Stomp – Skateboard Coaching Clinics

Skate boarding’s profile locally is about to receive a big boost, with the opening of the state of the art Town Beach Skate Park …  David  explains his role at Stomp, helping people to make the most of this new world class     David, you’re a professional skater. How did you get into the sport? Well, it all started back when I was about 9 years old, when my dad gave me and my... [Read more]

Elise May Goodwin – Australian Deaf Games

It’s been an intense year of athletic and swimming competitions for Elise. Twelve months of hard work, many kilometres of travelling and numerous medals and trophies have helped prepare this amazing 12 year old for her next big challenge: The Australian Deaf Games in January. Hi Elise. Please introduce yourself to the readers … Elise: Hey, my name is Elise May Goodwin. I’m 12 years old and... [Read more]

Our Story – Brenda Fernandez & Michelle Percival

Not so long ago, two women focused all their energy on being loving wives, mothers, running businesses, travelling and enjoying life. Life, however, was turned upside down when both were diagnosed with breast cancer 12 months ago, and their focus changed to beating the disease. Now, these women bravely share their stories… If you were asked to write a bio your life 18 months ago, what would... [Read more]

Damian King – 3 x World Champion

3 x world Champion Damian King is back home after taking home the Drop Knee crown in Puerto Rico. There’s not much more to achieve in the sport for the ‘king’, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be stopping just yet.       There is one more event in the 2011 season, but you’ve already taken out the Drop Knee crown – your third world title in the sport... [Read more]

Mark Stone – Billabong Koala Wildlife Park

Something very special is about to be revealed at the Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park. Chrissy Jones catches up with a very busy and excited park owner, Mark Stone, to find out more …       So Mark, what’s new at the zoo? I hear you have something unique in store for visitors. Yes, we have something very exciting due to arrive – a pair of endangered Snow Leopards. The Snow... [Read more]

Jon Capilli – Local Bodyboarder

Local lad Jon Capilli has just won the Senior Men’s National Bodyboard title in Kiama recently and finished top 3 on the Aussie pro dropknee tour. We catch up with him for a chat about his career highlights to date and his aspirations.   So, tell us a little bit about how you fell in love with the sport and first knew you wanted to be a bodyboarder? I first fell in love with the ocean back... [Read more]

Aaron Patton – Certificate of Commendation

Aaron Patton is a tireless and dedicated community worker, who ultimately plans a career in psychology. Eighteen year old Aaron will receive a Certificate of Commendation from the Order of Australia Association this month for his magnificent efforts.     Tell us a bit about yourself.  I’m 18 years old; I’ve lived in Port Macquarie all my life. I’m currently doing my HSC at Westport... [Read more]

Billi-Jo Murray Fundraiser

From a very young age Billi-Jo Murray was diagnosed with cancer, We talk about her journey and an upcoming fundraiser to send her to swim with dolphins at Sea World!       Billi-Jo was born on 5 Nov 2003. A perfectly healthy baby girl. At 10 months of age, Billi-Jo was diagnosed with cancer - Bilateral Wilms Tumour. She had high blood pressure and was very irritable. She started chemotherapy... [Read more]

Kate Hutten – Mid Coast Care

Passionate community advocate Kate Hutten from Mid Coast Care is presenting a breakfast talk on her own life that will inspire, shock, motivate and fill you with hope. We find out more.   You’re the guest speaker at the upcoming Mid Coast Care Breakfast Series, which is a personal story of your life. Tell us a little about your childhood. My parents adopted us three, being unable to have... [Read more]

Floating Me

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]

Pedal Against Poverty

Do you want to help break the poverty cycle for children living in India, Tanzania and Cambodia? Not-for-profit Christian organisation Pedal Against Poverty hopes to do just that.     What is Pedal Against Poverty – and how was the organisation established? Pedal Against Poverty exists to help desperately poor kids around the world. No child should live in the poverty, but so many do. We... [Read more]

Wil Anderson

Well known as a stand up comedian and as the host of the ABC’s popular programme ‘The Gruen Transfer’, Wil Anderson will bring his unique blend of humour and keen observation skills to the Glasshouse this month. His new show, ‘Man vs Wil’, promises a great evening’s entertainment Hi Wil. I read somewhere that it was actually a performance by Billy Connolly that prompted you to think you,... [Read more]

Learn To Surf

Port Macquarie Surf School is celebrating many milestones in 2011. Chrissy Jones chats with Grant Hudson and finds out more about this local iconic business …       Port Surf School has been operating for 10 years now. What helps to make the business so successful? We love what we do – few things in life can give you a bigger buzz than surfing. At Port Macquarie Surf School,... [Read more]

James Morrison

FOCUS catches up with James Morrison. With a love for music and performing since a young age James Morrison is an inspiration to other Jazz performers.       James, you’ve been playing instruments since the age of 7 and performing for audiences since 15. What impact did starting to play so early have on your career? I guess it meant that I gained a lot of experience very early,... [Read more]

Gary O’Callaghan

Australian Father of the Year in exalted company, alongside PM Menzies, Premier Cahill, Chief Justice Les Herron, Taronga’s Ed Hallstrom, Governor Roden Cutler, Darwin reconstruction’s General Alan Stretton and cricket’s Mark Taylor. Susie chats with our own distinguished achiever. Gary O’Callaghan and I are lunching in The Mullet’s sunny forecourt, reminiscing about our times at radio station... [Read more]

