Greater Port Macquarie Focus - i209

@ GLASSHOUSE

QUEEN:

OH

PUPPET SHOW: CHEEKY FAMILY FUN, FULL OF ROCKING MUSIC AGES

MARCIA HINES: STILL SHINING

Saturday 9 September, 7.30pm

Tuesday 29 August, 6pm & Wednesday 30 August, 10am & 12.30pm

WEDNESDAY SOLD OUT

AUSTRALIA’S BELOVED MUSICAL TREASURE HITS THE GLASSHOUSE STAGE

Welcome to the AUGUST 2023 ISSUE of Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS.

This month I have the pleasure of introducing Stories for Change. FOCUS has teamed up with Clint from My Video Producer to bring to you this fantastic project—a campaign dedicated to supporting local charities and GoFundMe campaigns. MVP is offering a FREE professional video tailored to the organisation’s unique needs. This video will showcase their mission, inspire others, and help make an even greater difference, but that’s not all! The selected recipient will also be featured in an exclusive interview that we will run in Focus, reaching a vast audience both online and, of course, in print. Join us in spreading the word. You can nominate a charity by scanning the QR code.

We can’t wait to start sharing these fantastic charities and their stories.

On the Cover; This one was fun! Heading out to beautiful Wauchope and taking photos in the mid-afternoon among the gorgeous landscape of the sale yards, yes, I said sale yards. The sun was just perfect, and our cover star, John Corrigan, was a great sport as we wandered all around to get the best shots. You will learn all about John and his passion of working with cattle and horses on page 16.

Inside this issue; We have two wonderful features for you this month. Our annual Men In Business gives us an insight to some of our local men and the back story of how they got

started in their roles and the changes they have seen in their chosen industries. Our second feature is Discover Wauchope. This town has some serious hidden gems, from cafes to shopping. You won’t be disappointed next time you are there. Do yourself a favour and head to Wauchope and discover what this gorgeous little town offers. Last but not least, we would like to wish the 10 Hastings Stars who will pop their dancing shoes on August 5th to raise money for the Cancer Council the very best night. Have fun and chookas to you all.

Enjoy the last month of winter... I can see spring on the horizon..... ;)

ART DIRECTOR Dylan Gaul dylan@focusmag.com.au

ADDRESS 2/28 Fernhill Road, Port Macquarie

POSTAL PO Box 690, Port Macquarie

PHONE 0447 157 340 WEB www.focusmag.com.au IG focus.mag E info@focusmag.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR Jay Beaumont jay@focusmag.com.au

EDITION COORDINATOR & SALES MANAGER Annette Wannell annette@focusmag.com.au

ADVERTISING SALES Sarah Baker sarahmay@focusmag.com.au

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR Daisy Moroney daisyfocusmag@gmail.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kyle Rathbone kyle@focusmag.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY Gavin Moroney gavin@focusmag.com.au

CIRCULATIONS COORDINATOR Steve Foye steve@focusmag.com.au

COPY EDITOR Bev Mulcahy info@focusmag.com.au

Alicia Fox is a photographer who has worked all over the world. Her experiences have inspired her to make a conscious choice to operate her business as ethically and environmentally sustainably as possible.

Aaron Hall, owner of Bakers Delight Port Central heard about the charity Bread Tags For Wheelchairs and he decided to put his hand up to host a collection point, and the community is invited to donate their plastic bread tags in store.

Matt Model has had an intense few months, representing Australia and his community in more ways than one! He represented Australia at the World Military Rowing Comp. in the UK and returned with 3 gold medals.

MATT MODEL

AARON HALL ALICIA FOX

CARAVAN CAMPING

4WD FISH & BOAT SHOW

The Mid North Coast Caravan, Camping, 4WD, Fish & Boat Show is the major event held in the Mid North Coast region. The show is designed as a family event and our entertainment is not only for the young but also the young at heart with over 150 exhibitors. Where Wauchope Showground

When 4, 5, 6 AUGUST 2023

SUNRISE CAMPUS MARKETS

Fresh, locally grown fruit & veg, pastries and coffee, homemade gifts, jewellery and clothes, hot food, and much more! The market is accessible, dog-friendly (on-lead) and has plenty of free parking. Where Charles Sturt University campus courtyard.

RETROFEST 2023

The Port Panthers Rockin Retrofest 2023 held at Panthers Port Macquarie Auditorium is 3 days of non-stop Rock & Roll! Everyone is welcome! When August 25th-27th

Where Panthers Port Macquarie

Tickets are on sale now!

More info + Tickets retrofest-port.com.au

DANCING WITH THE STARS

STARS is lighting up the dance floor for cancer! STARS is a gala fundraising affair that sees local legends, everyday heroes and influential members of the community teamed up with a professional dance teacher. Tickets are available through club reception or through Ticketek When Saturday 5th August 6pm Where Panthers Port Macquarie

ACOUSTIC MUSIC @ SEROTONIN

Acoustic Sound Open Mic Night. Share a song or two, be entertained for free. Enjoy some delicious food. When Wednesday 9th August 6-8pm Where Serotonin At Lighhouse, Watonga Street Shops

SOUNDBATH

ONCE IN A SUPER BLUE MOON

The August 31st blue full moon super moon is a rare, powerful event and is said to bring about a heightened sense of awareness and intuition. It is a time of increased emotional energy, making it an ideal time for healing, meditation, and spiritual practices.

WHAT TO BRING - Yoga mat, blanket and pillow. When Thursday 31. Where Sages & Sistahood - Shop 1/11 Clifton Drive Time6.15 pm for 6.30 pm start Cost - $35.00

CORRIGAN JOHN

John Corrigan is a Wauchope local, now living in Comboyne. He ‘wears many hats, including transporting livestock, working as a Stock and Station Agent and attending campdrafts and horse shows in his spare time.

Hi John, you are a born and bred Wauchope local. Tell us what it was like growing up in a small country town, what did your Mum and Dad do?

Growing up in a small town was great, we lived a country lifestyle and got up to plenty of innocent mischief. My Dad Kevin was a painter and my Mum Colleen was a domestic cleaner.

Where did your passion for working with

horses and on the land come from?

Both my Mum and Dad were involved in horse riding, and I spent much of my time growing up at my grandparents’ farm at Bagnoo and this is where my passion for working with cattle and horses came from.

Tell us about your hobbies growing up, what would you get up to on the weekend and after school?

Most weekends were spent either working at the farm or going to local shows and campdrafts. I also played a little bit of golf

when we lived in town, but I was no Greg Norman.

Can you introduce us to your family and where you call home now?

I live at Comboyne with my wife Bec and our two children Lachlan and Georgia.

You and your family are heavily involved in campdrafting and horse shows. Tell us about this and what it takes to participate in events such as these, there must be a lot of work behind the scenes and travelling?

met at these. Horse riding is certainly a sport that requires a lot of time and money, but we would not do anything else.

John, you had your own livestock, transport and mustering business for over 20 years, tell us about that journey?

I remember when our son Lachlan was born and needing to ring Brian Hill at 3am on our way to the hospital to organise him to move a load of cattle that I had booked to do that day.

As a family we compete regularly with our horses. The whole family compete in campdrafting and our daughter Georgia also competes in showjumping. My wife and I have been lucky enough to be involved in horses most of our lives and are extremely lucky that our kids also share this passion. Both campdrafting and showjumping are very family orientated sports and we have made lifelong friendships with people that we have

I purchased my first truck when I was around 18 and started my business doing a lot of mustering with my grandfather Collie Coombes and cartage to the local sales.

I was very fortunate to have several people support me over the years to help grow my business and I am extremely grateful for this. I remember ringing a good friend Jim Fowler and telling him that I had an opportunity to purchase a bigger truck and his words were “don’t miss it young fella, you will never look back” which I certainly haven’t.

Livestock transport is certainly not a 9 to 5 Monday to Friday job and there are many hours spent in the truck. I remember when

our son Lachlan was born and needing to ring Brian Hill at 3am on our way to the hospital to organise him to move a load of cattle that I had booked to do that day.

You also worked at the Wauchope Saleyards, tell us what you did there?

I started working at the saleyards as a yard man and after a number of years I completed my Certificate of Registration and started to do some auctioneering which had always been a career goal.

You would have some interesting, funny stories working with cattle and at a saleyard. Tell us about one of your most memorable?

In my time working at the saleyards, I have met a lot of characters, seen a lot of near misses involving cattle and humans and heard a lot of stories, mostly people tell while sitting having a cuppa at the canteen.

I remember the morning of our wedding I took a load of cattle to the sale that was happening that day and Reg Fowler said to me haven’t you got somewhere else you are meant to be today.

Continued over...

JOHN

Working and living on the land is tough we have good years when prices are high and there is plenty of feed and then we have bad years when prices are not so great, and feed is short.

I think it is important to remember that when times are tough that things will improve and to remain strong.

You have been with McCulloch Agencies in Wauchope now for a couple of years, tell us how did this all come about and what do you enjoy the most about working there?

I enjoy working with the customers and being involved in my local area, working with the team at the sale yard. I also love it when my kids and also Daniel and Karina’s kids can be involved in the sale.

I tell people my wife forced me into it!! Seriously though, when we were advised that McCullochs were purchasing Wauchope Stock and Estate we had a meeting with Daniel, and he talked about his plans for the business and what potential roles he would be having. After this meeting I reached out to Daniel and expressed my interest in the Livestock role.

I believe this prompted Daniel to conduct some research on this John Corrigan fella. After several phone conversations

Daniel and Ciaran organised to have a meeting with myself and Bec to discuss the role and this was conducted at a table right on the main street of Wauchope. There was my cover gone, people started messaging me whilst I was still sitting there asking if I was meeting my new bosses!! I am grateful that both Ciaran and Daniel believed I was the right person for the job and have enabled me to pursue a lifelong career goal that I thought was out of my reach.

There is a lot I enjoy about my role. I enjoy working with the customers and being involved in my local area and working with the team at the saleyard. I also love it when my kids and also Daniel and Karina’s kids can be involved in the sale.

The whole team at McCullochs are like a big family to work with and they also do not mind a quiet beer on the side.

I would like to thank all of our customers for the ongoing support that we have received

since McCulloch Agencies commenced trading on the Mid North Coast. What do you find is most important when it comes to working and living on the land?

Working and living on the land is tough. We have good years when prices are high and there is plenty of feed and then we have bad years when prices are not so great, and feed is short. I think it is important to remember that when times are tough, that things will improve and to remain strong. You would have seen some significant changes over the years especially with the growth of Wauchope. Is there a motto you live by or do you just take each day as it comes?

I just take each day as it comes because sometimes the best made plans do not work out as planned.

If you are not at the Saleyards, or with the family at horse shows where can we find you of a weekend?

This would be a very rare occurrence as there is not many weekends that are not spent with horses or at the saleyard. In what spare time I do have I enjoy spending time doing things with the family and also still do some cartage work on weekends. Thanks John.

So with this in mind, I’m going to give you one guess what I’ve decided to spend this month’s Musings discussing.

Yep - travel hacks. But this time I am going to do things a little differently.

When I chose travel to be my “Focus” for this month’s Musings, I knew exactly who to turn to for all the top tips. Not Google, not even Trinny this time. This time I emailed my amazing database of customers, many of whom are extremely well travelled and through trial, error, experience and sheer determination have worked out the best ways to enjoy every minute of their time travelling.

So here is my summation of my favourite travel hacks in no particular order, (you can thank me from Barcelona):

• Life is short. Tick off your bucket list destinations. The memories will last a lifetime

- Jenny E

• Start every new city with a locally guided walking tour. Ask for all the top tips for cafes, experiences, places to visit and avoid - Leisa F

• My favourite travel ‘must have’ is the Al.ive Body Travel Set. Perfect size, doesn’t leak and every time I smell it, it transports me straight back to Vanuatu - Kathy H

• Pack a small lightweight brollie (you will

probably have at least one rainy day while you’re away, even if it’s on the way to the airport)! - Tessa F

• If you are travelling overseas, travel to your final Australian destination a day in advance of your international flight. There’s nothing worse than delays and seeing your international departure time reducing in front of your eyes! Go the day before, stay at a hotel near the airport and relax! - Sandra T

• Pack a black lightweight merino tee (like the Morri Merino Round Neck from Morrison) the natural fibres wear well in any temperature and can be washed in a hotel sink and will be dry by the morning - Gillian M

• Pack. Then repack. Always travel with a laundry soap (like our Tuffy soap) if you need to refresh a couple of items while on the goTosca B

• Pack your two most comfortable pairs of walking shoes and alternate daily, even your most comfortable shoes will become uncomfortable if you’re wearing them day after day - Lesley K

• Buy the best packing cubes you can find and pack them well. We have had ours for over a decade - Jan S

• Create piles of each clothing type, dresses, pants, tops etc. Arrange by colour and work out combinations between each pile. When

you know what works with what, cull each pile by 1/3 - Sonie S

• When travelling Internationally, set your watch to the new timezone as soon as you can, it will help you when you land - Beverley

• If you want to cut down the possibility of leaving small items behind in hotel rooms, prepare zip lock bags by writing the intended contents on the front of each bag before you leave home. Mine will often look like: 2

x Toothbrushes, 1 x Toothpaste, 1x Floss; 2 x Phone Chargers. You can see in a flash if you are missing something - Lusanna K (that’s me!)

• Plane toilets are disgusting, so wear clothes that will not drape on the floor. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate on the plane. Take your makeup off first thing and slather on serums all flight. Buy a lipstick in duty free, this is the best way to start a holiday! On arrival shower and go for a long walk in the daylight. Stay up as long as you can and don’t give in to a nap, it will set you up for the next days of travelValerie G

• And now, my all time favourite travel tip (which I couldn’t have put better myself, even if I paid for it) is from Leisa F, mentioned above: “Lastly, enjoy Ant’s coffee - it’ll be the best one you have until you return!”

Until next time, happy travels, I’ll be watching your Insta Feed from my couch xx

with LUSANNA FROM MEG + ME

I don’t know about you, but for me it seems like every second person I know is either in Europe, leaving for Europe or planning to go to Europe… jealous much?! Me too.

Lanye West is a tattoo artist at Painted Horse Tattoo. HER SKILL, CREATIVITY AND TALENT SHINE THROUGH IN HER UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS, AND HER PASSION TO ALWAYS BE BUILDING ON, AND PERFECTING HER ART make it obvious she is one to keep an eye on.

Lanye West.

Hey Lanye. Tell us where your tattoo journey began?

In 2018, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship at a local Port Macquarie tattoo shop. I was even more fortunate to have a close friend, who lived 2 doors up from me, who was an established tattooist (most of you know her as Emma). She suggested I apply and put in a good word for me to seal the deal. I am grateful to have had that opportunity.

Up to that point, I had only worked casual jobs, so full-time work was something to get used to. I ended up spending just over 2 years at the first shop, then, moved on to work 3 years with Sunny and the team at Painted Horse Tattoo.

ARTIST of the MONTH

It can be very rewarding, whether it’s helping someone’s confidence, providing them with closure, a way to reminisce or sometimes they just feel like a new tattoo.

What's your all-time favourite piece you have created and why?

I appreciate anyone who lets me permanently draw on them, but I would have to say if I’ve been able to custom draw a piece with a lot of freedom, those are always my favourite. I feel if I’m excited and confident with a design that will always reflect in the tattoo.

What is your favourite tattoo on your own body?

This is a tough one as I love all my tattoos. As I get older my ideas and tastes change with what I want next, so my most recent pieces are usually my favourite until the next ones take their place. I recently had both kneecaps done, a toad on one and a piranha on the other, by another artist at Painted Horse @ieatratzzz. I love how unique and fun they are.

In your opinion, what is the best thing about being a tattoo artist?

The best thing about being a tattooist is every day is different. You wake up excited to see what the day/week/month will bring and what you will get to create. Getting to know/meet so many different clients; being able to expand as an artist and learning where to improve to make sure you're providing your clients with your best work.

There are certainly some difficult days, and a lot of stress and organising that goes into it. You are earning a living off disposable income, so you have to remind yourself of that. People under financial pressure usually remove tattoos from their priority list, so that means certain times of year, I have to know when to take breaks or holidays to avoid too much time off.

Like any job, there are good and challenging elements, the good in my case completely outweighs the bad. If you love your job, they say you never work a day in your life, and I

remind myself not to forget how lucky I am to call this my career.

What is the best advice you could give someone before they get a tattoo?

Be confident with your ideas, and 100% sure you're ready to make a booking. Be open to your tattooist’s suggestions when it comes to design, sizing, or placement (we only want to give you the best advice based on our experience). Don’t forget how important a good night's sleep is and please eat a decent breakfast as most of the time if someone passes out or feels faint it’s because they have skipped eating that day.

Can you discuss any future goals or aspirations you have for your career as a tattoo artist? Are there any specific milestones you hope to achieve?

In general, I want to keep progressing as a tattooist and continue to learn new things and develop new ideas. I hope with each year that passes I can look back and see improvements and set new goals for the following year. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but just simply enjoy the journey. Thanks Layne.

I appreciate anyone who lets me permanently draw on them, but I would have to say if I’ve been able to custom draw a piece with a lot of freedom, those are always my favourite.

If you love your job, they say you never work a day in your life, and I remind myself not to forget how lucky I am to call this my career.

