars fretting over delays in our travel plans. But really what goes on behind the scenes is a very complex process that is put in place for one reason. Our Safety. The simple task of twirling the yellow/ red Slow Stop sign is actually a skilled and regulated job role - it involves becoming accredited with the minimum requirements of ‘Induction for the Construction Industry (White Card) and ‘Traffic Controllers Blue Card (Stop/Slow)’. As a professional Traffic Control company; Men at Work employ a full service team of controllers, supervisors and line managers who
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are experienced and regularly assessed and retrained in all aspects of traffic control services. When working on roadworks, maintenance, construction sites or diverting traffic for events - a number of control measures are put in place to ensure the safety of not just those working, but passing vehicles and pedestrians. Although you may not see the immediate work taking place, hazards and risks do exist that they are protecting you from such as: • Potential Vehicle Collisions; or pedestrian/ vehicle accidents • Environmental Hazards - flooding, debris, poor visibility and overhead hazards • Noise or emissions from work. So, next time you are stuck in traffic - consider the safety aspect that is present - and that you are being protected for a reason…
not just a delay. About Men at Work. Men At Work provide an all encompassing service for long and short term traffic management. Our experienced team hold a current Traffic Controllers Orange Card allowing them to develop long term Traffic Management Plans along with Traffic Control Plans as required. Men At Work Traffic Services offer a flexible delivery of Traffic Control Plans (TCP’s). TCP’s are required by Local Government and Roads & Maritime Services for Construction Sites, Road Maintenance and also for community events that effect traffic flow. The Traffic Control Division has enjoyed steady growth since its inception in 2002 and based in Port Macquarie our company services
all parts of the Mid North Coast and beyond. Our local knowledge allows us to deliver all aspects of traffic control from planning through to completion of short and long term projects. Men at Work provide a 24 hour, 7 day a week service covering an area from Bulahdelah to Coffs Harbour and West to Gloucester, Tamworth, and Armidale. In conjunction with their traffic control services, Men at Work offer event management, Labour hire and Recruitment Services; as well as an extensive training division covering all aspects of Safety in the workplace and on worksites. If you would like to know more - call the team on 65814600
focusbusiness. with Sharon Fowle from Manning Valley Business Chamber
sharonfowle The Manning Gloucester Great Lakes Business Awards are now OPEN! The Awards will again celebrate our region’s business success, with a range of judged and popularly voted categories. e are pleased to have in many cases a one man show. There have Gloucester involved this been several winners and finalists over the year, making the Awards years who have come from small business, truly regional. We have so if this is you, you are absolutely in with a made some additional changes to include chance for an award. Business is tough at the new judges and a new format. This year the moment; if you are reaching milestones, then Awards is aligned with the NSW Business you are doing something well. You just need Chamber so not only could you win a local to get it down on paper. award, but you will have the opportunity to Applying for the Awards is a great way to win a Regional and State Award, should you analyse were you are at in your business. It win your category. helps identify the goals you have achieved The Awards are open to all businesses in and future objectives. There are plenty the Manning Valley, Gloucester and Great of opportunities for publicity and to Lakes Region. Applications need to be advertise your brand. So come and mix received no later than 13th June, with the best business leaders so don’t delay. Nominations, in our region ... don’t voting and judging will delay; get to work on Applying for the culminate in a Gala an application and Awards is a great u Dinner on Friday give your business ere yo way to analyse wsiness. 1st August 2014 at and employees an are at in your bu e the Taree Wingham opportunity to be It helps identify thhieved Race Club. proud. ac goals you have ives. We hosted a Check out ct je and future ob of ty en Business Awards the multitude of pl e There ar r fo es iti Breakfast in each un categories on our opport vertise ad to d an ity ic region. There was bl website. There’s one pu your brand. ” some interesting to suit every business. information that came If you’re not sure where from those events. Alan you fit in, give us a call and Steber from Stebercraft and we’ll help you choose. You’ll Linda Bryant from Photography by Linda also find tips and tricks to create a great are exceptional award winners. They both application on our website. You are welcome offered their insight in to how they apply to call us directly if you require assistance. for awards. Alan says he’s so busy that he Tickets to attend the Gala Award dictates the content to his secretary, reads Presentation are available. The event is set over it a couple of times and then submits. to be a fabulous night of entertainment Whereas Linda is meticulous and ensures she and celebration. Manning Valley Chamber has all corresponding information organised, Members $65; Non-Members $75. Tables seat reads her answers many times, makes 10. We have a specially priced offer for those changes as necessary over a few days and wanting to promote their business at the submits a thorough application. Steve Attkins, event by purchasing a table of 10; details on Economic Development Manager of MVBC, our website. recommended a combination of both. So if To book tickets, for further information you think you’re too busy and don’t have the or to discuss the sponsorship options time to apply, don’t overthink the application detailed in the prospectus online, please and get an entry in. contact Manning Valley Business Chamber. On 2RE’s “The Panel”, I was questioned You can also notify us of your interest about the awards being only for big business. in receiving our newsletters; phone This is definitely not the case. Our region is (02) 6555 2299. Alternatively, visit www. awash with small successful businesses, and manningvalleychamber.com.au.
