At approximately this time last year, as part of a survey instigated by the NRMA, the North Coast stretch of the Pacific Highway between Coffs Harbour and Macksville was voted the state’s worst road leading into the State Election …

I spoke to Wendy about the NRMA’s work in lobbying the State and Federal Government to make good its target of meeting the 2016 Pacific Highway Upgrade.

Approximately 12 months ago, the NRMA’s Red Flag survey voted the road between Coffs Harbour and Macksville as the worst stretch of road on the Pacific Highway… What funding commitments have you been able to achieve for Mid North Coast road projects since this survey took place?

It’s important to remember the NRMA is a membership organisation and we’re a lobby group, and that’s the two things our members want us to do in that order – roadside and lobbying. We get criticised from time-to-time that we can’t make things faster, and we share that frustration. We just have to keep pushing and reminding politicians that things need to be done, and we try to use those 2 million members to reinforce our point.

Since the time of the survey, we’ve had a change of government and a new Minister. We’ve had the first State Budget, which allocated a lot of money and made a major commitment over the next three-to-four years for the Pacific Highway. We had a meeting with a Federal Minister just before Christmas, and he urged us to continue with our lobbying − because it helps him in his fight with Treasury to get the money.

We were told by the road building authorities that the upgrade can still be done by 2016 if State and Federal Governments make that funding commitment now. The planning is at such a stage that if they know the money is coming, they can still finish that road in the next four years … and that’s a big ask, when you consider that there’s still nearly half of it to be built, with a lot of it still in the planning, and in some cases, early stages, but it’s not actually done.

In terms of the infrastructure, do you really think it’s achievable to meet the 2016 Pacific Highway Upgrade target? It seems to be a bit nebulous, in terms of whether the funding will arrive or not …

I’m told by the local officers of Roads and Maritime Services that their planning and pre-planning and pre-construction work is at such a stage that if they were told this month that they’ve got a guarantee of money, then they can do it. The problem is it’s such a stop-start process. It’s a real scattergun approach, and it’s a really inefficient way to build. This highway has cost us God knows much more than it should, than if we’d just gone on at the outset and built it straight through.

In light of the recent tragedy which occurred at Urunga, do you think there will be attention paid to this particular stretch of road – the same stretch of road that NRMA members highlighted as the worst part of the Pacific Highway approximately this time last year? 

Our members actually nominated the Pacific Highway as the worst road − and that wasn’t just people living on it; that was people outside the region, so it just shows here the concern about the highway and why it needs to be finished. That part of the highway is clearly substandard by any measure and if we get the work done, then we know those horrendous sorts of accidents are significantly reduced and head-ons are virtually eliminated. There is no doubt that upgrading the highway greatly reduces the risks.

The safety benefits of a dual-divided carriageway are far-reaching. Can you tell us what the main benefits are?

There are enormous benefits. The risk of accidents is reduced enormously. It decreases travelling times, which increases economic benefits for tourists and for industry. It allows trucks and cars to use the road together much more safely and like it or not, we’re going to see a lot more trucks on our roads, so we have to have roads that can cope with them.

By reducing the costs of fatalities and injury, you’re reducing the cost to the community. Each death and injury costs millions of dollars to the community. By improving the highway you’re not only just getting rid of the time delays, traffic jams and risk of crashes, you’re actually adding enormously to the economic benefit of the state, because you reduce the cost of crashes, improve the efficiency of the traffic that moves up and down that road. So there’s a strong economic connection to it, as well as a safety one.

There is job creation to consider as well …

There’s job creation along the way. For many towns that are bypassed, I know they sometimes feel anxious at first, but then it turns out to be a benefit. I’m sure that Kempsey will be delighted to get all of that traffic out of its main street. I’m old enough to remember when I used to have to go through Port Macquarie – it’s gone ahead in leaps and bounds. The main street of Taree is much more attractive now and more user friendly than it was when a highway went through there. There can be lots of benefits for local communities as well.

What can people on the Mid North Coast do to persuade the Federal and State Governments to provide funding to fix the roads?

They can do what they’ve been doing. Support us – we’ve all been saying the same thing. The group, Doctors for a Safer Pacific Highway, has been busy lobbying State and Federal Government, trying to fast-track the upgrade. Those doctors are to be admired for what they’re doing, because they’re the people who have to go out and pick up the pieces when there’s a tragedy. Keep talking to local Members, and keep the pressure on about those sections of road.

As I say, the guys who build the roads have told us they could finish the roads by 2016 if they have a promise by State and Federal Governments that they’ll get the money; we need to make sure that money is forthcoming. Collectively, we need to do this as a lobby group with our reports and tools, plus as individuals, by going to local Members and constantly pushing.

One of the good things is most parts of the highway are now represented by Members of Parliament who are in government, so they are in a position to make decisions and to push for funding.

Do you have any campaigns that you will be rolling out to push for better funding for roads?

Funny you should ask that. We are going to be doing another Red Flag survey and are shortly going to be asking people again about the sorts of things that are concerning them.

We belong to the AAA (Australian Automobile Association), which represents all of the Clubs around Australia, and they’re going to be releasing the AusRAP report (Australians Road Assessment Program), which is modelled on an international effort. Essentially, what it does is looks at all the National and Federal highways and ranks them in a star rating sort of system (like we used to with safety on cars and bridges).

This is a fairly scientific way of looking at roads – the risk of the shoulders, quality of the pavement, how many lanes, if it’s divided, if there’s a centre lane barrier … They look at the risk and the quality of the road and can directly relate that and improvements on roads to savings to the economy, so it’s quite a precise and non-emotional tool for looking at our roads and knowing which is the worst in terms of safety.

The Pacific Highway is not going to come out too well, as it’s going to show that it has a higher percentage of accidents, and it’s getting worse since the last survey. Again, this will add to the call for the work to be done.

You can find out more about the AusRAP Report at: http://www.ausrap.org/ausrap/performance-tracking-report/

To find out more about roads funding, contact Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead:  6555 4099 / e: myalllakes@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Interview by Karen Farrell.

