ECX Issue 1

WE MAKE A LIVING
WHAT WE BY GET,
A LIFE
BUT WE MAKE
WHAT WE BY GIVE.
- Winston Churchill

EDITOR’S LETTER
Iam fortunate enough to have known from a young age what I wanted in life and I believe most
people also want the same things in their life:
We want to be loved, to be successful in our pursuits and to live a meaningful life.
While the perfect partner and the definition of a meaningful life will differ with each individual, there
are ways to help people to be successful in their pursuits.
Success leaves clues.
If there is someone who had succeeded in doing what you desire, then why not follow their foot steps?
Learn from their experiences and maybe you can achieve what you want with more certainty.
I am lucky enough to work with a team that shares the same goals and ideals as me. We created ECX to
gather influencers to inspire others and to add positivity into our community. At the same time, we can
provide valuable information from industry experts, so our readers can be better informed.
During the process to make this happen, we have learnt a lot and we hope that you will be inspired to
conquer your goals when you put this newspaper down. Most importantly, please take action. Being
inspired is not enough when there is no follow through action.
Last but not least, on behalf of the team, I would like to say a big “thank you” to all our contributors.
We are so thankful for your patience and willingness to take time from your busy lives.
And if you would like to make a positive change to other people’s lives, please share your story with us.
I look forward to hearing from you.
TONIA L.Y. LAI
Editor, ECX
Email l ecx@zikira.com
Website l http://ecx.zikira.com

AN INTERVIEW WITH
BARBARA ROBINSON
Co-Founder of the Concerto Competition
NSW SECONDARY SCHOOLS
CONCERTO COMPETITION
2016

How did the NSW Secondary School Concerto Competition
come into existence?
I was invited to join the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra
(‘KPO’) by David and Jane Oldroyd in its second year. Another
member at the time, Barbara Cran and I lived close to each
other.
We would often talk and compare notes on teaching and
repertoire. One day when we were talking, Barbara observed
that it was a pity, the kids we were teaching concertos for
AMEB exams did not have the opportunity to perform with an
orchestra.
Realising we could provide the opportunity by allowing the
kids to perform with KPO, the Concerto Competition was
started.
In its early days, the competition was restricted to those
students attending a secondary school in the Ku-ring-gai
municipality, but over time we have expanded to include
competitors from all of NSW and ACT.
The committee originally consisted of Barbara Cran, her
husband John Cran and myself. John was the ‘project manager’
being computer savvy and very meticulous whilst Barbara and
I took all the phone calls - which were land line calls (no emails
or mobiles in those times).
In 1984, during its first year, the Concerto Competition had 51
applicants. The winner of the Senior Section was Nancy Chan
(Piano) and the Junior Section was won by Hikari Nakamura
(Piano).

Without whom would the competition
not have happened?
Rochelle Sutherland joined the
Committee in the early days and was
absolutely marvellous - very strong and
supportive and for a great number of
years.
In the more recent years, Jocelyn
Brennan Horley has tirelessly worked
to develop the smooth professional
competition we have today.
KPO is amazing. I am overcome with
the ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude. The
competition runs like clockwork with so
many being involved over the years - all
volunteers - fantastic.
Still after 32 years, it is a terrific
orchestra to belong to - it is fun,
efficient, great music and uplifting.
Anything else you like to say about the
Concerto Competition?
I am extraordinarily grateful on how KPO
has continued with this competition
through all the committees. If Barbara
was alive today, she would be delighted.
My appreciation goes to the committees,
year after year, which continue to
support this very important competition.
I am gobsmacked about how it is run
so smoothly and willingly by a great
number of volunteers with new people
becoming involved every year - I am very
impressed.
Sometimes I am worried that some
contestants are so good but do not win.
I hope it continues for a long time and
we have had some marvellous results.
Upcoming Concert.
2016 winner Brian Kim will join
the KPO and the Macquarie
University Singers at The
Concourse in Chatswood this
November. For more information
and tickets go to kpo.org.au.
Contact Details
l Email l info@kpo.org.au
l Website l kpo.org.au

GLORIOUS PUCCINI
Musical technicolour from Mozart and Britten to Puccini’s unashamedly operatic Messa di Gloria
Saturday 12 November at 7.30pm
Mozart Flute Concerto K314 | Britten Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra | Puccini Messa di Gloria
Sarah Penicka-Smith, conductor The Concourse Concert Hall,
Brian Kim, flute*
409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood
Simon Lobelson, baritone
Warren Fisher, tenor
Macquarie University Singers & Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra
Adult: $38, Pensioner: $28
Child/Student: $12, Family: $89
*Overall winner 2016 NSW Secondary Schools
Concerto Competition
BOOK NOW
theconcourse.com.au
Ticketek: 1300 795 012
kpo.org.au

NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition 2016
Awards and Finalists
Overall Winner - Brian Kim, Flute
Barbara Robinson Award - Anthony Chan, Violin
Barbara Cran Award - Benett Tsai, Cello
KPO Players’ Award - Jasmine Baric, Violin
Emily Su, Violin - performed LALO Symphonie Espagnole, Op.21 (1874)
Emily, 13, currently holds a full music scholarship at Kambala Girls’ School. She started
learning violin at age 3 and holds the Caroline Wilkinson scholarship at the Sydney
Conservatorium of Music Rising Stars program, studying with Dr Robin Wilson and Ms Caron
Chan. She was awarded her AMusA with distinction in 2014.
Emily won several competitions in 2013 and 2015 at the Sydney Eisteddfod. In 2015 she
appeared as soloist with the Melbourne Art of Sound Orchestra and was selected as one of
the youngest members of the ACO Academy in 2015 and 2016. Also an accomplished pianist,
Emily performed as soloist under the baton of Dr Nicholas Milton at the Concourse.
Benett Tsai, Cello - performed LALO Cello Concerto in D minor (1876)
Benett, 12, is a Year 7 music scholar at Sydney Grammar School. Benett has been learning
cello with his uncle Thomas Tsai since five and his appreciation for classical music has been
nurtured by his pianist father Joshua. Benett has also studied with Susan Blake for over two
years. Other teachers of great influence include David Pereira, Laszlo Kiss, Li Wei Qin and
Patricia McMeekin.
In 2015 Benett won the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition (18/u Section), Sydney
Eisteddfod’s Alf & Pearl Pollard Award and 25/u Section. He is currently a semi-finalist for the
2016 Young Virtuoso Award, for which 2MBS FM102.5 just broadcasted his 50-minute recital
program. Benett also loves playing tennis and golf.
Celine Kang, Piano - performed BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37 (1800)
Celine, 16, is a Year 10 student at MLC School on a full music scholarship and attends the
Sydney Conservatorium of Music Rising Stars program. Celine began learning the piano at
eight, taught firstly by her mother and from eleven, by Gerard Willems. Celine has won many
awards and set records in competitions and Eisteddfods and has passed her AMusA and
LMusA with distinction.
In 2016, Celine will perform at the Great Mountains Music Festival, the Emerging Artists
series at Theme and Variations, the Polish Consulate in Sydney and the Glass House in Port
Macquarie. She aspires to be a famous composer and a global concert pianist.

Joshua Han, Piano - performed RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 (1901)
Australian-born pianist Joshua Han started his piano studies at the age of four. After winning
his first gold in the Sydney Eisteddfod at the age of six, Joshua has achieved considerable
success in the world of music.
He emerged as the winner of the 2014 Ettlingen International Competition for Young
Pianists, achieving the highest mark in the contest’s 28-year history.
The following year, Joshua took home first prize, as well as audience prize, in the Aarhus
International Piano Competition, held in Denmark. An active participant in several concerts
and festivals worldwide, Joshua is currently studying under a full music scholarship at The
King’s School.
Jasmine Baric, Violin - performed BARBER Violin Concerto Op. 14 (1939)
Jasmine Baric is a scholarship student of Dr Robin Wilson in the Rising Stars program at the
Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2014, Jasmine won the Ray Allen Concerto Competition
and subsequently joined the Central Coast Symphony, appearing as a soloist earlier this year.
In 2014, Jasmine won the junior section of the NSW Secondary Schools Concerto
Competition and in 2015 was a senior finalist. Jasmine has attended the Australian Chamber
Orchestra Academy, the Sound Thinking Chamber Camp, and the Credo International
Chamber Summer School. Recently Jasmine was invited by the Australian National Academy
of Music to perform with the orchestra under Spanish conductor Antonio Mendez.
Brian Kim, Flute - performed MOZART Concerto for Flute and Orchestra No. 2, K. 314 (1977)
16 year old Brian Kim attends Trinity Grammar School on an academic and full music
scholarship. He began studies on the flute at 10 years of age in 2010 and won the prestigious
Alf and Pearl Pollard Award in 2011, the 25/u Flute Sydney Eisteddfod in 2014, Australian
Flute Festival’s Young Artist Competition in 2013 and the consecutive competition in 2015.
He was also a Finalist in the 2MBS FM Young Virtuosi Award in 2014. Brian has performed
as soloist with the Sydney International Orchestra, Sydney Concert Orchestra, Ku-ring-gai
Philharmonic Orchestra, and as part of the Australian Youth Orchestra.
Anthony Chan, Violin - performed KORNGOLD Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 (1945)
Born in 1998, Anthony began playing the violin and piano at five. He currently attends
Sydney Grammar School on a full music scholarship. Anthony studies with Associate
Professor Alice Waten as part of the Rising Stars program where he also plays chamber
music under the tutelage of John Harding.
Anthony has received his LMusA with distinction and has won numerous prizes at various
competitions. Last year, he was the concertmaster of the Australian Combined Schools Music
Festival Orchestra in Melbourne and participated in the AYO’s July Season, conducted by Sir
Mark Elder. Outside of music, Anthony enjoys playing football and other sports with friends.

