ISSUE NO.5 : AUTUMN 2019 - Coal Coast Magazine

INSIDE THE ILLAWARRA

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ISSUE No.5 MARCH APRIL MAY 2019 HISTORY | ART | PEOPLE | MUSIC | FOOD | REVIEWS | CULTURE | TRAVEL

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what's inside 4 6 10 14 18 26 28 32 34 36 40 42 44

one tragic day servo food truck bar vego's delight breakfast club good times only city of colour painting the town! what's on calendar kidsfest takes over! in the green room the honey makers wellness wonderland natural wonder

46 48 50 52 54 56 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

on the road king of the bush charity begins at home interior secrets how to sell your home for more! manage your money coal coast faves hey brew coal coast faves babycinos meet a neighbour coal coast pops the quiz

There is a QUIZ on page 64 and here are the answers: 1. Octopus; 2. Madrid; 3. Peter Jackson; 4. Yellow; 5. Billy Fleming; 6. A pod; 7. Mount Kosciuszko; 8. Cheese curds; 9. Casablanca; 10. Red, yellow, blue; 11. Orange; 12. UCI Road World Championships; 13. Ocean Alley; 14. True; 15. Li; 16. Gareth Widdop; 17. Cameron Diaz; 18. Mercury; 19. 120km; 20. Pancreas.

Coal Coast a term which embraces our industrial history while celebrating our glittering coastline.

Happy 1st birthday to us! This autumn issue your holding in your hot little hands marks exactly one year of Coal Coast Magazine. Hip hip hooray! So what’s been our biggest take-away from our first year bringing this baby to life? Hands-down, it’s realising just how lucky we are to call the Illawarra home.

In the spirit of celebration, this issue we caught up with community members who are spreading those good-time vibes – the boys behind some of your favourite small bars in Wollongong (p18); Sion from Kraken Kreative, who is literally painting the town red… and blue and pink and green (p28); and the 12-strong collective who brought their live music venue dream to life in the shape of Port Kembla’s Servo Food Truck Bar. That’s her in all her glory on our front cover!

We hope you enjoy our special one-year anniversary issue. The best present you could give us would be to share the love. Once you’re done reading, pass on this little mag to your neighbours, your family, your friends. Make contact with us on social media, and get in touch at info@coalcoastmagazine.com with feedback – what do you want to see more or less of? We’d love to know.

We’ll never be able to adequately thank this brilliant community for accepting Coal Coast Mag with such heart, so instead we’ll raise our glass alongside you to a fabulous first year and this beautiful place we live!

Cheers

Dani, Tara & Tess x

Subscribe online: www.coalcoastmagazine.com Advertising enquires: call Tara 0409 774 153 or email sales@coalcoastmagazine.com Coal Coast Magazine is published four times a year and has taken the utmost care to ensure content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s) opinions and are not necessarily the views of the publisher and editor.

Coal Coast Magazine does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information, product or service represented within our magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

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editor Dani Sherring head of sales & marketing Tara Connor creative director Tess McIntosh cover image Tess McIntosh our contributors Andy Hubscher Black Diamond District Heritage Centre Stefan Posthuma Tess Godkin Bryce Jepson Creative Events Photography Tom Opie Jess Vidler Bernie Fisher Shannon Glasson Kate O’Meally Alaric Cartwright Rita Balshaw Courtenay Turner @ala_lifestyle @emily_parisi @nathanperrettaphotography @the_daly_venture @thetraxtribe LA Early Matt Castell @stay_lame @d2lan @curlsonclouds Ralph Stadus Birdblack Design Property Styling Group Nathan Hancock Dylan Beer Michelle Bevans Jenny Duggan Elyshia McKirdy

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THE WAY WE WERE

one tragic day IN 1887, A DEVASTATING EXPLOSION OCCURRED AT BULLI COLLIERY RESULTING IN A HUGE LOSS OF LIFE Compiled by Andy Hubscher, co-author of The History of Coal Mining in the Illawarra Image Black Diamond District Heritage Centre, Bulli

At about 2.30pm on Tuesday, March 23, 1887, an explosion took place in an area of the Bulli mine called the “Hill End” district. That was followed by a second explosion a few seconds later. This resulted in the death of 81 people who were working underground at the time. Few were killed directly by the explosion itself, but most of them died from the poisonous effects of carbon monoxide gas while trying to evacuate.

The initial explosion was a methane gas explosion, which was followed by a coal dust explosion a few seconds later. A gas explosion is caused when a mixture of methane gas in air is ignited by a naked flame. The force of the gas explosion travels through the workings of the mine, raising coal dust into the air which then also ignites. This process results in the generation of carbon monoxide gas, also known as “afterdamp”.

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THE WAY WE WERE There was only one survivor, a 19-year-old wheeler named Herbert Cope, who was hurled a distance of 100 metres out of the tunnel by the violent blast. Amazingly, he lived another 65 years until he died in 1952, aged 84.

The Royal Commission found the immediate cause of the explosion was the flame from an overcharged shot that had ignited methane gas.

The combination of poor shot-firing procedure, weak ventilation, untreated coal dust and a gassy coal seam all contributed to this great loss of life. The investigating commission was scathing in their findings. They placed the blame firmly on the heads of mine management, and the miners themselves. Citing their totally lackadaisical approach to safety as the predominant cause.

Almost every family in Bulli was bereaved by the loss of one or more of its members. Rescue work was organised immediately, and the rescuers worked with great courage in clearing away the debris to gain access to the affected workings.

Terrible scenes of grief occurred at the tunnel mouth when the bodies of loved ones were brought to the surface. Mine Manager, Mr Alex Ross, arranged with one of the leading women of the little township to have the bodies prepared for burial and a number of women responded to the heartbreaking and gruesome task.

The explosion claimed the lives of 81 men and boys, left 50 women widowed and 150 children without fathers. Twelve boys aged between 14 and 18 were among those killed.

This disaster had occurred only a few days after the resumption of work following a lengthy

strike, so the miners’ families were already out of money. As the mine could not be reopened until many months after the explosion, there was no employment for most of the remaining miners. Their poverty added to the local community’s grief at the loss of so many loved ones. It was a time of despair for most people in the Bulli community.

Most of the bodies were buried at either the Bulli Church of England cemetery, the Woonona Presbyterian cemetery or the Corrimal Catholic cemetery. The tragic event is still the second worst mining disaster in Australia’s history.

The NSW Government erected a memorial at Park Road, Bulli, to commemorate those who lost their lives in this terrible disaster. It is 7.5 metres high and is embedded in 12 tons of Pyrmont Stone. A pathway at the rear of the monument leads to a cemetery where some of the victims were buried.

In 2016, a group of retired miners formed a committee to rehabilitate the site of the monument as it was falling into disrepair. Money was donated by the Miners Trust, funded by the miners’ union, to enable restoration of the site. In 2018, the Woonona-Bulli Men’s Shed meticulously restored an old wooden skip obtained from the Bulli Miners Cottage and mounted it behind the monument.

Annual services are held at the monument and church to remember those who perished.

School children often visit the site on excursions to learn more about the role that mining played in developing the Illawarra. ¡

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SPOTLIGHT ON

Peter, Ann and Sheryl

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SPOTLIGHT ON

servo truck food bar Images Peter Langstaff; Creative Events Photography; Tess McIntosh

Live music in the Illawarra is alive and well, thanks in part, to a group of 12 passionate community members who have found their groove on the site of the old, neglected service station at Wentworth Street, Port Kembla. The Servo Food Truck Bar celebrates its first birthday on March 1, and has been celebrating local talent and diversity since the gates first flung open to much fanfare last year.

booked bands at Dicey Rileys and Jane’s – and half-jokingly said, “You’re going to buy Jane’s, aren’t you?”

The 12 people responsible for this unique venue are Jacqui Besgrove, Jenny Briscoe-Hough, Peter Langstaff, Ann Martin, Emma Mayhew, Rebecca Mayhew, Mark O’Donnell, Lara Seresin, Andy Staig, Warren Wheeler, Lorna Wheeler and Sheryl Wiffen – each of whom has been involved in various community projects and had connections to the local music scene prior to this venture.

The idea for the Servo Food Truck Bar came about when music venue Jane’s Bar (now 2 Smoking Barrels) on Flinders Street became available for sale. Peter, who is a musician himself and radio host at Vox FM Illawarra, ran into Warren – who’d co-ordinated the Steel City Sound exhibition at Wollongong Art Gallery and

“We ended up making some enquiries, but it didn’t work out,” Peter says. “But at the same time, unbeknownst to us, Jenny, Lara and Ann, who all have a strong connection to Port Kembla, were looking for a live music venue. They stumbled upon the servo as a possibility. Then through their networks became more aware of the rest of the group and the planets aligned.”

Suddenly a collective of like-minded creatives had formed, each with different skills, time constraints and backgrounds, but with a united investment in igniting a spark in the Illawarra’s live music scene.

“Everyone knew someone in the group,” says Peter. “We were all connected somehow and keen for further involvement in music… to give our time into something we love and support.”

From there, the group signed a lease at the abandoned service station and began meeting regularly to flesh out their idea. Using food trucks on a rotating roster as a dining option

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SPOTLIGHT ON

were all connected “Wesomehow and keen for

further involvement in music… to give our time to something we love and support ”

was decided and plans were underway to create a safe performance space for people of all ages and identities. Within months of those first steps being taken, the Servo Food Truck Bar was up and running, and on its first night attracted droves of excited locals. With the 1950s-style umbrella canopy as the forecourt’s focal point and plastic school chairs, milk crates and old petrol drums spilling with greenery scattered throughout, the property’s laid-back vibe was instantly attractive and welcoming.

“It’s quirky, it’s not fancy pants,” says co-owner and former councillor Ann. “For us it’s about celebrating the culture of Port Kembla, which is creative and a place where you can go and have an easy drink – we’re not going to charge like a wounded bull and you don’t have to be dressed up.”

What makes this space – which operates Friday through Sunday – extra special is that the group aren’t event planners or bar owners, they’re just a talented bunch who enjoy going to gigs. “We’ve all gone to many gigs over the years, so we’ve realised what works and what doesn’t, even without the hands-on experience – we’ve just tried to put that into play.”

“The purpose behind the venue is to provide a diverse program of food and entertainment, because we are a diverse community,” Warren adds.

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SPOTLIGHT ON While ‘The Servo’ as it’s affectionately known, is primarily a live music space, it’s open for all types of performance and events. One of the most popular gigs at the venue each month is the She’ll Be Right night – centred around supporting females who perform. The night always draws a crowd and takes the shape of a variety show – think comedy, music, spoken word, slam poetry, circus acts.

“We thought we’d be doing ourselves a disfavour if we just limited ourselves to music, although that’s the primary focus,” says Peter. “We’ve held photography exhibitions. We’ve even had a funeral! It’s a safe and happy space, and the community feels comfortable here.”

Undeniably, the biggest name that The Servo has hosted is the iconic Australian punk band Regurgitator, who took to the stage for a matinee performance on August 4 to a sold-out crowd.

Cable Ties, a band managed by the same guys as Regurgitator, had played at The Servo a few weeks prior, and after their gig, told the famous trio what a great venue it was… so The Gurge reached out.

Despite the band’s booked-out schedule, they managed to squeeze in an afternoon show at the Port Kembla space, stopping in for their hour-long set on the way to a show in Canberra later that night. An impressive notch on the belt for the start-up live music venue.