In 1991, you founded Red Gate Gallery in Beijing. The gallery is located at the 600-year-old Ming Dynasty Watchtower in Dongbianmen … what spurred your interest in contemporary Chinese art?

While studying Chinese at university in Beijing in the ‘80s, my Chinese friends were artists. At that time, there was no support in terms of galleries and museums for young contemporary artists, so we started to organise shows at different spaces around town.

The shows were over a weekend and quite often in Ming structures, such as the Ancient Observatory and the Temple of Longevity. The shows I organised were in 1988 and 1989.

Everything stopped for a couple of years, while I worked as an editor and then attended a year-long bridging course on Chinese art history at the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Having been in China for five years, I was deciding what to do – go home, get a job, or to possibly open a gallery. I went to the Observatory to see if we could use that space; they said no, and so I subsequently made enquiries about a Ming Dynasty Watchtower … we had a very good introduction.

Prior to opening Red Gate Gallery, what considerations had you given to the somewhat precarious meeting of art and politics in China; and by extension, art and censorship in China?

It was early days, and there was some concern from the authorities, but the audience was very limited – mainly to the artists and the small expat community, so we were a bit under the radar. Those were the days when things were beginning to loosen up, and the economy was starting to move forward. Lots of things were happening!

Over time, have the Chinese authorities been supportive of Red Gate’s work?

Yes, and the best form of support is allowing us to use the Dongbianmen Watchtower as the venue for so long. Other than that, we’ve had a pretty good run … of course, everyone knows what can and what can’t go up on the walls.

Tell us about the exhibition, Two Generations: 20 Years of Contemporary Chinese Art.

To celebrate our 20th anniversary with something special, we asked artists who have been with Red Gate Gallery for a long time – now in their 40s and 50s – to nominate a young artist, or an emerging artist … someone they consider has a lot of promise.

The 10 senior artists took this very seriously. We then placed them with eight younger artists, or ones who have only been at Red Gate for a short time, and then we had it – two generations!

You’ve been a mentor to emerging Chinese artists for nearly two decades … Is this exhibition a realisation, of sorts, of the progress you have made in providing artists with the opportunity to create work in China?

It is a culmination of that work, but also a continuing commitment to these artists. The art scene took a long time to grow. Up until the early 2000s, there were really only four galleries of contemporary Chinese art. For a long time, only a few artists had representation.

However, there were many artists moving to Beijing and working away in studios, and you could really feel the scene was growing. There was an excitement and an edge to what was happening.

How differently have the artists approached their work from the first to second generation and with the changing face of China?

Good question. Generally artists of this second generation (loosely born in the ‘80s) are obsessed with themselves, the consumer society they have grown up in and life in a socially engineered one-child family concept. They can be lost and lonely.

The older generation grew up in the turbulent period of the Cultural Revolution, where everything was turned on its head and many families suffered. These artists have a background rooted in politics and the greater issues of life – something very different to the younger generation.

The younger artists in this show, both those nominated and the existing Red Gate artists, all have a broader view of their world, and their role in it. They have not taken the commercial path, but have almost decided to stay away from it. They concentrate on their art and their concerns. So, they are very much like our older artists – assessing and criticising societies’ problems. Global concerns, dislocation, government and politics, inequalities, rich-poor, consumerism …

What’s emerging on the contemporary art scene in China right now?

The scene has exploded over the last seven years, with many galleries, exhibition spaces, museums, art fairs, biennales and auctions occurring in the main centres and in many regional areas. There are a good number of international galleries opening, which will bring international art to china.

We have managed an Artist in Residence program for over 10 years, which helps to bring 40 to 50 artists from around the world to work in Beijing. Many artists have located there with their own studios, and more are on the way. It’s not NY or Berlin, but is a very lively and stimulating art scene.

Is the image titled Chen Qingqing No and Keng 2010 of a pregnant fibreglass sculpture and a seemingly protesting facing sculpture, a comment on the one-child policy in China?

No … ‘No’ is a state of mind. A foreigner once said to Qing Qing that the Chinese have a lot of positive attributes, but they do not know how to say ‘no’. So she told herself she should learn to say ‘no’ and since then, life has become a lot easier…

‘Keng’ is another mindset, one that refers to being steadfast and persistent. With this mindset, it is possible to make an achievement or two – no matter how difficult life is. Have confidence that life will be filled with happiness!

‘No’ and ‘Keng’ are two works from the same series of figurative sculptures characterised by big feet and dolls’ heads … ‘No’ represents a direct communicative style, which goes against the Chinese tradition, whereas ‘Keng’ is inspired by the enduring virtue of determination. Together, the two figures ‘No’ and ‘Keng’ are like the emotional alter egos of the Yin and Yang.

How important is it to you to bring this exhibition to your hometown of Taree?

It will be great to show everyone what I have been doing in China for the last 25 years. Also, being able to take the show to places other than Sydney or Melbourne is very important.

Thanks Brian.

Two Generations: 20 Years of Contemporary Chinese Art is on at Manning Art Gallery from 6 February.

Your third studio album, Only Sparrows, has been out for a while now … we actually did a CD review on it a couple of months ago. What was it like writing and recording this album?

It was probably the most challenging one that I’ve done so far, for lots of reasons – one of which was having a young baby, and my head being in domestic life for a while.

The first two albums came really easily… they always say that your first album you’ve had your whole life to write. With the second one, I was touring so much and my life was changing so much that I was really inspired to write all the time, because everything was new and exciting.

So when the third album came around, I’d had quite a long break and I’d had a child – and my life had changed a lot. There’s a lot of material there to write about, but I didn’t want to write like a ‘new dad’ record! So it was a real challenge for me to try and step outside of the life I’d been living and write songs that were still intimate stories, but they weren’t just like reading pages from my diary – which is what the last two albums were about.

So that was a really new method for me; I found it really challenging, but really really rewarding when I got into it.

What was it like working with Katy Steele (Little Birdy) on your latest single, Punch in the Heart?

It was really good, but it’s one of those funny things with music and modern technology these days, where she was in New York and I was in Sydney the whole time. So we sent the files across to her for the song, she recorded over there, then sent it back and we mixed it over here.