FESTIVAL

WINGHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FESTIVAL FAVOURITES FOR 2023 LINEUP

FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2023

The town of Wingham on the Mid North Coast will once again welcome some of the best in Aussie music for the annual three day music festival that takes place from Friday 13th October to Sunday 15th October. Tickets are on sale now via Oztix. Festival organisers are proud to announce the performance schedule for 2023:

Friday 13th October – The 2023 festival will open with performances from Wingsong Choir and Groove Collection. Trapps and Galleri will take to the stage on day one before Frank Sultana and Wendy Matthews and Grace Knight performing the songs from Paul Simon’s Graceland.

Saturday 14th October – Tex Perkins and The

Fat Rubber Band will headline Saturday night. Other artists on stage on Saturday include Felicity Urquhardt with Josh Cunningham, Hussy Hicks, Round Mountain Girls, Roshani, Burger Joint, Locomotive, Hudson Rose and Dan Hopkins and the Generous Few.

Sunday 15th October – The Weeping Willows, Mitch King, Lady Lyon, Grace and Hugh, Tracey McNeill + Dan Parsons and Little Quirks will entertain on the final day before Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley followed by Ray Beadle close the 2023 festival.

Festival Coordinator, Donna Ballard says “We are very excited to secure such incredible artists for the 2023 Wingham Music Festival. Visitors from across Australia come to Wingham every year to hear some great music and 2023 will be

one of our biggest years yet. Accommodation is booking up fast so we encourage people to book in Taree and further afield where we can arrange shuttle buses for transport.” Since its inception in 2007 the festival has grown to become a much loved annual event in the community calendar. The festival is returning to the Wingham Showground with onsite camping being the optimum choice for those with caravans and motor homes to enjoy the three brilliant days under the big top.

Alongside the plethora of live music, the festival also features artisans showcasing their handmade wares and artworks. Workshops are held across the weekend and visitors can enjoy the best in food and delicacies from local businesses from the Mid North Coast region.

Alicia Fox

Alicia Fox is a photographer who has worked all over the world, capturing portraits of people from all walks of life. Her experiences have inspired her to make a conscious choice to operate her business as ethically and environmentally sustainably as possible and to work with companies and organisations who hold the same values.

Hey Alicia. Tell us where your photography journey began?

I knew I wanted to turn my passion for photography into a career towards the end of high school. I’d lost my sister to Leukaemia two years earlier and my greatest fear was that I would forget her. Photos became invaluable in keeping her memory alive in me.

I taught myself the basics of photography from library books while travelling throughout Europe, when I was 18. I attended college in the UK, discovering the magic of the darkroom. Back in Australia, I completed a Diploma of Photography on the Sunshine Coast while working as a resort photographer and later, a

studio portrait photographer.

I moved to Melbourne to pursue a career in music photography, dreaming to see my work published in Rolling Stone magazine (which, I’m happy to say, it was). I got to meet and photograph some of my favourite musicians with VIP access to all the gigs and festivals I wanted. I also worked as an assistant to four different photographers, learning the tricks of the trade. I dabbled in fashion photography, and when I moved to Japan, I hustled my way into shoots with indie designers, stylists, PR companies and magazines.

When I landed in Peru, fashion and commercial photography suddenly seemed superficial. I was surrounded by people living well below the poverty line, vulnerable to dangers unknown to most Australians. I volunteered with charities across South and Central America, seeing the positive difference a single person can make. My views about what was important in life shifted dramatically and it became my priority to work with people making a positive change in the world. I continued shooting for charity organisations throughout my three years in Latin America in both paid and volunteer assignments. Returning to Australia, I worked in Sydney, focussing on working with ethically driven organisations and brands. Now on the Mid North Coast, this is still the focus for Alicia Fox Photography. I have also opened a second business here, Wildflower Portraits to reflect the part of me that was originally drawn to photography, capturing the love and connection between people, and creating beautiful, customised portraits of women at significant times in their lives.

Continued over...

I moved to Melbourne to pursue a career in music photography, dreaming to see my work published in Rolling Stone Magazine (which, I’m happy to say it was!

You have spent some time with different tribes in the Peruvian Amazon. How were you able to achieve this and what was that experience like?

I had been in Latin America for two years when my partner, James and I decided to visit the Amazon Region. Most people know about the environmental destruction in the Amazon. I’d learnt about it at school and it still continues today. The thing that I’d never previously considered was the human impact of this destruction.

Some of the traditional Amazonian tribes are disappearing at an alarming rate. Each village faces individual threats, including logging, land acquisition and destruction by oil companies, war, illness, climate and modernisation. For some of the tribes, even if their population wasn’t disappearing, their culture was. I am fascinated by the knowledge, wisdom and customs of ancient cultures, recognising how invaluable they are to us all.

I was driven to start a photo project documenting the traditional dress of Amazonian tribes – a visual representation of their traditional culture. I hoped that they would one day be used to help raise awareness of the issues faced by these peoples (which they have been).

Working with NGOs, anthropologists and locals, I was privileged to gain access to many remote communities, some of which have had very little contact with the outside world. For three months, we followed rivers and tributaries based on recommendations by villagers of where I may encounter tribes. Upon arrival in a village I would always make my way to the Chief’s hut to ask permission to visit, talk and photograph anyone who would like to be involved. At each place we visited, people were very excited to be involved and pleased that someone was so interested in their culture and story.

I felt extremely fortunate to have such a unique experience. I learned so much from sitting and listening to the Elders who welcomed me into their lives and shared their amazing stories. It changed me on a very deep level.

What would you say are the most memorable works of art you have captured to date and why?

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one, so many of my photos are attached to really special memories. But one portrait from India does stand out. In the holy city of Pushkar, I made friends with a very poor family who ran a general store. The father was more than delighted to take the afternoon off and drive James and me out into the desert on the back of his old motorcycle.

As the sun was setting we encountered a Bupa nomad camp. Caste and tradition dictates that these people are professional wandering musicians. They live in temporary encampments around the outskirts of towns and play their music to earn a few rupees.

On this afternoon they were playing music for their own pleasure and wandered over to see if we wanted a song. It was enchanting to watch these men, at home in their desert environment, and hearing their ancient melodies drifting over the sand at golden hour. Our friend encouraged me to capture some photographs. My favourite is a portrait of one of the musicians, lighting his cigarette after he’d finished playing. He was wearing a red turban and a manicured Rajasthani style moustache. He is looking right into the camera with bright, mesmerising eyes. You have stated that you choose to work with ethically driven and environmentally responsible companies and not for profit

organisations, can you tell us a bit about how you came to this decision and why this is important to you?

Inspired by people I’ve worked with and what I’ve witnessed around the world, it has become a priority that my business is operated as ethically and environmentally sustainably as possible, which includes my workspace being off-grid and planting trees to offset my operations. I’ve seen first-hand that the way we live has a very real, and often negative impact on people and environments on the other side of the world. I don’t believe that people or the environment need to suffer in order to run a business. I think that my drive to work with these types of clients originated in Sri Lanka. I was there on a surfing trip in 2004 when the Boxing Day Tsunami hit. A twist-of-fate quite likely saved me from joining 30,000 Sri Lankans who lost their lives that morning (and 230,000 total). The impact of that has never left me, nor have the memories of the days that followed. The devastation floored me for months. During the aftermath, some local friends asked me to photograph the wreckage of their house. They were a family who I’d

shared tea and dinner with a number of times. I’d danced and played with their children. Now their home was scattered across the ground. Taking those photographs was the most difficult photographic project I’ve ever completed. I was grieving the immense loss of lives around me, the smell of death heavy in the air and the suffering, palpable. It was the first time that I saw my camera as a tool that could help people - the family wanted to apply for funding to reconstruct their home. In the years that followed, I sought out humanitarian and NGO work that resonated with me. This was mostly documenting the work of Indigenous groups throughout South and Central America, India, PNG and Australia.

Where can readers check out your work or get

in touch?

You can see my travel, documentary and commercial work at:aliciafoxphotography.com @aliciafoxphotography

I felt extremely fortunate to have such a unique experience. I learned so much from sitting and listening to the Elders who welcomed me into their lives and shared their amazing stories. It changed me on a very deep level.

SPORT

TAKING THE HEAVY LIFTING OUT OF

UNIFORMS & MERCHANDISE

Tell us a little bit about C2C Sport?

Coast 2 Coast Sport aka C2C is a 35yr Australian sportswear brand started by my parents John (Davo) & Elizabeth (Liz) Davidson in Port Macquarie NSW.

The roots of our sportswear runs deep with our founders combining over 120 years in the clothing industry and investing a lifetime in community sport development.

Davo, was a talented sportsman and is a very well known figure in basketball, devoting

30 years to community sport as President of NSW Country Basketball as well as life membership of Port Macquarie and Dubbo Basketball.

C2C Sport pioneered basketball and netball merchandise both online and at events in Australia. C2C experience includes uniforms and merchandise for world championship events, licensed merchandise for national retail chains, state, national and professional teams.

Our passion is community sport, uniforms, supporter merchandise and e-commerce innovation.

What differentiates C2C Sport from its competitors?

C2C takes the heavy lifting out of uniforms and merchandise for community sport.

During COVID and the 2022 Eastern Australia floods, we set about connecting sporting communities by providing free e-commerce stores, and providing merchandise with meaning, 100% managed by us.

We took our 35yrs of global licensed event experience, creative branding and e-commerce skills and refocused them into helping community sports.

The social impact of helping community

sports stay connected and then restart after COVID and the floods was very real and the joy from those we helped was even better.

C2C continues to give sporting clubs community connection and return to them countless hours of volunteer time and remove merchandise and uniform headaches, so they can get kids on the field.

C2C manages community clubs’ online stores and provides the customer service, socials, promotion, design and supply.

Personalisation, length variation, jersey numbering, sizing and customisation is all handled by us, so you don’t have to.

C2C recommends the products that add value for our customers. That value can be, no minimum order quantity and no wait time and local collection.

C2C provides in-house print on demand to reduce waste and increase satisfaction for our clients.

Your members get better service, supporter merchandise and e-commerce that 99% of community organisations simply don’t have the skills, time or expertise to manage.

Anytime Community Lockers or Delivery Convenience

We pack and ship orders according to the

timeline, end point distribution method, end user freight provider or delivery model you need.

In Port Macquarie we have a community sport physical store and 120 community lockers for free anytime collection convenience for our Hastings Valley community.

We have ambitions to roll the physical lockers out to other communities via suitable partnerships.

3rd Party Logistics

C2C warehouses our clients’ bulk inventory to fit the supply and delivery model that suits customer needs. It can be any combination of 3rd party stock, custom made, decorate on demand, and even old stock that you want cleared or out of your garage.

How do you manage size and fit online?

C2C has the clearest size and fit guide in the industry, so you know what you’re getting with C2C  garments. C2C owns and controls all their garment patterns, size specifications and fit.

We never gamble your members’ money or satisfaction on an overseas factory’s guess work on size and fit.

Come and check it out at 35 Uralla Rd, Port Macquarie.

Fill out our questionnaire here  to arrange a live demo or make an enquiry

Check our free and paid plans here:

How do we get access to the Locker Room?

C2C continues to give sporting clubs community connection and return to them countless hours of volunteer time and remove merchandise and uniform headaches, so they can get kids on the field..

Alan Jeffrey is the president of Port Macquarie Surfing History Association and one of the passionate volunteers behind the Port Macquarie Surf Museum. He and his fellow committee members and volunteers believe that, considering the area’s claim to being one of the first places in Australia where surfing began, it is the perfect location for a larger, more permanent museum to honour the rich history of surfing.

What inspired the idea for a Surf Museum in Port Macquarie? In your opinion, what makes Port Macquarie a significant location for a Surf Museum?

In 2018 a group of us local older surfers decided that Port Macquarie’s surfing history and beach culture needed to be preserved and its story told, especially as NSW does not have a recognised Surf Museum. There are museums in both Qld and Victoria, with Surf World on the Gold Coast and the Australian National Museum at Torquay in Victoria. We formed the Port Macquarie Surfing History Association Incorporated and trade as Port Macquarie Surf Museum.

Port Macquarie is the ideal location for establishing a Surf Museum as it was here back in 1912, when Harry McLaren at 15, who was a local oyster farmer built and rode a surf ski craft. Harry and 2 of his mates Harry Hicks and Jack McLaren tried their luck at riding waves here at Town Beach.

Most people believe that surfing started in Australia in 1914 when visiting Hawaiian

ALAN JEFFREY

Olympic swimming Duke Kahanamoka gave his famous demonstration of board riding at Sydney’s Freshwater Beach. Thus, Port Macquarie can lay claim to being one of the first places in Australia where surfing began.

Can you introduce yourself and the roles you play at the museum?

I, Alan Jeffrey, am the President of Port Macquarie Surfing History Association and lead a team of dedicated committee members and volunteers. Our shop is open 6 days a week and we are located on the 1st floor (Food Court) level of Port Central Shopping Centre.

During the last 5 years we have moved 7 times, as we have only been a pop-up shop. Port Macquarie has a rich surfing history. How do you plan to capture and showcase the unique surfing culture of the area in the museum?

The aim of the Port Macquarie Surf Museum is to promote not only our local area but also surf history from across the country and many of our exhibits reflect the broader connections.

We are proposing that the museum will be recognised as NSW’s premier museum for the presentation and promotion of surfing history and beach culture. We will include

representation of the Birpai, our First Nation peoples ancient lifestyle that once existed around the foreshore and river entrance.

The aim of the Port

Surf Museum is to promote not only our local area but also surf history from across the country and many of our exhibits reflect the broader connections.

What can visitors expect to see and experience when they visit the Surf Museum? Can you tell us about some of the specific artefacts or exhibits that will be featured?

From our humble start of only a handful of old boards in a small shop at 113 Horton Street, we have now grown our collection to be in excess of 100 exhibits. These include 12 to 16 foot timber tooth picks of the 1930’s and 1940’s, early timber plywood and balsa 9 to 10 footers from the 50’s, an excellent collection of the Malibu boards from the 60’s. These boards are mainly from the famous 5 board makers; Barry Bennett, Scott Dillon, Danny Keyo, Gordon Woods and Bill Wallace who were located in Sydney on the Northern beaches. We then move into the stringless era of the mid 60’s when boards were beginning to

become shorter. The short board revolution began in the late 60’s early 70’s with single fin and twin fin boards which were around 6 to 7 foot long and much lighter in weight. By the 80’s the surfboard design changed dramatically with the introduction of the Thruster, 3 fin design board by Simon Anderson (Energy Surfboards).

Our Museum also includes displays and exhibits of body boarding, skateboards and surf mats. Our local bodyboarding World Champion, Damien King, has loaned us his World Title trophies and body boards.

We also have displays celebrating women surfers.

Our displays and exhibits include old surfing photos, magazines, posters and surfing memorabilia.

Continued over...

Macquarie

Are there any particular local surf legends or stories that you plan to highlight in the Museum?

Port Macquarie has a long and rich history with surfing. Derek Crisp started surfing at Town Beach in the 1940’s and began making boards in his garage in 1957. In the 1960’s he went on to bring boards up from Sydney to meet the growing demand.

The first major surfboard riding championship, Mid North Coast Titles, was held at Flynns Beach in 1963 and was won by Port Macquarie local John Holmes with Jim Pullen runner up.

Our local area has produced many State and Australian champions, some of who have gone on to be professional surfers and achieved some amazing results on the world stage.

Championship in 1998.

Mick Campbell qualified for the World Tour in 1996 and was runner up to Kelly Slater in 1998.

Matt Banting won the Australian Open Surfing Title at Manly in 2012 in both the Junior and Senior division, the first time anyone had won both divisions.

Our local area has produced many State and Australian champions, some of which have gone on to be professional surfers and achieved some amazing results on the world stage.

Michael (Eppo) Eppulsten won the World Bodyboarding Title in 1993, the first time a non Hawaiian had won the title.

Damien King has won 3 World Bodyboarding Titles as well as numerous other events including the Pipeline Masters.

Kathy Newman from Bonny Hills won 2 National Women’s titles and was World Amateur Champion in 1990 and she was on the World Tour between 1991-1995.

Marcus Brabant won the Junior World tour in 1990.

Darren O’Rafferty won Junior World

How do you envision the Surf Museum benefiting the local community?

The Surf Museum is a great asset to Port

Macquarie as we attract interest from both locals and tourists, travelling surfers and many overseas visitors. Surfing is a sport which appeals to most people ranging from beginners to those who have enjoyed catching waves for many years.

For many of the older surfers who visit the museum it is a trip down memory lane, as they tell the story of when they first started surfing and of their adventures.

In August we will be hosting the Legends of Surf 72 which is a photographic exhibition by Andrew McKinnon, which takes you on a nostalgic ride and a wave of memorabilia through the lens of 1972 and the events that shaped a breakthrough year in surfing.

This exhibition has recently been on display at the Gold Coast, Bondi Pavilion in Sydney and the Australian National Surf Museum at Torquay in Victoria. We were fortunate to be offered the opportunity to host the event here in Port Macquarie.

The exhibition period will correspond with dates for the Australian Festival of Surfing which is being held here.

You have been working on securing a larger, more permanent site for the Museum. Can you tell us about your plans and what you hope for the future of the Museum? Our proposed Museum building is to be located on Pacific Drive opposite Oxley Beach, on land known

as Oxley Reserve, being the vacant site to the rear of the Mid North Coast Maritime Museum cottages, subject to Council approval and Plan of Management.

It is our intention for the museum to be a community facility which will not only house the museum but also provide community meeting spaces and be an education facility relating to surfing and the ocean environment.