Trek To Nepal

Geoff Metcalfe has experienced sights not often seen by westerners, travelling to the remote ‘lost and forbidden kingdom’ of Mustang in Nepal …       Hi Geoff. Tell us about yourself. They say you’re not a local until living in Port Macquarie for 20 years or so. I have been living here for 30 years since leaving Sydney, so I guess I am now! I’m married to Jenny, whom I... [Read more]

The Destiny Rescue

FOCUS catches up with Stephanie from Destiny Rescue. We talk about the charity and ask Stephanie how she became involved.       Stephanie, tell us a bit about yourself and Destiny Rescue. I am 31 years old and grew up in Port Macquarie, leaving for a few years to attend the University of Newcastle and complete a B.Nursing. I married Damien, a Primary School Teacher in 2000 and we have... [Read more]

People Builders

Innovative Strategy for Business to Reach New Clients. How many of us stop to think how difficult it must be for profoundly Deaf and Hearing Impaired people when it comes to accessing local businesses and services?Most of us never consider how hard it would be even to buy a coffee! However, two local women, Allyson Costanzo and Natalie Brondsema have! Ms Brondsema – a Community Services student... [Read more]

Vernon Ah Kee

The exhibition, titled Cant Chant, features surfboards decorated with North Queensland rainforest shields, a surfing video and addresses the subject of our beaches. The viewer is left to ponder how these beaches have played a part in shaping our identity as Australians. When did you first discover your artistic talent? I’ve always been a drawer – and that’s how I describe and introduce myself... [Read more]

Rainbow Mushrooms

Fragrant soups and risottos, a big, hearty, hot breakfast, a succulent accompaniment to both meat and vegetarian dishes … Ever wondered where and how to source the best and freshest mushrooms? Gloria Hayes from Rainbow Mushrooms knows the answer! What’s the background behind the establishment of your business, Rainbow Mushrooms? Rainbow Mushrooms was established 10 years ago. We purchased a small... [Read more]

Little Shop of Horrors

Aphenomenal talent both on stage and behind the scenes and capable of juggling acting, the HSC and multiple commitments, 17-year-old Andrew Cockroft-Penman will direct the upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors at Players Theatre…   Tell us a little about your background … I’m 17 and studying for the HSC at Westport High. I moved to Port Macquarie with mum and my sister from... [Read more]

The Ten Tenors

They have a new look and they are set to impress. The Ten Tenors are back at Port Panthers this month, with a blend of contemporary and classical music to delight the ears. Keane Fletcher tells us more …   The Tenors have a new look … tell us about it. We have just had a whole range of new suits made up by a Brisbane company called The Cloak Room. We have sexed up the suits a bit... [Read more]

Adam Roberts

Port Macquarie-Hastings has been without elected Councillors for almost 5 years now. One person who thinks it’s about time we had our own representation is Adam Roberts, who will be running in the next election     First off, tell us a little about yourself and why you are running for Council? I’m 32-years-old. I married my beautiful wife Kristy nearly six years ago, and I’m a father... [Read more]

Naidoc Week

Meet Yun Yi Barragay Guide, Nardja Davies …           What celebrations is Sea Acres Rainforest Centre presenting during NAIDOC week? This year we are very excited to be presenting a new sporting event for families – the Koori- lympics on Saturday 9 July from 1.30 to 3.30pm in the grounds of historic Roto House, in Macquarie Nature Reserve. Tell us more about the... [Read more]

Christine Anu

Christine Anu is well known as a recording artist, dancer and actor, but this entertainment industry icon is also a businesswoman, mother and someone who’s proud of her indigenous heritage and roots.     Hi Christine. What’s been keeping you busy over the past few years? In the last 5 to 10 years I’ve been independent, not attached to a record company, so I’ve been able to do a lot... [Read more]

Trek 4 Kids

Local father and son team John Eggert Snr and John Jnr will take to the roads in August to help raise funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Chrissy Jones catches up with them to find out more…     When and why did you both become involved in the Trek4Kids? We were talking about going in the Kidney Kar Rally at lawn bowls one evening, when we overheard a conversation about... [Read more]

The Delltones

The Delltones have been a household name for many years – larger than life, colourful and renowned for their high energy performances and stunning vocal harmonies. The legendary Ian (Peewee) Wilson is looking forward to visiting Port Macquarie as a part of the Wintersun 2011 line-up …   Going right back to the early days, when you and the boys were all surf lifesavers – how did the... [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]

David Capper

President of the Greater Port Macquarie Toursim Association, David Capper, gives us an insight into the organisation’s operations and plans for the future.       Hi David. As well as being the General Manager of Rydges Port Macquarie, you are also the President of the Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association. Tell us a bit about the Association. The Tourism Association is a... [Read more]

Gay Bilson

Former restaurateur and author, Gay Bilson is one of the guest speakers at the Watermark Literary Society’s 2011 Muster.         How did you find your way from growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne to becoming a restaurateur and cook in Sydney? Liberated from a stifling working class home by going to Melbourne University in the early ‘60s; never finished a degree. Worked... [Read more]