Darling Magazine | Summer 2022 | Edition 8

Proudly supported by McGrath - Cindy Kennedy | Accura Lending | Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce

to the summer edition of Darling! In the lead up to Christmas, explore the many new shops that have moved onto the peninsula and spend your money locally. With over 200 retail stores in Balmain and Rozelle you don’t have to travel far to find that perfect gift for a loved one – or yourself!

Thank you to our generous sponsors McGrath | Cindy Kennedy and Accura Lending and all our members and advertisers who support the chamber and Darling.

We wish our community a very happy Christmas and relaxing summer ahead!

All material is protected by the Copyright Act. No part of this publication may be produced without permission. Whilst every care has been taken in producing this information, it does not guarantee accuracy. All prices and information are correct at time of print. To enquire about future issues, please contact us on balmainrozelle@gmail.com We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work, the Gadigal and Wangal peoples of the Eora nation, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Thank you to our sponsors

Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee

Publisher: Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce Front cover: Artwork by Georgia Draws A House

Team Darling

As we celebrate Darling’s 2nd birthday, we’re proud to bring you another edition that showcases our beautiful area. This Christmas, take a stroll down the high street and see what you can find

Annelie and Belinda

A special thank you to our supporters and contributors who have donated their time and services:

Georgia Draws A House Watercolour by Cindy Guest Writers: Mina Iacono, Marc Bennie Our volunteer letterbox walkers

Thank you to our Creative Team at The Gallery for bringing this issue to life.

@thegallery.design thegallery.design

Our sponsors

The Christmas season is a special time to enjoy with friends and family. There’s a certain excitement in the area during this time of year, and so many great places to visit and stores to explore. It’s an important time to think about where you shop, if you can support local it means businesses are here for another day. We’re proud sponsors of the chamber so we can help them promote this important message.

Cindy Kennedy | McGrath

At Accura Lending, we’re proud to support the local community by supporting the chamber to help create a thriving business community. With more than 30 years of experience, we support everyone from mums and dads to small businesses to high-net-worth clients, ensuring they can have a confident financial future. We’re thrilled to support Darling and welcome more people into the Accura Lending community.

Ashley Tilston & Nerida Iverach | Accura Lending

Opportunity knocks

Just in time for Christmas, local contemporary artist Lara Scolari has opened a pop-up gallery space on Beattie Street in Balmain. Conveniently located next door to her permanent gallery and studio, this opportunity was too great to pass by. Lara says, “This is such a beautiful light filled space, I call it my ‘Window Shop’. When I heard the space was available, I thought it was meant to be!”

With a vast collection of work to pull from, Lara changes the displays every few weeks, so visitors have something new and fresh to experience. The large windows of the aptly named Window Shop ensure that Lara’s original abstract paintings engage everyone who wanders past.

Lara’s Window Shop is here for a limited time and will be open 10am-6pm every Thursday and 9am-2pm every Saturday and Sunday, or anytime by appointment right up until Christmas.

LARA SCOLARI WINDOW SHOP 46 Beattie St, Balmain larascolari.com

Five minutes over coffee

Tell us a bit about yourself

At 16 we migrated from country Ireland to London, and I started work at a food and beverage organisation which operated ballrooms and theatres throughout the UK. 58 years ago, I migrated to Australia with a young family and began work at a government organisation providing accommodation and catering services to migrant families.

As a migrant myself, I could relate, and we helped more than 27,000 migrants across 32 nationalities. In 1980, I started my own catering business which grew to secure national contracts and employ 350 people. Six years later, I sold it to a British hospitality giant, and continued to be involved as an Executive Director. This led me to manage the Sydney Olympics Stadium contract which employed over 2,500 people during the games. I retired in 2021.

How long have you lived in Balmain? We moved from Turramurra to Birchgrove in 1996 and left for a brief sea change, before returning around 2007.

Describe Balmain in 5 words. Balmain is vibrant and hospitable.

What’s changed since you first arrived? The demographics have changed for the better with lots of young couples with children, and dogs of course.

Anything that has stayed the same? The emphasis on heritage buildings.

What do you love most about Balmain? The special village feel where people actually talk to each other.

Favourite peninsula spot? I’m addicted to good coffee and have been going to Bertoni for over 18 years. That’s where I’ve made many friends over the years and delight in seeing young children grow into wonderful young adults – some of whom now work there. Because of this, I’m very optimistic about the future of our local town.

Lastly, how do you like your coffee? Piccolo, with an equal. I order two and get them delivered one at a time.

By Mina Iacono

Anyone who’s lived in Balmain for a while will probably know Frank Nolan. You’ll see him sitting outside his local café every morning, talking to friends he’s made for over 20 years. A true local, Frank has a heart full of peninsula love.

Community groundswell for Uluru Statement

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is the largest consensus of First Peoples on a proposal for constitutional recognition in Australian history. The Statement calls for Parliamentary recognition of the sovereignty of First Peoples and comments on varied social and systemic issues faced by the First Nations community today.

The difference with the gift that is the Uluru Statement is that the community who developed the statement say it was deliberately addressed to the Australian people, not any particular government, because it should be up to the people to decide on meaningful, permanent change.

When asked about how our local council plans to incorporate the Statement into the Community Strategic Plan, Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said that “We are not just endorsing it but identifying the Statement From the Heart as the guiding philosophical position that will determine our relationship with First Peoples in the Inner West, and our policy outlook on reconciliation more broadly.”

The inner west community will help build the yes campaign for the upcoming referendum by training 1,000 local citizens in a civic education program to build awareness.

“Now is the time for the Inner West community to step up and contribute to educating our neighbours about the Uluru Statement from the Heart”, Clr Byrne said.

What is the Uluru Statement from the Heart?

The Uluru Statement calls for a First Peoples Voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making and truth-telling. These reforms are; Voice, Treaty, Truth.

Why is change necessary?