We are proposing a building which will be of an iconic design but will complement the existing nature of the precinct and blend with the historic nature of the existing old maritime cottages on the adjoining allotment.

We do have good support from Council for our proposal and the general community including Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association, Business Port Macquarie and Surfing NSW.

Both Leslie Williams, our State Member for Port Macquarie and Pat Conaghan, Federal member for Cowper support our efforts.

We are currently in discussions with our planning consultants and building designers to finalise our plans for the site and building.

Hopefully, all will be achieved in the near future and Port Macquarie will have the state's first Surfing Museum.

For many of the older surfers who visit the Museum it is a trip down memory lane, as they tell the story of when they first started surfing and of their adventures.

ntroduce us to your team who help make what Hello Sailor is all about?

The Hello Sailor crew are really what make us what we are. They are the best and we love them.

Our leadership team helps keep things ship shape and me sane.

Bar Leader/AM – Jacob Corbet, years in the business, cut his teeth in many Melbourne and Port Macquarie venues, creative, knows his stuff and can shake a cocktail.

Floor/Café Leader - Hollie Ford, our Momma Bear. Keeps us all in line and my right-hand lady. Without doubt one of the best in the hospo business.

Kitchen Leader – Joel Gardener. Has been with

Hello Sailor from the very beginning, starting as a kitchen hand and over the years has climbed the ladder to become team leader.

We are fortunate to have also added so many talented chefs to the team lately. Brooke Carroll, Reece Blackburn and Josh Fletcher, not to forget our youngest member clanging pots Xavier Benson. Hello Sailor’s kitchen future is very exciting. In fact, we have a very exciting crew across the venue and I thank them all.

Where did your passion for food and beverage start? Travels and working around the world. Dirty little dive bars, holes in the walls, classy joints to festivals, street vendors and passionate foodie friends.

When coming up with new menus and cocktail ideas where do you get your inspiration from and what helps in finalising your decision? Menu design is always ongoing, no sooner do we finalise a new one than I’m planning the next. A little city bar hopping R&D is my favourite part of

HELLO SAILOR, SHORTLY AFTER ITS OPENING, BECAME A FAVOURITE

the process, then we brainstorm, then cull about 80% of the ideas, into a good amount of trial and error. Painting with flavours, a little science, mixing and matching.

Finding great ingredients that complement one another and then pushing boundaries and being comfortable with being different. Final decisions come down to several things as simple as ingredient availability, pricing (is it just too expensive to produce) is it just too out there? Haha - Are my team going to hate me for putting it on the menu. It might be bloody amazing, but is it practical. Then obviously we test menu ideas on people. You have a breakfast menu up and running, tell us about this and how it’s going? That’s right, we are so fortunate that we have a team that has experience in all types of dining and a venue screaming for a brekkie trade. It was the next natural step to bring the Hello Sailor style to breakfast. It’s been a long time coming, especially when your guests have been begging us to do it.

Hello Sailor, has also been the home to many charity events over the past couple of years, why are hosting events like these so important to you? We are just the conduit to others passion to do something great for others. We are honoured to be able to do our part.

Take us through some of your fave cocktail creations? “Keep it simple but spectacular”. The list is huge. From staff creations to the

cocktail collabs, cheeky little one-offs for special events, to drinks just too out there to make the cocktail list. However, these are some of the HS backbone:-

Lady Danger – Designed for International Women’s Day 2021 by Nicola Smith. Originally on for one event, but then never left the menu. Gin, Pimms and fruit based, both sweet and tart, fresh and tingly.

Diablo Rojo Margie (Red Devil) – “Not for the faint of heart”. Ingredients include house infused Chilli Tequila, Poblano & Ancho Liqueurs, Hello Sailor’s own spicy tomato juice and Spiced Ginger syrup, rimmed with Port Mac’s Own Salty Mummah’s Jalapeno rimming salt.

Arabian Nights – Our response to the Espresso Martini – Spiced Rum, Espresso liqueur DONE espresso and a couple of other ingredients to

pull it all together, for those needing a buzz and a buzz.

Coco Margie – Everyone knows this one. On the HS menu from the very beginning and it will continue to stay for fear of retribution.

Finally – The El Jefe Recommends - The El Capitan - 2 types of amazing Tequila, Orange Liqueur, fresh lime, and Yuzu Syrup.

What do you have in store for Hello Sailor for the rest of 2023? Same, same but different. Brekkie will continue to build, new menus for both bar and kitchen into the summer, more collabs with locals, pop ups, extended hours of trade, more live entertainment and a little project that we are very excited about, but in time we will reveal all.

Thanks Team.

Shed 10, Port Marina, 18 Park St 02 5504 5933

Info@hellosailor2444.com.au

hellosailor2444.com.au

It was the next natural step to bring the Hello Sailor style to breakfast, it’s been a long time coming, especially when your guests have been begging us to do it.

Sundays for Lunch from 1130am HAPPY

Travels &

PILGRIMAGE

Having very recently alighted from long haul air travel, please excuse any meandering writings… Coming back from the other side of the globe and an extremely hot European summer, it’s time for a reality check and some reflection on the experience of travel with the shoe on the other foot – so much time spent as a customer rather than a purveyor in the hospitality industry.

There’s certainly a whole gamut of experiences to be had from a service point of view out there and when you factor in other variables such as observing different cultural practises, language barriers and dining out as a necessity, as opposed to a choice- there remains a high level of variation between each and every venue. When it comes to Europe as a dining destination (specifically Italy in this case), there’s one aspect that was consistent for the vast majority and that is the quality of the food being served. Not remotely biased (?) , but certainly in Italy it is hard to go too wrong in terms of cuisine, unless you are frequenting the kind of tourist traps where you get lured in off the street by the waiter.

That’s one brilliant thing for sure. Of course Italians are passionate about ingredients, fastidious about food preparation and inherently proud of their cuisine and this is obvious wherever you go. Each and every region has its very own specialities and traditions and you can be sure to be able to experience something unique in every place you visit.

Whether it’s the local vegetable of Puglia‘cime di rapa’, served with orechiette (ear pasta) and sausage, the icy treat of fresh lemon granita with fresh lemon zest mixed in on the Amalfi coast, or the rich ragus with handmade tagiolini and gnocchi with cheese sauce found in the north – there’s culinary deliciousness for all the senses in abundance.

Not to mention the obligatory daily gelato (of course compulsory also in its ability to help one beat the heat of one of the hottest summers on record). It’s not too hard at all to source a quality one wherever you go. Just be sure to ask for a taste of the pistachio (or whatever your benchmark flavour is) first if you’re unsure.

Next stop naturally…pizza. In the case of this pizza afficionado/obsessee a pilgrimage to a couple of the voted world’s best pizza destinations – one in a tiny village in the

Naples region, the other in Rome.

Both were spectacular in terms of sublime perfection of bases. And then there were the toppings – incredible, innovative – yet somehow still within the bounds of pizza tradition.

Unbelievable and memorable food. Yet as was the case often throughout the course of the trip, the level of service was not quite there to match what was coming out of the kitchen.

Happily though, when the pizza is that good you seem to care less and it’s possible they knew that all would be forgiven after the first bite!

At the end of the day, travel is an adventure and an exercise in the great unknown. Therefore patience, flexibility and human kindness is required in buckets. Beware the experience of hangry and tired when arriving in an unfamiliar place. It pays to do a little homework, a little research and review surfing first. Although saying that, it is also true that reviews may paint a skewed picture too. Hmm…so I guess that means look for the right balance between planning and spontaneity…because you never know, that unknown place might be the next big thing.

FROM THE STUNNED MULLET with LOU PERRI

Palate

focus contributor.

BEEF SHORT RIBS

WITH SPICY GREEN PEPERCORN SAUCE

ingredients method

30ml Olive Oil

50g Fresh Garlic

50g Brown Onion

50g Green Peppercorns

20ml Brine

200ml Thickened Cream

150ml Tomato Paste

40ml Worcestershire Sauce

10ml Sriracha Chilli Sauce

15g Dried Chilli Flakes

10g Salt – 10g White Pepper

30g Arrowroot – 10ml Water

2kg Sous vide Beef Short Ribs

Heat pan to moderate heat, and add olive oil. Brown onion, green peppercorns and brine. Sautee for 2 minutes. Add chilli flakes and garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes on low heat.

Add cream, tomato paste, Worcestershire, sriracha, salt and white pepper. Reduce and thicken with arrowroot. Heat beef ribs in cryovac bag in oven for 1.5 hours on 160 degrees.

AARON HALL

Wheelchairs

Bread Tags for BAKERS DELIGHT

Aaron Hall is the owner of Bakers Delight Port Central, and after hearing about the charity Bread Tags For Wheelchairs he decided to put his hand up to host a collection point at his store. The community is invited to donate their plastic bread tags, which the charity then recycles to generate income to purchase wheelchairs for those that could otherwise not afford one.

Hi Aaron. Can you tell us a bit about your role at Bakers Delight?

I am the franchisee/ owner and have been for the past 8 years, I bake the products we make everyday and oversee the day to day operations of the bakery. Your store has been collecting bread tags for a special purpose, can you tell us what that is about?

We have been collecting the tags for a charity called Bread Tags for Wheelchairs. This charity collects the tags and gets them recycled to generate income to purchase wheelchairs for disadvantaged people overseas.

Where did the idea for this initiative come from? How did you hear about Bread Tags For Wheelchairs?

I saw the charity posting on Facebook and

thought it was a great idea and we would be a perfect candidate to host a collection point, so I approached them about becoming a collection point and went from there.

Can you explain the process for us? Where can the community drop tags and what happens to them from there? Anyone in the community can collect their plastic bread tags and bring them in to us, we have a basket on the front counter they can put them into, simple as that! Funds raised go towards buying wheelchairs for disadvantaged people in need. Can you tell us what you know about the people that may receive these wheelchairs?

They are mainly given to children in South Africa who normally cannot afford to buy one. There is nowhere near the level of funding for disability services in South Africa as there is in Australia, so someone who

cannot afford to buy their own wheelchair may not be able to get one at all.

What has the impact of this initiative been so far? Do you know how many people it might have helped to receive a wheelchair or mobility device?

So far we have donated approximately 100 kgs of bread tags to the charity. They need 250 kg to fund an entry level wheelchair, so not quite one wheelchair but everyone’s donations have certainly helped the charity! Keep them coming.

What have you enjoyed most about being part of this project?

Giving someone you don’t know the chance to have some independence is a good feeling, the process is easy to run and makes use of a product that is normally just thrown in the bin.

What has the response from the community been like so far?

The response from the community has increased a lot over the past few months. We started collecting them about 3 years ago and spread the word on social media. We have noticed a lot of bulk deposits from local schools and clubs lately who have asked their students and members to keep them. If the word keeps getting out it's only going to get bigger and more successful!

Giving someone you don’t know the chance to have some independence is a good feeling, the process is easy to run and makes use of a product that is normally just thrown in the bin.

ESPRESSO MARTINI Biscoff

INGREDIENTS

2 tbs Lotus Biscoff Spread, plus 1 tsp for glass rim

4 Lotus Biscoff biscuits, crushed, plus 1 uncrushed to serve

45ml vodka

30ml espresso coffee

20ml coffee liqueur

Coffee beans, to serve

METHOD

1. Rub the rim of a martini glass with 1 tsp of Biscoff Spread until coated. Dip the coated rim of the glass into a shallow dish filled with crushed Biscoff biscuits until lightly coated. Fill martini glass with ice and chill in the freezer until ready to serve.

2. Combine vodka, espresso coffee, coffee liqueur and Biscoff Spread in a chilled cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake vigorously.

3. Strain the cocktail into the martini glass. Garnish with three coffee beans and a Biscoff biscuit to serve.

from PORT CITY BOWLING CLUB

Time not to Yolk around

The breakfast staple could soon be hard to get your hands on. High prices are uncertain as caged eggs will be phased out by 2025.

Do you know Australians consume 18.5 million eggs every day! Our farmers work around the clock from production, grading, packing and transportation so it's never been

more important than now to support our local farmers. Local eggs are tastier, fresher and healthier. We have many options in store so look out for Oxhill Organics, Amani and Out & About eggs that get delivered daily.

When you buy local, it stays local so let's keep our farms in our community for tomorrow.

-2446-

IMAGE BY CRAIG WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

Fur-Loyalty

Hi Viv, tell us about your shop and what was your decision behind opening FurLoyalty? Fur-Loyalty Boutique came about as a result of the lifestyle change of so many after living through COVID. A dramatic increase in pet ownership and the roles pets play within our lifestyles has driven a sharp growth within the industry. Personally I wanted a change and the concept of a boutique style pet store offering a unique, fun, luxe and fashionable shopping experience for both the pet and pet lovers was born. We are excited to contribute to the eclectic mix of Wauchope’s retail offer, with a big part of our ethos being the ability to shop locally, to touch, feel and see the quality of our products, being able to bring your pets in-store to style and ensure correct fitting. Can you tell us about the wide range of

products you sell? Catering for both dogs and cats, we offer a curated range of stylish and colourful walkwear including collars, leads and harnesses, knits, coats and T’ees, as well as co-ordinating accessories, and for the more sophisticated a range of pet jewels! Alongside this we also stock a small range of bedding and feeding bowl options to co-ordinate with your home styling, travel mats and car cushions, treats, toys and a selection of grooming products. Being a new store our product range is always expanding and with much valued

customer feedback we are constantly refining our offer.

What are the most popular products you sell? Our walkwear has been super popular for its quality and range of colourful prints and patterns, and our gift and party/celebration items have been surprisingly well received. They always brings a chuckle when people see them – pet cake mix, party decorations and birthday crowns/bow ties are absolutely a thing, and growing in popularity in a huge way with people celebrating their fur-baby’s milestones.

MARKET SHARE

MEDIAN SALE PRICE

KIRSTY BIRD JACOB HURRELL LISA RUSSELL-DUNCAN

SALLYANN THOMAS JOHN THOMAS

INTRODUCING BELINDA ANDERSEN & GEORGINA RYAN

BELINDA ANDERSEN , a seasoned professional with extensive property sales experience, is driven by the power of human connection in her real estate career. Her genuine care and kind nature, coupled with an effervescent personality and an unwavering work ethic, make her a beloved agent who strives to provide her clients with an open, transparent, and seamless selling experience. Having always enjoyed meeting new people, Belinda has built her entire career on personalized customer service. Prior to entering the real estate industry, she successfully owned and managed a hospitality business in the Hastings Region for a decade, demonstrating her dedication to hard work and exceptional service. Effective communication is the cornerstone of Belinda’s success, and she believes it begins with attentive

listening. She recognizes the value of human connection and understands the significance of personalized attention when guiding clients through the intricate process of selling and buying properties. Witnessing her clients achieve their property dreams and knowing that she played a role in their success brings her immense satisfaction and fulfillment.

Belinda’s strong ties in her professional work extend to the local community. Actively involved in various events, she is a familiar face at local gatherings and generously contributes her time and expertise to Nippers carnivals, Junior Touch Football, and the North Coast Women’s Rugby League Premiership Committee as a volunteer. Despite her accomplishments, Belinda remains down to earth, honest, and always eager to lend a helping hand. She values her membership in the

Hello! I’m GEORGINA RYAN , Licensed Real Estate and Stock + Station Agent. I’m a born and raised local, mother to 4 children, and qualified interior designer.

My true passion is helping people, so mixing that in with my property interests is a match made in heaven for a long lasting career, high customer satisfaction and achieving results and dreams for everyone!

I’m so excited to be on this new journey to continue my real estate career, with the focus to grow and prosper!

Join me in becoming a part of the fastest growing local real estate company, the next best thing! Contact me today to achieve our real estate dreams together!

2/14 High Street, Wauchope, NSW

wauchope@oneagency.com.au

oneagencypmw.com.au

(02) 6585 2000

WITH BAGO TAVERN NOW UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP WE CATCH UP WITH HEAD CHEF KAT MANSFIELD AND VENUE MANAGER MATT OWERS

You are the Head Chef at Bago Tavern Kat, tell us about yourself and how you got started in the hospitality industry?

I started my apprenticeship in early 2014, in Tamworth NSW at the Tamworth Golf Club.

I wanted to expand my love for cooking, and this was the perfect way to accomplish that.

Once I completed my training, I developed my experience in different aspects of the industry by taking on a manager’s role in a cafe and working in the local country clubs.

Not long after meeting my now husband and buying our first house in Tamworth, we decided we wanted a sea change which brought us to the beautiful Mid North Coast.

After finding our feet I started working at the Laurieton Hotel which is another great pub, a part of our group. Then recently I was given the opportunity to work at the Bago Tavern as the new owners took over, and step up and take on the new and exciting challenges of being Head Chef.  I am excited to continue to improve, but also stay true to our roots of a great country pub and make Bago Tavern better than it’s ever been before.

into the Tav and trying the mixed grill, or the juicy steak & ribs combo with a nice cold beer, you can’t go wrong.

operating the same food offerings for quite some time.

Secondly the sports bar got a pick-me-up with a bunch of big screen TV’s plus we are super excited about the Tav finally having TAB facilities in the coming weeks. Make sure to watch our socials for updates.

Tell us about your menu, what do you find is the most popular dish?

offer in our Hastings region and from there we talk and meet with suppliers to come up with some delicious food that the people of Wauchope will love!

What is the most fun ‘create and cook’ on the current menu and what is a must try for our readers?

