In 2020 we gave you a taste of the delicious beers crafted by brewer Sam Preston. Two years on and Sam has perfected 19 unique beers. The Bucket Brewery Charlie Bucket Stout, grabbed our attention. Sam describes the flavours as smooth chocolate wheat malt, with vanilla pods and cocoa nibs added. It’s a winter beer, rich and dark.

Dog Days

Beloved dogs are a recurring theme at Bucket Brewery, which is named after the family dog. So what’s the Charlie Bucket chocolate stout about?

“I also had a childhood dog called Charlie,” Sam explains. “Then after watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory one night with the kids, and realising Charlie’s last name, I decided if I was to do a stout it had to have something to do with chocolate.”

The brewery is situated in an picturesque old warehouse overlooking the river in Kempsey. Business has grown substantially since Sam took leave from his position as a physics teacher four years ago to turn a long-time hobby into his day job. Bucket Brewery beer is now stocked between Woolgoolga and Port Macquarie and out west to Tamworth. 

A Berry Local Beginning

In October 2020, Amanda Preston, chief organiser for Bucket Brewery, put up a Facebook post asking the Macleay community to “pick a bucket for Bucket”. They were after as many local mulberries as possible in order to brew the seasonal mulberry beer. The post caught the attention of ABC Mid North Coast as well as the Prime7 news crew. An influx of kids keen to make some pocket money brought in bucket after bucket, meaning the brewery had enough for three batches of the Macleay Mulbeery.

The business grew from there. Bucket Brewery now offers food and live music events, alongside tasting tours and functions. The Bucket Brewery style emphasises local flavours, building on established brewing methods. Sam has created a light ‘champagne’ beer that emulates Kolsch beer from Cologne in Germany. The Buckets version is called Kempsch, to honour Kempsey.

#Keeping Local Alive 

Sam admits that Kempsey gets a bad rap sometimes and says that it’s an unfair assessment. Determined to focus on the town’s strengths and assets, he’s working to make a positive contribution. 

“The more things we make in Kempsey the better,” he says. “I’m hoping that one of my kids will take over in the future.”  

Sam’s noticed an increase in interest after recent campaigns encouraging people to shop and support businesses in their own backyard. As a reaction to the covid shutdowns threatening many boutique breweries, the #keepinglocalalive campaign emerged. And is still thriving.

Road Trippin’

“We’ve had a lot of road trippers drop in as they travel up and down the coast,” he observes. “Stone & Wood in Byron is a common destination, but people are visiting the smaller breweries on the way, too.” The brewery is open for tastings and tours, helping to make Kempsey a tourist destination.

Bucket Brewery is open Monday to Friday and on Saturdays when the Prestons aren’t playing cricket. The locally brewed and canned beer is stocked at Ritchies SUPA IGA Plus Liquor at Port Central.  You can also order online or give someone special a gift card.

Flowers and chocolate beer for mum this Mother’s Day?

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• Stay local. The firm advice from health authorities is to avoid unnecessary travel and stick to walking tracks close to home which helps avoid interaction with others.
• Keep it small. Don’t organise a large group of friends or family.
• Practise good hygiene and make sure you maintain 1.5m of physical distance from others around you.  
• Don’t go if you’re feeling unwell – it’s safer for everyone if you stay at home. 

The NSW National Parks says where possible, walking tracks and low-traffic open spaces will stay open so the local community can exercise. Some popular sites will likely be closed, so head to quieter tracks nearby. National Parks and Wildlife Service Officers and NSW Police will be patrolling national parks to make sure visitors are complying with regulations. If a national park or other public space is too crowded to practice social distancing, it’s your responsibility to leave the area. With those conditions in mind, check out some of Coastbeat’s favourite secluded walking tracks of the north and mid north coast.

Three Sisters Walking Track – Broken Head

The reserve is just 4 kilometres south of Byron Bay. Follow the coast road and turn into Broken Head Reserve Road. The Three Sisters walking track – 1.6km return and 30-45 minutes long – takes you through the rainforest and along a scenic cliff top. The views are incredible – a stunning panorama of secluded beaches, rocky coves and dense rainforest. Don’t forget to take the time to learn about the Aboriginal story behind the Three Sisters.