It was perfect, what she did. And it was the same for the film clip … we filmed our half over here, and she filmed her half over in New York. But then, really by coincidence she was in Perth visiting family when I was touring over there, so we did get to perform the song live together at the theatre where we played. That was a really special moment, and it kind of felt like it had all really come together.

Last year you toured the capital cities with Only Sparrows, and this year you’re doing a regional circuit. What are you looking forward to about performing at these smaller venues?

Honestly, I am really loving playing live at the moment, so any chance to do it is great. I love my band – we’ve been playing together with this line up for about three years now, and I feel like we’ve really found our true form with the band. It just feels effortless and really, really fun.

So playing the smaller venues makes it more fun because it’s more intimate. And they’re kind of pub style venues, and that’s where we all came up through the ranks doing shows – it’s just always fun. At the regional venues, I generally like to get out and say g’day to everybody at the show and make it a bit more intimate and fun. I guess it’s about getting back to basics.

So can we expect a good mix of the old and the new music with the show?

Yeah, definitely. We were rehearsing the other day, and we’re throwing in songs like Silver, which is off the very first EP I ever did. We’ve got a fair bit of new stuff, and everything in between as well.

Who have you got supporting you on the tour this time?

It’s a band called The Rescue Ships. They’re from Sydney and they’re friends of ours, so they’ll be supporting us throughout the tour.

You’re playing the Byron Bay Bluesfest this year too. What are you looking forward to about performing there?

Well, I’ve never done it, so I’m just looking forward to the experience in general. It’s one of the premier festivals in Australia these days. I’ve done pretty much most festivals at some point in my career, but I’ve never done Bluesfest, so I’m mainly just excited about playing the festival itself. And it’s never a bad thing to be up in Byron for a couple of days!

We hear you’ve got an iPhone app out now too. What can we find on that?

I don’t really look at it much, to be honest! Ha ha! But I’m pretty sure it’s got things like tour dates, my twitter feeds, and we run a few competitions through it and that sort of stuff. It’s mostly just so that fans can keep up to date with tour dates and that sort of thing.

We’re really fortunate to have a good mix of Australian music on our airwaves these days. What are your thoughts about where the industry is heading in this country?

Whoa … that’s a big question! I kind of feel that there’s a definite changing of the guard moment in terms of music and the bands coming up through the ranks.

For example, bands like Boy and Bear, Jezebels, Cloud Control and all these bands that have sort of, in the last four years or so, really started to make their mark – and it’s clear to me that they’re the new pack of what’s going to be the really successful bands. And to me, that’s really exciting!

It’s probably safe to say that Triple J has played an important part in your success, particularly in the early days. Why do you think Triple J and their initiatives are so important to Australian music?

They’re just a pretty unique station, because they’re a national youth oriented station. Anybody anywhere in the country can access it. And for a band, it is a launch pad that is truly national and not just concentrating on city by city. So, I think it’s really important for that reason.

It’s great that they offer competitions like Unearthed as a lot of massive bands have come through them to make it to the top.

Yeah, that’s so true.

So what can we expect from you in 2012?

As you know, I’m touring up until April. But I would really love to get back into the studio before the end of the year and get stuck into a new album. The last one I did in between everything else, so there was a bit of a gap there, but this time I’d really like to push into a new one straight away and just keep going with more of the same.

I’m really loving this album and how we’ve been touring it; I just think it’s really organic, and I just kinda want to keep doing that. As clichéd as it sounds, I just want to keep making records that I love and playing to audiences that love them too. That would keep me happy.

Thanks Josh.

How long have you lived in the Manning-Great Lakes?

We moved to the area in 1996. It was to be a complete lifestyle change from busy Hong Kong to quiet country Australia. We still enjoy this hassle-free area and its beautiful surroundings.

What brought you to the area?

We visited friends at Coomba Park and fell in love with this part of the country. Then we saw a completely enchanting property for sale – and bought it.

I became fascinated with the local wildlife, especially the birds … watching them, I realised they each have different personalities, just like people. Some, like Bowerbirds, double as builders and decorators, as well as singers and dancers. They ate everything we grew, but have since been forgiven, as they provided the inspiration for my first children’s picture book, The Bush Concert (published in 2011). It’s a book about the drought and how birds organise a concert to cheer themselves up. I hope it’s an entertaining way to introduce kids to our beautiful and interesting Australian birds.

You worked as a commercial artist in Hong Kong, and life there provided stimulation for other illustration books. Tell us about this …

Whenever I move to a different culture, I’m struck by the different attitudes, customs and way of life. In my illustrations in Life in Hong Kong, I tried to capture some of the funny, odd and typical scenes that are unique to the place. The books proved quite popular with tourists and expats and were on the South China Morning Post’s best-seller list.

During your time in Sydney, you assisted with the mural painting at the Overseas Terminal at Circular Quay. Was this a career highlight?

It was when I was studio assistant to Arthur Murch … it was an old fashioned art apprenticeship. At the time, I was just very happy to be working at what I loved doing best, and I was very fortunate to learn from such a fine artist. Everything I learned was very traditional, as Murch thought Modern Art was just a passing fashion – an aberration to be strictly avoided.

I received a good grounding in drawing and oil painting techniques. Working on the mural provided practice in layout, researching the subject and enlarging the painting onto a big area. Arthur Murch was a very erudite man and a patient teacher, so there was a lot to be learnt. I remember having to look up many-a-word in the dictionary when I got home after work.

One of the things I learnt from the whole experience was that fine art wasn’t going to provide me with a living, and I switched to commercial art.

It is now a great pleasure to paint without having to think of an income – and perhaps to sometimes make a statement about modern life, as we know it.

 You work in oils and pastels and use clay for sculptures. Are you a traditionalist?

Mostly yes, in the materials I use. I was taught to paint with oils and could never get used to the slippery plastic quality of acrylics, which dry so fast you can’t stop for a cup of coffee or answer the phone. Later, I took up pastels and loved their immediacy and texture. The vibrant colours are easy to blend, and I prefer to use them for my bird illustrations.