Country pub classics with a few modern twists. The mixed grill, steak and ribs combo or the classic bacon wrapped chicken breast. We are both also excited and stoked to have pizzas back as a Bago staple as the Tav has been well known for the pizzas in the past.

With Bago Tavern now under new ownership, can you tell our readers about the changes the venue has undergone?

The Tav has undergone some changes. Firstly adding to our bar offerings with a range of new beers on tap and products available and we have recently updated our kitchen, which our team is very happy about. Obviously launching a brand new menu and weekly specials is a big one for our staff and of course our customers as the venue has been

We are excited to have our first brand new menu since the new ownership. This menu has highlighted some of the country pub classics and favourites plus a few delicious new additions. I recommend popping into the Tav and trying the mixed grill, or the juicy steak & ribs combo with a nice cold beeryou can’t go wrong. There is something for everyone on this menu!

When coming up with a new menu or specials ,where do you get your inspiration from and what helps in finalising your decision?

When coming up with a new menu firstly we review feedback from our customers. Next up we start looking into the local produce on

I recommend popping

VIBE COFFEE HOUSE

New owners Kelly and Tom have got some great ideas for the future of VIBE Coffee House in Wauchope.

This little cafe is the perfect spot for breakfast and or lunch with a beautiful outdoor seating. The warm winter sun comes in while the cold winter air is blocked out by the garden. With the introduction of local coffee DONE as their coffee of choice, VIBE is definitely

somewhere to visit on your next trip into Wauchope. Come and enjoy our $5 TACOS every Tuesday or why not check out our famous burger night, every Friday from 5pm eat in or take away.

With daily specials, awesome treats and great grab and go options, VIBE coffee house has something for everyone, including the kiddies. We are also Pet friendly.

BAKED CULTURE

Hand rolled Croissants, Artisan Sourdough. Coffee and more! Got a craving for a freshly baked Danish or Almond croissant? Baked Culture is the name to remember! “Our bakery in Wauchope offers the highest quality products using traditional mindful methods,  We pride ourselves in supporting local farmers and seasonal produce to create what you see in store”!The bakery locals love was  established in 2020 and Baked

Culture continues to go from  strength to strength.

“We are so grateful for our local community in Wauchope, they have welcomed and supported us far beyond our expectations! Hungry to learn more about Baked Culture?

Visit today, or you can skip the queue and order from the Heyyou app!

Or call us on (02) 5564 1146.  Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to get your daily pastry fix!

ATHLETICS Little WAUHCOPE

NSW REGIONAL CENTRE OF THE YEAR.

Please introduce yourself and your role with the Wauchope Little Athletics Club?

My name is Leanne Farrington and I am the secretary of Wauchope Little Athletics Centre.

Can you tell us a bit about the club and its history?

The club has been operating in Wauchope for over 25 years. We are an athletics club that caters for athletes aged from 3 to 17.

The club recently won Regional Centre of the Year.

LEANNE FARRINGTONCLUB SECRETARY

Tell us what this means for the club and what was the criteria in winning the award?

We also won Innovative Centre of the Year in 2021 and were nominated for both Innovative and Regional Centre of the year in 2022.

We were recently nominated and then won Little Athletics NSW Regional Club of the Year. This is some of the things that were mentioned during the award presentation:Like many clubs in small towns Wauchope Little Athletics has been through a lot in the last few years. Lockdowns, bushfires and floods just to name a few, but the committee at WLAC has not let this stop them offering as many opportunities to their athletes as those at the larger, metro clubs. In the past season they have hosted and run the first Zone Championships that has been able to run in our area in over 4 years. We have sourced and brought to our club as many resources as we can including having Melinda Gainsford Taylor present a sprint clinic, and ex Wallaby James Holbeck to speak to our club about being a country kid on the big stage and how to build resilience. We held an Introduction to Coaching Athletes course, an Officials course and a Run, Jump, Throw course for athletes and parents from our

15 athletes qualified at state level – an outstanding result from a small club who do not have access to the coaches, equipment, tracks or competitions that metro athletes have every day.

own club and we invited other clubs and members of the community to attend. We worked tirelessly with Port Macquarie Hastings Council to fund a new long jump run up which can now be used by local schools and has been utilised by the PSSA for both their zone and regional council. Most importantly we have worked hard to build a strong ‘team’ ethic. This has seen us have the largest group of senior (13 +) athletes in the history of the club and a thriving tiny tots (3 – 5 year olds) program. We successfully achieved grants to provide a defibrillator to all users at our home ground and successfully achieved an Active Kids Grant which allowed us to work with a local Indigenous artist to not only create a new uniform but also provide this uniform to all athletes.

Last season we saw one of our athletes attend the inaugural LEAP (Little Athletics Emerging Athletes) program and had 15 athletes qualify at a state level – an outstanding result from a small club who do not have access to the coaches, equipment, tracks or competitions that metro athletes have every day.

Like all clubs there has to be a

committee, who put all their time and effort into making sure it runs smoothly. Introduce us to your committee?

President: Emily Holbert

Vice president: Matthew Taylor

Secretary: Leanne Farrington

Treasurer/Canteen Manager: Belinda Barnes

Registrar: Rebecca Bartlett

Equipment Manager: Todd Barnes

First Aid Officer: Shane Farrington

Tiny Tots Coordinator: Korin O’Brien

Uniform Coordinator: Laura Walker

For those who aren’t familiar with how Little Athletics works, can you tell us about the practice/training VS competition side of the sports?

Our season starts with several skills nights where we teach the athletes the different athletic skills based on their age.

Competition nights start in October and run every Friday night until March 2024.

We have 3 levels of competition with championships at zone, regional and state level.

When does the season open for your club and how can parents get their kids involved?

Registrations open online on August 1. All registrations are completed via LANSW.com. au.

Our season begins in late September. Thanks Leanne.

The primary function of the ‘Mental Wheels Foundation’ is to fund programs that improve mental health of all Australians.

Depressed mental health leads to shattered lives and in the worst cases suicide. The problem in Australia is critical with a person (mostly males) attempting suicide every 6 minutes. They are our friends, family, loved ones and colleagues, and we believe that it doesn’t need to be this way. The ’Mental Wheels Foundation’ has determined that to make real and lasting change we need to conduct relevant research, delivered through clinical partners, then made accessible to all.

To enable each action, we have partnerships across research, clinical support and scholarships, and to fund this we conduct a series of events throughout the yearcorporate, community and cycling events. The Sit Up Challenge will help guide you in improving your mental and physical state and make a difference for those in need within the community.

With one Australian attempting to take their life every 6 minutes,we together can help raise awareness campaigns to provide life changing programs and initiatives. The

purpose of the Sit Up Challenge is to raise funds to conduct research and programs to help improve the mental health status of Australians and in future, across the globe. How your part helps in every step of the way:

• Commit to the challenge of 66 sit ups everyday for 21 days!

• Why 66? Every 6 minutes someone attempts to commit suicide and we want to you to get 6 friends to join you on the challenge.

• Encourage those around you to donate to your cause.

• Put your mental health FIRST. With the support of the community taking on the challenge with friends, not just to help improve their mental and physical state, but also the individuals living in Australia who are experiencing mental illness, we are on our way to breaking the WORLD RECORD for the most sit-up attempts. Research has shown, those who exercise regularly have better mental health, feel more stable emotionally and have lower rates of mental illness.

How do I raise money and where does it go?

• Once you register you get your own fundraising page

• You can share this page with your family and friends to make donations

• This campaign is by The Mental Wheels Foundation to help raise funds for critical mental health initiatives

• We support Mindspot to create clinical support and MQ Health to conduct vital mental health research and create programs

• We also support FITSOM – Fit State of Mind OUR MISSION:

• To raise 10 million dollars to go towards mental health research and programs that make a real difference to the state of mental health

• To have over 1 million people making a move and completing the challenge

• To take on the challenge and share your progress on your socials

This challenge is just as much about you as it is about helping others.

That’s why for the past 30 years, we’ve been dedicated to helping senior Australians find joy and fulfillment in every day. Our permanent and respite care services are designed to meet your unique needs and support you in realising your wellbeing goals.

If you’re looking for a place to call home, where you can live a meaningful life surrounded by people who care, look no further than Regis. To learn more or find a location near you, simply call 1300 998 100 or visit regis.com.au.

Let’s start to unlock the power within!

You all know how important it is for you to take care of yourselves from a physical and mental health point of view, but that should also include your pelvic health. So, buckle up and let’s embark on this enlightening journey together!

Let’s  get right to the heart of the matteryour pelvic floor. Picture a group of muscles that are like the unsung heroes of your lower regions. These hardworking muscles, situated between your tailbone and pelvis, play a vital role in supporting your bladder, bowel, and, yes, even your love life. Strengthening these muscles can lead to a whole range of benefits. Imagine improved control over your bladder and bowel movements, enhanced sexual function, and increased pelvic stability?

Many of you might face challenges such as urinary leaks, the occasional performance issue, or even pelvic pain.  If this is you, it’s time to take charge and tackle those issues head-on! Pelvic floor training could be your secret weapon to combat these problems. By now, I’m sure you are wondering how you

can start activating those pelvic floor muscles and  reaping the benefits?

It’s not as complicated as it sounds. Imagine you’re walking into the cold ocean, and your instinct is to lift your “nuts” towards your belly button for a moment. That’s right, this simple upward lift is a helpful cue to engage your pelvic floor muscles. Another way to think of it is to lift your “nuts to guts.”

Pelvic floor training is just like any other part of your health and fitness regime. It needs some attention too, but you’ll notice the benefits. I’ve got some practical tips for you to incorporate pelvic floor exercises into your daily routine. You can squeeze in a set or two while waiting for the coffee to brew or even during your commute (discreetly, of course!). It’s all about finding those moments to give your pelvic floor the attention it deserves. Just like working out in the gym, you don’t need to be doing 100’s of reps per day. This is definitely a case of quality over quantity!

You know that taking care of yourself is essential, and sometimes, that means seeking help from the experts. If you feel like you need more guidance or have specific concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare

professional or a pelvic floor specialist. They’re the experts who can provide personalized advice and support tailored to your needs.

Your pelvic health is just as crucial as any other aspect of your well-being. So, gentlemen, let’s unlock the power within and start a pelvic floor revolution. Your body will thank you, and who knows, you might even become the pelvic floor guru among your buddies.

You’ve made it to the end of this enlightening journey into the world of pelvic floor training for men. I hope you’re feeling inspired and ready to take charge of your pelvic health.  It’s time to embrace pelvic floor training and make it a part of your routine.

And remember, while we are a female-focused fitness facility, we’re all about sharing health information of all kinds. So, be sure to send your wives, sisters, daughters, and female friends along to see us – we’ll make sure they are looked after.

Rach x

FROM MISS MOTIVATOR with RACHEL LEMAN UPDATE focus contributor.

Hi all, and welcome to our August fitness update!  This month it’s the Men in Business edition. I thought we’d focus on something that often flies under the radar: pelvic floor training for men!

Our contemporary accommodation has been thoughtfully designed to include home comforts and all the bells and whistles you would expect from an innovative, modern design. The bright, private rooms all feature ensuite bathrooms, ample storage and space to welcome family and friends or savour a good book while overlooking our stunning gardens.

Residents can relax in beautifully landscaped courtyards or spacious terraces, have a baristamade coffee in our ‘Jolly Nose’ cafe or enjoy a movie at the cinema.

The dedicated team at Highfields Manor offers responsive and flexible care to our residents based on their individual needs. With a focus on ‘reablement’, we provide care for people with high and low needs and take a person-centred approach, adapting our services to each of our residents alongside specialist rehabilitation and dementia support.

Respite care can give a carer a muchneeded break and can also give a potential resident the opportunity to trial our care. Our friendly, expert team are on hand to work with temporary residents, their carers and families to ensure our respite residents receive the most appropriate care and that their stay with us is a positive experience for everyone involved.

The death of a loved one is not an easy subject to deal with – here at Highfields Manor we provide end of life care and support residents and their families at this emotionally challenging and stressful time. The aim of our palliative care is to achieve the best possible quality of life for the person, their family and carers.

NOT EVERYONE IS GIFTED with a perfect smile from birth. Those that aren’t may feel “dentally challenged” later in life. Whatever the case, if you or a loved one is missing teeth, suffering from a broken-down smile, advanced gum disease, chronic tooth pain, toothlessness, or feel their smile is letting them down, it may be time to consider the rehabilitative technology of Allon-4 Dental Implants.

What are All on 4 Dental Implants?

The term “All-on-4”, also known as “All-onFour” and “All-in-Four”, refers to all teeth being supported on four dental implants. This is a popular treatment for the total rehabilitation of the smile, by replacing teeth on the entire upper or lower jaw (or both). This solution is best suited to patients with badly-broken teeth, decayed teeth, who are suffering from toothlessness, or have teeth that are compromised by advanced gum disease.

If you have any of these concerns, Sundial Dental can help. The All-on-4 treatmentt is a prosthodontics procedure. It is the replacement of missing teeth, and provides a permanent, dental-implant-retained denture or bridge as a replacement for the entire upper

ALL-ON-4 DENTAL IMPLANTS

FOR THE REHABILITATION OF YOUR SMILE

and/or lower set of teeth.

All-on-4 takes advantage of the dense bone that remains in the front part of the upper and lower jaw by placing two implants, and subsequently by placing the two implants at the back of the jaw, at an angle to create stability, all the while avoiding the sinus cavities in the upper jaw and the nerve canal in the lower jaw.

The four implants support a fixed denture or bridge with 10 to 14 teeth. Typically, the denture or bridge is fitted immediately or within 24 hours of surgery, called loading.

All-on-4 model to show you the look, fit and feel of your new All-on-4 Smile.

Planning an All-on-4 Smile may take several appointments to assess, design and approve your new smile, because it is a full mouth rehabilitation. The good news is with today’s design technology you can be a part of the design process to achieve the smile you have always dreamed of.

RESTORE YOUR SMILE WITH DENTAL IMPLANTS. A FAST, PRECISE AND FUNCTIONAL SOLUTION TO MISSING OR BROKEN TEETH.

If you are considering an All-on-4 Smile a careful analysis of the bone density, bone structure, existing teeth, bite, occlusion, and your ideal dental outcomes needs to be taken into account to design your dental solutions.

A detailed evaluation starts with a 3D x-ray and a 40-minute consultation. Additional digital images, or impressions, may be taken. Then with the use of CAD CAM technology we can design your smile and print a mock-up

The cost of the Allon-4 procedures varies, based on the dental implants used and the final prosthetic material. For example, acrylic resin teeth over titanium bar, or use of other prosthetic materials like zirconia. The best way to assess if this treatment is right for you is to book a 3D x- ray and an All-on-4 consultation.

If you or a loved one is considering a smile rehabilitation, call the caring team at Sundial Dental on 6583 3533 or 6585 2015 to book an All-on-4 Smile Consultation today. Or Visit one of our four friendly locations Alternatively visit sundialdental. com.au to learn more.

The friendly folk from Visit Noosa reached out to us earlier this year and invited us to spend a weekend exploring the wonderful sights and attractions they have on offer. It was a jam-packed weekend with lots of amazing things to see and do..

Visit

Night 1: Thursday We jumped on the 7:50 pm direct flight to the beautiful Sunshine Coast. We arrived at Sunshine Coast Airport to find a hire car waiting for us from the legends at Bespoke Car Rentals. We received the best service from the lovely staff at Bespoke Noosa!

After a 25-minute drive, we arrived at our accommodation which was nicely located in the centre of the hustle and bustle of Noosa. Directly opposite Noosa Main Beach and situated right on Hastings Street, Ocean Breeze Resort offered a spacious, self-contained, air-conditioned apartment. Featuring a heated swimming pool, half-size tennis court, sauna and a barbecue area. The staff were friendly and helpful, and you can walk everywhere.

Day 2: Friday We were greeted in the main lobby of our apartment by Joel from Joel’s Journeys. From the moment we first introduced ourselves, we knew we were in for a day of exciting fun and adventure. We jumped

into Joel’s 12-seater van, our first stop was Belmondo’s fresh food market. Featuring all organic produce available wholesale to the public as well as a Butcher, Baker and Espresso Maker. Coffee and croissant was a delicious kickstart to a busy day! Our second stop was the Noosa Chocolate Factory. We had a 7-year-old in tow so you could imagine his excitement when we arrived at a chocolate factory at 11 am (on his birthday). Chocolate for breakfast, he was living the dream! The staff were super friendly and even offered Cordell some freebies as a birthday gift.

Our third stop was most definitely a highlight of the tour. We headed up to Mt Tinbeerwah Lookout. From the carpark, we followed the track up across the granite boulders to the top, which was a 360-degree view of the Sunshine Coast. It was breathtaking!

Our fourth stop was in a little town just inland of Noosa called Pomona. Pomona is a gorgeous hinterland town with cafes, a country hotel, a distillery, art galleries, and a cute weekly country market. It’s also an ideal launching pad for the

nearby Noosa Trail Network, a haven for bike and horse riding that snakes its way throughout the hinterland. Pomona has a little bit of something for everyone. When asked where we would like to go for lunch, we couldn’t go past the famous Pomona Gin Distillery. We enjoyed a steak and a paddle of gin which included three of their finest, in-house distilled Gin. We were blown away! Not only was it the best steak we had ever tasted, but to match it with a range of different flavoured gins that were distilled in the room next door, our taste buds were dancing.