FLOWER CHILD
The story of Flower Child.
With a background in hospitality
management over the last 5 years, I
made the transition from nightclubs
to bars and then onto restaurants.
In 2015, I opened my first business,
a food truck “Happy as Larry“. A café
seemed like a natural progression.
I would not say I am a big shopper
or enjoy spending time in shopping
centres. They all seem very
unnatural. From the awkward lighting
to the surfaces, they all seem a bit
contrived.
We wanted to bring the beauty of
the outdoors inside, somewhat of a
garden oasis. We want our customers
to enjoy our amazing service,
delicious food and lose themselves to
where they are and the experience.
Why the name Flower Child?
The name has somewhat of a double
meaning, one quite literal, having
seen our venue covered in flowers,
the other comes from its original
creation, the Flower Children of San
Fran in the 1960s.
A Flower Child would hand out
flowers in the streets of San Fran in
an effort to bring joy and happiness
to people through the simple act of
giving a flower.
We try to do the same in a simple act
of preparing a meal and giving great
service, you may even find a flower
with your bill from time to time!
How did you overcome the
challenges in the beginning?
Opening any business has its
challenges, whether it is delays
with the build or design or the HR
challenges in finding a head chef.
The main thing is to be organised,
have a master list to delegate
between you and your partners and
keep on adding to it and crossing
through it one by one.
And coffee, coffee helps!
An interview with
Chris Lu, co-founder
Opening Hours
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 5pm
Open late Thursday: 8am - 9pm
(Closed on public holidays)
Contact Us
Contact no I 02 9412 4978
Email l info@flowerchildcafe.com.au
Address I Shop 391, 1 Anderson St,
Westfield, Chatswood NSW 2067

I really like Flower Child’s dining experience. How did you
develop the design?
The venue was designed by ACME & Co who also designed
The Grounds of Alexandria. We wanted to create a space
that transports you out of a shopping centre environment
to somewhere natural and green with natural light and
warm textures, with that brief in mind we left it in the
capable hands of ACME & Co. We could not be more
pleased with the result!
Immersed in natural light with terracotta tiles, wooden
joinery and a suspended garden bed, it is easy to feel like
you are on a patio in a Tuscan villa instead of in a shopping
centre in Chatswood. An open plan, theatrical kitchen
services our diners, which also intrigues and excites anyone
walking by.
Any advice for people who are passionate about cooking
and the hospitality industry?
Be a sponge. Learn as much as you can. Challenge
yourself and expose yourself to as many different working
environments as possible. In all the hospitality jobs I have
had over the past 10 years, I have picked up at least one or
two useful skills or systems from each venue.
What are some new dishes that we may taste at Flower
Child in the near future?
We are working on a few light vegetarian dishes, even
a vegan dish - I think that you will be seeing vegan food
appear more and more over the next 12 months, it is
healthy and delicious!
Don’t be scared! And don’t worry either, we have
something new for the sweet tooth that I think will rival our
famous “Flower Child French Toast”.
What drives your passion?
I love what I do, creating things and looking for ways to
evolve and improve. For me it is never ending. I am driven
to constantly create and innovate.
At the end of the day, when I get a good review or know
that someone has enjoyed a meal or a cup of coffee, it feels
good and still puts a smile on my face!
A big thank you to everyone that has visited our little café,
it’s you guys that make it all worth while!

About the International Chinese School
The opening of International Chinese School in 2015 saw
the fulfilment of a vision.
The sound cedar timber, on which the school is built, has
already been home to countless community groups over
the past 100 years. Although 2015 marked the beginning
of a new ministry for St Paul’s Anglican Church, the school
is in fact the continuation of a long commitment to
serving the local community.
International Chinese School has aimed high since
its inception. The school’s vision is to serve Christ by
nurturing and equipping students to become leading
global citizens.
Our school provides the foundational years for the
development of leaders of future generations. Our
pedagogical approach is an emphasis on learning by
doing, collaborative work, innovative integration of
curriculum, inquiry based learning and a focus on
personal goal setting.
One of the qualities of a global citizen is the ability to
engage in our increasingly connected world. Technology
has allowed us to transcend geographical borders, but it
is the study of languages that provides opportunities for
our students to become more respectful of others, more
aware of their identity in the international community
and more responsible for their own actions.
Our Unique Language Program
International Chinese School is proud to offer an
immersion Mandarin program.
The three main goals of our unique language program are
biliteracy, bilingualism and cross cultural competence.
The NSW curriculum supports contemporary research
that has established a clear link between learning
languages and improved literacy skills, as well as
increased metalinguistic awareness and enhanced general
cognitive development.

In the span of just one year, our students have
demonstrated a high proficiency in both English and
Chinese language skills as well as a developing awareness
of their multicultural Australian identity.
The high level of academic excellence delivered at our
school was also recognised during our first registration
review conducted by The Board of Studies, Teacher and
Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES).
The outcome of this process resulted in International
Chinese School having its registration extended for the
maximum number of years possible.
Of course, academic excellence is only one part of our
vision - future leaders require purpose. Our school provides
a holistic approach to nurturing every aspect of a child’s
growth and development upon Christian principles.
Our fortnightly chapel service and weekly scripture class
provides students with opportunities to learn about the
Bible while creating an environment that encourages
critical and independent thinking.
Our dedicated teachers and chaplain highly value student
wellbeing and this is evident in the positive relationships
developed with both the student and parent community.
Students enjoy a wide range of extracurricular school
activities such as chess club, swimming, school banking and
piano, ensuring that they have the individual attention of a
small school and opportunities and experiences of a large
school.
If you are looking for a school that brings together the best
of what the Eastern and Western education systems has to
offer, International Chinese School is where you will find it.
International Chinese School is currently enrolling for K-2
in 2017.
Please register your interest:
Anthony Tse
registrar@intcs.nsw.edu.au
(02) 8440 8450

“A strong joint does not know pain!”
- Urs Schaller, Founder
MediStrength is an unique exercise physiology clinic specialising in muscle
strength training based on science that helps clients improve their quality of
life. Originally from Switzerland, Urs has introduced Swiss best practices to
Australia.
Why do we need to strengthen our muscles?
Humans lose 1% of their muscle strength every single year
as soon as they reach the age of 40. In preparation, people
close to that age need to start training to strengthen their
muscles.
Without strong muscles, the ability to control your
body movement is significantly reduced. Back, neck and
shoulder pains experienced by people over the age of 40
could often be improved with a targeted strengthening
program.
Why MediStrength and not the gym?
In order to tailor a specific program for you, MediStrength
runs a specific strength test which isolates various muscle
groups and will show you, your strengths and weaknesses.
Based on the results, MediStrength will then design your
personal training program. For example, if the imbalance
between left and right / front and back is excessive,
sometimes it is actually better to train one side and let the
other side become weaker to improve the balance.
An example of the report from the strength test can be
found at the end of this interview.
While some people focus on overall strength, which is
possible by exercising at the gym with a personal trainer.
For people with specific issues, such as bad posture
causing joint pains, it is essential to be able to accurately
pin point the weaknesses.
The test can then be performed every three months to
track progress and to make adjustments to the training
program accordingly.
Muscle training helps you feel younger and healthier.
One of MediStrength’s client, Geoff, who is 85 years
young, felt 10 years younger after 5 months of training.
He is now training with weights that is higher than some
clients in their 30s.
MediStrength has helped Geoff to train muscles he would
not normally be able to use without the aid of specialised
equipment.
With improved blood circulation, cell regeneration will
also improve, which has a flow-on effect of strengthening
the bones. While becoming 10 years younger might be an
exaggeration after five months, the feeling of well being
is evident when you have greater control over your body
movements.

