Kylie Van Der Ley lives and breathes 4WDing. She fills us in on one of her recent adventures. We left Port Macquarie early on Boxing Day and headed up the Walcha Mountain and through to Tamworth for a bite to eat. It was very misty with light rain the entire time over the mountain, so it was a little slower than usual. We decided to set up camp for an overnight stay at Burran Junction and it was... [Read more]

Arlene Blencowe is a powerhouse – fired up, determined, an amazing boxer – and just about to embark on a career in the Mixed Martial Arts scene. Her story will inspire you … Whereabouts did you grow up and go to school? I spent most of my childhood in Gympie, QLD. I moved to the Camden Haven area when I was in Year 11 and completed my HSC down here. When did you move to the Manning-Great Lakes... [Read more]

Saxbys Soft Drinks is proud to be associated with ‘Made In The Manning’, an initiative of the Manning Valley Chamber of Commerce promoting locally produced food. Chrissy Jones chatted with Ian Turner, who has seen the business evolve into one of the region’s major producers of local products. Ian, what’s your association with Saxbys Soft Drinks and role in the company? Are there... [Read more]

Homebase Youth Service is a Youth and Indigenous community support service focusing on youth events, activities and programs, support and referral, one on one case management and advocacy and representation for young people. Briony Joyce is a qualified Youth Worker who runs youth events, plans programs in the local high schools, as well as handling case management for youth aged 12 to 24. Here, Briony... [Read more]

John’s history working with trains fuelled this passionate collector’s enthusiasm for railway memorabilia and today, he has a remarkably extensive collection. Browsing through John’s collection is akin to taking a train ride through railway history …     Where did you gain your interest in railway memorabilia and model trains? I remember my first day at Taree Public School, when I... [Read more]

Local photographer Paul Bennie (FAPS) was recently appointed as the President of the Australian Photographic Society – a prestigious and responsible role that requires him to act as spokesperson for the organisation. Paul shares some insights into how photography has changed in recent times, and makes some predictions about where it may be headed in future … What made you decide to first pick... [Read more]

This month’s Behind the Lens guest is a talented photographer who combines his love of diving with his skill behind the camera to produce stunning underwater images …     Please describe your earlier years – where did you originally call home? I grew up in Folkestone, Kent, UK and lived there until 2009, when I moved to Sydney. When did you settle in Forster, and what was it that... [Read more]

Flow Espresso Bar in Old Bar is fast developing a reputation for fantastic dining and providing a unique atmosphere. With the building housing Flow providing some colourful local history, Stu Wilson shares some of the amazing back story behind the establishment of the business and introduces us to his talented business partner, Steve Ward … Share the history of Flow Espresso Bar … Flow Espresso... [Read more]

Channelling the unique energy and cool vibe of Byron Bay, Pete Murray will stop over at Club Forster this month, as a part of his Blue Sky Blue – The Byron Sessions tour …       Good morning Pete! The tour you’re just about to kick off is Blue Sky Blue – ‘the Byron Sessions’. What inspired you to take your Blue Sky Blue album, which was originally released in 2011,... [Read more]

An exciting career in performance and dance has enabled Paul Kemp from Paul’s All Star Dance Studio to travel the world 4 times over and work with some of the industry’s brightest talent. Paul brings his experience and passion for performance into every class he teaches … How old were you when you first became interested in performing – did you come from a performance-oriented family?  My... [Read more]

i Fred. Tell us about your early years in the area … I was born at Nabiac hospital. In the old days, women travelled to Nabiac to have their children, usually in a horse and sulky, towed across the channel by a punt. I spent most of my childhood in Forster, but also went to the William Thompson Masonic School in Baulkham Hills. How old were you when you joined the local surf club? I joined when I... [Read more]

If you love the distinctive sounds of Fleetwood Mac, don’t miss the Australian Fleetwood Mac show at Club Forster this month. Gary Stewart and Ursula Cain-Stewart explain how and why they decided to pay tribute to such an amazing band …   What’s your musical background … did you learn to play at a young age? Gary: I grew up with music in my life from an early age, beginning the piano... [Read more]

Kevin Carter was Area Manager for National Parks and Wildlife in Taree for 13 years. Kevin, more than most people, probably knows our entire area like the back of his hand, and he has no shortage of ideas about potential locations that you and your family can visit over the summer holidays …   How long were you with the National Parks and Wildlife Service? I was Area Manager at National Parks... [Read more]

Renowned for his sharp wit and notorious one-liners, Jimeoin visits us at Club Forster this month. Note January 8 in your diary, if you’d like to experience a night filled with laughter and tears!   A lot of people may not be aware that when you first came to Australia, you earned a crust working with your hands. I’ve read you did gardening work, so how are your gardening skills these days... [Read more]

Fresh from his win in the Amateur Division of the 2012 Wavesailing Nationals, Aaron now has his sights set on even bigger and better things …   How were you first introduced to wavesailing? When I was 10 years old, my parents bought me a ‘Seaskip’, which was a sailboard made for kids. The Seaskip had footstraps and a lightweight aluminium mast, so jumping it was the most fun thing to... [Read more]