Structural reform is needed to give First Peoples greater say and authority over the decisions that impact them. First Peoples comprise three percent of the Australian population. This means it is difficult for their voices to be heard in elections and in Parliament.

What is the voice? And why is a referendum necessary?

The Uluru Statement calls for a permanent forum of representation from which First Peoples can advocate to parliament. This voice should be enshrined in the constitution, so it cannot be removed by any government of the day. To enshrine the voice, the constitution must be amended, and that can only be done by referendum.

How will a Voice to Parliament help First Peoples and communities?

A Voice will mean the Government will have better quality information about First Peoples communities and issues, delivered directly by a body of First Peoples representatives.

Why do First Peoples want to negotiate a treaty or treaties?

A treaty is a binding agreement between two or more parties. A treaty sets out the terms of engagement and obligations of all sides to maintain the agreement. If done right, treaties allow Aboriginal people to run their own affairs. New Zealand (Aotearoa), Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Japan, Greenland and the US have all negotiated treaties with indigenous people. At least three states in Australia have formally embarked on treaty processes, and some are also exploring truth-telling.

By Marc Bennie

Mental health matters

Jeremy Saville, Vision PT

Over the last couple of years, we have all gone through constant change and uncertainty, affecting our mental health. Establishing a weekly exercise routine and sticking to it will provide physical and mental health benefits. Exercise can be done in many ways, including weights, group training, running or Zumba, the list goes on. Consistent exercise will boost endorphins in our brains, leaving you with more energy to tackle the day’s challenges and feel better about yourself.

improving physical health. Doing it with someone else allows for social interaction that isn’t work-related and has a positive impact on your mental health.

Follow the principle ‘move better’ and you’re already winning!

It has been a hectic year for many of us, so it’s essential as the year comes to an end, to take a check on your mental health. Here, Cindy Kennedy speaks to some experts with great self-care tips.

Try to do a little more! Our society is quite sedentary, especially now that we work more from home. Try to increase your daily and weekly steps – this will help with a lot of the back and hip issues people are experiencing from working long periods at a desk. If you track your steps, increasing your step count will motivate you to reach your goals.

Exercise brings an opportunity to socialise and interact with people. Having a friend, partner, or accountability buddy to exercise with has considerable benefits in

Jimi Hunt, The Mental Fitness Podcast

Have you heard of the Pareto Principle? It states that roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes – known as the ‘vital few’. So, in Mental Fitness, what are the 20% of efforts that can get us an 80% return? Well, there are two: the ability to observe your thoughts and the ability to regulate your nervous system.

The first thing you learn if you go to a decent meditation teacher is the concept that you are not your thoughts, you are the observer of them. That separation between observer and thought, feeling and behaviour are vital to allow us to make logical and wise life choices. This can be learned by labeling your feelings as you feel them. The key here is the separation; most people ARE their feelings.

“I AM angry!” Yes, you are. This is very different from the

Proudly brought to you by

HOME Cindy Kennedy McGrath

observation of ‘I am currently feeling angry’. It also delivers completely different results. The key here is practice; the more you practice the observation, the easier it becomes to separate yourself from them in the future and make wiser choices.

The other thing is regulating our nervous system from the sympathetic state (fight, flight, freeze) to the parasympathetic state (rest, relax, rejuvenate). This may be the greatest skill you will ever learn and you can learn it with cold exposure. 30 seconds of cold at the end of your shower is all it takes. That first hit will send you into the sympathetic state and if you practice the Box Breath (four seconds in through the nose, hold for four, out for four) then you will bring yourself back to a calm state quickly, even though you are still under stress. Try the free Wim Hof app for the best protocols.

connection means that what you eat can affect your gut and mood. That’s why it’s so essential to maintain good gut health.

Here are five simple tips to help improve your gut health.

1. Balance your blood sugar

Blood sugar spikes damage the gut wall and reduces the diversity of good bacteria. Highs and lows in blood sugar can leave you feeling tired, irritable, and depressed. Eat a balanced blood sugar plate at each meal - focus on protein, healthy fats, and fibre.

2. Breathe

Take slow deep breaths before your meal to switch your body into rest and digest mode. This will increase the digestive enzyme production needed to break down food effectively and help your digestion work at its best.

3. Eat probiotic-rich foods Fermented foods such as kefir, kombucha, miso, and sauerkraut support the growth of beneficial lactobacilli while blueberries, apples, almonds, and artichokes have also been shown to populate helpful bifidobacteria.

gut health. Testing will help you determine whether any imbalances exist.

Sometimes implementing these things can be tricky so for practical support around improving your mental health via nutrition reach out to an expert for a personalised consultation.

CINDY’S TOP TIPS

Maintaining a positive mindset and being resilient in real estate is incredibly important. Here are my top tips on how to maintain a healthy mindset:

• Start the day with meditation. There are so many apps to help with meditation exercises, it helps us to control our mindset during the day.

• I have recently learned about peripheral vision. Shifting your focus from fovial (tunnel vision) to peripheral vision is a quick and simple way to shift your state when you’re feeling anxious or stressed. It’s cool! Try it.

Our mental health can be affected by many factors including stress, nutritional deficiencies, elevated blood glucose, food intolerances, poor sleep, and gut health. 90% of our happy hormone serotonin is made in our digestive tract. The gut-brain

4. Eat a variety of plant foods. Research shows that people who eat around 30 different plants every week have much greater microbial diversity than those who eat just ten. Try and eat the rainbow.

5. Get your gut tested Parasites, bacteria overgrowths, hormone imbalances and food intolerances can impact

The Kennedy Team at

• Understand what makes your heart sing! This can be a super quick action that will improve your day immediately (mine is a heart hug with my kids, eating a fresh tomato sandwich on the freshest of bread - strange but true, or listening to my favourite song), or focus on your long-term goals and aspirations to give yourself a boost during the day.

Gill Nicholls, Gill Nicholls Nutrition

New kids on the block

The announcement of a new store opening in our neighbourhood is exciting, and it’s another reason to stay local and enjoy the discovery of something new.