“The boys from Regurgitator were exceedingly nice,” says Peter. “They came in and checked out the support bands, which is impressive. They were out at the merch table afterwards chatting to punters and getting photos. It was a great advertisement for the venue, and such an honour to hear that other musos are spreading the word.”

As validation of what the group has built, the venue has had no problem enticing bands since opening. Warren, who looks after all the booking, often has touring musicians that come through the Gong connect or vice-versa. “What we’re finding is acts are attracted to our ethos of an all ages, zero waste, safe space that celebrates diversity and promotes unity,” Warren says.

As with any new venture, there has been challenges along the way – as the collective will admit, being a 12-strong group has its advantages and disadvantages, “but fortunately we haven’t killed each other yet,” says Peter. “We all have

outside work commitments on top of the Servo Food Truck Bar so that’s demanding. You have times when you’re on top of everything, and other times when you’re not.”

The group faced licensing hurdles in the beginning, forcing them to launch as a BYO venue before obtaining their liquor licence a few months later, and have found ensuring the food trucks consistently have profitable nights to sometimes be a struggle. Although, a big percentage of music punters who attend buy food, there hasn’t been as much outside foot traffic as was hoped for, so the decision was made to pull the food trucks on Sundays, with plans to open the kitchen inside and serve food behind the bar on slower nights – servo classics like pies and sausages rolls.

Going forward, the ultimate plan is to simply make the venture a sustainable one that serves the community for years to come. “We just want to have enough money to keep it running, do some maintenance along the way and not go broke in the process,” Peter laughs.

Already The Servo has proved a much-loved and much-needed addition to Port Kembla’s nightlife.

Although the eclectic area is full of creative, familyorientated, community-minded folk, there’s no denying its colourful past, and certain sparseness – empty shops still litter the main drag and, in the past, for every opening, there’s been another closing their doors. But a shift on the ground has started to take place, and new life is swirling through those historic streets. “I know that council has plans to reinvigorate the area, and we’re certainly happy to be part of that,” says Peter.

What started as almost a throwaway thought to create something with other like-minded musos has transformed into a blossoming and vibrant entertainment hub, which consistently boasts firstrate performers and provides a place for bands of all genres, styles and ages to play and share.

“I didn’t know how it would look but I definitely had a vision of how it would feel,” Peter says.

“We have such a good vibe here. Everyone who comes always gives us great feedback, which is what it’s all about. We’re so happy with how far we’ve come since launching. For me, I have nights when I walk around with my jaw on the ground, going ‘Wow! How did we do this?!’” ¡

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LOCAL FOOD

vego’s delight A GUIDE TO THE ILLAWARRA’S BEST VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN EATS Words Stefan Posthuma Images Stefan Posthuma & Tess Godkin Photography

Pilgrims An Chut Chut

Quay Canteen

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Balinese Spice Magic

LOCAL FOOD

With an increasing environmental conscience, and bourgeoning trends toward healthy food consumption – vegan and vegetarianism are dietary and moral choices that are on the incline throughout Australia. Food service at all levels are aware of the change and are developing menus that have an increasingly broad range of vegie options, or that are customisable for a plant-based diet. With a health-conscious and active population, the Illawarra has a multitude of vegie-friendly spots whose menus go beyond the standard mushroom risotto and quinoa salad of the past, instead serving fresh and interesting selections. Here’s our guide to some of our favourite vegie eats on the Coal Coast.

Balinese Spice Magic 130 Keira St, Wollongong

Authentic regional Balinese food is something rarely found anywhere in Australia, and we’re lucky enough to have some of the best you’ll get in the middle of the Gong’s favourite dining strip. With a dedicated vegan mains section, and other vegan offerings scattered throughout their extensive menu, BSM’s food, permeated with the fragrance and spice of fresh turmeric, galangal, chilli and candlenut, is a reflection of chef and owner Juliana Mitry’s Balinese heritage.

They serve a range of organic tempehs, all made in-house, try the tempeh lalah manis (sweet and spicy tempeh) or sample a mix of treats with a vegan nasi campur combination plate. Outside the restaurant, Balinese Spice Magic also provides vegetarian and vegan catering for weddings, functions and events and Jules regularly holds a vegan cooking class for those keen to enhance their culinary skills.

avocado, tabouleh and topped with a fistful of alfalfa – is a about the best a vegie burger can get, converting many a carnivore to the possibilities held on a well-executed vegie-only menu. After you’ve worked your way through the burger selection, there’s plenty more joy found in the wraps, salads, toasties, pies, the brekkie menu and their weekend Mexican nights.

An Chut Chut

87a Crown Street, Wollongong

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Wollongong arts precinct, this quirky Vietnamese diner delivers an array of vegetarian and vegan options as a part of their everchanging daily menu. Unique and robustly authentic – vegie lovers can choose from a variety of Viet vegie offerings like rice noodle salads, vegan spring rolls or a vegetarian lunch set that includes a variety of authentic vegan condiments. Our favourite is the spiced and herbaceous vegan glass noodle soup that’s so deliciously moreish it’s difficult to rationalise how so much flavour is packed into the plant-based broth.

Pilgrims

Lettuce B. Frank Wholefoods

One of the South Coast’s favourite vego exports – Pilgrims Vegetarian Cafe found a home on the Coal Coast in May 2018 and has since been dishing out their iconic burgers at a laser pace.

Packed with flavour and substance, the iconic Bliss Burger – a spongy wholemeal roll loaded with a homemade vegie patty, satay sauce, cheese,

Good coffee, fresh produce and healthy food made from scratch is the name of the game at Lettuce B. Frank – an oasis of healthy eating on upper Crown Street in Wollongong. These guys cater to a range of dietary requirements and have an array of vegan and vego options across their vibrant wholefood menu. Try the vegan muffins

2/242 Princes Hwy, Corrimal

337 Crown St, Wollongong

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LOCAL FOOD and pastries – baked fresh daily, they’re a favourite among commuters looking to grab something quick on their way down to the station.

Nan Tien Temple

180 Berkeley Rd, Berkeley

The largest Buddhist Temple in the southern hemisphere is also home to two great vegetarianonly dining venues. Take a stroll around the tranquil gardens and visit the temple square or pagoda before settling in for lunch at the Dew Drop Inn tea house. With a range of vegetarian options from dumplings and noodles to curries, spring rolls and laksa, and a bunch of exotic Chinese teas, lunch at Dew Drop Inn, accompanied by the hypnotic tones of resonating prayer bells is as much a serene insight into Buddhist culture as it is a relaxing meal. The Nan Tien dining hall is also open to the public at lunchtime and offers a well-priced vegetarian buffet curated by the temple’s resident chefs.

Quay Canteen

5/157 Crown St, Wollongong

Wind your way up an unassuming staircase in the middle of Crown Street mall to the sun-drenched balcony of Quay Canteen. With a modern brekkie and lunch menu taking its inspiration from Vietnamese street food, the assortment of vegie and vegan offerings are thoughtful, interesting, and full of flavour. The array of salads, bowls and rolls all come with a choice of protein, so select from their five-spice pulled mushroom or sweet sesame and soy tofu to customise your vegie feed as you like it. They also offer yum cha on Thursday nights for those looking to escape the Eat Street mayhem and relax with a cool cocktail on the deck. ¡

honourable mentions & tips Samaras Wollongong and Woonona

Brimming with a bunch of Middle Eastern delights like falafel, vine leaves, dips, chargrilled vegies and salads, you can try a bit of everything with the delicious vegetarian mixed platter at the Gong’s favourite Lebanese eatery.

Earth Walker & Co. Coledale

With a focus on wholesome food and local produce, the northern suburbs’ favourite general store has a great selection of fresh vegan and vegie options across their seasonal breakfast and lunch menus.

Forest Eats Kiama

Heading down the coast, the Illawarra’s sole vegan-only cafe has great coffee as well as a bunch of homemade vegan baked and raw treats. The menu changes frequently and includes some stellar plant-based picks like buddha bowls, vegan curries and mushroom bolognese.

tip

: F ancy dinners can be a bit tough for a vegie lover, often left feeling as if the

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selection is somewhat of an afterthought. To ensure you have the best experience possible, don’t judge a menu solely based on what you read online. Call the venue and ask how they can cater for your requirements, or if you’re making a booking, let them know in advance. Top chefs have a reverence for vegie and (with some notice) enjoy the challenge of putting together some special plant-based plates.

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RECIPES

breakfast club BEAUT BREKKIES FROM WOLLONGONG CAFES TO WHIP UP AT HOME Recipes & images The Illawarra Cookbook by Quicksand Food; Tess Godkin Photography; Bryce Jepson

Pancakes DIGGIES

INGREDIENTS

Serves 4

100ml buttermilk 200ml full cream milk 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 1 tbsp caster sugar 1 egg 125g self-raising flour butter, to fry to serve 1 banana, sliced 1 punnet strawberries, sliced maple syrup edible flowers Chef’s note: You can adjust this recipe to include any of your favourite seasonal fruits, as well as a selection of nuts, icing sugar or even crispy bacon.

METHOD To make the pancake batter – whisk the buttermilk, milk, egg, sugar and vanilla together in a large mixing bowl. Sift in the flour, whisking continuously to form a smooth batter.

Place a knob of butter into a non-stick pan over a medium heat. Ladle a circle of batter into the pan and cook until golden brown on the bottom, then flip and repeat. Transfer to a plate and keep warm, working through the remaining batter.

To serve – place some strawberries and banana onto each plate. Top with a pancake, and continue layering with fruit and pancakes.

Finish with a knob of butter, a good drizzle of maple syrup and a scattering of edible flowers.

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RECIPES

Cured salmon bagel OPUS COFFEE BREWERS

Serves 4

Chef’s note: Opus make their own bagels for this recipe using a Montreal-style method where they are boiled in water and maple syrup before baking. For simplicity, we’ve added bagels as an ingredient.

This recipe will make more cured salmon than required, but it will keep well in the refrigerator and can be used in salads, sandwiches or as a snack.

METHOD

INGREDIENTS 4 bagels 250g cream cheese 80g preserved lemon, chopped 1 bunch chives, chopped salt & pepper cured salmon 400g cooking salt 345g white sugar zest of 4 oranges zest of 1 lime zest of 1 lemon 2 tbsp coriander seeds 1 tbsp black peppercorns 1 tsp dried saltbush 1.8kg side salmon, skin removed miso mustard 100g Dijon mustard 100g aka miso paste

To cure the salmon – blitz the salt, sugar and citrus zest together in a food processor. In a mortar and pestle, grind the coriander seeds, peppercorns and saltbush to a coarse powder, then stir through the citrus mix. Spread onethird of the mixture onto the bottom of a large container, then lay the salmon on top.

Cover the salmon with the remaining curing mix, seal with cling film and refrigerate for 24 hours.

For the miso mustard – combine the miso paste and mustard together in a food processor.

To serve – remove the salmon from the curing mix and rinse thoroughly. Pat dry with paper towel, then slice thinly using a sharp knife. Halve the bagels and lightly toast in an oven. Spread each bagel half generously with cream cheese. Layer thickly with salmon slices, followed by dollops of miso mustard. Scatter with preserved lemon and chopped chives, then finish with a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

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RECIPES

Buddha bowl LOWER EAST

Serves 2-4

Chef’s note: Lower East ferment their own sauerkraut from scratch for this recipe. This is a fantastic technique to learn, but you can substitute with store-bought if you prefer. Also, if you can’t find fresh lotus root, use a frozen alternative found in Asian grocery stores.