2011 X Factor champ, ARIA award winner and a Rock Star who’s achieved legions of fans in a relatively short time, Reece Mastin will be dropping in at several venues across the Mid North Coast in January. Don’t miss Reece’s Summer Nights Tour with support act ‘At Sunset’ at Club Forster on January 18. This show will sell out!   What surprises us here at FOCUS and what a lot of... [Read more]

This is a good news story of a different kind … a truly inspiring tale of a wonderful dog who’s overcome adversity and an uncertain future to become Australia’s only K-9 champion marathon runner. Mark Jensen and his dog Ty are Team Ty – extraordinary athletes, with an even more extraordinary story to tell …   How long have you lived in the Manning-Great Lakes area, and what originally... [Read more]

The Great Adventure Challenge is billed as an exciting, demanding and fun multi-sport team-oriented adventure race, which promises to test the mind and body. Henry van Heerden , Event Organiser from Maximum Adventure, tells us all about it …   What is The Great Adventure Challenge? The Great Adventure Challenge is an annual event and can best be described as an ‘exciting, demanding and... [Read more]

David Golledge shares the vision beind Harleys for Humanity (H4H), with the organisation set to hold its amazing annual Turkey Run from 26 – 28 October.       How and why did you transit from being a Prison Officer in the Riot Squad to raising money on Harleys?  I had been a fairly aggressive person in my younger days, and working in a specialist riot squad for the Corrective... [Read more]

Multi-award winning Country musician, Adam Harvey, performs at Club Taree on September 20. Country music fans will be thrilled to learn that Adam will be performing songs from his recently released album, Falling into Place. Adam will also perform a slew of old favourite songs with fellow Country musician, Amber Lawrence. FOCUS spoke to Adam about the inspiration for his seventh studio album. Your... [Read more]

On September 15, the Y.M.C.A. (‘Y’) at Forster celebrates its milestone 21st birthday. FOCUS caught up with the Y.M.C.A.’s Assistant Manger, Melissa Morgan, and Centre Manager, Len Newman, to find out about the impending festivities and the first Y.M.C.A.’s humble beginnings way back in 1844.   LN: The Y.M.C.A. is a worldwide not-for-profit organisation which was originally founded in... [Read more]

With a career spanning many years, international artist and local resident of Bulahdelah Trevor Knight will bring his talents back to the local area for a show at Club Taree on September 16. He tells us about his career and the friendship with John Denver that inspired this show.   Tell us about how your music career started. I started back in the 1960s; I was a Folk singer travelling around... [Read more]

In the early 1960s, when Lance Fletcher’s mother Carol was pregnant with him, she took Thalidomide for relief from morning sickness…  Like so many other expectant mother’s living in Australia and New Zealand at the time Carol was completely unaware of the dire and sometimes fatal side effects of the drug, which subsequently led to Lance being born with no ears plus an array of other... [Read more]

Those soaring harmonies and songs with an amazing ‘feel good factor’ … the Bee Gees never fail to bring a smile to the face. If you’d like to experience all of the magic of this phenomenal band in action, don’t miss the Australian Bee Gees – the ultimate tribute to a wonderful era in music history, appearing at the MEC this month. Michael Clift, who captures Barry Gibb’s vocals and style... [Read more]

Alyson Deane started skiing at the young age of 3½ and started racing at 8.  Alyson’s dreams to participate in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, were dashed when she broke an ankle, which frustratingly restricted her from competing. Each year, Alyson satiates her love of speed by competing in the Alpine skiing event at the Thredbo Masters and InterClub Races. She talks to us about... [Read more]

Soloist in the Australian Ballet, Chengwu Guo began dance classes at a humble local dance studio in his hometown of Jiujiang, Jiangxi in South China. At the ripe age of eleven, he auditioned for and was accepted into the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, where over seven arduous years of training, he honed a natural talent for ballet. In 2006, Chengwu Guo became a prize-winner at the distinguished... [Read more]

Bring back the ’80s! Remember Scott Carne, from Kids in the Kitchen; Brian Mannix, from the Uncanny Xmen; and Dale Ryder, from Boom Crash Opera? You can see them live, altogether in the one fantastic show, at Club Taree on August 10. It’s Absolutely ’80s!   Where did the idea come from to form the Absolutely ‘80s show?  Scott Carne: Brian Mannix and I did the 2006 Countdown Spectacular... [Read more]

The Flair Awards began in 1994 in the pursuit of creating a regional fashion event that offered designers a platform to showcase their work publicly. The Awards quickly grew over the years, both in quantity and quality of garments, with Flair becoming a well-known and respected event among fashion circles, industry professionals and colleges.  We caught up with Jo Meldrum, co-ordinator of The Flair... [Read more]

The five band members: Dave, Tim, Killian, Jake & Jon have had a whirlwind three years since the inception of Boy & Bear, and picking up 5 five ARIAs last year has not deterred them from giving their regional fans the chance to see them live. FOCUS chats to Tim, lead singer and guitarist, about the journey to stardom …  It’s been a whirlwind three years for you guys, hey … Yeah,... [Read more]

Refugee Week is taking place in June. Jane O’Dwyer, Migrant Settlement Project Worker for Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services, is holding a two-day refugee event from June 26 – 27. The event will see 24 African refugees aged between 16 to 25 travel from Newcastle to spend time with school kids from the Manning-Great Lakes. The event is in its second year and is organised in conjunction with... [Read more]