Clay is another wonderful material to work with. It can be re-used if something goes wrong, and it’s environmentally friendly. Working with clay is fun – it’s like drawing in three dimensions … if nobody buys the sculptures, I can put them in the garden and create ornamental sunning spots for lizards!

Some artists don’t like to enter art competitions, yet you are prolific in this area and have won numerous esteemed awards. How important is this to you?

It’s nice to get some recognition, but important to remember that winning prizes can be, to quote a judge, “A bit like a chook raffle”… it’s nicer to sell a painting, because it means that person likes your painting enough to buy it. Then again, it might be just because it goes with the curtains!

Art competitions do concentrate one’s mind on the job and are a good way to get works displayed. There are so few venues available to artists.

The important thing with the work is to do the best you can and accept constructive criticism. The fun is really in the doing – prizes are the icing on the cake.

Where did your inspiration for the Burgers of Malaise painting come from? 

The inspiration came from Rodin’s famous sculptures of the Burghers of Calais. The title lent itself to an awful pun and fitted in with my thoughts on fast food and consumerism, which is also reflected in some of the sculptures I make.

You’re an active member of Taree Artists Inc. Tell us about this organisation?

Taree Artists Inc. is the art society of the Manning Valley, which has been active since 1976. It currently enjoys an increased membership, plus several quality workshops and tutorials throughout the year.

We have many local accomplished artists in our group and organise a number of exhibitions throughout the year. This involves fundraising for prizes, distributing entry forms, setting up an exhibition area, organising paperwork for entries, receiving and hanging art works and generating publicity.

We are now preparing for the annual Taree Open Art Exhibition. It’s taking place in the July school holidays. The exhibition offers prize money of over $5,000 and is open to anyone. Entry forms will be available from March 2012 from the Regional Gallery and All About Arts & Framing at 231  Victoria Street.

In 2012, Taree Artists will work with Valley Industries, where some of our members will provide art lessons for handicapped people.

What are you working on now & where can we see it?

A few months ago, I went on my first trip to Central Australia and was completely enthralled by the land … its vastness, antiquity, contrasts and colours. It provided a lot of inspiration for the pastels and oil paintings currently on my easel. My orange, red and violet paints all need replacing!

Cynthia Bourke, from Bower’s Café & Gallery, asked me to exhibit some of my recent work there this month.

What are your favourite words to live by?

Fruits and veggies.

Thanks Helga.

New President of Great Lakes Sailing Club (GLSC), Kingsley Pursch, tells us about the club’s commitment to the development of its junior sailing division and sails us through its four-decade existence …

Please tell us about the extensive 40-year history of GLSC.

GLSC was established in 1971, and we sail on Sundays from September to May each season. We organise club racing, junior sailing and learn-to-sail programs. We also host state and national titles for a range of classes, and our club is well respected among sailors for its idyllic location, our friendly members and an excellent race committee led by Brian Bath, Ross Kneebone and Tim Haffner.

GLSC is also proud to host the annual Wildcat Regatta on the October long weekend, which attracts sailors from all over the country and is one of Australia’s biggest and most successful catamaran regattas.

What is required of you in your new role as President of the club?

There’s the administration side of things (meetings, policies, safety, finances, race schedules), which is made very easy for me, because our committee is so active, experienced and cohesive. Most of my direct efforts focus on increasing participation through welcoming new members and reducing barriers to participating in the sport.

As a club, you are committed to developing the junior sailing division. What does this involve?

Getting kids on boats to experience sailing takes a huge effort and commitment from a range of stakeholders. Our current model for junior sailing has proven to be extremely successful. Learn-to-Sail programs are delivered by the YMCA through Len Newman and Simon Lee and assisted by GLSC volunteers. YMCA utilises the facilities of GLSC and boats supplied by Gnomes Landscaping (Fay and John Hiley), Brian and Heather Bath, Stacks Law Firm (Digby Dunn), Dr Dave KcKeag (Eye specialist), GLITA and the YMCA.

Participants register through the YMCA. Keen sailors then become involved in Sunday racing with GLSC. People can directly join the club, especially if they have previous experience in sailing and their own boat, although for most local juniors the YMCA program is the best entry into sailing.

At what age can children start sailing, and what is involved in the beginners’ course?

The YMCA program takes children aged eight years or over. Anyone younger would need to contact us directly to discuss sailing opportunities. The course content varies according to the group. Len is an experienced program provider, and every session is customised according to the needs of the group and individuals within the group.

The last group that completed the six-week program were so advanced, that by the third week kids were racing a proper course and learning finer details of starting and boat trim. It depends on the starting point of the individuals, their prior experience and transferable skills they might have.

What sorts of crafts do the different age categories sail?

Sailing can be a lifelong sport, with no age restrictions. John Hiley is 72 years old and racing a high performance catamaran (Nacra 5.8) and alternatively, most juniors are aged between 10 and 15. All classes of boats are encouraged to race at GLSC and we currently have Hobies, Nacras, Taipans and Maricats (all catamarans), as well as a rapidly growing laser fleet (Monohulls). The junior sailors use Open Bics, which are fantastic boats for leaning to sail.

What’s involved with the impending Inter-Club weekend – which clubs will take part, and when does it happen?

Fay Hiley recently told me that Booti Booti means ‘Plenty Plenty’. The Booti Cup is the race for Glory and will be held on February 11 and 12. We have some great prizes, along with the overall club trophy.

In previous years, this has been a camping and sailing weekend for Taree Aquatic Club. With the growing fleet at Coomba Park Aquatic Club, we feel the weekend will be strengthened if we invite boats from all clubs within the Manning-Great Lakes region. It’s a casual weekend of sailing that will attract a range of competitors from beginners to advanced sailors, with a bit of friendly inter-club competition. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have 40 to 50 boats this year.

Does Great Lakes Sailing Club attend intrastate competition weekends? 

Countless members have travelled around Australia and internationally to compete, representing GLSC at state, national and international events over the past 40 years.