Our fifth stop was a half an hour drive from Pomona to a beautiful boutique vineyard called Dingo Creek Vineyard. Beautiful wines, the food was fantastic and staff were brilliant.

Joel has some awesome tours to show all those people who have done everything and are looking for something unique and personal, you will love Joel’s Journeys.

From the car park, we followed the track up across the granite boulders to the top, which was a 360-degree view of the Sunshine Coast. It was breathtaking!

Night 2: Friday After enjoying a bottle of Dingo Creek Wine, we headed to a famous awardwinning restaurant, Sum Yung Guys. Sum Yung Guys designed not only the menu, but also the dining room to highlight their spirit and passion for Asian cuisine and culture. The food is an expression of everything they have come to love about the region and the cocktails have been developed to compliment it. They have crafted the menu to promote a share style; this would suggest they strongly encourage dining with friends, family and beyond.

The food here was incredible; we could not fault it, and the service and atmosphere were also on point! We will be back and will be telling everyone else to come here too!

Day 3: Saturday After a little sleep, we climbed in an Uber and headed down to the Marina at the Noosa River. Here, we jumped on our very own Deluxe 8-seater BBQ pontoon. The pontoon boat had a nice full shaded canopy, comfortable cushioned seating, a barbecue on-board, lounge-style seating and a cd/radio players. The electric start 4-stroke motors with trim and tilt will allow us to see up to 20kms of waterways on a day out on the Noosa River. Massive thanks to the team at O Boat Hire, This was one of the highlights of our trip.

Night 3: Saturday We enjoyed the afternoon poolside at our hotel, which was so nice and relaxing. The pool was as warm as a bath which made it easier for us to tame the winter weather. We made reservations at Season Restaurant, a five-minute walk from the front door of our hotel. Seasons Restaurant offered us casual laid-back dining, great service and a wine list to match. An amazing restaurant, great food and drinks and awesome staff who understand what great customer service is. It was a great experience to end such an adventurous day.

Day 4: Sunday We checked out of our hotel, jumped in our hire car and headed 45 minutes to Steve Irwin’s famous Australia Zoo. It was an awesome experience and had so much fun exploring the zoo, definitely recommend it to anyone! Side note - Make sure you wear comfortable clothing and footwear because it’s lots of walking, but worth it!

We had a couple of hours to spare in the afternoon, so we went for a drive to the beautiful Glass House Mountains lookout which lives up to the reviews. What a view!

At 5:50pm we jumped on our flight home, exhausted but fulfilled. Would totally recommend Noosa as a holiday destination! Thanks to the team at Visit Noosa for your help and advice and for planning the most amazing experience for us. Make sure you visit visitnoosa.com.au so you too can plan your next holiday!

JONNY AND MIKE HIBBARD

DARYL COXON SCOTT LAVENDER

Tell us a little about yourself? I started out in the early days of finance broking and over more than two decades I have helped literally thousands of customers, and financed everything from their first home or car, through to heavy trucks and machinery, and even the occasional helicopter. Since moving to Port Macquarie with my wife and children over 3 years ago and joining Aussie Port Macquarie, I have seen some of the biggest changes in home lending in over 20 years. In my early days of broking, most people simply used the bank that their parents had used until new players, such as Aussie Home Loans, entered the market and shook things up. More choice of lenders and increased complexity in getting a home loan now sees over 70% of Australians choosing the expertise and convenience of a mortgage broker, so it’s a very exciting time to be a part of Aussie as Australia’s largest retail mortgage broker.

Why would someone come and see a Mortgage Broker? A home loan is typically the biggest purchase you will ever make so it is important that you continue to manage it and make sure it works for you. We have access to

a wide panel of lenders covering a multitude of specialties; this scope allows us to review a range of options and find the best fit.

This is more than a transaction for us, we are here for the entire journey, from researching options, providing sound advice on preparing yourself to apply, right through to settlement and beyond. We act in your best interests and make sure your loan product can partner you through life’s changes, from a growing family, investment needs and downsizing.

How is the current economic situation affecting your customers? We are definitely seeing a challenging environment for managing finances, with cost of living and interest rate pressures. Whilst it can seem overwhelming, this is the ideal time for you to review all your expenses and refine your outgoings. Whilst interest rates are causing additional pressure, there are still opportunities to ask your broker for support. We understand you may be time poor or not sure where to start, let us manage it and we will come back to you with potential options which may save you money or take away some of the additional pressure.

Tell us a little about yourself? I’ve lived in this beautiful area since 2004 with my wife and three kids and lucky enough to call the Camden Haven home. I have 3 school aged children and my wife is a Registered Nurse.

Outside of work I enjoy camping and four wheel driving, visiting all corners of this beautiful area we live in.

I’ve been the Franchisee of Aussie Port Macquarie since 2017 and have been lucky enough as we enter 2023/2024 to welcome aboard Becci Dobaczewski and Daryl Coxon as business partners as we look to support more locals through the home loan process. Why Aussie Port Macquarie?

At Aussie Port Macquarie we can offer you access to a range of lenders covering multiple specialties including First Home Schemes, Self Employed, Quick Turnarounds, Pre-Approvals, Loan Package options and Asset Finance offers. Our Aussie brand allows you to access national reach at a local level. Whilst we have access to competitive offers from banks and lenders, we couple this with local knowledge and passion for our region. Our experience recognises how

overwhelming the process can be, so we will be there to guide you, to understand what you need and make sure you are not paying for added extras that you won’t use.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? Our business is really about the people. The clients we work with to help them achieve their first house, next property or building their forever home. When clients return for future assistance, it is the greatest compliment! We love being part of the journey.

What are the most frequent questions you are asked? We see a range of different clients, from first home buyers new to the market, long term investors and guarantors looking to help their children step onto the property ladder. Each scenario comes with its own challenges; however, we are there to navigate the process with you, provide options and research the appropriate lender partners.

Franchisee & Mortgage Broker

Home Loans

Franchisee & Mortgage Broker

THE TILING CO.

Describe how you got started in your business? I was lucky enough to secure a tiling apprenticeship as a teenager and after falling in love with the trade and craft, I quite quickly gained the aspiration to begin my own tiling business and thus The Tiling Company NSW was born. The Tiling Co has worked across the Mid North Coast and Sydney and has grown from originally servicing residential tiling jobs into additionally servicing large scale, commercial, multi-

residential and NDIS properties. It is quite humbling to look back and see how far the business has come. Can you introduce us to your team?

The Tiling Co boasts the largest tiling team on the Mid North Coast which includes myself, Kye, Riley, Peter, Mitch, Matt and Blake with some exciting new additions in the pipeline. We have signed some of the team straight from Newman Technical College who we continue to work with to provide work placement and possible future apprenticeship opportunities. We

are always looking to expand our team and are extremely proud to be the tiling employer of choice in our area. What is your business's point of difference? As we have a highly qualified and substantial team, we are able to tackle large scale projects quickly, efficiently and most importantly, cost effectively. We take pride in the fact that we deliver on time, every time with the highest quality workmanship. The Tiling Co has worked hard to establish itself as the leading tiling company on the

L:R - Kye Hofman, Peter Nicola, Karrim McKittrick, Riley Meehan, Mitch Brumfield, Blake Poole. Matt Ripps (absent).

Mid North Coast and our work speaks for itself.

What does a typical day at work look like for you and your team? The morning always starts with a coffee (shoutout to Bookface Cafe for fuelling us up with caffeine of a morning!). Often, I will meet with a client at Colortile or Amber and help choose the right tile for their job and ensure its longevity and suitability for their project. As we do work throughout the Mid North Coast, I am regularly travelling to different

sites to complete our work, conduct site visits or meet with local builders. Our dedicated team of professionals ensures our jobs are complete and cleaned exceeding our clients' expectations before knocking off for the day. Once the workday site inspections, quotes, emails, and bookwork is complete, you can find us most often in the surf, Crossfit 2444 or Port Golf Club.

Tell us a fun fact about your business. The Tiling Co was founded in Port Macquarie and relocated with me to the

eastern suburbs of Sydney where we were focused on high end projects. We worked on multiple high profile multimillion-dollar projects with some of the best views in the country. An experience we’ll never forget but there is nothing quite like being home in Port Macquarie!

For an obligation free quote, please contact us on 0423 048 720

karrim@thetilingco.com

License no. 320167c

ANT CLINT

RANSE

Describe how you got started in your business?

I always had a camera in my hand during my previous career so it was a natural progression to build a business that leant into the storytelling side of that creative world.

What are your business's greatest assets? Our true strength is the incredible MVP team, we have had the honour of creating extraordinary content for clients such as Shangri-La Hotel and resorts, Dementia Australia, Cancer Council and various tourism destinations around the world. Our combined efforts have resulted in breathtaking videos that showcase the uniqueness of each project, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. Together, we continue to push the boundaries of video production, aiming to deliver nothing short of exceptional results for our valued

partners. It really is so much more than just me and a camera.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry?

It's certainly the ability for people to create their own content, Everyone has a camera in their pocket now and can create content on the go. It's been great fun integrating some client generated content into some strategies and seeing awesome results. But of course the introduction of AI into content creation is fast changing the game again.

Chief Caffeinator + Happiness Creator

Describe how you got started in your business?

I haven’t always been a barista, but after arriving in Port Macquarie from Hobart I soon found myself working behind a coffee machine, and loved it! It wasn’t too long before my wife Lusanna expanded our business Meg+Me and moved into a new space that allowed me to open my own espresso bar. We didn’t see the concept at first, but a good friend suggested we create a small hole in the wall style espresso bar and after a bit of creative thinking, Meg+Me Espresso was born back in January 2014!

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry?

The rise in popularity of milk alternatives. We started off with two dairy options plus a soy based milk, whereas now, nearly 10 years on we offer at least 6 other dairy alternatives on any given day!

Without our customers, both regular and those who only pop by every now and then, it wouldn’t matter how good our coffee was, how much fun we have, we wouldn’t be anything without them!

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

0431 483 290

myvideoproducer.com.au

clint@myvideoproducer.com.au

What are your business's greatest assets? Definitely the community we have created. Without our customers, both regular and those who only pop by every now and then, it wouldn’t matter how good our coffee was, how much fun we have, we wouldn’t be anything without them!

My day starts at 4:45am when I ride to work on my pushbike and begin preparing for an onslaught of customers from 6am. We have a regular crowd, including some mad keen cyclists, families who I’ve seen go from couples to full on families, some of whom even work with me casually on weekends now. I’ve been known to be MIA at times, but you’ll generally find me out the front chatting with the customers… that really is half the fun!

12+13, 6-14 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie 6583 7773 megandme.com.au

MEG+ME ESPRESSO

Creative Director and the man behind the camera

What’s your background? My family have been in Port Macquarie since the 1950’s and have owned several businesses like the Owen Street convenience store and Munster Street shops.

In the 90s, I went to school at St. Joseph’s Regional (back on Walter Street before Kmart was there) and Mackillop College. When I turned 20 I decided to move to the Gold Coast for a sea change. It was then I quickly realised that I wanted to work in a company that had a great career path and through friends and family I found that Harvey Norman was the place I needed to be.

It was between 2006 and 2014 that I ran three different franchises between Penrith, Campbelltown (in Sydney) and Fyshwick in Canberra. It was also during this time I married my beautiful wife Katherine and we had our first son William and this was the catalyst to moving back to Port Macquarie. It was not only for the great lifestyle but also more importantly to be with family.

I have now have had the Harvey Norman Port Macquarie computers, mobile phones and technology franchise since 2015 and Kath and I have had our second son Patrick and we couldn’t be happier!

What are the most important things to you about running a business in Port Macquarie?

I love Port Macquarie because it is in my DNA. I understand the value of offering our region a premium technology retailer that offers a great range but also has well trained staff that give a great customer experience.

Port Macquarie is very much a serviced based community and my franchise does offer all of the extra over and above’s you wouldn’t find in a like for like retailer.

We have a beautiful showroom that is clean and gives you plenty of choice in computers, mobile phones and tech. This is all backed by our fully qualified technicians that can setup your new device and even transfer all the existing information from your old device to your new one.

I also like to be acknowledged amongst my peers as an outstanding franchise in the business community and I have been very honoured to win

PETER JONES

HARVEY NORMAN COMPUTERS, MOBILE PHONES & TECHNOLOGY PROPRIETOR

2 trophies in the local Business Awards in the last few years. The next thing that is important to me is that I do believe in locals supporting locals. I am very passionate when it comes to forming relationships with companies and organisations that make a difference in peoples lives. This is why you will see my franchise as a regular supporter to organisations like Hastings Education Fund, Hastings Cancer Trust and Hastings Little Wishes.

What are your most popular products or services? Naturally we sell a huge amount of computers and mobile phones. Outside of this we are seeing a high demand of people wanting wireless security cameras for their homes and businesses.

I am also seeing customers trying to reduce their cost of living when it comes to their mobiles phone and NBN services and as we are a premium retailer for Optus we are seeing customers making the switch from their existing

services across to us.

There are many reasons for this; Bundling your services with Optus can save you money. This includes your NBN, mobiles, smart watches and tablets.

Making the switch from another provider can give you other benefits and you can generally get up to $500 in gift cards.

Making the switch is easy because you keep your same mobile number, we can do the switch for you and in most cases it only takes 30 minutes.

Peter Jones | Proprietor Computers, mobile phones & technology Phone +61 2 6580 0000 peter.jones@au.harveynorman.com

NEWTON SHUTTERS, BLINDS & AWNINGS

What is your business’s point of difference?

Newton Blinds works earnestly to ensure our customers are beyond satisfied. Every job is unique and requires a great deal of care and customisation. It is our priority that we not only leave our customers content, but we also take pride in the relationships we build with them along the way.

What are your business's greatest assets? Our desire to always uphold the highest quality of products and service is most definitely our greatest asset. Our ethos drives our company to work with determination, integrity, and ingenuity. Our staff are pivotal to everything we do – they are an amazing bunch of people who treat the business like it is their own

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry? Having been in the blinds industry for more than 17 years now, we have seen products continually develop. The types of options available are now very extensive, even standard styles of blinds are always being revolutionised and the option for motorisation and smart technology amongst other things is quite exciting. What does a typical day at work look like for you and your team? For every one of us every day is a buzz of activity. My day entails being on the road visiting customers to measure and select their blinds, awnings or shutters. We also have a curtain specialist who is doing the same job as me every day, going to the customer’s home to select fabrics and design the perfect outcome for their curtains or soft furnishings. The staff in the office/showroom are flat out all day with

quoting, both in-person and from house plans, and assisting customers with their selections. We have a team at our factory making our Ziptraks ® curtains, awnings, roller blinds and verticals so you are supporting local in every way when you buy from us. We also have a team of installers, four guys with years of experience and who deliver installs with accuracy and attention to detail. They clean up after themselves and we get comments regularly that they are the tidiest, most polite tradespeople many customers have ever had in their home. It is a busy workplace but one where we all enjoy going and we all get along like family.

JOHN OXLEY MOTORS WINS JAGUAR LAND ROVER REGIONAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR FOR THE FOURTH TIME

Ben Husk has spent the last decade in the motor industry, and the past five years as a Service Manager for the family owned and operated John Oxley Motors. FOCUS speaks with Ben on the most recent award recognition for this local Port Macquarie business.

Describe how you got started in your business?

I actually started in our warranty department, and drove the courtesy bus in the afternoons.

But the support from senior management is incredible, and I have been given the chance to develop and grow within the business.

What are the business’s greatest achievements?

We were lucky enough to recently win Jaguar Land Rover’s Regional Retailer of the Year Award for the fourth time in the past five years. It is extremely rewarding to see all the hard work our team put into delivering an outstanding service to our customers being recognised.

What is your business’s greatest asset?

It really is the people, the team we have. A lot of us have worked together a long time, and that really helps build a rocksolid team; we have each other’s backs, we communicate very well, it helps everything run smoothly so that we can provide the best service possible to our customers.

We were lucky enough to recently win Jaguar Land Rover’s Regional Retailer of the Year Award for the fourth time in the past five years.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry?

The increasingly rapid shift toward fully electric vehicles is both exciting and daunting, keeping up to date with the evolving technology is a challenge, but I’m very much looking forward to the next 5 to 10 years of growth in this segment.

Tell us about the new and exciting products coming to the market?

Both the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport have just had a complete redesign after 8 years, and they look amazing. The extremely popular Defender 110 now has a big brother, the Defender 130, which boasts third row seating for adults, something that has been in big demand.

What does a day at work look like for you and your team?

Just working hard to look after our fantastic customers, and ensure they are getting the type of service that has led us to winning those Retailer of the Year awards.

130 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 (02) 6588 8525

retailers.landrover.com.au/portmac -portmacquarie

BEN HUSK

COASTLINE PORT MACQUARIE

Describe how you got started in your business? I am a career banker, starting out in Sydney. My career took me across most of metro and country NSW as Branch and Area Manager, then into the position of Business Banking Manager. I was with a big bank, but was looking for more of a local community-minded company with a personal approach to lending and who specialised in self-employed client banking needs. In 2019, I made the positive move to join Coastline and it’s the best move I ever made. My clients who followed think so too!

What are your business’s greatest assets?

The people! Coastline staff and members, and the fact that we are a local business too. We provide a personal, market leading service with local decision making by the local Coastline team.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry?