Goanna Headland – Evans Head

Venture along this 7.6km return walking track through the heath following the coastline. The Goanna Headland walk in the Dirawong Reserve will take you through scrub, across rocks and rock pools, onto pebbly and sandy beaches and up to the headland. It’s a special site for the local Bundjalung people who believe the Dirawong (a goanna) is the Creator Being who taught the people various aspects of Aboriginal culture and customs.

Solitary Islands Coastal Walk – Red Rock to Sawtell

Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you set off on a three-day hike and cover this 60km stretch of golden beaches, rocky headlands, lush rainforest and charming villages in one go! Rather, pick one of the many access points to the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk and focus on the trail closest to your home. As well as appreciating the picturesque landscapes and local wildlife, be sure to seek out the indigenous and maritime history of your area.

Big Hill Rainforest Walking Track – Crescent Head

You’ll find the 1.4km loop Big Hill Rainforest Walking Track in the northern precinct of Limeburners Creek National Park, along Point Plomer Road. It starts out at the picnic area by the beach before winding along the headland. You’ll venture into rare coastal rainforest and meander through low heath vegetation as well. If you’re in the rainforest around sunset, be sure to keep an eye out for microbats flying overhead!    

Jack Perkins Walking Track – South West Rocks

If you want some of the best views in Hat Head National Park, take a walk along the short Jack Perkins track. It’s a downhill/uphill path that takes you through whispering she-oaks, rainforest and heathland. It should take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on whether or not you take a dip before you turn around. Oh, and don’t forget your binoculars as you may spot whales or a glossy black cockatoo with red wing tips!

Booti Hill and Wallis Lake walking track – Forster

If you’re feeling adventurous and want a combination of bush, beach and lake, then tackle all or a portion of the 7.3km Booti Hill and Wallis Lake walking track. Starting at The Ruins campground (Elizabeth Beach and Sunset picnic area are alternate approaches), up the northern side of Booti Hill, through the rainforest and onto the ridge-crest above Lindemans Cove. The last 3.5km follows the shores of Wallis Lake. There are plenty of places to stop and opportunities to swim. Be prepared to dig deep as there are short but steep climbs in some sections.   

Remember, if you’re keen to get out on one of these tracks, it must be with the primary purpose of exercising. Most playgrounds, picnic and barbeque areas, car parks and even toilet blocks will be closed so best to get there on foot, carry water and snacks and keep those legs moving. Happy hiking!

Dreaming of a camping trip once travel restrictions are lifted? Check out some of Coastbeat’s favourite local destinations.

The post Take the road less travelled on some of the coast’s best secluded walking tracks appeared first on Coastbeat.

There are quite a few layers of meaning behind the name Bucket Brewery. Sam and Amanda Preston have a son named James who struggled to pronounce his younger brother Patrick’s name. Bucket was all he could manage. It turned into a family joke and when the Prestons’ daughter was born, the boys were asked to put forward a name for their little sister. They enthusiastically suggested Bucket but that was vetoed, and Sophie was selected instead. Around the same time a Border Collie puppy came into their lives and, as a concession, she was allowed to take on the moniker. 

“Around that time, I was doing a lot of homebrewing and the second I spilled some malt or beer, Bucket would bolt over and lick it up,” Sam remembers fondly. “We were having a few beers one day, trying to figure out what we would call this place and Bucket ran up and nearly knocked someone over…so it was decided!” 

On runs with the beloved family dog, Sam spotted an old factory by the river in Kempsey. It ticked a lot of his boxes – overlooking the river, flood free, industrial zoned and only a few kilometres from home. Four years ago, while taking long service leave from his position as a physics teacher at a local high school, Sam moved in, began renos and started brewing in earnest. Bucket Brewery beer is now stocked between Woolgoolga and Port Macquarie and out west to Tamworth. 

