Diary Dates to keep you busy this autumn

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the unpredictable nature of COVID-19, all events and details listed below are current at the time of printing but are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Please check for any updated information at the time of the event.

Willunga Town Square Every Saturday, 8am – 12.30pm Come rain, hail or shine, enjoy fresh produce from more than eighty farmers and artisan food makers. Become a member for discounts on all your goods, and enjoy the nourishing community atmosphere every week.

Adjacent to the Willunga Oval Second Saturday of each month, 9am – 1pm Browse through an eclectic mix of wares ranging from secondhand tools to plants and crafts.

Willunga Show Hall Second Saturday of each month, 9am – 1pm An inspiring curated market showcasing local art and handmade goods. It’s a great place to buy a unique, handmade gift made from high quality materials.

First and third Sunday of every month, 9am – 3pm With around eighty stalls including bric-a-brac, collectables, fresh local produce, plants, books both new and old, unique artisan goods, and delicious food and coffee, you will find a myriad of goodies at this market.

Lakala Reserve Port Elliot First and third Saturday of each month, 9am – 2pm A classic country market with plenty of fresh local produce, plants, bric-a-brac, books, fishing gear, and even a two-dollar stall. Soak up the ambience and variety of wares both you and your dogs can enjoy.

Grosvenor Gardens, Victor Harbor Every Saturday, 8am – 12.30pm Spend the morning choosing from thirty plus stalls, with locally caught seafood, organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, local honey, mushrooms, fresh flowers, Fleurieu wines and much more.

Rotary Park, Christies Beach Fortnightly Fridays until the end of March, 5 – 9pm An evening of family fun, overlooking the ocean as the sun sets. Featuring live music, a bouncy castle, playground, face painting, a collection of local small businesses, food trucks and more.

Lloyd Collins Reserve/Penneshaw Oval First Sunday of each month including Easter Sunday, 9am – 2pm This market brings together the KI Farmers Market and the KI Community Market. Have brunch and enjoy Kangaroo Island’s top produce with a great village atmosphere by the beach. For discounted market ferry fares, visit sealink.com.au.

Meadows Memorial Hall Second Sunday of every month, mornings until 1pm (returning April 11) A market focused on promoting community. Returning after Covid closure in 2020, the Meadows Market has something for everyone including plants, food, bric-a-brac and much more.

The old Myponga Cheese Factory (next to Smiling Samoyed Brewery) Saturdays, Sundays and most public holidays, 9.30am – 4pm Browse a range of stalls, including art, books, ceramics, toys, records and collectables. There is also a variety of local food choices including baked goods and seasonal produce.

Next to the Gilbert’s Motor Museum on High Street Third Sunday of every month, 8am – 3pm A quaint, country-style market with bric-a-brac, local produce and condiments, crafts, plants, jewellery and much more.

Agricultural Hall Third Saturday of each month, 9am – 1pm This lesser-known market is a surprising gem offering homemade jams and preserves, delicious sweet treats, locally grown fruits and vegetables, plus craftwork, trinkets and unique gifts.

Bull Creek Road, Tooperang First weekend of each month, 11am – 4pm Open for tastings and sales of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and other Peninsula Providore products. Drop by for a regional platter or tasting platter and enjoy the surrounds of the Nangkita Olive Grove along with wine by Precious Little.

Goolwa March 7, 10.30am A dazzling palette of performing arts, comedy and music spill from the caravan in 2021, bringing a taste of the Adelaide Fringe to Goolwa!

The Hub, Goolwa March 9, 10am – 12pm This interactive workshop will explore wellbeing, resilience and selfcare through creating a culture ofwellness, building healthy teams, cultivating good habits, planning for uncertainty and developing adaptability. Free for Business Alexandrina members.

Arts Centre, Port Noarlunga March 10, 11am – 2pm Anthony Mara showcases the songs of Billy Joel in a unique, raw acoustic performance. A new twist on many of the Piano Man’s greatest hits, and the untold stories behind the classic songs. A captivating show, premiering for the first time in 2021.

Normanville Beach March 14, 6am – 12pm A fun, free event organised by volunteers to bring the community together to enjoy some exercise, friendly competition and good company. The fun run will offer various distances with both running and walking options, between Normanville Jetty and Haycocks Point, Carrickalinga.

Valley Of Yore, Myponga Wharf Barrel Shed, Goolwa March 20 and March 21 After the pandemic shut down Australia’s live performance industry in March 2020, Space Jams provided a way for live music enthusiasts to continue to access performances virtually. As restrictions lifted, the online line-up was brought into a live venue, and now it’s touring the south coast with two separate shows in Myponga and Goolwa.