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M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
Aaron Dodds
Lloyd Ninham
core to communications
What is your industry specialty? Core to Communications is the leading Telecommunications broker in the Mid North Coast. Core to Communications provides prospective clients with a full communications audit. What inspired you to get into this industry? Telecommunications is a tough yet rewarding industry; it's an industry that's required to make every business tick. I am inspired to meet new people in small to medium businesses, discovering how they run their business, find any potential problems or cost savings and build a solution tailored for their needs, focused around support and reliability. What’s important to you as a man in business? Men in business have so many strengths. I believe to be successful, it’s important to have the ability to adapt to all
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WT Howard funerals
work environments, have a clear goal and mirror women in business' strengths, such as listening, understanding and compassion. What is unique about your business? Core to Communications provide reliability, speed and accountability for all telecommunication needs for your business! Core to Communications also gives back to our community, sponsoring many local sporting and community events, such as Forster Tuncurry Bodyboard Club, Boogie Youth, Jeff Wilcox Memorial, and various Rugby Union Clubs. What is your business vision for 2014? Our vision is built around education of products available in our region, and how they can work best for your business. To provide NBN or Business Grade solutions to the region for the best price and localised support.
What is your role at WT Howard Funerals? My role is first and foremost a Funeral Director. I also manage our two office locations, Taree and Tuncurry/ Forster, along with managing our agent in Gloucester. What’s the single most rewarding thing about your job? There’s no one single thing that’s rewarding. The job provides a combination of rewards, but the most satisfying is to present a beautiful memory of a loved one to their family that will be remembered for a long time. What sets your business apart from the competition? My team has a genuine, personal desire to provide a service of quality and meaning to families through our compassion and empathy. Alongside this, our membership to the Australian Funeral
Directors Association is a reassurance to our local community of profession, and sincere care as we abide by their strict code of ethics and practice. WT Howard Funerals have been in business since 1922; what’s the secret to your success? We’re in a very unique position to claim that WT Howard Funerals has been operating for more than 90 years. To be around for that length of time is a testament to the passion of WT Howard Funerals staff past and present and a sign of their community spirit, compassion and empathy. But the secret to our success is the dedication of our staff, who strongly believe in their profession and want to deliver the best possible service to our community into the future.
M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
Graham Barclay Marine, located in Forster, is the largest boating and fishing centre on the NSW Mid North coast. A local business employing local people providing sales, service and most of all, advice on all aspects of boating and fishing. Mark Wilson tells us more about this great local institution.
Mark Wilson M a n a g e r , G r a h a m B a r c l a y M a r i n e Mark, how did you become a part of the business? I started with Graham in 1972/3 when he had first built the Boatland business in Tuncurry. When I left school in 1974, the job opportunities in the area were slim pickings, and I was offered a apprenticeship as an outboard mechanic with the business. I'm an outboard mechanic by trade, but my role mostly encompasses running the whole business. What are the most significant changes you have seen in the boating industry in your time? The technology for outboards and boat construction. We have seen the engines develop from basic two stroke to a low emission high tech two stroke, and also the improvements in 4 stroke technology has been unbelievable. Boat construction has also changed dramatically, with
new materials and designs used. Tell us about your team of professionals and their experience. In our sales department we have myself, Graham Stout, who originally owned his own Retravision store in town - his focus is on customer service, and he really excels at that. Craig Northam is also in sales, and he looks after our Hobie Kayak department. Our Tackle Department is a specialist area looked after by Max Frost, with many years of experience in all facets of fishing. Bob Webb looks after all our chandlery and water ski stock, with assistance from my very patient wife, Sharon. Our Service and Spare Parts Department has six employees and is one of the most important parts of the business - without a good service department, you really have no business. You have to be able to service what you sell.
How do you stay up to date with training on new products and service techniques? All staff, across all departments and including myself complete regular training and service schools through our suppliers to keep up to date with latest advancements and buyer trends. Training in key areas is vital to our success and employing apprentices to keep young people in the marine industry is very important to us. What keeps customers coming back to Graham Barclay Marine? I would say our staff and their knowledge, our product range and competitive pricing. We really do try to deliver a great customer experience. What are some of your keys to a successful business in a small regional area? Firstly, I would have to say Graham and Kay Barclay’s passion for boating and the Great Lakes area.
Graham gave me an opportunity years ago when we were operating in Kularoo Drive with only five staff; we had a vision to build a complete business in one location to cover everything boating, and we haven’t looked back. Mary New was really my right hand back then, and she is still an important part of the business today in administration. Lastly, good advertising. We do a lot of TV advertising, which has attracted buyers outside the local area - over the years our ads have been seen as far north as Tweed and south into the Central Coast. People from those areas would come here, buy a boat, have a holiday, experience the great lifestyle, and keep coming back. Our customers are our passion, and we believe we have formed lasting relationships with many of them.
