The Foreshore Market in Port Macquarie showcases beautiful produce and remarkable arts and crafts each month. Three young entrepreneurs displaying their creative flair at the market are 13-year-old craft whizzes, Erin Duly, Abi Smith and Eryn McDermott … Please tell us a little bit about yourself … Erin: My name is Erin Duly, and I am 13 years old going on 14 in one month. I have... [Read more]
Port Macquarie local, Ryley Batt, is aiming for his third consecutive Paralympic Games in the sport of Wheelchair Rugby, at the tender age of twenty-two. Ryley will share his journey and life story at the Hastings Business Enterprise Network breakfast at Rydges on 19 January. We take a moment to catch up with Ryley, in what will be one of the most focused and critical ‘Olympic’... [Read more]
Rebecca Hicks from Wauchope Physical Culture Club recently took home the 1st year senior national title at the Sydney Opera House. How long have you been involved with BJP Physical Culture? I started as a preschooler in Port Macquarie and moved over to the Wauchope club from the age of 5. My younger sister is also a Physie girl, with my mum and her mum also being apart of... [Read more]
Katrina Humble has started to address some major issues that are common Australia wide, but are also very relevant in our local area. Committee Spokesperson for Reap Food Rescue, Katrina explains how good food goes to waste and can also be used to benefit the more needy members in our community … What exactly is Reap Food Rescue? Reap is the regional food rescue package of OzHarvest. OzHarvest... [Read more]
It takes commitment, dedication and an all encompassing enthusiasm for your career choice to work for one business for 40 years. Jill Woodlands’ passion for fashion has helped her to carve out a rewarding career at TAFE… Please give us a little bit of your background … I grew up on a grazing property at Bonalbo, west of Casino. My mother’s family owned a tailoring business in... [Read more]
As Production Manager at In Phase Productions, Nigel is used to performing under pressure and thinking on his feet … but covering the enormous Bush Band Bash in Alice Springs recently presented a logistical challenge that truly tested his skills… Nigel, tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be involved with audio and visual presentation services … I moved to Australia... [Read more]
The award-winning international smash hit comedy, Celebrity Autobiography, will visit the Glasshouse direct from the Sydney Opera House this February. Mikey Robins tells us about the show. You’re visiting Port Macquarie in February for the Celebrity Autobiography show. Tell us about the concept and how it works … It is basically using the own words of celebrities against them... [Read more]
Michael Wilkie is a young man on a mission. This MacKillop Senior College student and talented film maker/photographer is set to travel to Cambodia in February to film a documentary for the Cambodian Children’s Fund – and he needs our support … Hi Michael. I know we’ve interviewed you before, but please refresh our memories and tell us a bit about yourself. I’m 16 years old, and... [Read more]
Hand made or factory built? There’s more to hand making a beautiful guitar than meets the eye. A unique blending of science, knowledge and woodworking skill allow local Luthier John Buckham to create instruments of superior quality… How long have you been making guitars, and where is your business located? I moved to the area 11 years ago, and I’m located about 7 km outside of Wauchope.... [Read more]
Australian Country Music legends, Beccy Cole and Gina Jeffreys, visit the Great Lakes again to perform at Club Forster on Friday 10 February at 8pm … We caught up with the best friends of 20 years to find that fame and industry acclaim hasn’t affected this down-to-earth duo one little bit … Beccy Cole What do you like about coming to the Manning-Great Lakes? It’s not too far from home, so I’m... [Read more]
From a working life in Sydney, a sea change to Port Macquarie, the birth of identical triplet daughters and an enthusiasm for life has led Jodi McAlary to develop a bright new business venture … Where did you start your working life, and what was your first choice of career? Previously I was a National OHS System Manager for a large labour hire company based in Sydney. What prompted... [Read more]
The Port Macquarie Marina has received a new lease of life lately, with major extensions underway and a new General Manager behind the desk. David Reay took up his new position last October, and he tells us there are some exciting things in the pipeline … Hi David. What’s your background? I moved to Port Macquarie when I was in primary school. I started at Port Macquarie Primary, and... [Read more]
Each year, our local clubs provide thousands of dollars worth of assistance to our community through the Club Grants program. Jenny Edmunds, Chair of the Hastings Club Grants Committee, fills us in on the program and the valuable service it provides in our area … What’s your position with the Westport Club and also with the Club Grants program? I’m the Marketing and Community Co-ordinator... [Read more]
Two fantastic events will kick start Wauchope’s 28th Annual Lasiandra Festival – The Lasiandra Swing Dance and the Lasiandra Cabaret Evening. Chrissy Jones tells us more … The first event of the 2012 Festival calendar will be hosted by the Wauchope Rotary Club. Proudly sponsored by Meltique Beef, Oi Marketing, Grinspoon, Wonderlick Entertainment and Greater Port Macquarie... [Read more]
You may recognise him as Oscar Stone from Stingers, or Mike Flynn from Sea Patrol, but Ian Stenlake also has a love and a phenomenal talent for musical theatre, having performed in productions such as Cabaret, Oklahoma! and They’re Playing our Song. Ian brings his fabulous voice to the Glasshouse this month, in a show that’s a tribute to some of the best theatre music ever written. I read a story... [Read more]