The big banks have been closing branches and shifting decision making to a computer, or to employees outside of the communities in which they operate, who have no connection with their customer base. Coastline has done the opposite; opened more branches, employed more local people, extended operating hours and continued their strong focus on local small to medium family run businesses and customers. We are customer owned and 5% of our profits are invested back into the local community via sponsorships and community grants.

What are your business’s greatest assets?

The financial wellbeing of our members is at the core of what we do. This is demonstrated by significant staff resources across our branch networks, improving our ability to give more time to our customers. As a result, we’re able to build strong and trustworthy relationships with our members. I believe that this is key to meeting our customers’ needs. Another way we are exceeding our customers’ expectations is by the empowerment of staff who hold the authority to make decisions at a branch level. This is welcomed by our customers as it equates to quick in-house decisions and transactional convenience.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry? I believe the centralisation of operations is one of the biggest industry changes I have seen. These moves to somewhat streamline business have effectively created a whole range of customer dissatisfactions. Regionally, I have witnessed financial institutions no longer operating with appropriate trading hours, and in some cases, have completely closed their doors. For many financial institutions a delegation authority has been entirely taken away from customer facing positions, associating sub-standard wait times and defective decision making.

It excites me to know that our strategy at Coastline has been one of polar opposites; opening longer business hours, and arming our branch networks with highly motivated and accomplished staff with the authority to get the job done.

Describe how you got started in your business? I was working in the construction industry and was totally dissatisfied about employment satisfaction. My wife, Stacey, challenged me to do something about it and by chance I noticed a job advertisement in the local paper. I applied and thankfully management took a punt on me, that was back in 2015. Fortunately, I was thrown straight into lending and had an excellent mentor in Estelle De Rubertis, who I still work with today. We have a great team.

What are your business’s greatest assets? Without doubt it’s the personalised way we conduct business at Coastline. All my customers have my mobile number and know I can be contacted at any time.

The efficiency of our loan approval process. If a customer can provide the required information, they will have an answer that same day, unlike our competitors, who in most cases make members wait weeks, or sometimes months for a decision.

Our constant support of our local community. I feel proud that we give back in such a profound way.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry? The ever-changing compliance of lending policy and regulations.

STEVE ( WILKO ) WILKINSON Business Development Manager MITCH VAN DER VEER Team Leader TRENT MCKEOUGH Business Development Officer

TWOMINDS CREATIVE

Dylan, describe how you got started in your business? I started as a trainee in 2005 working for a publication under the guidance of Jay Beaumont, 18 years later I work as the Art Director for Jay at Focus. I have been a freelance designer and F&B Photographer for the past 9 years.

What are your business’s greatest assets? Creativity, flexibility and the opportunity to work with a great range of clients, from startups, and small operations to well established large companies like EVT/Rydges and Atura.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry? Technology for sure, the speed of our hardware, file sizes and storage - when I started we used disks! Design styles and trends are ever evolving, so we’ve got to stay on top of that too.

Kyle, describe how you got started in your business? I was lucky enough to connect with Focus through work placement in Year 11 (2011). From there I have learnt everything I know today from the great bunch of designers around me. Aside from this, I have found a real passion in brand identity and building an ongoing relationship with clients for their graphic work.

What are your business’s greatest assets? The fact that I can work with clients from anywhere in the world. I also love how the projects I work on can differ so much from day to day.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry? Numerous avenues exist for promoting your business, whether through print or online channels, offering more possibilities than ever before. That’s why it’s so important to maintain a fresh and contemporary brand.

DYLAN GAUL

DREWE

TIMEWELL

longevity of our homes.

We have a strong customer focus and place an emphasis on customer satisfaction, with all our staff in every department aiming to provide a positive home-building experience through consistent communication, regular updates and involving clients in decision making processes

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry? There has been a significant emphasis on sustainable and energy efficient home building practices. GJ Gardner homes has implemented these changes in our practices through the use of renewable energy systems, energy efficient appliances, improved insulation and the use of sustainable building materials. There has also been an increased focus on design and customisation. By offering our clients more customization options in our inclusions, and our large range of plans with the choice of them being customized, we are able to continually keep up with the changes in the industry.

What does a typical day at work look like for you and your team? As the ownerbuilder of GJ Gardner Homes a big part of my day consists of overseeing various aspects of ongoing projects, involving monitoring progress, coordinating with subcontractors and suppliers, and addressing any issues that may arise on the construction site.

What is your business’s point of difference?

At GJ Gardner

Homes we have set a remarkable precedent in the construction industry by championing a culture of transparency with an unwavering dedication to our clients. We have established a reputation for open communication and a genuine desire to involve homeowners at every step of the build process. Establishing strong client-builder relationships is a key point of difference. Our award winning design studio gives our clients access to in house colour selection without the need to shop around. Partnering up with

experienced local interior designers, Sess and Sass Design Co, greatly enhances the process of colour selection, their expertise and guidance, directly working with our clients, helps bring their visions, needs and desires to life in their new home. We offer an extensive range of standard inclusions, ensuring flexibility to personalize each individual's homes according to their preference and style.

What are your business's greatest assets?

Our focus on quality construction has established a reputation for delivering quality built homes, we aim to always maintain the highest standard by using quality materials and engaging skilled contractors. We have partnerships with reputable suppliers and manufacturers to ensure the durability and

Also dedicating a lot of time to business development and exploring opportunities for growth and expansion to ensure the continued high level standard of the business. Working very closely with our team is a very important part of every day for me, having regular meetings with staff, individually, in each department and also as a whole team. This is a key part of my day to ensure our team is well supported, informed, and has the tools to bring the same high level of standard.

G.J. GARDNER HOMES PORT MACQUARIE

OWNER BUILDER

We are trusted GRAPH IC DESIGNERS AND PH OTOGRAPH ER with 30+ years combined industry experience

Collaborating with you on your nex t exciting project and bringing your brand to life through crafted, considered design + collateral.

BRAND IDENTIT Y

DESIGN DYLAN KYLE

PETER ADAM SHIPLEE HOLBOROW

Licensed Real Estate Agent & Auctioneer

0432 253 490

peter.shiplee@eldersrealestate.com.au

Fun fact: I was once in a video that went viral as I vomited while changing my son’s nappy.

Licenced Real Estate agent and Auctioneer 0422 788 879

adam.holborow@eldersrealestate.com.au

Fun Fact: I was a professional Ironman Triathlete before getting into real estate.

DAVID PLEWS

Licensed Real Estate Agent & Auctioneer 0448 836 000

david.plews@eldersrealestate.com.au

Fun fact: In 1993, while backpacking, I had the opportunity to work at the Clarence Hotel in Dublin, which was owned by the renowned band U2 who I met.

Local

BRENDAN

GREG STEAD BATES

Licensed Real Estate Agent

Stock & Station Agent & Auctioneer 0447 788 509

brendan.stead@eldersrealestate.com.au

Fun fact: I own a horse named Rosey

Licensed Real Estate Agent & Auctioneer 0418 112 025

greg.bates@eldersrealestate.com.au

Fun Fact: I got my first tattoo at 53 now I have got a taste for it and basically have artwork all over myself, stuff that means something to me.

DANIEL

Your Agents SLATER

Licensed Real Estate Agent, Stock & Station Agent & Auctioneer 0458 751 368 daniel.slater@eldersrealestate.com.au

Fun Fact: Recently competed and came second in a state Auctioneering Competition.

MATT

Matt Model has had a pretty intense couple of months, fronting up and representing Australia and his community in more ways than one! He was chosen to represent Australia at the World Military Rowing Competition in the UK, and did us proud returning with three gold medals. On his return home he had a very quick turn around before setting off on a firefighting deployment to Alberta, Canada, as part of his firefighter role with Forestry Corporation NSW.

Hi Matt. Congratulations on winning three gold medals at the World Military Rowing Competition! How did you come to be part of this competition?

Thank you very much. It’s been great to have so much support from the local Port Macquarie community. My name was nominated at the beginning of the year by some teammates whom I competed with at the Invictus Games in 2018.

I was then officially invited to compete in the event by the organisers and RSL Australia, who sponsored me to attend. Can you tell us about the trip to the UK? How did you find the competition over there?

Although it had its challenges with a short

time between dealing with jet lag and competition it was a great experience and I am very lucky to have been given such a great opportunity. The UK was a great place to compete, the people show a tremendous amount of support and appreciation for all current and ex-servicemen and women and love some fierce rivalry between “us and them”.

There were competitors from all over the world and it was great to engage with so many like-minded competitors. The competition was very competitive with results being separated by milliseconds across all events, so I considered my results to be very fortunate and in my favour on the day.

How did it feel to return home with three gold medals?

Still feels a little surreal to be honest, I was not sure if I would find the competition floor again, so I was very humbled and grateful

to be able to represent Australia once more and come away with a great result for the team and the broader Australian and Military community.

Can you tell us about your recent experiences as part of the firefighting deployment to Canada?

It was an experience to say the very least and had its challenges both mentally and physically, but a great opportunity to learn, grow and broaden my role within the Forestry Corporation. Although the mission objective is somewhat all the same it’s a slightly different style of arduous firefighting to home, more aggressive fire behaviour and fuel types and very challenging containment impediments in the landscape like permafrost and muskeg. I was fortunate to work with a great bunch of people within my strike team and alongside local Alberta Wildfire personnel, Montana Rapid Response teams and American Hotshots.

Continues over...

The UK was a great place to compete, the people show a tremendous amount of support and appreciation for all current and exservicemen and women and love some fierce rivalry

What motivated you to volunteer for the Canadian firefighting mission right after returning from representing Australia at the World Military Rowing Competition in the UK?

Well, not many people know that Forestry Corporation NSW is actually one of the four firefighting agencies in NSW and there is a register of approved arduous firefighters listed for deployments like these well in advance.

So, the timing wasn’t ideal for me, with only a seven-day turnaround from London to Canada, however the dates were out of my control, but nonetheless it was an opportunity I could not pass up at the time.

And yes –wildlife, we had a handful of bear encounters with even mum and cubs so that made it challenging also, to get a good photo that is .. lol.

What challenges have you been facing while fighting wildfires in Canada compared to the firefighting methods

used in Australia?

The landscape threw up different challenges when dealing with wildfire in Canada, from remote area access issues, ground condition, aggressive fire behaviour and even wildlife impediments i.e. bears.

A lot of these areas are covered in snow during the winter and it freezes over so the ground is actually frozen a foot down. The Spruce Pine trees are very flammable, and the current conditions made for some very erratic

rates of spread. And yes – wildlife, we had a handful of bear encounters with even mum and cubs so that made it challenging also, to get a good photo that is .. lol.

Can you explain the role and responsibilities of Forestry Corporation firefighters during this deployment?

Forestry Corporation is one of several agencies across Australia, which provides personnel with a range of roles. Forestry Corporation provides specialist remote area firefighters who are required to conduct arduous firefighting activities in remote and hard to access areas. This included long walks through thick understory and swamp-like ground

conditions, carrying pumps and hoses long distances for water and a lot of dry firefighting techniques.

There’s currently 115 active wildfires in the state of Alberta with 13 still out of control. There’s been an estimated 1,525,973 (1.5 million) hectares burnt this fire season and it’s only the beginning.

How do you think your experience as an Invictus Games champion and a veteran contributes to your performance as a

firefighter?

Having a military background definitely contributes to working successfully in and around high-risk working environments and has no doubt complemented the transition over to my role in Forestry. Working in close team

environments in the past only makes this work not seem like work and more enjoyable and easy to build that camaraderie and mateship that Australia is famous for.

Can you provide insights into the current fire situation in Alberta and what it’s been like over there?

There’s currently 115 active wildfires in the state of Alberta with 13 still out of control. There’s been an estimated 1,525,973 (1.5 million) hectares burnt this fire season and it’s only the beginning. I was located in the Peace River Forest Area containing multiple fires, one of which we spent the total deployment on was over 150,000 hectares in size.

It’s a serious situation and unfortunately the weather and forest conditions have impeded progress. It reminded me of our local area and more broadly the east coast of Australia during the black summer fires of 2019/2020. After this deployment, what are your plans for when you return home to Bonny Hills?

Definitely take a break and reset, catch up with friends and family and look to get back into the routine of work and return to training for what might be next.

acob serves as the Business Manager, overseeing various key responsibilities encompassing IT, procurement and managing the MBC vehicle fleet. Additionally, he performs business development, facilitating data analysis and research to explore growth opportunities in new sectors and regions.

A decade ago, Jacob became part of MBC after completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Prior to joining MBC, he gained experience in business development and consulting, working with start-ups to aid them in market development, devising growth strategies, and entering both new and foreign markets. Jacob’s commitment to community service commenced at the young age of 16 when he became a proud Rotarian. He holds a strong passion for contributing to the betterment of his community. Apart from his professional pursuits, he finds joy in archery and is closely involved with the family bakery located in California, USA.

Glenn joined the MBC team in 2018 as Head of Labour Hire. Experienced in the recruitment industry, he started his career as a recruitment consultant before progressing to branch and regional management and national roles.

With 25 years of experience in the recruitment industry, Glenn is seasoned in all aspects of staffing and recruiting, including account management, business development, technical recruitment, occupational health and safety, and industrial and employee relations.

During his tenure, Glenn has established Macquarie Labour Hire as a leading regional recruitment provider, expanding the footprint from the Mid North Coast to the whole of NSW. The best advice that he follows daily?

“Listen to your customer and let them tell you what their problem is rather than you giving a solution based on what you think the problem is,” he added.

Originally a Sydney-sider, Nathan joined the MBC family in 2017. He has dedicated over a decade to the traffic industry, with nearly seven years working with MBC and the Watchout Traffic Control (WTTC) team.

His journey began as a Traffic Controller, after which he progressed into a Team Leader and subsequently took on the responsibilities of Area Supervisor and Scheduler for the Mid North Coast region. In recent years, he advanced to his current position as a Traffic Planner, where his responsibilities include supplying and preparing Traffic Guidance Schemes and Traffic Management Plans for WTTC.

Advice he lives by: “Always celebrate every win, no matter how big or small it may seem. Celebrating the little wins fosters a positive and motivated work environment, boosts team morale, and encourages continued success.”

In the dynamic world of recruitment, labour hire and traffic control, having the right team can make all the difference. Today, we shine a spotlight on the journeys of three colleagues at MBC.

JACOB DELINE GLENN FARLEY NATHAN VEERHUIS

SHIPLEE PETER

ELDERS LIFESTYLE GROUP

Describe how you got started in real estate.

My journey began humbly at 11, cleaning butcher shops, and at 12, with a paper run. Working at McDonald’s at 14 set the stage for my future. People often asked why real estate? At 19, ambitious dreams drove me, yearning for cars, boats, houses—yet oblivious to the effort needed to achieve them.

After assisting in opening McDonald’s Gunnedah, I sought parental advice on my path: university, fixedwage work, or resultsdriven careers like car sales at Wazza’s. Fate intervened when I met Ron Williams from Laing and Simmons in 1997, birthing my real estate career.

Life’s unexpected turns beckoned me to the real estate industry, which I embraced wholeheartedly, unaware of how it would shape my future and ignite my passion. What is your greatest asset when it comes to being a real estate agent?

Perseverance is the timeless virtue that anchors the real estate journey. In a world where quick fixes and instant gratification

are all too common, the true essence of this profession often gets overlooked. It’s not just about slapping up a sign and waiting for miracles to unfold; it’s about facing the challenges repeatedly.

Perseverance is not just about the end result; it’s the backbone of my work ethic, guiding my commitment to serving clients with integrity and dedication. It’s a virtue I carry with pride, as it shapes me into a better real estate professional and a stronger individual. Through the trials and tribulations, I continue to press forward, knowing that pursuing excellence demands unwavering perseverance.

What do you love most about living and working in Lighthouse Beach?

Living in Lighthouse Beach with my family is a blast, and you know what we love the most? Whale watching! It might sound like a typical thing, but seriously, there’s something captivating about spotting those majestic creatures in the big ol’ ocean. My kids go wild with excitement every time we see one!

They’ve got their own tiny binoculars, and it’s like they’re little adventurers on the beach, fully immersed in this thrilling experience. Oh, and speaking of the beach, even though

we don’t have a dog of our own, Watonga rocks! It’s the perfect place for my kids to have a blast playing with dogs without all the responsibilities.

Lighthouse Beach is just full of natural wonders and family fun, and I feel like the luckiest person to raise my kids and work in such an awesome place.

What does a typical morning look like?

Step into the dynamic world of a real estate agent and devoted parent! Each morning at my home is akin to a lively battlefield, as my three adorable children under 6 enthusiastically launch their surprise attacks on my snooze button at the punctual hour of 5:30 AM. But fear not, I welcome this delightful challenge with a smile!

Once the little ones are settled, I don my agent hat and dive into the day’s tasks. Now, let me dispel a common misconception. Real estate agents aren’t lounging around in luxury cars or sipping lattes all day, contrary to the glamorous image. My reality is more like a non-stop marathon of back-to-back calls, an endless cascade of conversations that keep me on my toes. I’ve practically transformed into a talking machine, handling inquiries and connecting with clients!

LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT & AUCTIONEER

Lighthouse Beach

Property Specialist

Life’s unexpected turns beckoned me to the real estate industry, which I embraced wholeheartedly, unaware of how it would shape my future and ignite my passion.

What is your business's greatest asset?

We are lucky to have the brands that I look after from the origins to the legend. Mercedes Benz history began in 1886 when engineer Karl Benz invented the world’s first car. This invention pioneered a path of innovation and technology which remains with us today. Their brand slogan is ‘The Best or Nothing’ and they are forever concentrating on innovation, performance, design, safety and the environment.

