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.
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 your move to Port Macquarie, and how long have you been here now?
My husband and I moved to Port three years ago after our stint in Sydney and some travelling. We both grew up in the country, had holidayed here and have family close by.
What have been some of the lifestyle changes you’ve made since moving up the coast?
After we decided to make the move, I fell pregnant with identical triplet girls. We were advised to stay in Sydney for the pregnancy and birth, so moved two weeks after we left hospital. It was a massive team effort from our families, and the first year was a blur.
It took two hours to feed the girls, leaving one hour between feeds before the process started again 24/7. I have so much gratitude and love for our families for the help they gave us and continue to give us, even with my parent’s own commitments as owners and managers at Del’s Curtains.
What led to you creating the idea for your new business?
When we were finally able to get out of the house with the girls, I found it difficult to discover what was available for us to do. I completed state-wide market research and found this was a universal problem for parents in their home towns, as well as on holidays.
What is your new business concept, ‘todokids’ all about, and how will it work?
todokids provides information for families across the state (and Australia within the next three years) about what is available to do with their kids. Think wotif.com, but for activities instead of accommodation. Users of todokids will have easy access to a wealth of information about what’s on, places to go and things to do.
todokids has a very powerful information sorter, which allows you to refine the search according to the specific age of your
child/ren, how much you want to spend (including free activities), the distance you are prepared to travel, as well as the types of activities you prefer.
Our search criteria includes indoor activities, holiday programs, sporting clubs, educational/tutors, special needs children and play groups, to name just a few. We also have family friendly activities and services for parents such as restaurants and gyms with crèches.
The best feature for parents is the free weekly todokids diary, which provides a customised list of upcoming events based on each subscriber’s location and age of their children. With these weekly email updates, you’ll never miss out on what’s happening in the community or be caught short of ideas to keep the kids amused. I know this would make my life easier, and I’m sure other parents will love it too.
What steps have you taken to get the idea off the ground so far?
Firstly, I engaged Joyer to build the sophisticated, yet simple to use, website. We’re fortunate to have such a world class act right here in Port Macquarie, so we don’t need to rely on services from the city.
I am also busy partnering with industry groups and associations to further build the business across the state.
What have you learnt throughout your working and personal life that has helped you with a new business startup?
No challenge is too big! There is never a good time – just do it.
What can you offer local businesses/organisations through todokids that will be mutually beneficial for your business and theirs?
There is a real need for a logical, location-based activity search tool for parents – especially one that caters to regional areas. todokids provides a platform for businesses to build their profile, gain exposure and access an actively engaged audience of people looking for things to do with their kids.
Mass take-up is key. The more organisations listed on the site, the more valuable it will be to parents … the more parents using the site, the greater the benefit to businesses.
To show my long term commitment and my belief in todokids, I am offering all Mid North Coast businesses free access to todokids to input their information if they contact me by mid-February.
What challenges have you found so far in establishing a business from the ground up, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest problem is coming up with all these ideas and then finding the time to get it all done. I’ve taken this into consideration and allowed a generous timeframe to ensure we get it right the first time. I figure I only get one shot at this!
The contacts, leads and suggestions provided by Grant Burtenshaw from the local Business Start Up Program have proven to be invaluable. I have also had tremendous support from the ‘big’ tourism providers in town, including Kathy Balodis (The Corner and Macquarie Waters), Jules Hender (Jumbos and Wave Bowl) and Belinda Novicky (Mid North Coast Tourism).
Local business networks such as Hastings Business Enterprise Network and Hastings Business Women’s Network have also been beneficial and introduced me to my wonderful marketing and PR consultant, Michelle Newman.
Despite the assistance and support I have had to date, todokids and the opportunity I have to create this website would not be possible without the confidence, support and encouragement of my husband, Andrew.
Given you’ve already experienced a huge lifestyle and career change, where would you like to see yourself personally and professionally in the next few years?
I have big ambitions for todokids. I really see this as shaking up the marketing approach of tourism, entertainment and recreation businesses all over Australia.
My aim is to be the first item on their marketing plan. I see todokids as a truly valuable resource for parents and carers, enabling them to enjoy more active, fun and exciting outings with their kids. I want to provide a great life for my family growing up here in Port Macquarie.
Where can people go to find out more about todokids?
Parents will have to wait until we get the site crammed with loads of activities ready for launch on 1 July this year. Businesses who want to take advantage of the free listings should contact me on 0407 016 067 or email me at jodi@todokids.com.au before mid-February.
Thanks Jodi. Best of luck with the new business venture!
Interview by Jo Atkins.
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.
The legendary Bluejuice will visit Port Panthers on January 13 – one of the band’s stopovers on their massive new tour.
Come down and enjoy live music and the summer sun, along with a beer or two and a fresh bucket of prawns.
The Port Macquarie Croquet Club will celebrate its 60th birthday on December 4 – a major milestone for the organisation. Club President, John Hincks, fills us in on the history of the club and tells us more about the birthday celebrations planned for the big day.
The Mid North Coast now has its own Area Health Service, aptly named the Mid North Coast Local Health Network, and Stewart Dowrick is the newly appointed CE. It was great to spend an hour with Stewart, to learn what the Network is and how it will work.
Geoff Metcalfe has experienced sights not often seen by westerners, travelling to the remote ‘lost and forbidden kingdom’ of Mustang in Nepal …
The Hastings Youth Theatre Inc. are proud to present their new show for 2011, the sequel to the Wizard of Oz, The Scatterbrained Scarecrow of Oz, which will be at the Glasshouse on 10 July.