The Port Macquarie-Hastings area has a rich and varied maritime history, which many of us are unaware of. Have you visited our Maritime Museum recently? Ted Kasehagen, Museum Co-ordinator at the Pilot Cottages Museum, shares a few interesting historical facts with FOCUS readers… How did you first become involved with the Maritime Museum? I’m the Museum Co-ordinator at the Pilot Cottages Museum... [Read more]
Original and one-of-a-kind, we meet David Miles from Funky Journals, who uses old, discarded books to create imaginative and memorable journals for people of all ages and backgrounds to record life’s journey. Tell us about your Funky Journals product range. How did you come up with the idea to turn this into a business venture? A Funky Journal is a new journal made from discarded books... [Read more]
“What a magnificent concert”…“Looked wonderful … seven majestic harps” …“Excellent playing, effortless virtuosity”… “Difficult to imagine a more delightful musical evening” … These are just some of the accolades heaped on The Seven Harp Ensemble (SHE) by concert-goers. Under the direction of international harp soloist, Alice Giles, this exciting... [Read more]
Port Macquarie boasts one of the keenest cycling communities around, its regional topography of hills, slopes and long straight stretches ideal challenging conditions. Riders of all ages and abilities indulge in road racing, mountain biking or cycling merely for pleasure. This month, Susie meets one local aficionado. Out To Lunch today is not the usual seafood spread and chat with my guest at The Stunned... [Read more]
Peak Coffee consultant, Sean Edwards, was recently invited to visit Korea, where he presented at the Korea Café Show … It was a trip into the unknown for me. I was personally feeling a little nervous about the project I had been asked to perform by my good friends from Taehwan Automation, who build the popular Proaster coffee roasters. Nevertheless, I was on my way to... [Read more]
February 21 is Shrove Tuesday (or Pancake Day, as it is better known), but pancakes are one of those universal snacks that can be enjoyed any time of the day, all year round. If you visit the Foreshore Market in Port Macquarie or the Riverwalk Market in Laurieton each month, your tastebuds are in for a treat. Robbie Blackmore, the face behind Robbie’s Dutch Pancakes, introduces us to Poffertjes … What... [Read more]
A desire to produce quality organic produce and some keen business skills have led local business, Near River Produce, to diversify in some interesting and delicious ways … Tell us a little about your property, Near River. Near River is a 22 acre farm on the banks of the Pappinbarra River, 15 km west of Beechwood in the Hastings Valley hinterland. We moved here a little over... [Read more]
Aussie music legend, Iva Davies, is preparing for a big year in 2012, as it’s 30 years since the ICEHOUSE hit Great Southern Land thrust them into stardom. You’re coming to Port Macquarie for a show and also visiting your birthplace, Wauchope, in January. Tell us what’s special about this visit? This is an interesting date and tour. This coming year, 2012, will... [Read more]
The legendary Bluejuice will visit Port Panthers on January 13 – one of the band’s stopovers on their massive new tour. Bluejuice returns to Port Macquarie this January. We ask Jake what the band has been up to since they were last here twelve months ago! We have recorded a new album, which was a lot of fun, and we have released a couple of singles from it as well... [Read more]
Every once in a while, a phenomenal talent appears in our midst. Rising star, 15 year old Anna Da Silva Chen, is a fantastic example, winning the 2011 Kendall National Violin Competition amidst tough competition. You can witness Anna’s unbelievable talent and dedication at the Kendall School of Arts on March 18. Hi Anna. Tell us about yourself… I’m 15 years old. I was born in Sydney, and... [Read more]
Legendary British group The Searchers have been wowing audiences for the past five decades, starting with their very first hit, Sweets for My Sweet, in 1963. The group will present their 50th anniversary show at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie this month, and bassist Frank Allen tells us why we shouldn’t miss the experience … In the past fifty years, the band must have... [Read more]
Maureen Winnall, Susie Cooper and Wendy Cooper are committee members of the Hastings Valley Toy & Leisure Library. The library has planned a fantastic new initiative for February, called Hastings Kids Healthy Lifestyle Project – which is aiming to get kids and their families more involved with healthy eating and provide fun alternatives to sedentary activities.. What exactly is the Hastings Valley... [Read more]
Allegiance Combat & Fitness Centre. Jason Harris started doing Martial Arts when he was 11 years old and was teaching at 16. Over the 23 years of teaching, Jason has seen the evolution of martial arts and the whole fitness industry. To survive in business, you have to grow and follow the trends – and that is exactly what Jason has done. From initially teaching only Martial Arts to 6 kids in the... [Read more]
Each year Ovarian Cancer awareness is promoted on a national scale through Ovarian Cancer awareness month, which is designed to educate women about the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer and raise vital funds for OCA’s programs. In what ways does Plunketts Chemmart Pharmacy support Ovarian Cancer Australia? Chemmart Pharmacy has supported OCA for many years, playing a vital role in raising... [Read more]
Have you ever wondered what the Kingdom of Heaven would look like? Jesus said: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock”. Have you ever wondered what it would look like if you opened the door? Grace Church has a passion and desire to open the door into the Kingdom of Heaven – that when people visit our church, they leave knowing they have encountered God. GRACE CHURCH 2012 is going... [Read more]