Sandy is owned and run by Janelle, a local mum, crafter and baker extraordinaire. The Bake Shop is an extension of her home kitchen - it’s welcoming and cosy. So treat yourself to homemade apple and sage cake, cinnamon buns, her Balmain-renowned choc chip cookies and ‘Nana loved a carrot cake’. Wander down the side alley between Thursday and Saturday, in the old Institute Building and discover a little slice of (baking) heaven.

SANDY | Shop 7, 332 Darling St, Balmain sandybakeshop.com.au

A fantastic addition to the Balmain strip, owner Gloria, handpicks every product to ensure customers get the very best. Health & Home will support you on your wellness journey with a great selection of gluten-free, vegan and specialty foods and wholefood and practitioner supplements. Naturopathic and Nutritional Medicine practitioners are on hand to offer advice in store, or you can book a complimentary consultation.

HEALTH & HOME BALMAIN 315 Darling St, Balmain | @healthandhomebalmain

A wellness hub for the community. Founder Melinda believes being part of a community can be the missing link in a person’s healing journey. They offer curated treatments for the individual, with options for injury, pain, fertility, pregnancy and postnatal support. Acupuncture, massage, bodywork, reiki and holistic health coaching services are offered and a studio upstairs has Yoga, Calmbirth, Parenting, and Breathwork classes.

BEATTIE STREET HEALTH STUDIO 143 Beattie St, Balmain | beattiestreet.health

Founded by pharmacist Ahmed and Rasha, the teams medical background allows them to customise each treatment. Cryocare clinic is a cryotherapy and beauty clinic with TGA approved cryotherapy machines, clinically proven to improve your body and skin health. The team will work with you to achieve results in a shorter period of time and sometimes instantly, with effective and long-lasting results.

CRYOCARE 708 Darling St, Rozelle | cryocare.co

Is gravity getting you down? We hear you.

Our friendly team at Lin & Barrett help thousands of women every year find beautiful, comfortable lingerie that lifts more than just their spirits. Finding the perfect bra doesn’t have to be a chore – let us do the heavy lifting.

Beat rising interest rates

In Sydney, we love to talk real estate, and now we’re shifting our discussions to rising interest rates. For some, the effects of interest rate rises are immediate on household budgets, and for others, it’s now time to plan ahead for future rate rises. Darling speaks with local mortgage brokers, Nerida and Ashley from Accura Lending, who share top tips on what to do.

Rising interest rates

You can’t control interest rate rises, but you can look at your spending, and find areas where you can save. Look at your lifestyle and decide on what you can and can’t compromise on. Make extra repayments if you can or reduce payments to the minimum to maintain your lifestyle. These are all choices that can be made.

If you’re in a solid financial position, don’t let higher interest rates deter you from investing. Other factors such as growing populations or rental increases can drive economic growth. Don’t wait for conditions to improve, property is a long-term investment, so it is an excellent time to get ahead as property prices soften.

Is your fixed rate coming to an end? When interest rates are low, people pay less attention to variable vs fixed, but many of us fixed our rate when it was low. Now it’s time to draw your attention to when your fixed rate is due to expire.

Review your loan repayments six months out of the fixed rate expiring to determine if you can afford the new rates and retain your property or adjust your spending to accommodate the extra mortgage expense. Do you need to consider selling the property if the new repayment is too high? Or renting it out? These decisions are big choices, but a consideration if financial resources are limited.

Nerida says, “The best thing you can do is get in early to review and refinance. Don’t wait until it is too late. Consider moving your loan to interest only or rolling your interest only period to buy yourself more time.”

Look for ways to generate more savings for yourself to create a safety net as interest rates rise. Is there something you can cut back on, or ways you can earn more income?

“The best thing you can do is get in early to review and refinance. Don’t wait until it is too late.”

Get on top of variable rates

Most people think they are not in control when they are. With home loans, don’t be afraid to shop around or negotiate with your existing lender. It’s not the time to be loyal and get stung with loyalty tax, you can search the market for a better deal.

During the last two years, many people have changed their working situation, so look for lenders who can refinance and consider your current lifestyle. Many lenders offer a cashback offer to cover the costs of refinancing. Use a broker to remove the mental blockage of refinancing and make the process easier. It’s also an opportunity to look at your overall portfolio and seek the best interest rates.

Like changing insurance providers or super funds, there is huge procrastination around changing lenders, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Investing a bit of time into refinancing could save you considerable dollars in the long term.

Understand your finances

We love our luxuries, but in these times, looking at your spending and making adjustments could mean you get to hold on to little luxuries like family holidays, a new dress or concert tickets.

Ashley says “It’s essential to understand your mortgage costs as a percentage of your budget and understand your own personal expenditure. We see so many clients avoid looking at their finances, which seems crazy when there can be big savings to be made. It’s not the time to have your head in the sand!”

Rising costs of living can be avoided with a bit of creativity and thinking. Simple changes to shopping, like buying fruit and vegetables that are in season, looking out for specials or buying bulk could help with the household budget.

At Accura Lending, we’re proud to use our more than 30 years of combined knowledge and experience to help our clients make the most of their mortgage and finances.

From understanding your property goals, to settlement and beyond, Accura Lending helps you make the best decisions for your home or investment. We support everyone from mums and dads to small businesses to high-net-worth clients, ensuring that they can have a confident financial future. Our unique service offering allows us to recognise our clients’ financial situation and offer them the best solutions to move forward.

ACCURA LENDING

0491 91 91 93

enquiries@accuralending.com.au accuralending.com.au

attitude. Being tired and stressed can negatively affect your understanding.

• See the dinner as a time for conversation with only people near you at the table.

• Reduce the noise as much as possible or ask the host

silent night?

to do it. For example, turn off the radio, television, or sound system, or turn

Ask specific questions to help you anticipate the response. For example, instead of asking “What’s new?” say “How is work?” or “How are your kids?”

