WWelcome to the latest edition of the Melbourne Bay Courier. This edition we chat with WNBA and Australian Opals basketballer and proud Melbournite, Bec Allen, who now adds ‘shoe designer’ to her resume.
This month we catch up with some fascinating people from around Bayside and Port Phillip - an architect, an artist and many more. O ur pages are packed with community news, including loads of new openings and initiatives to explore.
As a city and a region, there’s always something happening, and
we’ve curated a full calendar for you, featuring some of the best events and activities both locally and a little further afield. Plus, there’s food, homes, property, history and plenty more to explore. We love hearing from our readers, so please drop us a line at hello@melbournebaycourier. com.au to share your feedback or story ideas.
Have a wonderful start to your winter.
All the best,
Steph, James and the Melbourne Bay Courier team.
WHAT WE’RE LOVING
SWEET JAPANESE SANDWICHES
How cute are sweet Japanese sandos? Fluffy white bread filled with whipped cream and fruit like strawberries and kiwi. Oishii!
TAKE A BREAK
Sometimes all you need in the middle of the day when you feel a headache coming on is a quick half-hour head and neck massage. Works wonders!
Publisher Stephanie Williams hello@melbournebaycourier.com.au
Advertising hello@melbournebaycourier.com.au
Cover pic: Basketballer Bec Allen. Pic: Supplied.
Cover page inset top: Volunteer of the Year James Duchini (left) with Bayside Mayor Cr Hanna El Mouallem. Pic: Bayside City Council FB
Inset bottom: Jack Worrell celebrating his 200th game. Pic: Cheltenham Football Netball Club FB
Publisher information: While all care has been taken, some information may have changed since publication. The Melbourne Bay Courier regrets it can’t accept liabilities from errors or omissions contained in this magazine. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or amend all advertisements without explanation. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in articles and advertisements are not endorsed by the editor or publishers. We welcome any questions, feedback or submissions, email hello@ melbournebaycourier.com.au.
Melbourne Bay Courier proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
WINTER FESTIVALS
Melbourne winters can be chilly, but festivals like RISING (4-15 June) bring warmth and community through music, comedy, and art.
night trip can be the perfect way to recharge before Monday rolls around.
FIONA AUSTIN
The founder of Beaumaris Modern, a community group interested in preserving mid century modern (MCM) architecture, Fiona Austin is a former interior designer and local heritage expert.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Sydney and I have lived in Beaumaris for 24 years. We moved here from St Kilda East when our two sons were young We were seeking more space and we were beguiled by the beach, the trees and the nature in Beaumaris. My husband and I are both designers, so we were also attracted to the MCM architecture of the area.
Tell us about Beaumaris Modern. How did it start and what is it today? I started Beaumaris Modern as a Facebook page to try and link home buyers from all around Melbourne (and beyond) to MCM houses for sale in Beaumaris. After moving to Beaumaris, I was sad to see so many significant houses by famous architects being demolished. People would say to me if they had known about the house being for sale they would have moved to Beaumaris and bought it. So around 15 years ago, Facebook was a great way of connecting people to mid century houses for sale. The group generated a lot of interest and connected many like minded people. In 2017 we were incorporated as a community group, wanting to celebrate, educate and promote the mid century houses of Beaumaris. Now we have our Beaumaris Modern Instagram as well as Facebook. We are part of the National Trust Heritage Festival, we have walking tours and all sorts of other fun events including our Open Houses, MCM fashion parades, wine
tastings in mid century houses and our Modernist Festival in October. I started interviewing original residents and then getting their houses professionally photographed as a record. This turned into a book, Beaumaris Modern, and then a second book.
What is it about MCM architecture that interests you? It was an innovative and often experimental style. Unlike many earlier styles that were copied from overseas, MCM houses in Australia were designed to suit our climate and lifestyle. I also love the warmth - the ‘heart and soul’ of these houses, the timber panelling, stone fireplaces, the often unpredictable layout, light fittings, door handles, joinery and gardens with crazy paving and indigenous trees.
Why does Beaumaris have so many MCM gems? Beaumaris was largely a big vacant parcel of vacant land after World War II. Being bushy and close to the water, the suburb attracted architects and other creative types who were seeking a fresh start after the war. So, it became a place where many young architects received their first commission - many of these architects went on to become household names.
What is something about MCM that you wish more people knew? These houses, although sometimes modest, are ‘one off’ designs and unlike Victorian and Federation style houses, once they are demolished there is not another one the same nearby.
What are you up to now? I am retired from my interior design practice, Austin Design Associates. I am a committee member of Beaumaris
Modern and I paint. I actually started out studying fine art but switched to design as I was slightly concerned about making a living. So now I have returned to my first love - painting.
First job? Waitressing as an art student. First ‘real job’ was working at Home Beautiful magazine as a ‘design journalist’.
Favourite team? Oh tricky…the family team is Essendon but I have a soft spot for Melbourne. Last great thing you watched? Lee - a movie about Lee Miller, a fashion model who became a war photographer. I also love Restoration Australia on the ABC, of course!
Favourite hidden gem? The Boyd House in South Yarra, designed in 1957. Architects and designers probably know it well, but I think everyone would enjoy a tour of this house. It’s so original, as though Robin Boyd and his wife, Patricia, just walked out and left everything in the house, including furniture, books, light fittings and art. It is run as a house museum by the Robin Boyd Foundation.
Your favourite place for… Breakfast: Two Little Monkeys, Beaumaris.
Lunch: Stokehouse, St Kilda. Dinner: Kicho, Black Rock. Coffee: Black Drop, Black Rock. Drinks: True South, Black Rock.
Fiona Austin
Photo: Adrienne Bizzari
Local is the New Luxe
Smitten Merino, a Tasmanian merino clothing brand co-founded by Nicola and Carl Mason in 2007, began as an online venture but quickly evolved into a storefront after customer demand for tactile experiences became evident. The brand is known for its luxurious, soft superfine wool clothing made from Australian sheep, hand sewn in Tasmania. Nic, who designs all the pieces, draws inspiration from her past, her grandmother’s style, and current fashion trends. Her daughter, Holly, also contributes creatively, while Carl handles marketing and operations.
Smitten Merino emphasises family involvement, and a small retail and customer care team, fostering a close-knit business culture. The Masons prioritise ethical practices, choosing a Victorian factory to knit their lightweight merino fabric that aligns with their environmental values. Smitten is then carefully hand cut and sewn in a northern Tasmanian factory.
Despite its growing presence, the Masons aim to enhance Tasmania’s wool processing capabilities, intending to keep manufacturing local. Ultimately, Smitten Merino embodies a deep passion for merino wool, resonating with customers who appreciate quality and personal connection.