Do our muscles need resting? What is the effect of
muscle memory?
Muscles definitely need resting, that is when muscle
grows stronger. How often you decide to exercise depends
on your age and body condition. Normally, it is best to
exercise for around 30 to 40 minutes, twice per week.
What is the diet that you would recommend?
There are a lot of diets on the market. I personally like the
5:2 diet from Dr. Mosley. Choose one that suits you best.
But also enjoy life. Sometimes you need a reward at the
end of intensive training. Just do not over indulge.
Most of the larger muscles need about two days to
recover after strenuous exercise. Over time, muscle groups
gradually become stronger. This process cannot be rushed
and evidence shows that you will become stronger after 3
to 4 months.
When the desired level of strength is achieved, then
exercising once a week might be sufficient to maintain
the level. After long periods of time with minimal to no
exercise, muscle memory can still retain the ability for
improved body strength.
Muscle memory can also help you regain strength much
quicker than if you had never exercised before.
Urs Schaller | Founder
Mark Labib | Accredited Exercise Physiologist
Address l 27 Albert Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067
Contact no l 9884 8859
Website l www.medistrength.com.au
Opening hours l Monday - Friday 9:30AM - 7:30PM
Saturday 10:00AM - 1:00PM

Figure: Sample report
showing the results of
MediStrength’s specific
strength test for the
writer of this article.
Analysis of my test results by MediStrength.
While it has been over a decade since my training in
Taekwondo, it appears muscle memory does exist as I was
able to achieve above normal results for most of my leg
muscle groups despite walking being my primary form of
exercise.
My poor back muscle strength is reflective of the long
period of time spent in front of computers during my early
career.
By separating left and right of different muscle groups,
Urs was able to tailor a training program that targets
the weaker muscles, which could not have been trained
without MediStrength’s specialised equipments.

Would you like to promote your
community based organisation and
its events in a newspaper dedicated
to bringing positive energy into the
local community?
Please get in touch to be featured in
our Summer 2016 issue.
http://ecx.zikira.com

Cleaning Tips from Marcus:
How to Deal with Mould
Hi I’m Marcus.
Most of you are familiar with seeing
mould build up around the house over
time but what you might not know is
that mould can be quite harmful.
Being exposed to mould over a long
period of time could result in serious
health implications.
What is mould ?
Mould is a fungus, a “killer bacteria”
that normally grows on damp areas or
materials. Mould appears in different
colours, shapes and may smell musty.
In order for the mould to grow, it
requires moisture and material for it to
live on.
Mould releases “spores” into the air,
which are small enough for humans to
breath them in.
Breathing in large amounts of these
spores will have an impact on your
health.
Common areas that mould may grow.
Outside the house:
• Rooftops
• Gutters
• Exterior walls
Inside the house:
• Bathrooms
• Laundry
• Windows
• Window sills
• Window frames
• Carpets
• Walls and ceilings
People and Mould
Mould affects everyone but some can
be affected much quicker than others
depending on an individual’s current
health.
People that might be affected more:
• Newborns
• Children of young age
• Elderly persons
• People with respiratory problems
• People with conditions like asthma
• People with weak immune system
If you suspect your family or yourself
have been affected by mould, please
speak to your GP (doctor) immediately.
Regular Inspection Tips:
To keep you and your family’s health
protected from mould, you will need to
regularly check your home.
• Be mindful of areas where it
is humid, does not have much
ventilation or is affected by low
temperature. For example, rooms
with no windows.
• Have a look where steam/vapour
or moisture flows through the air.
For example, your kitchen and
bathrooms.
• If you have had a roof leak or any
other plumbing issues in the past,
then regularly check the areas that
had water damage.
• Also check tight joint areas that are
hard to dry or clean
Marcus Banuelos
M: 0410 825 737 or 0481 299 788
W: northshoreprofessionalcleaning.com.au
What to do if you find mould.
Clean the mould off!
However, this is where it gets a bit
tricky. Depending on the location of the
mould, there are many different ways of
cleaning it off.
If the affected area is small, you may be
able to clean it yourself by using regular
household products that are available
at the local stores.
We recommend choosing
environmentally friendly cleaning
products and if you do not want any
chemicals in your home at all, then you
can try using vinegar or baking soda.
Cleaning chemicals or products that can
be used include mould killers, bleach,
sugar soap and some disinfectants
might do the trick.

BEFORE
AFTER
How to clean mould by yourself.
To clean a small area, you can normally
do it without professional help. To
prevent your skin and your eyes getting
into contact with the chemical, please
remember to put on gloves and wear
protective glasses.
Using a mould killer:
Either spray directly onto the affected
area or dilute with water depending
on the instructions, as each brand has
differing strength. Scrub off using a
light scour then wipe off with a rag.
Using vinegar:
Mix the vinegar with a bit of water and
gently apply to the mould area. Do not
wet the area too much.
Wait a few seconds then rub with a
sponge until the mould is gone. Then
dry the area completely.
Note:
What you use to wipe the mould with
will normally get stained. Please do
not use something that you are not
prepared to throw out.
Remember the following when
cleaning.
Always use proper protective
equipment (PPE) and be careful not to
stain surfaces such as the floor.
Always be aware of what is around and
consider where the chemicals could
land on.
For example, when scrubbing the
window frame, consider if the chemical
might drip onto the wooden polish
floorboards? If so, then most likely the
surface needs to be covered to avoid
stains.
Certain products also have harsh
chemicals that will damage your
clothes and potentially make contact
with your body. So take care to read
the safety instructions.
When is it time to call the
professionals?
It is best to call the professionals if:
• The affected area is more than 1
square metre; or
• The issue re-occurs after you have
previously cleaned it
A cleaning professional is more
experienced and they will have all the
proper protective equipment.
In some cases, the mould might have
caused permanent damages and the
material needs repairing or replacing.
For example, a leaking roof can cause
permanent damage to the ceiling and
tiled walls.
You might also consider getting
professional help if the mould is
growing in places that are difficult to
clean due to:
• Height being out of reach; or
• Tight spots with limited access
In these situations, a professional will
have the specialised tools needed to
clean the mould off.

What is the vision of Feng Fencing
Studios?
The vision of the studio is to provide
all students with the best learning
environment to pursue their passion
for fencing.
And through this process of training,
students will learn to discover their
own personal talents and confidence.
Fencing is a unique sport that provides
real benefits that include finding
a true passion to train hard and
becoming a fit, all round athlete.
Students will also improve focus,
discipline and grit in their pursuit of
achievement through fencing.
What is the nature of fencing?
Fencing is a sport where the goal is to
hit your opponent without getting hit.
It is an excellent sport that requires
tactical and analytical ability. If you
can tactically set up points to increase
your chance of scoring a touch,
then you can be winner even if your
opponent is faster or stronger.
Fencing is an individual sport that
develops emotional control and
mental strength as each bout can be
considered an exercise in learning how
to deal with pressure and maintaining
focus even when the situation is
uncertain or stressful.
Rather than dwell on what has
happened already or to ponder about
what may be, you will need to focus
on fencing with feeling in the moment.
This is when a fencer will be able to
maintain true focus and to make the
best tactical decisions.
Who is suitable to learn fencing?
Anyone can fence, as long as your
heart is open to learning new things
and you are prepared to focus 100%
during the training times and only
relax during the breaks.
Both physical and mental capabilities
are very important as fencing requires
the control of movements, emotions
and thoughts.

Training needs to be balanced and
sustainable for long term results. So it is
important for students to excel in other
areas as well, such as studying, playing
music and doing other sports.
What is the best age to start fencing?
Generally, a student needs to be able
to tell left to right before they can start
learning to fence. It is also not too late
for an adult to start as long as they can
stand with their knees slightly bent.
A good starting age is when one feels
they have a passion for fencing or are
looking for a passion to explore their
own strengths and weaknesses.
Some of the youngest students have a
passion for fencing that stems from their
love of action movies. Especially movies
that involve sword fighting scenes.
Fencing can help kids of all ages learn
to focus better and not be constantly
distracted.
Is fencing suitable for girls?
Fencing is an excellent sport for girls as
it is a sport that can truly empower girls
to become independent and understand
that they have many special abilities
that can be used to compete with others
who may have physical advantages.
In Feng Fencing Studios, boys and girls
train together and compete together.
Both genders are treated the same.
Fencing requires strategy, patience,
finesse, skill and courage. It helps
students develop their unique strengths
and personalities.
It also teaches students to adapt and
appreciate diversity and to respect
everyone and to never underestimate
your opponents nor overestimate
oneself. Fencing also helps you
to remain humble, yet strive to
continuously learn and to push oneself
to their true potential.
Competition Results:
During the 6th and 7th of August 2016,
as a way to celebrate the Olympic games
being held in Rio Brazil, Feng Fencing
Studios hosted its inaugural Invitational
Ranking Foil Competition.
Winners and participants of the
competition were awarded with medals
and gained ranking points to help keep
track of their progress in developing
their skills and potential talents for
fencing.
The results of the competition is as
follow:
Under 7s foil division - Max Wu
Under 10s foil division - Jordan Park
Under 15s foil division - Nate Cross
Adult foil division - Ryan Fung
The next Invitational Ranking Foil
Competition will be held in October
2016.
To register your interest in trial lessons
or upcoming competitions, please
contact the studio’s head coach Feng
Yeng on 0422 645 939.
Head Coach: Feng Yeng
Contact: 0422 645 939
Address: Carlingford Village
Shopping Centre, Shop 10,
level 3, 372 Pennant Hills Road,
Carlingford NSW 2118

