Wendy Machin – NRMA President and Former Politician

NRMA President and former politician, Wendy Machin, has made no secret of the fact that she’s sick of the spin and empty promises from politicians about fixing roads. In her role at the NRMA, Wendy has worked to draw attention to issues affecting local communities regarding the appalling state of Australian roads … At approximately this time last year, as part of a survey instigated by the... [Read more]

Josh Pyke

Josh Pyke is one of Australia’s favourite home grown artists, with a stack of accolades to prove it. Nicci Seccombe had the chance to speak with Josh as he prepares to embark on his regional tour – which includes a stop at Port Macquarie …     Your third studio album, Only Sparrows, has been out for a while now … we actually did a CD review on it a couple of months ago. What was... [Read more]

Kingsley Pursch – Great Lakes Sailing Club

Located 10 km south of Forster and surrounded by Booti Booti National Park, Great Lakes Sailing Club has lapped up the splendid views of Wallis Lake for over 40 years – and in the process, brought a joy of sailing to many people, young and old.     New President of Great Lakes Sailing Club (GLSC), Kingsley Pursch, tells us about the club’s commitment to the development of its junior sailing... [Read more]

Shaun Clark – Contemporary artist

Contemporary artist Shaun Clark’s first time entry in the Archibald in 2000, a painting of iconic Australian actor Ruth Cracknell, hung in the Salon des Refuses. He has painted a slew of other well-known Australian identities and a self-portrait titled Blood, Sweat and Fears, painted in his own blood, toured Australia in 2007. Shaun works from a studio at his bush property at Topi Topi, near Bungwahl. How... [Read more]

Ross Mackay – Buddhist Retreat

Tibetan Lama Sogyal Rinpoche is leading a 10-day retreat at Tiona Park, from 12 to 22 January … We talk to Ross Mackay from Rigpa Australia – a centre for the study of Tibetan Buddhism and modern meditation. Ross is Sogyal Rinpoche’s most senior student in Australia and former National Director of Rigpa Australia. Could you please provide some background information about Tibetan Lama Sogyal... [Read more]

John Waters – Critically Acclaimed Television, Film and Theatre Performer

John Waters is one of Australia’s most jwaters television, film and theatre performers. Many would readily recognise John from his roles in All Saints, Offspring and as co-host of Playschool … yet John’s first and great love is music, and 20 years ago he co-wrote Looking Through a Glass Onion, an homage to the music, mystery and memory of John Lennon. On the 31st anniversary of the shooting... [Read more]

Gabrielle Scollay – Beachwear Designer

Bennetts Head local, Gabrielle Scollay, recently designed a new beachwear range. We caught up with her to talk textiles and kaftans.         Did living near the beach provide inspiration for your summer range? Absolutely. Growing up, we were at the beach every morning before school, straight back after school and all weekend. Forster really has the most beautiful summer lifestyle,... [Read more]

Stephanie Alexander

Stephanie Alexander is visiting Forster Public School on December 9 to launch its Kitchen Garden Program, which is run by volunteers. We talk to Stephanie about the program and her plans for Christmas.     Tell us about the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program and how it came to be? I’d been following the growing obesity problem in Australia and overseas and felt it was largely caused... [Read more]

Bali Life Orphanage

In 2005 while in Bali, Australian landscape gardener Brad Little came across a nine year old boy begging for money and living on the streets of Kuta.         Aside from begging him for spare change, the boy also asked Brad to live with him, in the hope of getting off the streets and subsequently gaining an education. Heartbreakingly at the time, Brad and his then pregnant wife,... [Read more]

Three Generations

A few months ago, a group of men walked into my office to find out if perhaps we might be interested in helping them raise awareness of the local Veterans Centre. What initially took me aback was that two of the men were my age; I realised I had always thought of veterans as elderly gentlemen you see on ANZAC or Remembrance Day. What has transpired since that initial meeting has been some great conversations,... [Read more]