Dressing Gown time! Made in Tasmania for you In store now for Autumn/Winter
Phone: 03 6212 0197
Free Shipping Australia Wide
Flagship Boutique
47 Sandy Bay Rd | Battery Point www.smittenmerino.com
Holly wears the Ivory Ponte Dressing Gown made from 100% merino
Local news from your community BAYSIDE BULLETIN
HAMPTON HAPPENING
A range of works will be happening at Hampton Beach during spring this year. The changes will include a new accessible ramp and accessible parking spaces for safer and easier access from the foreshore gardens to the beach. There will also be an upgraded playspace, including a bunch of
KINDERGARTEN INFO FOR BAYSIDE KIDDOS
Kindergarten registrations for Bayside opened on 1 May and will close on 27 June. Before you register, you can take a tour of your preferred kindergarten. When you’re ready to register, you’ll be asked to select your kindergarten preferences and, for the first time, you’ll also choose your preferred session days and times. Registration is free. After
large shade umbrellas, seats and loungers, and water and sand play activities for kids. While this is happening, there will be extensive planting and landscaping works to the Bay Trail. Works will take place during spring to be ready for summer at the end of the year. Hampton Beach will remain open during construction.
the registration period ends, they’ll process the first-round offers and send them out to families via email starting in late July. You’ll have seven days to either accept or decline the offer for the kindergarten session and time. If you accept, you’ll finalise everything directly with the kindergarten, and that’ll wrap up the enrolment process. For more details, head over to bayside.vic.gov.au/ kinderallocation.
SECRETS OF BILLILLA
If you’ve ever wanted to know a little bit more about Billilla Mansion on Halifax Street in Brighton, you’re in luck. Five new interpretative panels have recently been installed in the gardens with information about First Peoples, the Weatherly Family and the building’s architecture. And if you want to dig a little deeper, you can scan the QR codes to explore each topic even more.
KUSAMA BREAKS RECORDS
Almost half a million people visited the National Gallery of Victoria for the Yayoi Kusama exhibition, making it the highest attended ticketed art exhibition in Australian history. The numbers smashed the previous most popular ticketed art event, which was 2017’s Van Gogh and the Seasons. Yayoi Kusama is a 96-year-old Japanese artist who is recognised globally for her distinctive and colourful work. The immersive exhibition featured over 200 works and was developed especially for Australian audiences.
Hampton Beach render
Photo: Bayside Gallery FB
An interpretative panel at Billilla Mansion
FIRST LOOK: NEW CITY SQUARE IMAGES RELEASED FOR 2025 REOPENING
Melbourne’s City Square has been closed since 2017 to make way for Metro Tunnel works. Now, artist impressions have been released by the City of Melbourne revealing what the City Square should look like when it reopens sometime this year. The place will be a key entrance to the new Town Hall train station, one of the city’s five new underground stations. The new City Square has been developed in consultation with Wurundjeri Elders. There will be an interactive, digital version of the Mockridge Fountain known as the ‘water wall’. The LED installation will depict water flowing down the wall and
respond to movements of people passing by. The bronze sculpture Beyond the Ocean of Existence will also return. New garden beds with native plantings and a widened pedestrian crossing at the Swanston and Collins Street intersection are also in the works. There will be a permanent Smoking Ceremony dish, and Woiwurrung language and artwork will be etched throughout the square. The Burke and Wills monument that many Melburnians might remember from City Square will be relocated to the Royal Society of Victoria on La Trobe Street, making it the fifth time it has been relocated. While the reopening of City Square is confirmed for 2025, it has not been revealed when in the year this will happen.
RUN TO CHANGE A LIFE
Registrations are now open for Connor’s Run, a running event raising money for paediatric brain cancer research. Now in its 13th year, it was created in the memory of Robert Connor Dawes who, at 18 years of age, lost his 16-month battle with brain cancer. Set to take place on Sunday 14 September, Connor’s Run spans 18.8km from Hampton Beach to Alexandra Gardens, the same track Connor once ran in preparation for a rowing season and coincidentally, the length of his life. The second run length is 9.6km, from Catani Gardens St Kilda to Alexandra Gardens, representing Connor’s birthday, 9 June. Throughout the month of September, people from anywhere in the world can take part in Connor’s Run Your Way Any Day, in which you can take on a physical challenge of any kind. Close to 5,000 participants from around the world helped make 2024 a huge success, raising over $1.7 million, bringing the 12-year total to more than $13.3 million raised. This year the fundraising target is $1.2 million. Register and learn more at connorsrun.com.
BAYSIDE BUSINESS OWNER BREAKFAST
If you own a business in Bayside, you’re invited to a free Business Networking Breakfast at the Sandringham Yacht Club on Thursday 22 May. You’ll enjoy a relaxed breakfast, and pick up some practical tips on how to cut your energy bills. The discussion will cover simple ways to boost energy efficiency, plus how to take advantage of government rebates and grants. You’ll also hear from two local businesses, Mulbury and AP Group, who’ll share how they made energy-saving changes and the impact it’s had. Learn more and register at bayside.vic.gov.au.
Photo: City of Melbourne
Connor’s Run
Melbourne’s new City Square render
FRESH FINDS AND FUN FACTS AT BAYSIDE LIBRARIES
NEW MUSIC ROOM OFFERS HEALING FOR BAYSIDE YOUTH
A new Music Room at Windana’s Youth Hub in Moorabbin is offering local young people a safe, creative space to overcome challenges related to alcohol, drugs, and mental health. The room is equipped with top-notch recording gear and instruments, providing young people a place to express themselves, build confidence, and connect with others. Amanda Mack, manager of Windana’s ResetLife recovery program, said that the Music Room is already having a positive
Bayside libraries have some new books in stock and have also shared some cool stats. You’ll find fresh adult fiction titles and popular children’s books at all four Bayside libraries (Beaumaris, Brighton, Hampton, and Sandringham), plus a new selection of cookbooks at the Brighton branch. They’ve also expanded their Spanish
NEW OPENINGS
81 Bay & Baix (81 Bay Street, Brighton) is a dining spot and wine bar from prolific Melbourne chef Ian Curley, who is behind some iconic restaurants, The European, Kirk’s Wine Bar and French Saloon. The bay offering, 81 Bay is now open with fine diner Baix set to follow. The venue has been in the works for a couple of years and could be the next hottest seat in Brighton. A new Lebanese restaurant is coming to Black Rock. Raouche (3/41B Bluff Road, Black Rock) is headlined by head chef Khaled, who has over 20 years of experience in authentic Lebanese dining. Lucien St Kilda (1/157 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda) is the new kid on Fitzroy Street block, moving into the space previously occupied by Milk the Cow. With Bistro Voliere staff behind it, the wine bar is bringing a Spanish vibe with its bar, cocktails, and tapas. Winter pop-up dining experience Fondue Chalet (Skyline Car Park, Federation Square, Melbourne) is serving traditional French fondue at Fed Square from 15 May to 22 June. Set against the backdrop of a mini alpine ski resort, the area will be transformed with two authentic French-imported chalets, fire pits, and cosy alpine
impact. “Young clients often come to the Youth Hub feeling overwhelmed, isolated and depressed, and after leaving the Music Room their moods are completely lifted. The new Music Room offers a safe environment for self-expression,” she said. The Music Room was made possible thanks to the support of Community Bank Highett’s Community Investment grant program. Young people, particularly those facing complex challenges, can access the Music Room by contacting the Youth Hub on 03 9532 0811 or emailing robbie.hendry@windana.org.au.