METHOD For the sauerkraut – remove the outer leaves of the cabbage and set aside. Finely grate the remaining cabbage and place with the rest of the ingredients in large mixing bowl. Massage the mixture with your hands until the vegetables release their juices and the mixture begins to soften, adding salt to extract more moisture if necessary.

Pack the mixture tightly into sterilised jars. Firmly push the reserved cabbage leaves into the top of the jar, removing as much air as possible, then seal with a lid. Ferment at room temperature for 3 weeks, or until the sauerkraut is soft but not mushy, and has a fresh, spicy and acidic flavour.

Discard the cabbage leaves and store the jars in the refrigerator.

INGREDIENTS 1 bunch baby beetroots 220g fresh lotus root 250ml vegetable oil, for frying 1 bunch bok choy, roughly chopped 1 bunch Chinese broccoli, roughly chopped shelled edamame 4 eggs, poached salt & pepper red rice 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil ½ cup finely shredded coconut 1½ cups Thai red rice, rinsed 400ml coconut milk 350ml water 2 tsp caster sugar golden sauerkraut 1kg green cabbage 1 cup carrot, grated 2 tsp ginger, grated 2 tsp garlic, minced 2 tsp ground turmeric 2 tsp caraway seeds 2 tsp fennel seeds 1 tsp sea salt flakes

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For the red rice – heat the coconut oil over a medium heat in a large, heavy-based pan. Add the shredded coconut and toast, stirring, until golden.

Add the rice, coconut milk and water, then stir through the sugar and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Set aside.

For the beetroots – keeping some of the stem intact, place the beetroots in a pot of cold water over a medium-high heat. Simmer for 25 minutes, or until the flesh can be easily penetrated with a knife. Remove from the heat, cool and peel, then cut into quarters.

For the lotus root – slice the root into 1cm pieces and fry in the vegetable oil over a medium-high heat until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towel and season with salt and pepper.

For the Asian greens – heat some vegetable oil in a hot wok until smoking. Toss the bok choy and Chinese broccoli in the wok for 2 minutes, or until tender. Season with salt and pepper.

To finish – arrange the sauerkraut, red rice, lotus root, beetroot, edamame and Asian greens in equal proportions in a shallow bowl. Finish with the two poached eggs in the middle and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

Recipes from the Illawarra’s best restaurants, cafes & bars

Available anywhere you buy books in the Illawarra and at :

www.quicksandfood.com 17

LOCAL DROP

L-R: Jared, Ben, Luke, Scott

good times only THE GUYS BEHIND WOLLONGONG’S SMALL BAR EMPIRE Images Tom Opie; Tess McIntosh

When three guys from Orange relocated to Wollongong to study at UOW, and ran into each other at a house party not long after, the trajectory of the Gong’s nightlife was changed for the better.

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LOCAL DROP

In 2017, Ben Abraham, Luke Symons and Scott Mileto, all 28, were working in hospitality when they “made the liver-destroying decision” to buy their favourite local whiskey bar, Howlin’ Wolf and “make it great again.” Eighteen months later, the trio took over eclectic eatery Dagwood, before building their latest offering, Births & Deaths, in November, with the help of a fourth partner, Wollongong-born Jared Huk. With most of their bar experience gained working in regional pubs, it may seem like a significant sidestep to enter the world of small bars, but together, these three friends have injected an intoxicating mix into the heart of Wollongong CBD.

Hidden off Crown Street, the Americanathemed Howlin’ Wolf is the place for live tunes, craft beers and over 260 types of whiskey. Just around the corner on Market Street, you’ll find Dagwood, the home of international street food like Shanghai pork dumplings and a bangin’ bloody Mary. And if you head up Kembla Street, the gin bar concept was successfully brought to life in the form of Births & Deaths – sustainably minded with a polished fit-out, it’s the ideal spot to sink a few specialist cocktails.

Now, with four unique venues (they also own a bar in Orange) – all coming under the umbrella of their Good Times Only Group – Scott, Ben and Luke have played a huge hand in spruiking the Illawarra’s ever-growing eating and drinking culture. Any they’re having a good time while they’re at it.

We sat down with co-owner Luke and Births & Deaths’ Jared to talk booze and business…

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LOCAL DROP

Small bars encourage “ that intimacy, which I love… people bonding over alcohol.”

Take us back to where it all began…

Luke: Scott, Ben and I all went to school together in Orange but didn’t talk to each other back then, because that’s the way school goes. Ben moved to Wollongong when he was 19, and Scott and I followed a while after. We ran into each other at a house party, then we got to know each other because we were all working separately in hospitality and would see each other out all the time. Scott used to work at Howlin’ Wolf, and went back to Orange to start his own bar based on that model, called Washington & Co. It went really well, and that’s when we decided it would be a great idea to buy the Howlin’ Wolf! We were all at uni… none of us finished, so that’s good.

That’s how it kicked off.

You all worked in hospitality, but did you have experience running a bar? L: Not at all!

My background is pubs. I worked in pubs from 18 to 26 and hated small bars. I was just that typical country, have-a-beer-and-a-punt kind of guy, then I got thrown in the deep end and had to learn a lot about spirits, and now I love it. People come into a bar for the experience, whereas you go to a pub with the objective to drink, gamble, eat. There are no TVs in our venues – if you’re there, you want to be there with people. Small bars encourage that intimacy, which I love… people bonding over alcohol.

So after you bought Howlin’ Wolf, you started building Births & Deaths? Jared: I came down from North Queensland… I grew up in Wollongong, but I’ve been away for about 10 years. I was driving down to see my parents in Bermagui, and thought, ‘I’ll just stop into the Gong to see if there’s any new bars.’ I found the Howlin’ Wolf. I went there on a Tuesday arvo, ordered a shot of Fernet-Branca and a Negroni. Ben was working behind the bar at the time, and said, “You a bartender, mate?” I laughed, “Yeah, what gave it away…” We got chatting, then Luke and Scott rocked up. L: It was the first time Ben, Scott and I had been in the bar together since the first day we opened. We had the Births & Deaths concept already set up, but the guy we had ready to look after it had fallen through. J: They were talking about opening this bar, and I said, “I’m your man!”

I was running a cocktail bar in Townsville, so I had experience. By the end, we were all like, “Let’s do it”. That was November, 2017 – I moved back the following March and then we opened Births & Deaths that November.

And then Dagwood came into the mix…

L: We had Births & Deaths in the works, and the guys from Dagwood came to us and asked, “Are you interested in buying it?”. We were in the right spot at the right time, picked it up, and it’s been the best thing for our group. Having a food venue has worked so well. We always had so many function enquiries at The Wolf, but we don’t have a kitchen, so it was a logistical nightmare. Now a lot of people do the loop – Dagwood to The Wolf and then onto Births & Deaths.

Did you set out to make the three venues very different? J: Definitely! Births & Deaths is meant to be opposite to The Wolf – it’s light and

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LOCAL DROP

is either reused, or gets used in something else.

For example, we serve a beetroot and pumpkin cocktail – we use the leftover skins from the beetroot relish and the pumpkin puree from the food menu to make the drink. We also forage for ingredients from the region like saltbush to make our sand dune cocktail.

Who creates the cocktail menu? L: Jared’s the drinks man… he’s really the first proper bartender we’ve had in the group. We’re all from pub backgrounds but Jared has spent a lot of time in hatted restaurants, so he’s taken all those techniques and brought them to the cocktail list.

open. It’s a cocktail and gin bar that offers table service and uses local ingredients, but it’s still laidback; it’s not wanky. L: We try not to cross the wires too much; we all look after different spots.

I’m down at The Wolf, which is a bit more rowdy, more divey – so you don’t want me at Births & Deaths trying to sell a really nice gin. Then we have a venue manager at Dagwood, James, Jared looks after Births & Deaths, Ben oversees all three venues and Scott’s up in Orange looking after Washington & Co. Tell us about the sustainable practices you’ve implemented at Births & Deaths…

J:The bar’s name is associated with the fact we’re in the old Births, Deaths and Marriages building, but the entire cocktail menu is all about the births and deaths of ingredients. Everything

Did you make changes to Dagwood straightaway? L: Operations has been the biggest thing – between us, we have 20 years’ experience, so we worked out what we liked, what works and what structures are the most effective, then we tried to translate that to Dagwood. We wanted to implement better service and better product, too. They had Hahn SuperDry and Kirin on tap and we scrapped that and threw the guys from Young Henrys into the mix, which caused a few walkouts from unhappy customers who wanted those regular beers, but that’s the risk you take when you change things up. We liked what Dagwood was, we just wanted to take it to the next level. The food is definitely our focus.

Tell us about the menu? J: Kayla, our head chef, designed the menu at Dagwood and at Births & Deaths. L: The menu is now seasonal, and we wanted the focus to be fresh. We’re moving away from the Mexican-American thing and embracing the Asian street food elements of the menu more. The Dagwood fit-out is mainly Asian-themed so it makes sense for the menu to reflect that, plus the Asian options are the most ordered. Steam buns and ramen are so popular.

We also want that fresh focus to be reflected in the cocktail menu – we’re replacing syrupy cocktails with those made on seasonal fruit.

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LOCAL DROP You’ve also introduced Bottomless Sunday Brunches… L: They’ve been so successful!

Sundays are a slow day for us, for most bars in the area, unless you’re a big pub like North Gong. There’s really nothing going on in town.

We wanted to introduce a Sunday session and it’s kicked off.

So what’s next? World domination?

J: [Laughs] A tiki bar would be pretty cool! It’s either a brewery or a tiki bar. Who doesn’t love a pineapple on fire? L: We’re pretty happy to just sit at the moment. Wollongong was underdeveloped when we first came here, but it’s building. Places like The Throsby and Black Cockatoo are killing it. The small bar scene is taking off, and to be part of that has been awesome. It’s cool for us to look back and see how far we’ve come. Now we’re employing over 30 staff and putting jobs back into the Illawarra.

It’s pretty clear why you guys chose Good Times Only as your group name, but talk us through it… L: One of my favourite bars in Sydney is Ramblin’ Rascal – the first time I walked in there one of the bartenders was in a big wheel and rode it straight into a set of chairs, before taking a shot with us at the bar!? I couldn’t believe a place like that existed in Australia. We were going to a concert that night, but I had a better time at Ramblin’. We definitely took a lot from that place! We started pushing that ‘good times only’ vibe at The Wolf, and that’s what stuck as a group name – that's what we’re about and that’s what we encourage.

Has working so closely together had an impact on your friendship? J: I barely knew these guys… I met them drunk and then jumped into business with them. It was a risk, but obviously it’s worked. What I noticed straightaway, though, is that all three of them have a different skill set, which gels really well together. L:They say don’t go into business with friends, but honestly, it’s been the best thing for us – we’ve known each other for so long, we come from the same background.

We’ve had flare-ups, of course, but it’s always about business, it’s never personal. We have a lot of shit ideas go out there, but we talk about it, and every decision we’ve made has been for the betterment of the company. At the end of the day, we finish work and still go and have a beer together. ¡

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LOCAL STYLE

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LOCAL WILDLIFE

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LOCAL EVENT

city of colour THIS YEAR THE WONDERWALLS FESTIVAL PAINTED THE STREETS OF PORT KEMBLA Images Jess Vidler for Verb Syndicate

From February 15-17, street artists turned Port Kembla into one giant canvas as part of the annual Wonderwalls Festival.

The brainchild of local creative agency Verb Syndicate, Wonderwalls kicked off in 2012 without any council backing, and now stands as Australia’s largest and longest running street art festival, delivering in excess of 120 murals by more than 100 artists from around the world.