Scott Lambert – Mik’s Pet Barn

Karen Farrell speaks with Scott Lambert, owner of Mik’s Pet Barn in Forster.           While owning a pet store is a rewarding business for an ardent animal lover, the owner must also be responsible towards the animals’ wellbeing, ahead of making a profit. The owner should understand the business of selling pets, plus also be prepared to be kept busy feeding, cleaning and exercising... [Read more]

Rob Oakeshott – White Ribbon Ambassador

“On White Ribbon Day, we call on all men to swear the oath,” said White Ribbon Chairman, Andrew O’Keefe. “Let’s face it; swearing comes naturally to most Aussie men. We swear when we’re laughing, we swear when we’re mad, we swear whether we’re elated or deflated. But this is an opportunity to swear to make a difference.” When was the last time you swore with the blokes? On Friday... [Read more]

Floating Me – Lead up to FOTSUN

Lucius Borich, drummer with the band Floating Me, shares their musical genesis in the leadup to this year’s FOTSUN.         For those of us who aren’t familiar with Floating Me, tell us who make up the band members. We have bass, drums, vocals, guitar and keys. Three of the band members are from Scarymother – a band that was around back in the early ‘90s – we have Andrew... [Read more]

Veterans Centre, Taree

This month we had the honour of meeting three humble returned service men. Between them they have served in Vietnam, Afghanistan and East Timor. All of them are involved in the Veterans Centre in Taree and are passionate about the work of the centre. Damian Eady What was your role in the Defence Force? I was a Gun Number, firing artillery pieces. From there, I moved to the Command Post as a Signaller,... [Read more]

Richard Clapton – Australian Singer Songwriter

This year’s headline act for the Essential Energy Wingham Akoostic Music Festival is legendary Australian singer songwriter, Richard Clapton.       Richard Clapton’s commercial breakthrough came with the single, Girls on the Avenue in 1975. The 1980s saw Clapton consolidate his career in the music industry, working with other artists and as a record producer. He continues to... [Read more]

Peter Howard – Local Cinema Owner

Karen Farrell speaks with Peter Howard, local movie buff and cinema owner.           I love a cinematic experience – watching a story and its characters evolve in an atmospheric, darkened room, emotions at the ready to be heartened, angered, educated, excited or inspired. Whenever I’m in Sydney, I make sure to visit favourite movie haunts: the Orpheum at Cremorne, Dendy... [Read more]

Malcolm Wallace – Local Artist

When I organised to interview local artist Malcolm Wallace, neither of us realised that he was about to win the Manning Art Prize. Great timing, I’m never quite sure what to expect when I go to meet an interviewee, but this meeting one of my favourites. By Amy Heague.   You moved here from England as a baby and spent your early childhood in Sydney. Do you have any fond memories from that time... [Read more]

Gavin Sullivan

From Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, to secret ‘blacksites’ in Afghanistan, Lithuania and Poland, individuals were secretly abducted, detained, interrogated and tortured for intelligence …       Name: Gavin Sullivan. Age: 37. You grew up in the Great Lakes. What did you love about growing up here? There were a lot of things I loved about growing up in Forster, but the proximity... [Read more]

Brett Adams – Photographer

Have you ever met someone who makes you smile and feel instantly at ease? Brett Adams is one of those people, which is a great quality in a photographer with whom you are entrusting your special moments.     Name: Brett Adams. Where do you live? My wife and I moved to Taree from Brisbane in February. How many years have you spent behind the lens? I stared shooting when I was about 10, but... [Read more]

Sarah Kemp – International Golfing Champ

It was recently announced that Great Lakes Tourism, Forster Tuncurry Golf Club and local international golfing champ Sarah Kemp have joined forces to showcase the amazing Great Lakes region on the international golfing stage. Sarah Kemp, international golfing champ, will now wear Great Lakes and Forster Tuncurry Golf club branding on her attire wherever she competes, entering all future tournaments... [Read more]