language collection with 50 new books, perfect for those who are fluent or learning the language. In terms of library use, people are making the most of it. Over the past year, 88% of visitors have borrowed books or magazines, 67% have been checking out the catalogue or reserving items, and 63% have asked staff for a bit of help. Most people drop by at least every 2-4 weeks, and 19% are regulars, visiting more than once a week.
décor. Newish to Black Rock with an everchanging theme, The Edit (597 Balcombe Road, Black Rock) is an additional Family Life op shop just two doors down from the main one. The Edit is built around a unique idea. It has a curated, ever-changing selection of items, with each ‘edit ’ centred around a different theme. As the seasons change, so does the stock. Basketball training academy and facility Hoop City is opening a new venue in Port Melbourne in July. While the address has not been officially announced, it is confirmed it will house three courts (including a show court), two half courts, shooting bays, gym, sauna, hot cold recovery, physio, 50-seat auditorium, locker rooms and more
Photo: Dean Beck JP
Lucien storefront
Windana Music Room
Sandringham Yacht Club stands apart from other funeral venues in Melbourne, o ering a distinctive and memorable setting for a funeral, memorial or wake, catering for 80 to 400 guests. Located in the heart of Bayside, Sandringham Yacht Club is a serene and respectful environment for families to come together, o ering both comfort and solace.
SANDRINGHAM AND MOORABBIN HOSPITAL UPGRADES NOW OPEN
Recent upgrades at Alfred Health’s Sandringham Hospital have made it easier for Bayside locals to access care. Modernised consulting rooms, clinical areas, and public spaces are among the upgrades, while increased capacity for specialist medical, nursing, and allied health care should reduce patient wait times. Also, new waiting areas and improved disability access have been introduced. “Seeking outpatient care at Sandringham Hospital will now be quicker, easier and more comfortable, thanks to these significant
upgrades,” said Member for Southern Metropolitan Region, Ryan Batchelor. Upgrades have also been completed on the operating theatres at Monash Health’s Moorabbin Hospital. It will provide a safer surgical environment for both patients and staff, while also helping to reduce waiting times for surgery. As part of the project, infection control and prevention measures were implemented in the day ward surgical theatre suites, such as the replacement of surfaces, installation of critical barrier protection, and the automation of doorways. Upgrades to fire sprinkler systems, storage areas, and staff amenities were also completed.
NEW OPENING: HELLO KOREATOWN
On Saturday 17 May, Melbourne’s new Koreatown was officially opened and now you’re invited to explore. The City of Melbourne recognised Healeys Lane (at the west end of Little Lonsdale Street and part of Spencer Street) as Koreatown in September last year, as almost 25 Korean-run businesses are clustered in the area. To help celebrate the official opening of Koreatown, ACMI will be running the Korean Film Festival from 17-25 May, then on 24-25 May, the Korea Festival will take over Fed Square, featuring traditional shows, a cooking workshop, Squid Game-inspired activities, food stalls and a K-pop showdown. When you visit Koreatown after the opening, you’ll be greeted by four striking statues known as jang seung, which are traditional wooden pillars that are symbols of protection and are meticulously carved by experts. Koreatown joins wellknown precincts such as Chinatown and the Greek Quarter in the CBD, and Little Italy in Lygon Street, Carlton. Koreans are among Melbourne’s top 10 diasporas, with more than 2,500 Koreans living in the city and more than 25,000 across Victoria.
GREENING UP PORT PHILLIP
The City of Port Phillip recently shared their Urban Forest Precinct Plan, designed to increase tree planting and improve biodiversity across the community. By 2040, they’re aiming for 30% canopy cover on Port Phillip streets and 40% in public spaces. To start with, they’re going to focus on improving green spaces in Balaclava and St Kilda East. Learn more about the plan and give feedback at haveyoursay.portphillip.vic.gov.au.
Sandringham Hospital staff at their new-look main entrance
Photo: FB, What’s On Melbourne FB
Jong-yeon Kim crafting the jang seung for Koreatown
HUNDREDS OF NEW HOMES FOR HAMPTON EAST
In Hampton East, construction on a major redevelopment project which will deliver 285 new homes has begun. Located on Bluff Road, the project will wrap up next year and include 170 social homes, 83 market rental homes, plus some specialist disability homes and other types of rental homes. The redevelopment will raise the number of social homes in the area by 16%, replacing houses built in the 1950s. There’ll also be new open spaces like landscaped parks and gardens, a multi-purpose community room, and a café. In Bayside, over $380 million has been invested through the Big Housing Build and other social housing programs to create more than 1,000 new homes, with 645 already completed.
FIND YOUR HOSPITAL JAM
GET YOUR FLU SHOT
The Victorian Department of Health is reminding Victorians to book in their flu vaccination ahead of winter peak season. They also report there have been more than 11,000 notified influenza cases in Victoria this year already, which is almost twice as many as for the same time last year. Free flu vaccines are now available for children under five years old and other at-risk groups, including people over 65 years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe flu. Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Tarun Weeramanthri is encouraging more Victorians to get their annual flu vaccine, with reported cases of flu and other
respiratory viruses on the rise. Dr Weeramanthri said babies and toddlers need special protection from the flu, as they are more likely to get severe illness and need treatment in hospital. “The flu can be serious, especially for children which is why the vaccine is free for children under five,” Dr Weeramanthri said. “It’s critically important to stay up to date with your vaccines – the influenza virus changes throughout the year and that’s why new vaccines are developed for each season. Vaccination is the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, friends and people at most risk in the community.” People can get their vaccine at general practices, pharmacies, local council immunisation clinics, and Aboriginal Health Services.
EARN MONEY AND GET OUT AND ABOUT
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has launched a hospital logjam finder that tracks how your local hospital is performing. The searchable tool has expanded to cover 352 hospitals across Australia. It uses a traffic light system (green, orange, red) to indicate the percentage of patients that received care within the clinically recommended time. AMA is using the tool to highlight the grim state of Australia’s public hospital performance, revealing no metropolitan hospitals received a green light for all categories measured by the AMA. Check it out at ama. com.au/clear-the-hospital-logjam.
