Camberwell Citizen - Issue #15

THE RISE OF ANTI-AMBITION

Find out why more people are adopting an attitude of living a less ambitious life

DITCHING PLASTIC

How to do your bit as single-use plastics are phased out HOT SUMMER

READS

YOUR GUIDE TO EVERYTHING LOCAL

CONTENTS

4 • THE RISE OF ANTI-AMBITION

More people are adopting an attitude of living a less ambitious and stressful life. Find out why.

6 • FLOUR POWER

Flour is one of the most versatile ingredients in cooking. But did you know that there are many types of flours you can use?

8 • DITCHING PLASTIC

With a ban on single-use plastics coming soon, here’s how you can support retailers as they shift to more eco-friendly options.

9 • HOT SUMMER READS

From prize-winning authors to thrilling pageturners, here are the books to take to the beach, park or pool this summer.

10 • CAMBERWELL CATCH-UP

Catch up on what’s been happening in the Camberwell Junction precinct.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

It’s a trend we are seeing across the world: more and more people who are adopting an attitude of living a less ambitious and stressful life. As the residual effects of the global pandemic play out, Australians are sacrificing financial and career goals for a slower pace. Find out what is driving the trend in our story The rise of anti-ambition

You’ve likely used flour countless times in your cooking, but have you considered the many different types that are available? From common wheat flour to gluten-free alternatives like rice flour and almond flour, we explore a variety of flours and how they can be used for everything from baking to thickening in Flour power

We’ve become accustomed to using reusable bags when we go grocery shopping. But what about when we grab a drink or order takeaway – do we think about the straw or food container? With Victoria implementing a ban on single-use plastics early next year, everyone is encouraged to start preparing now to help ease the transition. We share our tips in Ditching plastic

It wouldn’t be a perfect summer without a good book, and we’ve got some recommendations in Hot summer reads. From prize-winning authors to thrilling page-turners, these books are ideal to take to the beach, park or pool this summer.

And let’s not forget about our local shops, which forms the heart of our community. Camberwell Junction has plenty on offer over the Christmas and summer season, including some fun events, so be sure to make the most of it. Camberwell Catch-up shares the latest news.

Happy reading!

Sharon Green Editor

EDITOR

Sharon Green

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Steve de Niese

JOURNALIST

Seanna Cronin

THE RISE OF ANTI-AMBITION

More people are adopting an attitude of living a less ambitious and stressful life. Here’s why.

Put in the hard yards at work and it will pay off – a pay rise, a promotion, a comfortable retirement. This has been the mantra for many of us, our parents and grandparents.

But thanks to the residual effects of the global pandemic, more people are adopting an attitude of living a less ambitious and stressful life and focusing on enjoying the here and now.

And it’s not just millennials and Gen Z choosing lifestyle over labour. Australians of all ages and from all walks of life are sacrificing financial and career goals for a slower pace.

WHAT’S DRIVING THE ANTI-AMBITION TREND?

Lockdowns and the shift to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic gave many Aussies the chance to pause and reassess their priorities.

“During the pandemic, there was a strong distinction made between essential and non-essential workers, which caused many people to ask the question ‘If my job is not essential, what am I doing all this for?’,” explained Lepi Cvetanovic, a psychologist at Being Well Clinic in Camberwell and founder of Shadow Mind Psychology.

“Lockdowns and working from home did not help people feel connected with the meaning and purpose of their work, which has caused them to reevaluate the purpose and satisfaction their jobs gave them.”

While some aspects of life ground to a halt during the pandemic, like socialising and travel, in some sectors employees faced additional pressures and an increase in their workload.

In the US, McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace report found that 42 per cent of women felt burnt out in 2021, compared to 32 per cent the previous year. For men, burnout increased from 28 per cent to 35 per cent.

According to Headspace’s National Clinical Advisor Simon Dodd, absenteeism and presenteeism cost the Australian economy $17 billion each year.

Many who experienced burnout over the past two to three years are now seeking more work-life balance.

“I have been hearing a lot of people expressing feelings of burnout lately in my practice,” Ms Cvetanovic said.