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M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
John Byrnes & Tony Lumtin T J L B u s i n e s s A d v i s o r s
T
ell us a little about yourselves ... We both moved up from Sydney three years ago. Both with young families, it was the appeal of the lifestyle and community spirit in the Great Lakes Region that convinced us to move. Having now been here for three years and the kids well settled into school, sport and recreation, it's comforting to know the move was the right one for us. Tony has a degree in Commerce, majoring in Accounting and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He is also a Justice of the Peace. John has a Business degree and further specialist qualifications in Financial Planning and Margin Lending. He is also a qualified Mortgage Broker. What does TJL specialise in? TJL provides the holistic view of your business and personal life, including, Business Advisory, Taxation, Mortgage Reduction, Investments, Superannuation, and Retirement Strategies. If we were to say we specialise in one particular area, it would be Business Advisory, which encompasses business start up, maturity and finally to succession planning. This is where it’s so important that we have an internal Financial Planning arm within the business, so we can help through all the phases of your lives. Our Financial Planning service specialises in providing our clients with individualised services to suit their particular needs. For example, a small business owner may require specific advice regarding the tax benefits that can be gained through their personal superannuation contributions, or a client reaching retirement age may require advice about the best way to structure their business and personal financial affairs to ensure they benefit from all of the tax and superannuation advantages available to them. We have clients who may have benefited from an inheritance and want advice on the best way to invest for their long-term gain, but mostly we see average mums and dads who need ideas on how to pay off their mortgage and not retire broke. What sets your business apart from the competition? TJL is a multifaceted Accounting and Financial
Services firm, where we pride ourselves on the that you don’t take any more risk than you have dedication and professionalism of our staff. to in order to achieve your goals. We generally use If it’s the business cycle, we offer a full review investments in Managed Funds, usually the biggest, of your business, outlining objective that need to broadest most diversified investments available. We be addressed within your business. We offer an do not dabble in risky esoteric investments; we only independent position on the Board of your business utilise the skills of Fund Managers who have many or within the management team. We have many years of experience actually making money for their clients who take up this service and they find it investors. refreshing to have new ideas, especially for those Our main point of difference is that we look after family run businesses. you by showing you exactly what your financial One of our main points of differentiation is our position is at the end of every month, so you can application of Profit Optimiser software for our relax and have confidence that you are slowly but clients. This is a forward thinking scenario surely achieving your goals. We are your based program that allows us to always there to watch your back and work with our clients to analyse ensure that you have the best different scenarios for your advice, regardless what life may Our main point business. Profit Optimiser is throw at you along the way. of difference allows us to see what you r te af Most people’s lives don’t ok lo e w that impact variables have on actly run smoothly. Things happen showing you ex by the profitability of the cial that can seriously derail your what your finan end e business as a whole. This th at is n positio financial goals; for example, , so you is a very powerful tool of every month you or your partner could ve that allows you to analyse can relax and ha u lose your job or you could get yo at th ce and evaluate every financial confiden ly re su t sick or injured. We make sure bu ly ow are sl decision before you make it. go als.” ur yo g in that we are always there on the ev hi ac We start with the end in journey with you to make sure mind with our Financial Planning help and advice is at hand. services. We explore your individual What is the most significant goals and objectives and create a plan to achievement for your business this year? take you from where you are now to where you want This year we moved our Tuncurry office to Wharf to be, without compromising your lifestyle or taking Street in Forster. Significant growth and expansion too many risks. For example, if you are an average in our business meant that we were struggling for working couple with a couple of kids in school, you
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are paying off a mortgage and you want some of the things it seems everyone else has in their life like a reasonable holiday once a year and the ability to buy a new car once the current one runs out. These are our best clients. What we do is look at your current situation and find ways to manage and organise your spending so that there is a small surplus to work with. It may not happen straight away, but these are long-term plans. So we may consolidate some bills and rearrange some loans, or we may be able to identify areas where you can spend less and get more for your money. Once we have some surplus income to work with, we concentrate on using this money to pay off your debts. We put your investments to work and ensure
space in our Tuncurry office. The new, much larger, light and bright office space in Forster means that our Great Lakes clients have a much more accessible space to work with us and discuss their business in comfort. What is your business vision for 2014? We are still a relatively young business, and we have the capacity to expand. Our vision in 2014 is to settle into our new Forster premises and to continue to grow at the same rate as we have been for the last three years. Our goal is to be the “Go To” all round Accounting and Financial Planning service in Taree and the Great Lakes and to continue to help our clients reach their dreams and achieve their financial goals. manning-great lakes focus 49
M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
Mark and Carol Ryan
Justin Hughes
Taree eyewear
Taree Eyewear est. in 1983 and owned and operated by Mark and Carol Ryan for 30 years. Our philosophy is to provide quality eye care to the local area with thorough testing, high quality fashion eyewear at a more then competitive price. We carry a huge range of fashion frames, specialising in finding the perfect fit for your glasses so they not only look good, but feel great. There are many "old school" crafts abandoned by some optical stores today because they are viewed as too tedious and time consuming. We feel, however, that when your glasses are being worn for long periods, if we can make the initial fit better, then you're rewarded with long-term comfort.
