Bill Jubb is a veterinary surgeon who graduated from the University of Queensland 35 years ago. He’s just marked his 10-year anniversary at his Port Macquarie practice. “I grew up in Brisbane and Warwick, where my family raised beef cattle, and went to school in Toowoomba and Brisbane. We had a black lab, Rick, the perfect dog, who collected the daily paper and never barked … even when the... [Read more]
Shirley Gaul is a poodle breeder, animal groomer and obedience instructor, and puppy preschool instructor and teacher – in her spare time. As well, she works full time as a vet nurse. “I was born and raised in Port, went to school here and grew up on the beaches, riding my horses all round this then small town where no one locked the doors. As a child I’d walk to the corner store knowing... [Read more]
Julie Goldspink is a local artist and tutor with a wealth of experience. After her recent win at the Hastings Valley Fine Art Association’s biggest competition, she speaks to Kim Gould about her involvement with the association and her endless passion for art and the beautiful natural landscapes that surround her. > How did you first get into art? Art has always been a passion of mine from an... [Read more]
Many will remember actress Noeline Brown from the early ‘60s ‘Mavis Bramston Show’, which made her a household name. Following its success, Noeline was seen as a regular panellist with ‘Ugly Dave Gray’, Barry Creyton, Stuart Wagstaff, Carol Raye and Noel Ferrier on the ‘70s television hit game show ‘Blankety Blanks’, hosted by ‘The King of Comedy’, the late Graham Kennedy. >... [Read more]
A life full of wonderful memories is the legacy that multi-talented Helen Pain continues to build through following her passion for music, singing and art. > Hi Helen. Tell us how you came to be in Port Macquarie. David and I made the sea change north from Sydney four years ago. We had lived in Kiama on the South Coast, and then in Sydney for many years. We loved the buzz of Sydney – the theatres... [Read more]
Adventure is Danny O’Neill’s middle name. His career as a nurse has taken him to places far and wide and certainly out of his comfort zone. But the rewards both professionally and personally have been worth it, and he’s now enjoying a sea change at Port. > You’re a transitional nurse practitioner at the Port Base Hospital and a reservist for the Australian Airforce. You’re just back from... [Read more]
If you have been tuned into Channel Ten’s ‘Australian Idol’, you would have noticed James Johnston, Wingham’s homegrown talented musician. James drops in to tell us about his journey so far. > You’re back home after a whirlwind few months. What’s it like to be here for a few days? Great! To be honest, coming back home and to my local community gives me a good feeling; I miss the... [Read more]
Luxe Café proudly won Port’s most esteemed award – the 2009 Business of the Year. Life’s been pretty busy since then & Chris tells us more about what’s good at LUXE. > Luxe recently won not only the Café Award, but took home the Business of the Year award. How has work life been since then? It has been very busy since winning the awards, which is fantastic. Coming into the party... [Read more]
Jean-Louis has always been passionate about the kitchen… so much so, that his whole career has revolved around creating interesting menus from fresh produce and a hint of rainforest. > Describe your typical day. I start with breakfast with my family, feed the chooks and collect fresh eggs and herbs. I then get the girls to school and pick up bread for work, open the café and start cooking.... [Read more]
In 2007 Julie led the National Anthem for the opening ceremony of the Australian Youth Olympics Festival and the Australia Day Spectacular at Darling Harbour. In 2006 Julie was a soloist for The Royal Flying Doctors Service concert (City Recital Hall, Angel Place) performing alongside many of Australia’s distinguished performers. She has been a featured soloist in both the 2005 and 2006 Schools Spectacular... [Read more]
Melinda Cockshutt is an unsung hero in our local. In conjunction with Mid Coast Care’s ‘A Woman’s Heart Series’ we interview Melinda who shares with us her inspirational story of hope and staying positive. > You moved to Port Macquarie from Canberra 2½ years ago. What were your reasons for leaving the city life? I was a lawyer working up to 15 hours a day, every day. We had a couple... [Read more]
Local designer Lisa Christie has been recognised for her outstanding customer service through her two businesses, Visual Edge and Little Dinosaur. > Congratulations on your recent awards. First, tell us about the Customer Care award you won. The Customer Care program is designed to encourage businesses to engage in ‘best practice’ methods for customer service. My business Visual Edge... [Read more]
Retired piano tuner and repairer Phil Passmore was elected president of Port Macquarie City Lions Club in June this year – a half-century after the town’s first Lions club was founded. He’s been a member of Lions for 28 years. Lions is the world’s biggest service organisation: some 41,000 clubs in 180 countries. It began in the US 92 years ago; its international motto is: We Serve. At... [Read more]
Andrew Fisher, racing driver, is passionate about his faith… from the racetrack to schools around the country he is taking his ‘Jesus. All About Life’ campaign to challenge the stereotype of what a Christian really is and to inspire the courage to really look at the person of Jesus, the ultimate role model and His value system for our lives. > How did you get started in motor sport racing? I’ve... [Read more]
Ivana Agapiou is an Eather Recruitment executive and president of the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise. Rotary began in the US in 1905 and in Port Macquarie in 1948; there are now six local Rotary clubs, including at Wauchope and Laurieton, with more than 200 members. Women were first accepted as members 20 years ago: currently, the presidents of all four Port Macquarie clubs are women. Ivana... [Read more]