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“That first year we just invited friends to come and paint, and used private walls rather than public spaces,” says festival co-ordinator Verb Syndicate’s Simon Grant. “It ended up costing me about $8000, which I hadn’t really considered, but it was worth it because the festival has grown so much since then.”

You’re guaranteed to have spotted an impressive large-scale mural in Wollongong’s CBD painted during Wonderwalls – and the community agrees, the region is so much better for it.

Although, over the years, Simon says owners of the walls have been hesitant and nervous about the finished project, once the paintings are up, “It’s like someone’s injected MDMA into their eyeballs,” he laughs.

LOCAL EVENT

The portrait of a lady on Keira Street across from Amigo’s Restaurant, by artist RONE, was one of the first murals created, painted at a time when street art was yet to really penetrate the mainstream the way it has it today. As testament to the success of Wonderwalls, on any given day, there’s likely to be a group of people standing in front of that piece admiring the handiwork, the talent, the skill of the street artist: “It’s the most humbling feeling to see that,” says Simon. “It’s hard to put into words how special that is.”

While past events have seen 20-30 artists involved, this year’s festival – which was funded by the NSW State Government’s Port Kembla Community Investment Fund – took a less is more approach. Twelve acclaimed street artists – Travis Msk, Gus Eagleton, Will Gates, Case Maclaim, Loretta Lizzio, Poncho Army, Siguel, Sarah Mccloskey, Charles and Janine Williams,

and Bronte Naylor – showcased their phenomenal talent over three days, and left their creative mark on walls between Port Kembla’s Military Lane and Wentworth Street.

“The vibe, the character, the texture of Port Kembla’s streets made it the perfect choice for Wonderwalls,” says Simon. “Any level of creativity is going to be a positive, and there is definitely a cultural shift happening there.

Projects like this, with people on the ground making it a reality, are so important for the community.”

The beauty of Wonderwalls is the artworks are there to be enjoyed over and over. So gather a group or go it alone, and wander down Military Lane, up Wentworth Street and take a turn on Fitzwillam Street to soak up the textured, vibrant, magic murals bringing colour to the city. ¡

Applications for artists to be involved in Wonderwalls are open all year, head to wonderwallsfestival.com for more.

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LOCAL CREATIVE

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LOCAL CREATIVE

painting the town THIRROUL LOCAL SION GRUFFYDD OF KRAKEN KREATIVE RECENTLY UNDERTOOK HIS BIGGEST PROJECT TO DATE – TRANSFORMING WIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

now without that start-up process – Kraken Kreative was born out of chaos,” laughs Sion.

Since moving to the Illawarra nine years ago, the mastermind behind creative agency Kraken Kreative, Sion Gruffydd, has lent his unique brand of street art to prominent local businesses like Five Barrel Brewing, Wollongong Centro and Yours & Owls, to name but a few. You’ll spot Kraken Kreative’s creations plastered on T-shirts, walls and shopfronts at spots all along our coastline – testament to this Welsh-born artist’s true talent. On top of sign writing, Sion is also a graphic designer, a screenprinter, a T-shirt maker, illustrator and street artist.

“I had a surf clothing shop before Kraken, which didn’t do very well,” says Sion. “I didn’t have enough time to do the things I enjoyed like graphic design, plus we were spending a lot on other people screenprinting for us. I’d done a little bit of printing before – I certainly wasn’t an expert, but I basically sold the shop and installed a DIY screenprinting set-up at home to teach myself.”

The whole process, which Sion describes as “insanely stressful”, was trial and error.

Repeatedly testing and teaching himself over and over again, until he was satisfied with what he was creating.

“Looking back, that’s such a crazy way to do things, but the company wouldn’t be what it is

After teaching himself printing, sign painting was next. When he was continually asked if he knew any sign writers, he decided that he himself was one. “I’ve always been able to draw and been fascinated with lettering and typography from a young age, so it came together and grew pretty organically,” he says.

And grow it certainly did – from South Sailor to Rad Bar to The Ryan’s Hotel to Cleaver & Co to Caveau to Howlin’ Wolf to Cin Cin, plus many, many more, Sion is responsible for the creative one-of-a-kind branding of many restaurants, businesses and cafes in the region.

“People usually have a good idea of what they want but they don’t know what that looks like, so I just bring it to life,” Sion says. “I like talking to people and figuring out ideas together, that’s a huge part of the job. Cin Cin in Thirroul is pretty cool – the artwork is all adapted from family photos the owner showed me. Every little illustration on that artwork is an element from those snaps – even the flowers in the background. And the guy drinking the schooner is the owner’s grandfather.”

Recently, Sion also curated an exhibition for Wonderwalls, a fitting full circle considering the first ever large-scale mural he painted was for the local art festival in 2017 – his Run to the Hills mural can be found in a carpark in Wollongong.

“I saw an ad to apply to paint for Wonderwalls,” says Sion. “I was sitting at home and I’d had a few beers so was feeling very confident and thought, ‘I reckon I can do that.’ I applied and then quickly

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LOCAL CREATIVE

ra incorporated into the mural is “natAllive tothethefloIllawarra escarpment ” forgot about it. A couple of days later I had an email back saying I’d got in. But I just loved it – it kicked off my passion for painting big artworks.”

Last month Sion was able to really explore his love for murals when he embarked on his biggest project yet – painting the outside of WIN Entertainment Centre in celebration of their 20th anniversary.

“When they contacted me about the mural, it was straightaway a definite yes!” he says. “It’s four times the size of anything I’ve done before and took about 18 days on-site to complete, plus a couple of months of planning.”

The large-scale mural features black and white stencilled portraits of big-name Aussie performers, who have taken to the stage at the WIN Entertainment Centre over the years, set against a carefully crafted blue and pink backdrop.

The whole concept was hand drawn onto to the venue's walls by Sion using a grid technique to scale the artwork to size.

The background design holds special significance to the region, too: “All the flora incorporated into the mural is native to the Illawarra escarpment, and the pink splashes are representations of local headlands from Port Kembla to Stanwell Tops,” Sion explains.

Now with the mural complete for all to enjoy, Sion’s focus has shifted to his latest venture, Kraken Kids. A dad himself, Sion launched the T-shirt brand recently, because “I feel like children’s clothing is boring,” he says. “I just thought, ‘Why can’t a kid wear something that a parent appreciates too – good quality and not mass produced.’ So I went for it, and there’s been a bit of hype around it, which is exciting.”

Sion also created the annual Useless Wooden Toys: A Skateboard Art Exhibition at the Howlin’ Wolf, where 30 used skateboard decks painted by local artists are auctioned off on the night for charities. Proceeds team artists up with Plastic Free Wollongong to design and print T-shirts through Kraken Kreative, helping them spread their message! And at last year’s Yours & Owls Festival, with his right-hand man Charlie, who Sion says helps him run the printing side of the business, the team live screenprinted throughout the day, printing 400 T-shirts to sell over the weekend.

It’s clear Sion’s skills and interests are broad, varied and ever-growing. Not one to stay stagnant, the local creative is constantly finding new ways to bring art to life, adding more notches to his impressive resume by the day.

“Most of what I do is self-taught,” Sion says. “The only way Kraken Kreative has been able to work has been by me jumping in the deep end.”¡

Kraken Kreative is offering Coal Coast Magazine readers a 10 per cent discount off screenprinting.

Get in touch at www.krakenkreative.com.au and mention this article!

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SKIN CLINIC

Mention this ad to receive 10% off any treatment!*

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what's on calendar &visit our website for more email us at info@coalcoastmagazine.com for any future events

monday

march

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Step by Step Purple Daisy in Pastels art course WEA Wollongong

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Figgy Folk Sessions Figtree Hotel

tuesday

wednesday

Bowls World Cup Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club

Author Talk with Julie Ankers Shellharbour City Library • Practical Parenting: Sleep and Settling Dapto Library

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Garden Buggy Tour (10am) & Nocturnal Garden Walk (8pm) Wollongong Botanic Garden

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Speed dating with Fast Cupid The Little Prince Wollongong

Keeping Chickens Workshop Wollongong Botanic Garden's Discovery Centre • SCARF Hand in Hand Charity Art Exhibition (until march 24)

Books Alive Corrimal Library

Author Talk: Dell Brand Thirroul Library • Anita's Cinema: The Map to Paradise Anita's Theatre, Thirroul

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Pastel Galaxy Forest Night Sky: special two hour course WEA Wollongong

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Knit, Stitch, Yarn (every Mon) Warrawong Library

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SCHOOL HOLIDAYS START Merrigong Creativity Camp (until April 18)

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april

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may

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EASTER MONDAY

SCHOOL GOES BACK

Pint of Science Festival (until May 22)

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Toddler Time (every Tues) Dapto Library Dodos and Dinosaurs Wollongong Botanic Garden

Puckeys Night Market UOW Innovation Campus, North Wollongong

find us at

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21 Ocean Film Festival World Tour UOW University Hall

Wollongong Comedy Ft David Smiedt The Music Lounge • Eat Street Markets every Thursday, Crown St Mall

Lano and Woodley Spiegeltent Wollongong • Deluxe Deluxe Spiegeltent Wollongong (runs until May 5)

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Wolfgang's Magical Music Circus Spiegeltent Wollongong (until April 28)

Tom Gleeson Spiegeltent Wollongong • Eat Street Markets every Thursday, Crown St Mall • Mountainfilm on Tour Anita's Theatre Thirroul

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Human Nature: A 30Year Celebration WIN Entertainment Centre

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Butterfingers – ’15 Years Of Fatboys’ Tour UOW UniBar • Latin Night at Pepe's on the Beach (every second Thursday)

Nocturnal Garden Walk Wollongong Botanic Garden

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Bulli Pickers Bazaar Bulli Showground every Thursday

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Kids Fishing Workshop Lake Illawarra Windang • Puckeys Night Market UOW Innovation Campus, North Wollongong

Storytime (every Tues) Wollongong Library

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thursday

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Babies love books (every Wed), Warilla Library

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Eat Street Markets every Thursday, Crown St Mall

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The Humours of Bandon IPAC (until May 11)

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour UOW Uni Movies • Storytime (every Thurs), Shellharbour City Library

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Puckeys Night Market UOW Innovation Campus, North Wollongong • Foster & Allen in Concert Anita's Theatre

ANZAC DAY

Eat Street Markets every Thursday, Crown St Mall

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week ends

friday

saturday

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Wollongong Twilight Markets Flagstaff Hill • She'll Be Right Servo Food Truck Bar Port Kembla

The Farmer & The Owl Festival Macabe Park • SPLASH Wollongong North Wollongong • COG Towradgi Beach Hotel • The Great Illawarra Walk Shellharbour to Austinmer

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Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival (runs until March 10) • The Strides Heritage Hotel Bulli

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The Great Ocean Pool Crawl (starts at Coalcliff Pool) • The Farms Market Killalea State Park • Live Music at Mountain Ridge Wines

Illawarra Annual Brick Spectacular Kembla Grange Racecourse (until March 10) • Rock’n Vintage Roll Festival Ryan's Hotel Thirroul (until March 10) • Art on the Grass Red Point Gallery Port Kembla • Coal Coast Film Festival Anita's Theatre

Shell Cove Shellharbour City Festival of Sport • Nashville Live Illawarra Performing Arts Centre • Sunset Wedding Showcase City Beach Function Centre • Train Rides The Illawarra Light Railway

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Bob Evans ‘Full Circle Solo Tour’ Heritage Hotel Bulli • MS 24 Hour Mega Swim UOW UniActive building • Free Moonlight Movies: Trolls Roy Johanson Park, Figtree