“These feelings of burnout have caused people to re-evaluate their levels of satisfaction across different areas of their lives, with work being a major area of dissatisfaction. As a result, there has been a trend of an ‘antiambition’ culture, which I describe as a shift in people’s ideals about what drives their ambition and what life looks like for them when it comes to their jobs or work.

“What once drove our ambition (e.g. climbing the corporate ladder, taking on a leadership role, getting a pay rise), now has become about making personalised choices about how we want to work and live that will bring us greater autonomy, satisfaction, engagement, and better mental health.”

In what has been dubbed the Great Resignation, more Aussies are taking pay cuts to work fewer hours, changing to jobs more suited to their interests and even starting their own businesses or making their side hustle their main source of income.

“People are focusing more on what makes them tick and keeps them motivated rather than getting stuck in the daily grind of their typical 9–5,” Ms Cvetanovic said.

“People are wanting to find more meaning and satisfaction in what they do, and have left jobs which were not providing this for them.”

PRIORITISING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OVER WORK

The pandemic put a lot of things into perspective, especially when it comes to the way we approach mental health and wellbeing.

“With fewer distractions (during the pandemic), we finally came faceto-face with who we are inside, what we find important in our lives and whether our idea of success or happiness was still holding up to the reality of the moment,” Ms Cvetanovic said.

“Balancing career ambition with personal wellbeing is a benefit of this (anti-ambition) trend. People’s emphasis on their mental health has become a priority due to mental ill health being on the rise since the pandemic.”

Attitudes have also shifted in terms of how we value time. When the time you spend at work is viewed as an investment, what returns are you getting for that investment?

“Life is too short to not do what we love. Lockdowns took away so much of our precious time and connections with others, and work (for the lucky ones) was the only thing we had,” Ms Cvetanovic said.

“This made people evaluate the time they spend on work, in terms of an investment. If work is not giving us positive meaning and purpose (and no ROI) then we needed to re-evaluate why we were working the way we did and assess what work was actually giving us.”

There has also been a shift towards building a better culture in the workplace.

“Young people with professional options want to be in solidarity with their colleagues instead of climbing the ladder above them,” Ms Cvetanovic said.

“The meaning that people once found in work is now found in trying to make the workplace itself better. People are placing a higher priority and emphasis on being part of an organisation that has a strong emphasis on its employees’ health, wellbeing and psychological safety.

“This trend has given employees more power to make choices around how they want to work and, equally, organisations and leaders need to stretch themselves to meet their people halfway to co-create a workplace that will be ideal and productive for both parties.”

HOW TO SHIFT THE DIAL OF YOUR WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Striking the right work-life balance will look different for each person. For some, a career change may be needed while others may simply need to learn how to not take their work home with them.

Before you think about drafting that resignation letter, Ms Cvetanovic said it’s worth asking yourself a few simple questions.

Start by examining your level of satisfaction and sense of purpose at work.

“If there is a low level of satisfaction in your work, reflect inwards and evaluate what is important to you according to your values system,” she said.

“I recommend speaking with your manager about career development

opportunities

Identify the types of work or volunteering that give you meaning and passion. You don’t need to love your job all the time, but your intrinsic motivators need to be fulfilled.

Finally, be strategic with how you spend your time at work.

“Be disciplined with how much time you are allocating to what is important versus what is not so important,” Ms Cvetanovic said.

“This

Psychologist Lepi Cvetanovic.

FLOUR POWER

WHEAT FLOUR

Several types of flours come under this umbrella including the ubiquitous all-purpose flour, self-raising flour, and bread flour. The one thing they all have in common, being made from wheat, is they contain gluten. Whole wheat flour, which contains endosperm, germ and fibre-rich bran, is denser than all-purpose flour. Wheat flours are incredibly versatile and well suited to many types of bread, cakes, biscuits, pastry and pasta.

SPELT FLOUR

Made from an ancient wholegrain form of wheat, spelt flour is a great alternative to allpurpose flour that has more vitamins, fibre, protein and minerals than modern wheat. But being a wheat sub-species, also known as farro or dinkel, it’s important to note spelt is low in gluten but not gluten-free. With a mellow, nutty flavour, spelt is often used in sourdough bread, muffins, scones, and even chocolate chip cookies.