Mulbeeryfest this Sunday 

In October, Amanda Preston put up a Facebook post asking the Macleay community to “pick a bucket for Bucket”. They were after as many local mulberries as possible in order to brew the seasonal Mulbeery beer. The post caught the attention of ABC Mid North Coast as well as the Prime7 news crew. An influx of kids keen to make some pocket money brought in bucket after bucket. The unexpected publicity meant the brewery had enough for not one, not two, but three batches of the Macleay Mulbeery beer! This Sunday the Mulbeery will be flowing and an expanded liquor license means the new outside seating area will be open. Murdok’s Smokehouse will be set, serving their barbeque menu inspired by mulberries. Think slow-smoked chicken tacos and smoked cheese Kransky dogs – yum! 

Buckets of local love 

Sam admits that Kempsey gets a bad rap sometimes and says that it’s an unfair assessment. Determined to focus on the town’s strengths and assets, he’s working to make a positive contribution. 

“The more things we make in Kempsey the better,” he says. “I’m hoping that one of my kids will take over in the future.”  

Sam’s noticed an increase in interest after recent campaigns encouraging people to shop and support businesses in their own backyard.

“We’ve had a lot of road trippers drop in as they travel up and down the coast,” he observes. “Stone & Wood in Byron is a common destination, but people are visiting the smaller breweries on the way, too.” 

Brewery expansion

Bucket Brewery has been steadily increasing – two new brewing tanks are on order – and Sam says he’ll likely employ more staff members in the not too distant future. Marty Polson is the latest recruit. Sam first met him when he came into the brewery on a tour with his TAFE class. A few weeks later, Marty was back to enquire about casual work. 

“His course included an internship component, so he did that here,” Sam explains. “After that we found him some hours because he works very hard.” 

If you can’t make it to Mulbeeryfest this weekend, Bucket Brewery is open Monday to Friday and on Saturdays when the Prestons aren’t playing cricket. The locally brewed and canned beer is stocked at Ritchies SUPA IGA Plus Liquor at Port Central.  

The post Buckets of Support for Kempsey Brewery appeared first on Coastbeat.

Where: Majestic Cinemas, Kempsey Central

When: Wednesday, November 11, 7.30pm

Book your seats here: https://www.majesticcinemas.com.au/Movie/State-Of-Origin-2020

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When: Wednesday, November 4, 7.30pm

Where: Majestic Cinemas, Kempsey Central

Book your seats here.

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When: Friday October 30, 2pm and 7pm and Saturday October 31, 6:30pm

Where: Coramba Community Hall and Eastern Dorrigo Community Hall (Ulong)

Buy tickets here.

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When: Saturday, October 3, 8am – 1pm
Where: Kempsey Racecourse

For more information visit Facebook.

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Did you know that…

There are about 1,700 types of “true blue” bees that are endemic or can only be found in Australia. 

Yes, that’s a lot of bees. But the more bees, the honey-er it gets. These bees may look like a bigger and fuzzier honeybee, but there’s more to them than meets the eye. Some of these bees nest underground. They also create a teeny tiny loose soil door for them to burrow in and out of their nest. 

Other bees nest on creek banks, and even in tiny hollows drilled into timber. The bees in Australia are solitary bees. They just go about their business in collecting pollen and a bit of honey, seal it in with their larvae, and then abandon their nest.

Australian native bees come in many shapes and colours

They can be metallic green, black, yellow, red, or even black with little blue polka dots. They can be fat and furry OR sleek and shiny.

To the untrained eye, they may look like the same old hairy and buzzy, but they’re actually unique in a lot of ways. Some of the native bees might look like a wasp, so please be careful!

Then how do you know whether you’re seeing a bee, a wasp, or a fly? 

Would you like to learn how to make your own Beeswax Wraps? Make sure to check out our recipe.

If the flying friend has a bag of pollen on its back legs or under its abdomen, it’s a bee! Also, check their wings – bees have two sets of wings and two sets of flying patterns. So, the next time you go bee-spotting, make sure to take note of these things. Don’t you mix them up with the wanna-bees.

Australia is home to the smallest native bee, which is less than 2 mm long

This bee can be found in Cape York. 

We also house the Great Carpenter Bee of the tropical north and northern NSW. It is the largest bee that can grow up to 24 mm long!

Yes, Australia is home to the tiniest species of bees and even the largest one. Now that’s honey-mazing! 

