Diary dates to keep you busy this spring

Check out the new location at Willunga High School. Every Saturday, 8am – 12pm 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. 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’ll 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.

Kingscote Wharf Second and fourth Sunday of each month, 10am – 2pm With baked goods, preserves, coffee, plants, seasonal produce and locally made arts and crafts, this market is a great place to experience Kangaroo Island wares.

Meadows Memorial Hall Second Sunday of every month, 9am – 3pm 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’s 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.

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.

Yankalilla September 15 – 19 Celebrate sustainability and the unique natural wonders of the Fleurieu coast through four days of activities. The vibrant program includes guided bushwalks, snorkelling and twilight cruises, as well as pop–up workshops and local food, craft beer, and wine. For more information visit: www.visitfleurieucoast.com.au

4 Flinders Drive, Cape Jervis September 18, 5 – 7.30pm A magical night when the natural beauty of Cape Jervis is amplified by the storybook projections on the lighthouse. Enjoy a family night under the stars with an assortment of Food Trucks to choose from while you sit back and relax as the sun sets. Presented by Fleurieu Festival, see fleurieufestival.com.au for more details.

Corner Jervois Road and Main South Road, Yankalilla October 3, 9am – 4pm In their 138th year, the Yankalilla Show really does have it all! Live music, shearing demonstrations, arts, crafts, showbags and rides. A great day out with the local Yankalilla, Rapid Bay and Myponga communities.

Coriole Vineyards, Maxwell Wines and Paxton Wines October 3, 11am – 6pm McLaren Vale’s Spring Affair Festival allows for an all-day wine tour through three beautiful wineries, enjoying their wines in your Festival glass. This year Aperol, Pirate Life Brewing and King William Road (Fashion) are partnering with the Spring Affair wineries to make this Festival better than ever.

Willunga October 15 – 17 Featuring over fifty of the best folk musicians covering a broad range of genres including traditional and contemporary folk, acoustic, Celtic, blues, Americana, roots and bluegrass.

Gemtree Wines October 16, November 6, 4 – 7pm Journey along the Gemtree Eco Trail with Senior Cultural Custodian Karl Winda Telfer as he explains his peoples’ deep ancient connections to the land, plants and animals, including the Gemtree Eco Trail’s resident emus and koalas. Enjoy a plate of native bush food and a taste of Gemtree’s finest biodynamic and organic certified wines during a walking tour that celebrates indigenous culture and the unique history of the local area. Bookings required through gemtreewines.com

Kangaroo Island October 14 – November The Feast is a progressive dining adventure inspired by the night sky and designed to connect diners to the spirit and essence of a magical location through its local produce, storytelling, a hint of theatre and a touch of the unexpected. See gastronomodining.com.au

High Street, Willunga Not your average billy cart race. November 7, 9am Organisers of this inaugural event say: ‘The whole idea about the day is just to make people laugh. It’s not a sporting event and while there will be a bit of competition, it will all be very friendly. We want the riders and the spectators to have a great time and encourage everyone coming to the event to dress-up,’ say event organisers. ‘Find your silliest outfit, don’t care what anybody else thinks and enjoy making fun of yourself, because it’s just good to laugh. We want the day to be full of colour and laughs, a day that can help everyone forget a bit about daily life and just enjoy the pleasure of being young-at-heart.’

In future years the Mad Dash team are hoping to run the day as a way to raise money for charity. But this year it’s all about teamwork, community spirit and creating a hilarious and unforgettable spectacle. So on 7 November put on your maddest clothes, bring your smile, your family and friends and steer yourselves towards High Street, Willunga to be a part of the cheering squad for the inaugural Mad Dash. For more information: themaddash.org.au >

Willunga Recreation Park Main Rd, Willunga November 13 – 14, 11am – 10pm GET OUT AND SUPPORT After the July cancellation Rides, sideshow, games and food! Enjoy the Fleurieu’s oldest firework display under the stars from 7pm on Saturday night. Whether you want to indulge in some classic ‘carnie’ grub, woodfired pizza, burgers, simple healthy snacks or Asian dishes, this festival has it all. Adults: $10, Concession/Students: $5, Family Pass (up to 4 children): $25, Children under 5: free entry.

Penneshaw Oval, Kangaroo Island November 20, 12pm – 11pm An impressive lineup of Australian artists including Spiderbait, Killing Heidi, Angie McMahon and Ash Grunwald feature in this one day event along with food vendors and local produce. Cost: $100. For tickets and more information visit: facebook.com/pg/newshootsmusicfestival/events/

November 21, 9.30am – 12.30pm Wirra Wirra Wines and Roaming Zen bring you a relaxing morning of yoga coupled with an exclusive wine tasting and platter featuring local produce – the perfect way to wind down for the weekend. Cost: $55. For tickets and more information visit: facebook.com/pg/ wirrawirrawines/events

Port Noarlunga November 26 – 28 Over three spectacular days, experience funk, jazz, rock and everything in between at the Blues and Roots Festival showcasing the very best of local and national artists. An incredible experience that will keep you grooving in your seat all night. For more information visit: portnoarlungabluesfestival.com.au

Below: Don’t miss the rescheduled Almond Blossom Festival in Willunga on 13 – 14 November. Below right: Ash Grunwald is one the artists scheduled to play at The New Shoots Music Festival on Kangaroo Island on November 20.