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hunter special vehicles
New Transitions® Signature™ VII lenses are available now at Taree Eyewear, with the best ever combination of darkness, fast fade back to clear and indoor clarity in an everyday photochromic lens. An exclusive 8-dye formulation means they react better to indirect light and fade back faster.
IF YOU APPRECIATE A QUALITY VEHICLE! when buying your next car from Hunter We can look after your needs. Hunter Special Special Vehicles. We source our vehicles from Vehicles is a family owned and Government and Council Departments operated dealership with from inland NSW. over 20 years' experience Our cars are low km, regularly supporting your local serviced and generally one We can look community. owner/driver units, meaning
We're also pleased to announce we are now exclusive stockists for 7Eye Sunglasses - specifically designed for sports eyewear and motorcycle enthusiasts, plus prescription goggles for sport or riding.
We currently have thirty 4x4 commercials in stock for your inspection.
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after your ecial needs. Hunter Sp ily m fa a is Vehicles ated owned and oper er ov dealership with ce en 20 years' experi cal lo ur yo g supportin ” . ity un comm
Taree Eyewear are now also a Members Choice provider for Teachers Health and Defence Health funds, along with Medibank Private, with exclusive deals available in store for members.
At Hunter Special Vehicles we have been supplying quality ex-government 4x4s and commercial vehicles for the past 20 years.
Drop into Taree Eyewear today, or call us on 6552 5570.
With an excellent reputation and strong industry contacts, you can be confident
we can sell to you with confidence. Finance is available, helping you get into your next car faster! Justin guarantees you personalised and professional service every time. All vehicles are inspected by trained technicians.
An unlimited km warranty is available with national wide coverage. Competitive finance also available, and trade ins are welcome.
M E N I N B U S I N E S S F E AT U R E
Brian Leggett
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
TAREE WINGHAM RACE CLUB & THE WINNING POST FUNCTION CENTRE
What is your industry specialty? Management of sporting licensed clubs (the race club allows me to use that experience) along with my previous extensive experience in hospitality management, functions and food and beverage management at a number of properties in Sydney. What inspired you to get into this industry? The love of horse racing from an early age growing up in Victoria and pursuing hospitality management in the early 1990s with a desire to provide service to people and create special events for the special occasions in their lives. What’s important to you as a man in business? The opportunity to work with many people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, bringing them together as a cohesive team and then providing quality customer service and special experiences to people, at race days or the functions we conduct at the Winning Post Function Centre.
What is unique about your business? The unique feature of the race club and function centre business is the flexibility we have to provide the variety of social experiences to people on race days and the multitude of options we can provide to people or businesses using our three function rooms and other covered areas, for virtually any type of function or special event. What is your business vision for 2014? Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the club racing at the Bushland Drive Racecourse in September this year and it being now recognised as a major race club in country New South Wales. Attracting more people from the Manning Valley and Great Lakes areas to our picturesque racecourse on the major race days and providing them with a special social experience at the races. I also want to make more people aware of the marvellous function facilities we have for virtually any type of function.
Roger Firth
lhd legal
Roger Firth, formerly of Firth Scott Lawyers, Matthew is accredited by the Law Society has been representing the interests as a specialist in the field. Matthew of the community of the Mid has been working in law for North Coast for a number over 17 years and has vast of years. Roger has experience in personal This year Roger considerable experience injury law. He recently joined Matthew in criminal law and ran a case in the D Berenger and LH LHD also provides legal High Court for a te Lawyers to crea ain m advice in areas such Manning River local 's m Legal. The fir al in im as probate, wills and after she came to cr focus is on te ta estate issues. Roger is es grief in Taree. As a s, ill law, w cial er m m co , currently completing a consequence, her ng ni plan cial Master of Laws focused case helped shape the law and commer on Commercial Law. law in public liability litigation. ” claims. This year Roger joined
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Matthew Berenger and LHD Lawyers to create LHD Legal. The firm's main focus is on criminal law, wills, estate planning, commercial law and commercial litigation.
It is anticipated with LHD's superior internal structure and procedures and Roger's experience, LHD Legal will provide a comprehensive legal service to residents of the Mid North Coast.
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focusrealestate.
with Amanda Tate - L.J Hooker
Community Partnerships M A R C H
Q UA RT E R
M RKET REVIEW
When working in real estate, we are constantly asked the question “how is the market?” In my opinion, in our marketplace we have four different sections, so four different views on how our market really is. After all, we have buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords.