RICE FLOUR

Delicate and mild in flavour, this glutenfree flour is commonly used in Asian dishes including rice cakes, noodles, pancakes and pastries. The white variety is great for a tempura batter when frying vegetables, while the nutty flavour of the brown variety works well in cookies, shortbread, and pie crust. Not to be confused with rice starch, rice flour can also be used to thicken soups and stews.

ALMOND FLOUR

Made from almonds that are ground to a meal, this low-carb flour is often used in gluten-free and paleo baking. Almond flour is more nutrient dense than wheat flour but it’s important to know it is also rich in calories and high in omega-6, which can cause inflammation if consumed in large amounts. Almond flour is an excellent option for no-bake pastry crusts, pancakes, brownies, and macarons.

BUCKWHEAT FLOUR

Despite its name, this nutritious ancient grain flour does not contain wheat. Traditionally used in French crepes and galettes, as well as Japanese soba noodles, buckwheat flour is naturally gluten free, low GI, and high in magnesium. Due to its high mineral and antioxidant content, buckwheat flour has become a popular health food. With a naturally earthy flavour, try using buckwheat flour in pancakes, savoury pikelets, and soufflés.

CORN FLOUR

Milled from whole corn kernels, corn flour is ideal for adding texture to baked goods and should not be confused with cornstarch, which is often used as a thickening agent. Corn flour contains protein and fibre, and is commonly used in corn bread, a traditional side dish in American barbecue. Naturally sweet in flavour, corn flour makes a light and airy sponge cake, buttery melting moments, and crispy roti flatbread.

From baking to frying and thickening, flour is one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen pantry. But did you know that there are many types of flours you can use in your cooking?

Blue Illusion Camberwell, 745 Burke Road, Camberwell VIC 3124

DITCHING PLASTIC

We’ve all become accustomed to bringing our reusable bags with us when we go grocery shopping.

But what about when we meet a friend for a drink or order takeaway – do we stop and think about the straw or polystyrene food container?

We all know these products are wasteful and inefficient, but eliminating problematic plastics from our lives can be easier said than done.

With Victoria implementing a ban on single-use plastics early next year, businesses and customers are being encouraged to start preparing now to help ease the transition.

Here’s how you can help support retailers in the shift to ditching single-use plastics.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SINGLE-USE PLASTICS BAN

The state-wide ban on the sale and supply of single-use plastics will come into effect from February 1, 2023.

The items that will be banned from cafes, restaurants and other retailers include drinking straws and stirrers, cutlery, plates, cotton bud sticks and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers.

The ban applies to conventional, degradable and compostable plastics including bioplastic and oxo-degradable materials.

THE BENEFITS OF DITCHING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC

Banning problematic plastics will help to reduce plastic pollution. Single-use plastics make up a third of the litter we see on our streets and in our waterways.

While they are often only used for a few minutes, these items remain in the environment for a long time, harming wildlife and contaminating our food and water.

Even compostable plastics can still harm wildlife and often require processing at a specialised compost facility to break down.

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RETAILERS

With the ban coming into effect soon, businesses are being urged to prepare now.

The state government has already phased problematic single-use plastics out of use by government departments and agencies across the public service.

Sustainability Victoria recommends businesses run down current stocks of the banned items and start sourcing and ordering reusable items.

You may notice your favourite cafe introducing items made from alternative materials like metal, wood, bamboo or paper.

The most obvious way to support local retailers is with your wallet. You can choose to spend your money at shops that fully embrace reusable products and systems, and be willing to fork out a little more for sustainability over convenience.

Here are some simple ways you can help local retailers ditch problematic plastics:

Remember to bring your reusable coffee cup (there are many great options made from ceramic, glass and stainless steel) to your local cafe

• Opt to dine in rather than ordering a takeaway coffee or food

• If you like drinking from a straw, bring your own metal straw to your favourite bars and restaurants

Use beeswax paper or stretch lids to take leftovers home or even to wrap produce

• When you call to place your takeaway order, ask if you can bring your own food containers

• Pay a little extra for the deposit on a reusable container, like the Returnr products used by some cafes and gelato shops. You can reuse the container and then wash it and return it for a full refund on your deposit

Support events that implement reusable systems such as Green My Plate, Better Cup or Wash Against Waste.