Stingers, no stinging 

Unlike their other bee siblings from other parts of the world, our bees don’t leave their stinger in their victim. That’s good news, right? Yes, unlike the honeybees, the sting of our native bees are less painful. Also, there are less reported allergic reactions related to a native bee sting. 

Not unless you grab them all by hand on your bee spotting journey. Please, don’t do that.

Meet some of our lovely Australian Native Bees

Do you want to see how beautiful and cute our hairy and buzzy friends look like? Here are some of their photos.

Stingless Social Bee

Blue Banded Bee (Amegilla)

Great Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa)

Teddy Bear Bee (Amegilla)

Remember, bees are our bee-friends forever. Let’s keep them safe. 

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Amcal Max’s History

20 years ago, a young pharmaceutical graduate and his wife (with whom love had blossomed over a holiday romance at South West Rocks) made their first investment; purchasing a pharmacy in Greg’s hometown of Kempsey. The Holliers were buying into a business that had been continually operating since 1876.

Two decades on, Greg and Kellie Hollier work side by side at Amcal Max Kempsey servicing the community they love. Their daughter Grace is also lending a helping hand before heading off to university next year.

Greg tells me that Kempsey is a wonderful town to own a pharmacy because people are so loyal. “We’re treated like family by our community.” I can’t help but wonder, given the choice of five pharmacies in town, if longevity accounts for such loyalty? “It’s more about the strength of the relationship we have with our customers”, Greg responds. “People place great trust in us and when they know that they can count on you, that trusting relationship builds.” 

Such trust has never been as evident as during this pandemic and it’s been a hectic time for Greg and the pharmacy’s team.

Kempsey’s Local Health Hub

“Understandably, customers were initially very anxious, many still are. From a professional perspective, I’ve never felt that my job is more important than it has been over the past few weeks. Far fewer people have been able to see doctors face to face to allay their fears. Yes, they may have been talking to medical staff over the phone but in a way, there has been extra responsibility on our shoulders as people look to us for reassurance.”

Locals seek Greg out as an expert and I’m sure that that is true of pharmacists everywhere. Greg appreciates that he is a trusted voice, but he is also quick to acknowledge that we’re all learning as we go.

“I certainly don’t overstate what I know. I simply reassure people and tell them the right things to do to prevent coming into contact with the virus. Many people who come into the pharmacy just want to know we’re going to be there for them. We’ve long been part of their everyday lives and that brings them comfort. A sense of normality is particularly comforting when so much else around them is changing.”

For some, it is a very lonely time and being able to interact with those friendly faces you know is hugely important. Greg agrees, “Many of the elderly we see have been extremely lonely and with venturing out to buy medication permitted during this time, doing so has also resulted in that vital social connection, often imperative for good mental health.”

Greg is always thinking of his local community, especially those most vulnerable and with such unknowns in the early days of the pandemic, there was certainly concerns on his part.

“I’m concerned every time the flu hits. We lose frail and elderly patients every year and I wasn’t sure how different this was going to compare to the regular flu. We’re so lucky here in Australia with how things have gone. I was certainly concerned but I didn’t want to panic because I really didn’t know all of the information.”

In the early days, many people wanted to stay home for extended periods of time and sought to stockpile medications as a result but like all pharmacists, Greg had to adhere to the Federal Government restrictions (i.e. asthma puffers limited to one and no more than one month of medication for individuals. “Of course, we adhered to those guidelines or the stock situation would’ve been terrible and that in turn, could have a devasting impact.”

Amcal Max’s New Normal

Like many business owners regionally, nationally and globally, there have been adjustments at Amcal Kempsey to cater to the new normal such as more free deliveries, implementing social distancing in store, installing sneeze guards to protect staff and an order and collect service for those wishing to avoid coming into the store.

Like all of us, Greg, Kellie and their two teenage children are at home together, grateful to be safe and well but all the while looking forward to when they can socialise with friends and make plans for what they really love – enjoying an overseas skiing holiday as a family.

“I understand that for the moment it’s very important for me to be here and support the community but to be able to travel again would be absolutely wonderful.”