Rada Kinkade – Farmers Patch Forster

Karen Farrell speaks with Rada Kinkade from Farmers Patch in Forster about her love of quality food, family and community connectedness. As with most inhabitants of the Mediterranean, Croatian-born Rada Kinkade shares a love of quality food, family and community-connectedness. Her passion for food was cultivated growing up on Ugljan Island on the Adriatic Coast, living among vineyards and tending to... [Read more]

Ian Sandercoe – Singer, Songwriter & Actor

Anna Roberston speaks with Ian Sandercoe, successful singer/songwriter/actor who calls Crowdy Head home. Ian talks about music, mental illness and his commitment to supporting those who need a hand … Ian Sandercoe doesn’t just pop quietly into the FOCUS office for a bit of a chat about his latest gig as a supporter of the local branch of Carer Assist – a support service for people who care... [Read more]

Naidoc Week – Jeremy Saunders

FOCUS speaks with Jeremy Saunders about the local lauguage of the Birrbay, Guringay and Wattimay – Gathang.         What’s your earliest memory of speaking Gathang? Gathang has always been a part of communication in my family and within the Aboriginal community. Various words and phrases are still widely used today in common language or Aboriginal English. My earliest memories... [Read more]

Chris Fagerstrom

Anna Robertson speaks with Chris Fagerstrom, Art Director at Juzvolter, about the perfection of graphic design and the freedoom found in the imperfection of his personal art.       Two of Chris Fagerstrom’s paintings greet me when I reach the top of the stairs at Juzvolter Graphic Design Studios in Taree. Both initially strike me as having a Gothic feel; both portraits; both moody.... [Read more]

Christine Anu

Christine Anu is well known as a recording artist, dancer and actor, but this entertainment industry icon is also a savvy business woman, mother and someone who’s proud of her indigenous heritage and roots. Christine visits Taree in August, for the heart-warming production Rainbow’s End. Hi Christine. What’s been keeping you busy over the past few years? In the last 5 to 10 years I’ve been... [Read more]

Elle Ray

I just love the fact that this scene accepts me for who I am and allows me to really be true to myself.         What is a pin up girl / model? A classic pin up model embodies the ideal woman, whether she be a size 6 or 26, and she would present herself in a way that showed self control and respect for herself. Her cheeky but sweet manner would get hearts pumping and capture the... [Read more]

Vicki White

FOCUS catches up with home grown artist, Vicki White, to talk about her artistic inspirations, her work and latest exhibition at the Manning Regional Gallery.       Name: Vicki White. You were born here in Taree. What is one of your fondest memories of growing up in the Manning Valley? The fondest memories of growing up in the Manning Valley would have to be visiting my extended family... [Read more]

Graffiti Busters

We are big fans of Ted the Graffiti Buster here at FOCUS, and some of you may remember a story we did on him a year or so ago. Well, he is still at it, cleaning graffiti off buildings, cars, parks and anywhere it is found.     He is still influencing the young people of the Manning- Great Lakes to respect their schools, skate parks and community. We caught up with him over a cuppa to find... [Read more]

Genevieve Chadwick

Passionate in both life and performing, Genevieve Chadwick has found her calling as a musician. She is carving out a solid career as a solo artist.       Name: Genevieve Chadwick. Where do you hail from? Toyota Hiace … Or the South Coast of NSW … Australia? Your growing fan base has compared you with Janis Joplin, Melissa Etheridge, Tracy Chapman and Joan Armatrading.... [Read more]

Bear Rescue

This month we catch up with two very passionate local women, who are about to head off to China to volunteer at the Sun Bear Sanctuary in Chengdu.       Anne Ditton. How long have you lived in the Manning Great Lakes, and what do you love about the area? I was born in Taree and lived there for 18 years until I went to uni. Moved to Forster in 1987 to teach at Forster Public School. I... [Read more]