REUSE WITH PURPOSE

While some restaurants and takeaway shops will shift to more environmentally friendly and biodegradable containers, it’s always preferable not to create waste in the first place.

By incorporating reusable items such as coffee mugs, food containers and cutlery into your daily routine, you can help further reduce the need for materials and manufacturing.

A little preparation and planning can go a long way to protecting the health of our local environment.

With Victoria implementing a ban on single-use plastics soon, here’s how you can support retailers as they shift to more eco-friendly options.

HOT SUMMER READS

From prize-winning authors to thrilling page-turners, here are the books to take to the beach, park or pool this summer.

IT STARTS WITH US

by Colleen Hoover

Lily and her ex-husband Ryle have settled into a coparenting arrangement when she sees her first love, Atlas, again. She instantly agrees to a date with him, but her excitement is dampened knowing that Ryle disapproves of Atlas. This sequel to It Ends with Us tells Atlas’ side of the story and what comes next for him and Lily.

NEXT IN LINE

by Jeffrey Archer

In 1988, royal fever sweeps the nation as Britain falls in love with the ‘people’s princess’. For Scotland Yard, the focus is on the elite Royalty Protection Command and its commanding officer. Ex-undercover operative Ross Hogan is charged with a very sensitive – and unique – responsibility. But it soon becomes clear the problems in Royalty Protection are just the beginning.

LESSONS

by Ian McEwan

From Ian McEwan, the bestselling author of Atonement and Saturday, comes the epic and intimate story of one man’s life across generations and historical upheavals. From the Suez Crisis to the Cuban Missile Crisis, the fall of the Berlin Wall to the current pandemic, Roland Baines sometimes rides with the tide of history, but more often struggles against it.

THE LIGHT WE CARRY by Michelle Obama

In the insightful and powerful follow-up to her acclaimed bestselling memoir Becoming, Michelle Obama shares practical wisdom and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in today’s uncertain world. Candidly drawing from her experiences as a mother, spouse, friend and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to overcome challenging obstacles and navigate change.

15 SECONDS OF BRAVE by

Melissa Doyle

Award-winning Aussie journalist Melissa Doyle shares the heartfelt stories of some of the most resilient people she has ever met, gently drawing out their wisdom, empathy and heartfelt practical advice for anyone who is going through a difficult time. Having faced the worst that life could throw at them – from childhood trauma to a freak accident – each story explains how hope can prevail and we can all, as one boy put it, find our ‘fifteen seconds of brave’.

CAMBERWELL CATCH-UP

There has been plenty of activity taking place in Camberwell Junction in recent months and lots in store for the coming weeks.

CHRISTMAS FAMILY DAY – DECEMBER

You’re invited to join us for Camberwell Junction’s Christmas Family Day on Saturday, December 10.

10

The precinct will offer a range of entertainment including photos with Santa, live music, roving circus acts, and our popular rides on the antique fire truck. Visitors will also have the chance to participate in our much-loved competition, Where’s Rudolph?

Our Christmas Family Day is put on by the traders as a way to say thank you to the community for their support throughout the year.

The day offers a great opportunity for you to get your Christmas shopping done while enjoying the festive activities on offer in Camberwell Junction.

Full details at camberwellshopping.com.au

FRESH NEW LOOK FOR CAMBERWELL FRESH FOOD MARKET

The Camberwell Fresh Food Market is getting an exciting upgrade, including new dining spaces, which the whole community can enjoy.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHOPS THIS CHRISTMAS

There’s no need to battle traffic or trek into the city – Camberwell Junction is your go-to destination for Christmas shopping this year.

Avoid the hassle of big shopping malls

Forget circling around stadium-sized car parks and fighting for a space, then having to trudge through crowded shopping malls. Instead, keep your dollar local and embrace open-air street shopping in Camberwell Junction.