Jeep is a unique lifestyle vehicle and has a lot of heritage in the 4x4 section. No one else has an ‘Open-Air Adventure Ute’ and the standard equipment levels, if you are serious about exploring the offroad tracks, are second to none. Jeep launched their new WL Jeep Grand Cherokee and has definitely made huge improvements to the finer details and technologies in the vehicle compared to the last generation. We now also have a 7-seat option for the growing families or if you just need a huge boot to carry items. As mentioned below, we are also launching our first PHEV in Australia this year.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry? The biggest change of late in our industry is definitely the Mercedes Benz Agency model where the manufacturer controls all the vehicle stock in Australia rather than each ‘dealership’ having individual stock scattered across the country. It’s a different way of doing business in Australia and pretty unheard of to customers as we were so used to the older selling model. As a consumer, the new agency model generally greatly reduces wait times on their

new car as we can source that particular unit regardless of where it’s located in Australia or on a vessel to the country. We have the same lead time as any other Mercedes Benz dealership in Australia on any new car and the price is the same.

Tell us about the new and exciting products coming to the market?

We have lots of new and exciting cars to hit the market this year in both Mercedes and Jeep.

Mercedes have around 7 brand new models from the ground up that are planned for launch in 2023, From the ever-popular GLC SUV, to the new world of AMG E Performance range.

We also have around 6 models having a

facelift this year with new updated tweaks to the current lineup.

Jeep is about to launch their first PHEV – plug in electric vehicle - to the market in the Grand Cherokee 5 Seat Summit Reserve variant and I’m off to Melbourne in August for product training on this vehicle.

ANDREW MIEDECKE MERCEDES – BENZ AND JEEP

George Mediecke and Jade Westbrook

SALES MANAGER

GEORGE & MATILDA EYECARE

Selwyn is a Port Macquarie local and has been practising in the region for over 22 years.

He is a full scope general Optometrist with a particular skill set in detecting and managing pathology using advanced technology as well as the management of Dry Eye, which is an everincreasing problem in our community. In addition to this, Selwyn is a Foundation Associate for the Australian College of Behavioural Optometry due to his interest in children’s vision.

In his time off, Selwyn is a keen golfer and gardener. He is also an avid miniature gaming champion but most of all, he enjoys spending quality family time with his wife and two sons. With over 40 years’ experience as an Optometrist, Selwyn is very well regarded by his patients and local community.

Richard commenced working and took over ownership of a rural practice in Narrabri NSW from 1980 to 2015. He raised 4 wonderful kids in a rural location who have all gone on to have meaningful lives. He moved to Australia-wide locum work from 2015 to 2017 after the sale of his practice, and then worked 3 years permanently at a local optometrist in Kempsey. Richard has now been working for George & Matilda Eyecare since 2020.

Richard is Interested in developmental concepts of vision processing and its correlation with refraction and symptoms. He is still fascinated by the anatomy, physiology and function of the eye after all these years and is involved in all aspects of eye care.

He loves living within a stone’s throw of the Pacific Ocean in a growing community with

his wife of 44 years. Together they have 13 grandkids to visit and spoil.

Richard enjoys playing the piano, loves any form of jazz music and can’t stop finding building projects to challenge him. He also has an active commitment to a large and growing local church.

His favourite activities generally involve cooking and home-based entertaining for family and friends, preferably outdoors with a BBQ and when permissible, overseas travel. Both Selwyn & Richard work at George & Matilda Eyecare in Port Macquarie & Wauchope. Selwyn, Richard and the team at George & Matilda Eyecare offer bulk billing and can claim all major health funds on the spot, so your rebate is immediate – no waiting or queues!

Visit our website or call to make an appointment with Selwyn or Richard today!

SELWYN PEAKE Bach. Optometry & RICHARD ORR B Optom UNSW

PAT CONAGHAN

Pat Conaghan has been the MP for Cowper since 2019. He grew up in Kempsey and now lives in Port Macquarie with his family; wife Ilona and sons Hugh and Hamish. This, along with his background in Law Enforcement and his experience of establishing and running his own business, has given him a strong understanding of the community here and what is needed in this electorate.

Hi Pat. Can you tell us a bit about your earlier career in Law Enforcement, how you got into the field and how you feel it may have shaped certain aspects of your life and who you are?

I grew up in the country town of Kempsey, which in those days was a lot less cosmopolitan than now, and I do believe that country people are more attuned to what is going on around them as opposed to those growing up in more superficial environments. I could see what was going on, I felt that I understood why certain things were occurring and I was motivated to try and help as best I could. In particular, I hated seeing people unjustly persecuted in any way. It really bothered me as a kid, and still does to this day. The Police Force seemed like a natural step.

My 12 years with the police, first as a cop, then an undercover detective and finally a police

prosecutor after I had obtained my law degree had a huge effect on how I see the world. I saw humanity at its worst, but also at its best. Being at the coal face of trauma and seeing firsthand the difference that the right supports can make not just to victims or to perpetrators but also to first responders gave me a taste of what good policy making decisions can do for communities right around the country. How did you end up getting involved in politics? What motivated you to pursue a career in public service?

There are many reasons why I originally put my hand up for the gig of Federal MP for Cowper, possibly too many to list here, but if I could

a

an

detective

condense them I’d probably say that I was fed up with seeing the behaviour of politicians at the time, and I wanted to continue my father’s legacy of putting community before ego. Prior to being selected as the Nationals candidate for the 2019 election, there had been a run of what I felt to be counterproductive behaviour amongst politicians on all sides of the chamber. There were years of needlessly partisan politics and a lack of unity within the parties themselves, as well as what appeared to be ego-centric decisions based on some kind of ‘celebrity’ status rather than putting the needs of all Australians first. I found myself screaming at the nightly news becoming more and more

My 12 years with the police, first as a cop, then

undercover

and finally

police prosecutor after I had obtained my law degree had a huge effect on how I see the world.

disheartened. My wife Ilona said to me, ‘Well, if you think you can do better, why don’t you?’. And that was that. I offered my name for preselection with the Nationals soon after.

Prior to entering politics, you also had success as a lawyer, establishing your own practice Conaghan Lawyers. How has your experience as a business owner influenced your approach to politics?

Small businesses are quite literally the backbone of the regional economy, so I believe that having a good understanding of the ins and outs of running a small business is more than just an advantage in politics; it’s imperative. It’s also important to appreciate just how hard small business can be.

Many people see an ‘overnight success’ but what they don’t see are the 2am BAS returns, the constant struggle of cash flow, the 24hrs and 7 days a week that got you to a level of security and success.

Being able to understand the pressure points for business owners and the true knock-on effects for the people they employ is something I use every day in Parliament when considering

each piece of economic or workplace related legislation.

How do you balance the demands of your political career with your personal and family life in Port Macquarie?

It’s been just over four years, and to be honest, I’m not entirely sure I’ve got the balance right yet! It’s tough and still a work-in-progress, I’m happy to admit that. If I’m not in Canberra, I’m overnight at my other permanent office in Coffs Harbour, or travelling the other 7000km squared of the electorate or visiting offices around the country as part of my Shadow Ministerial portfolios. Last year I was away from home for over 30 weeks of the year, but when I’m home, I try to be as present as I possibly can. Turn the phone off, get away from screens, tune out of politics and into the three most important people in my life; my wife Ilona and sons Hugh and Hamish. Oh, and our dog Scout, we can’t forget her! In what ways do you like to engage with your constituents in Port Macquarie? How do you ensure that their voices and concerns are heard and addressed in your role as an MP?

It’s important to note that I represent the entire electorate, not just Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour. I fight for the needs of constituents right across the Mid North Coast. I hold regular mobile offices in each of the smaller townships throughout the electorate and appointments can be made at the Port or Coffs office throughout the year. If you want me somewhere, all you need to do is invite me! I do my best to be available and present for community events as much as possible. My job is to listen, to consider and then to fight for our needs in Parliament, in that order. The bulk of my time is spent listening to the needs of the entire electorate and finding synergies across communities to help me prioritise them in Canberra.

What are your future goals and aspirations?

At the moment, my goals are very much focused on making sure that my next two years in office are spent fighting tooth and nail for a fair go for every resident of our beautiful region and on setting us up for a better future, whether I remain in office or not. Putting downward pressure on the Cost of Living, prioritising regional Healthcare and Aged Care by securing the resources we desperately need in both, and working with all sides of politics to find solutions to the housing crisis are at the very top of the list!

Thanks Pat.

Small businesses are quite literally the backbone of the regional economy, so I believe that having a good understanding of the ins and outs of running a small business is more than just an advantage in politics; it’s imperative.

Mike and Jonny Hibbard have spent their life within the family business, learning from their father and grandfather the ins and outs of Hibbard Homes. They are now running things themselves and have some very exciting plans for the future of their proud family business.

MIKE AND JONNY

Hey Mike and Jonny. Tell us about the history of Hibbard Homes and where it all began?

Mike Hibbard: In 1966, at 14 years of age our Dad, Bruce Hibbard left school and started in the building industry working with our Grandfather, Malcom Hibbard. With no common conveniences of today such as telephones, computers or even sewage systems, Bruce was thrown in to assisting his Dad, Malcom, on site as a labourer. Beginning at the very bottom, Dad had the determination to keep up with the older (and considerably larger) workers and would do so by working before and after hours, and through his breaks. As he grew up, his skills developed and he became successfully qualified in all aspects of building from digging the footings, laying foundations, erecting frames, mixing cement by hand and painting walls, becoming a licensed builder himself in 1976 and moving over to a little town near Dubbo.

Through sheer determination, persistence and strong work ethic

Dad was handed the business from our grandfather who retired as a builder. Bruce then expanded and developed a successful company with a vision of creating homes for families; owners and investors alike in 13 country regions throughout New South Wales. Jonny and I have been brought up in the family business and both worked within it for over 20 years with a mindset firmly on the company’s goal of being the largest, most secure and successful developer of speculative housing in NSW.

Jonny and I have established a strong structure within the business required to reach that

What made you want to follow in your father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and have careers in the building trade?

Dad took me to his display homes on Sundays and I would watch him speaking to customers. I could see a drive and passion behind Dad, and I knew back then that I wanted to do this.

Jon Hibbard: As a Kid, Dad took me to his display homes on Sundays and I would watch him speaking to customers. I could see a drive and passion behind Dad, and I knew back then that I wanted to do this. Then from the age of 15 when I started, I completed my carpentry apprenticeship; continued building houses on the job site; joined the office to become head estimator; then grew into project management, becoming construction manager. Now I wear two hats by directing the construction team as the production manager and attend all board meetings as the CEO.

Mike Hibbard: After high school I didn’t know what I wanted to do and Dad said

go get your carpentry certificate and see if you want to pursue anything within the family business after that. I did my carpentry apprenticeship, and knew after that that I was made to go into the family business and started in sales. I worked in sales and marketing and then left Coffs and ran part of the operations in Port Macquarie, Tamworth and Dubbo. I came back to Coffs Harbour in 2016 and now I’m the General Manager for Hibbards. I love what I do every day and I wouldn’t change anything about the journey of how I got here.

As a family-owned company, what are the benefits and challenges of working with family members, and how do you navigate those dynamics to ensure an easy going and successful business?

Jon Hibbard: It's easier to be born into a family business that is already successful but it would be challenging if our family weren’t so kind and close to one another. Even though our grandfather and dad didn’t write the book on how to make it successful, we just applied all the past successful actions that made us stay united, which is good communication and understanding.

Continued over...

L:R - David Bowen CFO, Richard Stubbs Acquisitions Manager, Ben Gray Sales Manager, Jonny Hibbard CEO, Mike Hibbard GM .

Family plays a huge part in not only your careers but your lives. What does family mean to each of you personally?

Mike Hibbard: My family is the most important thing to me and although my career takes more of my time, it's my work colleagues who help provide me with a great balance of time to spend with my family by taking a lot of the load of responsibilities. My wife and kids are huge supporters of me and the family business and when I do get time with them we make it very worthwhile.

Jon Hibbard: Family comes first in my eyes. It is important in my career that I work hard and travel miles away from my family which in turn means that the time I have with them is valuable and it also creates more opportunities for the betterment of their futures. They support me every day.

Your son Jacson is joining the team, which will see Hibbard Homes go into its fourth generation. What does it mean to you personally to have your son continue with the family business?

Mike Hibbard: Jacko has attended breakfast meetings with Poppy Bruce, Uncle Johnny and his Dad since he was a baby. Through theses catch ups and business meetings he has been baptised into the culture of this family business where he has witnessed the good and the bad on how a family business operates and the passion that comes from each one of us. Jacko already has his own reputation for being a kind considerate individual, so the cultural traits are definitely apparent with him. I always wondered what he wanted to do when he grew up and he has said since the age of 10 he wants to work in the family business. He is

now 19 and is studying in Sydney about life and how one becomes a true humanitarian before he comes into the business. This was his choice and it makes me very proud. What advice would you give to homeowners who are considering building their dream home?

What are some key considerations they should keep in mind, and how can Hibbard Homes assist them in their journey?

Jon Hibbard: There are 3 important things to keep in mind and that we cover within our process.

1. Go over your design and your plans in detail especially with the way the house sits on the block. Is the gradient of the driveway too steep and is the site drainage adequate so no water pools up in the back yard after a heavy downpour of rain. 2. Read in detail your tender document, which includes every door handle, appliance, clothesline, nuts and bolts that you will receive in our fixed price.

Number 3 and most important is, ask, are there any hidden costs? Is this a fixed price

tender document or will you be charged on anything that is not specified by the builder or changed by the customer. We cover all these important points for total transparency right at the start.

Hibbards is entering its 60th year as a business. What do you think has led to the success of running a business for so long?

Mike Hibbard: The Hibbard family believes that all Australians should own their own home and helping our customers to achieve that is a dream of theirs and a successful goal of ours. Being taught this at a very young age, I observed my father many times getting emotional when customers received their keys to a home they thought they’d never own.

I’ve experienced this and it is moments like that that makes us successful in keeping that feeling alive and forever wanting to be achieved by the whole family and team at Hibbard Homes.

Where do you see Hibbard Homes entering the next 60 years?

Jon Hibbard: We have gone from builders to builders and land developers, so the next venture we are working on is becoming a one stop shop. Hibbard Homes, land developers, builders, real estate agents, property management and finance. In every region of NSW, the sky's the limit!

Being taught this at a very young age, I observed my father many times getting emotional when customers received their keys to a home they thought they’d never own.

L-R Jonny Hibbard, Aeron Gray, Paul Gray, Ben Gray, Mike Hibbard.

The Hibbard family believes that all Australians should own their own home and helping our customers to achieve that is a dream

VOICE

with

ALEX GLEN-HOLMES

So excited to be entering the last month of winter, you can literally smell spring just around the corner when it’s like many people come back out of hibernation and there is so much more energy in the air.

The last few months with rising costs in electricity, interest rates, superannuation etc have been challenging for business and they tell us more is yet to come. With this in mind we held a great breakfast on the 13th of July in conjunction with Nortec titled “Nurturing Your Business”. This was followed up on the 26th of July with another of our Business Accelerator working lunches presented by David Ross from Direction Accounting on “Focusing on Your Awesome”. This had us considering our finances to prepare and plan your business for the year ahead as well as what to expect with the economic climate.

On the 25th of August we will be hosting a boardroom lunch at Sails with sponsors CommBank presenting Economist Craig James. In his current role Craig interprets ‘big picture’ economic and financial trends for customers, clients and staff. Craig will be discussing global, Australian and local economic data and trends together with the latest financial market trends. Some take aways from this event will be a bevy of local economic information. You will be encouraged to ask the ‘so what?’ question with economic and financial information to gauge practical implications. Don’t miss out, register now for this rare opportunity to hear

from a widely regarded expert right here in Port Macquarie. Tickets are sure to go fast, so book your seats now at businessportmacquarie.com.au

Last month I discussed with you some of the challenges businesses in the CBD have been faced with lately including anti social behaviour, theft, smashed windows etc. On the 19th of July we held an information night for CBD businesses with presentations from Constable Tim Preston from Port Macquarie Police and also Blake Nelson from JPR Security. We discussed some of the tactics that can be used by businesses to work with police as well as working together and communicating with each other to help resolve some of these issues. We had some great questions on the night. From this it was decided to be able to keep in touch with each other we would collect contact details so that we can all be kept updated with what is happening in the area. If you would like to be on this register to please drop me an email at president@businesspmq.com.au. A big thank you to Gowings/Port Central for hosting this event.

Coffee with Katherine coffee morning in July was very well attended. Thank you to Westport Club & Hastings Coffee Co for hosting us. This is a great opportunity to meet other businesses in the area in a relaxed casual atmosphere.

Our August coffee catch up is Wednesday 16th August. Go to the website to register. The coffee is on us.

At Business Port Macquarie we work very closely with Business NSW so that our members have access to information including the My Business Workplace, Cyber Security, Business Grants & Funding, Business Advice & Mentoring, Business Insurance, Legal Advice as well as Labour Hire & Recruitment plus much more. Contact us at executive@businesspmq. com.au or you can call me on 0414 772 771 to find out more of the benefits of membership. We would like to congratulate outgoing President of HBWN, Kelly King, who has stepped down as President after many years at the helm. Best wishes with your next venture. It has been lovely to work with you. A big welcome to incoming President Skye Petho. We look forward to many more future collaborations.