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n general, buyers want to source Sellers, on the other hand, are enjoying the bargains and pay as little for the the quantity of buyers in this market. New property as they can, while sellers properties, if priced well, are selling within the consider their property is worth more first three weeks of marketing. Open homes than the others and want to get as much as are once again proving popular, with agents they can. Tenants assume the landlords are being overrun with inquiry. Forster market is wealthy and have a constant money stream experiencing strong sales in the $300,000 to for repairs and upgrades and the occasional $550,000 residential home price range, personal loan against their rent when whilst Taree has seen a surge in sales for needed, when really landlords get into the larger family homes in the $300,000 the investment market to make to $450,000 price range. The money and create wealth, so Wingham market is still firing they don’t have to work along nicely, with most until they are 70! As real sales in the $300,000 to It is a estate agents, we need $500,000 range, with difficult to manage all these the lifestyle blocks time for first sectors but at the end proving most popular. home buyers, whose finance of the day, the best Most buyers are local approval can agent remembers who and we are still yet to take several they work for and for see the wave of buyers weeks .” those who are not sure, from the Sydney market. that would be the seller and With investors back in the landlord. As far as I am the market, the lack of quality concerned, there is no blurred line. rental homes for tenants has Back to our market – we are still eased over the past six months. The rental experiencing a high volume of sales, with situation is still tight, and our vacancy factor investors still being the main drivers. For for the Manning Valley at the moment could buyers who for many years have had the well be less than 1%. luxury of playing hard with low offers, this is Whilst bad news for tenants, it’s a great all but over. Prices are definitely strengthening, market for landlords, as not only can they be with obvious capital growth at the lower end very choosey who they lease to, but they can of the market. also achieve premium rents in this market. We Bargains are hard to find and buyers need are still lacking executive style homes to lease to be ready to go to purchase instantly or risk for quality tenants. another buyer with a higher offer beating For now we can still all enjoy a good them to the exchange line. It is a difficult marketplace, sellers can sell relatively easy time for first home buyers whose finance with the right advice, buyers can still snare approval can take several weeks. It is really a bargain if they are organised, investors important for buyers to seek pre approval for will secure quality tenants at premium rents, finance prior to looking in this market to avoid and tenants, well ... make sure you are good disappointment. tenants!
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hen your customers are also your owners and members, it makes good business sense that your strategy ensures that customers’ needs and the needs of their community are the prime focus. Indeed, in all that we do we focus on the underlying business driver of “It is about the customer… always”. Our experience, together with recent consumer research, informs us that modern financial services customers seek Leadership, Authenticity, Relevance, and Value from their respected and trusted adviser, as well as relevant, easy to understand information from knowledgeable competent caring staff who are committed to supporting customers in making wise financial decisions. At Holiday Coast Credit Union we know that our competitive advantage is that we are: • 100% Customer - Owned • Customer Driven - It is about the customer … always • Community Minded • Local As a customer driven organisation, we aim to develop strong relationships with our customers who are indeed our members built on integrity, warmth, humanity, empathy and sincerity delivering a sense of belonging. It is through building these relationships that we will attract and retain customers that value their relationship with Holiday Coast and become and remain loyal profitable members – “believers”. The focus on the communities in which our customers live, work and play is another differentiator for Holiday Coast Credit Union and is the foundation behind the Community Partnership Grants program that from 2005
to 2013 has given back to the communities in which Holiday Coast Credit Union operates on the Holiday Coast in excess of $1m and in doing so, assisted more than 300 community groups, each of whom work to make their community a better place. “We at Holiday Coast remain committed to the growth and well-being of our local communities and the support of the many volunteer groups that enhance those communities,” CEO of Holiday Coast Credit Union Neville Parsons proudly stated. In addition to the Community Grants Program, Holiday Coast continues to support local and national fundraising and awareness programs including the many Cancer Council Relays for Life, Jeans for Genes, “Give me Five for Kids” and the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. Knowing that time is as important as money we provide our employees with two additional days paid leave per year to enable them to volunteer within their communities. “The well-being of the community in which we live has an impact on each and every one of us and, as a result, we at Holiday Coast consider it vitally important to assist the many communities within the region we serve and we do so through volunteer works, ongoing savings and budgeting advice and financial contributions through our Community Partnership Grants,” CEO Parsons said. The outcome of the 2014 Community Partnership Grants will be announced in June 2014 and will feature in this magazine in July 2014. Photo: “2013 Community Partnership Grants recipients from the Manning Great Lakes region after Grants Presentations at Tuncurry Branch on Wednesday 29 May 2013 - Photo of recipients and Holiday Coast Credit Union staff outside Tuncurry Branch”.
focusinterview.
BELOW ROSS HARDES AT HIS MERCEDES DEALERSHIP; CELEBRATING OVER 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS IN THE MANNING.
BELOW A YOUNG ROSS HARDES (CIRC 1960) AS PRINCIPAL OF TAREE MOTORAMA; THE CAR PICTURED IS A SUNBEAM RAPIER CONVERTIBLE.
I N G R A T B E C E L
rs a e y 50 over ness i s u b e in th
Ross Hardes, Principal of Taree Motorama - dealer of Mercedes Benz and Toyota in Taree, is proud to celebrate over 50 years in the trade. From humble beginnings working for his parents' dealership and a small employee base, Ross
now enjoys a growing business that employees over 40 local people and credits his success to a simple philosophy of exceptional customer service. Louise Beaumont caught up with Ross to talk about the milestone ... ow did your career as a motor dealer begin? I started work here on the 25th November 1963; it was a family business under the banner of the "Rootes Group". We sold Hillmans, Humbers and Sunbeam - English cars. My parents, Kevin and Ella, started the business in 1956. My father had asked me to join the company in the early '60s. What was it like selling cars back then? We didn’t have the multitude of choice in cars like we do today. There were few dealers back then in Taree - just Ford, Holden and a Crysler dealer. We were Taree Motorama and still are. You’ve been working for 50 years now as a motor dealer - how have things changed in business during those years? When I joined the business, we had 3 staff; in 1966 we took on the Toyota franchise - which back then was split into two companies - York Toyota, who distributed the passenger cars, and Theiss Toyota, who distributed the commercial cars. In February 1967 we took on the Mercedes dealership, which we are proud to still run today. The Mercedes Dealership has been very successful for you - tell us about some of the accomplishments? We have been Mercedes "Dealer of the Year" seven times; this can be attributed to the work we have done for our customers and also includes the facility, after
sales service and a multitude of other conditions that your clients. they test us on. What has made you love doing business in the We have a customer who has bought 43 NEW Manning for all these years? Mercedes-Benz vehicles from us since his first purchase There are so many business people in Taree and The in 1975 … he travels from Newcastle to buy from Great Lakes area that over the last 50 years have had Taree Motorama. great foresight to make these areas what they are How involved are you in the business today? today. I can remember as a young boy travelling to Have you taken a step away from the Forster from Tuncurry by a ferry – yes, times front? have changed. No, I’m still here - Dealer Principal So I have been very lucky over and Director of the Company the last 50 years to witness the en be ve We ha ler ea "D (chuckles). s growth of our wonderful area de ce er M times; n ve se So what did you do to and to meet so many people " ar Ye e of th ibuted to tr at celebrate your 50 years? who have left the cities be n ca is th ve done Louise, after 50 years of and retired and implanted the work we ha ers and working, one does slow themselves into our local for our custom facility, e also includes th and down; to celebrate this community. ice after sales serv milestone I had lunch with my I was a Rotarian for 12 other a multitude of wife, Helen, and family. years with Taree Rotary Club; st te they conditions that What are some of your I have been a member of Taree us on.” business philosophies? Golf Club since 12 years of To work for 50 years doing the age - I was one of two only junior same day in day out, you have to be: members who were accepted into the 1. Committed to your product, which is of club in those days. course Toyota and Mercedes-Benz Do you play a lot of golf these days? 2. Treat your staff as family No, but I am going to! 3. Be honest and respectful to your clients, which Thanks Ross, and congratulations on 50 years as a results in repeat business. Motor Dealer. I guess my goals and visions have not changed, but Taree Motorama is located at 46 Victoria Street, we are in a very competitive market so to be successful Taree NSW 2430. If you would like to call us, please you have to work much harder to receive respect from call (02) 6539 3333.
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property guide H O L M F A S T I M P R O V E M E N T S
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focusabode.
QUALITY WORKMANSHIP EV E RY T I M E
nnovative design and construct of new homes, granny flats, extensions, renovations, outdoor rooms, decks and professional premises; Chrissy Jones met a local builder, Greg Holm of Holmfast Improvements, who does it all! With over 36 years’ experience in the building industry, Greg’s number one priority is his clients; build with Holmfast Improvements, and you will get what you want, on time and on budget. Having a close association with many skilled local tradesmen and suppliers enables Greg to keep up to date with the newest innovations in products and services, keeping Holmfast Improvements at the forefront of the local building industry. Greg understands that housing is not just about having a roof over your head; it’s about providing a better lifestyle, it’s about creating a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors, it’s about utilising
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IMPROVEMENTS INNOVATIVE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT OF NEW HOMES, GRANNY FLATS, EXTENSIONS, RENOVATIONS, OUTDOOR ROOMS, DECKS AND PROFESSIONAL PREMISES; CHRISSY JONES MET A LOCAL BUILDER, GREG HOLM OF HOLMFAST IMPROVEMENTS, WHO DOES IT ALL
available space and providing maximum comfort all year round.
INNOVATIVE, STYLISH PRODUCTS Holmfast Improvements uses Versiclad in many jobs - a brand of high performance insulated panels; it can be used in various architectural, design and industrial applications. The cladding is cooler in summer, warmer in winter, is low maintenance, is excellent for reducing noise and offers a quick construction time. Insulated roof and wall panels are available in a huge range of internal and external materials and finishes, with an expanded polystyrene core to suit your desired insulation rating or free span requirement. Versiclad’s Versalink Structural Insulated Roof Panel has a traditional trapezoidal profile, perfect for matching existing roof products, or creating an architectural look for your home. Greg has used this on many of his projects to great effect.
comfortable insulated outdoor living Call us today to talk about * New insulated patio awnings * New insulated screen or glass enclosures * Upgrade your existing roof with an insulated ceiling * Complete home extensions and renovations Upgrade your existing roof with BEFORE
AFTER Insulated outdoor living that combats the extreme summer heat.
Insulated roofing will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter Using structural insulated roof panels for your project will transform your area and extend its use to all year round. Available in a variety of roof profiles, colours and finishes, they have the added benefit of being quick to install, and require less posts and unsightly roof beams, creating a beautiful outdoor living area.