Japanese Craftsmanship by KAZUNA
Kaz’s story.
I was born in Yokohama, Japan.
As a kid, I loved playing baseball
where I learned the value of being a
responsible team player, a skill that
I still value in my business dealings
today.
As a high school student, I developed
an interest in men’s fashion so I
attended a Tokyo fashion school for
two years, where I learned all the
intricacies of tailoring, fabrication,
pattern making and sewing techniques
to construct garments.
After graduating from fashion school,
I moved to the US, where I lived for 18
years, first in Los Angeles and then in
New York. During the 1990s, America
was an exciting and fulfilling place to
work because American designers
were committed to creating high
quality garments.
Charvet and selling other luxury Italian
brands such as Kiton and Brioni.
Here I had the opportunity to learn
about the highest quality garments by
touching the material and examining
how they were made.
But gradually, US designers placed less
value on quality as they tried to cut
costs so I moved back to Japan, where
I worked for the renowned Azabu
Tailor in Yokohama.
At Azabu Tailor, my role was to assist
the average hard-working man achieve
perfect tailoring for his build and body
type, and show him how to wear his
suit with style.
Japanese fashion houses have a high
standard for men’s made-to-measure
suits, and in 2010, I was awarded
Japan’s official certificate of Fashion
Business Capability in recognition of
my expertise in men’s fashion.
my own business, tailoring men’s
made-to-measure suits so my
customers can benefit from my
international experience and expertise
as I create the right suit for you.
I believe strongly in courtesy and
consideration for all my customers, so
we achieve the best results in a timely
and efficient manner.
My job is to tell you what you need to
hear, not necessarily what you want to
hear, so I can design and create a suit
that signifies success and confidence,
and make you look and feel your best.
Phone: 02 8021 9513
A highlight of my career was working
on Saks Fifth Avenue in New York,
managing the luxury French brand
Since 2013, I have been living in
Sydney, Australia. In 2014, after 20+
years in the fashion trade, I launched
Website: www.kazuna.com.au
Address: Suite 202, 90 Pitt Street,
Sydney NSW 2000

Derby (Blucher) or Oxford?
Nowadays, open lacing shoes is commonly referred to as
Derby, but there is a lesser known open lacing style called
the Blucher.
A Blucher is a style of shoe similar to a Derby but its vamp is
made of a single piece of leather.
It is named after the 18th century Prussian general Gebhard
Leberecht von Blücher. General von Blücher commissioned
a boot with side pieces lapped over the front in an effort to
provide his troops with improved footwear.
This design was adopted by armies across Europe.
On the other hand, a Derby is a style of men’s shoe where
the shoelace eyelet tabs are sewn onto the vamp.
Blucher - open lacing, vamp made of single
piece leather
Most people often mix up these 2 designs, though both are
known as open lacing. They are great for people with wider
feet and higher instep that are active or walk a lot.
This design might give you a slightly more casual look
especially with a full rib construction.
Close lacing, often referred to as Oxford, is characterized by
shoelace eyelet tabs that are attached under the vamp.
Originally, Oxfords were plain, formal shoes, made of leather,
but they have evolved into a range of styles suitable for both
formal and casual wear. They are well suited for people with
narrow feet.
Derby - open lacing, shoelace eyelet tabs
sewn onto the vamp
Close lacing shoes have less tolerance than open lacing shoes
in terms of fitting. This is the reason why we use close lacing
trying-on shoes to measure your feet precisely at KAZUNA.
As with anything, there are pro’s and con’s for each style,
so you will need to consider what works best for you when
choosing your design.
Made-to-Measure Shoes.
At KAZUNA, there are about 40 base designs across their
shoes and boots range. Using the base designs, you can
choose between chisel and round last, various leathers and
colours, four different welts and many edge types to make
the perfect shoes.
If you want a pair of shoes that is based on your own unique
design with the added benefit of fitting your feet perfectly.
Then, you need to speak to Kaz today.
Oxford - close lacing, shoelace eyelet tabs
are attached under the vamp

What is the story behind CALDESIGN? The mission and the future?
The name Caldesign was born from the combination of our initials
together, the idea for the business grew from that, it was a natural
process, the thought of blending our skills just made sense to us.
Our mission is to provide unique and inspired solutions for every
client. We understand that every project is unique and we work
closely with our clients in order to ensure that their dream is brought
to life.
In the future we would like to continue working on both residential
and commercial projects due to the great synergy. We are also
searching for bigger studio space so that we can display our work and
run our colour and garden design workshops.
What are some of the initial hurdles?
Putting a team together can be challenging. It is important not to give
up and keep searching for the right people. For us, attitude is more
important than experience, without it, you will never be a part of
Caldesign.

What is your creative process?
For us, it is about understanding the client’s needs and translating
those needs into practical and beautiful ideas. It all starts from
hand sketches and notes, plus lots of communication with the
client. Once a design has been selected, we start thinking about
other elements such as materials, finishes and accessories. It could
be a long process but every step needs to be done right in order to
provide the best solution for our clients.
What inspires you?
We like the juxtaposition of the old with the new, we feel that
having a modern piece of furniture sitting next to an original
feature such as ornate moulding or panelling is wonderful.
Always start with a budget.
We always advise our clients to determine their budget before
they come to us, it saves time and disappointments later on in the
process, plus it can narrow down the choices which is always a
good thing!
What is your advice for young designers and architects?
It is not an easy profession but is a very rewarding one. Passion and
determination will definitely see you through the difficult times. Be
open minded and be prepared to work on all sorts of projects, the
experience is priceless.
Address l Shop 1, 25 Redleaf Avenue Wahroonga NSW 2076
Contact no l 02 9487 8646 (Studio)
0413 607 104 (Andrew, landscape design)
0417 496 407 (Claudia, color and interior design)
Email l studio@caldesign.com.au

Sydney High School OBU
/SydneyHighSchoolOBU/
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK TO FIND OUT ABOUT
THE LATEST SCHOOL NEWS AND INITIATIVES
UPCOMING MENTORSHIP WORKSHOPS
YOUR CLASS REUNIONS
shsobu.org.au

NEVER LOSE
YOUR CURIOSITY
ERIC WONG
CA JP LREA
Contact no l 0405 629 338
Email l eric.wong@zikira.com
Website l askericwong.com.au
Address l Suite 201, 11 Spring St,
Chatswood NSW 2067
As the mentoring co-ordinator of
the SHSOBU, I found most mentees
are searching for something to be
passionate about. In my personal
opinion, I believe it comes down to:
Curiosity.
It might have killed the cat, but it
is the one thing that differentiates
between people that lets life happen
to them and those that makes life
happen.
People that decide to conquer Mount
Everest would not have made the
decision because they woke up one
morning with nothing better to do.
It would have started with a curiosity
to see what the view is like at the
top.
Curiosity is the fuel to one’s passion.
We were born with curiosity.
When we were still infants, we
were all curious. We touched things
because we wondered what it would
feel like. We putted things in our
mouths because we wondered what
it would taste like.
However, as life progresses, parents
and other people start to tell us what
we should or should not do.
Then sadly, over time, most of us lose
the curiosity that we were born with.
We stopped wondering about “what
if” and we got comfortable. Without
our ancestors asking “what if I put
the meat on fire”, we would still be
living in caves eating raw meat.
Curiosity and relationships.
Do you remember when you first
became curious about someone that
you want to be more than friends
with?
Do you remember, the amount of
time and effort you spent trying to
find out what they liked and was
happy just to hear their voice?
Fast forward a few years. Do you
still have the same curiosity for the
person?
Never lose the curiosity you have for
your partner and your relationship
will continue to grow stronger.
Like all other great things in life,
curiosity requires perseverance.
Having a bit of curiosity amounts to
nothing unless you take action and
persevere.
Conventional wisdoms are often the
result of plenty of trial and error
before they were first accepted.
Therefore, you need to recognise
there is a high chance of failure when
trying new things at the start.
Never losing your curiosity means
you will never give up on finding
out more. There is a never ending
amount of new things to learn about
the smallest topics. The more you
learn, the more you will realise how
little you actually know.
Stay curious and you will lead a
passionate life.