Leconfield Wines March 27, 3pm – 10pm Australia’s biggest outdoor winery party, celebrates the best music, dance and fashion of the past four decades. It will be a day of sunshine among the vines, with delicious wines, gourmet food and jam-packed entertainment. Tickets available online.

March 27, 10am – 4pm Come along and celebrate Waldorf education in Willunga with good food, live music, fun activities and local craft stalls.

Signal Point Gallery March 27 – April 5 Signal Point Gallery proudly hosts the biennial Goolwa Art and Photographic Exhibition. This year prize money doubles at $10,000 for the Alexandrina Art Prize and there are a range of prizes in other categories.

Above: Sauerbier House artist in residence Shirley Morgan will be exhibiting her work Songlines of a Kamilaroi Elder. Above work: Weaving Circle.

Sauerbier House March 27 – May 1 Artists will be exhibiting work produced during their residency from January to March at Sauerbier house. Shirley Morgan will be exhibiting her work Songlines of a Kamilaroi Elder and Silience Kollektive will be exhibiting Alchemik. >

Above: Paintings by Katie Wyatt will form part of the Goolwa Art and Photographic Exhibition at Signal Point Gallery.

Mawson Road, Meadows April 2 – 5 An annual event held in and around the beautiful Meadows Hall over a four-day period. A wide selection of stall holders from the Meadows area and the broader region means you’ll always find something new.

Yankalilla community and surrounds April 3 – 17 The ninth Festival Fleurieu will keep the spirit and shape of past festivals, in a dynamic and innovative program to celebrate the arts, culture, community and environment of the district. There will be focus on our youth, the future thinkers and creators. Find the 2021 program at festivalfleurieu.com.au

Main Street, McLaren Vale and local wineries April 17 – 18 Join the Vintage and Classic Charity Dinner on the Saturday night, raising funds for new equipment at the McLaren Vale and District War Memorial Hospital and local fire brigades. Enjoy a celebration of vintage and collectable cars from the Fleurieu and beyond at the free street parade, beginning at 11am on the Sunday. Dress up in your favourite era – prizes for best efforts.

Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island April 2 – 18 The KI Easter Art Exhibition is the largest, most diverse art show on the island. The exhibition will display an outstanding array of artworks from the island’s many talented emerging and established artists. Come and celebrate the official opening and presentation night at 6.30pm on April 2, or visit at your leisure until April 18. More information at southaustralia.com

Victor Harbor to Goolwa April 30, from 7am Join thousands of wild women (and a few awesome men!) for a 30km walk along the Fleurieu coastline. In teams of four, immerse yourself in nature for an epic adventure of fun, fitness, friends and fundraising, proudly supporting Beyond Blue.

April 30 – May 9 Tasting Australia brings together a full-bodied, locally grown program of activity. Long lunches, exclusive dinners, farm tours, tastings, masterclasses, sharing and conversation – they’re all there. Various events will be occurring throughout the Fleurieu during the festival. tastingaustralia.com.au/visit/regions/fleurieu-peninsula

May 8 – June 19 Online arts magazine fine print presents their exhibition Field Notes. New works reflecting on, and reanimating, the fine print archive and the heritage site of Sauerbier House in Port Noarlunga. On 8 May 11 – 4pm, fine print will facilitate a day of discussion and sonic responses aligning with the themes surrounding the exhibition artworks and site.

Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club May 16, 7am – 12.30pm South Australia’s premier half marathon, 10K & 5K event with a stunning course, takes in sections of scrub, wetlands, beach, esplanade and quiet back roads around Aldinga Bay. Event open to runners and walkers alike.

Strathalbyn, Raukkan, Goolwa and Clayton Bay May 16, 10am – 4pm This annual community day continues around the Alexandrina and Lakes region in 2020. Bring your favourite art materials, whether paints, pencils, cameras or pastels and create!

McCracken Country Club, Victor Harbor May 22, 7pm Enjoy a night out supporting Operation Flinders and our youth from Encounter Lutheran. Harcourts South Coast are proudly partnering with these two great organisations to assist in providing a world of opportunity and growth to the youth in our community. Tickets are $50 per person via Eventbrite. Contact Lena Labschin-Thumm, Harcourts South Coast, on 8552 5744 for further information.

Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa June 4 – July 4 A print-based exhibition curated by Bittondi Printmakers the Bigger Picture is a South Australian perspective on the Overwintering Project, an Australia-wide series of exhibitions and regional activities that celebrate the miraculous journeys of migratory shore birds.

Hopgood Theatre June 12, 8pm – 10pm Thomas Crane and his band Bohemian Rhapsody bring back the visual excitement, sound and stage energy of a Queen concert. Enjoy all the great hits including ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and more.

In 2021 we will be reaching a milestone that surprises many – our tenth year of publishing Fleurieu Living Magazine. Perhaps people are surprised because we’ve managed to maintain our youthful exuberance and charm over the past decade. Perhaps not.

All jokes aside, we believe FLM’s tenth birthday really is worthy of a celebration. Print media has been on life support in Australia for years, but our little magazine keeps going. We keep going because our readers and advertisers continue to believe in this community and the importance of sharing local stories through a local voice. So this celebration is not about us, it’s about you.

FLM continues to thrive because of the quality of engagement with the stories we tell, based on great relationships with both readers and advertisers alike. We strongly believe that if our readers are not engaged our advertisers are not elevated. Like many, we were tested over the past year and it was our relationships with the community – both new and old – that sustained us.

Thank you for joining us over the past ten years – we’re truly thrilled to be here!

Team FLM

‘We enjoyed working with you this year and really want to continue to support the beautiful local media that FLM is.’ Juliette, Hither & Yon.

‘Hi Petra, Jason and Holly, Thank you so much for the opportunity to be featured in “Ask a Local”. I am so happy with how it turned out and also the placement of my quarter-page advert.

You are head and shoulders above any other advertising group that I have ever used. Thank you so much for what you do.’ Emma, Nankivell Conveyancing.

‘Hi Petra, I wanted to thank you for the wonderful treatment you gave our house. I hope the cover helps sell more magazines, because we love it. Cheers.’ Tony French-Kennedy

‘Hi Petra, Thank you so much for a fabulous day yesterday. I had an absolute ball!! Chrissy is an absolute darling and I had so much fun hanging out and chatting with her. Your photo shoot is going to be amazing and I can’t wait to see it!! Thank you.’ Michelle, Spoilt Rotten Hair.

Below: Sunset over Myponga. Photo via @fly_the_fleurieu

Story by Kelly Golding. Photography by Naomi Jellicoe. Styling by Liza Reynolds.

Page left: The grounds at Maison de Moon are generous – the home is framed by a 150-year-old maple providing shade for afternoon teas. Above: Duck-egg green window shutters adorn the stone building.

There are so many surprises to be discovered off the main roads of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Some are signposted while others are sweet hidden treasures that only the locals know about. The charming Maison de Moon is one of these well-kept secrets, a set of unassuming white iron gates just outside of the quaint township of Clarendon the only indication of the treat that awaits beyond.

left a mature apple orchard is coming into fruit. It hints of a French provincial market garden while paying homage to the land’s 150-year old history. As you look up, tall deep green pines along the perimeter tower above you, their arms stretched out wide creating a sense of seclusion and privacy. Another gorgeous tall set of rustic iron gates part. Then, the pièce de résistance: a huge majestic maple tree, perfectly framing the grand stone chateau that stands behind it. This is Maison de Moon.

Duck-egg green window shutters adorn the stone building, while nearby steps draw the eye up to an expansive terrace and the picturesque views of the Monet-like pond and cottage gardens below. If you truly love all things blue, white and red, the sight will fill you with a sense of excitement, like you’ve just stepped off the TGV from Paris into the French countryside for the first time. >

Page left: The ‘gentleman’s lounge’ is on point with a collection of old and new finds and a place to discuss the days events or plan ahead. Top: The jewel tone lounge is complemented by modern art, balanced with neutral tones. Bottom left: Afternoon tea on the terrace? A delight. Bottom right: The couples Old English Sheepdog Sting enjoying the shade.

Irene Moon, her husband Tom and their three children, Max and twins Sienna and Scarlett (and their English sheepdog Sting) experience this sense of excitement everyday as they now call this magnificent country estate their home. Meeting Irene is just as memorable as taking the first steps onto the property. With her vivacious energy and big smile it’s easy to see why every project Irene touches turns into an unforgettable experience. She was born to entertain and facilitate wonderful memories for everyone she encounters.