Here’s hoping that it’s not long before the Holliers are hitting the slopes again under sunny skies before returning to the place they’ll always call home – the beautiful Macleay Valley Coast.

Call into see Greg and the Amcal Kempsey team at Kempsey Central. They are open seven days. Phone: 6562 4266

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Anzac Day conjures up powerful memories for many of us, be it as a youngster waving a flag when soldiers, tall and proud, marched along the high street or perhaps it’s the dawn service at The Cenotaph in Sydney’s Martin Place you remember well. Others may have stood on former battlefields in France or overlooking the Aegean Sea at Gallipoli on this important day. Personally, I picture having a ‘spin’ in a game of Two-up with the late afternoon light behind me and a gorgeous old ‘digger’ by my side showing me the way at a bustling RSL by the coast. It’s a memory more than two decades old but still so vivid.

Anzac Day brings people together to reflect upon the courage, mateship and sacrifice so intrinsic to the Anzac spirit. As ‘The Last Post’ plays and we speak the words from ‘For the Fallen’ we do remember them and their incredible sacrifice.

Coastbeat chats to Greg Laird OAM, President of Port Macquarie RSL Sub-branch and a Vietnam Veteran about what Anzac Day means to him.

Q: Greg, you served in Vietnam and are a third-generation soldier?

Yes, both my maternal and paternal grandfathers went to war and my father served in the Middle East and New Guinea. My maternal grandfather actually won the Military Medal at Fromelles. At some stage, I’d very much like to get to the Western Front and retrace his footsteps.

Q: How do you usually commemorate Anzac Day?

I’d be out of bed at 3:30am to set up everything at the war memorial for the dawn service. After the service, we head to Panthers Port Macquarie for the gunfire breakfast before returning to town for the march and 11am service. After that it’s a luncheon at the Club.

The afternoon is when we all unwind over a few drinks. All the returned servicemen are very like-minded and although you tend not to talk about war, we understand that we’ve been through many shared experiences.

Q: What are the most rewarding moments of Anzac Day for you?

Time with other returned servicemen is very special. Also, there are so many kids that come along and show their appreciation which is wonderful. I was walking in the march last year when a little girl watching called out “Hello Greg” and I just melted. She recognised me from a visit I had made to her pre-school.

Q: I understand that the Port Macquarie RSL Sub-branch has the largest membership in the country area (some 440 members) and among its ranks are 20 to 25 World War II veterans. It must be devastating to think you may not march with some of these veterans again.

These fellas are well into their 90s by now. The oldest one is 99 years of age. Hopefully we’ll all march together again next year. They’re not to be underestimated – one of them still drives and just bought himself a fancy sports car at the age of 96!

Q: What does being an Anzac mean to you?

I baulk at being called an ANZAC. I call myself a returned serviceman. I feel that ANZACs did a bit more than I ever did….

Q: Tell me about Anzac Day 2020?

It’s sad that we can’t do what we normally would, but I encourage everyone to go and lay a wreath at their local war memorial. I’ve had many enquiries from various organisations and schools and have told them the same thing.

I know that I’ll be standing in my driveway in the little village I call home playing ‘The Last Post’ at 6am.

I appreciate that there cannot be an organised crowd, but I will call into the war memorial throughout the day to see all the beautiful wreaths left by others. I will also get together with other servicemen during the day. While we will observe social distancing, we still plan to raise a glass to commemorate the importance of the day.

Q: How can we pay our respects and show our support?

Get behind whatever you can and if possible, tune into the 6am service on the ABC. With ‘The Last Post’ or ‘The Reveille’ playing, stand at your front door or in your driveway and light a candle or raise the Aussie flag.

And next year, we’ll be able to attend the Anzac services and I’ll be marching proudly and getting together with my fellow servicemen and women.

Thank you so much, Greg. It was a great pleasure chatting with you.

Anzac Day 2020 will be different to ever before. This year, we won’t be attending our local dawn service or supporting returned servicemen and women as they march but there are other ways we can pay tribute to our ANZACs, past and present. Take a look at the different ways you can commemorate ANZAC Day this year.

The post Lest We Forget – Anzac Day 2020 appeared first on Coastbeat.