Want to help us deliver the Melbourne Bay Courier? If you’d like to get paid to distribute the paper, please get in touch via hello@ melbournebaycourier. com.au today to find out more.
Photo: Ryan Batchelor MP FB
Housing development render on Bluff Road, Hampton East
Time for your flu shot
BAYSIDE COMMUNITY AWARDS CELEBRATE LOCAL HEROES
The Bayside Community Awards 2025 were announced recently recognising the wonderful work of residents who make Bayside a great place to live and work.
Jacqueline Pascarl OAM was named Bayside’s Citizen of the Year for her outstanding support of local veterans, her advocacy for women’s health, and her compassionate care for patients. She also raises funds for the Hampton RSL. Young Citizen of the Year went to Sofia Edwards who, at 16 years old, has dedicated her time to volunteering at her local Salvation Army,
assisting at citizenship ceremonies and teaching sustainability through sewing workshops. Jane Barker was named Senior Citizen of the Year for her 25-year commitment to volunteering at the Riding for the Disabled Association in Moorabbin, where she has helped individuals with disabilities experience the therapeutic benefits of horse riding. Known as the ‘Mayor of Church Street’, James Duchini is the Volunteer of the Year. He arrives early each day to help local businesses set up, offering a friendly greeting and ensuring the day begins smoothly for local shops and cafes. The Environmental Organisation or Individual award
NEW MELBOURNE EXHIBITION TO CELEBRATE VIDEO GAME HISTORY
A new Melbourne-made exhibition will explore the rich history of video games and celebrate the next generation of game developers. Titled Game Worlds, the exhibition will premiere at ACMI in September. Spanning from the groundbreaking games of the 1970s to today’s most popular titles, it will feature original concept art, rare objects, playable demos, and never-before-seen designs
went to 3191 Beach Patrol and Love Our Street. These communitydriven groups work tirelessly to keep Bayside clean and fight plastic pollution through regular cleanup efforts at local beaches, streets, and open spaces. Stuart Place’s heartfelt bike ride to raise funds for life-saving treatment for his son Will, as well as other children with similar brain diseases, earned him the Community Event of the Year award. Stuart rode 15,451 kilometres over 50 days, rallying the Bayside community to support a cause close to his heart.
Congratulations to all the winners who received awards for positively impacting our community.
from iconic games. This marks ACMI’s third major video game exhibition. Victoria stands as Australia’s hub for game development, home to 44% of the country’s game studios and 57% of its game workforce. Game Worlds will run from 18 September 2025 to 8 February 2026, alongside a program of film screenings, talks, community nights, family activities, and industry and fan events. Pre-sale tickets will be available from 3 July, with general public sales beginning on 17 July.
3191 Beach Patrol & Love Our Street with Bayside City Council Mayor Cr Hanna El Mouallem (middle)
Photo: Bayside City Council FB
Event of the Year - Stuart Place (left) with Bayside City Council Mayor Cr Hanna El Mouallem (right)
Senior Citizen of the Year - Jane Baker (left) with Bayside City Council Mayor Cr Hanna El Mouallem (right)
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
DELAY ST KILDA MARINA OVERHAUL
The redevelopment of St Kilda Marina has hit a snag, but we’re promised it’s moving forward. Amid economic challenges, the Australian Marina Development Corporation (AMDC) will not be proceeding with the redevelopment of the St Kilda Marina. The City of Port Phillip entered into a long-term lease
with AMDC in 2020 to redevelop the Marina. Since then, there have been economic challenges, significant rises in construction costs and uncertainty with historical soil contamination across the site. As a result of AMDC not recommitting to the redevelopment when the final extension period expired at the end of March, the Port Phillip Council has implemented a contingency plan to ensure the Marina remains
operational. This includes a shortterm, 3.5-year ‘interim’ lease with AMDC. Under this arrangement, the council will receive about $1.8 million in rent over the lease term, allowing the Marina to continue operations while the council works towards a longer-term solution. This will likely involve going to market again to seek new proposals to redevelop the Marina. The Marina remains open and operational for the community.
St Kilda Marina redevelopment render
ALBERT PARK SPORTS SAVES WITH SOLAR POWER
Community sports clubs at Albert Park are reaping the benefits of solar energy, with the successful installation of solar panels and batteries. Nine batteries and 196 solar panels have successfully been installed on the rooftops of nine sporting facilities at Albert Park which are now generating and storing their own renewable energy. This will significantly reduce energy costs for the sporting clubs, allowing local clubs to invest those savings back into their sports programs. The nine facilities that now have solar include, Beaurepaire Pavilion, Carmelite Tennis Club Pavilion, Clarke Shields Pavilion, David Mandie Pavilion, Holdsworth Pavilion, Pavilion at Field 18/19, Plant Williamson Rowing Pavilion, Sea Scouts Building and Stuart King Pavilion.
THE BAYSIDE TOILET UPGRADES NEVER END
One of the most recurring bits of news we come across in Bayside at the moment is public toilet upgrades. This time, it’s Billilla Historic Mansion public toilers. The number of cubicles will increase from three to seven, including two ambulant and one accessible cubicle. External handwashing facilities will be added, along with a new design, improved pathways and landscaping, and a new drinking fountain. This is all being done because Billilla is a popular community space often used for events, and the existing toilets often lead to long queues. This project
is funded by Bayside Council and will cost $950,000. Work started in April and will take three months. But that’s not all! See, we did say the toilet upgrades never end. Over winter, a new double-cubicle public toilet will be built on Thomas Street, Hampton, near the shopping strip. Works begin in June and will take up to three months. It’s being built next to the current Exeloo which will be removed to allow for new landscaping, seating, a drinking fountain and bicycle parking. One accessible car park will be relocated closer to the upgraded public toilet for improved convenience. A royal flush for Hampton.
FREE PADS AND TAMPONS FOR MELBOURNE
Free pads and tampons can now be accessed across metropolitan Melbourne thanks to new vending machines. The first phase of this initiative was recently completed, and saw 50 vending machines installed. So far more than 20,000 free period products have been dispensed from the machines, which are equipped with technology that monitors stock levels in real time. The statewide launch will soon be underway. Throughout 2025, over 1,450 additional machines will be installed at up to 700 sites across the whole of Victoria. Access to pads and tampons is a basic need, so this is all-round great news. The Better Health Channel website has an interactive map where you can search for the nearest vending machines by entering your location, betterhealth.vic.gov.au/freepads-and-tampons.
MPs and sport club owners at new solar power battery for Albert Park
Free pad and tampon vending machine
Billilla Historic Mansion public toilet upgrade render
BASKETBALL PLAYMAKER BEC ALLEN
Melbourne’s Bec Allen is a prominent playmaker with the Australian Opals national basketball team and the Chicago Sky in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the highest league in the US. Now, she adds ‘shoe designer’ to her impressive resume.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I was born in the country, in Wangaratta. Now I’m living in Melbourne where I’ve bought my own place.