If someone you know has trouble hearing, try to keep

Make an effort to keep side conversations to

Rephrase what you said, instead of repeating the exact same sentence. This gives your listener understand your message

Keep your hands away from your mouth. Your facial expressions and body language add vital information to the message being conveyed.

• Before starting a conversation, say the person’s name so you can get their attention first.

• You might be surprised by just how much of a difference it can make to have correct lighting. If you have a window behind you, the strong light shadows your face, making it very difficult to lip read.

If you or a loved one have difficulty hearing, see Dr Annemarie Lindner AuD at Hearlix. Whether it’s a hearing test, ear cleaning or measuring your ability to hear in noisy environments – she’ll make sure this Christmas won’t be a silent night!

HEARLIX Level 1, 3 Montague St, Balmain hearlix.com.au

The festive season is upon us – for many it’s a time to celebrate and connect with loved ones. But for some people, dining in restaurants, and attending family gatherings can be frustrating and exhausting if you can’t hear all the conversation. Dr Annemarie AuD, owner and audiologist at Hearlix in Balmain,

Name change for local icon

After 40 years of serving the community, Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre has announced they’re changing their name to together2. In the past few years, together2 has developed into so much more than a neighbourhood centre. The organisation has now reached a point where they’re able to drive real well-being by supporting our community with disability, aged-care and community services. With locations across Sydney in Hurlstone Park, Mort Bay and Rozelle, together2 exists to empower all people in their community with connections, opportunities, and resources to succeed in what matters most to them.

together2’s CEO Steven said, “To help us do this, we needed a brand that was as unique as we are and as colourful, individual and inspirational as the people we work with every day. Our new name reflects our ethos of working together to make good things happen”.

together2 will continue to deliver important initiatives such as Breadnesday, which offers bakery items free of charge to the community, NDIS services and their initiatives for teens like dance classes, teen theatre and cooking classes. Whatever together2 location you are in, it’s your safe place to find connection, community and real support.

Local mums paying it forward

Mummies Paying it Forward is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation founded in 2014, based in Rozelle. They provide everyday essentials to families experiencing significant and immediate hardship.

donations of new and preloved everyday essentials to families right across NSW. These donations help address the impact of poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, asylum, neglect and significant hardship (such as flooding or bushfires).

Founder Fatma Elzein says she set up the charity to channel her energy into helping others and as a way to cope with loss. She said, “Defining moments to me are times where you stop and think about how you can contribute to improving a situation”. Seeing another mum trying to make adifference led Rozelle resident Marie Norman to offer her skills and join Fatma in running the charity, growing it into the strong community it is today.

The organisation operates due to the generosity of a small team of dedicated, locally based volunteers, including parents from the community and students from Sydney Secondary College. They sort and distribute

Marie says, “Mummies Paying it Forward accepts referrals for support from social workers at registered charitable organisations who have clients in need of material aid. We can receive up to 50 requests for help in a month.” Balmain resident Laurie Bissaker works tirelessly at Mummies’ warehouse to ensure requests are turned around and items make it to the families in need within seven days.

Mummies have launched its annual Children’s Gift Drive. Marie says, “It’s that time when we help families by providing gifts during the holiday season. We are the lucky ones. My children are born into privilege and will hopefully never want for anything. We run Mummies to show them that by lots of people doing small things, you can make a huge difference. We do it for the babies born into circumstances that aren’t ideal, to the small children that maybe don’t have a change of clothes for tomorrow, and to the women who are forced to leave their homes.”

By Marc Bennie

How you can get involved:

• Donate new and quality goods to Storage King Rozelle.

• Make a monetary donation to keep Mummies Paying it Forward operating.

• Volunteer with clothes sorting, held every Wednesday and Friday 9.30am-12:00pm. Just show up!

• Help make up kids clothing, linen and feeding packs.

• Pram checking, to make sure they are in good working order.

• Delivery driving, to drop requests at hospitals and partner organisations.

MUMMIES PAYING IT FORWARD mummiespayingitforward.org.au

All I want for Christmas

With hundreds of shops on your doorstep, you don’t have to travel far to find that perfect Christmas gift. Discover what’s on offer and spend your money locally. Because for every dollar you spend at a local business, $0.80 stays in the community.

HOME INDUSTRY | Katherine Mahoney ceramics

Photo © Greg Piper Creative

Local

BITS OF AUSTRALIA | $19.95 EACH Banksia Christmas decorations, all natural and handmade in Australia

HILL OF CONTENT BOOKSHOP

$15.90 EACH

Elizabella series by local sister duo Zoe & Georgia Norton Lodge

HEALTH & HOME BALMAIN | $77.95

Ritual Oil 100% cold pressed moringa oil infused with blue lotus

WATERCOLOUR BY CINDY | $40 2023 calendar by local artist Cindy Scheule

THE WOOD CAVE | $950 Handmade solid timer nesting tables

Artwork by Cindy Scheule | Commissioned artist

guide to shop local.

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Bald Rock Hotel White Bay Beer Co

The Three Weeds Totti’s

Embellish Atelier

The Heater Man Rozelle Plumbing

Sydney Community College The Native Rose Hotel The Merton Hotel

Paper Rock Scissors Art Studios

together2 / Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre

Oaks Hair Brown Sugar Rozelle Willowbrae Cheese Cryocare Syrinx Corp Adore Compounding Pharmacy

5

The Bridge Hotel

Rozelle Collectors Markets

That Plant Shop

Emma Dean Salon The Old Rosebud Lin & Barrett Lingerie Corner Bar Artspark Studio IGA X-press Rozelle Sackville Hotel

The Welcome Hotel

The Lodge Bar Angel Aromatics Pinot & Picasso

Inside Traders & Co

Wright Gallery Fine Art Shoes in the Attic Cat and Fiddle Hotel Bumph and Scumble Design