The most recent international traveller was Ray Muld. who competed on his Hobie 16 in Fiji and has a long list of international travel. Last month Caleb and Ethan White attended the Hobie 16 National Titles and these boys, along with Bryce Haffner, are constantly travelling around Australia to enjoy the toughest competition.

Mark Braithwaite and his daughters, Annika, Hannah and Sophia competed in the Taipan National Titles last month and have placed well in the Taipan class at the past five Taipan National Titles.

GLSC members and their families will compete in the Trial Bay regatta at South West Rocks on March 3 and 4. Then at Easter, many of our juniors will compete in the Bic National Titles at Noosa.

What are some of the benefits people can expect to gain from learning to sail?

Fun, fitness and friendships are the immediate benefits. GLSC is a perfect venue for learning to sail in flat, shallow water and a (usually) steady wind.

Sailing can accommodate any person, regardless of age, background or previous experience. It provides a fantastic opportunity for physical activity and for adults, being on the water is a healthy way to escape busy schedules. For children, sailing provides constructive leisure opportunities and builds confidence.

I’m a massive advocate of any organised sport. Individuals develop a strong connection to community and make friendships that last forever through sport.

Aside from Great Lakes Sailing Club, there are other active sailing clubs dotted around the Manning-Great Lakes … get in touch with your local club.

Why form a mountain bike club in the first place, Mark?

We really wanted to promote mountain biking in this area, to not only increase the profile of our tracks to riders from outside the area that are looking for fantastic riding tracks, but to also increase the number of riders participating in the sport (particularly female riders and families).

The club has been a great thing for the local area. Tell us about that …

We’re really seeing the benefits of forming the club now. We have about a dozen female riders who regularly ride together and who have participated in training days with a Cycling Australia instructor. This has really given them the confidence to enjoy riding. I’m sure they will tell you the social aspect of mountain biking is great, as well as just enjoying being in the bush and seeing what nature has to offer us here.

The club has also noticed the benefit to the local community through tourism specifically related to mountain biking in the area. Over the Christmas holidays, we met a number of families riding on the Kiwarrak State Forest tracks that were staying in Forster, Harrington, Old Bar and Taree to ride our mountain bike tracks, in preference to holidays that they had normally taken each year to other destinations.

We’re pretty chuffed that the work of our club is now starting to benefit the whole community, with people coming here from Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Sydney and Newcastle. We also regularly have groups of riders from those areas taking day trips to Kiwarrak to ride the tracks.

Tell us about your social rides…

Primarily we ride in Kiwarrak State Forest, with over 40 km of single track and park outside the Tip on The Bucketts Way between Taree South and Tinonee. The trailhead is straight across The Bucketts Way from the grassed parking area.

Social rides are usually held in Kiwarrak State Forest at:

9.30am Monday (ladies only)

5pm Wednesday (bring lights)

7am Saturday

2pm Saturday (ladies only)

and 2pm Sunday afternoon rides are becoming popular. Although, it is best to check whether anyone is riding before venturing out at these times.

Bourke’s Bicycles in Taree (215 Victoria Street) is a good starting point before heading into the forest, with the staff happy to advise on possible rides. While you are there, pick up a copy of the Kiwarrak State Forest Trail Map (view at: http://goo.gl/PYu8j)

Is membership open to all?

There are three types of membership: senior, junior and social.

Seniors’ membership (19 years of age and over) is a $20 club fee plus a payment of $90 to MTBA – Mountain Bike Australia. This will allow the member to race in all club races and other MTBA affiliated races at other clubs. The member will also have certain insurance coverage.

Juniors’ membership is for 18 years of age and under. There is a $10 club fee plus $65 for MTBA. You receive the same privileges as seniors for racing and insurance.

Social membership (any age) is for those members who do not wish to race but ride socially and would like to support the club and receive insurance benefits as a race marshall. There is a $10 club fee plus $45 to go to MTBA. If you wish to race at our club races or at another MTBA affiliated club, you need to pay $5 per race.

When is your next ride, and what’s the format?

Rain or shine, the next ride will be on Saturday 11 February at 16.00 hours in the Kiwarrak State Forest, with the meeting point at Lantana Crossing Road. Our meeting times are ‘ready to ride’, so if people need time to prepare equipment, we ask them to arrive a few minutes earlier. Duration of the ride is 1.5 hours.

You can enter as an individual, or enter as a team of 2 or 3 to see how many laps you can get out in 90 minutes. Those riders who want a format that is more like a cross country race will enjoy this just as much as those who don’t think they can ride for 90 minutes (and want to share the load with one or two others).

Hopefully we will have some new race timing software that we’ll be trying out for this race, so we will have lap times for individuals and team riders. If it’s a hot day, people can leave drinks at the transition area to collect on the way through – so they can remain well hydrated.

Remember that we give recognition to the faster riders, but randomly give prizes away for all entrants.

As always, thanks goes to Bourke’s Bicycles Taree, Hogs Breath Café Forster, Manning Valley Free Range Eggs, Mackie Electrics, and Bruce Pain – RFS for their continued assistance in holding these races.

How can we get involved with Tip Riders, and what’s the future aim of the club?

The club holds monthly club participation events on different ‘loops’ within the Kiwarrak State Forest, to give riders of all levels opportunities to be involved in the sport. For riders who would like to venture out but are intimidated by the thought of getting lost in the forest, the club has a number of coloured loops so you don’t lose your way. Just park at the Bucketts Way Tip entrance (hence the name Tip Riders) and walk your bike across the road to the signs.

We now have a Special Purpose Permit with State Forests of NSW. This will allow us to hold orientation days, club races, a juniors program and larger races in 2012.

Ultimately, Manning-Great Lakes Tip Riders aims to liaise with Great Lakes and Greater Taree City Council to promote mountain biking in Kiwarrak State Forest and put the region on the map as a mountain bike holiday destination for both racing and social riding.

For further information on the club, or to add your name to a mailing list to keep up to date with all the coming events the club has to offer, contact Bourke’s Bicycles Taree or see  www.mgltipriders.asn.au

Thanks Mark.

