Q As first time home sellers, we are feeling quite daunted about the whole ‘for sale experience’. Where do we start? What are the most important things to get right? Read more
Q I’ve made an offer on a property, which the owner accepted. My solicitor and bank have been advised to arrange a valuation for finance and contract exchange. Despite this, the agent continues to advertise the home and to show it to other people. Do I have any rights if a higher offer is made?
Q. How long can I reasonably expect to have to wait to sell my home in Port Macquarie if I list it now?
Q My partner and I are considering buying a house in the area. The main reason we like it is the large covered pergola, which the agent says was built without Council approval. What should we do?
Pictured above is my stateroom aboard a vessel offering a maximum manifest of around 100 passengers the attentions of a crew of almost equal numbers. The bedroom, dressed in designer linens, makes for restful luxury. The wide window – no mere port hole – affords exceptional viewing; the carpeted sitting room, with high-set coffee table for serving snacks, is equipped with the latest techno gear. Obscured are generous wardrobe space and the sparkling marble bathroom with flushing loo. Read more
Secretly and somewhat ashamedly, I admit that my guilty indulgence after a humongous day (apart from illegal consumption of Cadbury) is to grab a cup of lemongrass and ginger tea, a piece of afore confessed choc and click on the series link of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
It’s the dream holiday of a lifetime – close-up encounters with the world’s most majestic wildlife on an African safari. The thrill of spotting “the Big 5” in their natural habitat – elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo (so named by colonial white hunters as being the most dangerous and sought after to track) - and zebras, giraffes, hippos, springboks, wildebeest, antelopes, aardvarks, jackals, cheetahs, hyenas, monkeys, baboons … Read more
Just when I thought I had silly season nailed! It jumps up on me at warp speed, not a present wrapped or even a for!
Instead I found myself aimlessly wandering around in late December in jam packed shopping centres amidst other frantic shoppers in the same dilemma, wishing wholeheartedly that I had gone for the online option with free gift wrap and freight months in advance like sensible organised beings! I am a huge fan of face to face retail therapy and absolutely love supporting the locals; however, this year I just left my run ridiculously too late and suffered a serious case of Christmas chaos claustrophobia and had to limit my time in public shopping centres to late at night and the wee hours of the morning. Thank god for early and late night trade – yes, I was the sad figure knocking on the windows at dawn saying … are you open yet? Trying to get in and out alive before the Kris Kringle crush was a mission in itself! Somehow in the grab and tackle for last minute gifts, I came away with some vaguely strange and on occasion wildly inappropriate gifts bought in haste … I am hoping to make it up to loved ones at Easter …chocolate really is my forte, after all.
In a whirlwind of parties, the New Year calls, but not without acknowledgment of the adornment of birthdays, celebrations and weddings in the last months of the year. The gorgeous Annette Holmes and Kane O’Donnell were married in late November in a beautiful garden ceremony at Frazer’s Creek near Beechwood at the O’Donnell family property. The Melbourne based bride wore a stunning vintage lace top dress, with bridesmaids in soft metallic grey. Guests were greeted by Pimms and lemonade on the lawn, an array of gourmet cheeses and a stunning outdoor marquee with bocce and games to while away the evening. Eighty guests enjoyed canapés by SilverSpoon Catering followed by a two tier cake made by the bride of orange and poppyseed with a divine passionfruit cream and chocolate mud with a wickedly decadent milk chocolate ganache. Guests embraced the romantic vintage theme of the wedding, relaxing on lounges and stunning wooden furniture in the marquee, a special thanks to both sets of parents for thier input and support. Annette and Kane, a local lad and Cambridge graduate, make their home back in Melbourne. Congrats to a beautiful couple – wishing you every happiness on your journey together!
