Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Magazine Summer 2022..

Central Coast woman helped by local business “for the fun of it!” C entral Coast woman Colleen Daniels has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an incurable disease of the central nervous system. Inexperienced in event management but determined to raise awareness and donate proceeds from the benefit to others battling MS, Colleen spent 18 months to see ‘for the fun of it!’ come to life this year, on Saturday 10 September at Mingara Recreation Club. Entertainment included premier magician Liam Power as well as award-winning Sydney band ‘Party Latte’ with lucky door prizes and a raffle adding to the fun of the evening. The evening was a success with 75 guests from local businesses who cater to people with MS, families and friends in company of local residents living with MS. Lynne Smith, volunteer Advocate with MS Australia opened the evening and spoke about her role liaising with local federal MPs to increase awareness of the needs of people with MS, saying there were currently around 600 people living with MS here on the Central Coast. Feedback after the event has been unanimously positive with comments such as, “All this came about because of my ‘unique’ battle with MS” said Colleen, talking about her last-ditch attempt to stop her MS from progressing. Having unsuccessfully tried half a dozen medications and losing hope of finding any relief from the disease, five years ago Colleen travelled with her husband Kel to Russia in order to undergo a chemotherapy procedure known as HSCT, currently under trial in Australia and other countries. Their trip to Russia began with a thwarted terrorist plot targeting their flight from Sydney. Feeling very lucky that that plot was discovered in time, it wasn’t to be their last obstacle. In the Moscow hospital, collapsed lungs and rapidly evolving life threatening issues led to Colleen suffering cardiac arrest requiring emergency defibrillation, leaving Colleen alive but with only 5% chance of survival. Surviving, they soon realised they’d overstayed their visa due to those complications. After Kel’s many enquiries it became obvious there was no acceptable reason for overstaying a visa in Russia – it was a criminal offence. Accompanied by a translator provided by the hospital, Kel handed himself in to Moscow police to avoid arrest, and was taken to court immediately – where both he and Colleen (still in hospital) were fined and ordered to leave Russia within ten days. The medical team in Moscow worked tirelessly to see Colleen recover enough to withstand the long journey home. Today Colleen says she knew there were risks but also that she was in good hands, and “I don’t need a walker any more” - but “a person doesn’t die and go through all that (and improve despite it all!) for nothing … sounds corny but I’m sure there’s a reason I’m still here … so even though I’m only one person I do what I can for others living with MS, every little effort will help someone somehow” After costs, $1750 were raised through ‘for the fun of it!’ and is being shared between MS Plus who provide a variety of necessary MS supports, and with Central Coast MS Branch, who will put the funds toward providing activities / outings aimed at improving quality of life for local people living with MS. Colleen thanks MS Plus for their support, and Mingara for their generous help as well as the following businesses for their contributions and donations: Mobility Hire & Sales - Woy Woy, Pearls on the Beach- Pearl Beach, Plan Tracker, Mobility Joy - The Entrance, Murphy’s Quality Butchers, Beauty Salon on Maidens- Wyoming, The Chocolate Factory, Hotel Gosford, Bunnings Tuggerah, Bunnings Erina, John Ralph Camera House, Coles West Gosford, Coles Chittaway, West Gosford Late Night Chemist, Blueprint Podiatry. Colleen leads the Gosford MS Peer Support Group and can be contacted by email for enquiries about local support groups at gosfordpsg@gmail.com 19 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2022 “Wow what a great night...we had a good night meeting new people ...so good” SN, Wyoming

Summer Local Events C entral Coast Council has a jam-packed events calendar for the local community and visitors to enjoy, during the summer months. Council’s flagship events will return with favourites such as Love Lanes, and Flavours by the Sea. This also includes much-loved community events such as New Year’s Eve at The Entrance, and Australia Day at Gosford celebrations. Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said the summer months are set to provide an exciting event offering, with an eclectic mix of entertainment and activities for locals and visitors to enjoy. “Events are an important part of our community framework, providing opportunity for residents, businesses, local creatives and visitors to connect,” Mr Cannard said.“We also had a number of Event Expressions of Interest (EOI's) go to market this year, allowing businesses and local community groups to submit their ideas to get involved and help take our local events to the next level. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said it is great to watch local events continue to grow, with the input of ideas and participation from residents and businesses.“Our local events continue to get bigger and better, putting the Central Coast on the map as a favourable destination to visit,” Mr Hart said. “Given that a number of Council’s major events are happening this summer, we will undoubtedly see an increase in visitors to our region which brings with it an important economic boost for local businesses.” Upcoming events: • NYE, The Entrance, 31 December 2022 • Social Spaces, Coastwide, December 2022-May 2023 Successful applicants for upcoming EOI events funded by Council: • ChristmasCarolsat TheEntrance–awardedby JCEntertainment, running in December 2022 • Christmas at Toukley - awarded to Toukley Neighbourhood Centre, running in December 2022 • Entrance Markets at Waterfront Plaza – awarded to Browse Events, run quarterly from now until June 2023 • Toukley Events - awarded to Toukley Hot Rod Show, running in March 2023 • To view upcoming events near you visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events • Australia Day, Gosford, 26 January 2023 • Love Lanes, Wyong, 11 February 2023