The 1 question to ask, when...
What do I need the most?
BUYING A
PROPERTY
Looking for the perfect home is like
chasing an unicorn, you can spend a
lifetime looking for it.
Focus on what is most important and
come up with solutions. If you need 4
bedrooms because you have 3 kids, why
not have 2 of the kids share a room now
and build a granny flat later?
Stop searching and start living. You will
be surprised at what you can do without.
Do I really need to sell?
Choosing to sell in a hot market can be
the worst decision that you make.
SELLING A
PROPERTY
The extra cash will be offset by higher
replacement cost, lower return on term
deposit and extra support needed for
your kids to enter the property market.
Instead, you can re-finance, go on holiday
and renovate. After your holiday, you will
have a better home to live in. Later, you
will also have a better home to sell.
Can I afford the property?
INVESTING IN
PROPERTY
Forget about the potentials. Potential
population growth, potential capital gain,
potential government initiatives. The list
goes on. Every property has potentials.
What you need to answer is this - if all
the potential upside does not eventuate,
can I afford to buy and hold?
If your answer is yes, then invest,
otherwise, it is call speculating, or what I
like to call - gamble.
askericwong.com.au

Buying off-the-plan
RENT
GUARANTEE
When is it good?
Reputable developers often offer rental
guarantee in newly developed areas
because they are confident in the rental
market on completion.
They know there will be minimal financial
cost to them because of anticipated
demand. They will not increase sale price
to cover for the guarantee.
The guarantee period usually range from
3 to 24 months.
When is it bad?
If rent guarantee is backed by MOU from
prospective tenants, which are not legally
binding, the investors can be without
tenants on completion.
Further, if the price of a project is
significantly higher than similar ones in
the area, the rent guarantee is most likely
being paid for out of the price difference.
Also look out for guarantee periods over
24 months. There are no free lunches.
BUYING
STAGE ONE
When is it good?
Stage one is usually priced lower,
especially for projects that are staged
over 2 to 3 years of release.
Depending on the history of a developer,
some banks can demand pre-sales to
reach 80-100% of the construction loan
amount before construction can begin.
In these cases, the developer might use
attractive pricing to secure faster sale and
reduce holding cost.
When is it bad?
Later stages are usually priced higher, but
sometimes they also have the best views
from a higher vantage point. In this case,
you might want to wait.
Further, if stage one is overpriced to
begin with because the developer
overpaid for the land, it does not matter
if later stages sell for more. Buyers are
better off investing in other projects.
Listen to your gut feeling when buying.
AGENT
LAWYER
When is it good?
I have my own recommended lawyer (TY
Lawyers) that I am more than happy to
pay for their services on behalf of buyers.
This is because I trust they will explain
all the finer details of the contract to the
buyers. There are many different special
conditions buyers need to be aware of.
Unfortunate stories in the media is often
because the special conditions were
never properly explained to the buyers.
When is it bad?
There are lawyers that are recommended
because they never scrutinise the
contracts so the referring agent can have
a higher chance of making a sale.
Such lawyers’ advice will look like this:
“The conditions are set by the developer,
if you want to buy this property, you just
have to accept them. Many have already
sold and if you don’t want to miss out, it
is best to pay the deposit ASAP.”
zikira.com

Determinants of the sale price
Things within your control
YOUR
PROPERTY
The condition of the property can be
changed depending on budget and time
constraints. From throwing out old items
to hiring stylist. From renovation to full
rebuild. You are in control.
Things out of your control
Improve your property so buyers can
compromise on the things you cannot
control, such as land size, street location,
local school catchment and transport.
Things within your control
YOUR
MARKETING
You set the budget. While top of
search on portals like domain.com.au
is essential. Print, signboard and social
media will help reach different buyers.
Things out of your control
Where the best buyer will come from.
Although internet provides you with
access to most buyers. The best buyer
for your property could be someone that
accidentally sees it in the local papers.
Things within your control
YOUR
AGENT
The agent you choose is up to you. Ask
lots of questions, i.e. how the agent will
handle buyer’s likely complaints. Listen to
the answers and trust your gut.
Things out of your control
How an agent actually negotiates with
buyers is out of your control. Most sellers
assume little negotiation is needed for
auctions, but fail to realise an agent’s skill
determines if the right buyers show up.
askericwong.com.au

The 3 stages of an auction
PRE-
AUCTION
When you are the seller...
Do not hesitate when a great offer comes
before the auction. It could be the first
day the property goes onto the market.
How quick you get the best offer is
dependent on how long the buyers have
been in the market and not how long
your property has been on the market.
Never wait when the offer clearly exceeds
all your expectations. Great agents will
make the right recommendation.
When you are the buyer...
Always be ready, you never know when
the right property will come along.
Some essentials include finance preapproval,
pest and building inspection,
strata search report, review of contract
and having funds available for deposit.
When making an offer to secure the
property, think about what is worse,
overpaying to secure your dream home
or finding out you could have owned it.
AT AUCTION
When you are the seller...
If there have been no offers that stood
out from the crowd, auction is an
effective tool to create competition
amongst the buyers.
Keep in mind, the emotion that comes
with auction is the cumulation of the
hard work of the agent throughout the
campaign and will never be repeated.
Offers can come post-auction but it will
likely be from buyers that are detached.
When you are the buyer...
Make sure you have done all your
homework as there is no cooling off
period under auction conditions.
And if you have interest in the property,
show up.
As always, think about what is worse,
stretching your budget and securing your
dream home or to find out later that the
property sold for less than what you were
willing to pay.
POST-
AUCTION
When you are the seller...
The longer a property is on the market,
the more buyers will think there are
issues with the property without even
making the effort to see it.
Never sell if you are not satisfied with the
offer, unless you need to. Sometimes you
just need a fresh approach.
I have sold for more than what the owner
wanted with a fresh campaign, even after
it had been on the market for 8 months.
When you are the buyer...
Do not dismiss a property because it has
been on the market for a long time and
have passed-in at auction.
There are many factors why a property
does not sell. Ineffective marketing,
missed opportunities or simple bad luck.
When you make an offer, keep in mind,
a higher offer could come from the next
person that walks through. If you are
willing to pay what the seller want. Pay it.
zikira.com

AVOIDING UNNECESSARY
LEGAL COSTS
An interview with Ivan Hung
No one wants to spend money on
lawyers. What is your advice in
avoiding unnecessary legal cost?
I think to a certain extent, the legal
profession is a bit like the medical
profession.
We only visit our doctors when
our bodies have problems that
makes us feel sick. In the same way,
people only see their lawyers when
something goes wrong with their
business or life. Sometimes, it is too
late.
Like your body, prevention is better
than cure for your legal problems.
Legal issues for businesses.
Business people are sometimes so
focussed on seizing new business
opportunities, they dismiss the
need for legal advice to have deals
documented properly.
Often, they think the deal is too
good to fall over. Or worse, they
think lawyers will get in the way of
closing deals by imposing too many
conditions.
Inevitably, when disputes arise, it is
already too late to prepare the legal
documentations to protect them.
While a hand shake might have
been enough in the past, it does not
hurt to be protected, in case the
relationship turns sour.
Business people can face significant
losses by thinking the lack of formal
documentation is a sign of trust.
In any business deals, the remedies
and potential penalties should be
clearly stated. It protects all parties.
While verbal agreements could be
binding, there are elements of a
contract that need to be fulfilled,
regardless if the contract is verbal or
written.
The preparation fees for legal
documents is only a fraction of Court
proceedings. It pains me to see how
much money could be avoided by my
clients if they came to see me earlier.
Legal issues for properties.
With the property boom in the last
few years, a lot of people are more
concerned about missing out on a
property than reading the fine prints
of a contract.
There are many instances where
clients come to me after they have
encountered technical legal issues.
However, it is often too late to change
the terms, once a contract is signed.
This can occur whether it is for
a contract buying an established
IVAN HUNG
Principal, TY Lawyers
Admitted since 2005.
Member of Law Society of NSW
Public Notary