Quote of the month. Tough times are inevitable in life and in business. But how you compose yourself during those times defines your spirit and will define your future. – Richard Branson. Have a great month and keep smiling…People will wonder what you’ve been up to.

Alex

Illuminate

with KATE WOOD-FOYE

THE GUTS, GRIT AND GROUNDWORK OF REMARKABLE REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURS, INNOVATORS, LEADERS AND GAME CHANGERS.

Chris McGeoch has been an integral part of Legacy in Port Macquarie for 25 years and with his dedicated team has supported over 1,000 individuals and families along the way. Quite literally changing the lives of those who have lost a loved one to war or who have family members impacted physically or mentally by combat serving their country. Chris’s personal experience as a young man has continued to colour and influence his leadership and community contribution, as he works to keep the promise made by the first Legatee over 100 years ago.

Chris, you have a very personal connection to the organisation you now lead – may you share that experience and how that impacted your journey? How has this influenced your own choices in career, family and civic life?

Yes my father died from injuries he suffered in the Second World War when I was a teenager in the late 60’s. Legacy knocked on our door

McGeoch Chris

not long after and offered assistance to my mother and siblings.

I was fortunate to have been encouraged into a university course by our then Legatee, something I can say with certainty would not have happened without Legacy.

I think a lot of my choices in general go back to an early impact that Legacy had on my thinking. I probably didn’t quite appreciate the assistance at the time but when my career and family was established I had a strong urge to give back to an organisation that had given so much to me.

You have a career spanning across both finance and accountancy. What has been your most effective tool or attribute as a leader that has enabled you to continue the good work of Legacy in our community.

Many Legatees come with a Defence Force background and therefore have a unique perspective of their vulnerability and what that could mean to their loved ones and their mates loved ones.

Others like myself were Legacy wards or beneficiaries of Legacy’s good work. This is also a great background to understand what our beneficiaries are going through. My professional career has definitely given me a capacity to listen and analyse situations and hopefully come up with appropriate solutions and understandings. Certainly my

qualifications have enabled me to support Legacy in a governance and professional way as well.

Chris, you and your incredible team recently celebrated 100 years of Legacy with the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay that travelled from Pozieres France on Anzac Day, to London and to Port Macquarie in July 2023. Can you describe the moment the torch arrived in Port Macquarie and the feelings and energy experienced by those who witnessed it?

Kate, it was just a fantastic time to be involved. This celebration has been in the planning for three years then suddenly it was upon us. The weather although earlier in the week looked threatening, turned in our favour and it was a beautiful Port Macquarie winter day. Our Club nominated our beneficiaries as Torch Bearers and they were all superb. They were all nervous, excited and full of expectation on the day and as a Legatee that was rewarding to witness. Many that I spoke with after the Torch Relay, although glad it was over,would not have missed it for the world.

The recent Centenary Gala celebration was a testament to the hard earned respect in the community for Legacy and yourself and to the incredible networks you have build around this organisation. How do these connections and networks support Legacy’s reach and impact?

Within Legacy we have always had the support of our region. Each year we receive tremendous support during Badge Week and also at our annual Golf Day. Our torch bearer group working out of Laurieton raise large amounts of funds for us each and every year.

Personally I was humbled by the personal responses I received from friends, previous work colleagues etc who came along to our Gala night and enjoyed the experience.

This was also a great opportunity for a party and celebration of 100 years of service.

Legacy has changed significantly over the years – what is the standout difference in service from the organisation’s origins?

My experience tells me that the services we provide now are more in the form of social companionship and being there to listen. Many of our ladies are in their mid-nineties and don’t always have family close by. When I was a ward of Legacy it was more practical like the delivery of a ute load of fire wood to our house or attending a boys club or excursion. What has been your greatest challenge and greatest achievement during your time with Legacy?

Probably succession has been and is still a challenge. Like many organisations new blood is needed to come up with new ideas and keep things current. As far as achievement is concerned there have been many and it can be

summed up as the feeling one gets when you know you are a comfort to others. Legacy speaks of service to others. Is there a particular Legacy project or beneficiary family or scenario that stands out in your mind?

Many family scenarios still stand out as they are all different and equally deserving. It is rewarding to see that now all our junior school aged beneficiaries receive similar financial support irrespective of which club they are attached to.

Our club is also in a number of ways engaging with our region’s youth and this is particularly important for Legacy into the future.

How integral has, and is, your team to delivering on the Legacy mission?

This is a great question as the team is everything. Our club has around 25 Legatees who are all volunteers who all do a great job. We are also very fortunate to have 3 wonderful staff members in Glenda, Diane and Sally who interact with our beneficiaries on a day to day basis and get to know them very well. A special mention to our wonderful club Board and in particular to Legatee Peter Bruce OAM who was in the services for 30 years and also a Legatee for 30 years. Legatee Bruce was, and is our club’s Centenary Ambassador. How instrumental were mentors in your

journey? What is the most valuable lesson they taught you?

My early days with the Club were taken up with looking and listening. When I joined, the Legatees were pretty well all ex WWII veterans and had a full understanding of the Legacy Promise made 100 years ago. They were all definite in what Legacy was all about and took very personally their duties. I have tried to hold this attitude with me to this day.

What is the hardest lesson you have learned in your time with Legacy?

For me probably that there are many Legacy enrolled ladies out there that have no, or very little, quality family contact. While Legacy can fill a small gap, it is so much better to see a high level of family support as well.

How important is Legacy to the next generation of defence personnel who give their life or health for our country and how can Legacy ensure that “the Legacy promise” continues?

Sadly there will always be conflicts somewhere in the world. It is therefore very important that organisations like ours are understood and carry on.

There is a much higher incidence of diagnosed mental health issues affecting our veterans and therefore their families. This will be a major focus for Legacy work into the future.

MONEY

with BEC FARNSWORTH

FARNSWORTH FINANCIAL

When we think about self-care, often people think about massages, or time to do things that make your heart sing. Most of us forget about one important part which contributes to our mental health and that is our finances. Financial worries are a major stress for Australians with high inflation, rising rates and some of us even coming off fixed rates over 3 times higher then what we have been paying. When we hear the word budget, we can feel a sense of overwhelm or feeling of restriction and going without the things that you want and lets face it, no one likes the sound of that. But although budgeting may not be one’s idea of fun, it can certainly allow you to plan for your future and ensure that you will have enough money to do the things you want to do.

Investing time into your budget is one of the best investments that you can make, and your future self will thank you for it later! One mistake that I often see people make when completing their budgets is that they don’t give themselves enough money on paper to live and do things that make them happy. By doing this the budget becomes unrealistic, and you will end up either not being able to maintain it or feeling like you’re living to work.

How to Budget;

You can budget using a number of tools. These

SELF-CARE FOR YOU R FINANCES

include pen and paper, excel spreadsheets, and various budgeting tools. Find the tool that works for you as it will make it easier to stick to.

When creating a budget, it is important to know exactly where your income is going. You can do this by reviewing your bank statements and highlighting different categories to tally up exactly where your money is going. Doing this will enable you to tailor a budget to suit your needs.

Split your income up to cover fixed commitments and essential costs first, then lifestyle and entertainment, and finally savings. A very basic approach is called the “50:30:20 rule”.

50% of income used for essential living (mortgage, rent, groceries and bills)

30% of income used for entertainment

20% of income put away for savings

So what are some things you can do if you feel as though you have little to no surplus income?

Review your expenses including; insurances, electricity, gas, phone and internet to see if you are getting the best deal. We are all guilty from time to time of setting and forgetting. Work and life is busy and it can seem easier to just keep paying that renewal notice rather then to shop around, but I encourage you to do so as this could put $100’s back in your pocket each month.

Review your mortgage. If you have not

reviewed your loan in the last 24 months then I urge you to reach out to your broker. Just because your loan met your needs when you took it out it does not mean that it is right for you now. Banks are often giving new customers better discounts then what they give their existing clients, don’t get stuck paying a loyalty tax to your bank! Some banks are still offering up to $4,000 cash back to refinance to them, this will not last long though so make sure you get in sooner rather than later!

For some of us, unfortunately refinancing isn’t an option for a number of different reasons. If this is you then reach out to your bank or broker and ask them to seek a rate reduction on your behalf. If you have a mortgage broker they should be reviewing your rate regularly to ensure your loan is still competitive.

If you are finding it difficult to keep up with your loan repayments and feel like you are struggling to make ends meet then reach out to your bank. There are a number of different things that your bank can do to give you some temporary relief, although this isn’t normally a long-term solution.

So for ultimate self-care, create a budget and set the foundations to make this financial year one to get ahead and set yourself up for financial success. If you haven’t reviewed your lending recently then reach out on 0421 287 386 or email me at bec@farnsworthfinancial. com.au to book a Discovery Appointment.

LEGAL Light

with EMILIE COOPER

While DIY Will kits have been around for a long time, a quick “google” will now provide you with a range of options for a DIY divorce, contract or other legal document. Courts will also sometimes provide precedent documents. The Family Court (FCFCOA) even provides you with a kit.

Research suggests the appeal of DIY is triggered by two motivations:

• “marketplace motivations” such as saving money or lack of an available quality product, and/or

• “identity enhancement motivations” such as empowerment, craftsmanship or uniqueness.

You will never know whether your “DIY Will” actually gives effect to your wishes because it is not tested until after you have died. If your DIY motivation is to save money, you may save money when you make the will, but the consequences of a mistake are often significantly more costly for your estate. Home made wills are more carefully scrutinised by the courts to assess whether or not the person actually had testamentary capacity or was under the influence of a beneficiary who may even have written the will for the testator.

The document appeared to address all the relevant legal principles. It was only when the judge attempted to look up the cases cited that it became apparent that they did not exist...

You may have successfully (or apparently successfully) used DIY legal documents. I say “apparently successfully” because you won’t know whether it is effective until the document is tested or put to the use it was intended for. Just as your electrical work may be “successful” because the electricity flows right up to the point your house burns down, a document may be fine, until the time you come to rely on it.

Family Law is another area where you may try a DIY property settlement or a divorce only to find that it is more complex than you originally thought or that – years later – you find out that you missed out on a substantial part of your entitlements.

Most DIY legal documents are based on a form of Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) software. The exponential development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), however, like Chat GPT may eventually challenge the existence of lawyers. We are not there yet.

In New York recently, an attorney filed a summary of case law with the court that he had “researched” using Chat GPT. The

document appeared to address all the relevant legal principles. It was only when the judge attempted to look up the cases cited that it became apparent that they did not exist – Chat GPT had invented the citations. The AGI behind Chat GPT could mimic what was needed but failed to understand the substantive elements of the law.

Ultimately, the decision you make on DIY legal is the same as all other forms of DIY. Would you do your own electrical work or build your own property? If you have the requisite skills and knowledge the outcome may be empowering and create a unique product. If you don’t have the skills, you probably know the outcome –frustration, failure, delay and greater expense in getting the job done properly later on - that is assuming the house hasn’t burnt down in the meantime.

As in other areas of DIY, having a go at DIYlegal can save you money, and give you a sense of achievement. However, it can also result in frustration, failure, delay and additional expense.

If you have a legal issue or need some advice, make an appointment with us, talk it through and then decide whether you will DIY or DIR. With six lawyers and two licensed conveyancers, Priest Legal has the skill sets to meet your needs and hopefully minimise the frustrations, delay and additional expenses of your legal issue.

Priest Legal, 41 Hay St, Port Macquarie and 49 Hastings St, Wauchope. P: 6583 1777

HOME Styling

with ANTHONY BERINGEN

6 STEPS TO MASTER BEAUTIFUL DECORATING VIGNETTES

The word “vignette” can mean a few things.

For visual merchandisers like me, vignetting is a display technique. It’s often used throughout the Open House furniture store to set the scene for the sale of groups of related products and help our customers imagine the products in their own homes.

In terms of home decorating, however, a vignette can be thought of as a small grouping of objects that creates a pleasing focal point and tells the ‘story’ of you, your home and how you like to live. It is an affordable way to bring charm, character, and life to any room or space.

Whether on a console, sofa table, coffee table, bookcase - or anywhere else - a neatly curated vignette provides a beautiful point of visual interest in your home. Think of this as a place for the eye to rest and linger while taking in the overall design of your space.

1. Start by selecting the position. You'll first need to decide where to locate and create a vignette. End tables, bedsides, hall tables, sofa tables and mantels are good places to start if you are unsure.

2. Next, decide on an ‘anchor’ piece. Take a look at the objects you've gathered and decide on a single piece that you'd like to feature as the focus. It might be a piece of artwork, a lamp, mirror, picture frame, a

potted plant, a vase with flowers...anything really.

Whatever you choose as the focus, however, should be the object which will then ‘ground‘ or 'anchor' the entire grouping.

I find it useful to choose an item that represents something that is particularly meaningful - so do the same, and try to go for an item that is a meaningful expression of your lifestyle, how you like to live or what you like to do.

3. Add a few more favourite pieces to fill out the design.

Keep the colour palette of your remaining objects as simple as possible.

I recommend using only two or three varying colours, or better still, objects with varying shades of the same hue.

A minimalist colour palette will help you achieve a more stylish and cohesive end result. Too much colour can sometimes overwhelm the eye and create visual confusion. Increase visual interest by choosing objects with different textures or finishes. Combine hard and soft, organic and inorganic - that kind of thing...

4. Asymmetrical or 'A' frame shaping. There’s a particular knack to styling a good vignette - and perhaps the best way to up your skill level is by getting inspiration from books, magazines, the web or other people and then by simply having a try yourself.

Try to assemble your pieces and then superimpose an imaginary ‘A’ or triangle over them. Positioning the shortest objects towards the outer edges helps form your ‘A’ shape. Finding ways to unify the elements in your design - like different shades of the same hue - is a great way to pull the vignette together.

5. Pull objects together on a tray

Another great way of bringing smaller objects together is to group them on a tray. Once again, use varying heights and textures, but find a common element (like colour) to tie it all together.

And remember, sometimes less is more, so step back a little to see what needs to be omitted.

6. Use books as pedestals

Your favourite objects will look better when stacked on your favourite coffee table books. The books allow you to raise the objects to new levels and let you vary the height as you wish.

Vignettes can easily be reworked and re-styled to suit your whims and fancies – a change of season, a new treasure, a gift or a special occasion are all good reasons to refashion your mini displays. There’s almost no limit to where or when you can use this technique. Try arranging chopping boards or utensils in the kitchen, style up your personal care products in the bathroom, or play with books and decorative objects in bookcases.

Anthony

FROM OPEN HOUSE FURUTURE

Greater-Port Macquarie

Abode

G.J. GARDNER HOMES - PORT MACQUARIE

ANDREW DOHERTY

G.J. GARDNER HOMES PORT MACQUARIE NEW HOMES CONSULTANT

What is your business’s point of difference? GJ Gardner Homes provide freedom and flexibility when it comes to designing our clients' new home. Our plans can be fully customised to reflect our clients tastes and suit their lifestyle. We capture our clients requirements for their new home early, to ensure we are providing accurate pricing from the beginning, with no nasty surprises later on. There are no gimmicks or hidden costs. We pride ourselves on building trust with our clients so they know they are in good hands every step of the building process.

What are your business's greatest assets? Although G.J. Gardner is a large international building group, our clients are dealing with a local builder who owns and operates this franchise, and leads a team who are passionate about delivering high quality homes that we can be proud of, and our clients love. We have dedicated staff members that support our clients from day one, all the way through the building journey. We provide a higher level of standard inclusions than other large volume builders and our clients have the freedom to choose the products that suit their personal style and achieve their desired look.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry? Clients are armed with more knowledge and have done more research when it comes to engaging a build company. They are leaning towards builders they can trust. Building a new home is often the largest investment people will make so they need to choose a team that has their best interests in mind.

What does a typical day at work look like for you and your team? Engaging with our clients to capture as much information as possible to find the perfect design or customising a plan to suit their needs. Accurately pricing and presenting quotes to clients, and making sure we are meeting their expectations and helping them build their dream homes.

SAM SMITH

What is your business’s point of difference?

G.J. Gardner Homes understands that choosing to build a home, either your first home build, an upgrade to a family home or downsizing, understand it is a significant decision, not just financially but also emotionally. This is why working with GJ Gardner Homes you will be working with a trusted local home builder who will guide you through the build process from start right through to handover. Here at GJ Gardner Homes we offer an unwavering commitment to transparency and is a testament to our dedication to client satisfaction.

What are your business's greatest assets? GJ Gardner Homes has been awarded the Product Review.com.au most trusted home builder title again in 2023. This gives us the title for the most trusted home builder for 6 years out of the last 7 years. (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023).

We offer a personalised approach to each individual client where we make sure we can build your dream home on time and to the highest level of quality with the certainty you are working with an honest and reliable local builder.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your industry? We have noticed a dramatic increase in the people looking to relocate from certain areas, especially Sydney to move to more regional areas.

This is mainly due to the amount of newly developed land on the Mid North Coast.

What does a typical day at work look like for you and your team? We are fortunate to work out of a beautiful display home in the Sovereign Hills Display Village in Port Macquarie. Each day consists of interacting with customers, helping them step by step through their building journey, finding out what is most important to them in their new home and then bringing that vision to life.

RE CE IV E TH E N EW CAR TRE A TM ENT

WIT H A L E XUS CERTI FI ED PR E-OWNE D VE HIC LE

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