With more than 400 stores, if there’s something on your Christmas list, Camberwell Junction has got it covered.

Don’t risk late online orders

While we all love the convenience of shopping on the internet from the comfort of the couch, don’t risk presents arriving late due to delayed online orders.

One way to avoid the risk of Christmas presents turning up late is to get them in person in Camberwell Junction. You’ll be guaranteed to have the gifts on hand and ready to give to their recipients come the merry day.

Shop local, support local

Perhaps one of the best reasons to choose Camberwell Junction for your Christmas shopping is to support local businesses.

By purchasing your Christmas turkey or your party dress or your sister’s Christmas gift from local retailers, you’re keeping the local community afloat and interacting with retailers who own the shops they work in. And you can be assured of a much more personal and friendly shopping experience.

This Christmas, choose Camberwell Junction for all your shopping needs.

The works, which have been underway in recent weeks, include constructing a new indoor dining space with mobile device charging pods, as well as an outdoor seating area complete with wooden dining tables and benches. The outdoor seating area will be located near the northern entrance of the market building.

The upgrade to the market comes following a community survey and consultation which asked customers what they loved most about the market and what improvements they would like to see.

The market’s refurbishment works are expected to be completed by late November.

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ACCESS LATEST OFFERS AND NEWS

Once a month we send out an email newsletter that shares latest offers, competitions, local news and ‘Meet a Trader’ stories. It’s a great way to stay up to date on everything happening in Camberwell Junction. Sign up at camberwellshopping.com.au

SHOP SPOTLIGHT

Highlights and happenings in the Camberwell Junction shopping precinct.

For new season footwear that combines style and comfort in the latest designs from Europe, pop into Midas.

Looking to spruce up your brows and lashes? Then look no further than the experts at Marlaena Alexis.

There’s nothing quite like brunch with an electric atmosphere, and My Other Brother (MOB) does it best.

SHOP NEWS

BOTANICAH

180 Camberwell Rd

New to Camberwell Junction, Botanicah is a haven for plant lovers and offers a range of plants, pots, planters, garden supplies, plant rental, and commercial indoor garden design and installation.

BARREL & ROAST 8-10 Railway Pde

Barrel & Roast recently opened in Camberwell Junction. The cafe, lounge bar, and events space is dedicated to bringing the very best coffee and barrel-aged cocktails to the local market.

BELLITE

Shop 16, Camberwell Arcade, 600-606 Burke Rd

Fashion boutique Bellite has relocated to a new store within the Camberwell Arcade. The shop now offers a wider selection of clothing, jewellery and accessories.

CRESWICK

Shop 2-3, 3 Prospect Hill Rd

Creswick has opened a store in Camberwell Junction and it offers a great range of clothing, homewares and accessories. Their products are made from the finest quality alpaca, possum fur and bamboo.

ELITE WOODEN FLOORS

706 Burke Rd

Elite Wooden Floors offers a wide range of quality flooring options from rugs and tiles to wood and laminate flooring, offering a choice that suits every style and situation.

KOKORO SUSHI

761 – 767 Burke Rd

Kokoro Sushi is the latest Japanese restaurant to open in Camberwell Junction. Enjoy their fresh takeaway options or dine in for the complete sushi train experience. Their menu includes maki rolls, nigiri sushi, sashimi, salads, udon, bento and hot snacks.

OSCAR OSCAR SALONS

785 Burke Rd

Home to some of Australia’s best hairdressers, Oscar Oscar Salons has opened in the heart of Camberwell Junction. Services available include cuts, colours, hair straightening, and styling.

SINOBEATS MUSIC SCHOOL

792 Burwood Rd

Sinobeats Music School specialises in cross-culture communication with the theme of fusion music combining the east and the west. They offer both western and Chinese music education.

THE MODERN FURNITURE STORE 347 Camberwell Rd

Combining the form and functionality of Scandinavian furniture design, The Modern Furniture Store offers quality products designed and manufactured in solid timber. The store also sells homewares.

Camberwell Catch-up is sponsored by the Camberwell Centre Traders Association camberwellshopping.com.au