property or whether it is for an off
the plan property.
For example, a purchaser buying an
apartment affected by water leakages
would have pulled out of the contract
during the cooling off period.
However, the cooling off period
expired before they sought
independent legal advice, so they
went ahead with the purchase.
By then, it was already too late for
me to request contribution to the
cost of repair from the vendor to
protect the purchaser.
In my experience, most vendors
are willing to make concessions,
especially if there are problems that
could turn away other buyers.
During the recent boom, there were
developers who tried to rescind off
the plan contracts so they could sell
at much higher market prices. It was
an unpleasant surprise for some
buyers to realise they could not stop
it from happening.
The introduction of new legislations
to curb such behaviour can help, but
there are still potential difficulties
that may be encountered in a
property transaction.
Further, a lot of purchasers believe
nothing is negotiable when it comes
to off the plan purchases, however,
they will be surprised at what is
possible if only they have asked. You
have nothing to lose by asking.
For example, in most instances,
penalty interests can be reduced
significantly. This is helpful in the
event there are any delays in securing
your mortgage when the property is
completed.
Debt recovery issues.
Debt collection is traditionally carried
out by debt collection agencies
operated by mercantile agents.
In my 11 years of practice, we have
worked with various debt collection
agencies to support them in the debt
recovery process if a matter would
require resolution via the Court
system.
Whilst mercantile agents play a
significant role in debt recovery in
the industry, what we have seen is a
trend where debtors are becoming
far more sophisticated.
We have experienced a shift where
debtors are very experienced with
the debt collection process and they
know how to avoid mercantile agent’s
collections procedures.
Compared to the past, the debt
recovery industry is now highly
regulated. Many regulatory
requirements are there to protect the
privacy of debtors.
If creditors engage traditional debt
recovery agencies who only send
letters and make phone calls, whilst
it may have worked in the past, it
is now prompting debtors to start
hiding themselves, making recovery
even harder.
There is a new trend where some
creditors approach law firms like us
directly, to take immediate and swift
actions to avoid debtors going into
hiding.
In acting for creditors including
leading workers compensation
insurance companies, shipping
companies and credit card
companies, I noted there are
differences in the recovery of
commercial and retail debts.
About TY Lawyers.
While working within a national firm has
its advantages, Ivan felt there were limited
flexibility in the services he could provide.
He wanted to create a law practice that
follows his vision of offering genuine
solutions tailored to each client’s unique
circumstances.
Rather than using the traditional convention
of naming his firm Hung Lawyers, Ivan named
his firm after the initials of his children. He
wants to create a law firm that his family can
be proud of.
Address
Suite 201, Level 2,
11 Spring Street,
Chatswood NSW 2067
Contact no
02 8007 0135
General Email
mail@tylawyers.com.au
Website
www.tylawyers.com.au

KHAO PLA
An interview with Pla, co-owner & head chef
The meaning of Khao Pla.
The restaurant’s name, Khao Pla has a
few different meanings.
In Thai, Khao means right and Pla
means fish. More than 100 years ago,
Thai people only ate fish, so choosing
the ‘right fish’, is really important.
Khao Pla can also be translated
as ‘Pla’s food’, which means the
restaurant is serving food created by
Pla, the head chef and co-owner of
the restaurant.
The story of Pla.
Pla has been a chef since he came to
Australia to study 11 years ago.
He worked at different restaurants
and hotels to learn about different
cuisines, including Spice I Am, Mr.
Wong and Ms. G’s.
“I don’t want something similar, I
want something unique”.
The desire to create unique food
pushed Pla to continue learning and
searching for new ideas.
In 2013, after gaining years of valuable
experience at his favourite three
head Asian restaurants in Sydney, Pla
believed it was the right time to start
his own restaurant.
Pla has always dreamt about opening
his own restaurant, but he wanted to
create something unique.
In order to realise his vision, he spent
years to develop his own style and
invested all his time to create the
dishes at Khao Pla.
“If I wanted to start a restaurant with
traditional Asian food style, I could
have done so ages ago”.
Pla’s inspiration.
His biggest influence was Ms. G’s, it
is the place where he learnt about
presenting few different cuisine style
in one dish.
“I invest in new dishes when I get
inspiration during travels or had a
really nice meal. I keep the signature
dishes for my loyal customers and
keep adding new elements into my
menu every season”.
What challenges were there at the
start?
“When I first started Khao Pla,
someone wanted to copy our
signature dishes. I treated it as a
motivation that kept me pushing my
creativity and skills to the next level.
Also, I wasn’t an extremely big name
chef, it was quite difficult to bring
customers at the beginning. I am
glad that all of my previous chefs
supported me a lot.
They came to try my dishes and
shared Khao Pla on their social media
platforms and also through word of
mouth.
After two months, I got my first
interview with the Gourmet Traveller.
Followed by the Telegraph and Sydney
Morning Herald. More people came
to try out my food after that.”

Pla’s message to people within the
industry.
“My best feeling as a chef is to see
customers fall in love with my food
with their satisfied reaction.
Keep your passion for that, rather
than money or fame. If you like
to eat, that’s a benefit as you can
compare and learn from others.
Also, I have lived in Australia for 11
years, the price for meals remain
almost similar throughout the years
but the costs increase every year.
With the increased cost, customers
can still find $10 meals these days.
I know many owners who experience
that and it’s not often to have
customers who understand that.
I really hope that people would know
that the price of everything is going
up, not just the price for meals.
I work hard to get high quality
ingredients at lower prices because I
don’t want to put the pressure onto
my customers and needing them to
pay more.”
“Pra Hoy Dib” - sea scallop sashimi, lemongrass,
mint, chilli, kaffir lime leaf and lime juice.
“Roselle” - watermelon, pomegranate pearls,
lychee and roselle sorbet.
Future plans.
“I still want to see those satisfied
faces coming back and our team is
working hard to achieve more as well.
We would like to work on something
more high end style-like in order to
satisfy more people by providing
more choices.”
This summer at KHAO PLA.
“I have learnt that it’s actually good
to have hot food in Summer when
I was in Thailand. It helps us sweat
and cool down our body. So I would
like to recommend something spicy
and light, also some cold dishes and
dessert.”
Opening hours
Everyday 11:00AM to 10:00PM
Contact number
02 9412 4978
Address
Shop 7, 370-374 Victoria Ave,
Chatswood NSW 2067

Do you have any advice to aspiring Optometrists?
It is really important for you to have the passion for
Optometry. Unfortunately, a lot of students enter the
profession without a passion for it. They only enrolled
in Optometry because it is the second highest paying
job for graduates.
Too often people who meet the University entry
requirements only want to get into the industry for
the income. It is similar to doctors.
There are two directions within Optometry.
If you want a stable job, you can work for corporate
companies because they will look after you and you
will not need to worry about running a practice.
If you aspire to open your own practice and create
change within the industry. Then, after gaining the
necessary professional experience, you can always
work for yourself.
You will have total professional freedom when
you own your own business. However, it can be a
challenge to compete with the larger chains.
Work With Passion
Samuel S.N. Chu OAM

What is your view on the current discussion regarding blue light from our
constant usage of smart phones and tablets?
Blue light can cause damage to our eye sights, however it remains unknown
as to the level of exposure required to cause severe damage. It is also
unknown whether blue light causes macular degeneration.
There are special coatings that can be applied on glasses to block out blue
light. It is a preventative measure that can be taken if you are concerned
about the effects of blue light.
Can you share any advice on taking care of your eyes and any short
exercises that can help relax the eyes?
HOW TO PROTECT
YOUR EYES
At least every 30
minutes
Eye degeneration is a major problem for people of all ages, especially the
younger generations of today. My advice is to have breaks from looking at
your screens, including computers, mobiles or tablets.
After every 30 minutes of screen time, you should rest for at least 5 minutes
by looking off into the distance or closing your eyes.
One of your passions is partaking in charity work, and being a part of the
Lions Save Sight Foundation. Could you tell us more about your reasoning
behind this?
I have spent a lot of my time doing volunteer work with numerous charities,
such as the International Lions Club (including the Lions Save Sight
Foundation) and the Australian Chinese Charity Foundation (ACCF). I am
currently the Secretary of the Chatswood Executive Business Lions Club,
which was formed in 2011.
You have to either
look further
These charities are crucial in assisting with disaster relief efforts across the
world, such as tsunami, earthquakes and famines. It is also a great way to
assist with local community needs. Money raised ranges from thousands for
a specialised walker to millions for a new hospital ward.
For me, it is important to find ways to give back to the community.
Or close your eyes

We understand you are one of the early adopters of
using orthokeratology lenses for myopia control. Why
did you start using them for myopia control almost 20
years ago?
Myopia is what is commonly known as being shortsighted,
where the patient requires glasses to see clearly
at a distance.
It is known that myopia can get worse during a child’s
formative years. However, research have now shown that
by using overnight orthokeratology lenses on a daily basis,
we can control myopia from getting worse during these
formative years.
While the concept of using orthokeratology lenses for
the treatment of myopia began in the mid-90s, there
were not many Optometrists adopting this practice. In
Australia, there were only a few other Optometrists who
had started to use the lenses at the same time as me.
With many of my clients having myopia, it was logical
for me to introduce potential treatments to them, I have
always been an advocate for technological advances
within the industry.
Summary of common eye conditions.
Myopia is the most common eye condition. It is often
referred to as being short-sighted. The condition is caused
by the elongation of the eyeballs and affects a person’s
ability to see clearly at a distance.
Hyperopia is commonly known as being long-sighted. The
condition is caused by the eyeballs being too short and
can cause objects to be clearer at a distance. However,
at a young age, some people with this condition may not
have vision issues.
Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of the
cornea. The condition can cause blurred vision.
What is your plan for the next 20 years? Is there
anything you want to achieve?
I will definitely not be working in 20 years time.
My plan is to retire, travel and spend my time giving back
to the community.
That is all I want.
How lenses work for common eye conditions. Image source: MaitlandVisionCenter.com
Address
Suite 8, 1st Floor,
398 Victoria Ave,
Chatswood NSW 2067
Contact no
0403 472 753
Email
sam_chu@bigpond.net.au