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Les Miserables WIN Entertainment Centre (March 14-16) • Junior Groovers Disco 6.30pm, Woonona Bulli RSL

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Garden Party UOW UniBar • Bryan Adams WIN Entertainment Centre • Renee Geyer Heritage Hotel Bull

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Kitty Flanagan IPAC (March 22-24) • The Vampires The Music Lounge • Warrawong Markets every Saturday • Train Rides The Illawarra Light Railway

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The Frank Burkitt Band Illawarra Folk Club • Harvest Party Black Market Roasters

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Tropical Fuck Storm UOW UniBar

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Peking Duk UOW UniBar • The Chantoozies: Motown and Beyond Centro CBD • Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival Tarmac Day Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (until April 14) • Junior Groovers Disco 6.30pm, Woonona Bulli RSL

sunday

Shellharbour Body Mind Soul Expo The Shellharbour Club • Foragers Markets Bulli Showground, every Sunday • Yours & Owls Sundays North Wollongong Hotel The Cockatoo Run Unanderra Station • Dapto Markets every Sunday • SCARF Hand in Hand Family Day

Wollongong 5k Colour Frenzy Stuart Park • The Frank Burkitt Band Frank's Wild Years • Coledale Markets Coledale Public School

Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival • Free Moonlight Movies: Coco Thirroul Beach Reserve • Senior Moments A Comedy Revue Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (April 5-7) • Shellharbour Relay for Life

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Guided Sunrise Walk Illawarra Fly • Wollongong Triatholon Festival • Yours & Owls and Dicey Riley's presents Dicey Saturdays

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Illawarra Reptile Society Show Illawarra Sports Stadium, Berkeley • 7 Little Australians Spiegeltent Wollongong

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Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival • Dapto Markets every Sunday • The Farms Market Killalea State Park • Shellharbour Ocean Swim • Shellharbour Relay for Life

GOOD FRIDAY

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Judith Lucy Spiegeltent Wollongong • Warrawong Markets every Saturday

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EASTER SUNDAY John Safran Spiegeltent Wollongong • Wollongong Conservatorium All Star Jazz Orchestra Spiegeltent Wollongong

Foragers Markets every Friday, Crown Street Mall, Wollongong • Knit, Stitch, Yarn (every Fri), Corrimal Library

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Carlotta Spiegeltent Wollongong

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Coledale Markets Coledale Public School • Dapto Markets every Sunday • Yours & Owls Sundays North Wollongong Hotel

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She'll Be Right Servo Food Truck Bar, Port Kembla • Junior Groovers Disco 6.30pm, Woonona Bulli RSL Budding Bookworms Wollongong Botanic Garden Comic Gong Wollongong Central Library, Town Hall, Art Gallery and Arts Precinct Foragers Markets every Friday, Crown Street Mall, Wollongong

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Winter Wine Festival Crooked River Wines • Wings Over Illawarra Illawarra Regional Airport, Albion Park Rail • Flying High Dog Show Albion Park Showground

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Warrawong Markets every Saturday • Yours & Owls and Dicey Riley's presents Dicey Saturdays Yours & Owls and Dicey Riley's presents Dicey Saturdays KidsFest Shellharbour finale • Girls Big Day Out Sage Hotel Wollongong

The Farms Market Killalea State Park •Walk to dFeet MND Illawarra • Fastlove: A Tribute to George Michael Anita's Theatre, Thirroul

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MOTHER'S DAY

KidsFest Shellharbour (until May 25) • Castagne Day The Fraternity Club • An Autumn Day of Music in the Jazz Lounge Unanderra Hotel Bulli Burn • Yours & Owls Sundays North Wollongong Hotel • Coledale Markets Coledale Public School • Botanic Gardens Day Wollongong Botanic Garden

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WHAT’S ON

kidsfest takes over!

A WEEK OF FREE, FUN AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN SHELLHARBOUR Images Bernie Fisher

KidsFest Shellharbour is celebrating the 12th week-long festival with over 50 free events around Shellharbour from May 19-25 – and this year’s theme is ‘People Play Nature Nurture’. As the longest running free family festival in NSW, KidsFest is designed to encourage families with children between 0-12 to get out and about in the community, with the aim to showcase activities and opportunities available all year-round that are low-cost and family-friendly.

Kicking off on Sunday, May 19, from 10am, it’s all aboard the KidsFest Express at The Illawarra Light Rail Museum, Tongarra Rd, Albion Park.

Then, on Monday, Circus Capers will see families learn circus skills, play in the circus zone and perform at Calderwood Valley Sprout Hub. Other activities on offer during the festival week include kite making and flying, a magic show at Ravensthorpe Guesthouse and star gazing with Wollongong Amateur Astronomy Club, as well as much, much more.

The Helper Friends Emergency Services Expo on Tuesday, May 21, is always a winning event

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for kids and parents alike. Held at the Illawarra Rural Fire Service Control Centre, Airport Drive, Albion Park Rail, the expo features hands-on experiences with fire, police and ambulance workers and the machinery they use. Kids will get to crawl through a smoke house, try the fire trucks powerful hose, climb inside an ambulance, sit on a police motorbike and make their own emergency services helmet.

For new parents, or families who have recently moved to the Illawarra, then the Barnardos Communities for Children Picnic in Blackbutt Reserve is a wonderful opportunity to find out more about local services for families, while the kids play, sing, listen to stories and get up close to nature.

The week will then wrap up with the Connecting with Country and Culture event on Saturday, May 25, from 2pm at Killalea State Park, which will include lantern making for the final parade, a live butterfly experience with Butterfly House Experience The Illawarra and the Scouts climbing wall. But most importantly, kids have the opportunity to connect with Indigenous culture at Killalea – a place of significance where Indigenous people have lived and celebrated for thousands of years. An unforgettable experience. ¡ Head to kidsfestshellharbour.com.au for more information

Windjammers restaurant

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LOCAL SPORT

in the green room RIDING WAVES IS THE SWEET SPOT FOR ILLAWARRA-BORN SURFING STAR SALLY FITZGIBBONS Images Shannon Glasson

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LOCAL SPORT so badly, so I just kept asking my dad to push me on more waves and to take me out the back where the big kids were. I definitely loved the rush of riding my first waves. I loved having my friends and all our dads around pushing us into millions of little foamies and cheering us all the way to the beach – it was the best feeling.

Professional surfer Sally Fitzgibbons was basically born on a board. For the girl from Gerroa, who became World Junior Surfing Champion at just 16, the water has always been her wonderland. As a kid, she also played soccer, touch, footy and was a champion runner, even winning two gold medals for the sport at the Youth Olympics in 2007. But the pull of the ocean was too strong for Sal. In her first attempt to reach the women’s elite World Surfing Tour via the World Qualifying Series, she set a record by wrapping up the 2008 series in the first five events to become the youngest qualifier in history! And since joining the Women’s World Surfing League tour 11 years ago, Sally has remained in the top 10 athletes in the world – no easy feat. Despite some near-misses and heartbreaking setbacks, the 28-year-old has her sights firmly set on that World Title.

Really, the legendary Sal needs no introduction.

We chatted to the quintessential surfer girl to find out what it’s like staring down the barrel of a wave and to get the inside scoop on her favourite local breaks…

Growing up in beautiful Gerroa, did you spend your childhood in the ocean? I was so fortunate to grow up in the Illawarra. I was surrounded by the ocean, living out on the headland, and for me and my three older brothers, it was our playground. Every day our parents would take us down to play on the sand, explore the rocks and ride waves on all sorts of boards. It was so fun.

You started off surfing with your brothers – did it come naturally to you? My brothers led the way with everything I did. Their surfing got better and better, and soon they were out the back of the line-up catching waves by themselves.

I remember wanting to be out there with them

When and how did your journey into competitive surfing begin? My brother, who is a year older, started competing in surf competitions when he was 11. I was going along to watch him anyway, so after the first few he did I learnt the rules and was all up in my parents’ grill asking them to sign me up. I started my first few grom comps when I was 11 and loved it. I especially loved travelling as a family and spending that time adventuring around Australia.

It was an awesome way to see some of the best beaches on our coastline, meet new friends and do what I loved – riding waves.

my friends “andI alllovedourhaving dads around

pushing us into millions of little foamies and cheering us all the way to the beach”

Winning the World Surf League Qualifying Series at only 17 must have been an amazing feeling, since then, what’s been your biggest achievement? My biggest achievement has been staying in the top 10 in the world in my last 11 years on the World Tour.

The wins, the losses and the desire for continual improvement and growth; the enthusiasm to keep doing all the little intricate parts of my training that build the bigger picture of each performance and title campaigns; having the courage and willingness to be vulnerable to keep putting myself out there to go for my goal of being world champion even after the heartache of previous years. To me these are the reward… the big achievement and satisfaction is in the challenge. It's not perfect, the finish line is always moving, there are many uncontrollable factors and you experience every emotion under the sun, but this is what I love about it... I never know what is going to happen next.

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LOCAL SPORT

Sal and her dad, Martin

How do you mentally prepare and stay fit for competition? Every single day I pay forward to my body, mind and craft. All these components have to be in the right zone and space come competition day. I've always loved the training side of my sport and staying fit, there is something beautiful in the discipline in doing it day-in and day-out. My training includes strength, mobility, pool work, flexibility, breath work, cardio circuits, surf specific drills, ocean fitness, mindfulness work, reaction training, video review, recovery sessions and treatment from my physio… plus a whole lot of fun.

Are you ever scared in big swell? That's the best part about big waves – you get these nervous butterflies and instant perspective on how small you really are and how powerful the ocean can be. To ride a big wave is such a gift, you get the transfer of energy from the wave through your whole body when you ride it. It's such a rush and if you are good enough to make the wave, it is like a, 'did that just really happen?’ moment. It's super cool. The confidence in riding bigger swells comes from your training – and my best place mentally is a place of calm and controlled breathing, that's where I make all my best decisions.

What’s your ultimate goal in surfing?

To discover what my ‘best’ could be and for that best to lead me to a World Title.

You’ve been on the tour for more than 10 years, what do you miss most about home when you’re away? Connection to all my favourites – favourite surf spots, my favourite people, favourite foods. I’m super grateful to have grown up in Australia with all its privileges and with a loving community around that supports and backs me in everything I do.

Where are your favourite local surf breaks in the Illawarra and why? We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

It's crazy living on the South Coast and having so much to pick from. Gerroa is my home beach and I love it to bits. Then further north, I like Shellharbour and the stretch from North Wollongong to Stanwell Park. I say stretch because no matter where you end up along there you’ll bump into some quality waves. ¡

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39

LOCAL PRODUCE

the honey makers NATALIE AND BADEN CARTRIGHT OF PURE BUZZ ARE MAKING HONEY WHILE THE SUN SHINES Words Kate O’Meally, www.omword.com.au Image Alaric Cartwright

There’s a buzz happening in the suburban backyards of Wollongong, thanks to the rise of urban beekeepers. With easy access to home-based hives and greater awareness of the plight of bees and mass-produced honey – plus the delicious guarantee of homemade honey – hobbyists are taking to the beekeeping lifestyle with gusto.

Cordeaux Heights honey producers and founders of Pure Buzz, Natalie and Baden Cartwright, are two urban beekeepers that have taken their hobby and turned it into a sustainable

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business. With a history of beekeeping in both their families, the love of making honey was in the blood and after moving back to Wollongong two years ago, with space aplenty, the pair decided to continue the tradition: “We started off with one Flow Hive and quickly realised how much we enjoyed it so expanded with a few more hives”.

The leap from enthusiastic hobbyists to business owners happened by accident in early 2018 after a casual chat with some local cafe owners. “It all started when we were in some of our favourite cafes – Brown Sugar Espresso in Mangerton and The Rosy Lea in Primbee – and noticed they didn’t sell any honey. So, we asked them

LOCAL PRODUCE if they wanted some. They said yes… but then we went home and realised we had no jars, no plan – it was all a bit of a scramble!”, says Natalie.

“Normally when you launch a business you’d have all this pre-planning, but we created a logo, put things in place and got started.”

Despite the unexpected launch, Pure Buzz has gone from strength to strength in its first year.

With a high demand for their premium raw honey, each batch has quickly sold out and their popular ‘creamy’ honey is sought-after by Pure Buzz devotees. But rapid growth is not on the cards for Natalie and Baden, preferring to enjoy the process and build the business – and their hives – in an organic and sustainable way.

“It takes time to build up hives,” Natalie explains.

“The bees need to strengthen the hives and it can take several months before we can make honey. It depends on the weather, what’s flowering and the time of the year.”

For many beekeepers, the dry conditions have been challenging for honey production but rainfall in spring has boosted things along. A coastal location and the ability to move hives to various locations across the Illawarra has helped to minimise the impact and develop a variety of flavours in each batch. In addition to their own beehives, Pure Buzz house established hives with local ‘hosts’ in Figtree, Berkeley and Dapto, and have recently collaborated with Heartwood Farm – a native finger lime tree grower and sustainable food farm in Rose Valley, Gerringong.

“Having the hives hosted allows us to have honey that's mega-local. It’s great for the hosts – they often like to get involved and suit up. In an urban setting, honey is never going to be a single flavour.

Near the escarpment we’ve got lots of bushland and a great mix of florals and can get very distinct flavours if they’re feeding on orange blossom, gum trees, clover or basil – it all depends on what immediately surrounds the hives.”

Both Natalie and Baden agree it's an exciting time for local food producers in the Illawarra and are heartened by the welcome they’ve received in the community. “We’ve had some great local champions – they’ve been such great supporters of Pure Buzz. Not just stocking our honey but being an advocate and giving us practical assistance like sharing their commercial kitchen space. We’ve had great support from local businesses and we’ve felt so welcomed into the community of food producers. It's quite special in the Illawarra and the Shoalhaven – we’re looking forward to building more community connections and collaborations.” ¡

Find Pure Buzz at Brown Sugar Espresso in Mangerton and The Rosy Lea Café at Primbee. For more info, follow Pure Buzz @purebuzzhoney

fast five favourites

Favourite beach… We love hanging at Port Kembla Beach and soaking in the atmosphere and views at The Farm.

Favourite place to grab a coffee… Brown Sugar Espresso and The Rosy Lea are still our faves. Kiss and Drop in West Wollongong and Steam Heads in Unanderra also keep us well caffeinated.

Favourite place to eat… Cranky’s Canteen for a killer burger, Lee & Me for great catch-up lunches, and Table426 and Rookie Eatery for Australian cuisine... the list goes on!

Favourite thing to do around town… We love trying new places. Eat Street and Foragers Markets feature regularly in our schedules.

Favourite way to eat honey… There are a million ways to use and enjoy honey, but we particularly love our creamy crystallised honey spread on toasted, buttered sourdough bread – simple and delicious.

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HEALTH

wellness wonderland NATURAL REMEDIES TO LIVE A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER, MORE VIBRANT LIFE! Words Rita Balshaw

Happy feet

Foot patches maintain a powerful reputation in traditional folk medicine, working on the premise that there are 62 reflexology points on the feet which correspond to a different organ or system in the body. Foot patches work like a herbal compress using bamboo, eucalyptus, vitamin C, ginger and rice. You pretty much just stick ‘em to the soles of the feet before bed and the patches warm up and open the pores of the skin to draw out the accumulated toxins. The next morning you remove the patches to find them dark brown, gooey and sticky!

Notice your nose

Ever noticed how sometimes one nostril gets more blocked than the other? Traditional Chinese medicine acknowledges that this is the body’s brilliant way of revealing a present physical or emotional disharmony. A congested right nostril indicates that one’s approach to life has become “Yang” predominant – fast-paced, aggressive, stressed, masculine. A blocked left nostril indicates an excessive “Yin” disharmony – emotional, passive, unproductive, stagnant.

The primary goal of Eastern medicine is to create wholeness and harmony within a person, allowing the mind, body and spirit to heal itself.

If your nose is revealing an imbalance, pay attention and get to the root of the issue.

Swish, swish, swish

The mouth is home to bacteria, viruses, yeasts and other toxins. If our immune system becomes overloaded by excessive stress, poor diet and environmental poisons we may become sick and prone to infection. This is why the ancient ritual of oil pulling has a very powerful detoxifying effect.

Each morning take two teaspoons of organic sesame oil in your mouth. Swish the oil around for about 15 minutes before spitting out and rinsing well. Oil pulling is best done in the morning, before eating or drinking anything. It is important not to swallow any of the oil during this process.

Brown rice detox

Health and vitality can be sustained if the body is regularly cleared of toxic overload. The brown rice cleanse is an easy and effective way to cleanse and restore your body. Choose a day when you are prepared and feeling relaxed. Soak and rinse three cups of brown rice. Place into a rice cooker along with eight cups of water and cook as instructed. Once the rice is cooked, mix through a small amount of turmeric powder, black pepper, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, crushed raw garlic and grated ginger, as these are all really great detoxifying spices. Feel free to garnish your brown rice bowl with a little olive oil, or clarified ghee, heaps of fresh parsley and Himalayan sea salt. The warming combination of nutrients will gently move through your system, healing, hydrating and cleansing the organs. Brown rice is very easily digested and is highly nutritious. ¡

Always consult a medical professional for ongoing issues.

For more, pick up Rita's books at www.hippiesinthecity.com Rita is now offering holistic facials and wellness consultations at Taylor's Healthy Grocer in Thirroul.

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43

ADVENTURE AT HOME

natural wonder FIVE AWE-INSPIRING SPOTS TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE Words Courtenay Turner Images @ala_lifestyle @emily_parisi @nathanperrettaphotography @the_daly_venture @thetraxtribe

Recognising the breathtaking natural beauty of the Illawarra isn’t hard – a short drive across the Sea Cliff Bridge is enough to remind us just how remarkable our region really is. But nonetheless, exploring new places is one of the best ways to appreciate all that our coastline has to offer. Check out these five local spots and experience nature at its finest.

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Otford to Burning Palms Walk

The Otford to Burning Palms Walk is about an 11km loop track that takes in some of the Coal Coast's most stunning – and diverse – vistas. You'll pass through rainforest, cross Burning Palms Beach and witness some Jurassic Park-like views.

This Grade 4 track takes about five hours to complete, so be prepared to sweat. Allow a full day, wear sturdy walking shoes and bring plenty of water. This walk also takes in the wellInstagrammed figure-eight pools, but be smart and make sure you’re aware of tidal changes before visiting – head to the NSW National Parks website for more details.

Nellie’s Glen Waterhole

Just a 50-minute drive from Wollongong is the truly special Nellie’s Glen. Located in Budderoo National Park, this bushland waterhole lies upstream from the impressive Carrington Falls.

Surrounded by greenery, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in the magic of the Australian bush. The waterhole is roughly 15 metres in diameter and plenty deep enough to enjoy a relaxing dip – it even boasts a small waterfall of its own, making it the ultimate picnic spot. What’s more, it’s easy to access and perfect for families. Remember to respect the local flora and fauna while there.

ADVENTURE AT HOME

Dharawal National Park Kiama Coastal Walk – Cathedral Rocks

This 22km stretch of sparkling coastline is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of life. You’ll wander over coastal pastures and untouched headlands, while never straying far from creature comforts. The walk would take a whole day if you commit to the entire trek, but is easily broken up into sections. The walk from Minnamurra River to Kiama Blowhole Point takes about three hours, and you'll pass the magical Cathedral Rocks on your way to the famous blowhole. The volcanic rock formation at the southern end of Jones Beach has been attracting visitors since the late 1800s – there is also a cave here, best accessed at low tide, that offers an incredible vantage point and plenty of photo ops.

Pack a picnic, stop for a coffee and appreciate the breathtaking views.

The traditional land of the Dharawal people, this leafy park is of huge cultural significance and protects many sacred Aboriginal sites, including drawings and axe-grinding grooves. It has only been open to the public for 12 years and remains pristine, due to restricted access and community consideration – truly the region's secret paradise. A wonderland of swimming holes, waterfalls and walking trails awaits, and is accessed via Darkes Forest Road near Helensburgh. Enter the park at Maddens Falls and follow the creek down the gully as it joins a complex web of waterways, eventually flowing into O'Hares Creek, which offers glittering swimming holes aplenty.

The park’s dense vegetation and rugged sandstone landscape makes for spectacular viewing and is great place to spend the day. While there, keep your eyes peeled for an abundance of native wildlife – sugar gliders, wallabies, tree frogs and water dragons are common sightings.

Illawarra Fly Treetop

It’s tempting to think that the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk is simply a playground for tourists – it's not.

Perched on the edge of Budderoo National Park, west of Kiama, the Treetop Walk is around 710 metres above sea level and boasts incredible views. Climb to the top of the highest vantage point and you’ll find yourself surrounded by an ocean of ancient trees, rolling green hills and bright blue sea. Perhaps the most striking part of this walk is simply being suspended so high above the rainforest floor with what is truly a bird's eye view. And, of course, if you’re after something more heart-pumping, there’s always the option of zipping through the forest on the Illawarra Fly zipline. ¡

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TRAVEL

on the road VAN LIFE: THREE CRUISY ROAD TRIPS TO TRY OVERSEAS Words Matt Castell Images @stay_lame; @d2lan; @curlsonclouds

The tunes are unreal, snacks are copious, and your bed is only few feet from the steering wheel. You wonder aloud if you’ll ever catch another packed flight or stay in an overpriced hotel again? Your navigator and travel bestie shakes his or her head and mumbles something about missing a turn 100 or so kilometres ago. You don’t care. This is van life, wrong turns don’t exist, and adventure always lies around the next bend.

Van travel is back in vogue, and Australia is one of the greatest places in the world to cruise the bitumen – we have the best beaches, campsites, pubs full of character, and likeminded road warriors – but there are also heaps of overseas road trips to scratch your itch, so get out the map and highlighter and check out three of the best van routes to put on your list!

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TRAVEL

West Coast USA/Canada Recommended trip time: 3-4 weeks

Start your adventure in one of the most beautiful city in the Americas – Vancouver. Get your fill of the freshest and cheapest sushi before exploring the Rockies, making picturesque Banff your base to explore mind-blowing mountain ranges and aqua lakes.

Heading south to Washington State you’ll find cosmopolitan Seattle, a city with a bustling culinary scene and the famous Pike Place Fish Market. Aeroplane buffs can’t pass up a tour of the Boeing factory before continuing onto Oregon and its wild coastline. Cruise sand dunes and stargaze beside your beach bonfire then hit Portland for its hipster coffee scene.

From here, it’s a straight shot into Northern California via Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Yosemite and Redwood National Parks. Finish your trip in bohemian Venice Beach, only a stone's throw from LAX airport where you’ll leave your van before flying home.

South Island, New Zealand Recommended trip time: 2 weeks

Our antipodean neighbours are best known for rugby, sheep, a bloody good drop of wine and road trips with a bargain price tag. The land of the long white cloud is perfectly suited for your first overseas van trip due to cheap flights, similar driving rules and short driving distances. It’s best to choose either the North or South Island as there is plenty to see and do on both and you don’t want to rush.