You’ve come back from an injury ahead of playing with the Australian Opals at the Paris Olympics last year. How has that journey been? It was a hard year. I think everything that could have gone wrong professionally did. I got injured the day before the start of the Olympics and was replaced. Then I ended up having back surgery after that, so I missed the rest of the WNBA season. Everything went a little pear shaped for me. So I’ve taken my time with this rehab to make sure that I’m ready to go for this next season. My goal is to stay healthy.
You’ve recently been commentating on the Australian NBL in season 24/25. Do you enjoy being courtside?
Yeah, I really enjoy that! I find it so fun because you get that adrenaline rush. Being involved in commentary, which is live, there’s that pressure to be switched on. It emulates what you get whilst you’re playing, in terms of that adrenaline.
Your 2025 season with the Chicago Sky is approaching. How are you feeling? I’ve put in a lot of work this off season physically, so I think this could be the strongest I’ve gone into a season. I don’t know this club or organisation, but sometimes the best things have come from those unknowns. I found that last time I got traded, it ended up being a really good thing for me.
Is there a favourite highlight from your career so far? Right now what I’m proudest of is my longevity in the WNBA. For this to be my 10th year is pretty big and it’s something I’m quite proud of because it’s not easy to achieve.
What’s one thing about being a professional basketball player you wish more people knew? I think everyone sees the games, the performances, the results, but sometimes the fun stuff is what’s off court. I try to keep that balance of exploring and experiencing. I’ve lived in European countries and America. When I was in Phoenix I made sure I hiked as much as I could because I love being outdoors. So for me it’s really embracing the culture of where you are.
Tell us about your collaboration with Naked Sole. This is such a fun thing and nothing that I ever anticipated would happen. I’ve always struggled to find shoes because I’m a size 12. Then I saw her (Katia Galam’s) brand Naked Sole online
through Instagram. I bought a pair and then I reached out to her to say thank you, because it’s so hard to find nice shoes in bigger sizes. And then we ended up getting on a Zoom call and then that led to us collaborating on and creating a shoe together. Kat is just an awesome person and it’s fun doing cool things with good people.
What does it mean to you personally to be able to put this out in the world? The shoe goes up to size 15, which is pretty unreal. I think it’s a confidence piece for people to look good and feel good. So many of us, especially athletes who are taller or tall people in general, find it hard to find quality shoes. When you have big events or functions, you don’t want to wear sneakers.
Your favourite place in Melbourne for… Breakfast: Barton Milk Bar in Hawthorn. They’ve got bacon and egg which is wildly good. Lunch: Lunch is brunch in my opinion. There’s a spot in Richmond I go to, Touchwood. Their super food salad is my thing. Dinner: I don’t have a favourite spot, but I always love Thai food.
Bec wearing the Naked Sole shoes she designed
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Plan your months ahead with these great events to enjoy in
Bayside,
Port Phillip and beyond
MAY
20Blockbuster musical Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular plays Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena. A huge production designed specifically for larger venues. 14-25 May. 7:30pm tonight.
21Book yourself in for a meal and night of wordsmith entertainment at Vino E Vita, Highett, as Shakespeare in the Pub comes to Bayside. 6:30pm-9pm.
23See the 20 finalist pieces from the Ellen Jose Student Reconciliation Awards, bringing awareness of reconciliation through art, at Bayside Corporate Centre. Today until 25 July.
24Enjoy a South American party at the Rio Carnival Big Night Ou t at Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron. Authentic food, fire, dance and DJ. 6:30pm-11pm.
27Explore your creativity with an open session at Paint for Fun in Port Melbourne. In a relaxed environment, feel free to create whatever you want. Walk-ins welcome, various dates available.
28Enjoy Madeleine Cleary discussing her new romance and mystery novel, The Butterfly Women, with fellow author Marion Taffe at Brighton Library, 6pm7pm. Free.
29It’s Drag Bingo night with Della Katessen at The Local Taphouse, St Kilda. Expect a night full of laughs, glamour, and fabulous prizes. 7pm-8:30pm.
22Star Wars fever continues at Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert. Watch the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra bring John Williams’ epic score to life at Hamer Hall, Southbank.
25Come see the K-pop showdown at Fed Square tonight, 6:30pm-8:30pm, as part of the two-day Korea Festival that opened yesterday.
26Reconnect with yourself at Feel Good Flows - beginner yoga and breathwork every Monday night at 104 Canterbury Road, Middle Park. You pay what you feel its worth.
30Brighton Theatre Company present two one act plays backto-back, until 7 June: a classic monologue, A Lady of Letters and The Rats, by Agatha Christie. 8pm.
Photo: FB
A massive set from Les Mis Arena Tour
Get ready for Della Katessen to host drag trivia Yoga at the park
Details subject to change. Check in with individual events for further details. Got an event coming up? Email us at hello@melbournebaycourier.com.au
EVENTS
JUNE
01One of the greatest of French operas, Samson and Delilah, tells the story of seduction and downfall, and it’s playing the Palais Theatre in St Kilda today at 2:30pm, and 3 June at 6:30pm.
04Melbourne’s annual winter festival
RISING opens today, spilling out onto city streets until 15 June. The program is full of musical acts, plays, and quirky things both major and underground.
05The St Kilda Film Festival, showcasing Australia’s top short films, opens today until 15 June across several Port Phillip venues.
Indie pop band Japanese Breakfast bring their acclaimed sound to the big stage at PICA, Port Melbourne, in their first Australian show in eight years. 6:30pm start.
06From Harbour to Harbour 2 is a concert combining the soulful Ney-anbān of southern Iran with the deep resonance of the didgeridoo, at The National Theatre, St Kilda. 7pm.
07Oz Comic-Con fills Melbourne Convention Centre for a two-day celebration of pop culture. There’ll be cosplays, panels, and famous guests, from Catherine Tate to Giancarlo Esposito.
08Celebrate the long weekend at Spice Market with Sundaylicious, a night of cocktails, music, dancing, and luxe vibes. Dress up, bring your crew, and feel the heat. 8pm until late.
12Legendary Hollywood icon, activist, and author Jane Fonda tells her life story at Melbourne Convention Centre tonight, 7pm-8:45pm.
13Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes performs his Defiant Tour in St Kilda’s Palais Theatre tonight and tomorrow. 8pm both nights.
Local roots rocker Joshua Batten brings his guitar skills and inspirational lyrics to Moorabbin pub, Wilbury & Sons. 7pm.
Night and Roar at the Club Katy Afterparty, Chasers Nightclub from 10pm.