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expertise in a newspaper dedicated
to helping the local community be
better informed?
Please get in touch to be featured in
our Summer 2016 issue.
http://ecx.zikira.com

“Every time we walk through
this corridor, we smile and
remember their story.”
- über photography
The team behind über.
Chris and Kate Buechner first met in university; Chris was
a photographer looking to start up his own photography
studio, while Kate grew up in the midst of a family business,
so they decided to collaborate their skills and begin what
soon became über photography.
As the business grew, Kate started to help out at Chris’
wedding shoots by carrying bags and changing Chris’ films.
“One day I picked up the camera and fell in love with it!”,
Kate would recall.
Chris then spent a few years training
Kate, and she soon became an
accomplished photographer in her
own right, and finding her passion
for family photography.
Kate’s passion for photographing families cumulated in her
being awarded the Professional Family Photographer of the
Year in 2011 by the Australian Institute of
Professional Photography (“AIPP”). This was a huge
accomplishment for Kate and a massive honour.
Passion as a career.
Chris and Kate are both active in mentoring aspiring
photographers and one of their key messages for anyone
looking to turn their passion into a career is to understand
it is a business, and to treat it as one.
“At the end of the day, a business needs to focus on what
the clients wants and needs.”
Moreover, when pursuing a career with your passion,
professionalism and expertise is paramount. Both Chris and
Kate continue to enter AIPP competitions to challenge their
creativity. While some of the work might not be commercial
in nature, it keeps them fresh and exciting for their clients.
über photography has truly earned its reputation after
more than 15 years of photography; family, corporate and
weddings.
The husband and wife team.
While most couples could not imagine working with their
other half, Chris and Kate have been able to find the perfect
balance. They attribute this to understanding each other’s
strengths and working together to combine them.
“Chris is much more creative and more of a dreamer, while I
am the more realistic and the organised one. He pushes me
creatively and I push him back too. We meet in the middle
and we work to our strengths. We learnt very early on that
you don’t bring any disagreements
from work to home, and we have
never had any problems in that
regard!”

A love for family photography.
No words can describe Kate’s love
for family photography. Each year
without fail the Buechners engage a
professional photographer to take a
new set of their own family photos.
“As time went on, I truly realised the
value of what I do each day. Five years
ago I lost my father. When he passed
away, what helped me most was
family photos; I realised that every day
I am giving parents and their children
a timeless and priceless gift, which can
be looked back upon many years later.
Photos are our memories, especially
for children. There is nothing that can
capture family moments better than
photos. Each time you look at a photo
it will bring back fond memories of
the exact moment those photos were
taken and you can revel in that.”
The main challenge of being a family
photographer is to capture the best
moments with children of all ages.
As any parent will know, children are
unpredictable and thus photoshoots
can be tricky!
This is why Kate loves it so much. “I
love the challenge. Making something
that seems impossible, possible.”
With her background in Children
Psychology, she has the uncanny
ability to tame the wildest of children,
at least long enough to capture the
perfect family moments! She takes
photos either in über photography’s
naturally lit and purpose-built studio in
Gordon, or in the home of the family.
One thing Kate encourages everyone
to do more often is to print the photos
taken.
“Digital files disappear over time,
whereas printing photos don’t, they
stay forever.”
Dogs and their kids book
Kate is extremely excited about her
most recent photographic endeavour;
“The idea came out when I witnessed
my sixteen year old son walking
with our beautiful (and big) cattle
dog, Immi, in his arms, and putting
her in his bed. I thought to myself, I
have to record this, and capture the
relationship and bond they have, to
make it unforgettable.”
After taking some photos with her
kids and their dogs, Kate totally loved
it. Some children might not smile for
photos, but with dogs around, they
naturally smile
and laugh without
even realising it.
“Suddenly they
become real, and
show exactly who
they are in front of
the camera.”
Unsurprisingly, North Shore families
love bringing their furry family
members along to family photo
shoots.
The Buechner’s beautiful family dog is
a rescue dog, so Kate decided to utilise
the popularity of her “dogs and their
kids” photoshoots and begin a project
which aims to raise $5,000 in proceeds
for the RSPCA. The response so far has
been phenomenal, and Kate has filled
half the places so far.
The end result will be a beautiful
coffee table book; a collection of
over 100 photos showing the bond
between dogs and their kids.
For more details, visit:
http://portraits.uberphotography.com.
au/dog-and-their-kids/
Studio address
Level 1, 768 Pacific Highway,
Gordon, NSW 2072
Email
info@uberphotography.com.au
Contact no
02 9499 8797

MANAGING THE SALON
FOR OVER 18 YEARS
Address l Shop 3, 1335 Pacific
Highway, Turramurra NSW 2074
Contact no l 9440 2602
Email l bookings@thesalonforhair.com
Website l www.thesalonforhair.com

“Remain positive and treat everyone with respect.”
Di’s story.
“Believe it or not, I went into the industry 18 years ago
without being a hairdresser, which is extremely rare in our
industry. It comes with challenges, definitely. We have now
been here for a very long time so that speaks for itself I
guess!”
Di is very thankful for the loyal staff that have been
through the typical highs and lows of a business with
her and who have helped her to create the business she
envisioned all those years ago.
“A business with positive energy that treats everyone with
respect is very important. The Salon for Hair’s success
would not have been possible without the positive energy
that my team brings in every single day.”
Di’s mission.
“Our mission is simple. Hair is the most important part
of our presentation. We give people the confidence in
themselves so they can feel ready to take on the world
when they leave our salon.
In fact, a lot of our customers tell us that they feel better
the minute they step into our salon, with our relaxed
atmosphere, which is wonderful!”
What do you do to look after your team?
Let them focus on their area of expertise.
Di goes into the salon each day in order to get to know her
clients. She believes it is important for all clients to speak
with somebody who knows them well.
“I know their hair, which allows me to book the stylists
accordingly. The team can concentrate on being the best
stylists while I answer the phone, make appointments and
take care of customers”.
Provide adequate and regular training.
Each month, Goldwell, which is Di’s major supplier at The
Salon for Hair have well trained technicians that come to
the salon to give each of her staff training. The technicians
also spend time updating the colours and discussing the
latest trends with Di’s team.
Any advice for someone starting a small business?
Apply the right marketing
For a small business it is very important to advertise your
business through multiple channels, including digital
marketing.
“It can be hard to market during the initial stages of the
business. But it becomes much easier when people start
to recommend your brand and when the referrals start
taking place.”
Just Do It!
“The most important thing that I have learnt over the
years is that you have to just do it day by day; you can’t
worry about what is going to happen or what each new
day will bring.
You just have to do what you need to do, stay positive, and
motivate yourself and your team. There is no success in
running a business without a positive mindset.”
Outsource to other professionals.
When starting a business, it is important to have a great
accountant as an adviser.
“I believe you can’t be good at everything so you should
outsource sometimes. It is better to have a list of things
that you have to be aware of, like rules and regulations,
making sure that you and your team are doing the right
thing.”