The Reverie Cat VIE VIE S

Sportscraft

Punch Gallery Vision Personal Training Wilhelmina’s

Sandy Bake Shop Fibre Art in Australia

Eye Piece Wall’s Pharmacy

Redo Health

Dick’s Hotel Beattie Street Health Studio

Balmain Vision Sydney Allied Health Hearlix

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Lara Scolari Gallery

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Ballast Point Design and Build Two Baskets

ART Gallery on Darling Stem Bertoni Bonfire Bread Unity Hall Hotel

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Royal Oak Balmain Dentistry by Design Maxx Cosmetica

15Cricketers Arms Hotel Roaring Stories Bookshop

Maurice of Balmain HUSK VENLA resell+relove Body Ethos Hill of Content Bookshop Author - Wendy Milton

The London Hotel McGrath | Cindy Kennedy 18

Online

East Village Hotel Home Industry Balmain East Liquor & Deli Bits of Australia

Decision Health

accuralending.com.au alenasmith.com.au atticushospitality.com.au bradsbikes.com.au businessadvicetax.com.au ctrozelle.com.au furniturenoir.com.au gwem.com.au hesterflemingvintage.com honeysuckleswimcompany.com.au jesskitchingwrites.com linkt.ee/BarkBustersInnerWestSydney marshadvantage.com.au milkandhoney.com.au m2stylinginteriors.com.au

othersideofthetable.com.au parkerhadley.com.au pureobjective.com.au reliancepartners.com.au renovva.com.au

spectrumwealthpartners.com.au speerfinance.com.au thebalmainbarmaid.com.au thedinnerco.com.au thewoodcave.com.au watercolourbycindy.com wongshe.com.au xperienced.com.au thefinancebrokingstudio MEKbookkeeping scandifrock

Chasing your creative dream

Many of us harbour dreams of becoming an artist, musician, or writer. We speak to local author

Jess Kitching to learn how she followed her dream, never gave up and eventually landed a book deal.

Jess left the UK for Australia four years ago –a huge, terrifying move. This event pushed Jess to take the leap and focus on her writing. “I thought ‘you’ve already done one big, scary thing, why not try the other?’, and I’m so glad I listened to that!” says Jess.

As a child, Jess was always reading or writing. She had a vivid imagination and always a story to tell. Jess studied literature at university and loved it but was always shy to admit that she wrote in her spare time. If she only knew back then how things were going to work out!

Like most writers, Jess’ journey to publication wasn’t smooth. “I had lots of close calls, was signed to an agent and then let go, and had a stack of rejections. I was going to take a break from querying if my last round of messages didn’t go well. Luckily for me, that’s when I was signed to Kingsley Publishers for a three-book deal, and this has now been increased to an eight-book deal. This still feels like a ‘pinch me’ moment!”

For anyone with creative dreams Jess’ top tip is never to give up! “If I hadn’t sent that last round of queries, none of this would have ever happened. It’s cheesy and it’s cliché but it’s true – don’t give up because you never know how close to success you are.”

Discipline also helps when trying to reach your goals. “It seems to go against the idea of being creative, but it goes hand in hand. I must set time aside to write, especially now that I have a book deal and deadlines. Before I could write when I felt like it, skip days, procrastinate, and avoid writing if I felt blocked. Now I need to hold myself accountable. Life is busy and sometimes things get in the way, so set an achievable goal like writing 200 words in a day. You’ll be surprised how motivating it is.”

Everyone’s creative process is different, but most authors have one thing in common – they all get writer’s block. On how to overcome this issue Jess says, “Worrying about what people might think when they read the book is a great way to stem creativity. It’s not easy, but it’s important to focus on why you’re writing what you are and staying true to your intentions. I also find taking a break is great. Something as simple as going for a short walk is a great way to clear your head and reset”.

Many of Jess’ plot ideas come from real events. Her first novel, The Girl She Was Before, is a thriller that looks at the trauma legacy of bullying, among many other things. Jess has a facial birthmark and some of her life experiences inspired the book. “I find I connect to what I write more when I have a lived experience of it, and often I write about things I want to talk about.”

Jess’s second book, How to Destroy Your Husband, is a revenge-themed thriller that looks at issues such as infidelity, toxic masculinity, and the morality of seeking revenge. It’s now available from your local bookshop.

jesskitchingwrites jesskitchingwrites.com

Rock ‘n’ Roll with The Grateful Dads

Initially formed for a one-off fundraising gig at Birchgrove Public School six years ago, as the dads had kids at the school. The Grateful Dads have now gone on to play nearly 100 more shows since, and have built up a passionate fan base.

Rocking through the classics in their unique, turbo-charged and hugely infectious style, The Grateful Dads create a brilliant party atmosphere wherever they play. People come to watch the crowd as much as to enjoy the music, as it can get pretty raucous!

Charismatic, funny and seriously committed to raising the roof, the combined talents of these five Balmainiacs take rock’n’roll standards to a whole new level. Every song is given the ‘Dad-Ass Rock’n’Roll’ treatment and all come out better for it.

Simon (singer), Mark (guitarist), Jack (bassist), James (keyboards) and Rheece (drums) are five local dads who rediscovered their collective rock’n’roll mojo as nappy changing receded into the mists of memory.

The Beatles, The Cure, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Powderfinger, Tay-Tay (yep) and many more get Dadded-up to whip the crowd into a frenzy and transform local pubs into heaving mosh pits.

Regularly performing at The Bald Rock, Gladstone Park Bowlo, The Garry Owen and other inner west venues, they’re also picking up corporate gigs in the city and beyond as their infamy spreads. Do yourself a favour, go and see The Grateful Dads live –you won’t regret it!

Pub matriarch enters Hall of Fame

Maureen Thornett has owned The Royal Oak Hotel in Balmain for more than 35 years, but her life in hospitality began long before. In the 60’s, when you could smoke on planes and the all-female crew (apart from the pilots of course) were hired based on their good looks and single status, Maureen worked as a flight attendant.