Pick up your chariot in Christchurch, head south to explore Lake Tekapo, then drive the incredible road to Aoraki Mt Cook Village to see New Zealand’s highest peak. You’ll need the better part of a week to cover Fiordland and Queenstown, camping out in moody Milford Sound and the quaint village of Te Anau. Leave some dollars in your pocket to tick off a few adrenaline-based activities like bungee jumping and jetboating in Queenstown.

Head north back towards Christchurch, hitting Wanaka, Franz Josef and the wild west coast making sure to leave time for plenty of stops at waterfalls, gorges and beaches. When you reach Nelson, stop in Kaikoura at Ohau Stream (between May and October) to see cute-as-heck seal pups frolic under a waterfall.

Ireland Recommended trip time: 10-14 days

The Emerald Isle is packed with goodies for the van traveller, offering abandoned castles, rocky islets, bustling cities and a perfectly poured pint of Guinness at one of over 7000 pubs. Start your trip in Dublin after dancing the night away to Trad music in one of Temple Bar’s many centuries-old public houses, then cross the border into Northern Ireland to visit Belfast. Book a Black Cab Tour and learn about the history of the area in a light-hearted way.

Next stop, Galway! Get tickets to a GAA football or hurling match and don’t be afraid to ask the person next to you to explain the rules. From here, it’s a beautiful drive towards the imposing Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most famous natural landmarks.

In the southwest corner of Ireland lies the Dingle Peninsula, full of precarious mountain passes, incredible surf breaks and photo opportunities aplenty! Park up in the town of Dingle, world-famous for delicious sea salt ice-cream, then take the boat to Skellig Michael – a tiny rocky outcrop and a filming location for Luke Skywalker’s refuge in the latest Star Wars films.

Leave a few days to explore the Ring of Kerry, a stunning circuit through a landscape of forests, rivers and quaint seaside villages. Starting from Killarney, make sure you drive clockwise as tour buses travel anti-clockwise (you don’t want to get stuck looking at the back of a slow-moving coach). Then turn back to the capital with an obligatory stop at Blarney Castle to lock lips with the famous stone before kissing the beautiful country goodbye. ¡ Campervan hire companies exist in all places mentioned. If you’d like further information on pricing, how to get there and best times of year to travel, get in touch with Matt Castell at Curated Travel: matt@curatedtravel.com.au / 0438 100 774 / curatedtravel.com.au

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LOCAL WILDLIFE

king of the bush THE ILLAWARRA IS HOME TO A RARE LAUGHING KOOKABURRA Words & image Ralph Stadus illawarrabirders.org

Nothing is as Aussie as the magical echo of a group of kookaburras laughing in the gum trees. But did you know the laughing is actually their way of marking the boundaries of their territory? To drive off interlopers, kookaburras gather together and out laugh them.

kookaburra family groups is interesting, too – only the senior pair breed, and all offspring stay in the family group, even as adults. As all new parents would appreciate, the kookas have it sorted – plenty of willing helpers for those gorgeous, but ever-so demanding newborns!

In the Illawarra, we are lucky to home an abundance of native wildlife. And one of our more unique residents is the incredible and very rare white laughing kookaburra, which has often been mistaken for having albinism. Thankfully, that’s not the case as birds with albinism don’t live long in the wild due to the decreased eyesight. These white kookas have another very rare genetic mutation called leucisim, which only affects the bird’s feathers, beaks and in extreme cases skin scales. The birds in the Illawarra all seem healthy and live in family groups with normal coloured laughing kookaburras.

One distinctive feature of leucism is that the pattern on every kookaburra is slightly different, which makes them easy to identify. The Illawarra Birders have been collecting photos of our local white kookaburras and so far have counted five individual birds over the past few years. When you are out and about, keep an ear and eye open for them. Good locations to spot the white kookaburra are Killalea State Park and Blackout Forest Reserve at Shellharbour – they like drier woodland areas with large trees. ¡

Kooaburras live in intergenerational family groups, so most likely the leucisim gene is being passed on down family lines. The dynamic in

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Next time you are in the bush and see a birder with binoculars hanging around their neck, stop and ask whether they’ve seen one of our rare residents recently. And if you’re interested in spotting a few birds and learning more, head to illawarrabirders.org and join a walk.

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LOCAL INITIATIVE

charity begins at home KIDZWISH PROVIDES SUPPORT, LOVE AND LAUGHTER TO CHILDREN OF THE ILLAWARRA SO THEY’LL NEVER WALK ALONE

Founded 15 years ago, KidzWish is a local charity with a clear mission – to shine light on the lives of children from the Illawarra and South Coast who are sick, disadvantaged or have a disability, while ensuring children and their families are supported and loved.

“Our message is ‘local kids matter’, and we want as many people in the Illawarra to hear it,” says Karouna Micheal from the foundation. “KidzWish has become a symbol of support, love and laughter to both young and old.”

Over the years, the charity has helped more than 50,000 children and carers, something that KidzWish is rightfully proud of. By providing support programs, families don’t have to seek help outside of the region. “We are a small team making a big impact, and all funds raised in the Illawarra stay in the Illawarra,” says Karouna.

The KidzWish programs provide essential early intervention services to children in their everyday environments – they include speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and music/dance/sports experiences. There are

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LOCAL INITIATIVE also love programs, which are all about helping children shine through granting wishes, and laughter programs that give children and their families the opportunity to come together and share joy. Child ambassadors also play a vital role within KidzWish – representing thousands of children who KidzWish support from year to year.

To address the growing demand for KidzWish services and ensure more children and families have increased access to programs, the charity plan on opening a new KidzWish Place in Flinders. The new space includes six therapy rooms, a music and dance studio, a multipurpose sports hall, rooms, covered play area and even a magic cupboard full of toys.

“Our first KidzWish Place in Shell Cove only had one room to cater for all our programs and consequently couldn’t meet the growing demand, which is why a new KidzWish Place is an essential community resource to the families that receive the many programs we provide,” says Karouna.

“With a new and improved KidzWish Place we can assist over 10,000 children annually.”

Throughout the year, KidzWish hosts many events to raise funds and awareness, such as The Bridge to Bridge2Bridge Challenge and KidzWish Day, but one of the biggest dates on the Illawarra calendar is the annual KidzWish Children’s Christmas Party, where 4300 kids and carers converge on WIN Entertainment Centre for an action-packed day of fun, love and laughter.

“They come to the Christmas Party and they have one thing in common – they are all local kids and they all deserve the same opportunities,” says Karouna. “It’s all about having fun and having a break… And letting the kids just be kids.

What can we do as a community to make sure KidzWish continues to thrive and is able to provide much-needed support to families in need?

“We’re always looking for volunteers, corporate sponsors or people who want to fundraise on our behalf or donate to our cause,” says Karouna.

“We’re inspired by the compassion of people across the Illawarra. Their involvement has made us who we are today.” ¡

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LOCAL STYLE

1 interior secrets

Let’s talk about coral… no, not the type found under the sea but the colour. This is the big hit of colour making its way into interior paints, benchtops and furniture. Now, we wouldn’t want to get too carried away with this hue, it will be best suited as a highlight paired with nude and peach tones.

TOP DESIGN TRENDS OF 2019 Words & images Birdblack Design

It seems time is flying by so fast we are constantly having to remind ourselves what year it is! It’s no different in the world of interiors and architecture. Technology is moving at such a pace it’s hard to keep up with the latest and greatest. As we venture into 2019, let’s look at some of the key trends that will be making their way into our homes.

2

Living between the escarpment and the beach really lends itself to the trend of texture – a trend that won’t be moving on any time soon. The great thing is that it can be applied to any interior style. The neutral tones of cane, wicker, leather and most woven materials are an ideal place to start. A perfect example of this is the Weaver chair, $380, from 55 Parrots – simplicity in materials that make a huge statement at your dining table.

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LOCAL STYLE

More often than not, a ‘timeless’ interior is the desired outcome. The go-to-rule to achieve this is to stick to natural colours that you see around you every day – greys, soft blues, greens and sandy tones. Using nature as a base allows for a neutral palette that you can then add pops of highlight colours to. Coral, navy, mustard and velvety red will bring interest to your space, and can be swapped as the seasons change.

3

Technology continues to infiltrate every area of our homes – from battery-powered houses to smart-wired appliances. But it’s in the bathroom where gadgets are really booming. Have you heard about the baths with built-in speakers? Or perhaps toilets that warm your backside and have a water cleaning function? (A little too scary for some). While these items are a cool addition, they often have hefty price tags attached. If you want the next step up in the latest and greatest without it costing a small fortune, then upgrade your shower head. Given that we’re not only in a drought but we now have tight restrictions regarding water ratings on bathroom tapware, it’s imperative to select the right shower head. Using a dual shower provides you with two-in-one. Having a shower on a rail allows you to set the height to accommodate all family members, not to mention, is great for rinsing down the glass when cleaning. And the overhead is like stepping under a waterfall, ready to wash your worries away. ¡

53

REAL ESTATE NEWS

how to sell your home for more!

HOME STAGING IS A POWERFUL TOOL TO MAXIMISE PROFIT ON YOUR PROPERTY Words Property Styling Group

First impressions count The entrance

You don’t have to be an avid Selling Houses Australia viewer to know the value in styling your home before putting it on the market. In fact, a survey recently found that staged homes – those expertly decorated with an aim to emotionally and visually entice buyers – tend to sell in half the time that non-staged properties do, and achieve between 10-20 per cent more than their expected sales results.

Depersonalise your home Remember,

So what exactly is home staging? Decorating so that your potential buyers can mentally move into your house on inspection. Here are a few low-budget tips for how to spruce up your property for your pre-sale campaign.

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to your home is the immediate impression potential buyers will be faced with when inspecting your property – and within that first 10 seconds, they will make an instant decision whether or not this is the house for them! It is so important to ensure the entry to your home is clutter-free and welcoming. For under $50 you can buy a woven jute mat that will help buyers feel at ‘home’, or two small potted plants to frame the entry door. Research shows that a home with well-tended plants and gardens are more enticing to buyers, signalling that the home is loved and taken care of. you want your prospective buyers to be able to mentally move into your home, and they can’t do that if there are already people residing there (you and your stuff). If your home is full of personal trinkets, photos, and memorabilia, you need to pack them away and bring out neutral decor. Be brutal here – pack away at least 80

REAL ESTATE NEWS per cent of all decor in your home, this will make your home appear bigger and cleaner.

If you are not in the position to hire a professional cleaning company to scrub your home spotless, you are going to have to get very busy, because this is arguably one of the most important parts of presenting your home for sale. Aside from the general heavy-duty cleaning necessary, some important tasks to remember: • Make sure grout in tiles or on benchtops is sprayed with bleach or grout cleaners.

• Make sure all windows and mirrors are immaculately clean – white vinegar is an affordable cleaning alternative for this task.

• Ensure blinds are dusted and washed/wiped.

• Clean external gutters and pressure spray any hard surfaces.

• If your walls are not in great condition, it will bring down the clean feel of the whole house – so get out the cloths and wash down those walls!

• If you want to save on professional carpet cleaning, for around $50 you can hire a carpet cleaning machine.

• Make sure your oven, appliances, cooktop and rangehood are spotless.

Create light and luxury – with white Does anything say “fresh and clean” like fluffy white linen? For under $50, you can buy a nice white plush towel with a matching hand towel to add a light and bright ambience to your bathroom.