FURTHER AFIELD
Events and adventures a little further out…
Tastes of Greater Geelong (20 June - 20 July )
For a full month the Greater Geelong region plays host to this annual food festival highlighting its best in food, drink and hospitality. The delicious program features cooking classes, guest chefs, special winter menus, and more.
Soul Night Market
Mornington (13 June, 11 July, 8 August)
Warm yourself in the depths of winter by making your way down to the Peninsula Community Theatre in Mornington for the Soul Night Market. Shop, eat, drink and socialise as you explore more than 60 market stalls.
19Pop into Cheltenham brewery Bad Shepherd Brewing Co for a fun bit of pub trivia. Starting at 7pm, it’s free to play with plenty of prizes on offer.
20Step into a world of wonder as Lightscape returns to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne this winter from today until 10 August, transforming the gardens into a display of lights.
National Celtic Folk Festival (6-9 June)
Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula comes alive this winter with this four-day folk and Celtic festival. Enjoy live music, markets, food, theatre, dancing, kids’ fun, caber tossing, hurling, and more. Drive or ferry in with Port Phillip Ferries.
Solstice Search Party (21 June)
Spend the shortest day of the year (and perhaps the weekend) in the Great Ocean Road town of Warrnambool. There’ll be a fantastic array of live music, a selection of local delights in the gourmet foodie zone, and a fire effigy to keep warm.
Japanese Breakfast plays Melbourne for the first time in eight years
Jimmy Barnes will be playing in St Kilda
RISING returns this winter
PICKING ONE LOCAL OLIVE AT A TIME
Port Phillip has over 800 olive trees lining its streets, meaning plenty of olives go to waste. That’s where the Port Phillip Pickers come in. Founded by Isabel Gardner and Agnieszka Majer, this community group rescues olives and turns them into oil. We spoke with Isabel to learn more.
What do the Port Phillip Pickers do? We are a small community group who are passionate about reconnecting our community with local food production and lowering food waste. Our main project is to pick unwanted fruit from the public olive trees in our area and turn it into City of Port Phillip Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We also run workshops teaching the community how to select and prepare their own cured olives.
How did the group come about? Agnieszka and I met through the City of Port Phillip Environmental Leaders Program in 2022. This is a great free program that supports participants to activate a local sustainability project. In that course we came up with this idea and got it running.
Why are there so many olive trees in Port Phillip? Great question, where did the 800 plus olives come from?! We believe many olive trees in Port Phillip were planted by post-war
Asian Noodle Soups
Comforting yet invigorating, Asian noodle soups are a great meal when you need something delicious to warm you. Here are three spots to slurp up a bowl.
European immigrants who have made up an important part of the community for many years. The Council also selects them as a hardy low maintenance street tree. And we still see new trees popping up on nature strips today as we aim to beautify our local streetscapes.
How do you think the initiative helps people? We love bringing people together around a shared interest or passion. We help people to learn new skills. Olive brining is so simple and it is really satisfying to cure your own delicious homemade olives from an otherwise wasted source. Lastly, it is fun for all involved to pick the fruit and create great quality,
delicious and useful extra virgin olive oil from our own front yards!
How can people get their hands on the oil? Everyone who participates in the picking gets an equal share of the oil produced. Once it has settled, we organise a “bottling celebration” where those who picked can come and enjoy the company of the other pickers and bottle their oil to take home.
How can people get involved? Anyone is welcome to come along and pick, or join one of our workshops. We aim to keep everything free. We coordinate the group on Facebook.
2
3
Photos: Dagach, Buffalo Boy, Mid
Isabel (left) and Agnieszka
Korean Naengmyeon Vietnamese Pho Malaysian Laksa
TOASTY ROAST PUMPKIN AND TOMATO SOUP
Serves 4-5
Ingredients:
1 whole pumpkin (Butternut or Kent)
4 large tomatoes or a punnet of cherry tomatoes
1 red onion, quartered
3 cloves of garlic, whole and peeled
4 cups water/salt reduced chicken stock
4 tbsp olive oil
Fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
Method:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Peel and cut pumpkin and tomatoes into similar size chunks and add to a roasting pan with olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, onions, garlic.
Roast for 20 minutes or until pumpkin is soft and tomatoes are caramelised. Transfer everything to a large pot with the water/stock, then bring to the boil. Blitz with a stick blender or very carefully pour all ingredients into a blender and blitz until super smooth.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a zesty twist, you can squeeze over quarter of a lemon and top with fresh parsley. You could also crumble some feta over the top or keep it classic with a swirl of sour cream.
Serve immediately and enjoy with crusty bread.
WINE
LUXE
Kay Brothers GSM ($33)
Hailing from McLaren Vale’s oldest family-run winery (established in 1890!), this GSM is a modern tribute to tradition. Crafted in a Rhôneinspired style using Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro, it brings together the best of each grape: Grenache for brightness and lift, Shiraz for intensity, and Mataro for grounding tannin.
Set the vibe:
Music: Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
LUXE & LESS
Food: Lamb koftas with yoghurt
When: Later in the night
LESS
Kalleske Clarry’s GSM ($23)
This bottle pays homage to the owner’s grandfather who nurtured the family’s Barossa Valley vineyards from the late 1920s until the ’90s. The wine’s backbone comes from old vine Grenache, some dating back to 1940, alongside Shiraz and Mataró vines aged up to fifty years. The very vines that Clarry tended to back in the day.
Set the vibe:
Music: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down by Joan Baez
Food: Pepper steak
When: When the night’s chill descends
DON’T MISS
The Little Food Market
From 18-20 July, The Little Food Market comes to the historic Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. Here, you can join a gathering of over 200 esteemed producers, winemakers, and distillers, and learn their stories. This will showcase the essence of Australian culinary craftsmanship. Think everything from artisan cheeses and boutique wines to oils. Admission starts from $15, with complimentary entry for children under 12 (accompanied by an adult).
An autumn classic
Kustom Timber branches out into a new showroom in the heart of Cremorne.
Kustom Timber, Australia’s leading timber flooring company has opened their latest architectural masterpiece showroom in the heart of Melbourne’s design precinct, Cremorne.
Spanning across an impressive 586 square metres, Kustom Timbers’ newest addition combines industrial heritage and design to create a canvas for showcasing Kustom Timbers’ premium engineered timber and cork flooring collections. This thoughtfully designed space combines sleek modern designs with an immersive display that showcases the beauty of luxury flooring.
The contemporary showroom space represents the evolution of Kustom Timbers’ showroom concepts brought to life by Melbourne designer, Studio Griffiths. Kustom Timbers’ iconic pivoting display frames encasing engineered timber and cork selections, with their unique custom stains, premium oil and lacquer finishes display multiple selections from Kustom Timbers’ 5 diverse flooring ranges, allowing visitors to immerse themselves within the world of premium engineered timber and cork flooring.