A businesswoman and model, Irene has been hosting events at some of Adelaide’s most exquisite venues and locations for eighteen years. Exquisite lighting, floristry, even stunning clear Perspex dance floors over swimming pools, there’s nothing she hasn’t created. Still, she dreamed of finding a place that would allow her to bring all of her experience and passion together in one place for her clients. She fondly recalls chatting endlessly with Tom about moving to the country, visuals of the hills in their minds. She envisioned a private space where she could offer the ultimate intimate experience for weddings, her decadent high teas, birthday parties and special celebrations. It was at a party at the end of 2019 where the opportunity to realise this vision presented itself. Irene’s good friend Judy Richards mentioned she was selling her thirteen-acre property in Clarendon and – knowing Irene well – Judy suggested that Irene and Tom should buy it. And just like that, the Moon family’s life changed course. They sold their home in Prospect quicker than anticipated and within six months of that momentous conversation, made the move to Clarendon in August 2020. A year of incredible changes for most, for Irene and her family, it was one of excitement and new adventures.

While touring the garden, you discover little private nooks around every corner. The large dual swing in the children’s playground. The ‘Wisteria walk’ behind a rustic Mediterranean-esque wall that takes you through to a circular garden with an urn at its centre. Nearby, a copse of towering gums are missing their customary tenants, the koalas having taken a vacation after the recent Cherry Gardens fire scare. No doubt they’ll find their way back home soon. >

Page left: The ‘farmhouse’ kitchen was hand-crafted by the previous owner, Michael Norris. Top: The master bedroom holds Irene’s collection of French furniture and other collectables. Bottom: The atrium is an indoor / outdoor link between the living and dining space. Another delightful and character-filled place to sit and enjoy.

The Moons also have a cheeky resident kangaroo. The roo makes himself known every now and again, marking his territory and, Irene laughs, letting Tom know who’s boss by flexing his muscles like a cartoon boxing kangaroo come to life. Guests who stay the weekend in the onsite accommodation might also meet Tom Tom the alpaca and Trevor, one of thirteen sheep that make their delightful home among the pine trees, plum trees and nearby apple orchards.

As Irene pours a glass of wine, she speaks fondly of the property’s previous owners Michael Norris and wife Judy. As a young man, Michael loved architecture and he and Judy, both Francophiles, restored five houses near Bordeaux while living in France for four months of the year. They bought the Fleurieu property, then known as Shimla, in 2005. Looking for land with a big oak tree, it was the grand maple that clinched their decision, alongside the potential for a grand lawn that their seventeen grandchildren could run amok on. They redesigned and renovated the existing building and gardens, creating the French-inspired country estate it is today.

The interior features in the five bedroom, three bathroom home are remarkable. While the French doors and exposed timber beams first capture the eye, Michael and Judy’s attention to detail is revealed in the finer details, with much of the hardware imported directly from France. Entering the home from the terrace through green iron doors, Irene points out the kitchen bench and cabinetry which were handcarved by Michael. The intricate curves of the timber are testament to his vision and craftsmanship.

Top: A wisteria vine adorns an arched walkway made by previous owner Michael Norris. All paths lead to more of the expansive gardens and orchards. Bottom: Lunch in the country, styled by Irene.

her attention on couples looking for an idyllic wedding setting perhaps by the original 1800s bluestone barn or down by the pond facing the majestic maple. ‘We want Maison de Moon to be a beautiful place where celebrations and memories are created,’ says Irene. ‘That’s why when brides and grooms choose our property for their wedding, they also have the opportunity to rent the whole French-style country home for their nearest and dearest.’ In the coming years, Irene also hopes to renovate the gorgeous rustic barn, picturing warm and convivial winter weddings.

The barn is just one of Irene’s many ideas. While wandering the cottage garden picking pears and mandarins, the aromatic scent of flowering wild sage prompts mention of another – a new hightea experience where Irene dreams of serving apperitives with local botanicals. The expansive vegetable garden is marked for a private dining concept, offering a farm-to-plate experience drawing from their own produce while paying respect to the original market garden that supplied four families in the 1800s. ‘We are blessed with apples, pears, quinces, berries, plums, grapes, kumquats and many other delights. Combined with my passion (and European ways) for growing vegetables and herbs, our farm-to-table offerings could be endless,’ Irene enthuses.

The overall feeling is one of romance, both for the Moon family who are now making their home on the Fleurieu where they’ve holidayed for years, and for the couples choosing to start their life’s journey together on the property. It’s a place that fills you with hope and inspiration; its positive energy is both consuming and comforting as you sense the many stories that have already unfolded here and the many that are yet to be told. How lucky are we that it’s now to be shared.