You can take it one step further by creating spa-like displays. Roll or stack towels on the bath or vanity to create luxurious appeal. Adding a naturally scented soap and a candle will also create ambience. If you have a shower rail and curtain – swap out the blue and yellow plastic fish for a plain white shower curtain. Also, ensure that the shower rings are not plastic, spend a few extra dollars and buy some stainless steel rings for your new curtain.

Breathe life into your home… With

foliage, foliage, foliage! Bringing the outside in creates a feeling of freshness, and is visually pleasing and calming to potential buyers.

Whether it’s cut flowers or potted plants, you can never go wrong adding some greenery to your house. For under $50 you should be able to green up your house effortlessly. Better yet, for $0 you can use your own garden to furnish your home. ¡

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HOW TO

manage your money Your finance questions answered…

Words Nathan Hancock & Dylan Beer Image LA Early @la_early

I am on the verge of retirement and am worried about how to best manage my finances after I stop working. What should I consider?

Retirement, or what we prefer to call the ‘Post Work Reward Phase’, should be an exciting and worry-free time. And the earlier you start preparing for life after work, the more options you have to set a course that suits you and the lifestyle you envisage.

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Leading up to this time, it’s important to take stock on the assets you hold, what you will likely need and have a rough estimate on what you will spend year-on-year. There are some simple calculators on moneysmart.gov.au to try. Based on these outcomes, consideration may be given to actions such as a savings plan, sale of a lifestyle asset (downsize home), adjusting your expectations and or timeframe.

What we believe is most important in retirement planning is making sure your finances are structured in a way that provides the best outcome for you and your family. There are a number of significant opportunities for pre and post-retirees to take advantage of structurally, such as maximising superannuation, with a view

HOW TO to establishing tax-free pensions. Ensuring tax is minimised, and administration of one’s financial life is as efficient as possible is a further key benefit for most retirees.

There are many other important elements to consider, such as Centrelink and the Age Pension, Downsizer Benefits, Aged Care, Estate Planning, Super Income Streams, Taxation and the list goes on. This pre-retirement phase is one of the most important times to get expert attention from a financial adviser, as strategic advice can have a long-lasting impact.

I have almost saved enough for a house deposit and am unsure about what I should be looking for in a mortgage. Any tips?

You have been saving away your hard-earned money and you have almost saved enough for a deposit – congratulations! Choosing your new home is obviously the major decision from here, but taking the time to select the right mortgage is almost as critical because if done well, you

could save tens of thousands of dollars, or you could pay out the loan years earlier!

A lot of people start by approaching the bank that their parents signed them up to when they were kids. While this is convenient, it can be a mistake as the bank will recognise your loyalty and decide that as you are already with them, they don’t need to pass their best rate on to you.

The other problem with this approach is that you are putting the cart before the horse. You are far better off to determine what functionality you need in your loan and based on this, you can select a lender that offers this at the best rate.

The challenge for a new home buyer is navigating the minefield of banking jargon to understand what ultimately is going to save you the most interest – variable rates, fixed rates, P&I, interest only, offset and redraw can all benefit the customer in the right situation. Research some of these terms or speak to a mortgage broker who can help you to get an understanding of what type of loan would be best for you. ¡

If you have a question you’d like the The Wealth Connection team to answer, email info@coalcoastmagazine.com

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COAL COAST FAVES

@gypsea.summer.soul I’ll be reconnecting here today.

Salt water and sunshine always bring me clarity and happiness.

#coalcoastmag TAG US IN YOUR PICS ON INSTAGRAM AND YOU'LL SEE THEM POP UP ON OUR WEBSITE, PLUS WE WILL PRINT OUR FAVES EACH ISSUE. GET SNAPPING! www.coalcoastmagazine.com

@yorkomatic Crazy skies tonight

@housesofcoalcoast That pink door @lostwollongong A charter bus stopped on Carters Lane, Towradgi in the late 1950's. Photo thanks to Lost Wollongong member Clarrie Bouma.

@wedronethegong Some strange weather lately!

58

COFFEE CHAT

lovers bunch of ecoffwe’eell cha We’re a ever here, so ownery orissubarista aboutt to a cafe kes the perfect cup. what ma

hey brew MEET JARRED FROM OH DANG! ESPRESSO

How was Oh Dang! Espresso born? Oh Dang! came from our frustration having to travel to find great coffee. My family had been coming to our caravan in Windang for over 10 years before moving here.

Being coffee snobs, we wanted to create a place that we’d love to visit. I have experience with coffee and my mum, Kim, has always been such a good cook so when we saw the space available, before we knew it we were getting it ready to open. We knew what we wanted to do – great coffee, top food and a laid-back atmosphere.

We wanted to give people something that we felt was missing from the area, and we wanted to become a hub for locals to hang out, supporting the local community in return. The name had to be something to do with Windang, something that would stick out and show a bit of character, so after a few beers one arvo Oh Dang! was born.

Tell us about your delicious menu – your burgers are awesome!

We wanted to offer something for everyone, so we have gluten-free, vego and vegan options. We had to include all the classics, but we also wanted to add some of our own creations. Our vego big brekkie and haloumi burger have been two of our most popular options and they were all Mum’s doing. The burgers were added after I had been making them for myself and playing around with recipes for months. People would see

what I was eating and ask where it was on the menu, so we added them.

The southern fried chicken burger has been a real crowd-pleaser. We also created a vegan burger, so nobody is left out.

What brand of coffee do you serve and why? White Horse, of course… only the best will do. I had previously worked with the White Horse boys at my previous cafe and I wouldn’t have opened Oh Dang! without them on board. I first met Dom years ago when I was shopping around for a supplier, and after witnessing his passion for coffee and the lengths White Horse go to to keep it special, there was no looking back for me.

What’s the secret to a perfect brew? A heaped teaspoon of International Roast… Just kidding, for me it comes down to three things – using the best coffee, consistency and giving a shit! There is nothing worse than going to a cafe and being able to tell what barista made your coffee.

We make sure we keep everything as consistent as possible. Our staff want to serve the best possible coffee every time you walk in the door.

If you buy coffee from another spot in the Illawarra, where do you go? I don’t often venture out of the Dang, but if I do, I pop in to Hevan Espresso in Corrimal. Evan is a top bloke and has helped me out professionally more than once. He knows the industry from every angle and knows his stuff. Always a great coffee and great banter. ¡

Oh Dang! Espresso 2/314 Windang Rd, Windang

59

COAL COAST FAVES

5 things we LOVE around town...

SO – CORRIMAL PROTEIN BALLS, HEVAN ESPRES FRIED CHICKEN BURGER, GHTS CRANKY’S CANTEEN – LAKE HEI SCIENCE SPACE – UOW INNOVATI

ON CAMPUS

AXEL VODKA – COLEDALE FRIES FROM MOE'S BURGERS –

60

FAIRY MEADOW

REVIEWS

babycinos GONE ARE THE DAYS OF COTTEE'S CORDIAL BEING THE TREAT, IT'S NOW A FANCY CUP OF FOAM

Léchappé Cycle Cafe, Wollongong Did you know us Aussies invented the babycino?

A drink that pretty much signals to the kids, ‘sit down and shut up’. People of Australia take a bow… it may not be in the same class as inventing electricity or the biro, but receiving a blissful moment to enjoy one’s cup of coffee deserves some hoo-ha. If you want to up the game, as in, turn this moment into say 20 minutes, this is the place. Léchappé is gated with a sweet kids’ area.

Heaven is a place on Earth.

The Broken Drum, Fairy Meadow I’m known to always want what the other person has ordered. Always looks and tastes better. And to date, this has never happened when ordering my standard cappuccino and babycino… till NOW. Hers looks better. It’s an amazing high rise of fluff, something from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, perhaps. To rub it in, she keeps muttering the word “num”… bugger.

Now I’m left wondering – is it acceptable for an adult to order a babycino?

Bunnings, Bellambi My maths is a bit rusty, but by my calculations the cost of a babycino is very much overpriced. I’m no barista, but isn’t a babycino just leftover froth from an adultsize cappuccino? Give it a sprinkle of chocolate and one marshmallow and voila… Or are they so annoying to make that the price is bumped up? Alas, I’ve found somewhere that does the maths well! You’ll pick up a babycino at Bunnings for 60 cents. Now we’re talking.

Plus, find it cheaper and they’ll beat it by 10 per cent!

61

COAL COAST POPS

meet a neighbour Interview Michelle Bevans

Andy Smith Tarrawanna

How long have you lived in the Illawarra?

My wife, Sam, and I moved here from Bondi Junction in Sydney in 2009.

What brought you to the area?

We wanted a different kind of lifestyle to what Sydney could offer. We wanted space, loved the beach and wanted to start a family. Sam grew up in Kiama and I grew up in The Shire and also lived in Fairy Meadow while studying ay UOW so we knew the area and found the slower pace of life and friendly people a real drawcard. We came across Tarrawanna and loved how quiet it was – little houses on big blocks, with creeks running through backyards. We fell in love with the space and the trees.

I’m a high school science teacher in Wollongong, Sam runs the Learning Lab school holiday program at UOW and our kids, Gwen, seven, and Mack, nine, go to school nearby. Tarrawanna is a great central spot for us and I get to ride my bike to work each day – even on a bad day it’s still an awesome way to start the morning!

Ideal start to the day?

With two kids and a dog, we love when we can all manage to get outside. If the weather is good, East Corrimal Beach is our go-to – surfboards in tow, space for our dog Stewie to run. Perfect! It’s our favourite way to start the day together.

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find us at

NEXT ISSUE – OUR WINTER EDITION

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www.coalcoastmagazine.com 62

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COAL COAST POPS

fave place for fish & chips?

Interviews Jenny Duggan

JOANNE FROM DAPTO

ELIZABETH FROM WARILLA

Bean to the Valley in Albion Park does the best fish and their burgers are awesome too!

Shellharbour Fish & Chips, the chips are cooked just right!

JED FROM CORRIMAL

MAX FROM WOMBARRA

Fishnets in Corrimal.

Everything tastes fresh and the batter is perfect.

Shell's Diner in Austinmer... the new outdoor back area is pretty cool.

MARISA FROM WATERFALL

SCOTT FROM THIRROUL

Figtree Fish & Chips,the fish is fresh and the chips are the best in the area!

Jolly Rogers in Thirroul is always a winner when we take it to the park or beach.

63

FINAL FUN

the quiz 1. Which sea creature has three hearts?

11. What flavour is Cointreau?

2. What is the capital city of Spain?

12. In 2022, Wollongong will play host to which elite cycling event?

3. Name the director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

4. What colour jersey is worn by the winners of each stage of the Tour De France?

5. Windang band Hockey Dad is made up of two members, Zach Stephenson and…

6. What is the collective name for a group of whales?

7. What is the highest mountain in mainland Australia?

8. Poutine, often referred to as Canada's national dish, consists of fries and gravy, and which other ingredient?

9. In which film did Humphrey Bogart say, "We'll always have Paris?"

10. Name the three primary colours.

13. Name the band that won the 2019 Triple J Hottest 100 with the song Confidence.

14. True or false: Pirates wore earrings because they believed it improved their eyesight.

15. What’s the chemical symbol for lithium?

16. Who was the captain of the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2017 and 2018?

17. In the Shrek movies, which actor voices Princess Fiona?

18. Which of the planets is closest to the sun?

19. How far does the Illawarra escarpment stretch: 40km, 85km, 120km?

20. What part of the body produces insulin?

Answers on page 1.

64

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