But the experience doesn’t end there – KT’s Cremorne flagship showroom is equipped with a design consultation room, elevating client experiences to new heights. The dedicated design space serves as a creative office where interior designers, architects and retail clients can directly collaborate with Kustom Timbers’ in-house design consultants to explore and discover flooring solutions to complement any vision, plan or project, no matter what scope or size. Enhanced by visualisation technology, the design consultation room allows clients to experience their selections in various different contexts, filling them with the confidence that their choices are perfectly suited to their vision.
“We have created a space that allows our clients and design consultants to explore creativity and precision. Whether you’re an architect working on a commercial project, or a DIYer building your forever home, our showroom fosters an environment to explore the versatility of the Kustom Timber product range and bring your vision to life.”
The opening of the Cremorne showroom marks another milestone in Kustom Timber’s journey to transform the Australian timber flooring industry. Combining contemporary design, personalised client consultations and unmatched product offerings, Kustom Timbers’ flagship showroom redefines the standards of timber flooring retail experiences.
FROM BRIGHTON GRAMMAR TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD
The early 1900s was peak Antarctic fever. You couldn’t throw a snowball without hitting a polar explorer trying to outdo the last guy. Among the illustrious list of explorers, scientists, and dreamers were two Brighton Grammar School boys who, instead of settling for a normal life, found themselves deep in Antarctic blizzards.
Andrew Keith Jack and Lionel George Hooke were part of a support crew for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s illfated 1914 expedition to cross Antarctica. Shackleton had a plan: be the first to cross the entire frozen continent via the South Pole. His ship Endurance would head in from one side, the Weddell Sea, while a support party would lay out supply depots across the Ross Sea side, which would help cover the final quarter of Shackleton’s journey. It is this support party that Jack and Hooke found themselves a part of.
Jack was a star student. He played sport, wrote poetry, and became the first Brighton Grammar School graduate to earn a Master of Science from the University of Melbourne. Hooke, meanwhile, had an unusual hobby for a schoolboy. While his classmates were kicking footballs, Hooke was listening to wireless communication and learning about marine activity. Their individual passions made them ideal candidates for an Antarctic expedition.
On Christmas Day 1914, they set sail from Hobart aboard the Aurora. Jack became the expedition’s meteorologist, while Hooke, of course, was the wireless operator. It wasn’t exactly luxe. The support party had inadequate food supplies, clothing and tents, and both the men and the huskies had limited training.
food, equipment and fuel were aboard the Aurora, so they had to search for long-forgotten food caches buried in the snow from previous expeditions. The men improvised to stay alive, from hunting seals to making clothes out of tents.
They also had a job to do. Stranded on the frozen continent with little resources, they pressed on with the second season of depot-laying. Once the task was complete, they began the long journey back to their home camp. This entire second season lasted 198 days, the longest sledging journey by elapsed time of any expedition up to that point. Sadly, three men died during this time.
Jack became the expedition’s meteorologist, while Hooke, of course, was the wireless operator
After four months of dropping off supply depots on an icy wasteland, the shore party returned to find their ship gone. Blown out to sea in a severe gale, attached to a large ice floe. Jack and Hooke were separated, with Jack on land and Hooke on the boat.
The Aurora was trapped in ice for almost a year. Hooke spent that time tinkering with a dodgy radio transmitter-receiver with a range of about 200 kilometres. He made it go to 900. This enabled him to contact New Zealand and Tasmania in March 1916, to start rescue plans for the shore team. When the Aurora became free, the men aboard sailed it to New Zealand.
As for the shore team, which included Jack, things were dire. Most of the shore party’s personal gear,
Back in New Zealand, the Aurora was repaired then sent to Antarctica to rescue the shore party. On 10 January 1917, the Aurora reached the survivors’ home camp. The survivors were astonished to see the face of Shackleton. It turned out all of their depot-laying efforts were in vain. The Endurance had become trapped in pack ice early in its journey, was crushed and sunk and Shackleton’s party was forced to camp on an ice floe before being rescued.
When the men returned to civilisation, they met a world torn apart by war. Both Jack and Hooke went on to serve in World War I, with Jack working in an explosives factory, and Hooke a deck officer on submarine chasers.
In their older years, Jack was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian Chemical Institute, while Hooke received a knighthood and became chairman of a wireless tech business. The British government gave them both the Polar Medal for their efforts in Antarctica.
Photo: State Library Victoria
Expedition members from the Aurora, including Andrew Jack (possibly, left), John Cope (middle), Lionel Hooke (right), c. 1914-17
BEAUMARIS BRILLIANCE
COASTAL LUXURY REDEFINED AT 88 CROMER ROAD
A new benchmark in contemporary family luxury has arrived in one of Bayside’s most coveted locations!
The
THE AGENTS
Omar Sirianni | 0402 425 976
Claude Makdesi | 0405 342 244
HOW TO BUILD A WINE CELLAR
Awine cellar is the ultimate indulgence for anyone who considers themselves a true oenophile. A place where your love of wine moves beyond the bottle and becomes part of your home, your own little cellar door.
Location
Your wine cellar should be placed in a cool, dry area of your home with little to no natural light and no vibrations.
Space
If you have the space and funds, your wine cellar could be a whole dedicated room, but there’s nothing wrong with utilising a smaller space. A cellar can be built into an unused cabinet, cupboard or pantry, under stairs, or in any nook and cranny that suits. It also depends on how many bottles you intend to display. 500 will need their own room, but under a 100 could go in many places.
Temperature
A wine in want of a long life must be kept at a consistent temperature of 12-14 degrees celsius, and a humidity level of 55% to 75%. Anything out of those ranges can be detrimental to the wines. Some
people get a cellar conditioner to ensure this - an air conditioner specifically made for cellars that also handles humidity.
Insulation
Without the right insulation, you could triple the amount of work your wine cellar conditioner has to do. While it’s tempting to use single-glazed glass in your wine cellar to show off all your bottles, it will not cut it when it comes to insulation. It’s best to go with double glazed glass infused with argon. That way, the space will be more efficient and last longer.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation is also very important. The cellar is almost like a fridge, and so moisture will be produced that will need to be drained off. A floor rain, sink, or condensation pump will help.
Racking
Corked wine bottles should be stored on their side, keeping the wine in constant contact with the cork. A moist cork remains swollen, preventing air from reaching the wine. This reduces the risk of premature aging through oxidation,
2 Cosham Street, Brighton
Indicative price: $5m - $5.5m
Agent: Andy Nasr and Simon Monnier-Penny, Marshall White
Property Lens
118 Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park
Indicative price: $3.3m - $3.6m
Agent: James Nicolau and Alejandro Torres, James Nicolau
which occurs when oxygen reaches the wine, turning it to vinegar. There’s all different kinds of racking to store your wines on, and it depends on your priorities. Do you want to maximise capacity or a pretty display? Do you want a purely functional space, or one to entertain guests? Modern or traditional? Your answers will help you shop.