Now here is a little bit of news from Hallidays Point. Yes, some of it is Christmas related, but they do throw a great party down there, so it is worth a mention – it was sent to me by one of our readers.
Each year the Red Head village community partakes in a Christmas light competition, where the streets are beautifully lit up with a display of street lights, helping to keep Essential Energy afloat and giving the village a wonderful festive feel. At the annual Christmas party, the previous year’s winner has the honour of selecting the current year’s winner of the competition.
There was great excitement when Maddison Aiken announced that this year’s winners were Cathy and Grant Whitelaw. More than 100 residents attended the Christmas Party held in the Red Head Reserve, and the highlight was the arrival of the Santa Claus with his endless supply of lollies. He is a hit at every street party, that Santa Claus!
Still at Hallidays Point, the 2012 Head2Head Ocean Classic was held on Monday 2 January 2012 at Black Head Beach, with fantastic conditions, the sun shining and the seas calm after some pretty heavy swells the week before. Numbers were up on last year’s swim, with a successful day for the hardworking team at the surf club. 2012 was the third year for the ocean swims, with 88 finishers in the 700 m race and 161 in the 1500 m race.
Sixteen year old Kurtis Kavanagh from Burleigh Waters in QLD took the honours in both races. In the 1500 m race, last year’s winner, 15 year old Connor Shakespeare from Forster, came in 11 seconds later to claim 2nd place.
In the women’s section, 41 year old Dori Miller from Sydney NSW was the first female home in both races. Last year’s winner of the 1500 m race, 15 year old Maddison Carnegie from Bella Vista in NSW, came in 13 seconds behind Dori to take 2nd placed female.
This year also saw the running of the inaugural 10 km ocean ski race as part of the day’s events. 18 hardy paddlers took part in the race from Black Head Beach to Diamond Beach and return, with the winner being 37 year old Shane Cornish from Forster, while 46 year old Laura Thurtell from Forster was the first female home.
As I said, Bent on Food has been busy with many happenings, including the successful launch of our evening menu, cooking classes and the usual chaos.
At the cookery school, Michael and his daughter Gaby enjoyed conducting a Big Chef, Little Chef class, with participants learning the art of cutting a chicken and turning it into the most wonderful Fricassee; I was on the dishes, so I was given a taste … yum. Not to mention that the dessert was my favourite – vanilla pannacotta, all wobbly, and perfectly formed too!
A private class was also held, with the Cudlin ladies learning some pasta making skills and my next favourite dessert, tiramisu. The ladies had a great time, and they were a pleasure to spend the evening with. They were good sharers too, and their ravioli was restaurant quality.
Michael and I also taught some very well behaved children how to make cupcakes and 3 different types of icing. The children were delightful, and they were all very good students. I felt very special when they all donated a cupcake to me – like I need any more food!
Troy Bayliss was a hit when he visited Taree Motorcycle Club’s annual twilight meet held at Old Bar race track on Saturday 21 January. Troy was competing on the day in a number of classes and was clearly a crowd favourite, with the spectators enjoying seeing their hometown boy race locally. Troy is now retired and living on the Gold Coast with his family. Originally from Taree, he returned to his home track for the first time in 20 years.
I would love to hear from you if you have any social events, weddings, parties, anything!
Send pics and info to Donna Carrier
Cheers, Donna.

Beccy Cole

What do you like about coming to the Manning-Great Lakes?

It’s not too far from home, so I’m often in the area to write songs. I love the beaches, the people and the food! We always have lovely, warm crowds when we come to the Great Lakes. I don’t think I could possibly count the amount of times I’ve been there with the many shows I’ve toured with.

You’ve been at the forefront of the Australian music landscape for nearly two decades and are a prolific recording artist, having released seven studio albums … What motivates you?

Life and people. I just love travelling, and I love the creative part of me that finds songs everywhere. My favourite thing to have happen is when a ‘trigger’ goes off and there is an urgency about putting what I have just experienced into a song. Wherever I am, I have to stop and capture the emotion of the moment, and this is where I feel I find good results. Believe me, I’ve written many duds to come up with the selections that make the records, but it’s a process …

Most of all, I love the growth I see when I look at the music on those seven albums, and I count my blessings that I’ve been given the opportunities to explore that growth. I never get complacent about my position in the industry… I’m not the best singer, player or writer in the world, but I am hardworking, and it is very important to me that I give people something they will enjoy. That comes before any self indulgent urges I might have!

Songs & Pictures is your most recent release and your most personal album to date, one which you solely financed. What sets this album apart from your others?

These songs are real. Each one is from an experience that I have lived and reported on first hand. I can’t explain how much I enjoyed making this record, other than to say that the process was a dream come true, and the results of making the album in this new and different way are extremely precious to me.

From the artwork and photographs, which were provided by two very close friends (artist, Judy Nadin, and photographer, Lauren O’Brien) to the musicians (my touring band, rather than studio musicians) down to a new Producer, in the very talented Shane Nicholson. These were all new steps taken to make the songs come to life in an exciting and different way for me.

You’ve won a slew of Golden Guitars. How proud are you of this acknowledgement, and where do all the awards live?

Golden Guitars are not something we set out to win when we make records. Winning them, however, is the most incredible feeling of accomplishment that one can experience in my industry. I’m extremely proud of those little fellas, and they hold pride of place on a borrowed baby grand piano that belongs to Sara Storer (I think she has forgotten that I have it, as it’s been here for a couple of years now!) This is where Sara also kept her accolades, and I love the tradition that I have upheld here!

In February, you’re performing a run of shows with Gina Jeffreys. How did this come to be?

Gina is one of my closest and dearest friends. We were bridesmaids for each other, as well as touring at length with the Songbirds (also with Sara) for over three years. Gina and I just took our families on a camping holiday together, during which I not only beat her several times at Scrabble, I was also witness to a fine moment of her coming an absolute cropper on the ‘bomber’ behind a friend’s ski boat. Special times.

We’ll be friends forever; we know too much. Performing with one of your best friends is such a special feeling … Add to this, that I believe Gina Jeffreys to be the woman who singlehandedly changed the way women were perceived in our industry, and you have a unique combination. I can’t wait!