0412 418 008
Greg Holm greg@holmtech.com.au Green Point NSW manning-great lakes focus 55
H O L M F A S T I M P R O V E M E N T S THE GRANNY FLAT
QUALITY WORKMANSHIP EV E RY T I M E
BEFORE
AFTER
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A great option for retirement living, your own Granny Flat provides the space to keep your parents close by without encroaching on anyone’s privacy and independence. Holmfast Improvements know exactly what needs to be considered when creating a space for senior members of the family. Details such as large doorways, a functional, easy to maintain kitchen, large bathroom with flush floor and easy access to the main house, all are essential. Designed as an addition to the original home, the “Granny Flat” has been built to enable the elderly occupant to remain close to family. Consultation between all parties prior to building has met all requirements for Residential In Home Care with Nursing Assistance. More a two bedroom home than a granny flat, the dwelling has seen the existing double garage extended, strengthened and then the flat constructed on top in a way that it doesn’t look like an extension, but has always been there. Versiclad roofing, with LED downlighting, gives an all weather front entry over the shallow tread glass and aluminium balustraded stairway to the flat. At the top of the stairs is an extra wide timber deck with glass balustrade allowing for unimpeded views to Wallis Lake; the deck has been built in such a way that it may be enclosed in the future, easily adding another room. Glass sliding doors open into the open plan living area of the Granny Flat. Spacious, the lounge/dining room features a cathedral ceiling with highlight window on the western face, allowing in lots of natural light. Fitted with downlighting, ceiling fans and air-conditioning, it is very comfortable.
A horseshoe configuration, the kitchen has been designed to make life comfortable. Thoughtful positioning of the abundance of two pak enamel kitchen cabinetry enables easy access to all cooking needs and equipment. Gas cook-top, range-hood and electric oven, dishwasher, lazy Susans in two corner cupboards, microwave nook and easy clean bench-tops tick all the boxes. A two way bathroom has access from the main bedroom and hall through wide cavity sliding doors, has a safety grab rail installed in the wall of glass walled shower cubicle, non-slip tiling and a medicine/toiletry cabinet tucked away behind the vanity mirror. The two bedrooms both have built-in cabinetry, the main with a custom-built TV cabinet and shelving. Windows have been placed to allow in natural light and offer up views of the surrounding bushland. Modifications made by Holmfast Improvements especially for an older resident in the “Granny Flat” include: internal and external wide stairways, allowances made on the internal stairway for installation of a stair lift if needed, one level easily accessible floor-plan, functional kitchen and two way bathroom with handrails.
FROM THE “GRANNY FLAT” OWNER It was always a pleasure to work with Greg. If we had a new inspiration we could talk it over with him and he would suggest pros and cons, knowing more about his business than we did. He is very reasonable to talk to. Our home suits our lifestyle very well. We live a quiet life, but can entertain easily if we want to. We would be happy to recommend Greg to anyone. He is fastidious about his work and absolutely fair and honest. Our favourite room is the kitchen/dining/lounge area.
IMPROVEMENTS
AN OT HE R RE AS ON FO R TO P OF BU IL DI NG ON IS TH AT IT S GE RA TH E GA PA NT S A GAVE TH E OC CU EW OV ER VI M AG NI FI CE NT D TH E AN KE CA PE HAW LA KE . ”
“ > FROM THE BUILDER – GREG HOLM / HOLMFAST IMPROVEMENTS Tell us about your business ... I started working in Forster in 1978 with my uncle, Bruce Holm, who had been building in Forster since the mid 1960s. From 1979 to 1983 I worked for Concrete Construction on Mid City Centre, Centre Point Tower and the Waldorf Apartments. From late 1983 to 1987, I worked for Civil and Civic on Parramatta Stadium, Dairy Farmers at Lidcombe and finished as a Foreman on the Sydney Football Stadium. In 1987 I was Project Manager for Calgaro & Vecchia, building ANZ Banks across NSW, a Medical centre at Campbell Town, factories in Sydney CBD and The Australian Arts Council offices in Redfern.
I started out on my own in 1990. My uncle asked me to take over his Forster building business in 1994 on his retirement, so I moved back to Forster with my wife, Penny, and three children, Stephanie, Natasha and Duncan. From 1994 to now I have designed and built many new houses in Cape Hawke, Kenrose Estate, Green Point and Pacific Palms, as well as many extensions in Forster Tuncurry, renovations including those at the Great Lakes Child Care Centre and on an old dwelling for a Chiropractic Centre on The Lakes Way. My current project is for a Sydney developer, teaming up with another local builder/designer Murray Bourke, to build a new duplex at Hawks
Nest. Did the owners of the “Granny Flat” have any specific requirements? The client did not want to feel like she was tacked on to the end of the house. By adding another double garage next to the existing double garage, I was able to design the flat to sit on top of the garages. With the existing house split level, it meant there was only 6 steps between house and flat. Another reason for building on top of the garages is that it gave the occupants a magnificent view over Cape Hawke and the lake.