Keith Munro from the Museum of Contemporary Art tells us about The People of the First Sunrise – a very special exhibition being held at the Glasshouse from June 24 to August 7.
Fourteen-year-old Markku Ollinkoski has an entrepreneurial spirit, with an holistic bent … this enterprising young man and his proud mum, Sandra, explain how the need to find a skin-friendly product led them to develop Mountain Goat Soap …
From the age of 6, local surfer Todd Bourke has been ripping in the surf. Inspired by our own local legends, Todd has just won the Men’s Open regional titles at the age of only 17.
When did you start surfing?
Dad first taught me to surf in Bali when I was around 6-years-old. It was the first time I had gotten on a surfboard, and I loved it. At about 9, we moved to Port, where I got my first surfboard – and I have been surfing ever since. Port is such a good place to start surfing.
Who have been your surfing inspirations?
Like many kids, I was always inspired by Kelly Slater. He was always in every magazine I read, or movie I watched, so I just loved him. He really is the best there ever has been and the best there ever will be.
Mick Campbell is also someone I have looked up to since I was a grommet. For someone who was once second in the world, he has shown people the talent Port Macquarie can produce. He is always so keen for a surf and just frothing in general. Ever since I have known him, he has been keen to help the kids from port with their surfing. Having a guy like him in the water is good, as he is always keeping it fun. He has also shown that with dedication and the right mindset, anything can be achieved. I think that’s what kids look up to.
Other guys like Donavon Frankinreiter inspire me, as he gets paid to write music and surf – which I think would be one of the best jobs in the world.
Wayne Morrison and Mitch Vanderveer are also 2 local guys whom I have always been inspired by. Everybody knows they rip, and being able to see them surf gets me hungry to keep improving. Wayne has always helped me and the local kids with surfing and training – and still does. If he sees you slacking in the surf or at training, he will make sure you work hard to improve.
You’ve had some great results in surfing comps. What one stands out for you?
Recently one that stands out for me would have to be winning the Men’s Open regional titles this year. It was my first year competing in the Opens, so I didn’t really know what to expect. It’s a bit different surfing against grown men and people you have watched growing up, compared to surfing against a couple of grommets. Surfing against older guys, I think drives you to surf better, as you feel as though you have to step up to another level of surfing.
You’re lucky enough to have some great sponsors. What kind of support do they give you?
My main sponsor, Oakley, support and help me heaps! They make sure I have everything, from clothes to sunnies to bags or hats. Keeping them happy is something that I try and aim for, because you only get out what you put in, so I try my best to promote them. I’ll make sure I keep in contact with them every week! My most recent sponsor is Xcel, who support me with wetsuits. It’s definitely a bonus having a new wetsuit for winter. It gets you keener to get out there on those cold winter mornings. Ocean and Earth support me with surfing accessories, from legropes to boardcovers, to tailpads. Greg Masters, the area rep for Ocean and Earth, happens to live in Port, so it’s really good to see him in the surf and catch up!
Saltwater Wine Surf has been supporting me since I first stepped foot on a surfboard. Macca, Porky and the crew have been so good to me, and I’m lucky enough to have a job there as well. Having good boards is pretty much a must have. Hayden shapes surfboards; he sends me a new board every few months. It seems every board they make me is better then the last, and I haven’t snapped one yet! Bells Bakery happens to make the best food in town, and I’m lucky enough to have them supporting me also.
Do you have any surfing adventures planned for the future?
The Telos Islands is a place where I have always wanted to go. The climate is so tropical, and the waves look amazing. It’s crazy to think that they have built a 5-star resort there, and the locals still live in huts.
I would also love to travel to places which aren’t typical for surfers to go, somewhere cold or with a slim chance of waves. I think it would make it that much more rewarding if you did score some waves and more of an adventure, rather than knowing the waves you’re going to be surfing.
Where are you hoping your surfing will take you in the future?
I’m just hoping my surfing will take me to places where I am always enjoying myself. Whether it’s free surfing or surfing in a contest, I would like to think that I would be having fun. I hate how some people are so focused on competition, sometimes they forget how to just surf with their mates and hang out.
What was your all time best session in the surf?
I’d have to say the best waves I’ve ever surfed were in Bali at Uluwatu, when I was 15. It was the first time I’d ever really had the chance to experience some heavier waves outside of home. It took me a while to get used to it, as it was about 6 – 8 foot and so different to everything I’d ever experienced. My mate Matt Banting had to convince me to paddle into a few. After I got my first couple, I felt a bit more comfortable and started having a bit more fun.
In saying that, I don’t think anything can beat surfing pumping waves at home. Recently there have been a few sessions at home with just me and a few mates, perfect waves – sessions I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
Ever had any close calls out in the surf in heavy conditions?
I had one close call about 6 months ago, surfing home at breakwall. I came off a wave and felt my leggie slip off. I was pretty much on the rocks, but I couldn’t touch the sand to push myself away. The tide was pulling me out, and I didn’t really have any control over myself. I ended up getting in after a while, but it definitely shook me up. That wave was just as heavy as any other waves I have surfed.
What else do you enjoy apart from surfing?
Other then surfing, I basically spend my time with my mates and just hang out and have fun. I enjoy photography and making movies, playing guitar, drawing on or spraying my boards, skating, shooting hoops, hanging with my girlfriend and bumming around at home with my family and dog!
Thanks Todd.
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.
John butler is passionate about making his music meaningful,
Sonia Fingleton is all about promoting fresh local produce. She is the driving force behind the Hastings Farmers Market and the Tastings of the Hastings annual food and wine event and the brainchild of the local area’s very own cookbook.