What’s next for you?

Touring and then more touring. My dates for 2012 are filling fast, with shows across the country and even after 20 years of being on the road, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My itchy feet don’t let me stay at home long; I’m always happiest when I’m either searching for a song, or singing one I’ve found. I’ll be doing this until they throw tomatoes at me. I just hope they’re not canned.

Thanks Beccy.

Gina Jeffreys

What do you like about coming to the Manning-Great Lakes? 

This is one of the prettiest places in Australia. It always feels more like we are going away on a holiday than heading to town to do a show.

What can the audience expect from your impending performance with Beccy at Club Forster? 

As Beccy mentioned, we were each other’s bridesmaids (two weddings and one divorce!) We’ve been best mates for nearly 20 years, so watching us do a show together is like watching two old friends out on a girls’ night out! Lots of laughs, lots of stories and of course, a bunch of great music.

You’re married to Rod McCormack, head of Core music label. Rod produced your albums Christmas Wish, Walks of Life, Old Paint. From an artistic perspective, what was it like to collaborate with your husband?

Rod is a perfectionist, and he really expects that from everyone else too. He is wonderful to work with. He’s so creative, so kind. I love writing with him, love being in the studio with him (he has very strong opinions, but so do I!) I think we make a great team. Rod knows me better than anyone, so creatively, it’s a great place to start when you are trying to create an album that reflects who I really am.

Both you and Beccy live on the Central Coast and have been friends for time eternal. How did you meet, and what do you like about performing with Beccy? 

Beccy and I met in Tamworth in the early ‘90s. She is the first person I ever met who loves Country Music like I do. I grew up in a country town and all those years ago, you didn’t tell your friends you loved Country Music! So when Bec and I met, it was like we had found our tribe. We found someone else who shares the same passion… Somewhere to feel like you fit in, I guess.

Then we quickly realised we share a crazy sense of humour. I haven’t stopped laughing with her since the day we met. Being on stage with Bec is ridiculous fun. Our main aim is to make the other one laugh so hard, that they can’t sing!

What was it like to meet Country Music legend Kenny Rogers?

I grew up listening to him! He is a big part of the reason I love Country Music, so when I met him I was really nervous!

What’s next for you?

We are about to record a new album, and I’ll be back out on the road for more fun! My life at home now is quite different to how it used to be, because I run a performance school on the Central Coast. So these days I spend most of my time mentoring and helping develop new talent, and I absolutely love it.

In February, Artisans Retreat is hosting a three-day Expo, which includes world-class demonstrations with highly skilled artisans, plus providing an opportunity to engage with suppliers and learn about working with wood and many other materials.

The exceptional calibre of artisans participating in the Expo include Doug Moseley (blacksmith), Peter Minson (glass blower), Warren Targett (luthier), Anne Mitchell (fabric designer) and Alan Williams (sculptural wooden boxes)…

FOCUS caught up with Peter Calabria, who with his wife, Christine, created Artisans Retreat, to find out about the Expo.

Artisans Expo is in its second year – why was the Expo established?

The first Artisans Expo was established last year to fill a void left by the demise of the long running February Newcastle Woodworking Show.

Artisans Expo gives North Coast and New England residents the chance to chat to talented artisans, see how they work and hopefully become inspired to challenge themselves to give these crafts a try.

We also wanted to create an Expo that would appeal to a wide audience – the whole family can find something of interest going on.

There will even be some opportunity to be ‘hands on’ with some of the exhibitors and demonstrators.

What can people expect to experience at the three-day Expo?

Artisans Expo will be 3 days of mind-boggling displays of skills and crafts, many of which are being lost in this technological age.

At the Expo, there will also be suppliers of specialty craft equipment and consumables, BBQ tent, coffee lounge, and of course, Artisans Retreat’s amazing Gallery will also be open.

Tell us about some of the demonstrations taking place:

Many of the exhibitors will be demonstrating their crafts.

Doug Moseley, the blacksmith, will be operating his forge, creating functional and decorative pieces, including tools.

Furniture maker extraordinaire, Howard Archbold, will be creating an English Windsor chair from a new fallen log, using only hand tools (some of which he created himself) and a pole lathe.

Peter Minson, third-generation glass blower, will be turning rods of glass into magnificent pieces, from glasses to oil lamps or flowers to candelabrum.

Colen Clenton will be there with his hand crafted precision-made woodworking tools. His tools are in high demand worldwide.

Anne Mitchell, co-owner and inventor of Genesis Creations fabric paints and a teacher of fabric design for over forty years, will be demonstrating the multiple uses of these incredible paints.

Alan Williams, the best band-sawn boxmaker in Australia, will be showing us how to create an amazing sculpted example from one piece of timber.

Warren Targett is an amazing luthier and musician. He will bring some of his creations with him and also show how he builds and plays these great guitars.

We must not forget my wife, Christine, who will be demonstrating the magic of Precious Metal Clay – creating pure silver pieces of jewellery from a lump of ‘clay’!

Several of these artisans will not only demonstrate at the Expo, but will stay on and teach ‘hands on’ classes in the week following.

Anne Mitchell will be running a beginners’ and an advanced fabric design workshop over two days.

Alan Williams will divulge his secrets in a 2-day workshop.

Peter Minson will have students playing with molten glass.

Define what an artisan does:

An Artisan is defined as ‘a skilled person who makes things with his or her hands’.

Artisans have traditionally made practical pieces – bridges and buildings from stone, home wares and houses from wood, dresses and furnishings from fabric, bottles and windows from glass.

Thankfully we still require many artisans – making food, buildings, tools, and keeping industry functioning and developing.

With less demand for the purely practical due to technology, many artisans today are able to experiment and create ‘functional art’ – things of beauty which still serve a practical purpose.

This ‘functional art’ is the prime focus at Artisans Retreat. We run a range of craft workshops all year round that allow participants to ‘have a go’ at a new craft and then develop their skills to a level of their choosing. The craft classes include Woodturning, Precious Metal Clay, Fabric Painting, Kiln-formed Glass, and Candle Making.