How do we have you to build for us? When I am approached by a client, I like to meet them on site and design the house with them picking out any nice views and the best orientation on the block to pick up the sun i.e. north. I can be reached on my mobile number 0412 418 008 or email greg@holmtech.com.au. Very soon I will have available a Facebook page including photos of completed works. You can also find me through HIA website; I have been a member for 15 years. Thanks Greg.
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focusinterview.
TAFE Student Recognition Award
MARC SCHIELZETH OF OLD BAR RECENTLY COMPLETED HIS TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIP IN ELECTROTECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE III AT PORT MACQUARIE TAFE. MARC COMPLETED HIS TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THROUGH HIS CURRENT EMPLOYER, JOSH CROSS, AT J & L CROSS ELECTRICAL IN OLD BAR. I That afternoon d fin to d de procee on n io at rm fo in e som ticeships electrical appren e ag e ur at m and and started apprenticeships be I could to think that may me the d re fe of do this. He later, and the job four weeks ” y. rest is histor
“ an you tell me a little bit about yourself and what you were doing before you commenced your studies at TAFE? I was working as an electrical wholesaler at Cetnaj in Taree; basically I got to a point where I worked my way up from a storeman position to Sales Representative over 5 years; the next step would've been a store manager's position, but I couldn't see that happening anytime soon. I knew my (now current) boss Josh from J & L Cross Electrical and he was at a worksite that I was visiting; it was just a chance that he was really busy and he didn't have anyone working for him. His off the cuff comment was, "You're not interested in an apprenticeship, are you?" I sat down and thought about it and thought, “Maybe I am”. Josh happened to live just around the corner from me, and one Saturday afternoon I was going for a bike ride and I literally came to a crossroad - I could've turned left or right - and to the right I saw that Josh was out the front of his house. I thought, "I'll go see him and talk to him about the possibility of an apprenticeship”. I went over and approached him (after I mustered some courage) and said, "If you're serious about that apprenticeship, I'm keen". And he said, "OK, well get me the info on it". That afternoon I proceeded to find some information on electrical apprenticeships and mature age apprenticeships and started to think that maybe I could do this. He offered me the job four weeks later, and the rest is 58 manning-great lakes focus.
history. What interested you specifically about the concept of an apprenticeship as opposed to just going and studying a chosen course? Well, I guess it was pretty much the only way into further work was via an apprenticeship; I was 30 and I didn't feel like I'd ever go to university, and I thought a trade would be a good way to go. You studied the Certificate III in Electrotechnology - where were you hoping that certificate would take you once you were finished? What were your aspirations? At that moment it was just to get a trade and a secure job which I could then take anywhere; it opens up possibilities. Maybe one day I'd like to go university and study electrical engineering and go into that field, but at the moment I'm just happy working away. Why did you choose TAFE over other organisations to study your apprenticeship through? I don't know if there was really an option; Port Macquarie TAFE was the closest place that offered the Electro-Technology course, so that’s why I went to TAFE for it. As far as I know, TAFE in Port Macquarie is where all the electrical apprentices went. Now that you've finished the course, how has it assisted you with your employment? It's kept me in a job! I've got my trade and I'm now working as a tradesman. We've got
another apprentice working with us now and because I've been through the course, I know what he's going through, and I can help him out if he's struggling with his studies. I've done that for a few people over the last couple of years with some of students that I've known; I've helped them out a little bit. What would be your advice to other people looking to either upskill or add to their work portfolio? I'd say take a chance; at least you'll never die wondering whether "I should've done that". It was a bit of a gamble for me; we'd just bought a house and I knew I was going to take a pay cut, but you get through it, and it's worth it in the end. What did you enjoy most about your TAFE experience? I enjoyed the course itself; I was always good at maths and if someone had told me back in high school that you've got to be good at maths to do the electrical course, I would've been interested in it sooner. I enjoyed the course - it was interesting, and it definitely wasn't boring. I enjoyed all aspects of the maths ... everything, really. You're now a finalist in the annual Student Recognition Awards at TAFE; how do you feel about that? I was pretty chuffed; I feel as though it's
a pretty good accomplishment. I never really expected it - just to be nominated was pretty awesome. To get to this stage, it's exciting, and I look forward to the presentation night. From an employers' point of view, what would you like to say to potential employers who are considering offering apprenticeships so that people can gain extra skills and stay in jobs? I think its a win-win situation, really. The employees getting to learn the skills, and it's lifelong skills that you learn; it's something that you can use for the rest of your life. Once you've got that trade, you can go anywhere basically. And there are a lot of benefits for the employer - cheaper wages; you get that labour help. I guess the first few years are a bit of a struggle, but in the long run it's definitely worthwhile for the employer. So what's next for you now? Is there more study or will you continue to work? What are your plans having been through this experience? At the moment it's just working, but I’d definitely consider more trade certificates - like a refrigeration certificate, maybe. I haven't thought about it too much; at the moment it's just work, but there are definitely other avenues. I'm interested in the possibility of electrical engineering ... Thanks Marc. (At the time of the interview, Marc did not know that he was about to receive the prestigious "Apprentice of the Year"Award through North coast TAFE. Well done, Marc!
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Coast Focus Magazine