Ollie Brooke is the resident DJ at one of Port Macquarie’s most popular nightspots, The Beach House. > You have lived in Ireland and the UK; how did you come to live in Port Macquarie? The short version is that I met my wife while she was travelling through Ireland (where I’m originally from). We hooked up, spent some time in Brighton in the UK together before maxing out our credit cards... [Read more]
Gordon Wiegold left his job as Editor of the Canberra Times Sunday newspaper for a change of pace and bought a milk run in beautiful Laurieton to be more of a father to his family. The pace has changed all right – it has picked up rapidly. This is a day in the life of Gordon Wiegold. 2.00am: Rise and shine, checking the daily weather forecast, latest sports results and news highlights are a must,... [Read more]
Genevieve Hill has become very popular amongst the locals since she recently won the Barista Championships in Port Macquarie. We catch up with Genevieve to find out what it takes to win the title, and discuss the highlights of her job as a barista at Peloton. > How long have you been a barista, and how did you get into the industry? I’ve been a barista for around a year and a half now, and I’ve... [Read more]
She’s known as one half of a successful business and community benefactors combo, an international tour organiser and an adored mum. But who would have guessed that for more than half her life, Helen Ross had a lost love. Helen Ross and I are sipping a light soup, enjoying views up the wave-swept coastline on a gloriously sunny day. Elsewhere, others are lunching, too. The biggest clientele of all... [Read more]
The team at Laing + Simmons are passionate about real estate. After 14 years navigating ever changing market conditions, they really understand the local market and also the external factors that influence the real estate industry. With their 4,000th sale under their belts, and an armful of outstanding achievement awards, we talk to principals Michelle and Michael Percival about the success of Laing... [Read more]
If there was ever a song that gave inspiration to people going through a tough time, it’s Paul Greene’s “‘Work Love Dance Trust’. The hugely infectious slab of acoustic pop confronts the harsh realities of the world: times get hard, effort is not always rewarded, and good guys don’t always win. But there’s no reason to dwell on the negatives; the world is still a wonderful place and... [Read more]
Determined to make his mark on the world, Daniel Hounslow has set his sights on becoming world champion in the competitive sport of jet skiing. >Congratulations on becoming the Runabout Freestyle Australian champion. What was the feeling after winning the event? Thanks. It was an awesome feeling to know that I was now Aussie number one! It was a huge step in my career and my goal to be world number... [Read more]
Flamenco Dancer … teacher, performer, choreographer. > How did you first discover Flamenco? My affair with Flamenco began with Antonio Vargas’ footwork and intensity capturing my attention during his performance in ‘Strictly Ballroom’. How could a person’s feet move so quickly, while the torso remained strong and the arms fluid? However, it was not until I saw my first live performance... [Read more]
At only 25 Allison Shreeve has already claimed the Formula Windsurfing World Champion title. Her windsurfing career began seven years ago when she chose the sport during Port Macquarie High School’s summer program. We caught up with Allison when she opened an exhibition in her honour at the Maritime Museum. > You’re back in town to open an exhibition at the Mid North Coast Maritime Museum,... [Read more]
If you haven’t been to one of Brad Lockwood’s gigs then you might not quite qualify as a local. We catch up with Brad to talk about his career and what’s happening these days. > Where did you grow up? Well that reminds me of a joke told to me recently. A new school careers counselor is talking with a year eight class, and is asking children what they want to be when they grow up. Counselor... [Read more]
After growing up on the Mid-North Coast dancer Darren Christian McIntyre is now a principal dancer with the Ajkun Ballet Theatre Company in New York. We catch up with Darren for a chat about his career. > You grew up on the Mid-North Coast what do you remember most about the area? I was born in Glen Innes, NSW in 1980 and my family moved to Port Macquarie in 1987. Growing up in Port Macquarie... [Read more]
Jason Ree’s passion for jewellery design has seen him become the recipient of the prestigious Jeweller of the Year Award twice over. We talk to Jason about his many inspirations and the finer points of his craft. > Where were you originally based before moving on tobigger things in Sydney? Originally from Forster on the Mid-North Coast. I started making jewellery there before continuing my training... [Read more]
Timbertown is an authentic heritage township, where the horse and carriage still runs, timber is still sawn and the bullock team still hauls its heavy load. With its future still unknown, Chrissy Jones talks to 13 year old volunteer Mary-Anne about her role at Timbertown as a young bullocky driver and why the park means so much to her and many other volunteer groups. Timbertown is considered by many... [Read more]
As a singer and songwriter Lisa Hunt has enjoyed amazing success across the globe with her powerful voice belting out the best of Motown and Rhythm & Blues. Her deep soulful voice has been labelled ‘an experience not to be missed’. Lisa will be here on the Mid-North Coast to perform live at the Riverview Hotel and we catch up with the talented musician to see what we can expect. > How... [Read more]
Mark Stone, owner and manager of Billabong Wildlife and Koala Park, has been an animal enthusiast since age five. He gives us his thoughts and experiences on running a wildlife park, living in a house full of orphaned kangaroos and wombats, as well as coordinating the very successful koala breeding program. > How did your career as an animal keeper start out? What was your reason for choosing... [Read more]