Cost
Okay, this all sounds like a lot, but will it cost a lot? A home wine cellar can be built for as little as a few thousand dollars for small scale set ups, to upwards of $100,000+ if you’re going large. There’s a few Australian businesses who specialise in wine cellars and their management.
14 Bayview Road, Beaumaris
Indicative price: $1.5m - $1.6m
Agent: Archer Cooney and Michael Cooney, Hodges
GLOBAL INSPO FOR YOUR HOME
Looking to refresh your home with new ideas? The rich cultural diversity of our planet offers an endless array of interior design styles. Join us as we take a journey around the world to discover which country will inspire your next project.
Scandinavian hygge
The Danish concept of hygge is all about embracing cosiness, simplicity, and being present. If you’ve ever felt the comfort of curling up with a book and a cup of tea by a heater on a cold winter ’s day, you’ve experienced hygge. It might be one of the reasons Denmark ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world. When it comes to home decor, hygge emphasises warmth and minimalism. Soft fabrics like throw blankets, cushions, and faux fur rugs help with this. Choose neutral tones for walls, and bring in natural elements like wood and plants.
Japanese wabi-sabi
Unlike modern principles that emphasise perfection, wabi-sabi is an ancient Japanese aesthetic focused on embracing and finding beauty in the imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. For instance, a vase gains character when it has a crack or chip, or a stone structure becomes more intriguing as it’s overtaken by moss. It’s about accepting change and appreciating the natural cycle of life. Natural materials (wood, stone, clay) and handcrafted items are key for a wabi-sabiinspired interior. Minimalism is also important, so have sparse furniture and open floor plans. Opt for neutral, muted colors and furniture with clean lines and minimal ornamentation.
French provincial Farmhouse, but French? That’s the essence of French provincial decor. It combines the rustic comfort of a country house with chic Parisian elegance, and it mixes simplicity with delicate detailing, making use of distressed woods and vintage French furniture. Parquet, the geometric wooden patterns used for decoration, is a hallmark. Another defining feature is wrought iron in furniture and stair railings. Furniture often features cabriole legs, curved outward at the top and inward at the foot. To complete the look, incorporate
exposed beams and subtle pops of colour against warm tones.
Moroccan lavishness
It’s easy to recognise a Moroccanstyle home by its rich colors, velvet textures, geometric-patterned tiles, plants, and mahogany accents. A traditional Moroccan Berber rug is essential. Layer fabrics like cushions, rugs, throws, and poufs. The colours of Morocco are vibrant, so go with cobalt blues and saffron yellows. For metallic finishes, choose warm tones like brass, gold, and copper. Tiles are a staple in Moroccan design, with Zellige tiles being preferred for their brightness and details.
California cool
Cali cool is the relaxed and beachoriented lifestyle or surfer culture. It blends coastal and bohemian vibes, with touches of Scandi and mid-century thrown in. Brightness is key, so opt for a bright white color palette with subtle accents of brown and orange. Declutter for spaciousness, ditch heavy curtains to let the sunshine in, and the more wood you can showcase, the better. Rattan-style furniture evokes that beachside atmosphere. When it comes to plants, go for cacti and succulents. A quick way to nail that Cali look is by displaying a surfboard, guitar, or sunhat - even if you don’t use them. Sometimes, it’s okay to be a poser.
Moroccan
Hygge
Wabi-sabi
COMMUNITY SPORT REPORT GAME TIME
OSCAR PIASTRI TOPS F1 LEADERBOARD
The last time we reported on Brighton-raised racing superstar Oscar Piastri, he’d taken his first win of the 2025 season at the Chinese Grand Prix. Now he’s secured more stunning victories. First at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix in early May. He came third in the Japanese Grand Prix before these. At the time of print, Piastri currently sits first place in the F1 driver standings, making him the first Australian to lead the points in 15 years.
CHELTENHAM FOOTY CAPTAIN PLAYS 200TH GAME
On ANZAC Day, the Cheltenham Netball Football Club celebrated more than just a footy victory against Bentleigh Football and Netball Club. One of the team’s members, dual senior premiership captain Jack Worrell, played his 200th senior game. Jack kicked a last quarter goal that helped steer the team to victory, which he followed up by celebrating with spectators behind the goals. On social media, the Club wrote, “If anything was more appropriate it was that he (Jack) played his 200th game on
Anzac Day. A day when mateship and sacrifice are two of the most important traits that summarise our Anzac spirit, the same two traits that make Jack the mate, teammate, and captain he is. It is no coincidence that our success as a club is aligned with the growth of him as a leader. Enjoy the spotlight skipper, you deserve it.”
BLACK ROCK BOYS KEEP TENNIS STREAK GOING
Four young tennis players from the Black Rock Sports Club recently won the State League Championships in section 5, at the MCC Glen Iris Valley Tennis Club. As a team, Luke, Max, Jack, and Joseph represented Bayside, competing against seven other teams from across Victoria. In the final they beat Grovedale (Geelong) 27-19. This comes after Luke, Jack, and Joseph, along with Manol and Oliver, won the grand final in the Summer Men’s Section 11 Premiership. Super effort.
GOLF LEGEND’S FIRST CAREER WIN SINCE 2002
A member of the Woodlands Golf Club in Mordialloc has gone on to win a victory on the PGA Tour Champions. Steve Allan won The Galleri Classic, an annual stop on the PGA Tour, at Mission Hills Country Club in California. It’s his first career win since 2002, when he won the Australian Open.
HAMPTON SKUNKS SECURE IRB VICTORY
Hampton Life Saving Club hosted an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) racing carnival over the ANZAC Day long weekend. It was a great start to the season as the Club’s home team, the Hampton Skunks, took first place in the open competition. Their U23s
took third place at the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club.
GREAT WEEKENDS FOR THE HOUSE
St Kilda’s Power House Amateur Football Club has been winning left and right this season so far. In round one, their men’s Reserves and Seniors beat Swinburne Uni, then in round two the men’s Reserves and Seniors dominated against Eley Park. In round three, which took place on the ANZAC long weekend, the women’s team brought home their first victory of the season against Therry Penola, while the men kept their streak going with wins against Chadstone.
INTO YOUR ARMS AGAIN
The Beaumaris Soccer Club’s Senior Women’s had a strong start to their 2025 season, followed by appropriate celebration by jumping into each other’s arms. In State League 1, they beat Croydon City 3-1, and in State League 4, they beat Skye United in a whopping 14-0. In Reserves, they lost to Croydon City 1-3.
Beaumaris Soccer Club’s Senior Womens team celebrating first victory of the season