When she married in 1965, Maureen traded the skies for the pubs. This was no easy trade because in those days women weren’t allowed to drink in the pub, let alone be the boss! Together with her husband, Maureen ran several successful pubs including The Dolphin in Surry Hills for almost a decade.

After the couple parted ways, Maureen swore she’d never set foot in a pub again! But she’d found her calling and in 1987 she bought the 144-year-old Royal Oak Hotel and Maureen has been at the heart of this community ever since.

Back then, the pub, just like the rest of Balmain was working class. It was rough and blokey, and in her first week Maureen didn’t see a single woman in the pub. She took it all in her stride and began to add a woman’s touch to the place. She fixed up the food, greeted everyone with her infectious smile and made sure the language in the bar was kept in check.

Maureen was a trailblazer who proved her worth in a man’s world by working harder and longer and just being better than her doubters. It didn’t take long to gain the respect of the community and over the years The Royal Oak Balmain grew into a thriving business. In a very competitive market, Maureen has created something all great pubs aim to be – a home away from home.

Maureen could have retired a long time ago, but she’s still serving meals and working the bar with no sign of slowing down. This dedication and love for her community and business has now been officially recognised by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA). Last month, surrounded by her three daughters Maureen was inducted into the AHA NSW Hall of Fame and awarded the Cyril Maloney medal.

In her usual humble fashion Maureen says, “To receive this award is a great honour. My daughter Sophie kept it all a secret and I had no idea – it was a wonderful surprise.”

ROYAL OAK BALMAIN 36 College St, Balmain

Communities growing together

Growing food brings people from all walks of life together. Whilst everyone is excited about the food produced, the positive connections formed within these communities are enviable. Darling explores some local groups.

There’s no place more beautiful than Mort Bay Community Garden in Balmain. Sitting near the foreshore, this dedicated group work hard to generate a bumper crop each season.

Gardener, Michelle French says “The anticipated snap of a fresh bean is a great motivation to keep us going through long periods of preparation and cultivation. We often share a plate and a chat at the end of our working bees. And when we’re not sharing veggies, we’re exchanging cooking and preserving tips. It’s great to swap recipes and to think laterally about what you can do with a particular plant – we’ve lost count of the different versions of pesto our members have invented!”

Whilst gardening is the focus, community gardens are generally hubs for a range of activities – learning and education, playgroups, arts and creative activities, preparing and sharing food, community events, celebrations and social enterprise.

garden and enjoyed exploring the vast range of edible plants plants. One of the highlights of this garden are the chooks. The recent chook naming competition was particularly popular with local children and all the feathery friends received new names.

If you’re in the area, Henny Penny, Midnight, Speckles and Olive would love a visit.

The recently formed Organic Buyers Group in Rozelle has a goal to make organic fruit and vegetables more affordable. Every Thursday the group come together at Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre. The informal setting allows members and families to connect.

“We make this possible by buying organic produce in bulk and each buyer helps to divvy up their box. The contents of the boxes change from week to week, based on what’s in season so it suits households that like to be creative in the kitchen”, said co-founder and local resident Liz Harry.

The group is a lovely example of community coming together over food and appreciating what’s in season. Visit rozelle.organicbuyers.group to find out more.

The Lilyfield located Glover Community Garden have regular working bees, and at a recent Open Day many local families visited the

Summer in the hood

Start your day strong with a walk or run along the 7-kilometre Bay Run. If you’re a keen swimmer, there’s no better place for laps than Drummoyne Swimming Centre. Dating back to 1902, this heated saltwater pool has produced Australian household names and Olympic Champions such as Dawn Fraser, Jon Henricks, Jan Murphy, and James Magnussen.

On a beautiful summer’s day you can’t go past Dawn Fraser Baths. Built in the 1880’s and home to Australia’s oldest swimming club, this harbour pool has something for everyone. At low tide the little beach is great for waterplay and sandcastle building. The pontoons are a favourite with older kids and the roped off lanes are perfect for lap swimming. With ample shade, ‘Dawny’ attracts nonswimmers as well – bring a book or just settle in for an afternoon of people watching.

Make your way across the Iron Cove Bridge to Rozelle for a well-earned breakfast. With plenty of cafés to choose from, you won’t go hungry for long. Along Darling Street you’ll find everything from old school Italian at Lombardo Café Deli and French pastries at Victoire Boulangerie to modern brekky favourites and excellent coffee at The Old Rosebud.

Make your way through leafy Elkington Park and head back up the hill towards Balmain. Nab an outside table at the Hungry Bull and enjoy coffee roasted in-house and one of the best bacon and egg rolls on the peninsula. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, head to Cat and Fiddle Hotel for quality pub food. For a post lunch fashion fix, check out local favourites Stem, Husk and Maurice of Balmain.

Nothing screams summer quite like ice cream. Gelatissimo recently had a facelift, and their homemade gelato is now accompanied by blonde wood and bright lights, adding a fresh feel to this part of Darling Street. Enjoy one of their signature flavours like lemon or passionfruit or opt for one of their monthly releases.

Few venues can rival the views from The London Hotel. Pull up a pew on the balcony and enjoy a cold beer accompanied by excellent pub fare and Harbour Bridge views. Larger groups will enjoy the ample space offered in the pop-up beer garden. Settle in for the evening or make your way towards Balmain East for cracking sunset views.

If you have kids or dogs in tow, head to Gladstone Park for a run around. Bring a ball and make the most of the fenced in basketball court where all ball sports are welcome. You’ll often see netball, soccer and handball practice happening all at the same time! Big and little kids will love the playground with a myriad of climbing and balancing equipment alongside everyone’s favourite – the oversized swing.

Summers are for picnics! Stop by the well-stocked bottle shop at East Village Hotel or visit Balmain East Liquor & Deli. This half gourmet supermarket, half bottle shop has everything you need for an evening of nosh and wine. Thornton Park and Illoura Reserve offer the best harbour views but can get busy. To avoid the crowds, opt for Peacock Point and watch the setting sun reflect of the towers at Barangaroo.