For the first time in the history of this column, I have actually had the opportunity to attend the Festival of the Sun. Congrats to Simon, Scott and the crew at FOTSUN for an excellent showcase of live talent on our water’s edge at Sundowner. We had an absolute ball and soaked up the very positive vibe of the festival (one small tip – if you are feeling a little self conscious about the age factor … beware! A sure way to feel your age is to walk through a camp ground of gorgeous young things surely not old enough to be away from home or driving a vehicle but looking fantabulous in the festival glad rags! Yikes!) Jack was chuffed to debut at FOTSUN with his first festival experience, rocking it out in the pram – freestyle and free range in the main stage area – complete with his own green earphones to protect tiny ears – not that they stayed on too long! Hermitude was clearly a crowd favourite and certainly mine, with the talented Phil Jamieson and Joe Robinson smoking it up for their local fans. Sadly, Jack’s love of the festival ended just prior to the ever stylish Kimbra stepping onto main stage, putting an end to our festivities with a quick exit stage left! By all accounts, the grand finale by the sassy songbird was fabulous. Congrats to all for another successful year.
Some may have heard talk of a roaring 1920s party … a prohibition shindig at a speak easy joint held at the Flynns Beach Surf Club. Louise Beaumont’s 30th birthday was the occassion – vintage cars, fast women, fabulous costumes, deadly cocktails, fine food and swinging music set the stage for a hilarious night of fun and dodgy vintage swimwear worn by none other than Teale Bryan and Steve Foye, illegal gambling and a bootful of cigars. A night to remember for some … others are still trying to forget! Happy birthday, Lou!
Lovely local couple Kelly Andrews and Joshua Moore were married on a wet and wild day in November, with 95 guests celebrating this special day. The ceremony was held at Rydges with celebrant Marie Watts, followed by a reception in the waterfront function rooms where guests enjoyed canapés, entrée and main and a delicious three tier chocolate mud cake made by Trish Jackson. Kelly looked stunning in an ivory gown, with her bridesmaids, Carla Andre and Kate Styles in a beautiful blue. Josh was attended by Mick Styles and Jade Collyer. Congrats to the happy couple, who make their home in Wauchope. All the best, you two!
Congrats to Kate and Al Owen of Black Duck Brewery, who celebrated the opening of their Acacia Avenue brewery on Saturday 15 December. Eighty guests enjoyed fab food and ales to celebrate the newest boutique brewery on the scene. Well done, Kate and Al! Happily, I was able to get a sneak peak at the fab venue when the FOCUS crew held their Christmas party at the venue in December. Congrats to Lou and Jay, who celebrated 7 years of FOCUS and 85 editions. Guests enjoyed yummy treats from the FOCUS food truck, including Kimchi, Asian Pork Sliders and yummy chicken gumbo. Guests, including Belinda and Zoe Rodger of Ella Baché, Steve and Meredy of Glasshouse Flowers, Karl Mclean of ANZ, Eric and Monica Robinson of The Other Chef, Kylie Morris of Hot Graphics, Rob Marlow of Café Culture and his lovely lady, Peta, and David Young from Never Late Electrical, to name but a few of the 80 strong crowd, all enjoyed ales and a little Christmas cheer.
Congrats to Andrew Miedecke, who recently celebrated a special birthday at his waterfront home in Port Macquarie. Andrew was joined by his sons, George and Harry, and 12 of his closest friends dating back to school days, who flew in from all over the country to raise a glass to the birthday boy. The gents had a relaxed evening of seafood, steak, fine cheeses and wines. Happy birthday, Andrew!
I leave you this month preparing for a dash back to the 1940s at the NYE Casablanca event at the hotel. Over 120 guests will be channelling Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman for a fabulous night of cocktails, live Tango, cabaret singers, dancers and gambling! I think I can feel a little cocktail or two coming on! Happy New Year! Kate.
This article can be found in issue 86 of Greater Port Macquarie Focus
SUMMERTIME HAZE…
And here we are once again – endless summer days, beaches, pools, barbecues, sunburn and mozzies. Lots of socialising, afternoon snoozes, sore heads in the morning …
Holiday season is here! Preparations are in full swing for end of year bashes, office wraps up and catch ups with friends and family before we all disappear into the busy blur that is Christmas!
This month’s column comes to you from the beautiful Margaret River region in Western Australia.
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TRAVEL DESTINATION:
MISSION BEACH, NORTH QUEENSLAND
Event season is in full canter, with Port Cup safely under our fashionable belts and with sunstroke and silliness kept to a bare minimum, thanks to some seriously stunning headwear and hideously long bar lines!
TRAVEL DESTINATION:
