Benny Issue 10 - Summer 22-23

ISSUE 10 / SUMMER 22-23

Pinocchios

One of the coast’s best fine dining experiences - and that’s no lie.

Salty Lap

Answering the most asked question to everyone on the Aussie lap.

Local Apparel

Discover the freshest apparel range by the raddest crew.

© 2023 Studio Benny

The information contained in Benny Magazine is given in good faith and believed to be accurate at time of printing.

The contents of this publication are subject to copyright and cannot be reproduced in any shape or form without written consent from Studio Benny or Benny Supply & Co.

hello@studiobenny.com.au www.bennysupplyco.com.au

Benny Supply & Co Central Coast, NSW Australia

Publication designed by Natalie Wabbis. Cover image by @fromabove.images

Artist of Creativity

CONTRIBUTORS

Natalie Wabbis Editor in Chief, Creative Director & Founder Jess Moroney Benny Eats Out Claire van Poppel Weekend Warrior Sacha Guggenheimer Sustainable Future Series

Heath Crawley Tiki Picks S&P Wabbis Proofreaders

Happy Days.

Finally... summer has arrived! Undoubtedly the best time of the year - prove us wrong. But this is also our 10TH ISSUE! Is that not mind-blowing? Can you believe it? We’re not quite sure we can. What a wild ride it’s been getting here, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

This issue is stacked with adventure, creative talent, local brands and music and a must-try eat. It’s time. Head in to summer with Benny at your fingertips.

To our writers, readers, followers and advertisersthank you for sticking it out with us and supporting Benny to keep our magazine in motion. We wouldn’t be here without your continued support. Whether you’ve been with us from day one, or this is your first time supporting Benny, it means the world just the same.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Benny and how you can help support our magazine, please get in contact with us via our website or socials.

For now, welcome to summer.

Please recycle.

Pinocchios

Leong

Salty Lap

Music News

Cover image by @fromabove.images

IMAGES

ONE OF THE BEST ITALIAN FEEDS ON THE CENTRAL COAST - AND THERE’S NO NOSE GROWING FOLLOWING THIS STATEMENT.

If you didn’t know that Gosford was housing this hidden gem, where have you been? It’s broody, it’s moody and it’s absolutely delicious. Imagine yourself in the heart and soul of Italy, except it’s just down the road. Pinocchio’s Wine and Pizza is more than just a restaurant - it is a destination!

The bar is front and centre in this wonderful restaurant, with the staff busy mixing and concocting some pretty wonderful magic in there. In true authentic style, wine is front and centre. Picture endless options, an extensive wine list and a buzz of “mmmmmmm’s” and “ahhhhhhhh’s”. For my fellow cocktail lovers, they’ve got classics covered (hello espresso martini!), some amazing originals (the ‘Miami Heat’ is a MUST!) and always have some absolutely banging specials to keep you on your toes.

Delightful morsels - it’s the only way to describe the food! The buzz of conversation is paused when that first bite hits your mouth, because the best food is always celebrated with silent appreciation first. The mission is simple: serve delicious food, exciting food that guests will want to return for - and you’ll leave planning your next reservation to try all the dishes you didn’t get to. But if you need some guidance, the Polpette and the Mushroom Arancini are an absolute hit! Tasty and satisfying with each chew and full of flavour. The traditional plate of steaming carbonara is another favourite - crispy, smoky pancetta and authentic sauce just really takes you to Italy with every bite. Pizza lovers eat your heart out: the list and flavours give you any and every option you need (but can I just say, the Prawn Pizza is YUM!) Obviously the second stomach comes into play for dessert and, even if you’re full, the cannoli is never a bad idea.

Now, all that’s left to do is plan your visit! You’ve got a lazy lunch option on Fridays and Saturdays from 12-3pm or dinner at your fingertips Tuesday through Saturday 4-9pm. No occasion necessary, just grab yourself a guest and go! Give them a call or book online, and have fun deciding what to start with from this wonderful menu.

Pinocchios Wine + Pizza Bar $$ 32 William Street, Gosford NSW

SunButter Skincare

When we first learnt about this in 2016 we were working as photographers and whale shark guides on the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef, a fringing coral reef that stretches an impressive 260km of Australia’s north west coastline.

Have you ever had the experience of sliding into the turquoise waters that blanket these colourful reefs, bobbing around like a neoprene blimp observing their day to day lives? Then you’d appreciate that these bustling underwater cities of vibrant coloured structures bearing a resemblance to Cinque Terre are biodiversity hotspots believed by scientists to have the

highest biodiversity of any ecosystem on the planet - even more than a tropical rainforest. Oh yes! From a wildlife perspective these magnificent underwater cities are home to a whopping twenty-five percent of the oceans’ species. If they were to collapse many of these animals would not have a home to survive and thrive. From a humanitarian lens coral reefs provide an estimated 500 million people with food, medicine, protection from storms and revenue from fishing and tourism - a global economic value of $375 billion a year. With so many reasons to protect these incredible ecosystems we decided we had to stop using chemical sunscreen.

MORNINGTON PENINSULA, VIC

EACH YEAR SOME 14,000 TONNES OF SUNSCREEN CHEMICALS WASH OFF BEACHGOERS AND END UP IN THE OCEAN, WHERE THEY BECOME TOXIC TO MARINE LIFE.

At the time there were no sunscreen products on the market that used only mineral based UV blockers, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Why are mineral UV blockers more environmentally friendly than chemical UV blockers you ask? Great question. Well, in 2016 a team of international scientists found that a common chemical in many sunscreen lotions and cosmetics is highly toxic to juvenile corals and other marine life. Oxybenzone, or BP-3, is found in more than 3,500 skin care products worldwide for protection against the sun’s harmful effects. The compound has been found entering the environment both through wastewater effluent and directly from swimmers wearing sunscreens. Their study showed four major toxic effects in early developing coral: increased susceptibility to bleaching, DNA damage, abnormal skeleton growth, and gross deformities of baby coral. The authors of the study conclude that nontoxic oxybenzone alternatives are critical for protecting reefs and the exacerbating effects posed by climate change and bleaching. Since 2016 a list of a dozen toxic sunscreen chemicals has been compiled. Find the HEL list online and test it out against your sunscreen ingredients! The least toxic UV blockers to our skin and the sea have now been identified as non-nano particle zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Now we know, swapping your sunscreen from a chemical UV blocker to a mineral UV blocker is a simple way to help keep our coral reefs healthy. That’s why in 2017 when we were working in the whale shark tourism industry and still needing to wear sunscreen, Tom and I started handmaking SunButter prototypes before teaming up with a pharmaceutical partner to launch our 50 SPF, 4 hours water resistant, reef-safe TGA listed sunscreen. We’ve since gone on to ensure that all our products are made from sustainably sourced ingredients, packaged in zero to minimal plastic, are vegan, palm oil free certified, made in a solar powered factory, formulated for sensitive skin and won’t sting your eyes. Suncare that cares for your skin and the sea.

www.sunbutteroceans.com.au Instagram // @sunbutterskincare

IMAGES SUPPLIED BY @SUNBUTTERSKINCARE

Chico Leong

MELBOURNE, VIC

Who are you and what do you do? My name is Nick Leong, but most people know me as Chico. I’m a Graphic Artist currently focusing on collage art. I’ve been doing that for the last few years.

How long have you been a creative for? I’ve been creative my whole life, but I’ve only taken it seriously in the last 6-8 years.

What is your favourite thing about what you do? Having complete freedom to create something, most of the time anyway.

Where did you learn to do what you do? I studied Graphic Design at Victoria University. That taught me how to use the programs and look at design in different ways, but with the collage work I do now, that’s just self taught.

Have you thought about teaching your craft? Haha nah. I can’t explain myself too well, so the class would be sitting there thinking, “what’s this dude on about?”

What inspires you today? Music is number one and then seeing people I know do well in life and follow their dreams.

How long did it take you to turn your craft into a business? A few years but I’m still working on it. I’m not where I want to be just yet.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated? Keep telling myself that the best is yet to come.

What environment do you like to work in most? I like working alone. Either in the studio or my bedroom, headphones on, zoned out, most likely listening to rap music.

How has your work changed over time? It’s definitely got a lot cleaner. The style hasn’t changed too much, it’s mainly the materials I use and the way I do each piece that has changed. When I started out doing the collage pieces, I didn’t really plan them out, I would just freestyle them. Some would turn out cool, but some would just look like a mess. Now I try to plan them out a bit more before starting.

What’s the most rewarding aspect about your work? Probably when a customer is stoked with their piece and when I make a piece that I’m really happy with, that feels great!

What piece are you most proud of? I made these throw blankets - I think that’s one of the coolest things I’ve made so far. It was just a bit different. Anyone can make a piece on a canvas but when it’s something a bit different, something that you really have to search for to make, that makes it cooler to me.

Do you do custom pieces? Yeah, the majority of my work is commission based.

Where do you hope your creative future takes you? I just want to continue to be able to make things that I think are cool. There’s a bunch of companies I’d like to work with, so hopefully I can tick all those off eventually

Can you share any advice for aspiring creatives? Just do your thing, don’t listen to anyone who tries to bring you down, stay positive, work hard, be humble and be patient.

Benny Supply & Co

For years I’d pondered how wildly cool it would be to create my own apparel range - a few of my pals can undeniably swear to this - but it always seemed like just a dream. It wasn’t until my partner and I spent over 12 months on a lap around Australia - yup, an entire lap. We did well over 46,000kms on the trip, and lived in a rooftop tent the entire time - and let me tell you, you’ve got a lot of spare time that gets dedicated to thinking when you’re driving around the entire country, especially when you have no reception for half the lap. Just you and your thoughts. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take too long before I landed on “f*ck it, I’m gonna give it a go.” And just like that, Benny was born.

THE FRESHEST CENNY COAST LOCAL APPAREL

YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN BENNY FLOATING AROUND THE COAST FOR SOME TIME NOW. ACTUALLY, WE KNOW YOU HAVE - YOU’VE GOT A COPY IN YOUR HOT LITTLE HANDS! BUT HAVE YOU SEEN OUR RANGE OF BENNY APPAREL?

We are a Central Coast based small business with sustainability front of mind. The apparel we print on is responsibly sourced and ethically produced, printed in Australia, packaged in recyclable materials and delivered to you in a compostable satchel. Choosing these practices means our products cost us more to produce, package and post, however this is very important to us and to our customers, that as a brand, we choose this direction and do our small part in as many ways as we can moving forward.

As for right now, we’re just enjoying the ride, doing something we absolutely love and sharing it with our like-minded community - chasing Good Days, Always. Now, let me guess, you’re wondering where you can find our apparel? Unfortunately, we don’t have any local stockists at this time and are online only (local pop-up offers are extremely open). So, each and every sale we make online means more to us than you’ll ever know. These sales drive our creativity and are what allows Benny, whether it be our magazine or apparel range, to thrive and continue production each and every season. Our dream is that one day Benny will become a household name and one of the coast’s most loved brands - we don’t want to see this end.

So, where to next? Well, that’s up to you. Flaunt that Central Coast local support: purchase our products, follow us, share our page, like our content, and we’ll see where life takes us - somewhere incredible, we hope. Want something epic? We’re offering our summer readers 10% OFF SITEWIDE with code: BENNY10 Plus, we’re now offering free standard shipping on all orders over $50 - now that’s something to be stoked about.

www.bennysupplyco.com.au Instagram // @bennysupplyco

Jaz McCorquodale

What’s your home break? I’m super lucky to have a variety of waves around my home on the Central Coast. I’ve always called my home break North Shelly, but whenever I have the time I’ll surf Avoca.

Do you remember your first wave? I don’t think I remember my first ever wave. I would have been super young, Dad would have been pushing me into the whitewash. Little did I know, I’d make it my passion in years to come.

Where is your favourite place to surf in Australia? Bells Beach has to be one of my favourite surf destinations in Australia. Not just because of the amazing waves but because of its beautiful countryside and cultural heritage.

Where is your favourite destination for a surf trip overseas? After being over in Indo for the past few months, I’ve definitely grown fond of their perfect waves and weather. All time favourite surf spot on the mainland is definately Bingin but I’ve found a soft spot for Gerupuk, Lombok.

What board are you currently riding? I’ve been absolutely loving my Aloha ‘BA’ surfboard. I rode it all through Indo and have still been riding it back on the Coast.

Wave of your life? I look back on my surfing career and there is one wave in particular that I have highlighted and imprinted in my mind. I think I was in the U12 for BL’s Blast Off and very fresh to surfing solid waves. It was an absolutely huge day at the usual comp site so we relocated to whale beach where it was maxing 6ft. I was the only girl in my heat to make it out the back (with the assistance of Dylan Longbottom) and as I took off this wave the bottom dropped out and the face stood up. As I made the drop I threw my hands up out of pure stoke and rode the wave all the way in. I look back on it now and think about how I would go for a massive rio, but I’m still stoked for little 11 year old me.

What’s your go to wax? I’m a firm believer in top and bottom coats, tropical on the bottom and a really soft cold water wax on top - I use what I’ve got on me.

Favourite local cafe? I love the guys down at Ocean Haus, always the best vibes and the perfect place to spend an arvo looking at boards and having a smoothie.

What does surfing do for you mentally? I feel like so many people say surfing is an escape from reality for them and how it relaxes them, but for me it’s a whole different experience. I love surfing because it gives me an outlet to express myself whilst socialising and connecting to my surroundings.

What are you currently listening to? My playlist is all my Dads old songs, anything from the 70s/80s is awesome.

Favourite Central Coast wave to ride? Blue Bay and Avoca point! If you can’t tell - I love to go right!

Most memorable surf memory? One of my fondest surf memories is being chaired up the stairs after winning the Australian Indigenous Title . Nothing compares to that feeling.

If you could surf with anyone in the world, who would it be? Probably the Inspired Unemployed boys, they seem so fun and I feel like we would all just have a laugh.

Do you have any advice for beginners? I think surfing is one of the most humbling experiences for anyone but just like any sport, persistence is key.

What is your future of surfing looking like? Where do you hope to be in 5 years? If you had asked me where I saw myself in the future as a young grom I would’ve told you, without hesitation, I wanted to be on the Surfing World Tour. Now I see myself travelling and living close to the ocean where I can pursue my education and career whilst surfing and socialising.

Do you think you’ll still be surfing when you’re grey and old? I’d definitely hope so, I feel like I’ll slowly migrate towards longboarding and the cruisy beachy lifestyle. And also hope that when I grow old, I’ll be blonde and not grey haha!

@jaz.mccorquodale

Instagram //

If you know someone who would be a great candidate for our next Q&A, please get in touch with us.

RAPID FIRE - THIS OR THAT?

Natural or goofy? Natural.

Sunrise or sunset? Sunset.

Summer or winter? Summer.

Wetty or no wetty? No wetty.

Longboard or shortboard? Both!

3–4ft or 8–10ft? 3-4ft.

Beachie or point break? Point Break.

Salty Lap

My partner, Brendan, and I have been on the road travelling Australia for 15 months now. The most common question we get asked - “Where has been your favourite place?”

Well let me begin... we left home in a 2WD van, travelled with this along the south coast of Australia for 4 months and headed to Perth. After speaking to numerous people who had just come from north Western Australia - it was reiterated to us, ‘Oh you’ll need a 4WD!’. It didn’t take much convincing to make the trade to a Troopcarrier and a last minute decision to purchase a tinny to drag behind it. And boy did this decision pay dividends in Western Australia.

It’s funny, in Torquay, Victoria, the lifestyle we were living was filled with stoke, fun, adventures and the outdoors, but just a different type from what we experienced in north WA. We begun 4WDing, free-diving, spearfishing and tinny bashing which were NEVER on our radar back home. I think this is why the mid north west (Coral Coast) was able to claim the title of our

favourite place in Australia. Not only were the landscapes, wildlife, meeting travelling friends, and just pure remoteness of the area, new and exciting for us, but the discovery of new hobbies, learning the ropes of different tasks, new ways to find fulfilment which ultimately made the experience second to none.

When travelling, there are so many things that can alter your experience of a place; eg rain, the people, wind, your mental state at the time, the dynamic with your partner, are you homesick, do you feel fulfilled, the list goes on. But the Coral Coast was one of those places that just ticked every box, it just felt right being there and we didn’t want to go anywhere else. Don’t get me wrong, we had our fair share of challenges - as you do when you are on the road full-time, but it didn’t seem to take away from our experience of this magical coastline.

Where is the Coral Coast though, I’ve never heard of it? Well, neither had I before leaving home, I just thought WA consisted of Perth, down south, Broome and the Kimberleys and there was just nothing else in between. The Coral Coast runs from Geraldton (424km N of Perth) to North West Cape (1260km N of Perth). >>

WHOLE FOODS. ORGANIC. SUSTAINABLE.

• Buy only as much as you need

• Plastic free shopping

• Natural and organic products

• All your favourite pantry items

www.purebulkfoods.com.au

This is what comes to mind upon reflecting on the special places on the Coral Coast.

RED BLUFF

A remote station paradise. Surrounded by red cliffs. Underwater caves. Peeling left hand reef break. Surf on my birthday. Snorkelers haven. More fish than I’ve ever seen in one place. Spearfishing delight. Brendan’s first Spangled Emperor. An open mic night. Bringing everyone together. First sighting of a Manta Ray. No service.

GNARALOO STATION

The people, the people, the people. This place attracts the same people with the same frothy outlook. Surfing at Tombstones - a goal achieved. Daily icypoles. Snorkelling the bay. Fresh sashimi Tuna. Macky steaks. Beach launching the boat. Fresh Cod. Dune driving to more surf breaks. March flies. Beach hangs all day. Roasted marshmallows. Emu Exports. Campfires. No service.

SOUTH LEFROY (NINGALOO STATION)

First tinny mission to the outer Ningaloo Reef. Schools of spanish mackeral. Bagging out on fresh fish. First whale shark sighting. I speared my first fish. Water clarity A++. Family (travel friends) cook-ups. Dune driving. Sunset lookouts. Great books were read. No service.

You get so set in your ways sometimes, doing the things you know you love, you forget to explore new things, see new places, learn new hobbies. Sometimes it’s worth it.

Follow @saltylap on Instagram as they explore the country.

Good Days. Always. Central Coast, NSW

bennysupplyco.com.au

Take Five

WITH LEISURE

We took five with NZ band Leisure who are making the pilgrimage over to Australia for Rolling Sets Festival happening at The Entrance on the 10th December. They gave us the lowdown on their top five to see and do while they are here on the Central Coast.

OOMPH

Finding a good cafe when you’re on tour can be a treacherous experience if you don’t do your homework. Thankfully we’ve had it on good authority that Oomph in East Gosford is the spot for good Java (coffee for us New Zealanders) and food.

SORRY GRANDMA

Partial to the odd 60s party shirt or a pair of snakeskin loafers if the vibe is right, we’re keen to check out Sorry Grandma in Long Jetty

TAFFY’S

A few of us in the band are absolute football nuts so we’ll be trying to catch a few games of this year’s World Cup in a festive atmosphere. Sadly the All Whites didn’t qualify but we’re hoping that if the Socceroos make the quarter finals we’ll be swept up in the mania. Taffy’s Sports Bar at The Entrance got them chicken wings and Japanese whiskey too.

TIKI LA LA

We’re hoping to find some rare gems buried in this vintage/ record store, maybe the holy grail of a rare Japanese pressing of Dr. Dre - 2001 will appear.

ROLLING SETS FESTIVAL

I mean, you’d be mad to not be going to this thing, it’s a stacked lineup and we’re fizzing to play - we’re keen to get out and explore the vibe too. DMA’s, Dope Lemon and Stevan are some acts we’re keen to see.

Catch Leisure along with a bunch of other bands - December 10th at Rolling Sets Festival . Last tickets available for sale at www.rollingsets.com.au

Tiki Picks

THE LAZY EYES SONGBOOK PSYCHEDELIC THE LAZY EYES,

2022

If you think you’re short on time, why not try Where’s My Brain??? , where all elements of the Songbook gather in one five minute (eternal?) micro dose. Daisy chain melodelia on a bed of motorik rhythm stretching exponentially through time and space, gathering pep, to one, then two mind melting galactic fuzz crescendos. Think Hallogallo era Neu! challenging The Monkees in a sonic duel before King Hawkwind himself, whilst the wizard blows his horn! Plug in to the brilliant animated clip and taste the rainbow. You’ll soon conceive that time is an illusion.

SAM PREKOP & JOHN MCENTIRE SONS OF AMBIENT THRILL JOCKEY,

2022

Two stalwarts of the often beautiful, sometimes bleak and always famously conventiondefiant Chicago post-rock scene, join forces transferring and melding zips, buttons and illuminated glitches, studio to studio, via email.

More akin to the experiments of their home city’s notorious early house scene, Sons Of is an engaging and minimal jaunt through a vast and tricky computer metropolis. While the entire environment shares the same invigorating skyline of meandering modular synth and stripped drum loops, each of it’s Quarters are worlds apart. Organic, uniquely playful, completely decentralised. It’s never pedestrian off Chicago’s Central Loop.

Tiki Picks composed by Heath Crawley of Tiki La La. Shop the Vinyl now –www.tikilala.com.au