How to attract great people

With businesses across all industries looking for staff, it’s easy to settle for second best. But the cost of hiring the wrong person is far greater than the cost of waiting a little longer for the right one. We chat to Adrian Searle from Decision Health to learn how to find great employees.

With few candidates in the market, and an urgent need for staff, it’s easy to rush through the recruitment process. Adrian says, “We’re encouraging people not to compromise too much on the evaluation process because they run the risk of employing a lower quality candidate”.

Experience and job knowledge are important, but there are some key qualities every employer should be looking for. “If you’re looking for the wrong qualities, you’re never going to hire the right people. In our experience there are five qualities that all great

employees have: good judgement, self-awareness, other orientation, a willingness to unlearn and grounded confidence”, says Adrian.

Well-structured interviews with certain types of questions will help you gain some insight around these qualities. Complementing your interviews with psychometric assessments and some simulation activities will give you more information.

“A comprehensive evaluation process doesn’t have to be long”, says Adrian. “At Decision Health we have expertise in designing thorough, concise candidate evaluation processes. This doesn’t just help you as an employer to find the right people, it’s also a way to positively influence quality candidates. A quality recruitment process will send a strong message to the candidate that you’re a quality organisation they’d want to be part of.”

TOP 5 SIGNS OF A GREAT EMPLOYEE

1. Good judgement

In every role, daily decisions will be made so sound judgement is crucial.

2. Self-awareness

Having a deep understanding of ourselves and how our behaviour impacts others is important. An employee with good self-awareness will be a more effective employee and a better team member.

3. Other orientation

Having a good balance between self and others will help employees understand that they’re here to support and serve others. Their giving mindset will create collaboration and a good work environment.

4. Willingness to unlearn

3/7 Rosebery Pl, Balmain decisionhealth.com.au

No matter what age we are or what experience we have, there will always be areas where we’ve got flawed thinking patterns that lead to poor decisions. Good employees are willing to change their thinking patterns to drive more productive behaviours.

5. Grounded confidence

People with grounded confidence are more willing to be vulnerable, speak up and be more considerate of others. There’s no boldness or arrogance in their being.

Both Balmain and Rozelle are home to several independent businesses, each with their unique character and offer. Explore Darling Street and beyond and support our local businesses so they can continue to serve our community well into the future.

To kick off the ‘Shop Local’ month of December we are giving everyone the opportunity to bring their cameras, kids and pets and have a free Santa photo on Darling Street. We know times are tough, so get your snaps completely free of charge. While you are there, kids (and adults) will be treated to free fairy floss too!

Complete the colour in and drop it in to: Two Baskets, 311 Darling St, Balmain, to enter our competition.

On the cover

Georgia Draws A House is the artist name of local illustrator, Georgia Norton Lodge. If you’re familiar with Georgia, you may have had your house drawn by her, seen her books at local shops, stumbled upon one of her adorable house-on-a-house murals or attended one of her workshops. We’ve been lucky to collaborate with Georgia on the front cover of this edition.

Georgia Draws A House started in 2014, as a teeny-tiny-hobby business out of her mum’s front room. On the first of each month, people jump on her website, pop their address in, and Georgia draws their house in return. Think Christmas presents, Mother’s Day or ‘I just bought my first home’ — it’s a celebration of home, family, and love in a cute hand-drawn way. These drawings are known to sell out within five minutes and Georgia now has a beautiful studio and three staff members to keep it all running smoothly.

Beyond the fineline and paper, Georgia has hosted workshops for the likes of Google and Apple, exhibited at The Museum of Sydney, created the hilarious four-part kids’ book series, Elizabella, with her sister Zoe Norton Lodge, spoken at multiple events such as Sydney Writers Festival and she’s released the popular Our Inner West Colouring Book.

GEORGIA DRAWS A HOUSE georgiadrawsahouse.com georgiadrawsahouse

Photo by studioprose_

FOOD

The rise of lifestyle diets

In the wake of the lockdowns, it seems we have put the bread-baking reels and overeating behind us and have segued to something better – healthy eating. We look at some of the lifestyle diet trends and where you can try them on the peninsula.

Lifestyle diets are on the rise, and whilst some are adopted to shed the extra covidkilos, many are choosing a more mindful approach to the food they eat. Whatever the reason, the supermarkets have pivoted, and restaurants and cafes are getting onboard too.

VEGAN

Whether you are ethically concerned about animal welfare or simply want to eat healthier, there is no doubt the vegan movement is booming. This plant-based lifestyle diet has come a long way since the stiff vegan supermarket patties you could bounce off a wall.

Vegan Australia report an estimated half a million Australians (2% of our population) have adopted a vegan diet, and the Woolworths website has nearly quadrupled their vegan range over the last 3 years. 2022 could be hailed the ‘Year of the Vegan’ with Sydney getting its first hatted all-vegan restaurant, Paperbark.

Need a reason to vegan?

From a health perspective, a vegan diet is said to eliminate toxins, balance your hormones and reduce your overall cholesterol. Science suggests this diet can also help with weight loss and boosting your mood. The health benefits are said to be immediate and ongoing, by reducing the stress on your body in processing animal products.

Where to eat it on the peninsula

You won’t have to look too hard to find vegan dishes on peninsula menus with most cafes and restaurants offering something suitable. Try the Thai spring rolls or apple berry crumble at the Harvest Vegetarian Restaurant in Rozelle or the brown rice salad with broccoli, sweet potato and Japanese dressing from Bertoni in Balmain.

KETO

After battling to shed the baby weight through intermittent exercise and spot diets, a friend of mine adopted the keto diet and has since lost and maintained a 12kg drop. The ketogenic diet is made up of foods which are high fat, moderate protein, and low carb, with intermittent fasting to activate ketosis. It’s based on the premise that once your body moves into the state of ketosis, your body burns fat (instead of sugar) as its main source of fuel. Think fish and seafood, low-carb veggies, avocados, eggs, poultry, nuts, seeds and cheese – glorious cheese. Foods to avoid include grains, sugar, sweets, honey, and starchy foods.