Saturdays, 9am – 1pm Whether you fancy a slab of golden haloumi, some cultured butter or a gooey wedge of camembert (or let’s be honest, any kind of cheese), SloWhey is here to teach you how to craft these dairy delights. Through a variety of intimate workshops, participants learn about the captivating world of curds and whey, and leave with full hearts and bellies. Bookings essential. For more information visit: slowhey.com/classes

Coral Street Art Space, Victor Harbor Various dates and times The Studio Vino paint and sip experience makes for a unique way to uncork your inner artist. Enjoy a nice wine among other curious creatives as you replicate Starry Night or paint your partner’s portrait. Experienced instructors and all equipment included. BYO drinks. Classes start at $55/person. For more information visit: studiovino.com.au

Yankalilla Showgrounds Third Saturday of every month, from 7pm Club YAM (Yankalilla Acoustic Music) is a regular get together of folk, blues, roots, country and more. It’s a celebration of any kind of acoustic jam, where free camping and BYO drinks are encouraged. Gold coin donation on entry. For more information call 0439 861 001

September 1, October 9, October 26 Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Inc. in conjunction with Onkaparinga Libraries presents a series of virtual author events. Join First Nations authors Anita Heiss, Tyson Yunkaporta and Marlee Silva as they unpack topics including truth telling, recognition, and the makings of a good yarn. Free online seminars. For more information visit: onkaparingacity.com

Perhaps more than any other season, the arrival of spring has a visceral impact on people. You can see it walking down the street. People are noticeably lighter of step, less harried, more optimistic. This year, each season continues to be tinged with trepidation. And though we have been lucky here on the Fleurieu, we’re still seeing the effects of collective coronavirus burn out.

In the pages of our spring issue, we’ve tried to stay with the spring feeling we all want to experience. We hope it offers a slight reprieve from the daily tallies and instead cheers your day a bit. This is our goal for this issue and every issue.

Spring is the natural season to celebrate the eternal optimism of the Fleurieu’s entrepreneurial spirit with more fresh destinations to discover both in print (page 84) and in person.

There’s also a stellar line up of gin distilleries to buy and try. We’re not supposed to play favourites, but the Mount Compass Lime & Mint Gin with elderflower tonic was going down pretty easy on the day we did our tasting for the feature on page 50.

As we roll towards our tenth anniversary we’re thrilled to be celebrating alongside our friends at Fleurieu Future Leaders who turned five this year (page 34) and our long time supporters (and all round lovely family) Bailey Homes who are celebrating thirty years (page 42).

We also talk to botanical illustrator Gilbert Dashorst and visit his Normanville studio, find inspiration for stylish outdoor living spaces, learn about the art of surfboard shaping and marvel at how spoiled for caffeinated choice we are with our coffee map. Our local cafes, many pulling locally roasted brews, have been a place of community and connection through the last turbulent months.

We hope you enjoy the spring spirit of our latest issue and may we all feel a little spring in our step.

I wanted to say how amazing the launch party was! The venue was just gorgeous – so much character. I wish I could have seen it during the day. I also wanted to mention the food! It was soooo bloody scrumptious. Every single morsel was delicious. Thanks for putting on such a great event. Emma Nankivell, Nankivell Conveyancing

I have been enjoying your Fleurieu Living Magazine for some years now and would like you to know that I consider it one of the best magazine publications I have ever read. The editorial articles are excellent and always interesting and the style, the format, the attention to detail and consistency across all sections including editorial and advertisements shows great discipline and lots of hard work. Congratulations – I look forward to future editions. Bill Steele

G’day Holly. All thanks to you. You met Jane, you brought along Petra ... On the weekend you had a couple dining at your café looking through FLM. Engaged for only two weeks, the couple fell in love with our venue and phoned whilst eating. They came over, danced to their song and booked. They are now our 31st booking! Ian Bromell, Mt Beare Station.

Story by Kelly Golding. Photography by Jason Porter. Styling by Liza Reynolds.

Page left and above: The thick fibre cement cladding is a lightweight and cost effective way to achieve the strong horizontal line detail in this modern farmhouse design. The consistent colour sits perfectly in the landscape and complements the lush greens of the surrounding country environment.

Ten years ago Kellie and Matt Smith were first introduced to the McLaren Vale community on the netball court, when Kellie began playing for the local club. Then their boys, Brodie and Kyan, took up footy with McLaren Vale. It wasn’t long before the weekend visits from their home in Seaford weren’t enough.