When someone wants to do one of these, we book them ‘on demand’! As well, our Artisans Gallery contains the ‘functional’ and decorative artisan pieces of over 40 different artisans.

What precisely is woodturning, and what are the qualities of a great woodworker?

Woodturning is a form of woodworking that is used to create wooden objects on a lathe and differs from most other forms of woodworking in that the wood is moving while a stationary tool is used to cut and shape it.

I love teaching woodturning, because anyone can do it and finished pieces can be created in a very short time. New students in my beginners’ class will make a bowl in their first day!

A great woodworker will let the wood tell them what should be done. A wonderful, organic material, no two pieces of wood are exactly the same. A great woodworker will exploit those differences, resulting in exquisite, unique pieces. They will also have patience and superb attention to detail.

On a personal level, you create ‘functional art’. What does this mean?

I like the pieces I make to be used, not just displayed on a shelf or in a cupboard. For example, my glass platters are made dishwasher safe, combining pleasing design with functional properties. My wooden bowls, pens, earring stands etc. all have a functional purpose. Even the silver jewellery and silk scarves made by Christine serve a practical purpose.

Is the Artisans Expo suitable for people studying art or industrial technology, and can school students attend?

The reason Artisans Expo is held over three days, including a Friday, is to give schools an opportunity to bring students studying those subjects to gain first hand knowledge and ideas from some of the best artisans in Australia.

Because we want students to attend, entry to the Expo this year is free for everyone, and we have made special consideration for bus and coach access. (It helps a lot if these groups can book an arrival time with us).

If students cannot come as a school group on the Friday, we would encourage them to attend as a family on the weekend. To our knowledge, there has never been such a diverse collection of talent and suppliers willing to pass on their secrets in this area.

Thanks Peter.

The National Respite for Carers program provides a respite service for the carers of people who are aged, frail and those suffering from disabilities such as memory loss. A few hours a week can mean the world of difference to the carer and provide their loved ones with social interaction, outings, stimulation and challenges.

MSS is proud to be able to re-open Parkside, after the devastating June floods. The building is now spic and span, with a new kitchen, coat of paint and spruced up interior. Parkside is situated adjacent to the clock in Fotheringham Park. MSS has developed a number of new services to operate from the facility as part of the reopening. One of these is the Respite Drop in Day Program.

Tell us about the Respite Drop in Day Program? 

The MSS Respite Drop In Day Program resulted from a need identified by local residents. Existing carers had expressed exhaustion and frustration in regards to the difficulties faced when they needed to attended basic appointments.

A carer recalled a time when they had been out shopping, and they could normally leave their loved one with a coffee in the coffee shop while they did the weekly shop. Because of the often subtle progression, which is so often unidentified and easily missed, on this one occasion they left their loved one with a coffee, only to return to find they had wandered off.

The anxiety the carer felt was immense. What was once an easy task had now become onerous, as they now had to supervise their loved one at all times. The physical and emotional demands that a weekly shopping trip poses is challenging and exhaustive for both parties. The MSS Drop in Centre will allow for loved ones to be supervised and provided with meaningful activities. This allows time for the carer to attend to shopping, banking and any other appointments, or even pop in and see a movie, lunch, or coffee with friends.

The implementation of this initiative provides a means of social interaction in a caring and supportive environment for older people and individuals with disabilities such as memory loss. How might the community benefit from this program?

There are a number of community benefits. The drop In centre provides a break for carers that enhances their ability to cope and may prevent their loved ones early entry into residential care – which of course, is costly, emotionally difficult on families and is often a ‘last resort’.

What we are able to provide allows loved ones to stay in their own homes, while carers are able to continue to attend to errands without having to worry about their loved ones. At times where a loved one has wandered, a number of resources, including local police, retail staff, shopping centre security, friends and family assist in locating them. By providing a safe venue where people can come for as little as 15 mins or for the full day if required, MSS not only gives the carer peace of mind, but also alleviate the stress and pressure on community resources.

Importantly, the centre provides the carer with some well-deserved respite and time out …  

The Respite Drop in Day Program allows the carer the opportunity to:

• Attend appointments

• Shopping and Banking

• Catch up with friends

• Watch a movie

• Pursue their own leisure interests

• Have some general ‘me’ time.

Plans to launch the program in July 2011 were marred by the preceding floods – tell us about this?

The June floods were catastrophic, with the flood waters several feet deep throughout the building. MSS lost all of their resources, the furniture and even the kitchen. The paint bubbled off the walls, and there was a fine layer of silt over the floors and skirtings.

MSS staff and the Greater Taree City Council worked together to mop, clean and renovate, install a new kitchen, repaint the interior and bring in new equipment. MSS now has a facility that will do the Drop In Centre proud.

What sort of outdoor and indoor activities can individuals expect to participate in?

The centre is located in the Parkside Building at Fotheringham Park, adjacent to the picturesque Manning River. It will provide:

• An opportunity for gentle walks around the park and other outside activities, e.g. bowls, quoits and Tai Chi.

Indoor activities such as:

• Bingo  • Card games  • Music • Reminiscing

• Craft activities • Nintendo Wii games

• Utilising the local library • Watching a DVD

• Social interaction in a caring and supportive environment.

• A chance to have a fun day away from their home.

How can you reassure carers that their loved ones will be looked after with the utmost care?

All MSS staff are qualified and experienced. MSS staff are supported by a number of caring volunteers that have been screened and trained in all aspects of client care. The care and activities provided are person centred and tailored to the individuals’ needs and goals.

For peace of mind, staff carry mobiles and are able to be contacted throughout the day, and all carers’ numbers are available to staff in the case of emergency. As a bonus, homemade morning and afternoon tea is provided, as well as a variety of nutritious lunch options (MSS can also cater for dietary needs).

When is the Respite Drop in Day Program starting?

The program has had its training wheels on in January 2012 and is now operating in full swing! Anyone interested is welcome to contact our Team Leader, Sue Martin, for assessment and eligibility on 6551 1800.