Need a reason to keto?

A ketogenic diet is known as an effective way to maintain weight loss although experts say it’s not a diet you should stay on forever. While it’s said to lower blood sugar and insulin levels, it’s also high in saturated fats.

Where to eat it on the peninsula

One of the staples of a ketogenic diet is egg, so most cafes in the area can serve up a keto meal for breakfast. Add some hollandaise sauce or smashed avo, and you’re all keto-ed up. For dinner you could pair a grass-fed flat iron steak with some steamed greens from The Royal Oak in Balmain.

PALEO

Whilst former MKR judge Pete Evans may have notoriously put paleo eating on the culinary map, it’s a lifestyle diet that has its roots in the stone age. A Paleolithic diet, or caveman diet as it’s known, is rich in meat, vegetables, fruits and nuts, and excludes anything processed.

Paleo diets focus on local sustainable non-GMO whole foods. These diets are high in fibre, potassium and antioxidants whilst being low in carbohydrates, sodium, and sugar. What makes it different to other lifestyle diets is that it excludes legumes, whole grains, and dairy, which are all considered good sources of essential vitamins and nutrients.

Need a reason to Paleo?

The caveman diet is said to improve blood sugar levels and your lipids, but it can put you at risk for deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D. A paleo lifestyle diet may also help you lose or maintain weight however, there are no clinical studies about the long-term benefits or potential risks.

Where you can eat it on the peninsula

Whilst it may not be itemised on menus just yet, you can easily find a paleo-friendly dish in many local places. Try the duck with a side of salad and vegetables from French rotisserie Le Coq in Rozelle or a juicy tomahawk with rocket, roasted capsicum, tomatoes, and haloumi from La Griglia by Gladstone Park.

THE RAW INGREDIENTS

For those who prefer cooking at home, the ingredients for any of these lifestyle diets are widely available in local supermarkets and specialty stores. Bulk food specialists like The Source on Darling Street, are home to several hundred products where you can self-scoop as little or as much as you need. They stock a good range of paleo and keto muesli as well as superfoods, 100% peanut butter and several flour and wheat alternatives. Newcomer Health & Home Balmain also has a great selection of gluten free, vegan and wholefoods.

This article was written for information purposes only, and those considering dietary eating plans should first seek medical advice.

By Mina Iacono

Wendy Milton Books

Rozelle author Wendy Milton has written twelve children’s books, including a five-book ‘Zach’s Story’ series, a two-book ‘Switchers’ series, and five exciting standalones. They’re available from any bookstore, including Hill of Content (Balmain), and online from Dymocks, A&R & Amazon.

Create a pawfect start

Most dog owners would agree it’s always more work bringing a new dog into the household than they expected. Everyone has to be prepared for the new addition. Especially if you have a baby, toddler or child, readjustments often need to be made.

Before you even purchase a dog, make sure you have the time to look after it properly. All dogs need training, care, exercise and routines to thrive. Think about how you are going to adapt your daily schedule for the puppy or dog and make sure you have adequate resources to provide for it.

Check your home is puppy friendly by getting on your hands and knees and do a safety check from the perspective of a dog. Remove any items in the house and garden that could harm your puppy.

Educate your family members on how to interact with the puppy as establishing good habits early can help to alleviate future problems. Teach your children to understand their puppy is a living creature with feelings and needs, and not an inanimate toy or object.

Give the puppy plenty of space and monitor your children when the puppy or dog is near to avoid any accidental nips or mouthing.

Pushpa from Bark Busters says, “Our training takes place in your home and is especially suited for new dog owners. Getting you started as early as possible on managing your puppy helps develop a mutually respectful and trusting relationship with great results from the moment they come home. We use voice control and body language to communicate with and train your dog and we offer a life of the dog guarantee which means you receive ongoing support

Puppy

BARK BUSTERS INNER WEST AND LOWER NORTH SHORE 1800 067 710 barkbusters.com.au/dog_ trainers/pushpa-prem

It’s always an exciting time bringing home a new puppy! It can be hugely rewarding however you need to be prepared. There is a lot to do before bringing puppy home – from buying equipment and supplies to preparing the household for the new arrival.

for the life of your puppy dog!”

Looking to give back this Christmas?

Thousands of families have been uprooted by the unprecedented flooding and for some, putting a gift under the Christmas tree this year will be particularly challenging. Following the success of our 2020 Gift Drive we’ve decided to repeat this initiative in 2022. We are inviting our community to join us in donating gifts for the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal and raising funds to support our Project’s charity of choice, The Harding Miller Education Foundation.

In 2020, we collected over 800 gifts and raised more than $50,000. This year, we’re hoping to raise the bar even higher, so please give generously if you can.

The Project will match the first 200 gifts with a $50 donation.

Monetary donations can be made using the QR code, and gifts can be dropped under the Christmas tree at the Community Information Centre at 84 Lilyfield Road, or at the security hut at the corner of Lilyfield Rd and Gordon Street, Rozelle by December 7.

Join us in bringing joy to families this year!

The Harding Miller Education Foundation

The Rozelle Interchange Project has supported the Harding Miller Education Foundation for a number of years. The Balmain-based organisation’s aim is to create a positive social impact by lifting educational outcomes of Australian girls with high academic potential who are experiencing disadvantage. The program run by the Foundation gives these girls the tools and resources they need to not only complete high school but to reach their potential and build direct pathways to tertiary education. Since 2016, they have awarded over 800 scholarships to girls from more than 350 schools in every state and territory of Australia. The Rozelle Interchange Project is proud to continue to support the program and any person in the area should be very proud of this amazing local charity.

For more information about the Foundation, visit https://www.hardingmillereducationfoundation.org.au/

Scott Bunnell | Cindy Kennedy | Richard Buckthought