‘Once the kids started playing footy here, we loved the feeling of the community – it felt different,’ says Matt. ‘The people were so welcoming and the competition was wonderful. Just driving to games at Langhorne Creek, Strath, Victor, Myponga, we looked around at the beautiful scenery and loved all of the open space.’ were getting knocked down with two storeys and townhouses going up. I felt like I couldn’t even go out in my backyard and have privacy and we both craved our own space.’ They wanted somewhere they could retreat to, somewhere quiet with space to breathe. When one of your family businesses is a construction management company, the obvious next step demands to be taken.

Matt formed Watermayne Projects with his brother Steven Albrechtsen in 2010 – Matt is an electrician by trade, while Steve is a builder and carpenter. They’d successfully completed architectural builds, but this was an opportunity for them to flex their own design vision. So began Matt and Kellie’s search to find land in the Vale and in 2016 they secured ten acres on the outskirts of McLaren Flat. Eight months after the slab was poured, the Smiths’ pavilion style home was complete, its new residents settling into their private acreage facing the hills of the Southern Vales.

Page left: The interiors are a blend of modern and traditional materials, rustic timbers with various textured fabrics with hints of provincial influence throughout. Above: The kitchen features Shaker profile cabinetry and natural stone benchtops, keeping true with the neutral tones of modern farmhouse design language.

her exploration, their design brief had a few key notes to hit: high raked ceilings, large double-glazed windows to create connection with the outdoors, as well as an open stone fireplace and timber floors throughout to add warmth.

The build offered the ultimate opportunity to conduct user experience research, putting Watermayne’s processes to the test by building for family. The overall experience validated the effort Steve and Matt put into making the process seamless and predictable for their clients. ‘When we work for clients we work towards a process that we like to experience as consumers ourselves…a focus on a systemised approach and transparency around cost control from the very beginning. So no surprises. We stay in our own lane and design language and the value comes from that experience and our track record,’ says Steve.

Their finished home maximises views from every room. The lounge room takes in the ever-changing canvas of vineyards and hills, while Kellie loves the big corner window in the master bedroom. ‘With the blinds up in the morning you have beautiful views of the trees,’ she says. Natural light fills every corner of the home, including the stunning marble ensuite bathroom with freestanding bath and floorto-ceiling windows once again capitalising on their privacy and views.

The open kitchen, dining and living area in the centre of the farmhouse speak to Matt and Kellie’s love of entertaining, with practical features like the walk-in pantry and ample storage making it easy to host friends and family. Their hospitality is reflected in the choice of generous harvest table, extra large kitchen benchtops and ample seating throughout. And of course, the fire. ‘The fireplace brings everyone together when we have dinner parties – which was a key part of the brief to the architect. We wanted an open fireplace and it has become our favourite feature of the house. It’s beautiful, warm and welcoming,’ says Kellie.

Brodie and Kyan’s rooms are in a separate pavilion that can be sectioned off by just shutting the door. It provides a nice private space for the boys when they have friends over and Matt and Kellie can be entertaining in the kitchen area – separate but together. When the kids eventually decide to move out, it’s the perfect space for guests to come and stay with their own private living area and bathroom. >

Top left: A bath with a view. Top right: The warm grey quartzite stone wall and chimney provide an interesting transition from smooth modern materials to more traditional earthy materials with the blend of both being typical of the modern farmhouse design language. Bottom left: Burnese mountain dog – Summer. Bottom right: The beautiful stone wall and wooden decking are complemented by a plasma cut shovel by Warren Pickering.

The intentional warmth of the design is visually evident on the approach up the driveway on a winter’s evening, the long row of floor-to-ceiling glass glows with the interior lighting and fire creating a dramatic first impression. ‘When my mum comes to look after the boys and the dogs [Bernese mountain dogs Summer, Sully and Leo], she just doesn’t want to leave. She loves sitting at the kitchen bench and looking out with a cup of tea, or sitting around the fireplace with a glass of wine,’ says Kellie.

Steve, his wife Amy, and their two boys Oscar and Jake live less than a kilometre away in their own Watermayne-built modern farmhouse, with polished concrete floors, freestanding combustion fire and lightweight external cladding. ‘This is what we love for our families, and we want to provide that for other families,’ says Steve. ‘Our kids go to school here, our friends are here. It shows a sense of confidence in what you do as a business to want to operate in your own community,’ says Steve.

Steve and Matt have found that people are wanting to ‘build local’ using a construction company that’s part of the community, committed and invested in the Fleurieu, and they find that in Watermayne. ‘It’s a big deal what we do,’ says Matt. ‘It affects you. If you’re in a space that you’d designed and built for someone and they are in that space and they call that space home – the dream – it’s a great honour.’ The timeless design of the modern farmhouse concept suits the picturesque landscape of the Fleurieu just beautifully. It’s something Steve and Matt have built for their own futures and they’re now excited and passionate about creating these beautiful homes for others in the community. ‘I quite often walk the property, look back at the home, sip on a beer, and just take it all in,’ says Matt. ‘I can’t get enough, I never get sick of it – I just truly truly adore living here.’