AUTHENTIC CHINESE FOOD
DO NOT NEED ADDED MSG
An interview with Joanne Zeng, head
maitre d’ of House of Canton.
Has it always been your plan to
eventually open your own restaurant?
It was never really part of our plan.
For a long time, my husband, Ben He,
worked for someone else as the head
chef in their restaurant.
When we first came to Australia,
we lived near Kiama Down and my
husband found a job as the chef in one
of the local Chinese restaurants.
At the time, my three children
(including a pair of twins) were young
and I was looking after them full time.
However, as it happens, when my
children were in high school, my
husband’s employer wanted to retire
and encouraged my husband to take
over the business.
While initially reluctant, we decided to
take on the challenge as the children
were older and so I can also help my
husband run the restaurant.
Why did you move from Kiama to
Sydney? And why Hornsby?
Similar to most of our decisions, it was
mainly for the children. We believed
Sydney has more options for them in
terms of tertiary education.
We started looking for a home in
Sydney and when we first discovered
the Upper North Shore, we instantly
fell in love with the area.
As if by fate, there was a restaurant
that was for sale in Hornsby that
suited our vision perfectly.
So what is the vision of House of
Canton?
We want to create a dining experience
that is authentic and focus on the
quality of food.
When you enter our restaurant,
you are immediately surrounded by
Chinese lanterns that were a popular
decor many centuries ago.
We also noticed the Chinese food in
Sydney is often cooked with excessive
oil and plenty of added MSG. That is
not how we were taught to cook.
It was our vision to create a restaurant
that relies on traditional cooking
techniques that does not require
added MSG.
What is Ben’s Signature Dish? And
where did the idea come from?
I believe the “Sizzling Creamy Avocado
King Prawns & Chicken Fillet” dish
is one of the most unique dishes on
the menu. I have yet to come across
another restaurant that serves it.
We have always loved eating avocado
for both its taste and health benefits.
One day, Ben just decided to make a
sauce using avocado and add it to the
sizzling dishes that were popular with
our clients.
So I would say the idea came about by
combining ingredients that we love to
eat.
Your menu is a little different to other
Chinese restaurants I been to. Where
do the ideas come from?
We always think of ways to introduce
Chinese culture to our customers.
The inside of our menu has Chinese
Zodiacs and also some of the
recommended careers based on the
personalities of your Zodiac Year.
For example, if you are born in
the Year of the Dragon, you are
considered enthusiastic, confident,
intelligent, ambitious, hardworking
and straightforward. Suitable careers
include journalist, teacher, inventor,
computer analyst, lawyer and
architect.
We also love to learn about the
Western culture, so you will notice we
serve both mocktails and cocktails as
part of our drinks menu.
As an alternative to wine, Chinese
food can go really well with matching
cocktails. Next time you visit us, give
our Margarita or Midori Bliss a try, it is
as good as what you get in the CBD.
What would you encourage first time
customers to try?
I would encourage them to try the
complimentary soup that we serve as
entrée.
The soup is normally stewed with
pork bones and traditionally dried
vegetables that the Cantonese people
believe have anti-aging properties.
Come and give it a try next time. It is
on the house.

House of Canton
Address l Westfield Hornsby, B23-255, 236
Pacific Hwy, Hornsby NSW 2077 (near the
outside fountain)
Contact no l 02 9987 2638
Tripadvisor score l 4.5
Opening Hours
Sunday to Thursday - 11:00AM to 9:00PM
Friday to Saturday - 11:00AM to 10:00PM

Cellar’s Recommendation
by Dalei Yang, Chatswood Cellars
The team at ECX is always looking to learn more about
different industries and to share our findings.
One day, when we were out looking for local
businesses to interview, we came across Chatswood
Cellars. After talking to Dalei, we realised there are
many brands of whisky besides the well-known
Johnny Walker. So we decided to ask him for some
recommendation to share with our readers.
The Chatswood Cellar recommendation.
If you are looking to try single malt whisky, Suntory
Whisky have been gaining popularity in Australia and
certain age are so popular that they are currently next
to impossible to find. Another whisky brand that you
could consider is Ardbeg, which is also quite popular
with the Cellar’s customers.
If you have enjoyed the taste of sake in the past, you
might want to give Dassai a try.

Dalei Yang, owner
Address:
Shop 1, 282 Victoria Avenue,
Chatswood NSW 2067

PLAN AHEAD FOR THE
AGED CARE YOU WANT
Early planning can take away a lot of
the stress and uncertainty that can
arise when considering aged care
at home or a residential aged care
facility.
Know what your options are.
The first option that probably comes
to mind is a residential aged care
facility. These facilities provide
accommodation and care depending
on your personal needs.
Care can range from personal care,
such as help with showering and
dressing, together with occasional
nursing care to continuous nursing
care for those with a greater degree of
frailty.
What you may not realise, however,
is that there are also Home Care
Packages that provide access to
services that can help you to stay at
home for as long as possible.
Support services may include cleaning,
meal preparation and transport for
shopping or appointments.
Start planning early.
There are a number of reasons why
you should plan ahead and well before
the need for aged care is imminent.
For example:
• in many cases, the need to move
into residential care can be sudden
due to a serious illness or injury
(e.g. a stroke, heart attack, or fall),
or another unexpected event
• it is not uncommon to find there
are significant wait-lists for
residential care, particularly at the
more popular facilities, and
• regardless of whether home or
residential aged care is required,
if you wait until the last minute to
speak to a financial adviser, you
may not be able to minimise the
fees you may have to pay and/
or maximise the social security
benefits you may receive.
Visit local facilities.
Whether you currently need
residential aged care or not, it is ideal
to visit a range of facilities in your
chosen area as soon as possible and,
you may prefer to do this with family
members.

Wealth Success
Mark Sing, Director
4/ 650 Pittwater Road
Brookvale NSW 2100
0422 403 687
mark.sing@thewealthsuccess.com
Becoming familiar with the
alternatives can enable you and
your family to have meaningful
conversations regarding your options
and make more informed lifestyle and
financial decisions.
Importantly, with assistance from a
financial adviser, you can:
• determine whether care in your
preferred facility is affordable, and
• potentially start restructuring your
assets to improve your financial
position.
Assess affordability.
A range of fees may be payable when
accessing care services. One of the
key payments when moving into
residential care is the accommodation
payment.
This payment:
• is subject to certain limits
• can be paid as a lump sum,
in regular instalments, or a
combination of a lump sum and
regular instalments, and
• is published on the facilities
website and at myagedcare.gov.au
for potential residents to consider.
The published amount will vary
between facilities and, as a general
rule, it will be higher for newer
places because of the money recently
outlaid on building or improving the
accommodation, and for facilities in
more affluent suburbs.
It is therefore important to ensure
you have sufficient assets to make the
accommodation payment required to
secure a spot in your facility of choice
when the time comes, as well as cover
the ongoing aged care fees and your
living expenses.
Understand the trade-off.
There are a range of strategies that
can be used to reduce aged care
fees. However, caution needs to be
exercised to ensure you have enough
money to afford the care you would
want.
A financial adviser can help you to
address this complex issue. They can
also assist in many other ways. This
includes helping to address your estate
planning needs, in conjunction with
your lawyer.
Important information and disclaimer
This publication is issued by Mark Sing of
Wealth Success Financial Planning
Any advice in this publication is of a general
nature only and has not been tailored to your
personal circumstances. Accordingly, reliance
should not be placed on this document as the
basis for making any investment, financial or
other decision. Please seek personal advice
prior to acting on this information.
Information in this publication is accurate as at
date of writing. In some cases the information
has been provided to us by third parties. While
it is believed the information is accurate and
reliable, the accuracy of that information is
not guaranteed in any way.
Opinions constitute our judgement at the time
of issue and are subject to change. Neither
the Licensee nor any member of the NAB
Group, nor their employees or directors give
any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any
responsibility for errors or omissions in this
publication.

FOUNDER’S LETTER
Iwould like to apologise for any imperfections in the first issue of ECX. With your feedback and
the new initiatives we have in the pipeline, we hope ECX will improve with each issue.
Please let us know your thoughts on how we can better serve the community.
Thank you again for all the feedbacks on the newsletters we circulated at the end of 2015, you will
notice we have taken on-board some of your suggestions in putting together ECX.
In addition to monetary support, with ECX, we hope to provide a fresh approach to increase awareness
of community organisations. We look forward to serving them better by increasing our circulation. If
you can assist in distributing ECX at your place of business, we would love to hear from you.
ECX would not be possible without our valued content contributors. For all businesses that are willing
to help the community be better informed, please speak with us and let us share your expertise.
I would also like to take this opportunity to explain certain aspects of ECX and if our purpose resonates
with you, then we would love to work together with you.
- We believe in giving without expecting anything back. In my opinion, providing the best advice free
of charge, does not mean potential clients will use it with a lower priced competitor. Rather, you have
gained the trust of future clients by proving to them you will have the solution to their problems.
- We are not funded by advertisers or content providers, nor do we place priority on one organisation
over another. We do not categorise articles to encourage readers to read widely. There is no content
page nor is any person or organisation promoted on the front page. We value all our partners equally.
Please support us by reading ECX from cover to cover and get in touch with any suggestions.
ERIC WONG
Founder, ECX
Email l eric.wong@zikira.com
Website l http://ecx.zikira.com

Do you have any suggestions to
improve ECX?
Please get in touch so we can make
the Summer 2016 issue even better
for you.
http://ecx.zikira.com

ECXAustralia/
/ECXAustralia/
Spring 2016 Issue
Publisher | Zikira Properties
Address | Suite 201, Level 2, 11 Spring Street, Chatswood NSW 2067
Email l ecx@zikira.com
Website l http://ecx.zikira.com